The Future of Sports Is Digital. It's Also Chinese. E-Bike Taxi Driver

The Future of Sports is Digital. It’s also Chinese.

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Editor in Chief Jocelyn Richards Shenzhen Editor Sky Thomas Gidge Senior Digital Editor Matthew Bossons Shenzhen Digital Editor Bailey Hu Senior Staff Writer Tristin Zhang National Arts Editor Erica Martin Contributors Gary Bailer, Lachlan Cairns, Zaruf Ezhan, Lena Gidwani, Matt Horn, Dr. Adam Koh, Jimmy Li, Mia Li, Vivian Liu, Noelle Mateer, Dominic Ngai, Iris Wang, Dominique Wong, Allyn Zamora, Zheng Yueyue

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Editor's Note AUGUST 2017

My first window into esports (also known as electronic sports or professional video WIN gaming) was the 2014 documentary Free to Play, and the only reason I watched it, as I recall, was because it was the featured USD0.99 cent movie rental on iTunes that week. Fast forward three years, and I’m attending a digital gaming event live: the National Electronic Sports Open (NESO) at Shenzhen Bay Sports Center. A Chinese team has just won the whole tournament, and I’m halfway through a list of questions We're giving away tickets to some like ‘Do your parents support your career?’ which suddenly seem extremely outdated. of the very best events in the Pearl “You don’t know much about esports, do you?” A player from China’s Dota 2 Team Newbee, ranked among the top five in the world, asks with a grin. River Delta, alongside a host of free I didn’t, and my assumption that many Chinese didn’t either couldn’t have been meals and other goodies. Follow our further from the truth. Now the No. 1 market in the world for video games, China is home to more than 70 million esports enthusiasts – more than triple the US’s 20 official WeChat feeds and sign up million. Meanwhile, there are roughly 117 million esports players in China, from for our weekly newsletter for your recreational to professional, and half of the 10 highest-earning esports players in the chance to win major prizes! To stay world in 2016 were Chinese. Yet despite those numbers, electronic sports are only just beginning to reach up to date, visit www.thatsmags. their full potential here, as local governments and universities gradually show more com or scan the QR codes below and support for the industry. To read more about how China is helping shape the future of digital gaming, turn to p38. follow our WeChat accounts. Elsewhere in the magazine, we go behind the scenes of global fidget spinner production (p12), chat with a Russian photographer who is redefining impressions of modern China (p16), divulge 10 things you never knew about Ariana Grande (p34) and speak with some of the world’s leading snooker players before they compete in Guangzhou this month (p52). There’s a lot going on this summer in the Pearl River Delta, so remember to flip to p72 for a few ideas on how to spend your holiday! ThatsGuangzhou

Cheers,

Jocelyn Richards Editor-in-Chief

ThatsShenzhen

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4 | SZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | SZ | 5 8 CITY 38 COVER STORY GAME ON 9 END OF THE LINE The future of sports is digital. It's also Chinese. E-bike taxi driver.

12 MADE IN CHINA The fidget fad's cash then crash.

18 LIFE & STYLE 48 COMMUNITY

19 MIKE DYNAN Bringing the best of British to China. 22 THAT'S 2017 HOSPITALITY AWARDS Celebrating the best of China’s hotel industry. 72 EVENTS 28 ARTS SZ

32 SUMMER FLICKS China's most binge- worthy films. AUG 12 36 CHINA MUSIC CORNER Liam Gallagher Three new homegrown albums on our radar this month. MO

SEPT 2 2017 Macao International 60 EAT & Fireworks Display Contest

DRINK HK

66 SAFFRON Indian identity. 70 PERCH After-work aerie. AUG 11 - SEPT 2 Hong Kong Pulse Light Show THE WRAP

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@ucchow CITY

Another China The Pearl River Delta reimagined, p16

Eco-Architecture Behind the Concrete P10 P11

8 | SZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM MAN ON THE STREET 9 AUGUST 2017 | SZ | | AUGUST WWW.THATSMAGS.COM It’s not enough. As Wang waits outside outside waits As Wang It’s not enough. the But like friendly. is relatively Wang Man on the Street is a monthly feature where we talk to someone doing an everyday job to gain insight into the lives of ordinary Chinese people. a total of RMB100 per diem from this job. this job. of RMB100 per diem from a total the cost of necessities, subtracting After each day. that’s about RMB15 of savings in the station, he’s still dressed the subway his second job as a from shirt red-and-black guy. delivery restaurant when be photographed to others, he refuses in apparently, much risk, ask. It’d be too we plenty precarious. a position that’s already THE DIRTY DETAILS THE DIRTY salary: RMB3,000 Monthly 7 per week: Days 10 Hours per day: - - This year, according to Wang, the raids the raids Wang, to according This year, bikes of colorful With the plethora us that tells a Shandong native, Wang, A driver named Wang Dana tells us that that us Dana tells named Wang A driver last year, police raided the places where the places where police raided last year, passengers for wait to taxis gather e-bike could lose his vehi If caught,driver a daily. could also get detained cle. In the past, you lucky were unless you riding an e-bike for a “good police up by get picked to enough man.” because But that’s only less frequent. are with contend had to have taxi drivers e-bike bicycles. shared foe: greater an even in station exits outside subway parked has been taxi trade cities, the e-bike Chinese less means there’s drivers Fewer hit hard. but so often, raid local police to for reason blessing. it’s a mixed for on his bike passengers he’s been ferrying that he earns estimates He now. years five drivers in areas like this one run the risk of this one run the risk of like in areas drivers being caught. - - - he e-bike taxi drivers don’t want to to want don’t taxi drivers he e-bike not be They’d rather be interviewed. definitely And they photographed.

“You can’t even make a living.” make even can’t “You That’s at least in part because their [‘the common of laobaixing [‘the common “The state He’s sitting astride a bike with an um sitting astride a bike He’s “Work? We’re unemployed!” one ex unemployed!” We’re “Work?

trade is illegal. Citing safety reasons, au reasons, safety Citing is illegal. trade taxi e-bike day, and Xiamen). Every Shanghai comments. of Shenzhen and Guangzhou (also Beijing, people’] is really terrible,” the same driver the same driver terrible,” people’] is really parts many from thorities banned e-bikes don’t pick up a single fare. pick up a single don’t after 30 minutes of waiting, the four men men the four of waiting, 30 minutes after weather you’d want to walk through – but – but through walk to want you’d weather day, full of sudden summer showers – not – not full of sudden summer showers day, intersect. It’s turning out to be a blustery be a blustery intersect. It’s turning out to station in Shenzhen where four metro lines lines metro four station in Shenzhen where brella attached, outside a popular subway attached, outside a popular subway brella claims. T don’t want to talk about their work. talk about their to want don’t

E-bike Taxi Driver Taxi E-bike By Bailey Hu END OF THE LINE THE OF END @ucchow THE BUZZ

RANDOM NUMBER CITY SNAPSHOT Gardens in the Sky

Arriving in Shenzhen last year to work as a youth football coach, 26-year-old Jonas Deman of Belgium enjoys snapping photos of public parks, mountains and sky- lines with his iPhone in his spare 6…is the number of kilometers a 12-year- time. For the image here, taken old boy drove a public bus in Guangzhou’s in Chegongmiao, Futian District, Zengcheng District last month, after hi- Deman climbed to the top of an jacking it for a 30-minute joyride. Alerted adjacent building to capture the to the situation by alarmed bystanders, tiered green rooftops from above. police were dispatched immediately to in- “I like the special, modern architecture of this building,” he tells us over email. “In the back- tercept the rogue bus. Amazingly, the boy ground, you can see Nanshan District and a part of Shekou.” See more of his work on Instagram averted everything – and everyone – dur- (@jonas_d.m). history of theft, having previously pinched Want your photo in our City Snapshot column? Tag #thatsprd on Instagram for a chance to be featured on our mobileing his half-hourphones and cruise. wallets, He’s though said to we have a feed and in the magazine. dare say this latest stunt is one for the books. BEHIND THE CONCRETE Guangzhou’s ‘Blocks Building' PRICK OF THE MONTH We’ve acquainted you with the bizarre Guangzhou Circle, a building that resembles an old Chinese copper coin. Now, it’s time to introduce Guangzhou’s ‘blocks building’: a structure that H&M’s Peeping looks like a pile of colossal toy blocks. Some have sneered at its peculiar design, saying it should But we’ll let you be the judge. ‘Huang’ be called the ‘coffin building,’ while others praise it as an architectural gem of postmodernism.

exhibitionOwned hall. by the Nan Nan Fung Fung Group Group, reportedly an investment invested corporation a whopping based RMB5 in billionHong Kong, in its creation.the ‘blocks from Guangzhou entered a Zhongshan building’Situated is a behindmixed bagthe ofCanton office Fair buildings, complex a shopping and facing mall, the livePearl music River, venue, it serves cinema, to entertain hotel and At around 6pm on July 2, a ‘Mr. Huang’ and service the world’s business traders when they gather in Guangzhou for the annual fair. a small camera in the changing room. It also hosts auto exhibitions on a regular basis and, in typical only-in-China fashion, rock H&M retail location, where he set up- ers, the camera was horribly positioned Luckily for fit-curious H&M custom concertsXingang Dong on the Lu, secondHaizhu District, floor, because Guangzhou why 广州市海珠区新港东路 not? to get a look at the tops of their oblivi- ous(amateur heads. move) Phew. and Caught Huang on storewas only CCTV, able police over a week later. OurHuang suggested was eventually punishment? apprehended A nude walkby while an old woman in a qipao follows closelythrough behind, the H&M banging location a gong he targeted and yell - ing chiru (shame).

10 | SZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM [email protected]

We often say that a relationship is the trend). Laosiji came to mean like a ride – two people set off on experienced men who can show a journey, discovering themselves young girls a good time. Later it and each other along the way. It's came to mean those who are expe- not about the destination, and it always has its ups and downs. online (the No. 1 thing that the - Internetrienced in is findingbuilt for) pirated and are content will- rate ways, or make up and travel to ing to share such resources, aka to farawayThey may places. fight and go their sepa 'take people for a ride.' Laosiji is built on that meta- Such laosiji are treated with phor. Literally meaning 'an old the utmost respect for their skills driver,' laosiji is the person who and generosity. has been dating for a very, very Today, laosiji can be anyone that is knowledgeable about any and downs, every pitfall and rocky subject and willing to share the patchlong time. along He the knows ride, allbecause the ups he knowledge. For the younger gen- Laosiji / lǎosījī / 老司机 n. 'an old driver,' someone with a lot of experi- has been down this road count- eration who lack experience and ence, especially when it comes to dating; someone who's been doing less times. When he takes you for don't know how to get to the desti- something for a very long time, knows everything there is to know about a ride, he can show you the best nation, laosiji will get you there by it and is willing to teach newcomers. scenery and how to deal with giving you a ride. situations when they arise. When Love, life or even the Internet I have been struggling with this PowerPoint presentation you are young, an experienced can seem like a jungle without a for weeks, and Lao Wang did it for me in minutes! lover may be a shortcut to the best trail sometimes. And we all need things a relationship can offer. a laosiji to show us the way. Next Wow Lao Wang is a laosiji. It's The term originated from a time you see one, jump onboard so nice of him to teach you. raunchy music video of a Yunnan and enjoy the ride. Also don't folk song titled 'Laosiji, Take Me forget to pay it back when you be- I know. I will be able to do it myself next time. with You,' where young girls trade come a laosiji one day. their company for a ride into town Thank god for laosiji. (mad respect to Yunnan for setting By Mia Li

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | SZ | 11 CITY | FEATURE MADE IN CHINA: THE FIDGET FAD'S CASH THEN CRASH By Sky Thomas Gidge

SHENZHEN - If the Huaqiang North Electronics Market had an official noise, it would Fidget spinners have been a boon for Wu, - turers that cashed in on the trend. be the scream of packing for HuaqiangAfter sitting North in the and shop for thefor smallabout manufac30 minutes, a man enters, refuses a cigarette and tape coming off the reel. places an order worth RMB50,000 – all within The tape is wrapped around boxes of electronics before they are shipped across the world. But things have been bestabout markets five minutes. for the toy as England and the “He’s selling abroad,” Wu says, naming the of retail outlets lining a new pedestrian street in the mar- treatment and banned from schools as distrac- ket.quieter recently, with the rise of e-commerce and an influx tions.US, where they are both touted as an ADHD to visit the factory-direct kiosks in the massive buildings sits at the nexus of China’s export supply alongTo the find periphery. the ‘real Huaqiang North’ of local lore, you need chain,The with Huaqiang a sprawling North Foxconn Electronics plant Market about an hour north. Countless factories across the across cramped hallways where tech ranging from SD region are served by the Port of Shenzhen, by cardsThrough to musical plastic-flap plant vases doorways, are sold cigarette – in bulk. smoke drifts some measures the third busiest in the world. Inside one of these buildings, up an escalator narrow If there is a place that can provide a enough to rest my hands on both rails without a stretch, I cross-section of China’s manufacturing

It’s a simple toy: a central bearing with weighted metal at the rows upon rows of rainbow-colored orfind plastic Wu Huayang that rotates sitting around in a shop it. It’s holding also cheap a fidget to manufac spinner.- fidgetprowess spinners it’s Huaqiang lining the North, shelves and inlooking Wu’s shop, you can see that something is seri- Western markets. ously wrong. ture and, when I first visit in early June, wildly popular in

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THE FIDGET FAD'S CASH THEN CRASH By Sky Thomas Gidge

made, bought or sold is unknown, with - the numbersHow many hidden fidget in spinners a fractured have web been of enon wasn’t unique just because of Western sellers and small Chinese facto- its speed,The fidget but also spinners in how phenom the toy ries. One Fox Business article dubbed it a reached Western consumers. ‘500,000,000 fad,’ predicting overall US sales This craze was “One of the most interesting by yearend. In the search for a more solid number, one of the fastest they were not sold at mass retail- dozens of other articles turned to Google ers,”things says about DiBartolo. fidget spinners “This was is athat Trends to gauge the toy’s popularity. growing of all time toy that genuinely became hot Google Trends rates worldwide interest through old-school word of mouth in a topic based on keyword searches, and and new-school social media mad- ness.” zero – no interest worldwide. Popularized through a rocket- on JanuaryOnly four 15 months ‘fidget spinners’ later the toyswere ac rated- at fuel mix of Instagram posts and counted for 20 percent of all sold online and YouTube videos – and originally - unavailable on Toys R’ Us shelves ing toy list, according to Slice Intelligence. - consumers turned to Amazon, briefly“This took craze all 20 was slots one on of Amazon’sthe fastest top grow sell- highlighting a growing willing- ing of all time,” says Marissa DiBartolo, sen- ness to buy online. Meanwhile, the ior editor of trade magazine The Toy Insider. owners of gas stations and news- Over a few months, they became the topic of countless morning shows, the subject of spinners directly from factories. YouTube videos with millions of views and standsWith used no Alibabacopyright to factoriesorder fidget a sort of ‘school yard currency,’ according to were free to produce as many as DiBartolo. They were impossible to escape. they wanted, in whatever styles But where the real impact of the toy is that sold, but instead of a design most obvious – and the most meaningful – is team crafting new versions, the task was often left to in-house Electronics Market. designers. The results range from the narrowSuffering hallways from double-digit of the Huaqiang vacancy North rates, that loads with fake bullets like a with gusto: an iPhone cable store covered a six-shooterthe brilliant – – to a fidgetthe questionable: spinner tablestores with that the remain toy, a embraced store with fidget an English spinners sign a spinner containing an electric lighter. their shelves. Also stocking them was a micro- Eight spinners are laid out SDreading adapter ‘factory store, direct and the phones’ neighboring filled one USB of on a table by Wang Ming, who ex- drive store. A store specializing in wooden plains them by ‘generation.’ All of these outlets would be happy to green plastic thing with a bearing takephone a bulkcases order displayed for spinners wooden fidget– or introduce spinners. in theThe center. first generationLater generations is a bulky you to a friend that could. are metal, and then colored metal, with the last a cube-shaped spinner. optical“Why switches. am I selling “Selling fidget electronics spinners?” is badsays business.”Huang Keqiang, the toys laid over a case of

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | SZ | 13 CITY | FEATURE

new ones within a month,” Wang says. “After “You’ve really got to sell all the that, copycat factories mean supply will outstrip demand.” Baneil Cheung agrees. Cheung is an adjunct assistant professor at the

group that does market research for companies looking to do business abroad. University“If one of(factory) Hong Kong does and one the product, founder thousands of Integral will Consultancy do the same Limited, product,” a he says. “That's a serious problem.” Rather than describing this as the nature of business, Cheung says it's a - systemic problem. A pattern of undercutting prices on similar, unbranded prod ucts is a race to the bottom – and he doesn’t see manufacturers breaking out of the pattern anytime soon. Wang holds up a Bluetooth-speaker spinner. “After one or two months, you won’t be able to sell these.” Fidget spinners have been a short-term boost, no doubt, but also a sign of trouble. “Fifteen years ago, when the factories were competitive, they required a bulk order,” says Cheung. Today, the factories are ready to take orders of a few hundred. China doesn’t release information on factory closings or relocations, but a June 2016 Wall Street Journal factories in the Pearl River Delta plummeted by a third since 2006 to around 32,000 in 2013. article cites a study showing Hong-Kong-owned - manufacturers die. Some of them move outside of the country, but those re maining“To be in honest,” China can’t says rely Cheung. on low “In costs, the past they five need years, to upgrade I’ve seen their many technology.” small Cheung believes that undercutting prices on similar quality products isn’t a sustainable model – instead manufacturers should be focusing on establishing brands and creating original products. “But they simply don’t have tech or branding in their DNA,” Cheung says. “You need money to do it, and even if they have money they don’t know how to.”

