MAR/APR 2017 004 SKYInflight Magazine TIMES

A Land of Phenomenal

Florescence Living Like a Local in

Yang Mei Zhu Xie Street ’s Most Artistic Hutong

Kingdom of Wheaten Food A VILLAGE OF CRAFTMANSHIP CULINARY DELIGHT Providing the Promise of a Discover a Whole New World ‘Life Well Travelled’ in Seychelles Inflight magazine with the largest circulation around the world. SKY TIMES | Editor’s Letter A Splendid Springtime of Breathtaking Blossoms

o matter how harsh conditions get in winter, there is always something to look forward to — the arrival of spring. The energetic season brings blooming flowers, warmer weather and a Nmore relaxing lifestyle. In Chinese, there is an old saying: “Make your whole year’s plans in the spring, and your day’s plans early in the morning.” There is a very positive meaning behind the saying and at the start of the New Year of the Rooster, we encourage our readers to be adventurous and take advantage of the splendid springtime. In the March/April edition, Sky Times will embrace nature, showcase rural surroundings and present a plethora of breathtaking blossoms. To bring you a selection of spring scenery, we have chosen several spots, from Heqing, the village of craftsmanship and culinary delights in Province (page 14), to , the northwestern border of (page 40), and from the land of abundance in Chengdu (page 20), to Jining, the cradle of Confucius’ culture (page 24). In addition, we also take you to Africa to witness the stunning islands scattered across the eastern Indian Ocean and experience the sunshine, passion and hospitality of Seychelles (page 28). In our daily lives, we often see posters advertising stylish and fashionable products, adorned with large logos and full of information. But do you Make your whole know the story behind the history of posters? We will look year’s plans in the into the past and present of calendar posters and how they define modern China (page 36). spring, and your If you visit Beijing, listening to Peking opera and exploring the hutong day’s plans early in are two must-dos. Sheng, Dan, Jing, Mo and Chou are the five main roles in Peking opera, among which, Dan is the general name for female roles, which the morning. may be played by either actors or actresses. Male Dan, skillfully portraying women and singing like women has carried a significant weight in the long history of Peking opera. We interview Hu Wenge, a disciple of Mei Baojiu and the sole male Dan descendant of the third generation of Mei School, who shares his story about his artistic pursuit of male Dan roles (page 60). In terms of hutong, Yang Mei Zhu Xie Street is the rising star. Located southwest of , it is a traditional hutong and the center of contemporary Chinese art. In our Lifestyle section, we take you to Yang Mei Zhu Xie Street to show you the perfect mixture of history and contemporary life (page 66). Sit back, relax and enjoy your spring­ time with Sky Times. As always, we wish Cao Shenshen you a pleasant journey. Executive Editor

01 SKY TIMES Responsible Institution: Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) Sponsor: China Civil Aviation Publishing House Now 04 President: Ma Songwei Publication: China Civil Aviation Publishing House Russian Swan Editor-in-Chief: Li Yong Art and Animals Executive Editor: Cao Shenshen All Things Chocolate Editors: Feng Shuangqing, Wang Ruosi Kukeri with Scary Masks Editorial Consultant: Dominic McIver Feeding Time for Tiger Cub Editor-Visuals & Photographs: Lu Ning Carnival Atmosphere Advertising Director: Zong Miaomiao Full of Characters Designed By: Alinea Productions

Advertising: Talk 09 Items 10 Data 12 CAAC Magazine Corporation Address: CAAC Journal, Civil Aviation Building A, Shilihe, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100122 Printing: Travel 13 C&C Joint Printing (Beijing) Co., LTD. A Village of Craftmanship, Culinary Delights / 14 Living Like a Local in Chengdu / 18 Advertise in Sky Times WOW Chengdu / 21 Email: [email protected] Tel: (86-10) 67654218

主管: 中国民用航空局 主办: 中国民航出版社 社长: 马松伟 出版: 中国民航出版社 主编: 李永 Jining: A City Steeped in Ancient History / 22 执行主编: 曹慎慎 编辑: 冯霜晴、王若思 语言顾问: 多米尼克 · 麦基弗 Discover a Whole New World in Seychelles / 28 视觉编辑: 路泞 广告总监: 宗妙妙 设计: 利雅法盛

广告独家代理: 中国民航杂志社 Culture 35 地址: 北京市朝阳区十里河民航空管楼A座 中国民航报社 Using Traditional Art to 印刷: 北京华联印刷有限公司 Define Modern China /36 ISSUE 4 A Land of Phenomenal Florescence / 40 March/April 2017 国际标准刊号: ISSN2096-1375 Luxury Hotels Offer Best 国内统一刊号: CN10-1381/G1 of Past and Present / 48

02 004 MARCH/APRIL 2017

People 53 Providing the Keeping the Feminine Promise of a ‘Life Well Beauty of Travelled’ / 54 Male ‘Dan’ Alive / 60

Lifestyle 65

Yang Mei Zhu Xie Street Beijing’s Most Artistic Hutong / 66 Chic / 70

Kingdom of Wheaten Food / 72 Books & Films / 76 Creating Unity and Peace Through Ethnic Music / 78 French Elegance Found in Frankfurt / 79 Ultimate Indulgence at China World Summit / 80

Discover a Whole New World in Seychelles / 28 Flying 81

Beijing Boasts Record-breaking Passenger Numbers / 82 Chinese Aviation’s Great Leap Forward / 82 Becoming First-class International Aviation Hub / 86 Challenges for Aviation Industry Cloud Year Ahead / 90 News / 94 Dissecting the Millennial Mindset / 96

03 SKY TIMES | Now

Russian Swan Lake

Swans are seen in the Altai Krai, a region in Western Siberia. Legend has it that the supreme Altai god Ülgen was flying on a white swan when he created this wonderful land. In a continental climatic zone, Altai is a unique place where swans remain for winter, and it is one of only two swan preserves in Russia. Every winter, the house more than 300 swans. In April, birds fly to polar regions, returning to Altai in autumn with cygnets.

04 05 SKY TIMES | Now

Art and Animals The public art event of Colored Painting of Water Buffalo held in Vietnam on Feb. 2 attracted artists from around the country to Ha Nam, a province in the north of the Red River Delta. Water Buffalo are decorated with different colors to celebrate the Colored Water Buffalo Festival.

All Things Chocolate A woman wears a dress made from chocolate at Salon Du Chocolat Brussels, a three-day event held from Feb. 10 to Feb. 12 in Brussels, Belgium. The event showcases the most advanced products and services, including various kinds of chocolates, as well as the latest trends and techniques used in the chocolate industry and the food and beverage industry as a whole.

06 Kukeri with Scary Masks Thousands of “Kukeri” from different regions of Bulgaria as well as from all around the world gather in Pernik, Bulgaria, for Kukeri, or Surva, Festival on Jan. 29. Kukeri is a pagan Bulgarian tradition of Thracian origins — in ancient times, the old Thracians held the Kukeri Ritual Games in honor of Greek god Dionysus. The games are performed only by men, dressed in colorful handmade costumes and wearing scary masks. The masks are decorated with threads, ribbons, lace and usually represent animals such as goats, bulls, rams, or even chicken.

Feeding Time for Tiger Cub

A zookeeper feeds a three-day-old Malayan tiger cub at Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio. Malayan tigers were previously classified as Indochinese tigers until DNA testing in 2004 showed them to be a separate subspecies. Malayan tigers are found only on the Malay Peninsula and in the southern tip of . Their Latin name — Panthera tigris jacksoni — honors Peter Jackson, the famous tiger conservationist.

07 SKY TIMES | Now

Carnival Atmosphere

The Carnevale di Venezia, or Carnival of Venice, this year runs from Feb. 11 to Feb. 28. The water parade is a typical feast for Venetians and all guests interested in local traditions. Music and dancing accompanies the parade, with people dressed in costumes on gondolas being rowed along the Grand Canal to the city’s Cannaregio district.

Full of Characters Russian pupils participated in the first final of a Chinese character dictation competition held by Far Eastern Federal University’s Confucius Institute in Vladivostok, Russia.

08 SKY TIMES | Talk

Are there any What is your stereotypes you used preferred mode to believe about of transport for China or Chinese, traveling in but have found to China? ? be untrue since your arrival in the country?

Since I started working, I have not traveled inside of China — only as a That they eat all the time. flight attendant. Before I used trains Not true — sometimes they eat a lot, but now flying is my method of ! transport. I hope that in the future, I will be able to travel more in China. (Hungary,Lilla Flight Attendant)

Untrue stereotype: Tofu is boring. Not true. In Bullet trains — they are amazing. It is the United States, most so cool to be able to get from Beijing executions are flaccid and to so quickly and comfort- tasteless. In China, the ably. Now, they just need to improve variations in texture are the food service. almost fantastical, and the tofu dishes are very flavorful. (UnitedMike States, Peters Journalist) I have traveled by car, bus and air- plane, but my favorite form of travel in China is high-speed rail. It is more I have taught at universities in China comfortable than any of the other for 12 years, but have also taught forms of transport as you can get up students at other levels. When I first and walk around. It is not as fast as a arrived, I was told that Chinese stu- airplane, but going by train can save dents spend all of their time studying time in other ways. Stations are more and do nothing else. This stereotype conveniently located than airports was shattered during my first year in and moving around in the stations China when I attended a show at our is also easier. In addition, as trains campus theater. There were students leave on time, you can eliminate singing, dancing, acting and playing Mark Levine time wasted waiting in an airport to (United States, Professor) musical instruments. They were doing board a flight that has been delayed. so many things that I was not expect- However, if a high-speed train ride is ing, it was amazing, and over the past more than five hours, I do prefer to 12 years, it has just gotten better. fly. China has many modern airports, so if you do have to wait, it can still be pretty comfortable.

I have not traveled much, but I have That food in China is like taken the high-speed train to Shang- food in Thailand. The fact hai and Wuyan. It is very convenient is that Beijing food is really and I got to enjoy the scenery. Kathita different. (Thailand, Engineer) 09 SKY TIMES | Items Fun with Furniture Sobey Canadian designer Judson Beaumont is hailed as a “furniture magician” who is so confident that he believes he can turn Maybe it will be like Subey, anything into reality as long as it can be drawn. He is often gathering together and inspired by animation movies such as Bug’s Bunny and Toon dancing happily. Town in Roger Rabbit, which is why Disney and Pixar films are his favorite. Every piece of Beaumont’s furniture seems to have been endowed with unique soul and character, and he is widely recognized for his playful and unconstrained design style.

Vern Of course, when they are in a good mood, they will be sitting on a park bench leisurely, chatting with friends about the future, just as you did when you were a little child.

Bad Table From now on, do not think that a four-legged desk can do nothing but stand there, collecting dust and having to put up with your bad temper. It has its own temper. If it has been irritated, it will get revenge on you, without showing any mercy. The naughty desk is representative of Beaumont’s work. It tells you that furniture is more than just an object. Though it sounds weird, when you treat your dresser as a friend, you will have a different relationship with it. You might as well give a try at it.

House-Shelves Give your sunglasses, watch or mug a home. The disorderly space adds much fun to the ordinary space for storage.

Big Apple Just like the logo of Apple Corp., an apple which has been bitten always looks more enticing. The cabinet has not only been bitten once, but several times, which requires clever design and calculation.

10 Hollow Chair The chair has an aesthetic appeal and also provides an interesting Little Black Dresser space for storage. The dresser, which can be hung on a clothes rack, has a beautiful and elegant body, and can be placed anywhere in a room. Black and red highlight the visual traits of mystery and sex appeal. What is interesting about it is that it is a dresser and an article of clothing.

Mickey & Minnie Take the two classic Disney images back home. Now you can stuff your clothes in the belly of Mickey and Minnie, which are more than just dolls.

Bird Bath The luxury design is a home and water- Beaver Cabinet drinking pool for birds. Will this personalized Does this cabinet look life environment make like it has been bitten you treat your pet as a by a beaver? little friend of yours?

Pet Camper Have you ever thought that your pet dog also wants to go on a relaxing trip, just like you?

Photos by Judson Beaumont 11 SKY TIMES | Data HOLIDAY TRIGGERS BOOM IN TOURISM ow did you spend the weeklong holiday? Did you take a trip with your family or just spend time in your native city? Even though winter conditions are a little bit tough, people often choose to go on outings or organize skiing trips in China Hor abroad.

According to statistics from During the holiday, which ended The travel peak fell on Jan. 27, the first day of the holiday, which saw the China National Tourism on Feb.2, 344 million Administration, the country’s tourism 50.5 million visitor trips, a industry generated revenue of visitor trips were made, up 423.3 billion yuan 10.4 % (US$ 61.7 billion) during the 13.8 % Chinese New Year holiday — as increase year-on-year. more affluent people become compared with the same period increasingly keen to travel —marking last year. During the holiday, hundreds a year-on-year increase of of millions of people go back to Overseas travel has become their hometowns to meet relatives more popular, with about and old friends, and in recent years, family trips have become 15.9 % 6.15 million Chinese increasingly common, helping to drive a tourism boom across the traveling abroad during the holiday, country. a year-on-year increase of The domestic tourism industry generated revenue of about 7 % 3.9 trillion yuan last year, and the country plans to raise tourism revenue to 7 trillion yuan by 2020.

12 Travel

A Village of Craftmanship, Culinary Delights / 14

Living Like a Local in Chengdu / 18

WOW Chengdu / 21

Jining: A City Steeped in Ancient History / 22

Discover a Whole New World in Seychelles / 28 Travel | Inside China

A Village of Culinary Delights Craftmanship, Text & Photos Huang Cheng

Heqing county in Southwest China’s Yunnan province has been the center of silverware making since the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907). This ancient community is situated along the “Tea-horse Road” and has a more than 1,000–year history in processing gold, silver and bronze. Heqing draws visitors with its stunning landscape and delicious food.

t the foot of Phoenix water, which is said to bring Mountain in Heqing good luck to the drinkers and lies a small village that their families throughout the Ais so beautiful that it year. Like a devout Buddhist has been hailed as the “Earthly burning their first incense, Paradise”. It is a Bai community, every villager wants to be first referred to as Shizhaizi, or Stone to capture good luck for the New Village, by local people, and it Year. now has a new name — Xinhua For Heqing villagers, the Black Village. The village sits between Dragon Lake is a sacred place. It the undulating Phoenix Mountain is so pure that ottelia, an aquatic in the west, the Heqing flat ground plant, blossoms everywhere on the Silversmiths in in the east and the sweeping “Grass lake’s surface. Most magnificently, Xinhua Village. Sea” in the southeast. the temples on Phoenix Mountain Next to Phoenix Mountain reflect in the lake like crystal stretches Black Dragon Lake, palaces in the water, inspiring an in which there is an opening almost spiritual response. for spring water, known as the In addition to the Dragon’s Eye, “Dragon’s Eye”. Early in the there are more than 100 springs in morning on the first day of the village. Some people call it the every Lunar New Year, all local “Water Village on Plateau”, but households dispatch their young a more accurate name is “Spring adults to catch the first bucket of Village on Plateau”. Stepping into water from the Dragon’s Eye — a any household or workshop, you tradition that has a long history. will find a pond of spring water in Thousands of people gather there, its courtyard, with surging currents vying for the sweet and sparkling in the center or at corners — in

14 A Village of Culinary Delights Craftmanship,

talking about his past anxiety and shallowness during his apprenticeship. However, it was his passion for silver making that has finally helped him to understand that nothing is lasting without painstaking efforts. Back 22 years ago when he had just finished his tinker lessons, Cun left the village to earn a living. One month later, he went to a small town in Province where a household asked him to make a silver kettle. He took the job on with great pleasure and began to make it immediately and carefully. But when welding the handle, he found himself unable to produce welding powder. His master was some places there are even Supernatural hundreds of kilometers away and two springs in one pond. It workmanship no phone calls could be made at is as if pouring from the pond that time. So Cun had to seek help is not just spring water, but a For more than 1,000 years, from a local tinker and learn how steady stream of joy. silversmiths have been developing to prepare the welding powder Flowing out of the courtyard, the primitive processing techniques from scratch. This humiliating the spring water joins the brook and skills, using such simple incident made him understand how at the doorway of each household, tools such as hand hammers, serious the consequences would eventually nurturing the vast chisels and firing irons to make be if he did not learn his craft well grassland surrounding the village. silver handicrafts of exquisite enough. Walking to the end of Spring and supernatural workmanship, After that, Cun vowed to Bridge Street, one can see a bunch including kettles, bowls, daggers, become an outstanding maker of of fiery triangle plums. Straight bracelets, rings and waist chains. silverware. As he drummed up ahead is the pilgrimage path to the Even now, silverware production is business along the way, he took Jade Emperor Pavilion on Phoenix still the primary source of income every chance he had to learn from Mountain, and to the left is the for the villagers. others and sharpen his technical passage to Master Lane, leading Though being crowned the skills. When Cun was reciting the to the central area of Xinhua “Silver Kettle Master”, Cun above story, I thought of Guo Village and the Ancient Opera Yantong is still plain and simple, Jing — the main character in the Stage. Along the way, the sounds of reminding me of a sentence famous martial arts novel The hammers ring in your ears, coming describing a silversmith: “With a Legend of the Condor Heroes. He from somewhere in the deep lanes. small hammer and two hands, he came across several martial arts No doubts the backyard of each repeatedly strikes a silver sheet into masters, learned from them with household harbors a silverware something dear to his heart.” an open mind, and finally became workshop. Cun never shunned away from a legendary master himself.

