Aerobatic Flight / 64 Designed By: Alinea Productions

JAN/FEB 2018 JAN/FEB 009 SKYInflight Magazine TIMES

Magical Moments Surrounding Spring Festival Editor’s L e t t e r

Celebrating the New Year in Style

hen the calendar flipped onto the first day of 2018, people around the world celebrated the New Year, enjoying the happiness of family reunion. But for Chinese, Lunar New W Year is a much more important celebration, starting on Feb. 16 this year and marking the start of the Year of Dog, one of the most popular zodiac creatures in China. It is a time when everyone seeks to return home to spend the festival period with their family. On behalf of the Sky Times team, I send my best regards to you, and wish you a very happy New Year. As the Master said in Confucian Analects: “While his parents are alive, the son may not go afar. If he does go abroad, he must have a fixed place to which he goes.” Due to special circumstances, some people working in the civil aviation industry have to sacrifice celebrating the festival at home. In the Focus section, we bring you a series of stories recording the unusual life of five civil aviation workers and their mixed emotions during the busy Spring Festival travel rush (page 14). Winter is the best time for snow-based activities. Last month, I visited Les Trois Vallees in Savoie, France, which consists of eight famous snow resorts, such as Val Thorens, Courchevel, Meribel and Les Menuires. During the six-day trip, I was so impressed by the heavy snow and the enthusiasm of skiers — everyone there embraced the winter wonderland. Gliding on the snow can give one a feeling of freedom and help you forget the trivialities of Photo by Hendrik Morkel daily life. A skier becomes entwined with nature in an instant, and nothing is more pleasant to the ear than the whistling wind and the sound of friction between skis and snow. In the Lens section, we present you with something special involving snow (page 48). Shangri-La is described as a beautiful, breathtaking spiritual Garden of Eden in the best-selling novel Vanishing Horizon. In reality, it is both ethereal and down-to-earth. In the Travel section, we visit Shangri-La, a village under the holy light of the Buddha (page 36). The year 2017 marked the 45th anniversary of the normalization of Sino- Japan diplomatic relations, while this year will mark the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between China and Japan. Munemitsu Erikawa, Japan Airlines’ Executive Officer & Senior VP for China, believes such landmarks will be a positive turning point for Japan-China bilateral mutual exchanges, not only politically, but also in the business and cultural sectors. In the People section, Sky Times interviews Erikawa in his Beijing office to hear his story about Japan Airlines (Page 54). I hope you enjoy the New Year issue and, as always, we endeavor to bring CAAC Inflight Magazine you a newer and better Sky Times. Cao Shenshen with the largest circulation Executive Editor Again, Happy New Year and we wish you a pleasant journey. of all inflight publications. 01 SKY TIMES 009 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

Responsible Institution: Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) Sponsor: Now 04 China Civil Aviation Publishing House 53 President: Ma Songwei People World Cup Carriage Launched on Moscow Metro Publication: Brides-to-be Battle for Wedding Prizes China Civil Aviation Publishing House The Smallest Hotel in the World Sino-Japan Editor-in-Chief: Li Yong Executive Editor: Cao Shenshen Robot Serves Customers Craving Coffee Relation Drives JAL Editors: Feng Shuangqing, Wang Ruosi Animated Fun at the Animation Fair Editorial Consultant: Dominic McIver Rejuvenation / 54 Editor-isuals Photographs: Lu Ning Designing ‘Letters of Love’ / 60 Advertising Director: Zong Miaomiao Voice 09 Items 10 Data 12 A Fiery Trajectory of Aerobatic Flight / 64 Designed By: Alinea Productions

Advertising: CAAC Magazine Corporation Focus 13 Address: CAAC Journal, Civil Aviation Building A, Shilihe, Chaoyang District, Magical Moments Surrounding Spring Festival /14 Lifestyle Beijing, 100122 69 Printing: C&C Joint Printing (Beijing) Co., LTD. Beijing Winter Brunch Guide / 70 Travel 27 A Traditional Touch of Italy in Shanghai / 76 Advertise in Sky Times Email: [email protected] Lose Yourself in the Lovely Chic / 80 Tel: (86-10) 87667513 Books & Films / 82 87387176 Luang Prabang /28 Music Might Explain Why Human Love Cats / 84 Living like a local in Hong Kong / 32 Spend a Special Festival Season in Snowy Hokkaido / 85 Bulgari Hotel Beijing: A display of Italian design spirit / 86 主管: 中国民用航空局 WOW Hong Kong / 35 主办: 中国民航出版社 A Winter Journey to Shangri-La: 社长: 马松伟 出版: 中国民航出版社 The Horizon that Never Vanishes / 36 主编: 李永 执行主编: 曹慎慎 编辑: 冯霜晴、王若思 语言顾问: 多米尼克 · 麦基弗 Flying 87 视觉编辑: 路泞 Culture 广告总监: 宗妙妙 41 设计: 利雅法盛 Eating While Flying: Secrets of 广告独家代理: 中国民航杂志社 Inflight Meals / 88 地址: 北京市朝阳区十里河民航空管楼A座 中国民航报社 Ask the Captain / 94 印刷: 北京华联印刷有限公司 The Wonder of News / 96

ISSUE 9 Wuzhen Theater / 42 January/February 2018 Something Special 国际标准刊号: ISSN2096-1375 about Snow / 48 国内统一刊号: CN10-1381/G1

Cover: The Red Winter, photo by Andre Benz Back cover: Black and White Ski Lift, photo by Reinhard Rosar 02 03 SKY TIMES | Now

World Cup Carriage Launched on Moscow Metro

A new blue-and-red train promoting the upcoming FIFA World Cup has been launched on the Moscow Metro’s Circle Line. Inside the carriages people can read interesting facts about previous tournaments, look at iconic soccer photos and get acquainted with the event’s official mascot: A wolf called Zabivaka (meaning “The One Who Scores”). Russia is set to host the FIFA World Cup finals from June 14 to July 15 at 12 venues spread across 11 cities, including Moscow, St. Petersburg and Sochi.