Google Trends: Fidget Spinner

100 May 14-20

17 Jul 16 0 Jan 8

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Back at Wu’s shop about a month and a half later, things are different. For one: the shop is gone. I’m directed nearby, and greet the people I recognize. They don’t want to talk. The four men are glowering at their cellphones. To the left and to the right are shelves of phone screen covers wrapped in sterile-looking padding, a con- trast with the colored toys that lined the shelves in Wu’s shop weeks before. “We don’t sell them because we don’t sell them,” a man answers when ques-

Business was bad? tionedSilence about and fidget cigarette spinners. smoke. I leave.

are beingLater, sentan employee abroad. Air at Tian’s shipping International to the US by Logistics this company Supply dropped Chain confirms from ‘twowhat to Google three Trends’tons’ around drooping April rating to between already 700-800 suggests: kilograms fewer fidget in June, spinners we’re told.

informed consumers and they want to purchase products from companies they trust,”“Mass says manufacturers DiBartolo. are now producing fidget spinners. US consumers are Major retailers, though late to the game, are selling branded

fidget spinners, cutting out the small factories vying for business at surroundedHuaqiang North by boxes that peopleof the toy, like which Jiang HaoyuanJiang says represent. are on the way out. AJiang woman says remarkshe works that in ‘about one box five’ contains stores inspinners the area that and are we sold chat at

wants me to look at his phone. RMB8 each, but cost RMB12 to make. Jiang doesn’t seem worried. He

He flips through pictures showing ‘thumb-chucks,’ a ball-and- stringFinally, toy that he pullswhips the around phone your to his fingers. chest Thenand motions he shows for a me hand- to look fromsized behind‘fidget cube’his shoulder. with buttons It’s a typeand dials,of phone asking case what I’ve Inever think. seen before. “I’d buy that,” I tell him, and wave a friend over to look. Jiang stops me.

before the copies arrive. For now, it’s a secret. Jiang wants to be the first on the market –

With no copyright, factories were free to produce as many as they wanted, in whatever styles sold

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | SZ | 15 CITY | PHOTO ESSAY

ANOTHER CHINA The Russian Photographer Posing in a Whole New World By Jocelyn Richards

ita Akhundova isn’t entirely sure why, but she would like nothing more than to change your mind about China – Rhopefully for the better. “I just feel very good when people have a bad impression of China and then I show them another side and they go, ‘Oh my god, it’s amazing!’ I don’t know how to explain it – I just like the feeling.” Moving to Guangzhou from Moscow two years ago to work as a fashion buyer, 28-year-old Akhundova spends her free time scanning Instagram, the web and even satellite maps to discover backdrops for her photographs. unfinishedFittingly construction named ‘Another sites China,’or unusual her project architecture strives to to serve enlighten as viewers who might otherwise see the country merely as a place of tea, the Great Wall and pagodas. “I want to show it like a movie or like from another reality,” she tells us one afternoon in her home neighborhood of Taojin. “My goal is to show common or ordinary places in a very unique way, maybe in interesting sunlight or with a strange action, like sleeping in a blanket.” By the latter, Akhundova is referring to a photo of her lying be- neath a white comforter on a beam suspended high above Xiancun, an urban village in downtown Guangzhou. The image, which took four separate attempts to get right, is one of the few Akhundova help from a friend (@jason_x1n). didn’tMost take days, herself, however, explaining Akhundova it was isa difficulther own idea photographer, that required cap - turing surreal self-portraits using only an iPhone SE, small tripod and Bluetooth-connected remote control. “Maybe now it’s a strange concept, but I think in the future it will be normal for everyone to take photos with iPhones instead of cameras,” she says. “It doesn’t matter what you use, the most important thing is good light and your vision.” - ing a scene. Instead, she’s fascinated by any unusual stages of Akhundova doesn’t look for one specific element when select art museum in Shenzhen or an abandoned French restaurant in Guangzhou.buildings or Thiscities December, in China, be she it plansa completely to explore bare, a new just-finished opera - scape “should be really from another planet.” houseThough in Harbin Akhundova designed poses by Zaha in nearly Hadid, all where of her the photos, snowy her land face is never fully exposed, adding another layer of intrigue to her dream- like, Monument Valley-esque compositions. As for why she only wears dresses, Akhundova admits that’s all she owns (“I have no jeans or shorts in my wardrobe”).

16 | SZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM @jason_x1n PHOTO ESSAY | CITY

Some of her shots have taken her right to the edge, tiptoeing barefoot – for better balance – on towering skyscrap- ers. “I’m not crazy,” she laughs. “If I’m not sure [about safety], I just won’t go to a place. But I’m not afraid of heights.” Joking that her mom is her biggest fan, Akhundova says she’s fortunate to have received so much support, including from the “huge family” of fellow urban explorers she’s met on Instagram. An exhibition of her work, to be held in either Guangzhou or Moscow in the near future, will aim to showcase Akhundova’s blossoming hobby in a more impressive way than simply hanging printed photographs on a wall. “I want to participate in projects that inspire people and communicate with different people,” she says. “Because then you expand your mind and you see how the world is amazing.”

To see more of Akhundova’s work, visit her Instagram feed @_moonmilk.

Secrets of Shawan Exploring Panyu's ancient village, p21

Tap that App Hot Vibes P20 P27

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SPOTLIGHT

MIKE DYNAN Bringing the Best of British to China Interview by Dominic Ngai

For decades, British brands have made a mark in the hearts and minds of Chinese consumers and established themselves as a symbol for quality. But besides household names like Rolls-Royce, Twining’s and Burberry, the Brits still have a lot more to offer. Dozens of UK lifestyle, fashion, design, technology and food brands that have yet to enter the Chinese market will be featured in the upcoming Best of British Show in Shanghai. Ahead of the show, Mike Dynan, managing director of Media 10 China, an enthusiast of all things British and an expert in introducing global brands to the Middle Kingdom, talks to us about the unique virtues of British brands, and shares a few success stories that he has witnessed firsthand over his last 10 years spent in China. “Over the last decade, I’ve noticed that Chinese What are some unique qualities of British brands and culture that appeal to the consumers have developed an interest in the stories Chinese? One thing that Britain is really good at is origi- behind the products... and that’s one thing that nality, and we care about the quality in our products and the manufacturing process. I’ve Britain has – we have a lot of great stories” been in China for almost 10 years, and when the biggest labels and brand names. But over theI first last arrived, decade, people I’ve noticed were only that interested the Chinese in as Brompton (famous for their foldable breakfast cereals since I was a child. I also consumers have developed an interest in the bikes) have made a mark on the Chinese do a lot of traveling between London and stories behind the brands and products. I market, simply because they have a well- believe that people now place more value on designed, well-engineered product. the time. individuality, by buying unique products that Shanghai, and I fly with British Airways all have an interesting backstory... and that’s one In general, are small or medium-sized Tell us about the Best of British Show in thing that Britain has – we have a lot of great British brands keen on coming over to Shanghai this October. What can people stories. China? expect to see? For sure! Everyone is aware of the fast eco- The Best of British Show is a four-day show- What are some British brands that have nomic growth of China over the last few case of all of the best British luxury brands. done well in China? decades, and the trends and changes that are We’re focusing on fashion, lifestyle, food and happening over here are very interesting to drink, innovation and technology, travel and We’ve heard many great stories back home watch. But of course, entering the Chinese tourism, education, and home and interiors - – British companies from all of those sectors the British trademark as a symbol for ers, legal procedures relating to customs and will be at the show. We’re not only going to quality.in the UK The about biggest how success the Chinese story perceive that I’ve shipping,market has etc. its What difficulties: we aim language to do with barri shows showcase successful British brands that are like Best of British is to be a stepping stone already in China; there will also be more than brand that we’ve worked with many times for smaller companies to enter China, putting 75 new high-end British brands that will be overwitnessed the years. firsthand It’s such is Jaguar an amazing Land Rover, story a them in touch with their potential buyers and for me because when I met with their China other Chinese businesses. retail element, there will also be entertainment,coming sporting to China events, for the places first time. to eat Besides and drink, the What are some British brands that you and much more. inteam the for world. the firstOnly time six months in September later, when 2013, I China was the brand’s fifth biggest market have a personal connection to? came back for another visit, it had become Learn more about the Best of British Show at www. their biggest. Even smaller companies such Weetabix has always been one of my favorite thebestofbritishshow.com

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | SZ | 19 STYLE RADAR

TAP THAT APP COVET Down Dog Swarovski x Wuliangye We know, we know: yoga falls right after Last month, Swarovski announced a somewhat gluten allergies on the list of things we’d surprising crossover with premium baijiu label, rather not talk about at parties. Or maybe Wuliangye. The two have collaborated on a new ever. But this app is different, and not only collection named ‘缘定晶生’ – a luxurious baijiu because it’s been downloaded half a million bottle perfect as a wedding gift for your tuhao times and maintains a 5-star rating on both friend. With a ‘bottle within a bottle’ design the Apple App and Google Play stores. It’s concept, the two swans inside are adorned with unique because it will make people like us delicate pieces of crystals and form the shape of a – who haven’t practiced ‘vinyasa yoga’ since heart. Italian craftsmen have also hand-decorated it was mandatory in eighth grade gym class the long glass bottleneck with shimmering rocks. No word on the pricing at the time of writing, but second practice. if you want to impress the hosts of a lavish Chinese – actuallyFrom wantan amateur’s to fire up perspective, the app again three for a wedding, you should probably buy it. Or, if budget is of the most attractive points of Down Dog an issue, maybe you should wait for their next col- are its clarity of instruction (both vocal and lab with a soy sauce or Zhenjiang vinegar brand? visual), the voice (it’s not irritating!) and the www.swarovski.com shortest length option on the 10-80-minute spectrum,music. Our unfolded first session, to the which peaceful we set beats at the of ‘Divinity’ (Porter Robinson), ‘Give Me One INSPECT-A-GADGET Reason’ (Tracy Chapman) and ‘Aftermath’ (Vancouver Sleep Clinic). The playlist was so good that family members previously oblivi- Smart Keybox ous to what we were doing on the ground perked up to inquire about the music. For yoga gurus, Down Dog is appealing toIgloohome’s a railing or slick fastened ‘Smart to Keybox’ a wall and is touted can be as because no two practices are ever com- usedthe first to secure that works keys offline.or cards The until box unlocked is latched via pletely alike – even if you choose the same passcode or Bluetooth. settings of level, sequence type, duration and Though you can customize the lock’s pace every time. Seattle-based founders Ben passcodes when connected via an app, this Simon and Carlos Ormachea explain the app gadget’s most impressive feature is what it is powered by roughly 18 hours of recorded doesn’t do: connect to Wi-Fi. content, which is used to deliver nearly end- Sold-separately batteries are said to last Despite a lack of Wi-Fi – which also pre- less amounts of customizable classes. about 12 months, but they’re set inside the vents hacking – you are able to generate valid, Though this kind of yoga is known for box, so what happens if they die? time-sensitive passcodes from anywhere, no Igloohome’s solution is, literally, two- net connection needed. it also features a calming ‘restorative’ se- pronged: you can press a standard nine-volt Confused? The mobile app is synced with quence,emphasizing which strength, is great asbalance a bedtime and flexibility, ritual. battery against two prongs to ‘jumpstart’ the the lock and expiration data is hidden in the Paid membership is available, but you lock. passcode itself. really don’t need it to see why Down Dog is The shareable Bluetooth key feature is It’s the same tech used in those calculator- everyone’s go-to yoga app. impressive in principle but less so in person. looking things that spit out single-use pass- Shareable via WeChat or QR code, it requires words for web banking. Available for both iOS and Android devices; visit the receiver to download the app. They can This means you can remotely create a downdogapp.com then hold their phone next to the lock to open code for a friend swinging by your house, or an Airbnb that arrived early, just as long as with the Bluetooth connection. it – after first waking the lock and wrangling box outside your apartment and it’ll save you a time is maddening. Our advice: keep it simple fewyou hundredhave your renminbi phone with the thenext app. time Hide you the lock withFor the first-time lockbox’s users, novel atech few and seconds use a ofpass wait- yourself out. code. The Apple-like packaging includes instructions and most users will need to read the full RMB1,150; igloohome.co (contact info@igloohome. directions hosted online. co to purchase in China)

20 | SZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM [email protected]

DAYTRIPPER Shawan Ancient Town

here was a time, before the Tang dynasty, when the city of Guangzhou was called TPanyu. Ironically, today’s Panyu District is not located anywhere near the original old city. Instead, what we now know as ‘Panyu’ was once a stretch of rural farmland dotted with tiny villages – many of which have preserved the same architecture, recipes and way of life that characterized them centuries ago.

Shawan Ancient Town is one such ham- Shawan is tranquil inasmuch as no tour- let, founded nearly 800 years ago during the ists want to make a racket on quiet alleyways. Southern Song dynasty. Ambling through its Spending an afternoon wandering through the warren of lanes paved with large, rectangular heart of the town amongst Taoist temples, an- stones and walls of oyster shells can feel like cestral shrines, pagodas, small shops and curi- traveling back in time. ous townsfolk is a relaxed getaway indeed. Oyster shell walls are unique to the Beyond the immediate premises, Chinese restaurants abound; but you don’t want to the Nanling Mountains that now include parts travel to an ancient Cantonese town only to ofLingnan Guangdong, region, Guangxi defined and as the northern lands south Vietnam. of Made of a mix of shells, brown sugar, steamed authentic Cantonese dishes at fair prices, try sticky rice and mud, these walls were believed Shawangpartake in Wangshi, spicy crayfish. located For on a Anning wide range Xi Jie. of Dig in and leave full – body and mind. TZ Today, they primarily succeed in jamming the alreadyto be fireproof, narrow soundproof alleyways with and photo-hungryinsect-proof. tourists. Jiangzhuangnai (literally ‘ginger hit milk’), How to get there: Take Line 3 towards Panyu Square and dessert and intangible cultural heritage of exit at Shiqiao Metro Station. Take a taxi Guangdong,a ginger-flavored but few milk know curd, it isoriginated a famous in (about 20 minutes) and tell the driver Shawan. Order a bowl from the shop in a yel- to go to Shawan Guzhen (沙湾古镇). Or, low brick house (you’ll recognize it by the huge star on the exterior). The owner claims Station Exit D) about 40 minutes and get his family has been making the gingery-milky offtake three bus K349stops (outsidelater at Shawan Shiqiao Cultural Metro dessert for generations and will happily cook Center (沙湾文化中心). some for you on the spot.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | SZ | 21 LIFE & STYLE | HOSPITALITY AWARDS

tookhe first place ever on national July 14 That’sat the brandNational new Hospitality W Shanghai Awards – The Bund. T It was a glamorous evening from across China gathered to see 25 awardsas over 200presented; leading more industry than figures 100 hotels were recognized for their excel- lence. The evening kicked off with a lovely reception in the W Shanghai – The Bund hotel lobby. A huge thanks to our wine sponsor France Wineries Union, beer sponsors Liquid Solutions, Morning

Celebrating the Best of cocktail sponsor Rootymoot for helping thePeninsula evening Brewery get off on and the Karl right Strauss foot. and China’s Hotel Industry And we’d like to thank our gift Fabulous Original Foods and Guava sponsors Thai Airways, Hainan Airlines,

wellPass, as hairstylist all the lucky sponsors draw prizeKraemer spon Paris- sors.by Hair Culture and Fifth Hair Code, as Without further ado, here are the winners – huge congratulations all round!

22 | SZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM HOSPITALITY AWARDS | LIFE & STYLE

NEW HOTEL OF THE YEAR

The St. Regis Shanghai Jingan SheratonW ShanghaiShanghai –Chongming The Bund Hotel

naked Castle Hyatt Regency Shanghai Global Harbor

THE MOST HIGHLY ANTICIPATED HOTEL OPENING OF THE YEAR

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Hard Rock Hotel Shenzhen PRIMUSCapella Hotel Shanghai, Shanghai Jian Hongqiao Ye Li CordisThe Shanghai Shanghai, EDITION Hongqiao

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LUXURY HOTEL OF THE YEAR

The Langham Shanghai, Xintiandi Conrad Beijing The St. Regis Shenzhen Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai Wanda Reign on the Bund W Guangzhou

MICE HOTEL OF THE YEAR

Hilton Shenzhen Shekou Nanhai InterContinentalSofitel Shanghai Shanghai Hongqiao NECC InterContinentalLN Garden Hotel, Shanghai Guangzhou Expo

Hyatt Regency Shanghai, Wujiaochang

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | SZ | 23 LIFE & STYLE | HOSPITALITY AWARDS

FAMILY-FRIENDLY HOTEL OUTSTANDING GETAWAY HOTEL OF THE YEAR HOTEL DESIGN OF THE YEAR

Banyan Tree Lijiang Le Mérdien Zhengzhou Hyatt Regency Chongming Jumeriah Himalayas Hotel Shanghai naked Stables The Shanhaitian Resort Sanya, Autograph Hilton Ningbo Dongqian Lake Resort Collection Sheraton Sanya Haitang Bay Resort The Westin Zhujiajian Resort, Zhoushan InterContinental Sanya Resort Guangzhou Chimelong Hotel Chimelong Hengqin Bay Hotel, Zhuhai Twelve at Hengshan, A Luxury Collection Le Mérdien Shanghai Minhang Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort Crowne Plaza Shanghai Harbour City Hotel, Shanghai

BUSINESS HOTEL THE MOST URBAN RESORT OF THE YEAR INFLUENTIAL HOTEL

Crowne Plaza Beijing Chao Yang U-Town HOTEL OF THE YEAR EAST, Beijing

Jing An Shangri-la, West Shanghai The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong Banyan Tree Shanghai on the Bund Kerry Hotel, Beijing Grand Hyatt Guangzhou TheSofitel Yuluxe Shanghai Sheshan, Sheshan A Tribute Oriental Portfolio Tomorrow Square JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai at Pudong Shangri-La, East Shanghai New World Beijing Hotel Hotel, Shanghai JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai Changfeng Park Park Hyatt Shanghai The Puli Hotel and Spa Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai Okura Garden Hotel Shanghai

ART HOTEL LANDMARK HOTEL HISTORIC HOTEL OF THE YEAR OF THE YEAR OF THE YEAR

Andaz Xintiandi, Shanghai Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund The WestinGrand Bund Hyatt Center Shanghai Shanghai InterContinentalFairmont Peace Shanghai Hotel Ruijin Hyatt on the Bund Nuo Hotel Beijing Park Hyatt Hangzhou W Beijing Chang’An Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center XiJiao State Guest Hotel Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund Broadway Mansions Hotel

BOUTIQUE HOTEL OUTSTANDING OF THE YEAR CITY VIEW

Banyan Tree Ringha Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund Chaptel Hangzhou Le Royal Méridien Shanghai Hyatt on the Bund LN Hotel Five, Guangzhou Niccolo Chengdu Bamboo Retreat Hyatt Regency Hangzhou The Temple House