15 Travel | Inside China

Journey of learning Time is a magic, particularly for those who have been working and studying hard. It took nearly 20 years for an amateur with black eyes and a few missing teeth to become a real kung fu master. From Guizhou to Sichuan, from Tibet to Qinhai, Cun has with his deft touch. traveled a long and winding road Cun became a true master of that no other silversmiths have silverware in Yunnan. Not only ever taken before — a road that did he create a variety of exquisite requires perseverance in exploring silver kettles with plain colors and and developing, and a journey vertical stripes as well as silver of learning from different people kettles with antique textures and to reach the highest level of designs, he also set up a silver handicraft. Every time he met an kettle workshop under his name, expert, he would ask himself: “Why inviting 22 professional silverware are they doing better than me?” makers to work for him. In the As others were pursuing greater workshop, every silversmith is efficiency, Cun chose a slow pace; required to finish making a kettle while others were embracing within one week based on a set diversified products, he focused of strict rules; otherwise the silver on making silver kettles only; will be melted down to be used to and unlike others who were design a new kettle. Each kettle paying much attention to stylish must meet the needs of buyers, patterns, he turned to classic both practically and aesthetically. culture for design inspiration. Cun is a modest man, but he is During my interview with him, also proud of what he is doing. He one of his masterpieces — a pure is calm, but ambitious. silver Buddha-shaped kettle was “I enjoy striking and hammering, sold at auction for 172,500 yuan and I am always striving to make ($25,860) at the Poly 2015 Spring the best silver kettles,” he said. Auction. Building a stove in the According to Cun, the design countryside, pouring potato of the kettle was inspired by cubes, diced ham and uncooked a paragraph in the Flower rice into a cauldron, and lighting Adornment Sutra: “Every flower is a wood fire created a mixture of a world, all wood is floating life, smells which made me feel hungry every blade of grass is a paradise, while I examined from a distance and every leaf is a Buddha,” he said a horse-drawn caravan which with a tone as simple and gentle as reappeared on the bank of the the trails a small hammer makes Black Dragon Lake.

16 oil, vinegar, chopped green onions and powder are added to create a cold appetizer for everyone Chuigan, a local dish made with to share. It is easy to forget you are liver. eating a pig’s liver. Heqing residents are skillful silverware makers, but also experts in the “kitchen”, with salted pork liver the ultimate dish to test someone’s cooking skills. Intellectuals during the Song Dynasty (AD 960-1279), such as Su Dongpo or Huang Tingjian, must have been very familiar with salted dishes. People at that time often used salt to preserve fish, hence the name salted fish. Later on, anything preserved with salt in a similar way was termed a salted dish, such as salted eggplant and salted pork liver. Salted pork liver is a traditional Blowing up pork liver dish in Heqing. A local chef told me that making the dish is I had another chance to taste complicated and time-consuming. the same dish at , First, one must wash a pig’s although the cooking style differed intestines, ribs, and liver clean vastly from what I saw in Heqing. and cut them into small pieces. In Heqing, all three ingredients Then salt, chili powder, pepper, were poured into the cauldron star anise and liquor are added. at the same time so that their The mixture is preserved in a clay flavors blended; while at Fuxian pot or jar for two to three months. Lake, the three ingredients were The cooking process uses steaming, already half-cooked before being during which the smell of pork added together so that each kept and red oil will naturally fill the its own flavor. Both dishes were air when it is ready, making your delicious, but had a distinctly mouth water. The end product is different flavor. I had heard served with rice. Salted pork liver of “blowing up a cowhide” is only made in winter, but similar before, but I had not heard methods can be used to create of “blowing up pork other dishes throughout the year, liver” until I had dinner including hot and spicy fish with at the Black Dragon preserved liver, which is a fresh- Lake. The way the dish flavored, tear-jerking treat, or bean is made is fascinating: curd soup, which is a wonderful When butchering a pig, sight of vibrant colors. If you take the liver while it is come to Xinhua Village in summer, still warm and blow it steamed flowers with salted up before filling it with pork liver is a must — the tender homemade seasoning, purple taro flowers are softened tightening the opening, into the pungent pork liver, hanging it under the roof and generating an abundance of flavor letting it dry. After it is cooked, that melts in your mouth. It is a it is cut into slices before sesame taste you will remember forever.

17 Travel | City Insider

Living like a local in hengdu C Text Cao Shenshen

hengdu-born graphic designer Yi Youjia spent a total of six years in Beijing and Shanghai. She returned to her native city 10 years ago, saying that she realized it is the best Cplace to work and live. Yi and her husband run a wine club in Chengdu and often enjoy wine and art with their friends. Yi shared some of her best-kept secrets about her hometown with Sky Times, giving some great tips for those who are interested in exploring its delicious spicy food and colorful culture. In addition to the landmarks, there are other ways to enjoy the city, including art, fashion and the slower pace of life.

18 What makes Chengdu is my Chengdu special hometown, which I love in your eyes? unconditionally. On top of this, Chengdu is the most enduringly historic and famed city among all the Western Chinese cities, owing to its long and glamorous history; world-renowned Sichuan cuisines; perhaps the most adorable animal on the planet — the panda; the leisurely lifestyle which attracts people to settle down here; and even the popularity of Mahjong, which I personally don’t know how to play, but still enjoy watching. In fact, I could spend a month talking about this wonderful city.

How does Well, there are millions of ways to enjoy a day in Chengdu. First, do not get up until 9 a.m. or 10 one spend a.m. The essence of our philosophy is that life should not be rushed, so wake up naturally. Once a day in awake, start the day with a local breakfast. If you suffer from choice anxiety, don’t come here. Chengdu You will be spoiled for choice with all the different kinds of steamed buns, noodles, dim-sum like a local? dishes, and snacks. In the afternoon you should visit a teahouse to drink some fine Chinese tea in the true traditional way, enjoying delicate local snacks and indulging in the slow pace of life. For dinner, you must eat hotpot. Sichuan hotpot is nothing like hotpot in northern China — it has a stronger aroma and a spice level which will provide a challenge for your tongue the first time around, although you will get used to it. You thought that was the end of the day? Come on! The party is just about to get started. Chengdu is famous for its fabulous nightlife. There are hundreds of bars and nightclubs offering fascinating music and fun for everyone. Maybe that is one of the reasons that Chengdu is known as the cradle of Chinese modern musicians. Now you know why we cannot get up early.

What are the Kuanzhai Alley and Jinli, which is close to the city’s must-see Temple of Wuhou, the Research Base of Giant attractions? Panda Breeding and Taikoo Li.

19 Travel | City Insider

What is the Museums, which are the most efficient ‘best-kept’ way to get to know a city, including secret away Sichuan Museum, Sichuan Art Museum, from the Jinsha Site Museum and Jianchuan tourist trail? Museum. Some spots are located in residential areas, while others are hidden and only accept online reservations.

Where do you You can enjoy fantastic Chengdu cuisine bring guests to all over the city, but above all, you must taste Chengdu eat hotpot. cuisine? You do not have to pay a lot of money to enjoy good hotpot, it is not about money. In fact, it is not unusual to see people who drive a Porsche or shop in Hermes enjoying street food.

Which Shu Jiu Xiang. I love it more than restaurant is any other restaurant. In fact, I heard your personal that Shu Jiu Xiang has a branch in favorite? Vancouver.

What does a Having a delicious dinner and then typical night going to KTV with friends. Some of the out involve? KTV branches in Chengdu have songs in Sichuanese, which you cannot find anywhere else.

Where do Chunxi Road as well as IFS and you shop for Taikoo Li, which are a bit more fashion? expensive, but fashionable.

When is the Spring and autumn are the best best time to seasons. I think the winter is too cold visit? without a central heating system, and summer is even worse because of the heat and humidity.

20 Wining and Dining at Travel | WOW ChengDu

Chengdu’s Finest Text Feng Shuangqing

For tourists seeking to explore China beyond the well-trodden cities of Beijing and Shanghai, an excellent place to start is Chengdu, capital of the southwestern province of Sichuan. It is now one of western China’s most important economic, financial, commercial, cultural, transportation and communication hubs. In addition to being home to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the city’s relaxing teahouse culture, lively nightlife and distinctive cuisine are all reasons to take an in-depth tour.

Food for thought Drinks worth Li Xuan sipping A renowned Chinese restaurant in Chengdu, Li Xuan offers exquisite FLAIR Dishes as well as sophisticated interpretations of fiery FLAIR is a bar you should not Sichuanese classics, while perfectly miss if you want to experience the balancing contemporary sensibilities colorful life of Chengdu. Modern with a deep red seats, white candles, yellow appreciation for ceiling lamps and a fireplace all China’s millennia- Venues worth provide sophisticated surroundings. old culinary You will find innovative cocktails culture. visiting in this cutting-edge lounge built Sichuan-style around a spacious 100-square-meter snacks here, Research Base of Giant outdoor terrace. Remember to such as dan Panda Breeding order the signature cocktail, Modest dan noodles, Simplest, which contains rum, Thai Sichuan noddles in a peppery sauce; The giant panda is a rare and basil, apricot and melon liqueur, and maoxuewang, a dish of boiled blood beloved animal that only inhabits jasmine tea for a refreshing flavor. curd and other ingredients in a spicy the six major mountain ranges in sauce; and fish fillets in hot are the Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu all worth a shot. provinces of China. Chengdu The Sichuan chicken in chilli is a deserves to be nicknamed “The dish you simply cannot miss out on, Home of the Giant Panda” as it is with just the right amount of spice the metropolitan area nearest to the for a non-local. Decor, inspired by center of the panda’s natural habitat. the ancient Shu civilization, features The base specializes in caring for an intricate carved ceiling, Shu- baby pandas, and it is one of the style brocade, lush colorful flowers, most popular destinations for foreign intricate lanterns and a collection travelers visiting Chengdu. The best of traditional musical instruments. time to visit is in the morning, during With pleasant views, Li Xuan is a feeding time between 8:30 a.m. and great location to spend a relaxing 10 a.m. After then, it is most likely day in a city known for its leisurely that the pandas will be indulging in atmosphere. their favorite pastime — sleeping! Address 27/F, The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu, Address Address 269 Shuncheng Avenue, Qingyang 26/F, The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu, No.1375 Xiongmao Avenue, District, Chengdu 269 Shuncheng Avenue, Qingyang Outside Northern Third Ring District, Chengdu Road, Chenghua District, Chengdu Opening Hours Sunday through Thursday Opening Hours Opening hours 5 p.m. — 1 a.m. Lunch: 11:30 a.m. — 2 p.m. daily 7:30 a.m. — 6:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday Dinner: 5:30 p.m. — 10 p.m. daily All year round. 5 p.m. — 2 a.m.

21 Travel

A City Steeped in JiningAncient History Text Ren Dong & Lu Ning

Photo by Li Jibao

22 Confucianism still scattered there in the shade of trees, just like before. To the Shines for north of the village there is a Thousands of Years winding, zigzagging brook called Zhiyuan Brook. Zhiyuan means iving between 551 and 479 source of wisdom in Chinese, BC during the late years which means that Confucius’ of the Spring and Autumn birthplace is the source of L Period, Confucius was one wisdom. of the greatest thinkers, politicians, If you walk farther north educators, strategists, historians along Zhiyuan Brook for about and writers in ancient China and a kilometer, you will arrive at the history of mankind. Xixian, also known as Confucius Some people say that Confucius Cave, which has many natural is the only person who can unite stone chambers in it. Legend has all Chinese, the umbilical cord of it that Confucius was born in this , the core value of cave. Chinese society, and the leading With the passage of time, star of the Chinese nation. This his status has been elevated. is true. Today, there are 440 Descendants have successively Confucius Institutes and 646 built Nishan Confucius Temple, Confucius Classrooms in 120 Nishan Academy and Linchuan countries and regions around the Pavilion near his birthplace. It is world. Nobody can live for 2,560 worth mentioning that Nishan years. But Confucius still “lives” Confucius Temple is different in the hearts of people in every from Qufu Temple in that the corner of the planet because of former is a non-governmental his thinking. building built by his descendants Qufu in Shandong Province in order to express respect boasts three world historical for and pay homage to their and cultural heritage sites — predecessor. It can be said to be a Confucius Temple, Confucius sign of human civilization. Mansion and Confucius Tomb. The former residence of Architect Liang Sicheng describes Mencius is located in Zoucheng, Confucius Temple as a “solitary south of Qufu. Similar to Nishan, case” in the world’s architectural there also exists Mencius Temple, history, and it has been listed Mencius Mansion and Mencius as one of China’s three ancient Tomb. There is only 20 km buildings — the other two are between the two great saints. It is the and Chengde acknowledged that Confucius is Mountain Resort. the creator of Confucian culture, The great saint was born while Mencius is the person under Jining’s Nishan Mountain, who carried it forward to later formerly known as Niqiu generations. Mountain. Confucius, whose Fortunately, when it comes to name was Kong Qiu, or Kong Confucius and Mencius, people Zhongni, was named after the still have a clear path to follow in mountain which has become a Jining and Zoucheng in Shandong saint mountain for this reason. Province, the respective hometowns According to records, of Confucius and Mencius. A Confucius was born in Luyuan sunny day in spring is a good time village. Today, farm houses are to visit the two great saints.

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the Huitong River often Grand Canal suffered from congestion and low transportation efficiency. The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Segmented transportation from Canal was regarded as the lifeline north to south was not an ideal of the thoroughfare from north option, and Guo’s efforts finally to south in ancient times. In ended in failure. In the ninth Jining, there is a place called Nan year of the Yongle Reign during Wang, which is the highest point the Ming Dynasty, Emperor of the canal, known as the “Water Zhu Di dispatched tens of Ridge of the Grand Canal”. thousands of people to work Here, one cannot travel from on the project, but the problem one side to the other, with people remained unsolved. Project only able to look at each other director Song Li felt as if he from a distance. Nanwang Water was sitting on pins and needles. Diversion Hub Project, where At this time, another expert, ships redirect their paths to travel an ordinary peasant named Bai to different places across China, is Ying, emerged. considered a miracle in the ancient Bai knew the terrain of this history of water conservancy. For locality like the palm of his hand. this reason, Jining has become a He offered his construction symbol of science and technology suggestions to Song, saying: in that field. “Nanwang has a higher altitude. The concept of the Beijing- For this reason, a dam should be Hangzhou Grand Canal was built along the Wenhe River first formed gradually. In the before introducing the water into beginning, there were two Nanwang and diverting it.” artificial water systems — one in In 1412, the construction of the south, the other in the north Nanwang Water Diversion Hub — and it was difficult to realize Project, which was redesigned transportation between north and according to Bai’s plan, began. south. During the Yuan Dynasty, After eight years of construction, Beijing, which was known as a great project, which can Dadu, became increasingly reliant be compared to on the south for the supply of Project in Sichuan Province, was materials. As land transportation completed. Since then, the Grand was limited by high costs, water Canal has run north to south and transportation risks and technical economic growth has surged. Bai factors, the concept of building died of disease in Dezhou on his the canal was born. Difficulties way to Beijing along with Song surrounding the task were Li. He has been worshipped as a centered on Jining. Appointed by divinity by people ever since. Emperor Kublai Khan, the most The endowment of the renowned water conservancy hub ensured the smooth expert in history, Guo Shoujing, transportation along the Grand undertook the arduous task. Canal during the Ming (1368- Under the instruction of Guo, 1644) and Qing (1644-1912) the Huitong River was opened dynasties. It is not only a in 1289, diverting water from commander standing above the the Wenhe River into Jining. 1,777 km-long Grand Canal, As the altitude of Jining is but also a lighthouse in human lower than that of Nanwang, civilization.