Brides-to-be Battle for Wedding Prizes

Thai brides-to-be do a math task at the Running of the Brides event in Bangkok, Thailand, on Dec. 2, 2017. A total of 600 brides-to-be and their grooms competed in a running race for a chance to win more than 2 million baht (US$61,000) in wedding package prizes, including a pair of white-gold diamond rings and a honeymoon trip to the Maldives.

04 05 SKY TIMES | Now

Robot Serves Customers Craving Coffee Located in Lac Trung street, Hanoi, the robotic coffee shop has attracted a large number of customers these days with a robot serving drinks to the tables. A group of young people have successfully created a robot named Mortar, which is 130 cm tall and 20 kg in weight. The robot can work in 15 hours with fully charge. When a customer order a drink, the coffee staff will prepare and place the tray on the robot’s hands, choose the table number so it can find the way to the table. The magnetic sensor will help Robot Mortar detect a tract to follow. The robot can say simple words such as hello, thank you, please or ask people to give way.

The Smallest Hotel in the World The smallest hotel in the world is basically just a Volkswagen Beetle with a gutted interior filled with hand-embroidered sheets and pillows on a bed that pretty much fills up the car. The Beetle hotel was opened in 2011 by now 64-year-old Mohammed Al Malaheem in the tiny Jordanian village of Al Jaya. The Beetle sleeps two, and offers a traditional Jordanian breakfast or lunch, as well as excellent service from Al Malaheem and his wife and daughter, who also crafted the Beetle’s interior furnishings.

06 07 SKY TIMES | Now SKY TIMES | Voice

The first post-90s generation are travelling to the Antarctic during the 2018 Chinese Spring Festival. The group is said to travel more frequent than last generations, who also take an unusual path when it comes to the travel destination. One third of the customers who choose our Antarctic tour are born in the 1990s, who are apt to leading and guiding the future travel market.

– Fliggy, OTA Platform

Artificial intelligence (AI) may actually create more jobs than it’s expected to eliminate. By 2020, AI will generate 2.3 million jobs, exceeding the 1.8 million that it will wipe out. The number of jobs affected will vary from industry to industry. The public sector, healthcare and education are expected to gain the most jobs, while manufacturing and transportation may be the hit the hardest.

– Gartner, Consulting Firm

A flourishing ecosystem is bound to come across its fair share of black swans and grey rhinos, but by working together and sharing success, we can make ourselves immune to them – or at least fend them off while we find our way forward in a thoroughly uncertain future. – Huawei, Smartphone Producer V O I C E Animated Fun Don’t walk in front I believe that everything happens for a reason. of me… I may not People change so that you can learn to let go, at the Animation Fair follow... Don’t things go wrong so that you appreciate them walk behind me… when they’re right, you believe lies so you Anime fans dress as Spiderman at the Tokyo International Animation Fair in early December, 2017. I may not lead... Walk beside eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes Anime and Manga are an integral part of Japanese me… just be my friend. good things fall apart so better things can fall together. culture, capturing the attention of millions of fans worldwide. – Albert Camus – Marilyn Monroe

08 09 SKY TIMES | Items

Icon Ski Jacket Helly Hansen AS, Norway On the strength of its H2Flow ™ temperature correction system, Helly Hansen has raised its ski jackets’ temperature control Get the Gear performance to a new level. The drainage system of Icon can bring cold air in or out through pores, improving the jackets’ heat transfer performance by 20 percent. In order to ensure better comfort, rear panels made of smooth fabrics are used for its inner lining, perfectly matching the jackets. As another highlight of the jacket, the pockets to Go Skiing at the chest position are designed for warmth retention purposes, which can improve the warmth retention performance threefold and can ensure the safety of mobile phones and maintain temperatures for normal use.

H059-2335 Hawx Ultra 130 Ski Pants HALTI, Finland Snowshoes Featured with slim fit, ATOMIC, Austria lightweight and high- Deep gloves Hawx Ultra 130 are known as the simplest and lightest type of end style, the ski pants snowshoes in ATOMIC’s production history. Due to the innovative are skin-friendly and Neutral Gloves structure design, they weigh at least 25 percent less than other warmer due to the HALTI, Finland snowshoes. In addition, they have an automatic memory system, which wool blend materials DrymaxX fabrics are used for the surface can help adjust the shoes to meet your needs for dimension and inner in their inner lining. of the HALTI neutral gloves, having wind- lining within several minutes, freeing you from the repeated adjustment Latest environmental and moisture-proof features. Microtherm troubles. The extremely simple design styles enable you to enjoy visual technologies have been 80-series thermal fibers are inserted in its agility and comfort. adopted for their fabrics, inner part, providing impressive warmth providing sufficient retention performance. Due to its pattern personal protection while design perfectly matching the hand achieving environmental structure, users can still use their hands Z3 protection purposes. They freely when they wear such gloves. are four-way resilient and Ski Helmet highly air-permeable. HMR Helmets Hammer, Italy Carbon Fiber D Z3 features an outer part made of high-polymer Ski Pole polycarbonate materials, while its internal part is LEKI, Germany made of polystyrene materials with a ventilation The Carbon Fiber D Ski Pole is designed structure design. In addition to the two based on a golf club, featuring anti-skidding ventilation devices installed on the top of the and vibration-damping functions, and helmet’s inner part, there is a ventilation hole providing a perfect sense of handling. Due on its back, which allows the ready passage of to the screw mounts on the top of the pole water and air. Z3 complies with the EN1077 support, pole supports of various sizes standards, with each helmet having passed can be screwed up or down without strict quality management tests. The built- requiring any tools, with vibrations REVENT Q in ear pads are made of synthetic leather with directly dampened. The elastic pole Eye Protection Glasses for Skiing the thermal shaping technology guaranteeing a tip made of carbon fiber with the ATOMIC, Austria reasonable earshot for skiers. same density as diamond is As specialized eye protection glasses designed for all-terrain skiers, Revent strong and hardwearing, and Q has clear super-large views and can be easily adapted to different meets the needs for any environments. Its prominent feature is the “quick-click” mirror surface terrain with its angularity system, which can achieve mirror switch in seconds through one click. The being 30 degrees. two-sphere mirror surface has scratch- and fog-proof functions, and multi- Speedmax Classic Cold N06717 coated lenses can effectively prevent the damage that may be caused by Carbon Fiber Snowboards harmful rays to eyes. The personal real-time FIT system can guarantee FISCHER, Austria Revent Q’s intimate adaptation and comfort at any time and any place. K2 As an established sport brand with a long history in Austria, FISCHER holds an important position in the international tennis and ski Snowboards, the USA markets, especially having unshakable dominance in the cross-country skiing and ski-jumping fields. With its high technological content As K2’s brand founders, and extremely low self-weight, FISCHER’s latest cold-resistance products, Speedmax series snowboards, are suitable for cold weather brothers Bill and Don Kirschner below -2ºC, and are specialized snowboards selected and used by World Cup players. are reputed as the “Fathers of Glass Fiber Snowboards in the United States”. Their colorful snowboards are still favored by young snowboarders even today.