24 | SZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM HOSPITALITY AWARDS | LIFE & STYLE

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | SZ | 25 LIFE & STYLE | HOSPITALITY AWARDS

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THE ONE Executive Suites Shanghai managed PRIMUS Residence Shanghai Hongqiao JW Marriott Beijing Central by Kempinski THE MOST HIGHLY ANTICIPATED SERVICED Shanghai Marriott Hotel Pudong East Grand Millennium Shanghai Hongqiao APARTMENT OPENING Hilton Shanghai Hongqiao OF THE YEAR OUTSTANDING HOTEL SPA

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26 | SZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM FASHION | LIFE & STYLE

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WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | SZ | 27 ARTS

Dangerous Woman 10 little-known facts about Ariana Grande, p34

Chinese Superheroes Birdstriking P30 P35

28 | SZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM DRUMROLL - - 29 (3804 号 2 AUGUST 2017 | SZ | | AUGUST WWW.THATSMAGS.COM 广州市天河区珠江新城珠江东路 6886, gdmuseum.com) more than 10 suitcases. Some third-class passengers, on the other passengers, Some third-class than 10 suitcases. more The them tickets. buy America to from relatives ask their hand, had to also the largest. cabin was in the third-class death toll the in mentioned not that were here told are What other stories film? characters of various and stories portraits display we On the walls, the sto telling to a section dedicated also have the Titanic. We aboard passed away of whom about 90 percent ry of second-class passengers, as first- the same privileges have didn’t in the accident because they escaping from discouraged also somewhat class passengers, but were their pride. due to recklessly sections? interactive any there Are un go 3,800 meters divers can watch you where a 3-D movie have We can also learn of the Titanic. Audiences the wreck explore to derwater a typical drill seeing what by the accident transpired about how more about the and other facts available the number of lifeboats like, was ship. Tue-Sun until Oct 15, tickets sold 9am-4pm, exhibition open 9am-5pm; RMB80, half price for students and anyone over 60, free for children under 1.2 meters (bring ID to enter). Guangdong Museum, 2 Zhujiang Dong Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District, Guangzhou - - By Tristin Zhang … AND FOUND at the Guangdong Museum not only marks the first time artifacts from the RMS Titanic have been LOST Behind the Scenes of China’s First-Ever Titanic First-Ever Artifact Scenes the Behind of China’s Exhibition Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition openly showcased in China, it’s also organizer Premier Exhibition largest Inc.’s show in history, with more than 300 relics displayed across 20,000 square feet of space. This month, we went behind the scenes and chatted with one of the curators, Ou Yan, to see what visitors can expect. The debut of show exposed water pipes. Some first-class passengers boarded with passengers boarded pipes. Some first-class water exposed show display a reproduced third-class cabin. Here, the ceilings of the rooms the rooms the ceilings of Here, cabin. third-class a reproduced display the class difference from the utensils used in different cabins. We also cabins. We used in different the utensils from the class difference We used these artifacts to tell a story behind the scene. You can tell can tell behind the scene. You a story tell to used these artifacts We classes? How does the exhibition speak to the differences among social among the differences speak to does the exhibition How first-class room that cost USD4,500 and many others. that cost USD4,500 and many room first-class replica of the Titanic, a replica of the coal-burning boiler, a recreated a recreated of the coal-burning boiler, of the Titanic, a replica replica bag the purser used to store passengers’ valuable items, a 1:120-scale items, valuable passengers’ store bag the purser used to You can see the bell that the sailors struck when spotting the iceberg, a spotting the iceberg, can see the bell that the sailors struck when You wreck of the Titanic. In this exhibition, we display about 300 of them. display we of the Titanic. In this exhibition, wreck work. This part has never been featured in past exhibitions. The tick in past exhibitions. featured been has never This part work. the from been recovered that have total 5,000 artifacts over are There reasons for boarding the Titanic, like immigrating or doing missionary or immigrating the Titanic, like boarding for reasons some of the highlights? What are about the passengers, including their signature, age, cabin class and about the passengers, including their signature, viewing the exhibition. while play to a specific role visitors ets give tickets used to board the Titanic. These tickets include information include information the Titanic. These tickets board used to tickets Titanic’s hull before receiving a photocopy of one of the 150 original a photocopy receiving Titanic’s hull before At the entrance, visitors will be greeted by the outer side of the the outer by will be greeted visitors the entrance, At tion? Can you tell us what’s new or unique about this particular exhibi us what’s new tell you Can COLL AGE

SINO CELEB COMING TO A THEATER NEAR YOU

Jiang Wen Baby Driver Featuring in tabloids most recently for - playing Baze Malbus in Rogue One, ‘wild nered much buzz since debut- man’ actor-director Jiang Wen has been ingThis in stylish the US heist in July. film Written, has gar quietly churning out cinematic masterpiec- produced and directed by Edgar es in China for the past 30 years. Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz who also display immense talent behind (Ansel Elgort), a young and tal- the camera,He is among evidenced the rare by breed his internation of actors - ented), getawaythe film followsdriver in Baby Atlanta In the Heat of the Sun who falls in love with a waitress (1994), Devils on the Doorstep (2000) and (Lily James) and tries to extricate AUGUST Letally theacclaimed Bullets Flyfilms (2010), the second of himself from his bad-guy bosses 25 which won him the Grand Prix at the 2000 (a star-studded crew featuring Cannes Film Festival. Though Devils on the Doorstep was may sound a bit too similar to Drive, Baby stands out thanks to a tragic backstory banned in China shortly after it was re- andKevin a headSpacey, injury Jamie that Foxx, he copesand Jon with Hamm) by listening in order to to music be with all theher. time; Though this the in turnplot - erly challenges typical anti-Japanese war leased, the black comedy film – which clev narratives – is accessible today on stream- allows the film to have an excellent soundtrack. ing apps like iQiyi and remains an all-time favorite among mainland movie buffs. HAO BU HAO “Subversive humor” and “ingeniously veiled political critiques” have been said to Hao American comic book giant Marvel has teamed themunite allall). of Jiang’s films, be they small indie up with Chinese company NetEase to create the flicksSo or successful major blockbusters has his foray (he’s into tried direct - ing and screenwriting been, in fact, that some may forget Jiang’s early accomplish- Liefen,first Marvel along comic with playwrightseries centered Shui onZhu, Chinese have ments as an actor, where he starred in beensuperheroes. tasked with Comic creating book artists the new Keng characters, and Zhou Zhang Yimou’s Red Sorghum back in 1987, and production is already in progress. For Black Snow (1990) and the popular televi- now these characters will be limited to the pages of comic books, but consider- sion series A Native of Beijing in New York ing Marvel’s massive popularity in China, they could also play a role in upcoming (1993). Now 54, Jiang was recently named books in China, including Guardians of the Galaxy, The Amazing Spider-Man and among the Academy’s 2017 acting branch InvincibleMarvel films. Iron The Man same. deal has allowed NetEase to distribute 12 of Marvel’s comic invitees, alongside stars like Viggo and Margot Robbie. Mortensen, Chris Pratt, Kristen Stewart Bu Hao Disney fans who have been anticipating the live-ac-

tion remake of Mulan will be disappointed to learn

a year, until late 2019. Experts believe that pressure onthat Disney the film’s is mounting premiere due has to been the delayedsuccess ofmore the thanlive action remake of Beauty and the Beast and Wonder Woman, and this has caused the network to go back to the drawing board in order to ensure that the remake is up to snuff and will satisfy fans. Rumors that Australian

actress Natasha Liu Bordizzo will play the title character – instead of an actress from Kind of like: Clint Eastwood without the menacing whisper Famous for: actually having a sense of China – have led to controversies that may also be delaying the film’s production. humor See him next in: another Star Wars

film?

30 | SZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM [email protected]

WHAT’S NEW

From the lyrical rock sound of Liam Gallagher to the upbeat R&B Wu Kong Set to be Summer’s of Khalil Fong, here are our 10 top picks from artists playing in Major Domestic Film South China this month. has seen a dearth of suc- Ariana Grande – ‘Everyday’ The first part of 2017 China, with most box of- cess for domestic films in The Royal Concept – ‘On Our Way’ The Fate office the records Furious coming and Dangal from . Liam Gallagher - ‘Wall of Glass’ Wuforeign Kong films, which like debuted in theaters around China For a Minor Reflection –‘Impulse’ on July 13, turned the

Tom Odell - ‘Another Love’ to break RMB100 million on its opening day. Directed by Derek tide by becoming the first domestically produced film of 2017- Miserable Faith – ‘Summer’ tion of the much-loved and much-adapted story of the Monkey Kwok and starring Eddie Peng, the film is the latest interpreta Khalil Fong - ‘BB88’ a more modern twist by basing it on a popular Internet novel King, though filmmakers have attempted to give the classic tale EXO [HK] - ‘咆哮’ from the early 2000s. Wu Kong should get a further boost in the

伍佰 & China Blue - ‘Norwegian Wood’ box office throughout the month of August due to a temporary summer lag on foreign films released in Chinese theaters. The Neville Staple Band [HK] - ‘Police and Thieves’

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | SZ | 31 ARTS | FILM

Too hot to leave the house, or even drag yourself out of bed? There are few better ways to fight the excruciating omance heat of summer than to hole up next to your R air conditioner and spend a day getting better Days of Being Farewell My acquainted with Chinese cinema. From heralded Wild 阿飞正传 Concubine classics to art house flicks to campy horror stories, here (Wong Kar-wai, 1990) are some of our favorite Chinese films to help pass your 霸王别姬 Though his classic In the (Chen Kaige, 1993) steamy PRD summer. Recommendations come via the Mood for Love is also a This Fifth Generation That’s editorial team and a few of our pretentious must-watch, we love this classic won a raft of movie buff friends (thanks, guys!). awards thanks to it stun- for its sensual depictions loose prequel to the film ning cinematography, sumptuous costume de- Philippines. Plus, with sign, and riveting perfor- Maggieof Hong Cheung, Kong and Leslie the mances by Leslie Cheung Cheung, Andy Lau, Carina and Gong Li as a Peking Lau and a cameo from Opera singer and his SUMMER Tony Leung, it probably love interest. It’s the only breaks the record for the largest number of attrac- have won the Palm d’Or tive people in a single GUIDE atChinese-language Cannes. film to TO CHINA’S MOST film. BINGE-WORTHY MOVIES

Art House Kaili Blues underbelly of Shanghai’s 路边野餐 rapid urban development. It tells the tragic (Bi Gan, 2016) story of a videographer Set in Guizhou, Bi Gan’s and his lost love, a per- acclaimed directorial former who makes a debut follows a former living by swimming in a rama gangster as he travels tank at a bar dressed as a D around his home region mermaid. trying to rescue his complex in Chengdu, and underworld to save his 24 City 二十四城记 nephew. Its haunting kidnapped son. Paths of the Soul (Jia Zhangke, 2008) imagery and innovative in a documentary style. parts of the film are shot camerawork (including 冈仁波齐 Yi Yi 一一 a 41-minute unbro- (Zhang Yang, 2017) - Mr. Six 老炮儿 (Edward Yang, 2000) ken shot that takes up makerThis film Jia by Zhangke revered mov - This docu-drama road (Guan Hu, 2015) a third of the movie) inglySixth depictsGeneration a building film in Regularly cited as one of movie from Beijing have led critics to com- Chengdu and the charac- This thrilling crime dra- st director Zhang Yang pare Bi to Thai indie ters who frequent it over ma was a both a festival Century, Yang’s complex follows 11 religious pil- darling Apichatpong the course of 50 years. award-winner and a ma- dramathe best about films three of the gen 21- grims as they walk for Weerasethakul. Originally a state-owned - erations of a middle-class seven months from their factory, the building is ing acclaim for turning family in Taipei won him hometown to Lhasa. eventually demolished manyjor blockbuster action movie hit, tropesfind Best Director at Cannes. Suzhou River After debuting to much to become a luxury Critics rave about Yang’s 苏州河 high-rise in a story that on their head. The titular keen camerawork and the all over the world, Paths (Lou Ye, 2000) mirrors China’s urban de- protagonist(like flashy fight is an scenes) aging ofacclaim the Soul at filmsecured festivals a velopment as a whole. 24 kingpin in Beijing who about the struggles of This moody, noir-like China release date and City is a real apartment must delve back into the everydayfilm’s universal life. themes drama was praised for hit domestic theaters its depiction of the gritty this past June.

32 | SZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM FILM | ARTS

Big Fish & Begonia on the mythology of warrior-deity 大鱼海棠 PrinceThis classic Nezha animated screened film at Cannes based (Liang Xuan and Zhang Chun) in 1980 and is acclaimed for its modern, mesmerizing animation Despite its somewhat meander- style. ing plot, this blockbuster animation is one of the most successful orror House of Flying Havoc in Heaven thanks to its gorgeous, innovative H 大闹天宫 Daggers 十面埋伏 visuals.Chinese Basedanimated on a films classic of Taoistall time (Wan Laiming, 1961) Lonely Spirit in an (Zhang Yimou, 2004) story, it follows a mythical little girl named Chun who visits the China’s animation industry un- Old Building 黑楼孤魂 The obligatory wuxia human world disguised as a red derwent a Renaissance in the 60s (Ming Liang and Deyuan Mu, entry to this list comes dolphin. thanks to the work of the four 1989) in the form of House trailblazing Wan Brothers. Their of Flying Daggers. China lags behind its twisted magnum opus is Havoc in Heaven, This Academy Award- Prince Nezha’s Triumph neighbor across the sea when a Peking opera-themed interpre- it comes to horror, but this Against Dragon King tation of Journey to the West that’s much a romance as a widely considered one of the martialnominated arts film piece, is as with 哪吒闹海 a group of young teachers at its breathtaking cinema- (Yan Dingxian, Wang Shuchen and Beijingmicro-budget Film Academy film made is proby - tography and showcase Xu Jingda, 1979) world’s best animated films. foundly disturbing. It spent of superstar Zhang Ziyi, several years ranked as the who plays a blind dancer number one Chinese horror in one of her early star- movie on Douban, and tells ring roles. the story of a little girl who nimation haunts a basement after she A dies there in a hanging. The Phantom Lover 夜半歌聲 (Ronny Yu, 1995)

of an eerie otherworldly I Am Not Madame Forbidden City romance,Less a horror this filmperiod and piece more Bovary Cop set in the 1940s stars Leslie Cheung as a Phantom of The 我不是潘金莲大内密探零零发 Devils on the Opera - (Vincent Kok and Stephen ly lives in a theater and ter- (Feng Xiaogang, 2016) Doorstep 鬼子来了 Chow, 1996) rorizes-like students figure who who try secret and Fan Bingbing shines in (Jiang Wen, 2000) fail to sing the song he wrote Stephen Chow was mak- this satirical comedy that for his long lost love. ing quirky slapstick This black comedy direct- cleaned up at the box of- comedies long before ed by and starring Jiang he broke all of China’s Wen (whose latest star The House That praise from critics both turn was as the lovable atfice home while and also abroad. earning The Never Dies smash hit The Mermaid. Baze Malbus in Star Wars: movie follows Fan as Thisfilm recordsJames Bond with parodyhis Rogue One) uses satire to 京城81号 protagonist Li Xuelian, stars Chow as an impe- comment on the futility (Raymond Yip, 2014) who must navigate bu- rial bodyguard, inventor of war. It’s set during the reaucracy and societal One of China’s few horror and… gynecologist liv- second Sino-Japanese pressures on women as ing in ancient times and War and is shot in black- she tries to outsmart her The House That struggling to keep the and-white to mimic old- Neverfilms to Dies find is success based on at anthe ac - emperor safe. time war movies. is attempting to slander tualbox office,historic Beijing mansion hertrifling good ex-husband, name. who that’s believed to be haunted. It’s a bit thin on actual scares, but with sumptuous art direction and feminist undertones thanks to Ruby Lin’s incredible performance as both the house’s belabored new occupant and a ghost prostitute from the 1910s, we think it’s worth a watch. Plus, House That Never Dies II is omedy currently playing in theaters C across China. WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | SZ | 33 ARTS | MUSIC MUSIC | ARTS

The city of Manchester made Grande an honorary citizen in re- sponse to her support after she organized the One Love Manchester concert to raise money for the She has 13 tattoos (in- victims of the bombing that took cluding a worker bee, place at the end of her concert on May 22, 2017. the city of Manchester), butthe onlyofficial 11 symbolhave ever of been photographed or described by her.

She’s a vegan. 10 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT Despite having the world’s most iconic sleek auburn ponytail, Grande’s hair is natu- ARIANA GRANDE rally dark and curly. As the pop princess makes her China debut at the peak of her dizzying rise to stardom, That’s scours the darkest recesses of the Internet for some little-known Ariana Grande she was worried Grande Herwould mother grow has up stated to be a that se- trivia. Read on and prepare yourself for her Gloria Estefan saw Grande rial killer because of her singing on a cruise ship Dangerous Woman world tour. childhood fascination with when she was eight years horror movies. old and approached her to say, “You were meant to do this.”