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novels. It is well known that the The Water Margin heroes of the marshes were all Buddhism in men of integrity who enforced Jining When I was a small village justice on behalf of Heaven. It is boy, I was fond of watching recorded in the History of Song the television series Wu Song. Jining has two that the rebellious army headed However, my family could Buddhist holy sites: by Song Jiang was so good at not afford to buy a TV set. Baoxiang Temple in fighting that the government Fortunately, the village had Wenshang, and Xinglong army dare not resist them. It an electron-tube one made in Pagoda in Yanzhou. Both was a field army that later Hungary. Covered by hay all over are known for possessing surrendered to Zhang Shuye and the ground, the “TV House”, Buddhist holy items, known as pledged allegiance to the imperial where the television set was sarira. court. housed for the villagers to watch, Taizi Lingzong Pagoda in Today, Liangshan Mountain no was often packed like sardines. Baoxiang Temple is a typical longer has lakes covering 800 km, After watching the show, which stupa replica built in imitation but there are still many things usually lasted less than an hour of Linggan Pagoda at Kaibao to help people to remember per episode, the crowd would Temple in Bianliang, Kaifeng. The the past. Shuihu Camp and the break out in an uproar. magnificent pagoda is mentioned Hall of Loyalty look majestic, In the chilly winter wind and several times in The Eastern graced by the giant murals of the under the star-studded sky, I had a Capital: A Dream of Splendor heros of Liangshan Mountain fond dream of The Water Margin. written by Meng Yuanlao during produced with the workmanship The Water Margin is considered the reign of Jingkang in the Song of Tricolor-glazed Pottery of one of the four greatest Chinese Dynasty (960-1279). the Tang Dynasty, Thirty-Six With a seven-layer lattice Tiangang Sculptures, Duanjin window in the upper part, it is a Pavilion and the Fierce- typical pavilion-style octagonal Looking Hero Li Kui pagoda with a wood-imitated at Heifengkou. bracket structure. It measures 41.75 meters in height and the base diameter is 10 m. It has a total of 13 layers. The first layer in the north is the main entrance to the pagoda, with a swirling staircase which provides direct access to the top. When the base of the pagoda was being repaired on March 15, 1994, a worker discovered the entrance to an underground palace of the pagoda, finding 141 Buddhist holy items inside, including gold and silver coffins, a sacred relic of the tooth of Buddha, and a kneeling Buddha holding sarira. Buddha sarira is also housed in Xinglong Pagoda in Yanzhou, less than 40 km away. Xinglong Pagoda is an octagonal 13-layer pavilion-style hollow brick pagoda, which is divided into two sections. The bottom seven layers Photo by Sun Chunlan are thick, while the upper six layers contract suddenly to create a pagoda-on-pagoda spectacle,

26 Photo by Sun Chunlan

which is unique in the history of Buddhist pagodas. Around the time of Spring Festival in 2008, a gang of thieves spent 47 days digging an underground tunnel to steal relics from the underground palace of Xinglong Pagoda. After hearing the news about relics being unearthed under Bai Pagoda in Tianjin, the gang targeted Xinglong Pagoda. The news came as a shock to the nation as the relics are extraordinarily valuable. Inside the pagoda’s underground palace was a stone box containing a gilt silver coffin and a gold bottle. Buddha skull sarira was also discovered there. Since then, Xinglong Pagoda in Yanzhou and Baoxiang Temple in Wenshang have been worshipped by later generations for Buddha sarira. It is evident that Jining is a city of wonders as Buddha sarira have showed up there several times in the space of about a dozen years. Photo by Lu Ning

27 Travel | World

Discover a Whole New World in Seychelles Text Cao Shenshen

28 f you have some time off work hometown is Mahe, where most and want to spend it in an trips to Seychelles begin. isolated place with natural surroundings near the ocean, I World’s smallest you must visit Seychelles. It is more than an island country. In fact, it is capital like a whole new world. The flight from Beijing to Victoria is the center of Mahe Seychelles takes 11 hours, so you and the capital of Seychelles. No have the opportunity to sleep or matter which city you are from in watch some movies while enjoying China, you will feel that Victoria Chinese food and snacks offered is small. You can walk through the by Air Seychelles. When you look whole city in less than an hour. out of the window as the aircraft There are just two or three streets descends, you will see the runway and its landmark building is a mini engulfed by blue skies meeting belfry, which locals call “the little a green ocean. As you alight the Big Ben”. Historically, Seychelles airplane, you will be welcomed by was colonized by France and the the moist ocean breeze, dazzling United Kingdom. For this reason, sunshine and the warm smiles of traces of colonization are witnessed local people. This is Seychelles. everywhere, as evidenced by the “Is Seychelles a country?” names of the capital and the belfry. and “Where is it?” are the most The roads on Mahe island are frequently asked questions about far from even and any journey this island nation. To tell the truth, involves a bumpy, roller-coaster I knew nothing about Seychelles ride. On my trip, I met Samuel, a before my trip there, apart from Frenchman with a Roman nose that it is a country in East Africa and big eyes, who looks like Gru which is hailed as one of the three from the movie Despicable Me. pearls in the Indian Ocean along He said: “Seychelles has with Maldives and Mauritius. everything apart from business. Despite its composition of 115 Everything here is simple, natural islands, the total area of Seychelles and peaceful.” is very small. If Prince William Samuel had worked in Maldives and the Duchess of Cambridge and Mauritius for quite some had not been to Seychelles for years, but when asked which their honeymoon, or David and place he liked the most, he replied Victoria Beckham had not spent without hesitation — Seychelles. their 10th wedding anniversary “Mauritius is fairly diversified there, the beautiful tropical island and Maldives has a remarkable would likely still be little known living environment, but only in to the public. Seychelles can you find pure, “Seychelles has a population untapped land and enjoy the of 90,000 and nearly everything beauty of natural ecosystems,” said here is imported,” Kelpha, a flight Samuel, who had been working attendant, told me on my flight to on Mahe for 11 months and on Seychelles, where local women are weekends, would find a local called Seychellesoise and local men restaurant to idle away the whole Seychellesoi. “Many people want day quietly while listening to to be given these titles, but only murmurs of the ocean waves and local people are given such honor.” drinking a cold beer. Kelpha has worked for Air Creole is a word that people Seychelles for eight years and is a often see and hear in Seychelles. full-blooded Seychellesoise. Her It not only refers to the local

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“Seychelles has everything apart from business. Everything here is simple, natural and peaceful.”

30 language — according to locals, the language is similar to 19th century French — but it also represents the food, which is hugely popular among the locals. Creole food integrates elements of British, French, Indian, Chinese and African cuisines, so do not be Land of surprised when you find Chinese coconuts spring rolls here. The customs seal of As an island nation, Seychelles is teeming with seafood, in particular, Seychelles is unique, as it is not tuna. In addition to tourism, the round, square or rhombic, but processing of tuna is one of the few bilobed, resembling a woman’s industries on Mahe. Creole tuna buttocks. Actually it is the symbol tartare salad is a locally favorite, of a national treasure and is the main ingredient of which is endemic to Seychelles — coco tuna cut into small pieces and de mer, which is French for sea tossed with tomato, onion, green coconut. It is renowned as the pepper, lemon and mint leaves, world’s most exotic and somewhat and seasoned with black pepper embarrassingly shaped plant. and lemon juice to give a truly Praslin island is where coco de refreshing flavor. mer were originally discovered. It Grilled fish is also a must. On takes just 15 minutes to get from the bustling street market near Mahe to Praslin by twin-engine the Beau Vallon, you will see propeller airplane — a small-sized a row of stalls, whose owners turboprop named the “Jumping enthusiastically display a big board Island Plane” by locals, which can with numerous fish options. If you seat 19 passengers. As the airplane see something you like, you can be flies at a low altitude, you can seated and served fresh grilled fish have a clear view of the dark green within a few minutes. ocean dotted with islets. Whatever direction you look in, your view is filled with stunning postcard- worthy scenery, offering great opportunities for photos. Although I grew up by the sea, it was my first time to experience a bird’s- eye view of such stunning ocean surroundings. Visitors usually spend a few days on the island of Praslin to enjoy the sunshine on the beach and search for the legendary sea coconuts in the rainforest. “You know, there are different genders of coco de mer,” said Tina, a Seychellesoise with 14 years of experience working as a tour guide on the island. “The tree on your customs seal is a female coconut. There is also a male coconut. Like human beings, the plants always grow in couples, and you can

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always find a male coconut beside a female one. That is why we call it the ‘Tree of Love.’” As for the name coco de mer, there is a story behind it. Legend has it that in 1519, Maldives seamen saw some coco-like nuts floating on the waters of the West Indian Ocean. As they assumed the nuts grew on underwater trees, they were named coco de mer. Two hundred years later, people found the coconut trees on the Seychelles archipelago and realized that they actually grow on land. Vallee de Mai — French for Valley of May — has the most sea coconuts, with more than 4,000 coconut trees. “The fruit requires seven or eight years to mature and is extremely heavy. If you were hit by one of them, you would have to stay here forever,” Tina said jokingly. Indeed, the coco de mer tree is very tall and the sea coconuts have a large, oval-shaped seed. Only after peeling off the husk can you see the “buttocks” inside. In the Valley of May, you will not just see the coco de mer, but also traces of all kinds of animals and plants. When climbing the mountain with Tina, it seemed like a biology class as she talked to us about lemongrass growing from the ground, vanilla clinging to tree trunks, curry leaves on curry trees, cinnamon and mint, as well as all sorts of colorful birds. Exploring the rain forest is probably the best way to get closer to nature. Breathtakingly beautiful Celebrity exposure is one of most effective ways to increase the awareness of a tourist attraction. It seems that everything on this island has something to do with happy marriage and honeymoons. But Seychelles is also a perfect choice for families or groups of friends, so you can go hiking, scuba diving,

32 sea fishing, swimming or bicycling together. Seychelles consists of many islands, each of which has distinctive features with different landscapes. Kelpha told me she likes La Digue the most. I definitely agree. Traveling from Praslin by boat, it took just 15 minutes to reach La Digue. After getting off the boat, I rented a bike and rode around the islet. The scenery along the way was so breathtakingly beautiful that I felt as if I was in a postcard picture. I found an Aldabra tortoise lying on the ground, extending his head to bask in the sun. It is a type of giant terrestrial tortoise that resides on Aldabra island in Seychelles. This species has a long lifespan and it is possible to see some tortoises that are hundreds of years old. Remarkably, there are more Aldabra tortoises than humans in this country. Most of them — more than 100,000 in total — are living on the islands of the Aldabra Atoll, 1,100 kilometers away from Mahe. With exotic and impactful granites, Anse Source D’Argent on La Digue tops lists of the “World’s 10 Most Beautiful Beaches” and appears in nearly all leading photography magazines. Though familiar with photos of the granite, I could not help but feel amazed when I saw these bizarre rocks with my own eyes. Laying down a towel, lying on the beach under the sunshine and staring at hundreds of gigantic granite formations protruding into the sky on such a silky coastline rendered me utterly speechless.

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Hotels

AVANI Seychelles Barbarons Resort Address: P.O.Box 626, Victoria, Mahe Telephone: +(248)4673340 Website: avanihotels.com

Eden Bleu Hotel Address: P.O.Box 1403, Eden Island, Victoria, Mahe Telephone: +(248)4399100 Website: www.edenbleu.com

Paradise Sun Hotel Address: Anse Volbert, Praslin Telephone: +(248)4293293 Website: paradisesunhotel.com

Constance Ephelia Hotel Address: P.O.Box 738, Port Launay, Mahe Telephone: +(248)4395022 Website: www.epheliaresort.com

Restaurants

Del Place Beach Restaurant Address: P.O.Box 1633, Port Glaud, Mahe Telephone: +(248)2814111

La Plage Restaurant Address: Beau Vallon Beach, Mahe Telephone: +(248)4620240

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Using Traditional Art to Define Modern China / 36

A Land of Phenomenal Florescence / 40

Luxury Hotels Offer Best of Past and Present / 48 Culture

Using Traditional Art to Define

China Text Wang Yuqing ModernPhotos Lu Ning p-to-date, stylish, novel and fashionable were all defined as being U“modern” in the late Qing Dynasty and the early years of the Republic of China. In the eyes of the public, you did not fit with the trend until you were seen as “modern”, and if you were a woman labeled as a “modern” girl, then you were fashionable. Modern was a buzzword in the 1920s and 1930s. For a long time, however, many people mistakenly thought of it as a foreign concept. The word first appeared in the Shurangama Sutra and there are stories about the modern lady in Buddhist scriptures, while the term has existed in China for many years.

Encyclopedia of Modern China

In the years of the Republic of China, the concept of being modern suddenly became a craze due to the massive influx of foreign businessmen to whom the rapid development of Chinese business should be attributed. With increasingly fierce competition in the industrial and commercial trades, foreign businessmen conducting business in coastal cities were the first

36 to publicize and promote their products in the form of calendar advertising. This was the origin of modern posters characterized by fashionable content. At that time, the so-called calendar advertising initiated by foreign businessmen often involved advertisements by companies combining pictures of traditional Chinese stories, which were used to attract customers, with the promotion of products or the companies as a whole. Chinese businessmen competing against foreign businessmen in China also followed suit. Soon it became a fad in China, especially along the Bunds, for both Chinese and foreign businessmen to promote their products in the form of calendar advertising. During that period, such images played an important role in disseminating new ideas about life and consumption. Businesses were willing to spend a fortune inviting talented artists to paint their advertisements, with subjects ranging from fashion and beauty to children’s lives and classical stories. Thus, China’s business art industry began to boom. Calendar pictures were designed to catch people’s eyes. For this reason, it was crucial that they capture the emerging fashion trends. From depicting pure female students to the lazy trendy lady; from the graceful female rider on horseback to the cheongsam beauty who has just alighted an airplane; and all types of leisure activities, the modern lady was well documented in calendar pictures. The paintings acted as a major disseminator of fashion consumption culture at the time, which not only created an imaginary utopia of daily life for the public, but also became an encyclopedia for the image of Modern China during that period.

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New image of 1949 to using the present as its Modern China benchmark. This revision in values targeted young people, which also encouraged the use of more From the Republic of China to young people or children’s images. the New Culture Movement and Artwork focusing on children the founding of New China in gradually accounted for about 1949, no matter how the regime half of all posters and New Year changed, the transition toward paintings, including images of a modern society has been the happy children and children who theme of the nation since the loved learning, the motherland and late Qing Dynasty. Innovation manual labor as well as those who and advancing with the times are loved to help others grow healthily trends that have dominated society in the new society. The image of as a whole since 1949, with the children in the new culture became nation full of expectations for the greatest common denominator rapid modernization. Therefore, in connecting people and ethnic modern in the new era was seen groups from different cultural as new things, which appeared backgrounds. in posters and were vigorously The image of beauty represented supported by the government of by modern things in the Republic New China. Modern China took of China was soon replaced by on a new meaning after 1949, with images of children under the the concept of modern having been sunlight of the new society after redefined. Image of Chinese 1949. The popularity of such beauty in Qipao Posters of workers, peasants images reflected an affinity for in calendar and People’s Liberation Army advertisement. children, but also mirrored a soldiers represented new society transition of values. and were often used for publicity In the era in which posters purposes. The artwork often were popular, various forms of depicted strong, highly-spirited modernism were pushed on society factory workers; energetic through the creation, printing and female commune members; publication of new art. Images and PLA soldiers with grim of farmers, workers, soldiers, facial expressions and a students, clerks, intellectuals, gun in hand. Workers, and both socialist-minded and peasants and soldiers professionally qualified technicians were the highlight of were seen as the embodiment of art expression during Modern China in that era, with that period, and they the above-mentioned people replaced the modern collectively called “new men”, or lady as the new rather, “new socialist men nursed image of the nation’s with revolutionary ideas”. new culture. New trends emerged during those years, which were Taking the represented in pictures, such as present as a marital autonomy proposed in the New Marriage Law; mutual- benchmark help groups; elementary and advanced agricultural producers’ Modern culture finally cooperatives; and large communes changed its orientation and the transfer to public from respecting tradition in ownership advocated in new rural

38 policies. Importance was also attached to hygiene; abandoning old, bad social traditions and handling things in a new way; working hard and being frugal, living a simple and hardworking life; and being self-reliant, fearing neither hardship nor death. Such sentiments were often reflected in the background of pictures, through images such as high chimneys, magnificent dams, roadway transportation, large ships, giant trucks, railroads under construction, new farming machines in rural areas, factory innovations and new machines. All these subjects were used to reflect the rapid development of the nation.