10 11 SKY TIMES | Data

Top Statistics on Traveling to Europe Twenty years ago, taking a trip to Europe was a luxury for most Chinese. But now, with the improvements in people’s living standards and the sustained growth of China-EU relations, increasing numbers of Chinese are able and willing to travel beyond Asia. Recently, China’s famous online travel agent Qunar.com released its European Travel & Tourism report, providing statistics about the most popular destinations and the best time to go.

Best destinations and 1 dates for European travel

Most Chinese travelers like going to EUROPE Europe in July, August and September, with peak numbers seen in September. In December, during the ski season, more travelers visit northern Europe to go skiing or see the aurora.

Favorite countries 2 for male and female travelers

In 2017, the top-3 most popular destinations for Chinese travelers were Russia, the United Kingdom Focus and France, with the proportion of men to women visiting Europe measuring 1:1.35.

Russia Britain France

Best time to book air Most popular transit cities 3 tickets 4

March and November are the cheapest months As we all know, connecting flights help save to travel, with the average price (including tax) of money. In 2017, 55 percent of travelers chose round-trip tickets being 3,233.42 RMB (US$487) connecting flights to go to Europe, with and 3,212.19 RMB (US$484) respectively. Due to Moscow, Amsterdam, Helsinki and Paris the the summer vacation period, the prices of tickets are most popular cities for transit. highest in July.

￥6169.47 ￥5345.08 3212.19 ￥3233.42 ￥3667.59

Paris JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC

Helsinki Amsterdam Moscow 12 Focus Magical Moments Surrounding Spring Festival

Photos Wang Yang Special thanks to Aman Summer Palace

ome is a place we are sentimentally attached to. The Chinese Lunar New Year is H regarded as the most important day in China, on which people make an arduous journey to rush back home. Due to special positions, some people, in particular those in the civil aviation industry, have to deviate from the direction of home. With people anxious to return to their families, the Spring Festival travel rush is the busiest time of the year. These five stories record the unusual life trajectory of five civil aviation workers and their mixed emotions at this time of year.

14 15 Focus

It was New Year’s Eve, colorful landing, Yang Yong deliberately of his work, it did not do anything fireworks brightened the night sky in came out from the cockpit and sent to combat his feeling of being downtown Shanghai, rising here and off the passengers at the cabin door homesick. However, this bitterness subsiding there. About 30 kilometers together with the crew, offering has now developed into a feeling of A Pilot’s Sacrifice for away, the light on the apron of holiday greetings. The thanks he responsibility. Pudong International Airport received from the passengers left a Having had to give up the joy appeared sporadic and hazy in the warm feeling in his heart. of reuniting with his family, Yang fog. Captain Yang Yong stared at the “Such stories are normal,” said Yong thinks the Spring Festival is scene outside the cockpit window Yang Yong. Having graduated particularly special for him. On the Greater Good New Year’s Eve, when he flies to and worried about the worsening from the Civil Aviation Flight weather, with the desire to take off University of China in 1998, he the cities in which the company’s Text Feng Shuangqing punctually more urgent than usual. now serves as a captain of A330 operating bases are located, the There were not many passengers on aircraft for the Flight Department company will organize the crew the aircraft, but the luggage racks of China Eastern Airlines Beijing coming from all corners of the were full of New Year gifts. Branch. Yang Yong has flown country to have a reunion dinner. Yang Yong With the cabin door beginning nearly 16,000 hours. During his If he flies abroad during the Spring Captain for China Eastern Airlines to close as the scheduled departure two decades of flying, he can only Festival, he and his colleagues enjoy time approached, Yang Yong remember spending New Year’s the Chinese New Year celebrations received an inquiry from the Eve with his family three times. going on in other countries. ground service desk asking whether “I have not spent New Year’s Eve In Sydney, the major streets in more passengers could board, as with my family for many years; it the central business district are two people had just arrived at the now seems abnormal to spend the festooned with red lanterns. The boarding gate. Airline companies festival with my family.” walls of the opera house are lit often close the hatches about 15 China’s Spring Festival is a red, while dragon and lion dances minutes before takeoff, and only time for returning home. Whether and firecrackers are often seen. On when the hatches are closed can traveling by trains, planes or New Year’s Eve, he can appreciate the captains request a takeoff time automobiles, people head back to the lanterns, songs and dances on from the control tower. Reopening their family nest like migratory the street. Going to Chinatown in the hatch means that a new birds. But for Yang Yong, he has to the early hours of the first day of departure time must be obtained. work as usual and it is the busiest the Lunar New Year, he may also In an airport where takeoffs and time of the year for him. With receive “lucky money” wrapped landings are frequent, opening the more frequent flights and newly in red envelopes from the mayor hatch may delay the flight by half added routes, Yang Yong often of Sydney. In Bangkok, the oldest an hour or more. According to needs to perform three flights a and largest temple — the Reclining regulations, unless there are special day. The A330 aircraft he flies can Buddha — is often festooned red circumstances, the hatch may not be carry nearly 300 passengers, with lanterns, and the Thai monks chant opened after it is closed. However, all flights full during the Spring in groups to bring in the Chinese Yong quickly thought it over and Festival. New Year. No matter where he decided to let the passengers on. When a flight lands, hurried is, Yang Yong likes to spend the Low visibility meant many footsteps showcase the passengers’ festival surrounded by noise and airplanes waited on the apron of the anticipation of seeing their loved excitement, which is the traditional airport. Minute by minute, travelers ones. Yang Yong’s desire to return way for Chinese to celebrate the who were eager to go home became home ripples in his heart. The Spring Festival. increasingly impatient. Due to heavy words “New Year” are full of After flying for so many years, fog and delays, the flight faced festivity and cause an image of he has gained a deep understanding being canceled. Yang Yong was sizzling firecrackers alongside of his occupation. In Yang Yong’s busy in the cockpit communicating red decorations and a variety of eyes, his responsibility is to deliver with air-traffic control staff about delicacies to flash through his mind. passengers to their destination the departure time. He then Although it was long time ago, safely. He even finds joy in addressed the passengers: “I will do Yang Yong remembers the first knowing that his sacrifices at a my utmost to ensure that the plane time he could not go home on New time like Chinese New Year are for takes off and flies you home.” With Year’s Eve. It was the second year the greater good. It is something he the joint efforts of the crew, the after he had started flying. Although considers not only his duty, but his plane took off successfully. After his parents were very supportive mission.