On an MTV show called Cambio Goes Home With in 2010, Grande revealed that she lives in a historic LA mansion that was once owned by American director Francis Ford Coppola.

after the heroine Princess OrianaHer parents from namedFelix the her Cat: The Movie. She’s also al- lergic to cats. acting fame as Cat Valentine on theBefore Nickelodeon finding more show mainstream Victorious, Grande made her Broadway debut in 2008 at age 14 as a cheerleader named Charlotte in the musical 13. musical genre is dubstep.Her least favorite

1) Wed Aug 30, 8pm; RMB480-1,680. Guangzhou International Sports Arena, 2666 Kaichuang Dadao, Huangpu District, Guangzhou 广州市黄埔区开创大道2666号 (020-3209 1000); 2) Thu Sep 21, 8pm; HKD888-4,888. AsiaWorld-Expo, Arena, 26 Harbour Dao, Hong Kong 香港港湾道26号 (hkticketing.com)

34 | SZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM MUSIC | ARTS OPEN MINDS Beijing Noise Rockers Birdstriking Turn to New Ideas on Their Anticipated Second Album By Zaruf Ezhan

half-decade gap between albums may berance that some call ‘punk’ be the norm for veteran rock stars convinced Anton Newcombe, A holding on to what’s left of their music the frontman of San Francisco career. When it’s a young band with massive psych-rock band The Brian potential and a solid fan-base, it’s not so com- Jonestown Massacre, to re- mon. “We’ve been through a lot, both in and release Birdstriking’s album un-

Fan, the founding members of Beijing noise three years later. That same out of music,” explains Wang Xinjiu and He year,der his Birdstriking UK label ‘A’ went Recordings on a 25- They aren't kidding. date US tour under the manage- rock outfit Birdstriking. ment of Ricky Maymi, The Brian Birdstriking had risen through the ranks of Jonestown Massacre’s guitarist. the ChineseNot long capital’s after the rock band clubs. first Ingot 2012, together, the It was Maymi who brought up college-aged trio released their self-titled the idea of a follow-up record debut album, which was recorded by local by the Beijing-based band. They who you are,” says Birdstriking. “We wrote asked him to produce it, and he did. Beijing label Maybe Mars. The result was Holey Brain, which is slat- the second in our mid-20s. It’s less punk heroThe Yang problem? Haisong Lyrics from P.K.14like “You under can covetedcontrol ed for an August 2017 release under Maybe butthe firstmore album melodic, at the and age the of songs 20 and are we deep did the media, but you can’t control my mind” Mars once again. thoughts about ourselves rather than us tell- didn’t sit well with authorities, and because Instead of rallying cries against brain- ing people what they should or should not of a track called ‘Monkey Snake,’ Birdstriking washing, this time around the band opts for do.” didn’t see any distribution for their debut subject matters like the struggles of being 25, album in the PRC. distant relatives, and favorite sports teams. Holey Brain drops mid-August and is available at This kind of rebellious, youthful exu- www.maybemars.com. “We believe that real rock music reflects

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | SZ | 35 ARTS | MUSIC CHINA Three New Homegrown Albums on MUSIC CORNER Our Radar This Month

Hearts of Desire by Fazi Somewhere between their 2016 sophomore release The Root of Innocence studio album from Maybe Mars, Xi’an post-punk foursome The Fuzz changed their name to and this third official has survived the identity alteration. Fazi composed and recorded Hearts of Desire while on an expansiveFazi. Fortunately, 43-city the tour dreamy, of their brooding previous aesthetic record, stopping that they to explored record it on in theirpieces first everywhere two albums from the eight-track album, but it actually sounds more cohesive than their previous release; all the songsTaipei areto Wuhan. shot through Musicians with from melodic five post-punk,other bands nostalgia throughout and Chinathe occasional collaborated surf-rock with Faziriff, on especially on the album’s title track, which actually opens with the sounds of crashing waves. More lyric-heavy songs are broken up by several long, shoegaze-y interludes, especially on the aptly named ‘Beautiful Noise,’ and the record as a whole is overlaid with the feelings of move- ment and rootlessness that may have cropped up naturally from the fact that Fazi recorded it on the road.

Listen here: https://site.douban.com/FAZI/

Split by Die!ChiwawaDie! and Struggle Session This collaboration between Beijing DIY punk label Genjing Records and Guangzhou’s Qii Snacks Records is a 21-track split album from two punk bands, currently being sold in vinyl format on a slickly produced see-through record splattered with blue paint that’s somewhat at odds with the crusty songs within. Guangzhou punk-rockers Die!ChiwawaDie! open the record with a crackly 30-second funk sample, then launch into their aggressively uptempo tracks, which move at a dizzying speed, as few of them break the two-minute mark. A variety of equally raw male and female vocals plus a few evocative song titles (like ‘Classmate Chiu the Shoegazer’) make for an intriguing listen. Beijing’s Struggle Session, who just completed a tour of Spain and

isMorocco, the clearest and whosenarrative roaring, of Beijing plaintive underground fast-core angstsongs thatwere they recorded are going for thefor throughoutalbum by P.K.14’s the album.Yang Haisong, scream their way through the album’s B-side. Their final track ‘Trail of Glass’

Listen here: https://genjingrecords.bandcamp.com/album/split-12

Saboteurs by Deer Park A project conceived by Shanghai-based, New Zealand-born vocalist Nick Walsh and his cousin Shannon Walsh, who’s based in New Zealand, Deer Park offers up an impressive and nuanced album in the form of Saboteurs. The band describe themselves as having “a healthy dose of 21st century paranoia” explored through eerie, atmospheric pop songs that blend ambient electronic music with the seamless use of a trumpet and saxophone. Walsh’s soaring vocals are reminis- cent of Seattle folk rockers Fleet Foxes at times, but with completely different preoccupations. Standout tracks include ‘Re-Up’ and the poignantly unsettling ‘Birthdays.’ The band performed town, which displayed vocalist Walsh’s onstage charisma and that unlikely horn section; here’s hopingan unofficial they continuerelease show making last music month despite in Shanghai the geographical at Harley’s whilesetbacks. both core members were in

Listen at: https://deerpark.bandcamp.com/

36 | SZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

digital The future of sports is . It’s . also Chinese

38 / COVER STORY ome on, China!” Spectators holler as China battles Norway, erupting into applause whenever a player makes a killer move. State-of- the-art cameras record the action, then blast it onto massive screens throughout the stadium. Fangirls wear electronic headbands flashing the names of their favorite players, gig- gling and covering their faces whenever the cameras zoom in on them. Throngs of teens line up to buy official Team China jerseys; others are already wearing them. It’s the second day of Shanghai’s Overwatch World Cup qualifier. Developed and released by American video game company Blizzard Entertainment, Overwatch is a team- based shooter game that boasts 30 million players worldwide, a base it has grown in barely a year. The tournament draws a cast of characters from around the world – both onscreen and off. Aside from the players and teams, there are coaches, presenters, broadcasters, sponsors and viewers (millions of whom are watching online via live-streaming platforms like Amazon’s Twitch). Both American and Chinese commentators narrate the action. It’s an enormous operation. The players look like typical teenagers, except they wear serious facial expressions, which we see close up on a secondary set of screens projecting as they play. But the biggest screens hang above them, showing the players as their virtual selves – Overwatch game characters battling each another in fantastical settings. Team China and Team France top the day’s competitions and qualify for the next stage of the World Cup. But every team that places in Shanghai this weekend receives USD9,000. That’s over RMB10,000 per player. Not bad for a weekend of gaming. Welcome to the world of esports, where – often professional – gamers compete in multiplayer videogames in front of a live audience. Esports has transformed a onetime slacker pursuit into an industry worth millions of dollars. The idea of ‘professional video gaming’ may have seemed laughable a decade ago, but today, the esports industry is booming. Global revenue reached USD493 million in 2016 and is expected to reach a staggering USD1.5 billion by 2020, according to a market report by gaming re- searcher Newzoo. Players compete in tournaments around the world, join clubs and train daily. But nowhere is taking esports more seriously than China, the No. 1 market in the world for video games. China has more than 70 million esports enthusiasts (viewers who watch esports multiple times a month) – more than triple the US’s 20 million, according to Newzoo. Meanwhile, the

Words by Dominique Wong Additional reporting by Noelle Mateer, Vivian Liu, Jocelyn Richards, Sky Thomas Gidge and Jimmy Li COVER STORY / 39 Graphics by Iris Wang number of esports players (from recreational to money off esports in China – the players them- professional) in China is a colossal 117 million, ac- selves are, too. One way to game a paycheck? cording to consultancy group iResearch. Tournaments. In 2016, half of the 10 highest-earning esports Shenzhen Bay Sports Center is a 33,000-seat players in the world were Chinese. And while the stadium mostly used for swimming and football. US and South Korea once ruled the esports scene But on one day in June, it hosts the National – both were at the top of the tournament winnings Electronic Sports Open (NESO) warm-up competi- table until 2011, and, in the case of South Korea, tion. until 2014 – China now currently dominates the It’s here we meet 23-year-old Theeban Siva, board. who’s been competing professionally for the past The country’s esports supremacy is no coinci- seven years. Better known by his on-screen names dence. According to Beijing-based game develop- 1437 and Rose, Siva is part of TNC Pro Team, an er Chris Pfeiffer, the reason is twofold: accessibility esports team sponsored by a Philippine Internet and big business. Games in China are generally cafe chain. Siva spent a year in China playing for a free to play, meaning that instead of paying upfront team called LGD Gaming back in 2012, but says to buy a game like in the West, users can down- he “[felt] out of place constantly. You get burned load it for nothing. out really quickly.” And then, there’s Tencent. The Canadian native has been recruited by so “Tencent is massive,” says Pfeiffer, who has many teams throughout his career, he’s finding worked in the gaming industry professionally since it hard to keep track (he joined TNC Pro Team 1995 (and “not-professionally since the mid-80s”). earlier this year, his seventh team in just two The Internet giant owns WeChat, game distributor years). When asked where his team is based in WeGame and game-streaming service Douyu. It the Philippines, he shouts across the room to his also owns Riot Games, which developed League manager: “Hey, we live in Manila, right?” (Yes, they of Legends – currently the most-played esport in live in Manila.) the world. “Well,” Siva says apologetically, “I’ve only been Previous page: An esports tournament “If [your company] is big in China, that instantly with the team for three weeks.” Siva’s indiffer- held in Shenzhen (photo by Jocelyn Richards) gives you one-fifth of the world. You’re big in ence to geography belies his position on the team: Top: Team merchandise for sale at an Korea? Meh, that’s like being big in Chongqing,” captain. esports tournament (photo by Jimmy Li) Pfeiffer laughs. Eight teams participate in the NESO warm-up: Right: Esports spectators watch a live But big companies aren’t the only ones making three from China, two each from the Philippines game (photo by Jimmy Li)

40 / COVER STORY If you’re big in China, that one-fifth instantly gives you You’re Korea? of the world. big in

Meh, that’s like being big in Chongqing

and North America, and one from Europe (Greece). Spectators are mostly young men in their 20s and 30s – with the occasional girlfriend checking her phone – and a few hardcore female gamers. The stands seem a little empty, though our tour guide ensures us that “it’ll fill up later on – Chinese people don’t like to arrive early.” A glittering trophy sits between the two teams during play. The atmosphere is tense but Chinese team Newbee, who are about to enter their third game, seem pretty relaxed. One team member is even yawning. The team goes on to win three-nil, and later ends up blitzing the entire tournament. After fending off Newbee’s rabid fans – one asks for a signature from the MVP – we catch up with team member Damian “kpii” Chok. “It’s amazing,” he says. “Our team is known for getting second place all the time, and now finally we’ve [won] something.” Originally from Australia, Chok moved to China to play Dota 2 (the country is regarded as one of the best in the world at the game, and as Siva tells That’s: “Dota has the most prize money”). Esports in China is like a professional sport, Chok says. “In Australia it’s just a game.” Chok’s daily ‘professional life’ is strenu- ous, though it may sound like leisure time to some. “We’re pretty much in a house every day and just play games. We practice six to eight hours a day, seven days a week,” he says, adding that the team “occasionally have a day off and go for food and a movie, or whatever, but usually, it’s just staying in the house.” Chok say’s he’s “living the dream.”

COVER STORY / 41 practice hours We six to eight a day, seven a week. But Of course Below: Team China competes at the days I’m Overwatch World Cup qualifier in China (photo by Jimmy Li) Right (top to bottom): Team Newbee pre- , it’s like the dream pares to enter the stage; Team Newbee happy living battles it out in a game of Dota 2; the esports stage from below (photos by Jocelyn Richards)

Not all talented esports players follow the professional road. Semi-pro Li “zipninja” Jun plays esports on the live-streaming site Huomao. “I play attacking games like Street Fighter,” the 33-year-old tells us over coffee in Beijing. “These kinds of games haven’t reached maturity in China. I want to help increase their popularity here, so I signed a contract [with Huomao].” Live-streaming is a popular way for esports players to earn money, as the last couple of years have seen a proliferation of live-streaming sites in China. People game in real time for real audiences and in exchange for real cash, and streaming platforms offer lucrative contracts when they believe a player will draw ple’s attitudes will change. People will probably traffic to their site. always view girls who game exceptionally as Li says his Huomao contract forbids hims cool, badass people.” him from revealing his salary, but he says it is Zhao describes a competition in her home “stable” and that he’s content with his status city of Nanning. “It was a big deal – from locals as a semi-pro. “If you’re a pro player, many to regionals and nationals. I became the first things influence whether you succeed or not. female player ever to get into the finals,” she The nature of gaming is cruel. One or two min- says proudly. “This gave me a lot of atten- utes can determine the result of a tournament, tion and helped build up my fanbase. It [also] which could determine your whole career.” increased awareness of female gamers in the Li travels regularly to compete. At last year’s professional industry.” Evolution tournament in Las Vegas he placed The esports industry is overwhelmingly 256 out of 5,000, he tells That’s Beijing. “I like male-dominated. Of the few female esports the attention and satisfaction of competing in players who do compete, the ones abroad tournaments.” generally perform better than their Chinese Fame and fortune also drew gamer Xiao counterparts (no Chinese player made last Zhao to the industry. She regularly attends year’s female top 10 esports earnings list). Yet tournaments both here and elsewhere in according to a 2017 report by Newzoo, across China, telling us: “I love having a lot of fans.” the 13 countries surveyed, 46 percent of gam- Zhao worked in a bank for four years before ers are women. So it’s not that women aren’t being approached to work as a producer at playing games; they just aren’t competing on Panda TV, an esports live-streaming service the same professional level. founded by Wang Sicong, the son of one of Zhao attributes this discrepancy to players’ China’s richest men, Dalian Wanda Group objectives. “There are a lot of female gamers founder Wang Jianlin. in the industry – especially League of Legends “It’s rare to see a girl at this level,” Zhao – but instead of trying to become a serious says. “The guy gamers feel protective towards pro gamer, they’re just in the business for live- me. Even though I see more pro female es- streaming. They may be beautiful or sing really ports players in the future, I don’t think peo- well. Rich guys give them [monetary] ‘gifts’

42 / COVER STORY COVER STORY / 43 [on streaming websites]. They’re not nec- tion.” Known for their harsh environment, consoles anywhere in China (though a gray essarily gaming because they like it.” military-style discipline and even electric market existed in many Chinese cities). Another reason may be societal expecta- shock therapy, the camps are less retreat, Despite lifting the console ban, the tions. “Parents don’t think girls should play. more bootcamp. The consequences can State General Administration of Press Girls are expected to be docile. be deadly. Last year, a 16-year-old Chinese and Publication still occasionally prohibits “Older people think that playing games girl killed her mother after being sent to an games from the mainland, including shooter negatively impacts studies or sleep and Internet addiction bootcamp, claiming she game Battlefield 4 for “endangering national health. When I was little I’d go into the elec- had been beaten and abused at the center. security” and World War II-themed Hearts of tronics store and my dad would say, ‘If you Earlier this year, the Chinese government Iron for “distorting history.” In July, the state- come in here again, I’ll break your leg!’” drafted a cyberprotection law that hopes to run People’s Daily lambasted Tencent’s For many parents of young gamers, protect camp attendees from such abuse. mega-popular mobile game Honor of Kings, China’s obsession with esports is no laugh- Due to fear of their negative effect on for its “negative energy.” Following this criti- ing matter. The nation is infamous for its children, video game consoles were officially cism, Tencent’s share price plunged and Internet addiction camps, where worried banned in China between 2000 and 2015. the company began limiting the amount of parents send their kids, sometimes for Firms such as Microsoft and Sony were pro- time children could play the game. months on end, in the hopes of “rehabilita- hibited from making and selling their gaming But Chinese views towards gaming are

Clockwise from top: Game developer Chris Pfeiffer at his start-up space in Beijing; World Cyber Arena deputy general manager Li Yanfei (photos by Dominique Wong); a fan girl wears the name of her favorite player on her head- band at Shanghai's Overwatch World Cup qualifier (photo by Jimmy Li); inside a live e-sports broadcasting room at WCA (photo by Dominique Wong)

44 / COVER STORY changing. Zhao’s own parents eventually sity that is administered by the Ministry of expertise in the planning, management and came to accept her passion: “[My parents Education, is the first university in China to design of games,” she says. were unsure] because I am a girl, and gam- introduce an undergraduate esports major, Though China’s Ministry of Education ing was seen as financially unstable. But which will be offered to students from the approved the major, the professor says they became especially supportive after I beginning of this school year. it’s an industry-led effort. Of the 20 stu- hosted a competition in Guangdong. They “It’s actually called ‘Digital Entertainment,’” dents that will graduate from CUC’s ‘Digital realized that gaming could be very serious a CUC staff member tells us during a visit Entertainment’ program each year, 10 and professional.” to the campus in east Beijing. The staff will have the opportunity to work at Hero Semi-pro Li tells us his family also member, who asks to remain anonymous, Entertainment, the program’s official partner. changed their attitudes – after he proved teaches in the same department as the new “The company has had some difficulties in that he was doing well. “They only accept it major. “The name ‘esports’ is too broad – esports media – no one knows what to do. if you are playing to get some tangible ben- [CUC’s] major covers esports organization, They have a lot of people from elsewhere in efit and not wasting time,” he says. broadcasting, esports event management TV or media but no one [has specialized in Authorities may be softening their anti- and the fan economy.” esports].” esports stance as well. The Communication “We expect the program to contribute to Local governments show more direct University of China (CUC), a public univer- the [esports] industry through our students’ support for the esports industry. Take

COVER STORY / 45 People will probably always view girls who game as exceptionally cool, badass people