Modernism in a homogenous age

One of the main reasons why posters profoundly affected the lives of several generations is that they presented the modern age to the public, which made them popular. They acted like television and the Internet does today, with posters serving as a visual utopia for the public. In this utopia, modern culture was created and reinvented. Modern culture takes the present as its benchmark and the future as its value. Modernism is the core of this culture whose subtext is that the present is the most important thing. In this case, desiring up-to-date, stylish, novel and fashionable things and people is considered justified. Whether right or wrong, this new political correctness was already deeply rooted in China. Since the end of the Qing Dynasty, the ideas of taking meaning that the desire to be Calendar pictures the present as the benchmark modern is not a new concept of women wearing string bikinis. and pursuing modernism in in China, but one that has a homogeneous culture have dominated the values of many led and dominated the nation, generations before us.

39 Culture | Lens

A Land of Phenomenal Florescence

Photos Wang Hanbing Text Feng Shuangqing

In the northwestern border of China stands the country’s largest administrative division, and one of the best spot to enjoy the beauty of flowers of springtime.

40 n the northwestern border regularly drop below -20oC. of China lies the Xinjiang Richly endowed by nature, the OUyghur Autonomous florescence in Xinjiang lasts from Region, the country’s largest early April to August. The apricot administrative division and one of blossom in Xinyuan County, Yili the best spots to enjoy the beauty Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, of flowers in springtime. begins on around April 5. The Xinjiang covers more than legacy of China’s largest wild 1.6 million square kilometers, apricot forest — which is a land of accounting for more than one- idyllic beauty hidden in the deep sixth of China’s total territory and valley of the Yili River — dates one-quarter of its total border back to the Middle Ages. Tens of length. The entire region is marked thousands of luxuriant apricot by great seasonal differences in trees displaying shades of white or temperature. During the summer, pink smother the hillside, which the Turpan Depression usually looks like a green carpet. When a records the hottest temperatures breeze wafts, the air is suddenly nationwide, often exceeding 40oC. filled with the sweet scent of However, in the most elevated apricot. However, all good things mountainous regions of the come to an end, and the apricot far north, winter temperatures bloom lasts just 10 days.

41 Culture | Lens

In the 18th century, British explorers came across Kunes, now a national forest park in Ba Autonomous Prefecture’s Hejing County, describing the natural scenery as “more beautiful than all other countries around the globe”. It is likely they arrived in early July, when the alpine wildflowers are scattered widely across Kunes. At an altitude of 1,600 to 2,400 meters, the magic power of nature creates a landscape of alpine lakes, high-altitude ponds teeming with life and mountain meadows bursting with wild flowers in an array of vibrant colors. Looking out from the watchtower and viewing deck, one will be awestruck by the rainbow of colors, including yellow globeflowers, purple globular flower camel grass and fuchsia fritillary flowers. Kunes is also a treasure house of animals. In addition to flocks of sheep dotted here and there, snow cocks, sakers, red deer and brown bears all dwell in the nearby surroundings.

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44 Lavender symbolizes romance and love. Purple flower fields are not exclusive to southern France. In fact, from June to August, thousands of hectares of lavender burst into bloom at the foot of , or Mountain of Heaven, in Yili’s Huocheng County. In 1964, three varieties of Provence Lavender were introduced in the valley of the Yili River. Fifty years on, Yili has become one of the world’s four largest lavender-producing regions, together with Provence in France, Hokkaido in Japan and Caucasia in Russia. Bike-riding is one of the most romantic ways to travel along the Yili River valley during the lavender’s flowering phase. Surrounded by blue, violet, lilac and occasionally blackish-purple flowers beneath the bright blue sky and fluffy white clouds, you may find it hard to tear yourself away from the stunning scenery. Many people appreciate lavender for its unique fragrance. Its name comes from the Latin word lavare, which means “to wash”. Lavender may have earned this name because it is frequently used in baths to help purify the body and spirit. The herb has also been used as a remedy for a range of ailments from insomnia and anxiety to depression and fatigue. If you wish to calm and soothe yourself, Huocheng County during lavender season is a good choice for you.

45 Culture | Lens

Sayram Lake is located in the this story, her boyfriend was so Bortala Prefecture near Tian Shan. sad that he jumped into the abyss, Covering 458 square kilometers, too. Their tears of pain flooded the it is the largest alpine lake in abyss and formed . Xinjiang, and also the highest at Late spring and early summer an altitude of 2,070 m. are the best times to visit the In Kazakh, sayram means lake. Flowers blooming in all “blessing”. The lake is said to be their splendor dye the entire lake composed of the tears of a young a golden yellow. The most eye- Kazak couple, who were deeply in catching ones include ice poppies, love. Legend has it that one day, a globeflowers and potentilla. devil was captivated by the girl’s If you camp out by the lake, beauty. He captured the girl and do not miss the stunning sunrise. confined her to his residence. The The yellow flowers turn a warm girl escaped, but the devil chased reddish tone when first rays of after her and she was forced to the morning sun illuminate the jump into an abyss. Upon hearing glistening lake.

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Luxury Hotels Offer Best of

and

PastText Patsy Yang Present

op hotels are often located within historic properties in the heart of T major cities, combining functionality and modernity with pieces of the past. They might be city landmarks, municipal buildings, old banks, town halls or private dwellings. Architects and designers love experimenting with historic buildings, combining past and present. Below we list some of the top hotels that represent a link between the architectural desires of the wealthy elite of the past and the needs of modern- day travelers.

Conservatorium Hotel Conservatorium Hotel sits in modern touch. tapping into the double life of the heart of Amsterdam’s Museum Lissoni said: “Conservatorium indoor-outdoor spaces. Quarter and has all the characterful Hotel juxtaposes contemporary A sleek steel staircase links the charm of a contemporary design with the historic architecture lobby with the rest of the hotel, luxury hotel transformed from a of a building rich with heritage. creating a catwalk-like transition. magnificent neo-Gothic building. I have created a succession of Outstanding furnishings from Originally constructed in luminous spaces based around a leading manufactures such as 1897, it was designed by Dutch soaring glass atrium, into which I Cassina, Living Divani and Vitra, architect Daniel Knuttel as the have interposed striking modern with custom-made furniture Rijkspostspaarbank, or Dutch architectural elements to create and lighting designed by Lissoni Savings Bank, sparked the a structure that is both visually combine harmoniously in all regeneration of the Museum stunning and sensitive to the communal spaces, while vintage Quarter at the end of the 19th building’s history.” pieces and antique Asian rugs century. Working with strict preservation provide a sense of familiar comfort. Attracted by its glorious past, regulations, the Italian designer Central to the hotel’s vision of The Set Hotels purchased the devised a dramatic lobby that elegance, good living and cultural heritage building in 2008 and inhabits a courtyard lined in a pale- distinction has also been the invited award-winning Milan- green Italian Lithoverde stone and creation of restaurants and bars. based designer Piero Lissoni to is capped by a glass-and-steel roof. Tunes Bar is an intimate space guide the creation of the hotel by The light-filled atrium reimagines where Lissoni arranges a mix of restoring its former beauty with a the classic English garden, while vintage Italian Art Deco pieces and

48 mid-century Knoll Bertoia chairs. The most compelling aspect is the transparent bar feature that illuminates the entire space with a warm glow. With eight floors housing 129 guest rooms and suites, choices of accommodation range from spacious superior rooms to penthouse suites. Brushed-oak flooring, beige furniture and luxury linens define the interior style and color scheme that is both modern and classic. Lissoni conceived the Conservatorium Hotel in the belief that a hotel should be judged on its convenient location, functional design and exceptional service, which he described as “intrinsically Dutch values”.

49 Culture | Taste of Design

Sofitel Legend The and comfortable interior design Grand Amsterdam features blend beautifully with the listed marble floor and original Sofitel Legend The Grand arches. A butterfly chandelier Amsterdam was already a truly hangs above the center of the majestic setting, but Paris- lobby, which reflects the natural based designer Sybille de light and evokes the atmosphere of Margerie has breathed new life a courtyard garden. In fact, tulips into this landmark building so and butterflies are recurring themes inextricably linked with the city throughout the hotel. of Amsterdam. The building’s rich heritage A large-scale renovation got is incorporated in architectural underway in 2008 under the details and original artworks such inspiring guidance of French as the wedding chamber’s fresco interior architect De Margerie, from the 1930s, stained glass in the who is highly acclaimed for her main staircase and an old hand rail visionary, holistic approach and in the Princehoff building. the creation of environments that The designer opted for natural, combine luxury and comfort. luxury materials such as wood, “The Grand has always been bricks, alabaster, marble, mosaic, a reference point in terms of and steel, using the modernity and design, linked language of North European through art and history,” De textures and colors, and attaching Margerie said. a great importance to the fluidity The designer enjoys striking a of spaces, light and comfort. balance between tradition and This Library “Or”, graced by a modernity, describing the hotel as beautiful, eye-catching lamp with a blend of French elegance and precious gold leaf inlay, is the Dutch stylistic elements. ideal place to become acquainted The lobby is an open, welcoming with art and culture, or to relax in space, where contemporary, elegant peaceful surroundings.

50 AlmaLusa Baixa/Chiado mixed with locally-produced modern furniture and fabrics such One of Lisbon’s treasured as bed sheets, luxurious carpets buildings lies in one of the most and even bath towels. You can emblematic squares of the city immerse yourself in Portuguese and has been reborn as a unique culture through the hotel’s aroma, boutique hotel: AlmaLusa Baixa/ local gastronomy, amenities and Chiado. souvenirs. Every corner of the property It boasts 28 chic rooms, tells a story of Lisbon, from the including 12 suites, with each Age of Discovery to modern day, one differing in its layout and and provides guests with a special elements. All the rooms feature a charm. contemporary stamp on Portuguese “Aiming to create the perfect aristocratic style and are all balance between a chic, urban individually designed to boast a atmosphere while paying homage wide range of natural colors as to the ancient history of the well as more earthy tones. building in which the hotel is set, “We wanted to give a timeless Almalusa Baixa/Chiado is the feel to the hotel — an informal and result of a concerted effort to make comfortable setting where guests sure this building’s rich past has can relax and forget about what is been respected and incorporated happening outside,” De Almedia into the hotel’s design,” hotel CEO said. Miguel Simoes de Almeida said. AlmaLusa Baixa/Chiado The ground floor is a genuine is centrally located in a restoration of the oldest part of historic neighborhood close to the building, with a small retail Lisbon’s stunning attractions, area, the lobby and the Delfina including historical monuments, restaurant. extraordinary museums, and Older elements are harmoniously world-class restaurants and bars.

51 Culture | Taste of Design

G-Rough Unlike the typical made-in- Italy opulence of most upscale hotels in Rome, G-Rough offers an unconventional vibe: an atmosphere of contemporary nostalgia. “The building in Piazza di Pasquino 69/70, owned by my family for generations, was built in the 1600s and renovated in the late 1800s. We chose to preserve the fascinating allure of this historic building by keeping some of the original architectural structures and decor, while adding modern elements to create a fascinating synergy, both visually and conceptually,” said Gabriele Salini, the man responsible for creating this unconventional luxury. Ancient features remain, including intricately tiled or parquet wood floors, wooden beams and time-worn walls. The building’s architecture perfectly the paintings and art installations showcases the typical Roman are by Italian artists such as Jacopo burgeois style of the 17th century, Ceccarelli, Davide D’Elia and with an inscription on the stone Emiliano .” facade reading: Satis Ampla Qvae More than 20 contemporary Secvritate Rideat, which is Latin artists were commissioned to create for “big enough to give a feeling of works that sit alongside furniture security”. designed by iconic Italian designers Salini said the idea behind from the 1930s to the 1970s, such G-Rough comes from the concept as Ico Parisi, Gio Ponti, Guglielmo of hospitality and the Palazzina Ulrich and Archimede Seguso. lifestyle — the same innovative G-Rough offers a selection of and visionary idea that gave 10 exclusive suites, each of them birth, several years ago, to the uniquely designed to provide guests PalazzinaG in Venice. with a different experience of a “In G-Rough, we tried to tailor broader kind of “rough luxury”, the key elements of this concept to which prevails everywhere. a more Roman inspiration, while Imperfections, including unrestored remaining true to the Palazzina frescoes and sanded-down walls, lifestyle,” he said. only make the space even more The suites are named after charming. famous Italian designers, such as “G-Rough was born from the Gio (Ponti), Guglielmo (Ulrich), idea of creating an original space Silvio (Cavatorta), Ico (Parisi) and in which artists, writers, musicians Joe (Colombo), with Salini saying: and intellectuals worldwide can “There are also several elements of find the perfect grounds to meet, Italian design that can be seen in talk and create in the way of the every detail. For example, some of Romans,” Salini said.

52 People

Providing the Promise of a ‘Life Well Travelled’ / 54

Keeping the Feminine Beauty of Male ‘Dan’ Alive / 60 People | Business

Providing the Promise of a

LifeText Cao Shenshen Well Travelled

hanging and “It has always been Cathay ST: On Jan. 18, the company increasing Pacific’s motto to put our released its new strategy for 2017. customer passengers first. We focus on What does that involve? expectations, a delivering our brand promise to Diu: Cathay already has in “ enable a ‘Life Well Travelled’. place a well articulated network dramaticC growth in competition, the unpredictable nature of the That means being an organization and hub development strategy. world economy and a host of that is truly committed to our In addition, the company has a other factors have combined to put customers,” Diu said. well developed commercial plan huge pressure on our business,” Coming from , to ensure we are pricing and General Manager China of Cathay Diu has been working at Cathay distributing our products in a way Pacific and Cathay Dragon Titus Pacific for more than 25 years. that addresses the changing needs Diu told Sky Times, adding that He joined Dragonair in 1991 and of the market and preference of as uncertainty becomes “the new has subsequently held a number our customers. Furthermore, we normal”, his company “must of senior positions within the have an established and successful respond actively”. company in both Hong Kong and cargo strategy, which will remain a According to their latest figures, on the Chinese mainland. significant part of our business. Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon “In order to achieve the new We recognize that data analytics saw a decrease in passengers strategic direction, Cathay Pacific and digital capabilities offer us numbers and an increase in cargo will focus on four major programs. the opportunity to drive deeper volume in November last year, We believe that doing so will set customer insights and remove while in December, the two figures us apart from our competitors,” inefficiencies and waste from both increased because of the he said. our day-to-day operations. Our Christmas holiday. For the whole The programs, referred to as the digital and insights-driven focus year, the two airlines carried a “four pillars” by Cathay employees will influence everything we do, total of 34.3 million passengers, an are: customer centric; operational including our four pillars. increase of 0.8 percent compared excellence; productivity and value The first is customer centric. with 2015. focused; and high-performance We will focus on designing an Hong Kong-based carrier Cathay culture. exceptional customer experience, Pacific is often praised for its service, Sky Times interviewed Titus building loyalty and advocacy, and products, fleet and networks. Diu recently in his Beijing office delivering outstanding service from However, in an intensely competitive to talk about the new strategy, the moment customers interact industry, Cathay must continue to expectations, advantages and with us. The second is operational evolve, and on Jan. 18, the company challenges ahead for Cathay Pacific excellence, which means we will set its new strategy for 2017. and Cathay Dragon. ensure the safety of our passengers

54 Life Well Travelled

Photo by Lu Ning

55 People | Business

and our people, first and foremost. and carriers worldwide face The third is productivity and increasing pressure in terms of value focused, which is about yield. We welcome competition improving productivity, and and, as always, will continue includes strategies to work our strategy of delivering a smarter, streamline processes and differentiated and implement a culture of continuous premium service, as improvement. The fourth is well as making long- high-performance culture. We term investments in our will create a signature employee network, fleet and products experience, keep our people on the ground to deliver our informed, engaged, recognized and “Life Well Travelled” brand inspired, and create opportunities promise. for colleagues to develop and In addition to delivering progress. superb products and services, we make great efforts to diversify ST: What is the goal of Cathay our sales channels, especially in Pacific in the domestic market in strengthening direct sales channels the near future? to build a closer connection Diu: The Chinese mainland with our customers. We has always been the focus of the Cathay Pacific group, as it is still the most dynamic market in the world. In line with our “Life Well Travelled” brand philosophy, we

are always striving to enhance the launched our second flagship store overall travel experience of our on Qunar in November last year customers through continuous after running the first flagship investment in products and store on Alitrip for more than two services. years. Our official WeChat account According to the latest China created great interest in travelling National Tourism Administration through meaningful content, data, Chinese outbound passenger interactive games and monthly numbers reached 122 million flash fares. entertainment with a view to last year, a 4.3 percent increase greater brand alignment. Stronger compared with 2015. The ST: What is the strategic position together, the two airlines provide potential for outbound tourism of Cathay Dragon? customers with a seamless travel is great. Currently, less than 6 Diu: Dragonair has been a experience across our expanding percent of Chinese have passports, wholly owned subsidiary of combined global network. which means more than 94 percent Cathay Pacific since 2006, and of Chinese are potential additional was officially rebranded as Cathay ST: How many international outbound tourists, so we have Dragon on Nov. 21 last year. It routes does Cathay Pacific have confidence in the Chinese market. serves 52 regional destinations, and are there any new domestic or including 23 cities on the Chinese international routes opening this ST: How do you compete with mainland. year? other domestic airlines in the Cathay Dragon and Cathay Diu: Cathay Pacific offers intensely competitive Chinese Pacific have built synergy over scheduled passenger and cargo market? the years and improved their services to 177 destinations in Diu: Competition is intense products substantially, enhancing Asia, North America, Australia, nowadays in the aviation industry, their cabins, seats and inflight Europe and Africa. Last year,