16 17 Focus

Each year, during Spring Yuan Yang started working as Spring Festival is a major test for Festival, passengers taking Air a flight attendant in 2013, which many industries, civil aviation in China Beijing-bound flights will is the last time she celebrated particular. During the holiday, the see a Chinese knot hanging on the Spring Festival at home. Many number of passengers and amount wallboard of the cabin door and migrant workers go home in the of luggage transported reaches Spending Spring other red decorations featuring days leading up to New Year’s yearly highs. With passengers Chinese characters wishing them Eve, during which flights are more anxious to return home as soon blessings such as health, wealth frequent than ever. Yuan Yang can as possible, Yuan Yang and her and happiness. only return home to have a reunion colleagues make efforts to help Festival in the Air If you happen to fly home on dinner with her family after the passengers place their luggage in an the days leading up to the holiday, inital travel rush is over. An old orderly fashion to save boarding Text Feng Shuangqing you may enjoy a Spring Festival- woman on her way to reunite with time and avoid delays caused by themed flight. Flight attendant Yuan her daughter for Spring Festival human error. Yang, who has worked previously once turned to her and said: “Dear, With spring following winter, the as a television hostess, often plays you have had a long flight. Hope holiday is not only to celebrate the the role of MC in the air. She asks you would enjoy the happy family harvest, but also to greet the New Yuan Yang quiz questions related to air safety hours at home.” Yuan Yang was Year. In Yuan Yang’s eyes, Chinese Flight Attendant for Air China and interacts with passengers who overcome with mixed emotions and New Year represents reunion and answer questions, giving out gifts held back her tears. growth. One’s heart grows fonder prepared in advance to the winners. “To be honest, I missed my of faraway loved ones on lonely On a flight from Karamay, a parents very much, but at that festive days. The festival reminds passenger who answered a question special moment, I realized that people of the sequence of time and left a deep impression on Yuan being an airline stewardess is a the past year’s harvest. When the Yang. He wore his work overalls noble profession and we can take New Year comes, people find peace from Karamay Oilfield because pride in our sense of mission when in their hearts and leave negativity he had no time to change before transporting passengers home,” behind, taking on a fresh outlook rushing to the airport to take the she said. for the year ahead. last flight home. As the working Due to her profession, Yuan On New Year’s Eve, when the environment at the oilfield is Yang occasionally spends the clock strikes midnight, people begin tough, employees take turns to go most important holidays abroad. to set off fireworks to celebrate home to celebrate Spring Festival. During the Lunar New Year in Spring Festival. One year, when The man’s story struck a chord in 2016, she had to fly to London. Yuan Yang’s flight was landing, Yuan Yang’s heart. Before boarding, Yuan Yang she saw fireworks from the plane “Passengers’ stories about their and her colleagues went to the window. She felt the joy of others joys and sorrows, told on the most local supermarket to buy meat behind a curtain of twinkling lights important days of the year for and vegetables, and then made and was overcome with emotion. Chinese people, have left me deeply dumplings together. “As ingredients “If I did not choose this profession, moved,” she said. for Chinese food are rarely sold in I might not have had the chance to Yuan Yang’s hometown is foreign supermarkets, and the enjoy such a magnificent moment.” Shenyang, capital of northeast crew has no time or China’s Liaoning Province. For facilities to cook children in the northeast, Spring a big dinner, Festival is synonymous with snow. dumplings When there is heavy snowfall, they represent build snowmen and decorate them Spring with their own scarves and hats. Festival Each finished snowman is stamped for them. with a strong personal touch and Eating left standing for many days. The dumplings winter vacation is the best time for in foreign them to go skating, when they can countries experience the joy of speed skating, gives them an which symbolizes the speed and important taste passion of life in the north. of home.”