Yinchuan, a prefecture-level city located in than east, the local government is keen to at- Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in central China, tract people to the area. Aside from that, esports for example. Each year the city hosts the grand attracts social media platforms and big tech finals of World Cyber Arena (WCA), the world’s companies. [The local government] hopes these biggest “third-party” (a party unrelated to the industries will gravitate to the area.” game developer) esports tournament. Based in WCA is also focused on educating young peo- China since 2014, WCA live-streams matches ple about esports, and have partnered up with an that take place around the world to screens in education group to provide esports-related ma- equally diverse places. terials and exams for students wanting to work in On a visit to the company’s Beijing office, it’s the industry. two minutes until show time. In the production Opportunities in China’s esports industry may room, we meet a handful of producers loung- seem limitless. But, while the industry insiders ing in chairs in front of a wall of monitors. The we talk to are adamant it will supplant tradi- sceens display scenes from a live Dota 2 game tional sports in the future, they express trepida- and two hosts (who happen to be sitting in tion about the path they’re taking to get there. front of a green screen in the room next-door). Question marks over the industry’s infrastructure, “We’re on in one, two, three,…” a producer says. or lack thereof, remain. The hosts begin chatting animatedly and we are Activision Blizzard, the parent company of quickly shuffled out of the room. Blizzard Entertainment, is hoping to address this. Inside the office of WCA’s deputy general The company recently announced plans to cre- manager Li Yanfei (no relation to Li Jun), we’re ate a professional Overwatch league based on told that WCA’s Yinchuan tournament is spon- intercity rivalries. Many in the industry are calling sored by the local government. it a potential game-changer, and the company “They fund our activities partly because of has already sold franchise teams to owners in policies, such as ‘One Belt, One Road,’ that are Seoul, Los Angeles and New York. Buyers in- aimed at attracting industry to the region,” Li clude powerful sporting identities such as Robert Yanfei explains. “As Yinchuan is out west, rather Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, an

46 / COVER STORY American football team, and Jeff Wilpon, the chief operating officer of the New York Mets baseball team. The franchise model is similar to that of traditional sports, and as senior director of esports Lawrence Chi says Blizzard hopes to blur the distinction between the two even further. As he tells That’s Beijing: “A lot of [our model] will be taking a page from other sports: recap shows, debate shows, [and] if there’s some drama, let’s roll with it. Let’s get the fans in- volved and tell these stories.” Meanwhile, despite lacking the same resources as companies like Activision Blizzard, grassroots esports communities are gaining momentum. In Beijing, esports group BiB Community hosts a Opposite page: Team Newbee player Song monthly amateur Street Fighter tournament at Paddy Chun is awarded MVP of the NESO tournament O’Sheas. The Irish pub, known as one of the best (photo by Jocelyn Richards) sports bars in the city, has broadened its program- This page, top to bottom: esports players in ac- ming to include esports alongside a traditional roster tion; game developer Blizzard Entertainment’s of rugby and football. logo is displayed prominently on stage The tournament attracts a diverse bunch of people (photo by Jimmy Li) from both local and afar. Huddled around monitors underneath a big-screen projector, players compete amid a whirlwind of flashy digital animation. Behind the main group, curious bar patrons turn into acci- dental esports spectators. “LJ, you’re a legend!” someone says, half-exas- peratedly, half-admirably, as Li Jun eviscerates his opponent. Co-organizer of the event Rick Liu hopes to turn BiB Community into a proper company. Things are looking good: they’re already in talks with sponsors and a live-streaming site. But, in the esports industry, one can never be sure. Companies take off, making millions – or they implode. Whatever happens, Liu and co will keep at it. “Playing games gets you a lot of friends,” Liu says. “It’ll never make you feel lonely. A sense of belonging is very important. That’s why we run this.”

COVER STORY / 47 COMM UNITY

Wrestle Mania Shenzhen fans gear up for WWE Live's September event, p49

Shenzhen's Viral Drag Queen The Art of Charm P51 P55

48 | SZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM FEATURE 49 SZ |

| 2016 CHINA LIVE 2016 CHINA LIVE WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | AUGUST WWW.THATSMAGS.COM - - 深圳市南山区 ) (0755-8630 8840, 近海岸城 ( 号 3001 This upcoming September show in in show This upcoming September Over the past 12 months, WWE in WWE in the past 12 months, Over media organization The integrated China has seen a number of new develop China also entertainment and leader in global contracts to athletes Chinese signed eight Center, at the WWE Performance train to WWE Chinese including the first-ever Tian Bing. superstar, in partnership with Shenzhen, presented the beginning of a Nation, marks Live WWE on the Chinese for future promising to keen audiences are mainland, where up wrestling professional experience close. Sun Sep 17; RMB180-2,080. Shenzhen Bay Sports Center Arena, 3001 Binhai Dadao (by Coastal City), Nanshan District, Shenzhen Natalya, Sami Zayn and many more, more, and many Sami Zayn Natalya, the lineup may note organizers though change. multi-year an exclusive ments, reaching Chinese a popular with PPTV, agreement its flag live-stream to site, streaming in and SmackDown Raw ship shows Mandarin. 滨海大道 purchase tickets at piao.damai.cn/125359.html) - - -

Fans attending WWE LIVE China will will China WWE LIVE attending Fans Tickets have been on sale since June 16, been on sale since June 16, have Tickets demonstrates China to “WWE’s return That’s right Shenzhen wrestling fans, fans, Shenzhen wrestling That’s right

Cena, Randy Orton, Charlotte, Becky Lynch, Becky Lynch, Charlotte, Orton, Randy Cena, Nakamura, Kevin Owens, The New Day, John John The New Day, Owens, Kevin Nakamura, including AJ Styles, Dolph Ziggler, Shinsuke Shinsuke Dolph Ziggler, Styles, including AJ to create memories that will last a lifetime.” that will last a lifetime.” memories create to WWE stars see their favorite be able to said Jay Li, vice president and general man and general Li, vice president said Jay that is certain entertainment family-friendly so we encourage readers that like smash that like readers encourage so we the market,” our continued commitment to “Our WWE super China. WWE Greater ager, of night an action-packed will deliver stars Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai. Arena Mercedes-Benz the Damai hotline 1010-3721. through following last year’s successful show at the at the successful show last year’s following or at www.Damai.cn out. tickets Purchase 17. The event marks WWE’s return to China China to WWE’s return marks 17. The event sell to is expected seats quick, as this event Arena for the first time ever on September on September the first time ever for Arena their buy to ing, bashing and crashing is coming to Shenzhen Bay Sports Center Center Sports Shenzhen Bay is coming to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Live (WWE) Live Entertainment Wrestling World supply of craft beer… of craft supply the city than baozi and a seemingly endless endless the city than baozi and a seemingly Because there is more being prepared in in being prepared is more Because there Can you smell what’s cooking in Shenzhen? cooking in Shenzhen? smell what’s you Can By Gary Bailer WWE Live Shenzhen This Rock to Fall KNOCK ‘EM DEAD ‘EM KNOCK COMM AROUND TOWN UNITY

DEAR JAMIE Mother Dearest

Dear Jamie, I’ve been teaching English in the PRD for over a year now, and in the last few months I’ve been sleeping with the single mother of one of my students. It was

and I need to break it off. I teach her son atgood their fun home, at first, so butsimply now avoiding I’m in too her deep isn’t an option. I’m worried that when I end things, she might cause problems for me. She is friends with the parents of all my other students, so she may get me in trouble

and I’m scared to be on the receiving end.with them too. This lady has a fiery side I can’t afford to lose any work be-

can I end this relationship without put- tingcause my I need job and all thereputation money Iat can risk? get. How -Gutless in Guangdong SOCIAL SKILLS Dear Gutless, You, sir, are a bad bunny. In English there’s a saying about sleeping areas and Books and Brews bathroom habits – the Chinese equiva- lent? ‘A good rabbit doesn’t eat the grass This isn’t your mother’s book club. Books and ing their favorites from a shortlist each month. around its burrow.’ Yet here you are with Brews updates the tradition of discussing reads Past picks have included classics such as 1984 a tale of eaten grass, exposed holes and in small groups by throwing in something dif- and Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, a question about how to not ‘risk your ferent: craft beer. plus more contemporary novels like Shelter, reputation.’ Sorry, but that boat set sail Members gather at local brewpub Bionic to the moment you crossed the line from talk about each month’s pick – decided through American family. Tommy’s pedagogue to mommy’s play- a democratic vote – over brimming glasses centeredAlthough around the the reading dark materialsecrets of so a farKorean- has thing. of whatever’s on tap. Gatherings are held on Don’t overreact. Fiery side or not, Sunday evenings and usually see around 6-10 switch things up. August, for example, will be it’s unlikely this woman plans to run people, making for cozy discussions. leaned towards literary fiction, Jin is happy to - hand-in-hand into the sunset with you. Membership is free and open to all. lar vote swung in favor of Persepolis, an autobi- Stop teaching the student at home and Founder Winnie Jin started the group intending ographicalthe club’s first coming-of-age graphic novel tale month, set in 1980sand popu Iran. avoid any alone time with the woman, if “to build a community with common interests.” possible. As for the combination of beer with books: language options does come with a downside: If she doesn’t get the message, you “Taprooms have a great vibe – they’re not usu- mostHaving readers such will a have diverse to stick array to of e-books English- due may have to be more direct – how she ally too crowded, and people aren’t too drunk. to lack of availability in local bookstores. reacts is up to her. They’re unpretentious and inviting, which is But for non-traditionalists, there’s still a lot -Jamie exactly what I want the book club to be.” to love about this cool, quirky group. In between meetups, the more than 80 Got a problem? Jamieinchina@outlook. members mostly communicate in the WeChat To join the WeChat group, add Winnie Jin at ID com. group, suggesting new books and then choos- ‘winniejin-.’

50 | SZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM [email protected]

TAKE FIVE Do you get a lot of backlash from people in public and online? If so, how do you deal with it? Sister Tomato Usually when I perform outside there’s not much harassment, of course if there is I’ll deal with Shenzhen’s very own viral drag queen, it rationally. After all, I get that they don’t under- who goes by the stage name ‘Sister stand me. I understand their mindset of judging Tomato,’ has been performing for years someone by their appearance. - ter she staged a photoshoot in a grocery What’s your day job? now. Her fame really blew up, though, af

only performing at nightclubs, but also in many busi- andstore leather with a undiesfriend lastwith May. a heart-shaped Her outfit nessMy settings daily worklike parties, is more auto fulfilling shows, than etc. before, At home not if cutoutof choice? in the Knee-high back, of boots,course. a crop top I have nothing to do I live stream and exercise! Since then the fashionista and dancer has been on a role with cameos Biggest role model, dead or alive? in viral videos, performance gigs and a Weibo following of well over 700,000. My role models are Michael Jackson and [singer/ We talked to her this past month. dancer] Coco Lee.

When did you decide that you wanted What’s your favorite clothing brand? Bar in to become Internet famous? Shenzhen? I started doing this eight years ago, I like Versace and Gucci for giving me great in- at the time I was still in the small com- spiration, but besides appreciating others I’ve also munity of college, but my popularity was been trying hard to create my own style. I don’t like still very high, even the famous profes- going out to bars, I prefer quiet, romantic places. sors nearby knew me! I was very happy and proud, so I decided to keep going! You can follow Sister Tomato on Weibo at handle ‘Super God Tomato’ (超级男神西红士).

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | SZ | 51 COMMUNITY | SPORTS

SNOOKER STARS READY TO ROCK Guangzhou's Battle of the Green Baize Set to Be Red Hot Text by Matt Horn, photos by Tai Chengzhe

The world's top snooker stars will spice. That said, he knows he faces a tough be turning up the heat in Guangzhou battle in round one against the latest tal- this month as they battle for the 2017 ented Chinese teenager Yan Bingtao. Evergrande China Championship in a city "It will be a tough match," he admits, one former world champion believes is the "because he will be a Top-16 player within a home of snooker in China. couple of years." Yan, 17, became the young- Stuart Bingham was runner-up to John est amateur world champion in 2014 and looks destined for stardom. held in the Guangzhou Gymnasium last While practice and matches come November,Higgins in the and inaugural he can't wait invitational to go one event better this time around. Guangzhou last November. "They tell me that Guangzhou is where first,"It's Bingham a lively says place he and, enjoyed if my being friend in a lot of the top Chinese players come from," explains the 41-year-old, who was top of the bit more of it this year," he explains. world in 2015 and thinks that may have an comes over from Hong Kong, I hope to see a impact on the crowds. last month at a ceremony attended by de- "In some Chinese cities snooker is not as This year's event was officially launched popular as others but the crowds were good fendingThe championdecision to Higgins, upgrade China's the event biggest from he recalls. "I've got good memories and I anstar invitational Ding Junhui to and a world Hong ranking Kong's eventMarco Fu. madelast year, some especially good friends the semis there." and the final," Bingham is delighted the snooker calen- inaugural Evergrande champion last year. dar has a number of big events in China and was announced when Higgins became the he believes the fact the Guangzhou event has ranking status this year adds an extra bit of Qualifiers took place earlier this summer and a strong field is heading to Guangzhou. World snooker chairman Barry Hearn

52 | SZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM SPORTS | COMMUNITY

Guangzhou is where a lot of the top Chinese players come from

a total prize fund of GBP700,000 (RMB6.2 million) up for grabs, with the winner pocketing GBP150,000 (RMB1.33 million). When the heat in southern

away in an air-conditioned snook- erChina hall is is at always its fiercest, a good hiding option. It’s even better if you can sit back and enjoy seeing the game played at the highest level. So head to the Guangzhou Sport University Gymnasium this August for some world-class sport.

Aug 16-22, various times. Guangzhou Sport University Gymnasium, 1268 Guangzhou Dadao, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 广州市天河区广州大道中 1268 号

told worldsnooker.com: "We are thrilled to be working with the pro- moter Evergrande and the CBSA on this event. Our global calendar gets busier every year and this is a major addition. Alongside our partners in China we are creating a very bright future for the sport." There will be a liberal sprinkling of home talent in action but also much interest in seeing the game's best players, including current world champion Mark

former world champions Judd Trump andSelby, Neil defending Robertson. champion Higgins, and One of the biggest attractions will certainly be fans' favorite ‘Rocket’ Ronnie O'Sullivan, who begins his campaign against Sam Baird. The tournament starts on Wednesday, August 16, and will see a

Tuesday, August 22. In addition to valu- abletotal worldof 70 matchesranking points,with the there final is on also

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | SZ | 53 COMMUNITY | HEALTH

THE TRUTH BEHIND THE TICKLE Why You Should Never Shrug Off a Cough By Dr. Adam Koh

tickle in the throat, a rattle in the you should be evaluated for sleep apnea. chest, a nighttime hack that is dis- apnea. A third possible cause of a nagging A rupting your sleep – these are all like Infectionsasthma, acid and reflux environmental or obstructive triggers sleep cough may be the medications you’re tak- examples of lingering coughs that deserve like pollen and pollutants can certainly ing. Common examples include OTC nasal some attention. decongestant sprays or blood pressure Before reaching for the closest medica- - medications. - trollingcause acute the conditionflares of asthma. with your If you current have a The former may help relieve a runny mine what caused the cough. One common medications,history of asthma do speak and haveto your difficulty doctor confor - tion, however, it’s important to first deter further evaluation. cessive use will cause nasal membranes and swelling of airways – which can result in Sometimes a chronic cough could be a tonose swell, or nasal producing congestion more atcongestion, first, but ex atrigger cough, is wheezing bronchitis and – or shortness the inflammation of breath - post-nasal drip and coughing. As for blood when severe. The most common cause of ily treatable. See your doctor if you have bronchitis is the aftermath of a cold or other beensign of burping acid reflux. excessively, Fortunately, with symptomsthis is eas of people who take ACE inhibitors will develop viral infection. Runny noses or nasal conges- heartburn or regurgitation. apressure chronic, medications, dry cough as one a side out effect. of every five tion often clear within a few days, but the - Finally, dry air – common in the win- virus can irritate the airway and cause a ing up at night gasping or ter – can irritate the nasal passages and persistent cough that lasts weeks or If you find yourselfchoking, snoring or loudly,tired during wak airways, causing a cough. But too high a even months. the day with dis- humidity may not be helpful either: moist Sometimes, a viral cold can rupted sleep, ask air can be a trigger for asthma and encour- make our throats or airways your doctor if age the growth of dust mites and mold. so raw that bacteria invade, causing a secondary infection. are ideal. If you develop a fever or pains HumiditySo, when levels is a of visit 40 toor the50 percentdoctor war indoors- along with a lingering cough, ranted? In persistent coughs, it is important see your doctor. to treat secondary bacterial infections and Antibiotics cannot cure more importantly, to exclude any underlying viral illness and they may medical conditions. Apart from the physical have a limited role, espe- examination, the doctor may order a chest x- cially if the period of ray, blood work or a lung function test. illness has been very Speak to your doctor if your cough is interfering with your sleep, exercise or daily may be prescribed ifshort. your However, doctor they breathing; if you have a large amount of spu- suspects a bac- tum,life; if or you blood-stained, are wheezing, rust-colored with difficulty sputum; terial infection. if you have a fever lasting more than three It is also more days or if there are any associated symp- common for the toms with your persistent cough, like loss doctor to use of weight or appetite, unexplained fatigue antibiotics for or pain. patients who smoke, Remember, a cough is only a symptom, have chronic lung not a disease, and often the importance of a problems or are im- cough can only be determined when other mune-compromised. symptoms are evaluated. Apart from infections from Dr. Adam Koh has over 20 years of clinical viruses or bac- experience and is teria, inhalation currently working as of smoke, dust a family physician at or chemical Sing Health Medical, solvents can also 2 Xiancun Lu, Tianhe irritate the thin District, Guangzhou 广州市天河区冼村路2 mucosal lining of the 号 (020-3739 2500, airway, causing a chronic 020-3739 2566, www. cough. singhealth.asia). Mon- A second possible cause is Fri 9am-7pm, Sat-Sun underlying medical conditions, 9am-3pm

54 | SZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM EDUCATION | COMMUNITY

THE ART OF CHARM Bond-esque Lessons to Make Friends and Influence People By Lena Gidwani

he name is Bond, James Bond. Admit it: great idea to boot. For brownie points, com- you’ve thought about how immensely effort – or so it seems. awesome it would be to spend a day T of firstUnbeknownst impressions to with many, the popular most minimal opinion of during conversations, but not in every single - has it that there are about 1,001 different sentence.mit names to memory and use them fittingly rounded by fast cars, badass adventure, gor- ways to charm the pants off someone, and geouswith this folks fictional and ridiculous yet iconic spy gentleman, gadgets. sur it isn’t about getting them to think highly of 3. Smile, Smile, Smile But there’s something else that attracts you. Rather, it’s about getting them to feel This simple act goes a long way, and us to Bond, and it’s not just his sophisticated good when they are around you. lifestyle or accessories. It’s how he truly Given that August is the month when those pearly whites and smile the right way, embodies so many of the qualities that we international schools open, families move forbrings the oodleswrong ofkind joy of and smile confidence. (think the But Joker) flash - into town and parties are in full swing, it only can be far worse than not smiling at all. risma, self-control, independence and charm, mixedlustfully with admire: plenty confidence, of dapperness strength, and a cha bit of advice from the charm experts, namely Tony 4. Find Common Ground unadulterated, brute force. And without any seems fitting that we dish out some solid As the world grows more connected, effort whatsoever, he seems to magically hold are a few simple ways to charm others and, there is always common ground to be found, the world in his hands, but he’d just as easily asRobbins, Dale Carnegie Jordan Harbinger would say, and win the friends likes. and Here so keep searching as it can help develop emo- give it all away. If your heart just skipped a tional connections and build familiarity. beat, you’re not alone. are or what you do. So, what does it take to be charming? Are influence people, regardless of how old you 5. Mind your Manners charmers born or made? 1. Be Genuinely Interested in Others No one likes a talkative Google-like Before we get into the nitty gritty of this In the words of the late Richard Avedon, know-it-all. When someone is talking, don't most interesting of self-help topics, it is criti- charm is the ability to be truly interested in interrupt them. To actively listen, turn off that cal to note the key difference here: charm others. Be curious, but not pushy. Ask ques- nagging inner voice and stop thinking about is not straight-up manipulation. We’re not tions, but the right ones only. And be truly what you’re going to say next. Listen, hear trying to trick someone into liking us, but genuine, for no one wants a sycophant in them out and then respond at the right time. striving to present ourselves in the best light their midst. Most of all, stop getting frivolous- Finally, in true-blue Bond-esque style, re- possible. Those who have charm down pat ly sidetracked by technology. Like Bond, it’s have the innate ability to make others feel as cool to keep up with the times, but you need rags and invest in a quality wardrobe that though they have known them forever, even if to master it, not be a slave to it. spect yourself by ditching those old, ill-fitting they just met them 20 minutes ago. They ask As Bond once said in Thunderball, “I the right questions at the right time, display 2. Say My Name, Say My Name flaunts your every curve and/or muscles. a sense of avid curiosity, praise without go- Oh, Destiny’s Child, a great song, and a ing too far and create the most remarkable think he’s got the point.” Hello, Charmer!