56 “Changing and increasing customer expectations, a dramatic growth in competition, the unpredictable nature of the world economy and a host of other factors have combined to put huge pressure on our business.” ——Titus Diu

we added Madrid in June and ST: The cargo division of Cathay Gatwick, London’s second- Pacific and Lufthansa Cargo largest airport, in September. entered a joint business agreement This year, we will launch Tel in May last year through which Aviv in March and Barcelona customers can enjoy more direct in July. connections, greater flexibility and Boston will become a daily saved time combined with service service, while there will be 17 enhancements. Are there other flights per week to Vancouver partnerships Cathay Pacific has from March onward. Toronto, formed? with the addition of four weekly Diu: Cathay Pacific and flights commencing on June Lufthansa Cargo’s entered a 24, will become a twice-daily joint business agreement to work service. Gatwick will become a together on network planning, daily operation from June, while sales, IT and ground handling. Manchester will add a fifth weekly The joint network will cover flight in the same month. more than 140 direct flights per

57 People | Business

week between Hong Kong and 13 culture. Shanghai is a world-class European destinations. cosmopolitan city similar to Hong On the passenger side, Cathay Kong. But in Beijing, you have a Pacific and Air Canada entered a lot of things to see, to do and to strategic cooperation agreement experience. in December last year that enhanced travel services for ST: Is there anywhere you have Cathay Pacific customers when never been to, but would like to travelling within Canada and for visit? Air Canada customers traveling Diu: I have been to a lot of via Hong Kong to Southeast Asian places. A part of the world I countries including the Philippines, have not really discovered is the , Vietnam and Thailand, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous as well as offer reciprocal mileage Region. Previously, I visited accrual and redemption benefits. Urumchi for two days, but that In addition, Cathay Pacific and was 10 years ago. If I had a long LATAM Airlines Brazil entered holiday, I would like to spend into a code share agreement some time there. in October last year, offering One World members additional ST: On a normal working day, connections when travelling what takes up most of your time, between Asia and South America and what matters most? through their gateways in Europe Diu: We are in the aviation and the United States. industry, so the most important element is people. On a daily basis, ST: Cathay Pacific got its first the task that occupies most of my Airbus A350-900 in May last time is speaking to the staff. When year. Do you have further plans to you talk to colleagues, you can expand the airline’s fleet size? understand the market and customer Diu: We will take delivery of 22 requirements, and then you can Airbus A350-900s by the end of formulate ideas about how to this year, followed by 26 Airbus improve your services and products. A350-1000s between 2018 and 2020. Currently, we have 11 ST: In your spare time, what A350-900s in operation, serving kind of activities do you like to “I think little Dusseldorf, Gatwick, Auckland, participate into help you relax? adjustments can help Rome and Paris — to be followed Diu: That depends on what make big changes, by Vancouver, Tel Aviv and season it is. In summer, I like to Brisbane in March, and Barcelona drive around the city, because because we are in July. there are a lot of interesting places working in a fast- around Beijing. Last year, I drove changing industry.” ST: Which Chinese city is your my car to the Great Water Wall favorite? and walked around — it is really a ——Titus Diu Diu: I like a lot of Chinese cities. beautiful place. In winter, because Among them, the one I love most of the cold weather, I usually do is Beijing. Actually, I have lived not participate in a lot of activities. in Beijing on and off since 1996. I like to ski, but I do not have so The first time I spent three-and-a- much free time, so I usually only half years here, and I moved back go skiing two or three times. in 2010. Other than Hong Kong, my family and I consider Beijing ST: What is your favorite to be our second hometown. It is Chinese dish? really different from other cities in Diu: Nowadays, you can China, mainly because of its rich experience international cuisines in

58 many Chinese cities. Among them, with your colleagues, whether it is to others? my favorite Chinese food is Peking your subordinates, peers or bosses, Diu: I think little adjustments duck. In my personal opinion, the meaning everyone is on the same can help make big changes, best Peking duck is served in Beijing. wave length and works toward because we are working in a aligned goals. fast-changing industry. For ST: Have you flown with other example, just five years ago, an Chinese airlines? ST: How would you describe in-flight entertainment system Diu: Of course. Cathay Pacific your leadership style? is one of the key competitive covers 20 cities on the Chinese Diu: In a fast-changing advantages among airlines mainland. I therefore have to travel operating environment, the especially on medium to long- a lot from Beijing to different parts ability to build and lead a high- haul flights. Nowadays, a lot of China. I usually book my flights performance team is important of people carry their mobile based on convenience in relation to in order to face different types devices on board, so what my working schedule. of challenges. I think that a they really need was in-flight leader has to be approachable Wi-Fi. Our new Airbus A350 ST: What do you think makes a and energetic to motivate team is equipped with in-flight successful leader? members to achieve goals. connectivity, meaning people Diu: As I mentioned before, can use their mobile devices to communication is really important. ST: What words of wisdom or surf online and connect with It helps maintain transparency career advice would you pass on other people on the ground.

59 People Keeping the Feminine Beauty of Male ‘ ’ Alive Text Feng Shuangqing

Dant felt like the end of an era when Mei Baojiu passed away last year. He was a contemporary Peking opera artist, a performer of the Dan I role, but was perhaps best known for his father, Mei Lanfang, the most famous Peking opera master and a towering figure in Chinese theater, whose fans included Charlie Chaplin, silent-film acting star Douglas Fairbanks — best known for his roles in The Thief of Bagdad, Robin Hood and The Mark of Zorro — and German playwright Bertolt Brecht. Mei Lanfang was exclusively known for his female lead roles, known in Chinese as Dan, and in particular for playing verdant-clad young or middle-aged women of grace and refinement. His smooth, perfectly timed, poised style has come to be known in opera circles as the “Mei School”. Dan roles are becoming increasingly rare, a situation that Hu Wenge, a disciple of Mei Baojiu and the sole male Dan descendant of the third generation of Mei School, has long been conscious of. Dan is the general name for female roles in Chinese opera, which may be played by either actors or actresses. Male Dan, skillfully portraying women and singing like women has carried a big weight in the long history of Peking opera. In Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties, the period during which Peking opera took shape, the authorities always imposed restrictions on female artists. During the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1736-1796), out-of-town female artists were even barred from going to the capital city. The disappearance of female artists on the

60 Keeping the Feminine Beauty of Male Alive

stage of Peking opera led to the unexpected rise in popularity of male Dan. In addition to historical and cultural reasons, male Dan usually have a more crisp and vigorous voice as well as sturdy falsetto compared with their female counterparts, whose shrill voice is believed to lack decorous feeling. Moreover, male Dan seem more powerful when performing acrobatic fighting scenes. The heyday of male Dan came during the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican period (1912-1949) in China, marked by the performances of the “Four Great Dan”— Mei Lanfang, Shang Xiaoyun, Cheng Yanqiu and Xun Huisheng, among whom Mei was considered superior. Mei Lanfang created the “Mei School” art of Peking opera with unique performing modes and aria by assimilating the performance of Qingyi, mature and sometimes married women that focus on singing in a high-pitched, piercing voice and usually make little movement; Huadan, vivacious young women whose role focuses more on movements and speech, and who are supposed to project an image of cuteness and innocence, and must be able to speak quickly and clearly; Daomadan, a female warrior role whose style of performance usually involves horse riding with a spear; and other roles. In this way, he upgraded the art of Peking opera to a higher level and made “Mei School” the most influential technique in China. When it comes to third-generation descendants of Mei School, Hu Wenge finds his profession in a rather embarrassing and precarious situation, as he is the only male Dan who is still active on the stage at Beijing Peking Opera Theater. The halo of male Dan faded away with women’s social status improving and Photo by Ba Gen public acceptance of female Dan.

61 Overcoming prejudice During the long feudal society in China, there was not only social prejudice, discrimination and oppression of women, but also of men who made a living from performing. The practice of “sporting with actors” even became rife among nobility and wealthy merchants. To this day, descriptions such as “effeminate man” can still be seen in the comments section of the microblog — the Chinese version of Twitter — account of famous male Dan Hu Wenge. “Art always challenges people’s finitude. It goes beyond natural life and mediocrity. The value of male Dan lies in their presenting of the beauty of art by transcending gender limitations,” said Fu Jin, director of Mei Lanfang Art Research Center and professor at the Central Drama Academy, who sees male Dan as an art craft with a unique and irreplaceable charm. For Hu, playing the role of male Dan does not Photo by Liang Gang simply involve imitating a woman’s posture and speech, but it also involves considering their mental state. He always keeps in mind the principle of “never going too far”. “I think I got the nod because I play the role in a healthy way. Male Dan is a type of artistic performance. The gender displacement lives only on the stage. The way of performing is superior to daily life, and that is where its charm lies,” Hu said. It has been 34 years since Hu was first exposed to the charm of Peking opera. When he worked at a local theatre in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, in 1982, he happened to live in the same old-style tube-shaped apartment building as Li Defu, a famous Peking opera performing artist who gained a reputation for his “water sleeves” — actor’s long sleeves in classical operas or dances. They take this name because when they are swayed back and forth they resemble waves. In those days, Li had a habit of practicing opera alone on the stage at night. Hu hid behind the stage equipment and peered in on Li each night, until one night he was so sleepy that he fell off a lighting shelf. After that, Hu was given permission to study Peking opera openly, during which time he laid the foundations of his basic training. In addition to being a Peking opera actor, Hu was also a pop singer toward the end of the 20th century. His cross-gender performances were popular in the late 1980s when pop songs were a novelty on the Chinese mainland, and he even held a solo concert on the east coast of the United States. Hu and Peking opera were brought together again when he met Mei Baojiu by chance in 1993, and became his disciple eight years later.

62 ‘Healthy’ performance “The first time I met my mentor, he told me that I perform in a ‘healthy’ way when dressing like a woman, a scarce quality that a male Dan must possess,” Hu said. “No matter whether you sing or act on the stage, you are not merely posturing, but shaping the energetic and positive image of women,” said Hu, who believes performing in a healthy way is the essence of the art of Mei School, The idea of it being easy to enjoy popularity for a short time, but difficult to hand down a reputation to 100 future generations impelled Hu to throw himself into the study of Peking opera. “The hardest time for me was around 2000 when I gave up my pop career and cut contact with everyone. The only thing in my daily life was Peking opera,” Hu recalled. In addition to the distinct facial makeup and costumes, Peking opera has four areas of performance: Chang, , Zuo, Da, or singing, speaking, acting and acrobatic fighting. For Hu, singing and speaking are the most challenging parts. The spoken parts of Peking opera are in Beijing dialect with a regal manner, which Hu described as “much more difficult than learning a foreign language”. Usually, it takes 10 years or more for a rookie to go up on the stage, while Hu managed to make it in three. During those three years, Hu started his days listening to his mentor’s recordings, while brushing his teeth. The recordings kept running during his dining, bathing and even toilet time, with Hu believing providence does not let down a man who does his best. In 2013, Hu was officially honored as the starring male Dan at Beijing Peking Opera Theater. In 2014, Hu took part in the Mei Lanfang Memorial World Tour at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York. The morning after the opening night, Hu asked Mei Baojiu for his opinion about the performance. Mei gave him a positive review and said: “You have won me credit,” Hu recalled, adding that it was the first and only time that his mentor praised him to his face, 13 years after Hu formally acknowledged Mei as his mentor.

Photo by Liang Shaoduo

63 People

Rare and precious thing Just as Hu describes himself as a snow lotus on a mountain top, today the role of male Dan in Peking opera theaters is like the hair of a phoenix or the horns of a giraffe — a rare and precious thing. With few performance opportunities, being a male Dan in China is unlikely to make one a breadwinner. Hence, it is becoming increasingly difficult to encourage students to learn such an art. The problem that Hu feels most anxious about is educating students of his own and passing down the art of Mei School. “Boys aged 17 to 18 are the best candidates. It is the best age to start training, but I find it becoming increasingly difficult,” Hu said, adding that the dean of Central Academy of Drama (CAD) in Beijing said in 2014 that CAD would never enroll male Dan students. As a leading figure in his profession, Hu said his biggest pressure now is finding ways to help others inherit the distinctive and time- honored role of male Dan in Peking opera. Crossover between Peking opera and pop songs, or “opera-song”, is one of his attempts at doing this. Hu has worked with several famous pop singers to launch pop songs with Peking opera elements. “It is an effective way to attract young people who are not familiar with Peking opera, and to help them learn the essence of the country’s traditional cultural gem,” Hu said. Photo by Shi Chunyang “It is an effective way to attract young people who are not familiar with Peking opera, and to help them learn the essence of the country’s traditional cultural gem.” ——Hu Wenge Updating the audience is another urgent task for Peking opera, due to the issue of an aging population. In Hu’s words, “being complacent and conservative leads to decline.” Bearing communication platforms in mind, Hu is aware of the power, openness and diversification of social media. He is now running a personal Weibo account and has more than 55,000 followers. “The followers I attract on Weibo are likely to become the modern audience of Peking opera. Those who work in the Peking opera circle must stop indulging in self-admiration of being involved in a highbrow art. It is the audience who are key to the development of this kind of art,” Hu said.

64 Lifestyle

Yang Mei Zhu Xie Street Beijing’s Most Artistic Hutong / 66

Chic / 70

Kingdom of Wheaten Food / 72

Books & Films / 76

Creating Unity and Peace Through Ethnic Music / 78

French Elegance Found in Frankfurt / 79

Ultimate Indulgence at China World Summit / 80 Lifestyle

Yang Mei Zhu Xie Street ’ Beijing s Most

Artistic Hutong Text Sun Morong

hat comes to mind when people think of Beijing is usually Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall or the Forbidden City. However, if you wish to feel the timeless pulse of real Beijing W life, Yang Mei Zhu Xie Street is a place you must explore. Located southwest of Tiananmen Square, Yang Mei Zhu Xie Street is a typical hutong, or traditional alleyway, as well as a cradle of contemporary Chinese art. It is a perfect mixture of history and modern life.

Mixing past and Fascinating history

present Yang Mei Zhu Xie Street Unlike the overcrowded enjoys a rich history of more Nanluogu Xiang or Wudaoying than 500 years. Only 496 meters hutong, Yang Mei Zhu Xie in length, it was home to seven Street is not geared to tourists or prestigious publishing houses, Westerners. It preserves the cultural and many famous writers and soul of Beijing while featuring musicians in the last years of the avant-garde music studios, art Qing Dynasty. In addition, it also China’s greatest modern writer Lu workshops, ancient bookstores, boasted Qingyun Ge, one of the Xun; prominent political thinker experimental galleries, traditional most famous department stores Kang Youwei; reformist Liang coffee shops and teahouses. and salons in the late Qin Dynasty, Qichao; and even warlord Cai E, Wandering the street, one can where China’s brightest intellects all of whom shaped the history of witness real daily life in Beijing assembled. Among them were China. unfold like a hand scroll. You can see locals playing the Chinese street chess game xiangqi, getting a haircut outdoors in the traditional way, chatting enthusiastically with each other, or simply basking in the warm sunshine while enjoying a cup of tea. It is a great place for visitors to spend a leisurely afternoon. Many architects, artists, musicians and craftsmen have come to the street and given it new life, rebuilding it into a lively, artistic district.