18 19 Focus

line of the strip. Like a symphony out in batches using strong air- permission, no aircraft can use conductor, it controls the speed of blowers. Drawing out a beautiful the strips. “Only after the friction the whole operation. Following are curve, the snow falls down to the coefficient reading exceeds 0.3 four snow removal vehicles, which soil besides the strip. is the airworthiness requirement Life’s Most Fantastic move along in two rows. The first Following are four de- satisfied.” two vehicles push the snow away, icing vehicles and two friction Passengers never see these while the other two clear any snow coefficient testing vehicles. The backstage snow removal that is left behind. de-icing vehicles spray a specially operations. “What we do every Firework Behind are six snow-plow processed fluid on the ground. “It day is quite normal. The hustle and vehicles in three rows. In the cannot do any harm to the strip or bustle of transportation during Text Cao Shenshen lower front of the vehicles, there aircraft components, especially the the Spring Festival travel rush is is a huge rolling brush, which tires,” Li said. nothing special for us.” That being can blow away snow with cool With such a grand troop of said, whenever he recalls the New air and push snow to both sides. vehicle, we can clear a strip within Year fireworks at the airport, Li Then there are two prominent 25 to 30 minutes. The friction feels a sense of joy and fantasy. The For Li Dejun, the best Chinese he comes home, the snow-throwing vehicles, which coefficient testing vehicles are fantastic imagery has become a New Year’s Eve he has ever had snow has already can swallow the snow piled up the most important of the whole lifelong memory, which will never was the one he spent at Beijing melted. by the former vehicles and spit snow removal task. Without their fade away. Capital International Airport Li Dejun is a three years ago. At midnight, Li ground officer and his colleagues climbed up the at Beijing Capital Li Dejun open rooftop. Fireworks joyously International Airport, Ground Officer for Beijing bloomed in the night sky. So which means his scope Capital International Airport near, yet so far. “It was like being of work covers all areas surrounded by the fireworks — a where aircraft operate. In feeling I have never had before,” he spring, summer and winter, said. Memories of this moment are his work mainly focuses on the deeply embedded in Li’s mind, and testing of airstrips and taxiways, he will never forget it. including their friction coefficient While Li has spent his past and potential risks. In winter, he the field road, including the snow 21 years at the airport, seeing has another important duty — the on the strips and taxiways, as well airplanes come and go, he does commander of snow removal on as on the apron. not have any special feelings about the runways. As you can imagine, it is not the Spring Festival travel rush. Li, a veteran who is always light work. The airfield at BCIA Over the years, Li’s work has been on duty when snow comes, said: covers 15.73 square kilometers, restricted to the three runways. “Once the alarm is sounded, we of which 7.56 sq km is road area. “You cannot sense the atmosphere must switch to standby status and There are 139 taxiways and 319 of Spring Festival unless you deal be ready to work anytime.” aprons. With only 150 snow with passengers.” The airfield is the area for the removal workers and 98 vehicles, Among all civil aviation takeoff, landing, taxiing and it is stressful work. Staff must departments, Li’s has the longest parking of airplanes. In this area, make sure that aprons, roads and preparation period for winter there are airport traffic control indicator lights are snow-free so operations. “From July or August towers; hangers for aircraft that they can direct the way for to the following March or April, we maintenance; special vehicles aircrafts. have work on vehicle maintenance, with various functions; functional When there is no snow, snow personnel and emergency drills to numbers and lines on the ground; removal drills are still carried out get ready for the winter.” letters and numbers on light boxes; at the airport, but snow removal In Li’s daughter’s mind, snow is and white or blue lights on the vehicles only operate in winter. nature’s clock. “When it begins to airstrips and taxiways. “When in operation, a dozen of snow, Daddy will go to work, no “During the winter, the work the vehicles move steadily along matter what time it is,” she said. of de-icing includes snow removal the strips in precise positions with The girl has a simple wish. She on the field road and ice removal different functions,” Li said. hopes that, one day, Li will build a from airplanes.” Li’s department is In the front is an instructor snowman with her. But every time responsible for snow removal on vehicle. It drives along the center

20 21 Focus

Chinese New Year for a Foreign Son-in-Law

Text Feng Shuangqing

Every year, foreigners come to on New Year’s Eve, her parents The first time Matthias went to China for work, travel and to live. would be busy until 2 a.m. or 3 his wife’s hometown, he received They witness many traditional a.m., adding that they would get up a red envelope from her relatives. Chinese symbols, among which, early the next morning to prepare a Though Germans send each other Spring Festival is the most dozen dishes. gifts at Christmas, Matthias found important and unique. Matthias found out that in his it surprising that Chinese people Matthias Ravn is German. For wife’s hometown, people compete send each other money. Taught by him, Spring Festival in 2016 was against each other to be the earliest his wife, he also sent red envelopes more important than ever before. It to begin dinner. At 9 a.m. or 10 a.m., to kids when they were paying was not only the first time for him firecrackers begin to crack and New Year’s visits. to celebrate the Chinese New Year, splutter, with the sound becoming “In Hamburg, my hometown, but also the first time for him to deafening. Combined with the we have similar ways to celebrate accompany his wife in returning to alarm of electric motors and cars, the New Year. We also have her hometown in Hunan Province to it seems to make the earth tremble reunions with our relatives and celebrate the festival with her friends and the mountains sway. Matthias’ have parties. But we only celebrate and relatives. The rural life of the wife explained that is a signal for the festival for one day — Dec. south, featuring the curling smoke dinner. In Matthias’ hometown, 31. In China, family members Matthias from kitchen chimneys and various fireworks are also a must-have all over the nation go back to Production manager for Aircraft festival customs enabled Matthias to during festivals. But instead of their hometown and celebrate the Maintenance and Engineering experience a different side of China. being watched, China’s fireworks festival for 15 days. I am curious Corporation If asked to describe the Spring are to be listened to, with the sound as to why the date of these 15 Festival in one word, Matthias lasting for several days. “You want days is different every year.” would choose “food”. At his to sleep? No way. You want get up Matthias is a production from high school, he became an connection with large-scale with millions of Chinese people, parents-in-law’s home, a day after 6 a.m.? No way,” he said. manager for Aircraft Maintenance apprentice of aircraft structural transportation during the Spring Matthias experienced the starts with a bowl of hot noodles. In the rural south, where there and Engineering Corporation maintenance engineering. Festival. With the volume of flights transportation rush during the “We had to eat from morning to is no heating, Matthias sat around (Ameco). His workplace Then he went to Hamburg soaring, the workload of craft Spring Festival. In 2017, when night. From one relative’s home to the fire with his wife and relatives. encompasses more than 30,000 Polytechnic University, where maintenance also increases. In Mathias took the high-speed another, we had to eat something Spring Festival Gala — the most square meters of hangers and 8,500 he got his master’s degree in Matthias’ department, the number train, he was struck by how everywhere we visited. Friends and popular TV show — was broadcast square meters of repair workshops. production economics. In 2014, of airplanes in need of maintenance crowded the station was. From relatives always served us with again and again. People talked His duties include all production he participated in a cooperation during Spring Festival largely the crowd, he sensed people’s fruits and nuts,” he said. The long with each other loudly and warmly. processes of passenger cabin project between Ameco and exceeds that of other times. Before hope and excitement. His preparation for New Year’s dinner Though Matthias cannot speak configuration, interior structure Lufthansa, and went to China for the festival, to ensure their best Chinese colleagues and friends surprised Matthias. Chicken and Chinese, relatives and friends did and fuselage spraying. the first time. In Beijing, he not condition and all-day operation, told him that some people fail to pork joints are steamed in the not give up talking to him. “They At the age of 14, Matthias only found himself a job, but also Matthias has to work all week buy a ticket and have to stand cooking range, while pig’s knuckles would communicate through body worked as an intern at Lufthansa’s met his true love — a colleague at long without a day off. on the train for three days. But, and beef are braised in the stockpot. language, or simply offer me food. maintenance base. This internship Ameco from Hunan Province. From 2016 to 2017, from the despite this, nothing can stop Cured meat and hot pot is also They have various ways to show aroused his interest in aircraft Working in the transportation north to the south, and from Chinese returning home during prepared. Matthias’ wife said that their friendliness.” maintenance. After graduating industry, Matthias has a deep urban to rural areas, together the Spring Festival.