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | SZ | 55 CITY SCENES That’s PRD Food and Drink Tasting at Minikor (Supported by )

dinnerMinikor saw graciously delighted set guests aside itsorder first extra floor dishes for an toevent get athat better almost sense looked of Minikor’s like it might evolving be rained menu out,while but sipping instead on brought Fiji water together and other a group drinks of 20included from the inUS, the South set. Korea,The night Italy, ended China with and a more, lucky all draw, of whom including were vouchers interested for in Minikor Minikor’s and unique an indoor blend golf of andfusion gym food. at Atlife. Starting An atextra 7pm gift and arrived lasting at until the end 9pm, when the Minikor offered everyone homemade kimchi and rice cakes, along with RMB50 worth in vouchers for those who didn’t win anything in the lucky draw.

2017 French National Day Celebration in Shenzhen Canton Plage 2017 – The French National Day (Supported by and ) Celebration in Guangzhou The 2017 French National Day celebration, organized by the French (Supported by ) The 2017 edition of Canton Plage – or French National Day – was organ- Futian on Saturday, July 15. French and Chinese communities gathered ized by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China (CCIFC), togetherChamber to of enjoy Commerce a dance and performance, Industry, was magic held showat Hilton and Hotel live music. Shenzhen The lucky draw included generous prizes like a round-trip ticket to Paris on July 14. Cocktails made by restaurant and bar La Médina kept the night provided by Air France and drone provided by Parrot. The party was not Guangzhou Nikko Hotel and the General Consulate of France in Guangzhou only a celebration of French National Day, but also an occasion to network going till late. The French and Chinese communities gathered around the with potential partners of both Chinese and French enterprises. and the impact of French culture. Many activities entertained over 550 guests,splendid who pool were and offered garden swimsuitsof the five-star from hotel Decathlon to celebrate in gift bagsBastille made Day by FFG. Other sponsors included Red Pony French wines, San Miguel beers, La Crêperie Maggy and Maison Délice, among many others.

56 | SZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM Celebrating 2017 Discover Germany Festival in Guangzhou (Supported by )

In celebration of Deutschland, the German Chamber of Commerce threw a two-day festival on June 30 and July 1 appropriately titled ‘Discover and engineers. Attendees tasted original German burgers, beer and traditional snacks, while being offered the chance to view just-released German Germany.’ Still in its first year, the event featured numerous German brands, products, culture, innovation, education and food from the land of poets cars and find out which German company builds tunnels for Chinese high-speed railways.

Moulin Rouge Party at Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou (Supported by ) Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou hosted a Moulin Rouge Party on July 8 at Ebony and Jin Bar. Moulin Rouge is best known as the spiritual birthplace of the modern form of the can-can dance. Originally introduced as a seductive dance by the courtesans who operated from the site, the can-can dance revue evolved into a form of entertainment of its own and led to the introduction of cabarets across Europe. The party recreated the vibe of Moulin dance, music by a talented DJ and of course plenty of tasty appetizers and gin-infused cocktails. Rouge to bring the romance and passion of Paris to Guangzhou. Guests were entertained with the original can-can dance and jazz, a riveting fire

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | SZ | 57 PRD FOCUS

he Asian Music Gala 2017 was held promotional tourism event was held o celebrate Marriott International’s by Tencent LiveMusic and MTV at by Nepal authorities at the Crowne Employer Brand Campaign 'To The TGuangzhou Gymnasium on July 19. A Plaza Guangzhou City Centre on July T Many a famous Chinese singer performed, 8, targeting Chinese tourists and followers of treated more than 80 local major media to a entertaining audiences with their popular Shakyamuni Buddhism. The occasion aimed to sumptuousJourney,' dinner China in its Hotel, Crystal A Marriott Ballroom Hotel on songs. introduce potential travelers to Nepal, a coun- the evening of June 30. During the event, young try with beautiful scenery and rich Buddhist hoteliers chatted about the industry, while sev- culture. eral guests were invited to share their stories.

n art exhibition Aentitled High-Tension: 8 Winners of the Marcel Duchamp Prize was held at Times Museum this past month to showcase inspir- ing works by eight talented French artists.

n July 1, Urban Family joined hands with OGuangzhou Trinity n July 8, a Dubai roadshow landed to organize a Trinity Family at Winter Square, GTLand Mall in ZootopiaInternational Party Kindergarten that hosted Guangzhou. Organized by Dubai O more than 20 families from Tourism, the show featured presentations different countries. The little of popular food and destinations in Dubai, ones enjoyed a DIY t-shirt art including Lapita Dubai Park and Resort and class and a Chinese storytell- Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai. Chinese cur- ing class held in a festive rently enjoy on-arrival visa to Dubai, mak- room decorated with bal- ing it a convenient destination for even a loons. short vacation.

58 | SZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

FOOD, DRINK & EVENTS IN SHENZHEN

South China Supernova Liam Gallagher at the Shenzhen Sports Center, p72

Currying Favor Nesting Instinct P64 P68

60 | SZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM WE TRIED IT

CHANGFEN CHRONICLES We Tried 7-11’s New Rice Noodle Rolls and Lived By Matthew Bossons

hangfen penises and are an essential part of any self-respecting Guangzhouer’s C morning: thosemeal. Dongdelightful joke riceaside, wraps we are that big look fans kind of the of likedim flaccid sum dish dolphin and have made a concerted effort to try every variety available, from egg- and veg- changfen to eloquently prepared rolls stuffed with pork, chicken, shrimp and even melon. So, when we heard 7-11 stores are now selling micro- etable-filledwaveable versions of the popular dish, we hopped on the nearest Mobike and cruised over to give it a try. What we found may surprise you…

Pork Changfen (酱香肉肠粉) Unlike the questionable egg-salad sandwiches it shares a shelf with, this heat-it-and-eat-it changfen is edible and tasty. We devoured all three

even though they regrettably lack that ‘special sauce’ changfen are so famouslyof the rolls, served which with. are filled with a generous amount of ground pork, Our only complaint? The rice wrapping is a little tougher than you’d normally get at a restaurant, but we reckon that’s to be expected of a pre-packaged microwavable meal. Pork Changfen: 4/5 Chicken, Bamboo Shoot and Corn Changfen (三宝肠粉) While still palatable, this variety of 7-11 changfen is unquestionably the weaker of the two. Seemingly

changfen such a succulentfilled with snack. more corn than meat, the wraps lack the savoryIn a flavor word: that forgettable. make the But pork still a notch or two up from the bizarre sushi-esque rice rolls sold on the shelf above. While we initially envisioned this article using a reference to puking up the colors of 7-11’s logo, we have to admit we were pleasantly surprised by the

Chicken, Bamboo Shoot and Corn Changfen: 2/5 microwavable dish’s flavor and quality. At RMB7 a pop (two for RMB12), and with a two- minute cooking time, this 7-11 dim sum dish is both affordable and easy to prepare. Consider it the next time you need a speedy breakfast before catching a train to Hong Kong or maybe even as a light lunch.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | SZ | 61 GRAPE VINE THE SCANDALOUS SCOOP We’re digging:

The spiritual successor of dear, departed La Casa Bella Pizza in humble Xinzhou Village; Luohu scratching finishing another renovations notch in its at Indian- restaurant belt with Saffron’s Punjabi offerings (p64); the mumbles about Mambo (p66) panning out with RMB15 - OLDIE BUT GOODIE ter work cocktail stop at Perch (p68). tacos; Chegongmiao finally getting an af Dongmen’s McCafé

We’re done with: Wait, okay. We know what you're thinking. a medium-sized cup, it’s cheap. Note that McCafé? we’re referring to McCafé and not regular The name itself sounds like an insult to McDonald's coffee, which still tastes like sh*t. coffee culture, a corporate caricature of caf- The Dongmen location has a couple feine consumption, a ridiculous joke. Before advantages over your average mainland you use this magazine for some after-bath- McCafé, the coolest being an ice cream bar. room hygiene, hear us out. Though more novelty than gourmet, it’s still This Dongmen-located coffee stop checks fun. For RMB22 you can choose three top- the oldie but goodie boxes with gusto. pings and a sauce to go with a generous serv- Sure, Beijing’s massive Micky D’s opening of vanilla soft serve. ing in 1992 may have been the golden On sunny days, all but the hardiest cus- arche's coming out party, but the Shenzhen run of the spacious open air space, which Middle Kingdom, opening its doors in alsotomers offers flee a the vantage third-floor of the patio,poor soulsgiving caught you The yellow-bunned Minion Burger set OctoberDongmen 1990 McDonald's and partially was the relying first onin thestaff up in the orgy of shopping below – imagery loose by Mickey D’s; reports (and in- from Hong Kong. Lore holds that the crowds that pairs well with a simple coffee and your pocket evidence) that Shenzhen rent- DIY ice cream. ers fork over half of their salary each would take them apart, eating the buns, meat monthly; rain, rain and more rain; a cer- andof customers pickles separately. – baffled by the hamburgers – South China Sea Center Building, North Road, Dongmen Bei Lu, Luohu District 罗湖区东门北路南海 tain immoral avian’s unexplained (and Jump forward almost 27 years and the 中心大厦一楼 (8218 6795) over) dry spell. decent cup of joe, a design-your-own sundae barcrowds and arean unparalleledstill there, but view you from can now the upfind- a stairs outdoor patio. First, coffee. Unlike certain chains,

bitter, dark roast beans. As a result, their ma- McCafés in China don’t have a fixation on A standard black Americano here is neither toochines sour produce nor too consistently bitter; instead, flavorful it’s rich drinks. with almost nutty undertones. Plus, at RMB19 for

62 | SZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM [email protected]

COCKTAIL Summer Cup Soliciting bartenders for drink recipes 25ml sugar syrup usually yields terse instructions, a few 100ml water measurements and an unusable photo. 50ml Sipsmith London Cup Not with Lola Lau. After we requested the perfect end-of-summer sip, she opted to send a video – time lapse, ingredient Garnish cards and all. Cucumber slices This demanded an on-the-ground Orange slices inspection where we heard the summer Mint cup is the upscale answer to our previously featured Pimm’s Cup – think the 1. Add lemon juice, sugar syrup and water landscaped lawns of Wimbledon versus and stir. the seedy Soho of yesteryear. The prime 2. Add the Sipsmith London Cup and stir ingredient? The sweet Sipsmith London again. Dry Gin, creating a decidedly mild drink 3. Garnish with “whatever you like.” farther relaxed by ice and garnishing. Recipe provided by our friend Lola Lao at The Compass, 39/F, Wongtee V Hotel, Futian District, Ingredients Shenzhen 深圳市福田区金田路皇庭V酒店39楼 (0755- 8270 7559) 25ml lemon juice

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | SZ | 63 EAT & DRINK | NEW RESTAURANT

SAFFRON Indian Identity By Lachlan Cairns

or fusion cuisine: sometimes you just want The Place was the highlight, with its creamy veggie the classics done right. There are restaurants in Shenzhen that mixpaneer and if chunks we want of tomild get paneer specific, cheese. RMB58) could be better described as ‘Indian- For dessert, we recommend the RMB18 themed’ than actually Indian. Saffron does fried dough balls, which are served in a Price: RMB100 not fall into that category; it is as comfort- rich sugar sauce. Who’s going: Indian families, traders able with its identity aesthetically as with Good for: a Bollywood soundtrack, fresh what arrives on the plate. The restaurant naan The Vibe is the effort of a pair of Punjabi brothers Nearest metro: Hubei (Exit B), 10 minutes aiming to make true north Indian food, Though there are some creative efforts on meaning thick gravy curries and scented the menu, what you order is what you get. Open daily, 11am-11pm; 2 Hubei Lu, below Jinhu tandoori offerings served in an instantly Saffron proves that a restaurant doesn’t Hotel, Luohu District 罗湖区湖贝路2号锦湖宾馆地下一层 recognizable setting of cane wicker chairs need to dazzle with outlandish decoration (8219 1115) below a TV playing Bollywood clips.

The Food We tried a huge selection of dishes from a thick menu complemented by a surpris- ingly extensive wine list. The meal began with Indian staple sa- crust.mosas (RMB20) filled with a spiced-potato and Thepea-curry next entree mix, contained was what inthe a resflaky- taurant dubbed a salad (RMB25), which veggie sticks stuck into cups of mint yo- gurt.formed the colors of the Indian flag with Saffron uses a tandoori oven (a round baking machine that simulates traditional cooking) for some of its best dishes, like an expertly spiced mushrooms dish (RMB55). Curry-wise, the green (a lasooni palak

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EAT & DRINK | NEW RESTAURANT EAT & DRINK | FEATURE

MAMBO Nacho Typical Tex-Mex By Bailey Hu

esting combinations: corn tortillas made using a family recipe, for instance, paired with The Vibe nacho cheese in some dishes. With a chill soundtrack and the illusion of al - fresco dining, Mambo attracts large crowds tillas here, Mambo does nod towards fan some evenings. During its soft opening, service favoritesAlthough with you nachos won’t (RMB48) find any and flour three tor backups occurred as diners overwhelmed the types of burritos (RMB68). few staff. But tacos, priced at RMB15 each, are the Now, the kinks have been sorted and meal- order of the day. The balance of spices in the times are more relaxed, according to Saldaña. beef chili con carne edition tastes just right, With a respectable menu that may soon ex- enough that you won’t need to add in a dab pand – more tapas and sandwiches – Mambo of homemade hot sauce. looks ready to take things to the next level. The pulled pork and coleslaw taco is another well-executed nod to US cuisine, with Price: RMB60-90 tender, fatty meat and creamy salad, while taco lovers, open-minded diners The Place Who’s going: the Greek chicken feta taco is light, if salty. Good for: creative fusion, modern Mexican In the shifting scene of Shuiwei Village, Mambo’s food may require acclimation, Nearest metro: Fumin (Exit D), 9 minutes Mambo is a symbol of the neighborhood’s especially if you’re not used to palm-sized new character: a cute taco shop on a nar- corn tortillas, but it’s not a steep learning Open daily, 6pm-3am; Shop 45, Bldg 131, Shuiwei row street so clogged with delivery guys and curve. Qi Jie, Futian District 福田区水围七街131栋45号 (138 shared bikes that our taxi driver refuses to 2747 5170) enter. The French doors of the restaurant are always open, and a few outdoor tables al- low sidewalk dining. But from the tastefully decorated interior – as restaurant co-owner Christian Saldaña tells us repeatedly – Mambo seems like it could be located ‘anywhere’ in the world.

The Food Mambo’s food is fusion, but not in the typical Tex-Mex sense. That makes for some inter-

66 | SZ AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM EAT & DRINK | FEATURE NEW CAFE | EAT & DRINK

The Food A light roast, single origin Costa Rican HERO Natural (RMB65) arrives at the table – not such a big deal, right? But it’s carried on a bamboo tray and poured from a sake bottle, ESPRESSO which is wrapped in a hand woven ‘jacket.’ Though cloth-coddled vessels might not sig- The One You Need nify quality ingredients, they demonstrate - By Sky Thomas Gidge an eye for detail, which extends to the dirty ly designated art zone. The staff are friendly (RMB28), a mix of cold Kowloon dairy and a comes with being surrounded by an official double espresso featuring beans from Brazil, utilitarian than other places in Shenzhen. Ethiopia and Colombia. The Place It’sand a efficient clear focus and not the on shop’s the color design of moreyour be- And the RMB35 apple crumble cheese- ret, but what is in the cup. cake is made in-house with homemade cara- - mel drizzled over a topping of granola bits. scaleThis isn’t Japanese the type joint of in shop the youmid-destruction just find. Price: RMB60 GangxiaSituated area,between nothing a five-star makes hotel it an andobvious an up Who’s going: location for cafe. The Vibe Good for: single-origin beans, quiet With black painted ventilation above Nearest metro:in-the-know Gangxia (Exit coffee A), fiends10 minutes From a quality coffee point of view, Hero Espresso would be at home in the artsy OCT sits in a glass-walled room out back – it’s a Mon-Fri 9.30am-9.30pm, Sat-Sun 10.30am- area, yet the coffee shop lacks the bohemian simpleand concrete look and floor a refreshing below, a coffee switch roaster from the 10.30pm; L1-19, Greater China International Financial – or, some would say, pretentious – air that gaudy and garish cafes that, say, force you to Center, Futian District 福田大中华国际金融中心裙楼 carry a numbered teddy bear to your table before serving instant coffee in a vase. At Hero Espresso, a large, long wooden - aling or paging through a good book, though thetable vantage on the doesn’tcozy second offer floormuch invites more thanjourn

people watching those on floor one.