66 Ubi Gallery

Established in 2012, Ubi Gallery is a leading center for cultural and artistic exchange for established designers and rising Chinese talents in the field of contemporary jewelry and ceramic design. Ubi means “where”, and refers was the cultural counselor of Xiang, which are too commercial,” to asking questions about moving the Embassy of the Kingdom of Schelling said. and arriving. The gallery offers a the Netherlands in China. Due platform to great designers and to her interest in jewelry and Opening hours: artists who, through their work, contemporary Chinese art, she set 11 a.m.—8 p.m. Tuesday—Sunday keep people guessing. It showcases up the gallery in 2012. Address: No. 62, Yang Mei Zhu wearable and usable contemporary “Yang Mei Zhu Xie Street is Xie Street, Dashilar, Xicheng art for sale, which means visitors one of the most historic streets in can seek out cleverly designed Beijing, which combines both the District,Beijing limited-edition jewelry and lifestyle of royal families and of the Tel: + 86 10 6301 2382 tableware. common people. It is not like 798 Email: [email protected] Its founder, Machtelt Schelling, Art Zone, Sanlitun or Nanluogu Web: www.ubigallery.com

67 Lifestyle

Cai Ci Fang

Despite its humble appearance, Cai Ci Fang is a mine of gems for people who love traditional Chinese art and porcelain. It showcases a wide selection of jewelry and ornaments made from shards of ancient porcelain. The pieces include bracelets, rings, necklaces, pendants, earrings, cufflinks and decorative objects like jewel cases, lamps, bags and traditional Mandarin gowns. Its founder, Wang Shenxiang, inherited the almost-lost art from his grandparents, who were jewelry craftsmen in the Qing Dynasty. He registered the brand and set up the workshop in 2007. The artisans of his workshop have more than 30 years’ experience of assembling small fragments of porcelain into new pieces of jewelry. Cai Ci Fang’s clients range from embassies in Beijing to museums across China.

Opening hours: 10:30 a.m.—6:30 p.m. Monday—Sunday Address: No.35, Yang Mei Zhu Xie Street, Dashilar, Xicheng District, Beijing Tel: + 86 13167325166

68 Opening hours: 11 a.m.—8 p.m. Ziinlife Monday—Sunday Address: No. 79, Yang Opened in the summer of 2013, Mei Zhu Xie Street, Ziinlife has quickly grown into Dashilar, Xicheng Dis- one of China’s most representative trict, Beijing furniture design brands and is highly recognized both at home Tel: 400-9103076 and abroad. It won the Golden Pin Web: www.ziinlife.com design award in in both 2014 and 2015. One of its founders, Kiran Zhu, came back to China after graduating from the Accademia di Belle Arti di Breradi Milano in Italy. Out of his wish to make quality furniture accessible and affordable, Zhu founded the brand with his friend Yang Xili. Even though furniture and ornaments designed by Ziinlife are simple in expression, they are usually multifunctional and therefore fill spaces with wonder and delight. The company hopes to help people discover the hidden beauty in ordinary life through its works.

YUAN’ Mousse & Flower

Opening hours: YUAN’ Mousse & Flower is a 11 a.m.—8:30 p.m. in winter, fashionable teahouse that serves delicate 11 a.m.—9 p.m. in summer, desserts, flowers and offers a display space daily except Tuesday for talented young designers. YUAN’ Mousse & Flower is located in Address: No. 6, Yang Mei Zhu Xie what used to be a Mahjong house during Street, Dashilar, Xicheng District,Beijing the Qing Dynasty. Majoring in design, Tel: + 86 10 63018732 Yuan’s owner renovated it into a modern- style teahouse. Inspired by her talented friend who gave up his dream of becoming an artist, she left her career in real estate and opened Yuan, a place for young artists to exchange ideas and display their works. One of the special dishes of YUAN’ Mousse & Flower is its chestnut mousse cake, which is rich yet incredibly light, silky smooth and indescribably delicious.

69 Lifestyle | Chic How to Stay in Fashion in Spring

Dolce&Gabbana Prada Her

Looking back to Spring and Summer 2017 shows late last year is the easiest way to decide how to fill a woman’s wardrobe for the next few months. Striped items, especially vertical stripes, will be a huge hit this spring. Suits or trousers with vertical stripes help to make you look taller and slimmer, and are easy to match with different shoe Lanvin combinations. Slogan T-shirts and hoodies are making a revival, although be sure to double check what a slogan says before making a purchase. For accessories, a safe suggestion Dolce& Gabbana is to buy a new funky phone case. People cannot live without phones nowadays, and designers are tapping into this market. Everyone remembers the Louis Vuitton iPhone case Nicolas Ghesquiere displayed in September last year. If you have a big enough budget, mini bags designed by Prada, Christian Dior, Valentino or Chloe are all well worth investing in.

Prada Salvatore Ferragamo Red Valentino

70 How to Stay in Fashion in Spring Text Ting Ting Him

What is considered cool for men this spring? The latest runway trends have shown us the answer. Business casual style is coming back onto the stage, appearing everywhere from London to Paris. So, it will not be hard for most Prada men to stay classy. With a suit, a crisp button-down shirt and a thin sweater, your business casual look for the chilly early spring is done. If you want to stand out from the crowd, choose a bright-colored sweater, Valentino or accessorize with a classic backpack.

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71 Lifestyle | Bite

Kingdom of Wheaten Food

Text Feng Shuangqing

s the proverb goes, such as cutting, ticking, sticking, flour, stir evenly, steam “Chinese wheaten wiping, sipping, pressing, pulling and stir fry to make a food ranks first in and rubbing. traditional dish. the world, while Let us take youmian kaolao Millstones and sieves A as an example. A master puts a of the Spring and Shanxi’s wheaten food is the best in China.” bulk of dough on the back of his Autumn Period (770- How many varieties of wheaten hand and holds it between his 476 BC) were unearthed food are there? Most people middle finger and forefinger. With in Shanxi, suggesting would think there are maybe 20 a push on the smooth board with that wheaten food was varieties at the most. In Taiyuan, his hand, and one pick and roll enjoyed during the Jin capital of Shanxi Province, it is with his forefinger, a row of thin, Dynasty (1033-376 BC) many alleged there are as many as 280 bright cylinder-shaped kaolaos years ago. The unique wheaten varieties. It is not an exaggeration are immediately lined neatly in food culture has been created over to say that it is possible to eat one a steamer, looking much like a generations of Shanxi natives. variety of wheaten food in 100 honeycomb. Their fondness for eating different ways. In China, people often say to wheaten food is also integrated Shanxi natives make dough each other “Have you eaten?” as with the plasticity of the food into different shapes and a greeting. “Fan”, when used used and their wisdom. Eating hand- flavors, which can be steamed by southerners, refers to rice, but pulled noodles on birthdays like yumimian wowo, youmian it used by northerners to refer relates to health and a kaolao, and shaomai, boiled to wheaten food. Shanxi natives longevity, while eating jienian like maoerza, jiupian, and are so fond of wheaten food that noodles during Spring Festival tijian, roasted like laobing and dough is not content with its status symbolizes the embracing of menmian, or fried like yougao. as a snack food and often makes its the New Year. A child eating From the perspective of raw way onto the dinner table. There jixin huoshao on their first materials, besides wheat, corn are a variety of combinations such day at school implies that and other crops, wheaten food as youmian kaolao with minced parents hope their children will can also be made using sorghum, mutton and mushroom soup, and become more knowledgeable. So buckwheat, naked oats, millet, huaihua bulanzi. In spring, when wheaten foods not only satisfy bean and other coarse cereals, sophora flowers bloom, local hunger, but they are also full of using various production methods people mix sophora flowers with philosophical meaning.

72 Sliced Noodles

Shanxi sliced noodles, famous both at home and abroad, are hailed as one of China’s five best- known wheaten foods. Holding kneaded dough and standing in a graceful posture, housewives in Shanxi skillfully produce fine, long sliced noodles. Crisp inside, elastic outside, soft and smooth, sliced noodles are popular in Shanxi. They join Beijing’s noodles with gravy, Shandong’s e-fu noodles, Henan’s yubei noodles, and Sichuan’s on a list of China’s five most popular noodles. If eating a bowl of sliced noodles satisfies your taste buds, then watching how sliced noodles are made will be a feast for your eyes. A skillful chef can complete more than 100 slices with a knife per minute, with every piece being exactly 15 cm long. The production process really dazzles your eyes. Sliced noodles are seasoned with a variety of toppings such as tomato sauce, meat sauce, mutton, enoki mushroom and agaric eggs, and accompanied by seasonal fresh vegetables such as sliced cucumber, leek, green bean sprouts, boiled soybeans, green minced garlic, often with a touch of pepper and a splash of vinegar to make the noodles taste truly delicious.

73 Lifestyle | Bite 山 西

Maoerduo

Maoerduo is a staple food in Shanxi, much like Italy’s shell-shaped macaroni. Maoerduo is rolled into a shape that resembles a cat’s ear after twisting the wheaten food into thumb-like bars, pressing it into large pieces like beans and then pinching it with the thumb and forefinger. It is then boiled and fried with ingredients inside. With soup in the rolls, it tastes juicy and delicious. As for ingredients, most people like to use leek, or pork and shrimp, which can make it tasty enough, but it tastes even better if shrimp, crab meat, mushrooms or ham are added.

Shaomai

Shaomai is one of the most well-known wheaten foods in Shanxi. Looking like a pomegranate, it is white, thin and full of stuffing, making it delicious, which is why it is so popular among both the old and the young. Shanxi shaomai can be compared with its counterpart in Province, with a distinct difference in the respective northern and southern styles. Its popularity in northern China relates to the development of business in Shanxi during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties when it made its footprints in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei Province. Shaomai could be found wherever business people in Shanxi went and it is particularly popular in Datong. Among the variations, Beijing Duyichu is the most well-known. Stuffing is placed inside it before it is wrapped and steamed for up to 15 minutes. According to shaomai masters, if the wheaten food is hard, it is easy to make creases, and only with many creases can shaomai be made to look like a beautiful plum blossom on the top.

74 山 西

Youmian kaolaolao

Youmian kaolaolao is made from oat flour and has an extremely high nutritional value. It is made by kneading wheaten food into dough and rolling it with fingers into rolls before steaming it. It is not only a delicious food eaten by ordinary families in Shanxi, but also served when entertaining relatives and friends at home. In Yanbei and Lvliang, people regard eating youmian kaolaolao as a symbol of security and harmony. It is eaten on special occasions such as birthdays of old people, the one-month celebration of the birth of a newborn baby, and festivals. It is also eaten at weddings by the bride and the bridegroom, implying that the couple will live together for an entire lifetime. More importantly, it is eaten at the end of the year for family harmony and good luck.

Longxu noodles

It is said that longxu, or “dragon whisker”, noodles were given their name by an emperor in ancient times, perhaps because they are thin, slick and look graceful, like dragon whiskers interwoven together. It is a tradition to eat longxu noodles on Feb. 2. In Shanxi, it is eaten when people celebrate birthdays or friends gather together to promote longevity and a festive atmosphere. Longxu noodles contain fine ingredients and are carefully produced, the method of which used to be considered a little- known secret. Besides being a food, it has also become a performing art. The finest longxu noodles ever recorded could be stretched to more than 20 buckles, involving several million pieces.

75 Lifestyle | Books & Films

A great historian can make clear the connections between the first Homo sapiens and today’s version of the species, and a great storyteller can make those connections come alive. David Christian is both. Christian is a professor of world history at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, and co-founder, with Bill Gates, of the Big History Project. In 1989, Christian began teaching the first course on “big history”, an interdisciplinary field that examines history starting with the Big Bang, and his work came to the attention of Gates through a video course. In 2014, Gates and Christian were the subjects of the cover story of the New York Times Magazine. Christian started his career as a professor of Russian history, and over the years, as he refined his lectures on the Cold War, he realized: “I was giving the subliminal message that humans are divided, at a fundamental level, into competing tribes. Having lived through the Cuban Missile Crisis, I remember it vividly. I was a schoolboy in England where this tribalism threatened to blow us all up. That was a very vivid experience for me. I thought, for historians to This Fleeting World: keep teaching this subliminal message — that we are divided by tribes — is not A Short History of Humanity a good thing.” So Christian began a program to teach big history — the story of the whole by David Christian world, with the goal of helping transcend the tribalism perpetuated by narrower ethnic and religious histories. “I first became an avid student of David In This Fleeting World: A Short History of Humanity, Christian takes us Christian by watching his course, Big from the Big Bang to the earliest foraging era to the present Anthropocene History, on DVD, and so I am very happy epoch. Enter the popular work and give up the preconception that anything old to see his enlightening presentation of the is boring. world’s history captured in these essays. I The overarching story focuses on three major turning points in our collective hope it will introduce a wider audience to history — our learning to use language when we were foragers and hunters; this gifted scientist and teacher,” said Bill Gates, an entrepreneur, investor, author learning to farm and construct complex societies; and the shift to our fossil- and philanthropist as well as the world’s fueled world of new global networks and acceleration. richest man. You will not find this book loaded with facts, dates and lists of events — it is not meant to be. Instead, Christian presents a short and accessible narrative of world history that emphasizes connections between regions and time periods.

The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester The compilation of the Oxford English Dictionary was one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken. As definitions were collected, the overseeing committee discovered that one man, Doctor W. C. Minor, had submitted more than 10,000. When the committee insisted on honoring him, a shocking truth came to light: Doctor Minor was an inmate at an asylum for the criminally insane. Masterfully researched and eloquently written, The Professor and the Madman is an extraordinary tale of madness, genius and the incredible obsessions of two remarkable men that led to the making of the Oxford English Dictionary — and literary history.

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo takes tidying to a whole new level, promising that if you properly simplify and organize your home once, you will never have to do it again. Most methods advocate a room-by-room or little-by-little approach, which doom you to pick away at your piles of stuff forever. The KonMari Method, with its revolutionary category-by-category system, leads to lasting results. In fact, none of Kondo’s clients have lapsed.

76 cast can, well, sing. There is a huge contingent of different animals Sing appearing at the auditions and singing a wide range of popular songs that your mom, dad and niece will recognize, such as Shake it Off, Bad Romance, Firework and Stay with Me. For the first time ever, Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey appears with his character, Buster Moon. “I have always regarded Buster as the ultimate creator, a showman who refuses to accept defeat and a guy who will accomplish the impossible through sheer force of will. Others may see his theater Set in a world like ours, but mouse who croons as smoothly as collapsing around him, but not entirely inhabited by animals, he cons; a timid teenage elephant Buster. Through his eyes, you will Sing stars Buster Moon, a dapper with an enormous case of stage begin to imagine the crown jewel koala who presides over a once- fright; an overtaxed mother run of this incredible town, a place grand theater that has fallen on ragged tending a litter of 25 piglets; where people can truly transform.” hard times. Buster is an eternal — a young gangster gorilla looking to The movie comes off as Zootopia some might even say delusional break free of his family’s felonies; without social commentary or — optimist who loves his theater and a punk-rock porcupine nearly as much imagination. above all and will do anything to struggling to shed her arrogant The ominous Godfather in that preserve it. Now faced with the boyfriend and go solo. Each animal film turns out to be a shrew, a crumbling of his life’s ambition, arrives under Buster’s marquee wonderful sight gag; here the he has one final chance to restore believing that this is their shot to mobsters are Russian, so they have his fading jewel to its former glory change the course of their life. to be bears. by producing the world’s greatest Sing sets up its storyline. One of Sing is like a medley of pop hits. singing competition. the most impressive aspects about You get a bunch of quick samples, Five lead contestants emerge: A Sing is just how well the entire but long for the full song.

La La Land Special Encounter Set in modern day Los Angeles, this original musical about When a boy, Xiao Jian, runs into a beautiful “Lily everyday life explores the joy and pain of pursuing your dreams. in Summer”, the namesake of a female writer he highly A jazz pianist falls for an aspiring actress in Los Angeles. As admires, in an online game, he asks for a meeting, but success mounts, they are faced with decisions that begin to fray is turned down. Unintentionally, Xiao Jian and “Lily in the fragile fabric of their love affair, and the dreams they worked Summer” fortuitously come across each other in real life, so hard to maintain in each other threaten to rip them apart. and a Special Encounter ensues.