22 23 Focus

Liu Yixian Air Traffic Controller of CAAC North China Air Traffic Hidden Heroes of the Management Bureau Control Tower

Text Cao Shenshen

In the film Flipped, Julia, the As her hometown of Shijiazhuang prepared by Dad; the dumplings heroine, likes the big sycamore in Hebei Province is not far from made by Mom; the creamy tree next to the bus stop so much the capital city, she has offered birthday cake; the tianguozi, a that she would give up everything to be on duty during the Spring Chinese traditional dessert cooked including her own life to protect Festival so that her colleagues who by my grandparents; and the it, because she can see the most come from further afield could fascinating array of fireworks I breathtaking view of the town return home and reunite with their would watch with my Dad after from its top. Julia’s feeling strikes a families. the Spring Festival Gala came to chord with Liu Yixian. Be it a domestic or overseas pilot an end.” Liu’s memories of Spring There is a group of people who arriving in Beijing, Liu greets them Festival were perfumed with the work every day in the 90-meter- by saying “Happy New Year”. On fragrance of daffodils and the high control tower, surrounded Spring Festival Eve everyone in her sweetness of life. by 360-degree panoramic views. team prepares a dish that presents After graduating, Liu and Earphones, microphones, marks a taste of his or her hometown. her Mr Right, whom she met and planes on the tarmac are all “Those from northeast China bring at college, went to Beijing part of their routines. Although dumplings with sour vegetable together. Liu worked as a tower they cannot reunite with their fillings; those from Shaanxi share controller, commanding takeoffs families for Spring Festival, they bianshi, a northern version of and landings, taxiing, and the behold the most fascinating dumplings; and those from Hunan pushing back and starting up of all landscape in the world — the sky offer a plate of glutinous rice planes at BCIA’s three terminals. above — which they safeguard day cakes.” Meanwhile, her husband served as and night. The traditions of Spring Festival an approach controller, in charge Things feel different when are of great significance and of the command of the aircraft one celebrates Spring Festival at shared by all Chinese. Children getting into and out of the terminal the control tower. “On Spring look forward to new clothes and areas. Despite different duties, the Festival Eve, we can appreciate red envelopes, while adults strive sacred sense of purpose and the joy almost all of the fireworks shot to return to their hometown. of having similar responsibilities up into the sky above the city of For Liu, the festival has a special provided the two with a special Beijing. Without referring to a importance attached to it, because kind of happiness. In the days watch, we are able to tell when her birthday happens to be on the when they could not celebrate it is midnight by the density of 30th day of the last month of the Spring Festival together at home, fireworks. It is the best view one Chinese lunar calendar, namely, they met each other, comforted can witness from that height,” Spring Festival Eve, which means each other, or had meals together said Liu Yixian, a controller at it is the happiest day of the entire in the canteen at their workplace. the Beijing Control Tower of year for her. Things are plain and simple CAAC North China Air Traffic “When I was a little girl, between them, but that is how they Management Bureau. Spring Festival was my favorite celebrate. Liu has spent six Spring Festivals holiday. Everything about it “During the day, the controller at the Beijing Capital International was memorable: the blossoming has to command a large amount Airport over the past seven years. of daffodils; the delicious food of domestic and overseas flights,

24 25 Focus

Photo by Nordwood Themes while at night, it is rush hour for it safely and smoothly counts as a coordinating the landing was, but cargo airlines and international real end of the year for them. “Once Liu and her team could feel the flights,” said Liu. “So our work is we have completed that period, relief the pregnant woman and her non-stop, 24 hours a day, 365 days we always sleep for a whole day, family felt after she was treated a year.” because we are so tired.” in hospital. They felt as satisfied The process of departure As the flight volume increases, as the doctors who successfully clearance, pushing back the chance of emergencies goes up. treated the woman. and starting up, taxiing and “During Spring Festival, due to the Liu’s wish for Spring Festival this taking off takes an aircraft large number of travelers and the year is that all passengers return approximately 30 minutes. It cold weather, it is highly possible home safely and reunite happily involves several controllers in to encounter incidents such as with their families. Behind every the control tower doing different passengers becoming ill during a takeoff and landing are countless jobs simultaneously. Out of one flight. To handle it, we must race efforts of CAAC employees. When minute, 25 seconds is used to send against time.” On a day close to flights soar freely in the sky, it is Travel instructions, 25 seconds to receive Spring Festival Eve one year, Liu workers like Liu who help ensure the pilot’s readback and another received a sudden application from the safety of passengers. 10 seconds to coordinate the an aircrew for priority landing Many years ago, in a memorable control plan. On top of that, the when a pregnant woman was video clip issued by the National controllers have to type the digital suffering a hemorrhage. Air Traffic Controller Associations flight strips, with eyes on the “The first thing that came to my of the United States, it said “We runway to make sure nothing is in mind was to seize every minute guide you home” as a little girl the way. “At the busiest time, we to help protect a new life,” Liu ran toward her father. As the are constantly talking and have no said. As the flight volume in the busiest airport in China, BCIA time for a break.” airspace was near saturation, the ranks second in the world in terms In 2018, Liu will spend her only option was to open a “green of the number of daily takeoffs seventh Spring Festival in the channel” in the air for the plane. and landings on a single track. control tower, a period of time “Due to the limited space and Underneath the moonlight, air when the flight volume sees an large number of aircrafts, the plane traffic controllers are sending increase of around 100 flights had a high risk of collision with instructions to each aircrew. per day. “Instructions upon other planes, but no one opposed While aboard the planes, some instructions. We literally have no the action. Instead, we fixed our passengers are looking forward time for break.” During Spring eyes on the radar screen to avoid to returning home and others are Festival, the controllers work this from happening. Everyone already enjoying a reunion. At this from 5 a.m. until 3 a.m. the next breathed a sigh of relief after the moment, the selfless controllers Lose Yourself in the Lovely Luang Prabang / 28 day, totaling 20 hours of intensive flight landed safely on the runway.” are sacrificing their New Year Living like a local in Hong Kong / 32 work. The passengers would not have celebrations to guarantee the Spring Festival is the final hurdle been aware how complex the safety of every aircrew and WOW Hong Kong / 35 for CAAC employees. Overcoming situation facing the controllers in passenger. A Winter Journey to Shangri-La: The Horizon that Never Vanishes / 36