L1-19 3316 0428

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | SZ | 67 EAT & DRINK | NEW BAR

PERCH After-work Aerie By Gary Bailer

n a bird-themed cocktail bar, it’s easy to imagine things going disastrously wrong. Say, a We’ve heard praises for Perch’s food cocktail-with-chocolate-bird-nest-and-boiled-quail-eggs wrong. selection, though, sadly, we didn’t have a I Perch, thankfully, doesn’t fall for the over-themed trap, and though the menu has pages chance to sample it. For what it’s worth, we’d of bird-named cocktails (‘Waiter! Three bald eagles, please!’), presentation is slick and simple, take the complimentary dried, salted sweet with drinks arriving in hand-carved crystal sporting minimum garnishing. potato over salted peanuts any day. In fact, the most extravagant drink decor we see is a burned lavender sprig laid across the But rather than avian-themed drinks and bar snacks, Perch’s main draw is its location: muddled rosemary mask beefeater gin while giving the mixture a bitter kick. walking distance from Chegongmiao metro rim Theof the more oriole masculine (RMB88 RMB88 before taxparakeet and service features charge). onsite Elderflower barrel-aged syrup,rye whisky, lime juicevermouth and and bitters – basically an old fashioned without the sugar. lacking after work spirit stops. stationTechnically in an affluent part of area the of Langham, the city sorely

Coffee and up two escalators. With a third- Shenzhen, it’s accessible from behind Pacific - scrapers, it makes for an inviting, if premium priced,floor view date hemmed night – asin longby the as area’s the weather glass sky cooperates. It seems these days everything has an app, and the playlist is no exception. Something called ‘Discover Music’ allows you to add a song to the queue, though we imagine this feature will either add something unique to the bar or result in loops of ‘Rockin’ Robin.’

Price: RMB88 Who’s going: bankers, cocktail connoisseurs Good for: Futian after-work cocktails Nearest metro: Chegongmiao (Exit B), 10 minutes

Open daily, 5pm-1am; 3/F, Langham, Shenzhen, 7888 Shennan Boulevard, Futian District 福田区深南大道7888号东海朗廷三楼 (8828 9888)

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Price: RMB200-500 Who’s going: foodies, nouveau riche, hot dates Good for: Instagram food posts, French cuisine

1/F, Bldg 1, Block A, 1979 Cultural and Creative Park, 1011 Qiaoxiang Rd, Futian District 福田区侨香路1011号1979文化创意园A 区1栋1层 (8255 6173)

EAT & DRINK | NEW BAR| NEW BARS

FURY BREWING The Craft Continues By Bailey Hu

ith seemingly every new bar stocking oddly-named beers from micro- It costs RMB50 breweries both foreign and homegrown – and no Tsingtao in sight – per 360ml, and the Wcraft brews have become a staple of Shenzhen’s nightlife. Fury Brewing is the latest contender, a promising brewpub in Shekou’s Seaworld. overwhelmingly hoppy. Hidden on a side street, Fury has all the trappings of a sleek little hangout: 20 firstThe sip confirmsLittle Dragon the assessment: IPA, priced at it’s RMB40, flavorful, falls but not somewhere between the two, while the banana-tinged of curvy women loom over long couches on the second. Wilbier (RMB40) and Red Date Stout (RMB50) make tapsReading are housed the menubehind is a an gleaming education. bar Eachon the beer first is floor, broken while down cartoon into compo drawings- for lighter sips. nents: the Fist of Fury IPA (RMB55 for 360ml), for example, uses three types of Although only beer is on tap during our visit, brew hops and has an IBU of 80. For the non-experts, a sentence below explains that it’s master Mark Wong tells us there are plans for different, a relatively bitter brew geared towards ‘old hands.’ possibly fruity, drinks in the pipeline. After experiment- The Drunken Master Saison – named after Jackie Chan’s comic masterpiece, of ing with dates, he might tackle persimmon next, or course – on the other hand, has ‘medium-level’ bitterness with an IBU of just 35. lemonade – he’s open to possibilities. Similarly, the snack list, available until midnight, will rotate on a regular basis, with the exception of mainstays like the ‘Typhoon Bay Style Fries’ (RMB32). Inspired by a Hong Kong crab dish, the fries come covered in crispy dried garlic and show no hint of their

With an experimental, evolving roster of East- meets-Westfishy origins. food and drink, Fury Brewing seems set to make a splash on the suds scene.

Price: RMB80-150 Who’s going: beer experts, fruity drink fans Good for: unique brews, chilling with the crew Nearest metro: Sea World, 2 minutes

Open daily, 6pm-1am; Shop 3-10, Zhenxing Mansion, Bldg A, 33 Taizi Lu, Shekou, Nanshan District 南山区蛇口太子路33号振兴大厦A 座3-10店铺 (138 0224 1466)

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Canton Bass Session Party Liam Gallagher Concert

HEAR

Tom Odell Gig

This English singer-songwriter has toured to sold-out shows outside of The Canton Bass Session is coming his home country, wowing crowds to Shenzhen at Sector Underground. with tortured vocals paired with hap- Expect thumping bass music by Bass py piano cords. Fans fall for his unique Panda, Nora and Daniel Power, along brand of indie pop that incorporates with the Shenzhen debut of Spyfi. British rock singer-songwriter Liam Gallagher will make his debut China tour brilliant lyrics with almost-anthem Sat Aug 5, 10pm-11.30pm; free entry. visiting Shenzhen on August 12. Gallagher has been in the limelight for about tunes. Club Sector, A8 Music Mansion, 1002 three decades, his career spawning pub anthems thanks to the a unique voice and talented songwriting. Sun Aug 20, 7.30pm-9.30pm; RMB380- Keyuan Lu, Nanshan District 南山区科 Sat Aug 12, 8pm; RMB380-1,480. 3001 Shenzhen Bay Sport's Stadium Binhai Dadao, 600. A8 Music Mansion, 1002 Keyuan 园路1002号A8音乐大厦2层 (8693 7021) Nanshan District 南山区滨海大道3001号 (228.com, 8630 8840) Lu, Nanshan District 南山区科园路1002 号A8音乐大厦2层 (douban.com, 8693 7021) For a Minor Reflection Gig The Royal Concept Gig

So what does a smile sound like? Well, given its sun-soaked flavor, upbeat Energetic, melodious rock band For a Minor Reflection is comprised of four swing, and uncontainable energy, The Royal Concept’s second EP, Smile could 23-year-olds from Reykjavík, Iceland. Great stage presence at the live shows very well answer that. The Swedish-quartet of vocals, guitar, bass and drum earned them a slew of accolades and eventually saw them tour the US and will be bringing their enthusiastic sound to Shenzhen’s B10. Canada – now they are swinging through Shenzhen. Fri Aug 25, 8.30pm; RMB120 early bird, RMB150 at door. B10 Live, OCT-Loft, Sat Aug 26, 8.30pm; RMB120 early bird, 160RMB at door. B10 Live, OCT-Loft, Xiangshan Dong Jie, Nanshan District 南山区香山东街华侨城创意文化园北区C2栋 Xiangshan Dong Jie, Nanshan District 南山区香山东街华侨城创意文化园北区C2栋北北侧 (taobao.com, 8633 7602) 侧 (taobao.com, 8633 7602)

win! win! We have tickets to this show to give away. Message our official WeChat -ac count (ThatsShenzhen) before August 22 with the band name, your contact We have tickets to this show to give away. Message our official WeChat -ac number and why you should win. count (ThatsShenzhen) before August 23 with the band name, your contact number and why you should win.

72 | SZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM TeamLab Exhibition

The TeamLab exhibition in Shenzhen emphasizes the SEE idea of ‘digits and art.’ The past TeamLab exhibition in Japan was praised as one of the top 10 art exhibitions of 2015. This time, in Shenzhen, visitors are First Fridays and Muzikbox able to see six astounding Short Films artistic works using digital equipment. Fri Jul 1 to Nov 30, 10am- 10pm; RMB150-320. OCT Design Museum Studio, Happy Harbor, 8 Baishi Lu, Futian District 福田区白石路 8号欢乐海岸OCT创意展示中心 (137 1458 4985)

Sister Act Stage

The movie was one of the most financially suc- Like short, indie films by local film- cessful comedies of the makers? Like house and techno early 1990s, so how does music on vinyl? Then this event is it do on stage? Quite for you. The evening begins with a well, actually: the musical showing of the video-based local has been staged across projects before the DJs hit the decks the US, Europe with the for this ‘house party’ edition. Free Broadway production re- face painting and tea. To show your ceiving positive reviews. film contact WeChat Amybb0310. Wed-Sun Aug 9-13, 8pm Winning films get a Rode Videomic (Aug 12-13 also 2.30pm); Pro. RMB180-980. Shenzhen Fri Aug 4, 8pm; RMB20 or free if Poly Theater, 33 Wenxin you share flier on WeChat. 102 Wu Lu, by Haide San Dao, Huayangnian Meinian Square, Nanhai Nanshan District 南山区文 Da Dao, Nanshan District 南山区南海心五路33号保利文化广场大道花样年美年广场5栋一楼 (muzik- (8637 1698) [email protected], 157 1201 0539)

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | SZ | 73 Buy One Get One Deal New Late-night Menu Special

TASTE

All You Can Drink Deal

Every Wednesday buy one get one item of equal or lesser value free at Chill’s. That means you eat cheap – but these aren’t cheap eats, including this friendly bar's fabled burritos, hot wings and quesadillas. Not valid The ‘oldie but goodie’ Brew Magic Pub is bringing in a late night food menu for deliveries. on Fridays and Saturdays during August. Their in-house bread is made with Weds in Aug, 4pm-midnight. Chill’s, Australian flour and eats start at RMB30. Pickups welcomed. 92 Hai Chang Lu, Shekou, Nanshan Fri-Sat all Aug, 11pm-4am; start at RMB30. Brew Magic Pub, 1088 Wanghai Lu, Nanhai District 南山区蛇口海昌路92号 (132 Rose Garden II, Nanshan District 南山区蛇口望海路1088号南海玫瑰园二期 (0229 1470) 0227 1527) Organic Veggie Menu Special Get dizzy at Dazzle with a drink deal destined to lead to a night you won’t forget – or simply won’t remember, with whisky, vodka, tequila, gin and rum on the menu. Women drink for free before 11pm, while the guys face a small charge to partake. Tables, with drinks included, also see a deal that includes drinks. Until Aug 31, 7pm-2am; RMB100 for all you can drink, RMB500 for a table and wine or Jagermeister. 3/F, Central Commercial Building, 88 Fuhua Yi Lu, Futian District 福田区福华一路88号中心商务大厦三楼 (2348 1542)

Burger and Beer Tuesdays Deal Colorful cuisine to brighten your day: double-boiled snow lotus with dried scallop in winter melon, stewed papaya with kidney beans and lily bulbs in corn sauce, sweet and sour pork with pineapple, crispy chicken breast with mango and more. Please the palate with a wallop of organic vegetables. Daily until Fri Aug 4, Mon-Sun 11.30am-2.30pm 5.30pm-10pm. Shenzhen Marriott Hotel Golden Bay, 33 Zonglu Dadao, Dapeng New District 大鹏新区棕榈大道 33 号 (2839 8888）

English Tea Afternoon Deal

Channel your inner-glutton while saving a bit of moola with George and Dragon’s burger and beer Tuesday deal. Buy any burger from the menu and get a free draught beer. Tuesdays also see a three- stuffing burger. Stuff your meat with bacon, mushrooms, cheese, onion, green peppers or any other thing you can think of. Every Tue until Oct 10, 5pm-10pm. No. 5 Taizi Road (behind Taizi Hotel), Nanshan District 南山区太子路5号太子宾馆1楼后排3号商铺 (2669 8564) Enjoy 13 types of classic English high tea in The Lounge, bringing together not only a rich collection of appetizers, like Maotai marinated foie gras with kumquat compote, but also chocolate tart with wine braised cherry and more. Daily to Aug 31, 2.30pm-5.30pm; RMB198 plus 15 percent service fee. The Lounge, JW Marriot Hotel Shenzhen, 6005 Shennan Boulevard, Futian District 福田区深南大道6005号安徽大厦旁（2269 8220）

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Managers Dinner Networking

Business is as much about hard work as the connections you form – and what Want to explore kick-ass literature with cool people while also enjoying a pint better place to network than the new Hard Rock Café in Shenzhen. Located in of delicious craft beer from Shenzhen's own Bionic Brew? Head over to Bionic the Mission Hills Resort, guests will see a tour of the newly opened Hard Rock Brew in Baishizhou for the next Books and Brews meeting. This month's book is Hotel Shenzhen. the graphic novel Persepolis, an autobiography depicting a woman’s early years Thu Aug 31, 5.45pm-9.30pm; RMB300 member, RMB450 non-member. Hard Rock in Iran during and after the Islamic Revolution. Hotel Shenzhen, 9 Mission Hills Road, Longhua District 龙华区高尔夫大道9号观澜湖 Sun Aug 13, 8pm; free. Bionic Brew, Shangye Buxing Jie, by Shahe Jie, Baishizhou, 新城 (6186 0888) Nanshan District 南山区白石洲沙河街商业步行街 (186 6587 457)

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | SZ | 75 HONG KONG & MACAU CALENDAR

HK MO AUG 2-15 AUG 14 AUG 5 SEPT 2 WED-TUE MON SAT SAT

One: Kings and Conquerors, 7pm; MOP140-1,980. Cotai Arena, The 2017 Macao International Fireworks Venetian Macao (www.cotaiticket- Display Contest, 9pm/9.40pm. Hong Kong International Drummer ing.com) Coastline in front of the Macau The battle is about to break Festival, various times; various pric- Tower (fireworks.macaotourism. between One World Champion es. See website for venue list (www. DNCE Live in Hong Kong, 8pm; gov.mo) Bibiano Fernandes and American hkdrumfest.com) HKD588-1,438. MacPherson Stadium Macau’s skyline will glow this fighter Andrew Leone. Dubbed Concerts, competitions and exclu- (ticketflap.com) September with a burst of magnifi- Asia’s biggest fight night, One: sive master classes are going into Headed by Joe Jonas, of Jonas cent fireworks during the annual Kings and Conquerors will see the 2017 Hong Kong drummer Brothers fame, American dance- Macao International Fireworks dozens of the world’s best mixed festival. Experienced drummers or rock band DNCE is performing Display Contest. One of the city’s martial arts fighters compete for a anyone with just a passing interest their first concert in Hong Kong. most highly anticipated events, the prize. Get ready for a ‘bloody’ night in percussion will want to check Melding undeniably catchy pop show draws thousands of specta- at Cotai Arena. out this event’s range of activities. sounds with anthem-worthy lyr- tors each year seeking a visual ics, their music has been climbing thrill and romantic evening on the charts since 2015. AUG 10-13 coast. AUG 4-8 THU-SUN FRI-TUE 2017 Wushu Masters Challenge, ONGOING Ink Global, 9am-6pm Aug 4-7, AUG 17-21 various time; Price TBC. Tap Seac TUE-SUN 9am-12pm Aug 8; free. Hong Kong THU-MON Multisports Pavilion (sport.gov.mo) Convention and Exhibition Center The 2017 Wushu Masters Challenge (inkglobal.org) is where some of the world’s great- Featuring 500 of the world’s mas- est martial art masters gather terpieces of ink paintings, as well to demonstrate their kung fu as art seminars hosted by well- skills. Held from August 10-13, known local and overseas artists, the four-day spectacle will also a multi-media zone and guided feature the CKF International tours, this is one of the world’s top Combat Challenge - Macao, Wushu ink art events. Summer Carnival, International Taolu Competition, as well as the 4th Asian Dragon and Lion Dance AUG 11–SEPT 2 Championships, which is happening in various locations. FRI-SAT Venice Biennale 2017 - Exhibits from Macao, 10am-7pm; free. Macao Food Expo 2017, 10am-10pm; vari- AUG 11-13 Museum of Art (mam.gov.mo) ous prices, tickets sold at 7/11. Hong FRI-SUN The exhibition showcases crea- Kong Convention and Exhibition tive works by local sculptor and Centre (hktdc.com/hkfoodexpo) painter Wong Cheng Pou. They Join thousands of foodies from were exhibited during the 57th around the world in sampling International Art Exhibition - La gourmet treats from across the Biennale Di Venezia. A total of 17 globe, as well as checking out sculptures and paintings were cre- demonstrations by some of the ated around the theme of bonsai. world’s top chefs.

The Little Match Girl, 3pm/7.30pm; ONGOING AUG 25-27 MOP180. Macao Cultural Centre TUE-SUN Hong Kong Pulse Light Show, Daily FRI-SUN (www.macauticket.com) Pop-up Shop, 10am-8pm. 47 Rua de 8.20pm, 8.40pm, 9pm, 9.20pm, Don Quixote on Stage, Aug 25- On a wintry Christmas Eve, a little S. Roque (www.macaofashiongallery. 9.40pm; free. Hong Kong Cultural 27, 7.30pm; Aug 26-27, 2.30pm; girl walks onto emptying streets, com) Center (discoverhongkong.com) HKD140-1,000. Grand Theatre (hkbal- desperately trying to sell her The Macao Fashion Gallery is host- Enjoy an exhilarating multimedia let.com) matches. Famous South African ing a pop-up shop to showcase light show with spectacular light- Fireworks and ballet: this produc- director and choreographer Arthur and sell fashionable clothing and ing effects, 3D projection mapping, tion of Don Quixote abounds with Pita presents a dance theatre adap- wearable items by six local, inde- music and sound effects. This love, illusion, courage and adven- tation of Hans Christian Andersen’s pendent designers: Macon, Jade.L, mesmerizing display will coincide ture in the colorful streets of Spain. The Little Match Girl, where a young Soul, Worker Playground, Zics and with the Hong Kong Summer Fun Don Quixote is a must-see ballet for girl’s hopes and dreams are beauti- Salut ça va. Boasting their own, program. the whole family. fully unveiled through dance, song unique styles, some of the brands and original music performed live are popular with mainland fash- on stage. ionistas and sell on Tmall.