77 Lifestyle | Music

Creating Unity and Peace Through

Ethnic MusicText Andy Bauer

zmat Hekim was born to him. At the time, China had into a family of artists just started to develop, so there in the Aksu region of were very few learning materials A northwest China. He on percussion education. In 1991, was interested in hand drums from as the first materials regarding a young age. In 2000, he moved modern percussion started to enter to Beijing to commence his career China, Azmat went to Urumqi to a successful manner. Azmat also in the music industry, becoming study drums. acknowledges the influence of involved in various projects. He He studied under a famous Severa Nazarkhan, an Uzbek has worked with groups focused percussionist by the name of woman who introducing Uzbek on developing traditional Central Yasen, from the Urumqi Ethnic traditional elements into the Asian music and has also made Song and Dance Ensemble, and world of rhythm and blues. major contributions to the learned jazz drums under someone Another person Azmat admires activities of contemporary Central named Tursun. Slowly Azmat is Hanhong: “She is also an ethnic Asian ensembles. In addition, he learned about rhythm and became musician.She sings the music of has taken part in many types of increasingly fond of it. other minorities, and has a great ethnic music projects, which is one He got his first big break voice and an outstanding attitude of his key distinguishing points, as during a stadium performance in toward music.” this type of breadth is rarely seen Shenzhen in 1991, after which A fan of ethnic music, Azmat in Uzbek/Uyghur percussionists. he was acquainted with more appreciates the work of the Uzbek Azmat has a rich international renowned musicians from around musician Sherali Jo’raye, a highly performance track record and has China. To date, he has worked regarded musician throughout the played all kinds of music in China, with many bands and ensembles late 20th century in Uzbekistan for appearing on music programs both on stage and in the studio, his contributions to contemporary such as China Central Television’s including Askar Greywolf, Uzbek music as well as the The Best of China’s Original Folk Kerman, Chen Hongwei, Aitulan, Gypsy Kings — a band that has Songs, among other shows. Buluo, Panjir, Afanti, Loulan significantly influenced the modern His grandfather was a teacher and Tiehan. He works as a stage traditions of Xinjiang. who moved from Uzbekistan musician for the Tongange Wuxi Azmat said he feels that the to China’s Kuche County in the performance and the Tangchao authentic development of any mid-20th century, becoming the Beijing Warm-Up Ensemble as music depends on the degree to principle of an elementary school. well as a guest musician in Haya’s which musicians from a tradition However, due to family reasons, Beijing performances. He is also a venture out into the world and Azmat moved back and forth percussionist for Hanhong during return with new ideas. He said between the countryside and Aksu their tours in China. “music speaks peace”, and the over the course of his childhood. In His greatest influence during notion of world music is the best 1989, he graduated from the Aksu his early childhood was Michael way to achieve unity between Yixiang Art and Dance School. Jackson. After he studied music, nations and the brotherhood Due to the needs of the Azmat realized MJ was even of humanity. Staying true to his ensemble, soon after joining the more amazing than he had Uzbek roots, Azmat intends to Tarim Dance and Song Company originally thought. He also make world music the focus of as a dancer, Azmat had to shift his respects the music and thinking his remaining career, helping focus from dance to percussion, of Askar Greywolf, because he international acts to grace stages something that was not of interest introduced rock to Xinjiang in worldwide.

78 Lifestyle | Report

French Elegance Found in

Frankfurt Text Yang Di

rankfurt is widely known as a gateway French elegance and unique touches from many to most visitors’ European travels, as its generations can be seen everywhere, be it in the lobby, international airport is one of the busiest in on the mezzanine or in the 150 rooms and suites. the region. Precisely selected artworks underline an exquisite FAs Germany’s financial hub and a city famous for living experience, just as it would have been for the conventions, joie de vivre,or exuberant enjoyment Parisian nobility in the 17th and 18th centuries. of life, has never been the primary concern of those Outside the hotel, the surrounding area is known choosing a hotel to stay at. But the recent opening of for its premier shopping experiences, with luxury Sofitel Frankfurt Opera has brought a blend of pure boutiques lining Goethestrasse, the Champs-Elysees luxury and timeless style, referring to the essence of of Frankfurt. The nearby Fressgass is Frankfurt’s the Parisian l’art de vivire, or art of living. pedestrian culinary mile where numerous grocery It is strategically located on Opernplatz, with stores and delicatessens took up residence after views of the Liesel-Christ-Anlage park, and next to World War I. Countless cafes, bistros, bars and the city’s luxury shopping street and landmark Old restaurants serve breakfast, lunch, happy-hour drinks Opera House. and dinner beneath beautiful sycamore trees. The French art of living begins in the hotel’s first-floor bar, Lili’s, which is decked in warm colors, comfortable sofas and deep armchairs. The name comes from the city’s most famous figure HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s greatest love, Lili Lili’s bar is the social hub of Sofitel Frankfurt Schonemann. The graceful interior and intimate vibe Opera, where guests meet and enjoy offers a relaxing place for anyone to unwind. relaxing among sophisticated locals. Denis de Schrevel, the hotel’s general manger, said: It is particularly happening during “The relaxed vibe, oozing savoir-faire (the ability weekends when well-dressed Frankfurt to act or speak appropriately in social situations) is residents come to unwind with an alluring craft ale, a fine wine or an what we aim to provide for hotel guests and locals inventive cocktail. One would not alike. We do not want people see us as a hotel, but as consider it a stiff hotel bar, but a lively, a house to live, to enjoy and to socialize.” well-designed, intimate city cocktail Indeed, Lili’s has been “the place to be” since its lounge. It also offers a list of delicious tapas dishes to pair with wine and cocktails. opening in October last year. With striking art pieces filling the bar, it has been fully occupied on weekend evenings with the city’s elegant locals. Each guest room covers 30 to 45 square meters and is elegantly designed, The hotel’s Restaurant Schonemann is also named offering simplistic yet luxurious comfort. after Goethe’s greatest love, reflecting the hotel’s will Guests can relax in their rooms with to be culturally linked to the city. The restaurant the exclusive Sofitel MyBed concept, offers fine bristronomique-style French cuisine with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV, Hermes amenities and sleek, high-quality regional accents. Restaurant Schonemann introduces furnishings. The beds are extremely the concept of “supper”, offering culinary delights comfortable, perfect for business late into the evening. travelers seeking rest and relaxation.

79 Lifestyle | Report

Ultimate Indulgence at China World Summit Text Wang Ruosi

hangri-La China World Summit Wing Beijing The hotel is a perfect venue for events and provides the highest and most splendid meetings, with facilities including a fully equipped view in Beijing city center that is bound to 95-seat auditorium; a rooftop garden event space pleasantly surprise every guest. that is capable of seating 250 diners; a pillarless SLocated in the central East Third Ring of the ballroom with a spacious area of 2,340 square thriving Central Business District area, Shangri-La meters; and a junior ballroom of 770 square meters. China World Summit Wing Beijing offers direct After a day of exploring the historical and access to the city’s coveted designer shops in the fashionable city of Beijing, there are plenty of China World Mall as well as to luxury apartments, opportunities for relaxation and rejuvenation at the the regional headquarters of multinational and hotel, with a complete lifestyle sanctuary, including Chinese corporations and an exhibition hall, which a gymnasium, swimming pool and wellness facilities. are all within the multi-use complex. There is also Located on Level 77, CHI, The Spa, Beijing’s premiere a 330-square-meter helipad on the rooftop of the destination spa retreat, has six elegant treatment building for personal aircraft. rooms and offers signature treatments and therapies. The elevator rises swiftly to the 64th floor, where the check-in reception is located. The hotel is decorated with tasteful, ultra-modern interior and HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS designs that marry traditional Chinese beauty with Atmosphere chic Western style. All four designer restaurants, two A highlight of Beijing’s high-end nightlife, bars and a lounge, as well as four exclusive venues Atmosphere is also the highest bar in devoted to private dining are sure to delight. the city. It is located on the 80th floor Located from levels 64 to 77, all 278 guest rooms, of the China World Tower. Set amid the dramatic backdrop of Beijing’s gleaming including 29 suites at Shangri-La China World Summit skyline, with views of the Forbidden City, Wing Beijing, have floor-to-ceiling windows to provide Atmosphere exudes a sense of elegance stunning city views. Averaging 65 square meters, rooms that complements the artistry of European- feature classic wooden decor with the finest furnishings style cocktails, offering creative Chinese and subtle Chinese touches. Additionally, every guest drinks or seasonal specials. Vibrant live musical entertainment and a team of passionate bar professionals can enjoy clean, quality air with a built-in air filtration devoted to the art of pleasure provides a place where you can system installed in the building. find Beijing’s best collection of top-class malt liquors and cigars. The ultimate indulgence can be had in the expansive Presidential Suite, which offers the hotel’s Chairman Rooms most impressive and luxurious accommodation. The Private dining reaches unprecedented heights at each of the three Chairman suite comes with an elegantly appointed separate Rooms, which feature their own sitting room, master bedroom, master bathroom distinctive decor and artwork, all with and a spacious dining room to entertain guests views of the city. Menus for private in sumptuous style. Each room offers 296 square dining are highly personalized, crafted meters of luxury and the superb views in this suite with care and attention by the talented culinary team. Culinary journeys for the allow guests to overlook the Forbidden City and its Chairman Rooms can be either Western or surrounding landscape. Asian influenced.

80 Ultimate Indulgence at China World Summit

Flying

Beijing Boasts Record-breaking Passenger Numbers / 82

Chinese Aviation’s Great Leap Forward / 82

Becoming a First-class International Aviation Hub / 86

Challenges for Aviation Industry Cloud Year Ahead / 90

News / 94

Dissecting the Millennial Mindset / 96 Flying | BCIA

Beijing Boasts Record-breaking Passenger

Numbers Text Liu Jianfeng

ear passengers, with Beijing Capital International we would like Airport in the early 1980s, and in to share some recent years, I have witnessed great good news changes at the airport, including “ the establishment of the new with you;D we just heard from the control tower at Beijing Capital Terminals 1, 2 and 3, as I travel by International Airport that the air about once every three days.” passenger throughput in 2016 will Yu added that the more time hit 90 million person-times today.” he spent at BCIA, the more time That was a message broadcast he wanted to spend there, and by a flight attendant 10 minutes he often adjusted his schedule to before Air China Flight CA8201 spend more time at the airport landed at Beijing Capital shopping or enjoying some special International Airport on the snacks while reading. morning of Dec. 14, 2016. The substantial passenger When passengers alighted the throughput in person-times of aircraft at Terminal 3, airport staff BCIA has made it the world’s greeted passengers and presented second-busiest airport for seven them with souvenirs to thank them consecutive years, with the figure and offer them their best wishes, increasing by 10 million in four saying: “Congratulations on years, from 80 million in 2012 being a passenger on our record- to 83.7 million in 2013; 86.13 breaking flight. Thank you for your million in 2014, 89.94 million trust and support, we wish you a in 2015; and 90 million in pleasant trip.” 2016, showcasing China’s rapid On hearing this, Yu Xing, an Air development. China Premier Platinum member Officials of the Capital Airports — holding 1 million air miles Holding Company (CAH), the — said: “I forged a strong bond management authority of BCIA,

82 Chinese Aviation’s Great Leap Forward

Passenger throughput hits 90 million person-times in 349 days

With the rapid economic and social development of China, the annual passenger throughput of Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) has increased nine fold since it hit 10 million in 1993. BCIA has set new records for domestic and international civil aviation development, with China’s speed of design and production — known as “China Speed” — driving a growth rate much greater than that of other airports worldwide. It saw annual passenger throughput surge to 20 million person-times in 2000; 30 million in 2004; 40 million in 2005; 50 million in 2007; 60 million in 2009; 70 million in 2010; 80 million in 2012; and 90 million in 2016.

1993/12 10 Million Photo by Xu Yang Terminal 1, with an area of 60,000 m2, was officially opened on Jan. 1, 1980. BCIA made its first breakthrough in annual passenger throughput, with the figure rising to 10.29 million person- times in December 1993, 35 years after the original Beijing Airport was “Dear passengers, we would like to established. share some good news with you; We just heard from the control tower at Beijing Capital International Airport that the passenger throughput in 2016 will hit 90 million person-times today.”

83 Flying | BCIA

o by Yang Huan Phot min

said: “We express our gratitude implementation of a 72-hour visa- to our passengers and airlines free transit program, the number for their support, as well of visa-free transit passengers will as the employees of all increase by 32 percent this year. organizations stationed “Through Ticket” and “Through here at Beijing Capital Check-in” programs have been International Airport for implemented for Air China and their hard work.” Hainan Airlines’ flights to North There are 103 airlines America. The growth rate of based at the airport, international passengers is three including 28 domestic times that of domestic passengers, airlines and 75 foreign while the airport’s proportion of airlines flying to 132 cities international passengers has risen in overseas countries and to 26 percent. regions. In addition, BCIA In constructing its hub network, has built sister relationships BCIA and domestic airlines with 33 international airports. launched the Beijing- As the largest airport of Shanghai and China, BCIA has been committed to developing itself into a large- scale international hub airport. With the

Photo by Xu Yang

84 Beijing-Hangzhou Air Express Dedicated Line” next year, 2000/11 services, operating various which will provided uniform 20 Million round-trip flights at fixed times identification and special service Terminal 2 was completed in four and frequencies. Based on the facilities for the convenience of years and opened on Nov. 1, 1999. As successful experience of such passengers. The International the largest terminal in China at that services, BCIA signed tripartite Dedicated Line to North America time, Terminal 2 was considered one cooperation agreements with will be launched after successful of the nation’s top-10 architectural Frankfurt International Airport experience is gained. structures. Resources were increased to meet growing passenger demands, and Air China at the fifth Hitting passenger throughput of with annual passenger throughput Beijing Global Friend Airports 90 million person-times is a huge reaching 21.69 million person-times CEO Forum in 2016, which milestone for the airport, but it in November 2000. was sponsored by BCIA, for still has a long way to go. the purpose of launching the “International

2004/11 30 Million After Terminal 2 opened, Terminal 1 was expanded and re-opened on Sept. 20, 2004, further enlarging airport capacity, with annual passenger throughput hitting 34.9 million person-times in November 2004.

“We express our gratitude 2005/12 40 Million BCIA successfully completed its first to our passengers and cross-strait charter flight in 2005, 56 years after the establishment airlines for their support, as of Beijing Airport. That same year, China’s civil aviation industry well as the employees of saw rapid development due to the all organizations stationed fast-growing economy. The airport maintained strong growth momentum here at Beijing Capital and saw annual passenger throughput increase by 10 million person-times International Airport for in just one year. In December 2005, the figure stood at 41 million person- their hard work.” times, making it one of the world’s 20 busiest airports.

85 Flying | BCIA

Becoming a First- class International

Aviation Hub Text Zeng Xiaoxin

On Jan. 25, two days prior CEO Forum, held in September to the eve of Spring Festival, each year, is sponsored by BCIA, Xiao Wang, his parents and and it is through this platform other family members arrived that the airport publicizes its at Beijing Capital International policies and promotes China’s Airport (BCIA) civil aviation industry. As the Photo by Xu Yang to board a flight national gate of China, BCIA to the United is a window for the country States. They to conduct international planned to visit communication and facilitate the the University of integration of China’s economy San Francisco, into the global economy rapidly where Xiao and smoothly. Wang would soon begin International portal hub to study, and BCIA, the largest airport in other scenic China, saw 1,700 or so aircrafts spots during the take off at peak times, during Spring Festival which an airplane takes off or vacation. lands every 45 seconds. On Dec. Like Xiao Wang, increasing 14, 2016, the total number of numbers of Chinese tourists spend passengers handled by the airport Spring Festival abroad. Each year, exceeded 90 million person more than 20 million Chinese times, ranking BCIA the second- tourists go abroad to visit relatives largest airport in the world in and friends or make business terms of the passenger capacity trips via 132 international flights for the seventh consecutive opened by BCIA. years. However, BCIA said it Beijing Global Friend Airports attaches the most importance

86 flight products,” Meng said. 2007/11 50 Million Photo by Xu Yang Following the principle of “promoting the construction, In 2007, the airport implemented starting with the easiest measures to consolidate the issues and working toward foundation of safety management; the hardest”, BCIA is first built a first-class service brand; building itself into a point-to- improved operation support capacity; point international hub, then a constructed a solid platform for combined international aviation airlines; and assisted in opening the hub. It will strive to achieve the Beijing-Shanghai Air Express service. In November of that year, passenger following objectives in three throughput at BCIA surged to 53.58 to five years: international air million person-times, making it the flights accounting for 30 percent eighth-busiest airport in the world. of total air flights; international passengers accounting for 33 percent of all passengers; international air flights reaching advanced international levels in terms of network width and network density; and increased competitiveness of the airport as an international aviation hub. 2009/11 60 Million Meng also said BCIA would The airport successfully completed increase its density of flights the transfer of the world’s largest involving other international single terminal and delivered aviation hubs, such as Shanghai a perfect report — with “zero and , as well as the complaints, events or accidents” — portal hubs in Urumqi, , for support work for the Olympic Games in 2008. BCIA fulfilled its Shenyang, Hangzhou and other major transport support task for the domestic hub airports. It would 60th Anniversary of the Founding of also increase its number of New China and became the third- international flights. BCIA plans busiest airport in the world, with to expand its network density an annual passenger throughput of international air flights and of 65.37 million person-times by to maintaining quality while its improve the value of flights to November 2009. passenger capacity increases. main core cities, focusing on Meng Xianwei, general key regional markets in Europe, manager of the aviation business Northeast Asia, North America department at BCIA, said and . It will also that according to the national open new flights to contribute demand, BCIA is a first-class toward the implementation of international aviation hub, the Belt and Road Initiative. so it is necessary to increase The number of international construction to meet demand. passengers at BCIA is increasing The expansion of BCIA is part rapidly. There are 102 airline 2010/12 70 Million of plans to develop Beijing into companies operating at the a world metropolis and turn the airport, of which 28 are domestic In 2010, BCIA set June 25as the annual “Service Day of China” Beijing—Tianjin—Hebei region airline companies and 75 are as it became the nation’s first into a world city development. international airline companies. “We will focus on Skytrax 4-Star Airport, ranking International flights service among the world’s top airports optimizing structures and the 132 international and regional for service quality, and becoming transportation network, putting airports worldwide. The increase the world’s second-busiest airport, more effort into going global in international passengers with passenger throughput of 73.95 and improving the quality of last year was three times that million person-times by December.