26 Travel | World

Lose Yourself in the

ince I traveled to Myanmar colonial building. The newest five years ago, no other entrant, Azeraiby renowned Southeast Asian country hotelier Adrian Zecha, offers a S or city had impressed me contemporary, elegant dwelling. Lovely Luang Prabang for its landscape and spirituality A comfortable and luxurious Text Patsy Yang Photos Yuan Tingting as much as that nation did until stay is assured in Luang I visited Luang Prabang, which Prabang, but outside, early in the stands at the confluence of the morning, the saffron-clad monks Nam Khan and Mekong rivers in walk silently down the street northern Laos. collecting alms. In just three days, this It is called the Tak Bat ritual. incredibly enchanting town full It reveals the city’s venerable of heritage, regal history and tradition and distinction besides spiritual nourishment left a deep the top-notch hospitality. impression on me. The locals prepare the alms With ancient temples and stupas even before the monks arrive. scattered everywhere, and beautiful They are full of Lao staple — French colonial houses lining up sticky rice and some other food. the main streets, the town slows It is a tradition that every monk down your pulse rate. All you need gets a scoopful of rice in his bowl. to do is unhurried exploration They carry a large lidded bowl on foot. Luang Prabang might attached to a strap hanging from be overshadowed by locations the shoulder. The streets are lined in its more popular neighboring with almsgivers who are usually countries Thailand and Cambodia, kneeling on the ground. but after it was designated a This ceremony is done in silence UNESCO World Heritage Site in — monks do not speak, nor the 1995, it has grown as a destination almsgivers. in the region. But despite a surge in A spiritual township and tourist traffic, it has still managed a former capital of Laos, the to retain its nostalgic vibe, serenity peninsula town is recognized as and peace. a cultural and religious center for Like its friendly slow-paced Theravada Buddhism. There are locals, Luang Prabang has over 30 active temples scattered its own rhythm and throughout the peninsula, and pace. High- end groups of saffron-robed monks international and novices from eight to 80 years hotels and old are a common sight at any time resorts have of the day throughout the town. been eyeing Once the home of the 14th- this piece of century Lan Xang Hom Khao land as their (meaning “A million elephants and Luang Prabang in northern Laos next leisure the white parasol”), Laos became a destination, French protectorate in 1893. More may not be on the itinerary of including than a century later, it is now one Amantaka; of the lesser-known, but beautifully every tourist, but those looking La Residence preserved, living heritage sites in Phou Vao the world. for inner peace and spiritual retreat The exceptional fusion of overlooking traditional architecture and urban satisfaction are unlikely to give the lush jungle; structures influenced by the 19th- and M Gallery by and 20th-century European colonial it a miss. Sofitel that is housed settlers provides a picturesque in a restored historical setting for residents and visitors.

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IF YOU GO How to get there Luang Prabang International Airport can be reached by scheduled flights from Bangkok (1 hour, 35 minutes), Kunming (1 hour ) or Hanoi (55 minutes).

When to visit Laos enjoys a warm, tropical climate year- round. The best time for travel is during the dry season — from November to March — when the temperatures can drop to 15ºC in the evening, and remains around 25ºC during the day. Visitors should wear light but conservative attire during temple visits.

Where to stay Azerai renowned hotelier Adrian Zecha chose the heart of the old town of Luang Prabang as the location for his first hotel property under the new Azerai hotel brand. Azerai is a contemporary interpretation of a simple and elegant dwelling for today’s urbane travelers. The hotel is designed around a central garden with its 25-meter-long An early morning stroll a naga, the mythological serpent pool shaded by an old banyan tree and flanked following the town’s daily sacred believed to protect Buddhism. by daybeds and loungers. It has 53 rooms and traditions is probably the best The temples are all unique and boasts one of the best spas in town where the way to appreciate the many nestled against the lush green therapists are well trained in their craft. beautiful temples hidden among backdrop. There is a rare sense admire French provincial the intricate blend of buildings of peace early in the morning architecture. Check out the 3 Nagas Luang Prabang — M Gallery by Sofitel. If with French, Vietnamese and in this compact riverside town, 100-meter-tall Phu Si for you want to experience the colonial charm where Chinese influences. and an unhurried way of life fantastic town views. past meets present, 3 Nagas is an ideal dwelling in I started my exploration from as you follow the beauty of the If time permits, discover the local the heart of Luang Prabang. The timeless boutique Wat Xieng Thong, the town’s architecture and the meandering handmade textiles, have a Laotian hotel, composed of three historic houses, is a best-known monastery and path of the Mekong. beer along the riverbank and bewitching place to explore the colorful street the religious emblem of Luang The former Royal Palace just indulge in the local gastronomy. markets, glistening temples and cultural sites. Its Prabang. It is a beauty composed off the main street showcases a Although Luang Prabang teems 3 Nagas Restaurant is one of the most famous in of a central ordination hall, mixture of traditional Lao and with travelers and backpackers town, offering succulent Laotian cuisine in a cozy several stupas and little compact French beaux-arts style. Set in a often seen in Thailand, it is not indoor bistro or al fresco courtyards. chapel halls featuring intricately well-tended garden and built in such a party destination. Travelers carved walls, lavish and elaborate 1904, it was the residence of the often show up in the night market, Belmond La Residence Phou Vao is positioned paintings, mosaics and rare king and is now the Royal Palace where an eclectic mix of vibrant atop a hill with stunning mountain views and Buddhist deities. The site is also an Museum boasting much of the handcrafted textiles, home wares is a memorable place to stay away from the important gathering place for the well-preserved treasures of the and jewelry alongside some city center. Set within the hectares of lush town’s significant annual festivals. kingdom. It is well worth a couple authentic local street food and green vegetation, the hotel is a blissful retreat The temples have common of hours to learn about Lao’s tropical fruits are displayed. where guests can indulge in French-influenced cuisine, open-air spa, or simply soak up the features such as the gleaming history and culture. By 11 p.m., much of the town relaxing vibe. temple roofs and elaborate front Luang Prabang is a captivating goes to sleep and its bliss until facades. The tips of the roof are place to spend time, wander sunrise again when one wakes up adorned with finials shaped like through the Lao temples and to the almsgiving tradition.