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HOTEL NEWS JW Marriott Hotel Shenzhen Holds South China Chef Battle Finals

The finals of the Marriott International South China Chef Battle was successfully held at JW Marriott Hotel Shenzhen on July 6. Six chefs from five hotels located in Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Sanya participated in the event and displayed their talent. Christ Dong, the Sous Chef of Shenzhen Marriott Hotel Nanshan won the competition, obtaining the title of Master Chef of Marriott International South China Chef Battle 2017. The event saw Christ Dong create a dish combining the flavors of Lingnan cuisine with Western-style cooked seafood. The delicate fragrance of dried tangerine peels strengthened the taste of lobsters, impressing the audiences and judges. Chef Ryan Xu from China Hotel Guangzhou won second place with a dish titled ‘Setting Sail with Fully Loaded Hope.’

Hilton Hotels and Resorts Expands Landmark Hotel in Southern China

July 9 saw the announced opening for the Nanhai Wing at Hilton Shenzhen Shekou Nanhai. The new wing is an incorporation of the former Nanhai Hotel, one of Shenzhen’s earliest and most renowned hotels, and will bring a host of new amenities and experiences to guests, including three dining outlets, multiple recreation facilities and 218 additional guest rooms featuring sweeping views of Shenzhen Bay. “Hilton has proudly welcomed the world’s travelers for nearly 100 years, continuously innovating and redefining the meaning of hospitality,” said Martin Rinck, president of Asia Pacific for Hilton. “The introduction of the Nanhai Wing at Hilton Shenzhen Shekou Nanhai elevates our commitment to deliver world-class service to travelers visiting one of China’s most important and fastest growing cities.”

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cn.marcopolohotels.com 福田中心区福华一路 A8 Building, 15/F, A8 Building, No.1002 Keyuan Road Tech Zone, Nanshan District; EDUCATION Mission Hills Resort No.1 Mission Hills 3) Futian NEO, 44/F, NEO Tower A, No.6011 Dadao, Bao’an District.(2802 0888) Shennan Avenue Futian District; 4) SCC, FOOD & DRINK American International School, No. 观澜湖酒店集团宝安区观澜湖高尔夫大道 1 号 7/F, Tower A, SCC Financial Centre, Junction 82,Gongyuan Lu, Shekou,Nanshan District of Houhai Avenue & First Haide Avenue Nan- (8619 4750) Shangri-La Hotel East of the Luohu Train shan District; 5) New World Centre, 23/F, 南山区蛇口公园路82号青少年活动中心 Station, Jianshe Lu, Luohu District (8233 New World Centre, No.6009 Yitian Road 0888). www.shangri-la.com Futian District; 6) Times Financial Centre, Green Oasis School 罗湖区建设路火车站东侧 14/F Times Financial Centre, No. 4001 No 4030, Shennan Middle Road, Tianmian, Shennan Avenue Futian District; 7) New Futian District. (8399 6712) admission@ Sheraton Dameisha Resort 9 Yankui Lu, Times Plaza, 3/F, New Times Plaza,No.1 greenoasis.org.cn www.greenoasis.org.cn Dameisha, Yantian District (8888 6688) Taizi Road Shekou District; 8) Panglin Plaza, 福田区田面村深南中路 4030 号盐田大梅沙盐葵路 ( 大梅沙段 )9 号 35/F, Panglin Plaza, No.2002 Jiabin Road Luohu District; 1)深圳安联中心, 深圳市福田区 International School of Nanshan Shenzhen St. Regis Shenzhen No.5016 Shennan 金田路4018号安联大厦26层; 2) 深圳A8大厦,深圳 A Canadian school accepting application for Dong Lu, Luohu District.(8308 8888) 市南山区科技园科园路1002号A8大厦15层; 3)深 Pre-Grade 1 through Grade 12. 166 Nan- 深圳瑞吉酒店罗湖区深南东路 5016 号圳NEO大厦, 深圳市福田区深南大道6011号NEO guang Lu, Nanshan District (2666 1000, 企业大道A座44层; 4) 深圳中洲控股金融中心, 深圳 2606 6968). [email protected] www. The Langham, Shenzhen, No. 7888, Shen- 市南山区后海大道与海德一道交汇处中洲控股金融 isnsz.com nan Dadao, Futian District (8828 9888). 中心A座7层; 5) 深圳新世界中心, 深圳市福田区益深圳朗廷酒店，福田区深南大道 7888 号南山区南光路166号田路6009号新世界中心23层; 6) 深圳时代金融中心, 深圳市福田区深南大道4001号时代金融中心14 Peninsula Montessori Kindergarten the The Ritz-Carlton, Shenzhen 116 Fuhua San Peninsula one, Jin Shiji Lu, Shekou Nan- 层; 7) 深圳时代广场, 深圳市蛇口区太子路1号新时 Lu, Futian District (2222 2222) 代广场3层; 8) 深圳彭年广场, 深圳市罗湖区嘉宾路 shan District ( 2685 1266) 福田区福华三路 116 号 2002号彭年广场半岛城邦国际幼儿园南山区蛇口东角头金世纪路1 pho nam 1) Shop B26C, Link City Passage

号半岛城邦一期 The Venice Raytour Hotel Shenzhen China-Italy Chamber of Commerce (near Coco Park), Futian District； 2) B1 No.9026, Shennan Dadao, Overseas Chi- floor, B1-04, Zhuoyue Plaza, Shangmeilin, Quality Schools International Rm220, 2/F, International Chamber Of nese Town, Nanshan District (2693 6888) Commerce, Fuhua San Lu, Futian District Futian District 2/F Bitao Center, 8 Taizi Lu, 深圳威尼斯睿途酒店南山区华侨城深南大道 9026 号越小品 , 1）福田区连城新天地 B26C 商铺 (8255 Shekou,Nanshan District (2667 6031). (Tel: 8632 9518; Fax: 8632 9528). www. 7048)；2）福田区上梅林卓悦汇 B1 楼 B1-04 cameraitacina.com ` www.shk.qsi.org The Westin Shenzhen 9028-2 Shennan 福田区福华三路国际商会中心 2 楼 220 室南山区蛇口太子路 8 号碧涛中心 2 楼 Dadao, Nanshan District (2698 8888) www.westin.com/shenzhen 南山区深南大道 European Union Chamber of Commerce QSI International School of Shenzhen 9028号-2 (Futian) A1, TCL Science Park, No. 1001 Rm 308, 3/F Overseas Chinese Scholars Zhongshan Yuan, Nanshan District (8371 Venture Building, southern section of High- 7108) Tech Industrial Park, Nanshan District (Tel: 中山园路1001号TCL 科学园区A1栋 8635 0920; fax: 8632 9785). 南山高新科技园南区留学生创业大厦 3 楼 308 室 Shekou International School HEALTH Jingshan Villas, Gongye Er Lu, Shekou, Nan- French Chamber of Commerce in South shan District (2669 3669). www.sis.org.cn HarMoniCare Women & Children's Hospital 南山区蛇口工业二路鲸山别墅内 China (CCIFC) Room 318, 3/F Chinese 12018 Shennan Dadao, by Nanshan Dadao Overseas Scholars Venture Building,South (3339 1333) 深圳和美妇儿科医院南山区深南大 section of Hi-tech Industry Park, Nanshan Shen Wai International School 29 Baishi 道12018号 San Lu, Nanshan (8654 1200, www.swis.cn) District (Tel: 8632 9602; fax: 8632 9736) 深圳外国语学校国际部南山区白石三道 29 号 www.ccifc.org 南山区科技园南区留学生创业大 Vista-SK International Medical Center Lvl 厦3楼318室 4, Bldg 4C, Shenzhen Software Industry Base,Xuefu Lu, Nanshan District (3689 German Chamber of Commerce 9833) 南山区学府路软件产业基地4栋C座裙楼4层 217 Chinese Overseas Scholars Venture HOTEL Building, Hi-Tech Industrial Park, Nanshan Futian Shangri-La Hotel Shenzhen No.4088 C-MER (Shenzhen) Dennis Lam Eye District. (8635 0487) www.china.ahk.de Hospital 1-2/F, Shengtang Bldg, 1 Tairan Jiu 南山区高新科技园南区留学生创业大厦 217 The George & Dragon The quintessential Yitian Lu, Futian District (8828 4088). British pub; good draft beers, ales, stout, 福田区益田路 4088 号福田香格里拉大酒店 Lu, Chegongmiao, Futian District (4001 666 120, 3322 7188) 福田区车公庙泰然九路一号 The American Chamber of Commerce in cider, hearty pub food with BBQ's, screening 盛唐大厦1-2层 South China Rm 208, 2/F Overseas Chinese non-stop sports, secluded beer garden. Your Four Seasons Hotel Shenzhen 138 Fuhua home away from home. www.george-dragon. San Lu, Futian District (8826 8888) Scholars Venture Building, southern section 深圳市福田区福华三路 138 号 of High-Tech Industrial Park, Nanshan Dis- com. Email: [email protected] IMC(International Medical Center) trict (Tel: 0755-2658 8342; fax: 0755-2658 3 Taizi Lu, by Minghua Lu, Nanshan District (Tel: 2669 8564). Grand Hyatt Shenzhen No.1881 Baoan Nan serves the local community and expatriates 8341). www.amcham-southchina.org 南山区太子路3号太子宾馆1 Lu, Luohu District (8266 1234) www.shen- from all over the world. We are proud to 楼后排3号商铺 zhen.grand.hyatt.com 罗湖区宝安南路1881号 provide private, personalized healthcare for The British Chamber of Commerce, Shen- each patient. Our experienced staff from zhen Sub-Chamber Rm 314, 3/F Overseas Hilton Shenzhen Shekou Nanhai 1177, Hong Kong, Mainland China and overseas Chinese Scholars Venture Building, southern Wanghai Lu, Nanshan District provide comprehensive medical services section of High-Tech Industrial Park, Nan- 深圳蛇口希尔顿南海酒店南山区望海路 1177 号 including general and specialty outpatient shan District (Tel: 2658 8350). 深圳市南山区 (2162 8888) services, health assessments, inpatient 高新科技园南区留学生创业大厦3楼314室 services and more. Scan QR Code above Hilton Shenzhen Futian Town B, Great China for more info of IMC. 深圳市福田区海园一路， International Finance Centre, 1003 Shennan 香港大学深圳医院国际医疗中心 International Dadao, Futian District (2130 8888) Medical Centre，The University of Hong Kong 福田区深南大道1003号大中华国际金融中心B座 - Shenzhen Hospital, 1, Haiyuan 1st Road, Futian District, Shenzhen （0755-86913388） SERVICED JW Marriott Shenzhen No.6005 Shennan Dadao, Futian District. (2269 8888) 福田区深南大道 6005 号 RESIDENCE JW Marriott Shenzhen Bao’an 8 Baoxing Lu, BUSINESS La Maison is a genuine french restaurant in Baoan District (2323 8888) Savills Residence Daxin Shenzhen Bay Shekou. It has a casual but elegant family 深圳前海华侨城 JW 万豪酒店 , 宝安区宝兴路 8 号 Regus Serviced Office 雷格斯服务式办公室 1168 Houhaibin Road, Nanshan District, style ambiance. We serve authentic home • Flexible office leases from 1 day to 1 year Shenzhen (2685 6688) 南山区后海滨路1168 made french cuisine which we'll help you Kempinski Hotel Hai De San Dao, Hou Hai • Quick and easy to set up for 1-200 people 号 www.savillsresidence.com to pair with a selection of wines, beers & Bin Lu, Nanshan District (8888 8888) www. • Prices from RMB180 per month spirits. Come on in and enjoy whether you kempinski.com/cn • Find more on Regus.cn Somerset Grandview Shenzhen No.5 Xin- are a gourmet or total new to french food. 南山区后海滨路海德三道 • Tel: 400 120 1207 sha Road, Futian District, Shenzhen (400 820 Address： Shop 108, Nanhai Rose Garden, 91 1) Futian Anlian, 26/F, Anlian Centre- 1028) 福田区新沙路5号 www.ascottchina.com Wanghai Lu, by Fuwan Lu 南山区望海路91号南海 Marco Polo Shenzhen Fuhua Yi Lu, No.4018 Jintian Road, Futian District; 2) 玫瑰花园108号（ 2685 7030） CBD, Futian District (8298 9888). www.

80 | SZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM FEATURED LIS TINGS CLASSIFIEDS JOBS OFFERED

Mobile Game company business development position. A NASDAQ listed Shenzhen based mobile game company iDreamSky is looking for an expat for one business development position, native English speaker and fluent in Mandarin a must, well versed with mobile games or business negotiation experience a plus. Responsible for looking for Western games suitable for the Chinese market and contacting the game developers. Our office is located in NanShan district, Shenzhen. If interested, please send resume to Evan at email: [email protected]

MOVING & SHIPPING

AGS Four Winds is leading international moving company offers a full range relocation, moving, and storage services. Our global network of over 300 offices worldwide plus 40 years experience in the moving industry, we know your concerns and have the ability to serve you anywhere in the world. We are FAIM & ISO 9001-2008 accredited, members of the FAIM and FIDI. Contact us for FREE survey and quotation: Tel: +8620 8363 3735/ +86 139 2277 1676 Email: [email protected] Website: www.agsfourwinds.com

Rayca Moving & Transportation Services With 10 years experience, Rayca provides international, domestic, local moving services & pet relocation service. We can effectively move you anywhere at competitive prices! You move, you save! Service hotline: 400-048-9099 Email: [email protected] Website:www.raycatrans.com

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | SZ | 81 OPEN DOOR

LA MAISON ATLIFE Introduces New Brunch Menu Rolls Out Virtual Reality Experience

Every Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm La Maison's fresh take on If you haven’t yet tried the HTC Vive VR headset, the time is now. Lifelike brunch can be found on the menu. Simple, yet expertly paired, are dozens visuals combine with 3D sound to give you an out-of-this-world experience. of dishes including everything from traditional French toast to the appetite- A key feature of the VR headset is the ability to move in space as you ex- pleasing ‘brunch burger.’ plore faraway lands or dodge lasers for only RMB200 an hour. Shop 108, Nanhai Rose Garden, 91 Wanghai Lu, Nanshan District 南山区望海路91号南海玫瑰花 1/F, Block A, 1979 Cultural and Creative Park, 1011 Qiaoxiang Lu, Futian District 福田区侨香路1011 园108号 (2685 7030) 号1979文化创意园A区1栋1层 (8321 5714)

MAN HO RESTAURANT Introduces Special Cantonese Dish The dish, ‘Buddha Jumps Over the Wall,’ is a Chinese delicacy known for its rich taste, use of high-quality ingredients and special cooking methods. High in protein and calcium, some recipes require up to 30 ingredients and 12 condi- ments. Chef Jackie Fong, twice champion of the Chef Battle competition, presents this authentic Fujian dish. For his version, he enlists secret Cantonese cooking methods, making it a must-try for anyone dining at the award-winning Man Ho Chinese Restaurant. Shenzhen Marriot Hotel Golden Bay, 33 Zonglu Dadao, Dapeng District 大鹏新区棕榈大道 33 号 (2839 8888)

82 | SZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM URBAN MOMENTS

Do you have party pictures to contribute? Send them to us at [email protected] and we’ll run the best.

Rap Act Higher Brothers @Dazzle Club, French National Day Celebration July 1 @Club Viva Shekou, July 14

Rapper Tizzy T @Dazzle Club, June 30

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | SZ | 83 AUGUST That’s ShenzhenHoroscopes Finally, a horoscope that understands your life in Shenzhen. BY NOELLE MATEER

Leo Virgo Libra Scorpio 7.23~8.23 8.24~9.23 9.24~10.23 10.24~11.22

There is no such thing as a tame lion, Immerse yourself in something Stop doing yoga. Stop getting In order to keep the gods of but you can certainly keep one in a you hate, like waking up early. Or massages. Instead, let your anger flow, misfortune at bay, avoid Laojie for cage. We’re sorry you lost your key – immerse yourself in something that and actively repress any thoughts and the duration of August. Avoid men search your WeChat group histories you maybe don’t hate but everyone feelings that make you uncomfortable. in three-piece suits. And do not eat for ‘does anyone know a locksmith?’ else loves and you don’t understand Yell more. With a bitterer outlook, from the spicy half of that two- and you will find at least seven why. Like the NBA, or Shanghai. and an unquenchable spite for others, flavored hot pot broth at Coco Park. answers. you’re correctly positioning yourself to get that raise this month.

Sagittarius Capricorn Aquarius Pisces 11.23~12.21 12.22~1.20 1.21~2.19 2.20~3.20

Your office keeps copies ofThat’s PRD Be tolerant of all beliefs. Some Your favorite bar, restaurant or chuan’r Whatever day it is that you’re reading in its bathroom, which is where you are believe Tiger is better than Tsingtao, stand closed or is gone. How hard this, Pisces, you will remember right now. You didn’t even need to go. and while that is repulsive, keep an it is, having to find another place to forever. For after you finish reading You’re just avoiding work again. Sort open mind. Our differences are what eat in Shenzhen, where every other this magazine and use it as a mat of like how we’re avoiding real work by make us beautiful. storefront has a binder-sized food for your dog to poop on, a terrible writing these garbage horoscopes. No menu. Rough times for you. calamity shall befall you. That's effort at all. karma. That's PRD karma.

Aries Taurus Gemini Cancer 3.21~4.20 4.21~5.21 5.22~6.21 6.22~7.22

Why are you still wearing your fake Leave Shenzhen. Life is a roller coaster – one of the Your wardrobe needs an upgrade. Beats every day? Do you think it’s terrifying ones at Happy Valley. Use The Beijing Bikini will only last 2011? The part of Huaqiangbei you this knowledge to come to terms with you another two months, and then bought them from isn’t even open your own urgent, panicky lifestyle. you’ll need to find a shirt capable anymore. Upgrade to a pair of those It’s not you, Gemini, it’s the coaster of covering your belly. Try out a Bose noise-canceling headphones or inside you. Shenzhen Dragon's jersey, or just go just get earbuds already. to Uniqlo. Wear green on the 13th for good fortune.

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