87 Flying | BCIA

of domestic passengers, with was held at BCIA. Beijing the former accounting for 26 Global Friend Airports is a percent of all passengers landing multilateral international or departing at BCIA. With platform established by BCIA the implementation of the 72- for communication and dialogue hour visa-free transit policy in inside the aviation industry Beijing, the number of visa-free and for promoting pragmatic passengers transiting through the cooperation. The platform also airport increased by 32 percent strengthens communication last year. between BCIA and other airports, and establishes a Pragmatic cooperation mechanism of normalizing the with friendly airports communication and sharing of experiences with friendly On Sept. 21, 2016, the Fifth airports. Beijing Global Friend Airports By the end of last year, BCIA CEO Forum with a theme of had signed friendship airport “Continuation Innovation, agreements with 33 sister Win-Win Cooperation” airports, and in recent years, it has joined hands with its friendship airports worldwide to boost promotional publicity for all airports involved. For example, BCIA is advertising its 72-hour visa-free transit on the websites of Chicago, Geneva, Photo by Chen Yongping Frankfurt and Sydney airports. Since March 2015, BCIA has held Cultural of November, 2015 to the end of Gateway picture 2016, Cultural Gateway picture exhibitions to display exhibition was inaugurated in the charisma of its Munich, Montreal and Geneva twin airports in cities airports respectively, displaying such as Munich, the charm of BCIA and Beijing. Montreal, Helsinki, BCIA is deepening its Washington, Auckland cooperation with friendly and Bangkok. At the end airports worldwide. At the Fifth Beijing Global Friend Airports CEO Forum, BCIA, Frankfurt Airport and Air China signed a joint cooperation agreement, in which they planned to open “international special flights” using unified logos and specially- Photos by Xu Yang prepared service facilities; add a number of flights to create a more consistent schedule; and make travel more convenient for passengers. “Passengers will find that flying abroad is as convenient and rapid as flying from Beijing to Shanghai,” Officials of BCIA said.

88 2012/12 80 Million With more than 1,500 flights taking off and landing every day, servicing more than 250,000 domestic and international passengers, BCIA’s annual passenger throughput hit 83.71 million person-times in December 2012. The airport was ranked third on the Airports Council International satisfaction list, and the second-best airport overall of those with global passenger throughput of more than 40 million person-times. It recorded the most rapid growth and was said to possess the highest potential for development.

Normalizing to international passengers. At BCIA, Macao Airport and international Helsinki Airport, BCIA gives communication passengers landing or departing Officials of BCIA said excellent from these airports information international talents are needed about various kinds of tourism to promote the airport’s strategy at their destinations through of internationalization. Since tourist service handbooks. The 2011, BCIA as well as Munich, handbooks provide information Frankfurt and Geneva airports on food and drink, transport 2016/12 90 Million have each sent staff members to and tourist hotspots. other three respective airports In addition, BCIA provides Passenger throughput climbed to for communication purposes. support services regarding 83.7 million person-times in 2013; In July last year, BCIA Chinese characters to friendly 86.13 million person-times in 2014; 89.94 million person-times conducted an eight-day training airports worldwide, including providing a Chinese proofreading in 2015 and more than 90 million session on airport operation person-times in December 2016. The service at Paris Charles de Gaulle and management for eight record-breaking figures were a result middle and senior management Airport, Incheon International of the joint efforts of BCIA’s more members from Cuba Airport Airport in South Korea than 60,000 employees, creating Group and Havana Jose Marti and Bangkok International the “First Gateway of China”. The International Airport. The Suvarnabhumi Airport. airport’s development showcases the training session covered a wide China is adjusting its Great Leap Forward in China’s civil range of fields, such as airport economic structure, providing aviation industry and the miracle of operation management, airport a boost to regional economic “Chinese Speed” since the reform and opening up of China. construction project management cooperation and injecting and human resources vitality into the civil management. aviation industry. Holding In November 2016, Helsinki international communication Airport sent a group of its staff activities and large-scale members to BCIA, where they international conventions as held posts for three weeks for well as expanding the scale of communication purposes. international communication BCIA works hard to provide provides a broader stage for improved language services BCIA to “embrace the world”.

89 Flying | Outlook

Challenges for Aviation Industry Cloud Year Ahead

Text Tu Lei

ast year was not an easy one for the global aviation industry, with nearly a dozen air Laccidents dampening enthusiasm for air travel. Nonetheless, the industry still had a record year for profits. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimated the industry’s global net profit amounted to US$35.6 billion, up from US$35.3 billion in 2015. Even though rising oil prices will make profits harder to come by this year, the Chinese aviation industry will undergo major changes as airlines strive to fly more and fly farther.

90 Crowded skies Some experts have said that the Guangdong. skies are becoming overcrowded as China Eastern Airlines, which global airlines add aircraft to their has more than 600 aircraft, flies to fleets, but this will be a continuing more than 80 percent of Chinese trend this year as airlines in China cities and plans to extend its — the world’s second-largest network to more than 1,062 cities aviation market in terms of market across the globe. The airline has size — expand. said that its transport capacities The expansion of new to North America, Europe and model airlines and progressive Australia increased by 62.3 liberalization in the region is percent, 25.5 percent and 39.5 intensifying the already-strong percent respectively year-on-year competition. in 2016. China Southern Airlines has The increases are the result of announced that it will enhance China Eastern’s expanded fleets. In the construction of its Beijing April last year, the airline signed hub this year, and it plans to deals with both Boeing and Airbus, introduce more than 200 aircraft and vowed to introduce 15 Boeing at the capital’s new airport so it 787-9s and 20 Airbus A350-900s, can fly more routes both at home which will enhance capacity. and abroad. Data from the Center for Asia China Southern Airlines’ Pacific Aviation showed Chinese plans in Beijing put it in direct carriers were expected to open 51 competition with Air China, continental routes from 2014 to which has dominated the Beijing 2017, compared with only four market for years. However, the in 2006. former said it will not neglect its This year alone, eight Chinese base hub in Guangzhou, capital airlines will be flying continental of southern China’s Guangdong flights. It should be noted that Province. It plans to add more Chinese carriers account for half international flights from the city of the destinations in the Asian and neighboring Shenzhen, also in market.

91 Flying | Outlook

Crude and currency benchmark, was US$44.60 per are airlines’ largest liability. When barrel. The price is expected to the yuan depreciates against the While airline industry profits increase to US$55 this year. The greenback, airlines incur foreign are expected to have reached a change is expected to push up the exchange losses. In 2015, domestic cyclical peak of US$35.6 billion price of jet fuel from US$52.10 per airlines experienced some financial last year, the IATA expects a soft barrel last year to US$64.90 this turbulence from the depreciating landing in profitable territory year, meaning fuel will account for yuan, causing the country’s four this year, with industry-wide net 18.7 percent of the industry’s costs major airlines to take losses of profit of US$29.8 billion. That this year, significantly below a peak 17.62 billion yuan (US$2.54 would make this year the eighth of 33.2 percent in 2012-2013, the billion) — an amount similar to consecutive year of aggregate IATA said. their combined profits of 18.16 airline profitability. In addition to rising fuel prices, billion yuan for the entire year. However, expected increased oil the depreciation of the yuan also Although the airlines have not prices will have the biggest impact casts a shadow over the outlook yet released their annual financial on the outlook for profits this year. for airline profits this year. reports for 2016, profits will be Last year, the average price of Aircraft are primarily priced limited by the depreciation of the Brent crude oil, the international in US dollars, so US dollar debts yuan over the course of the year.

92 Reform in the pipeline according to a statement by the State Council, China’s Cabinet, in China Southern recently December last year. announced that it will pursue In 2016, China Eastern was mixed-ownership reform to bring the first State-owned airline to in outside capital and expand its announce mixed-ownership business by increasing investment reform, according to media in new emerging sectors. reports. China Southern’s mixed- Introducing outside capital can ownership reform is part of make companies more market- China’s reform agenda for State- oriented, and it might urge more owned enterprises (SOEs) to airlines to embark on mixed- improve efficiency. ownership reform, though the China is targeting mixed- results will depend on just how far ownership reform for SOEs the reforms can go. in seven sectors, including electricity, oil and civil aviation, as a top priority for this year,

93 Flying | News

Qantas begins operations at BCIA

Since Jan. 25, Qantas Airways has been operating out of Beijing Capital International Airport’s Terminal 3 and resumed its Beijing—Sydney service with Flight QF108, which operates every day of the week. Following Air China, Qantas Airways became the second airline to begin services of a direct flight from Beijing to Sydney. It is the first time that Qantas Airways has resumed its Beijing—Sydney service since 2009. The new service is based in Sydney Kingsford Turtle muffins, snow-covered mountain, rabbit cake and flying Smith International Airport and chicken were named the favorite foods chosen by an international is operated by an Airbus A330- jury of 10 children in September last year. From Feb. 1 this year, these 200. Beijing is the third base for and a few other tasty children’s treats, which were specially created Qantas Airways in the Greater by top chef Cornelia Poletto for the youngest Lufthansa passengers, China region, following Shanghai will be offered on board all long-haul flights and on several long and Hong Kong. European routes. To ensure operation runs smoothly, BCIA’s Information Technology Department underwent thorough prepara­ Hong Kong Airlines, Hoi King Heen tions and tests in conjunction partner on new menu with the Terminal 3 Management Department. Preparations included maintaining the static data of flights; adjusting the rules for allocating resources; adjusting the content on the pages of the Flight Information Display System; commissioning the broadcasting system; commissioning the airport departure system; and updating the onsite guarantee solutions.

Business-class passengers aboard restaurant’s executive Chinese chef, According to the airline, regular all Hong Kong Airlines’ flights flying Leung Fai-hung, craft a co-branded testing and reviews by Leung, Hong out of Hong Kong between now and menu that includes variations on 15 Kong Airlines’ inflight culinary team November will be served inflight of his signature dishes. These include and caterer Gate Gourmet Hong meals developed in collaboration braised beef brisket stuffed with pear, Kong were carried out throughout with the Intercontinental Grand steamed spotted grouper fish balls the development process in order Stanford Hong Kong’s Chinese with pumpkin sauce, and deep-fried to get the inflight meals as close restaurant, Hoi King Heen. chicken with lemongrass, ginger and as possible to those served at the The collaboration sees the preserved peel. restaurant itself.

94 Etihad, Lufthansa extend cooperation Routes Wuhan Sydney China Eastern has launched a new overnight direct flight connecting Wuhan and Sydney, which operates three times a week using a 232- seat Airbus A330-200. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, MU749 departs Wuhan at 11:40 p.m., arriving in Sydney at 1:30 p.m. the following day, while the return MU750 departs Sydney at 10:15 p.m. and arrives the following morning at 5:45 a.m.

Etihad Aviation Group and Lufthansa German Airlines, part of Europe’s largest aviation group, recently unveiled details of a new commercial Tokyo Tianjin partnership. The two airline groups have concluded a US$100 million Japanese low-cost carrier Spring global catering agreement and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to Airlines Japan launched a new service cooperate in aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul. to China on Jan. 28. The new route is The four-year catering contract will see Lufthansa’s LSG Sky Chefs provide operated by a 189-seat Boeing B737- catering services to Etihad Airways in 16 cities in Europe, Asia and the 800. Flight IJ1031 departs Narita at Americas. This makes LSG the largest provider of catering services to the 12:20 p.m. and arrives in Tianjin at 3:25 United Aarab Emirates’ national airline, outside its Abu Dhabi home base. p.m. The return Flight IJ1032 leaves Etihad and Lufthansa Technik have also signed a MoU to explore Tianjin at 4:35 p.m. and arrives in Narita cooperation in maintenance, repair and overhaul services across Etihad at 8:50 p.m. Airways and its airline equity partners, and opportunities for synergies with Etihad Airways Engineering. Etihad Airways and Lufthansa are exploring further cooperation in Nanjing Vancouver a number of areas, including freight operations, procurement and China Eastern is now flying direct routes passenger services, to improve their competitiveness in the European between Nanjing and Vancouver. and global markets. The new service is operated by an Airbus A330-200, flying on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Flight MU215 departs Nanjing at 2 p.m. and arrives in Vancouver that morning at 8:30 a.m., Delta Debuts Complimentary Main while the return Flight MU216 departs Vancouver at 10:30 a.m. and arrives the Cabin Meals following afternoon at 2:55 p.m.

Delta Air Lines is introducing complimentary meals on some of its longest US domestic flights, including transcontinental routes between Hong Kong Toronto New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles Cathay Pacific’s non-stop service to International Airport/San Francisco International Airport (LAX/SFO), Toronto is set to become twice daily making the airline the only US carrier to offer free fresh food from nose to this summer, with the addition of four tail on select coast-to-coast routes. weekly flights starting on June 24. Beginning March 1, Delta will offer complimentary main cabin meals The additional services will operate on flights between JFK and LAX/SFO. On April 24, the airline will expand on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and the service to 10 other major domestic markets from New York, Seattle– Saturday. Flight CX824 will depart Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Boston Logan International Airport Hong Kong at 10:35 a.m. and arrive (BOS) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), including in Toronto at 1:55 p.m. local time the DCA-LAX; BOS-SFO, BOS-LAX, BOS-SEA; JFK-SEA, JFK-Portland same day. Return Flight CX823 will International Airport, JFK-San Diego International Airport; and SEA-Fort leave the Canadian city in the afternoon Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport, SEA-Orlando International and arrive back in Hong Kong the Airport and SEA-Raleigh–Durham International Airport. following evening.

95 Flying | Figure Out

Keeping it Old School

59% of millennials say online ratings and reviews determine their hotel selection, but 35% of millen- Work Hard, Play Harder nials still use travel agents when deciding on accommodation 12% of millennials have quit their job to take a vacation or go to an event such as a concert Dissecting the

Millennial Mindset Text Stella If you were born between the early demographic cohort following Gen- 1980s and mid-1990s, you are what is eration X. There are no precise dates known as a millenial. for when this cohort starts or ends, “Millennials have not established but the group is defined as those who an allegiance with a specific brand yet, reached early adulthood in the the ear- and there is such an amazing oppor- ly 21st century. tunity for companies to capture and A recent study by Choice Hotels build their brand loyalty,” said Patrick International and the Center for Gen- Pacious, executive vice president of erational Kinetics revealed the top 10 Choice Hotels International. travel trends of millennial adventurers: Millennials, also known as Genera- tion Y, Generation Me, Echo Boomers, and the Peter Pan Generation, are the

Getting Comfortable Get Rich Quick 18% of millennials believe 43% comfortable beds are of millennials believe a reason — the sec- you should receive ond-biggest reason — your first rewards pro- to recommend a hotel gram benefit as soon to a friend as you sign up

96 Gimme Goodies Germaphobe Generation 69% 61% of millennials see free- of millennials car- bies — such as snacks, ry hand sanitizer sandwiches or to-go when traveling breakfast — as more im- — more than any portant than opportuni- other generation 69% ties for increased loyalty or reward points

Fearless Foodies Drowning Out the Noise 61% of millennials say they are . more adventurous when it 30% comes to eating and drink- ing when traveling than of millennials keep when at home earbuds in their ears when traveling so people do not talk to them

Image is Everything Living for the Moment 33% 27% of millennials would put of millennials have stayed in off buying a home to take a

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