30 31 Travel | City Insider

What are the If you search this on the web, you will get answers like The Peak and Lady’s Market. As Living like a local in city’s must-see fascinating as these places are, my list of must-see attractions gives you a sneak peak at Hong attractions? Kong’s much calmer side. Tai Lam Chung Resevoir offers a breathtaking view of Hong Kong’s thousand islands — a stark contrast to the bustling districts of Asia’s world city. Tai O Fishing Village is the Venice of Hong Kong, featuring little houses on stilts —some of which you can dine in. Sheung Wan is Hong Kong’s financial district and home to streets of mom-and-pop stores, quaint cafes that brew up a great cup of coffee. Head toward Sai Yin Pun and you will find yourself wandering the high streets lined with numerous restaurants, offering all types of cuisines. Kowloon City is home to some of Hong Kong’s most notorious criminals, gangs and businesses. Now, home to Hong Kong’s Thai community, the district has preserved its Text Cao Shenshen dilapidated outlook, but perhaps, not for long. If you are in Kowloon City, be sure to drop by Kowloon City Park and marvel at the remodel of the Kowloon Walled City. End your day with some authentic Thai food and conclude your meal by dining at Hap Sing Dessert for a Hong Kong warming bowl of hot almond soup.

Born in Taiwan and educated in Boston, Jessica is now living in Hong Kong. She loves traveling, hiking, exercising and most importantly, eating. She is willing to try anything and with attractions, food, culture and history, Hong Kong is just the right place to fulfill all her needs.

What makes It is essentially a concoction of cultures — the ultimate melting point with so much to offer. What is Hong Kong’s best- Get off the MTR at random spots. Do not always head for Causeway Hong Kong Not just culturally, but landscape-wise as well. You can find yourself being inundated by the kept secret away from the Bay or Central — try Sham Shui Po or Tai Po — you never know what special in your crowds at Mong Kok, then 20 minutes later, you are surrounded by serenity in the rolling hills tourist trail? you might run into or what hidden gem you might find. eyes? of some of Hong Kong’s most beautiful country parks.

Where do you take your Tung Po — set in the North Point wet market — serves one of my How does one Simple — eat. And when I say eat, I mean finding the most dilapidated-looking place and guests to taste traditional favorite savory dishes paired with beer in a victory bowl. At weekends it spend a day order yourself a meal or two. It is usually those places that offer the most mouth-watering, Hong Kong cuisine? plays loud music and is the definition of a local night out in Hong Kong, in Hong Kong irresistible treats. Another obsession I have is Hong Kong’s “ice rooms” that serve up Hong although these days, it is flooded with tourists. like a local? Kong’s version of all-day breakfast,which consist of scrambled eggs, toast and best-of-all, macaroni. Pair this up with a glass of refreshing ice-cold milk tea and you are set for the day. Photo by Timon Studler

32 33 Travel | City Insider Travel | WOW Hong Kong

What does a For me, a typical night out will be dining on typical night local Chinese street food or at Dai Pai Dong out involve? for some steamed fish, stir-fried vegetables and fried squid coated in egg yolk. After that, Wine and Dine at I will head to Causeway Bay’s Boba Bear for a night of shisha and drinks with some friends. If I am feeling extra energetic, I will head to Arena in TsimShaTsui for some beer pong — because a little challenge never hurt HONG KONG’S FINEST anyone! Text Feng Shuangqing Where do I am not a big fashionista, so I shop you shop for online. But for a little inspiration, I will fashion? head to Lane Crawford or roam the alleys of Causeway Bay and Wanchai to see if anything catches my eye. Food for thought OZONE Venues to visit The two-star Michelin restaurant October and November or Feb. and March. Where is the best place to enjoy When is the Tin Lung Heen serves refined Summer is way too hot and on top of that, the colorful night scene that best time to authentic Cantonese cuisine at its the humidity makes it impossible to enjoy a encompasses Hong Kong and visit? best. Set against contemporary nice afternoon out. Victoria Harbour? Victoria Peak oriental decor with a dramatic is a good location to see such backdrop of Victoria Harbour views. Being 554 meters (about and the Hong Kong skyline, the 1,818 feet) above sea level, the signature restaurant creates Peak is the highest point in Hong the perfect ambiance to savor Kong. How does one reach the lavish local and regional Victoria Peak? Tourists can take specialties, including some of the the Peak Tram, a pleasant ride best traditional dim sum dishes ascending the mountain. The in the city. A comprehensive tram has been in operation for selection of the world’s finest teas Drinks worth sipping more than100 years, and to date, is available to enhance guests’ Being the highest bar in the world no accidents have ever occurred. dining experience. Private dining and designed by Tokyo-based Your journey aboard the tram will rooms offer the perfect setting for interior designer Masamichi take 8 minutes and upon reaching business entertainment or special Katayama, OZONE pushes the the summit, you will see a seven- family celebrations. boundaries of Hong Kong urban story building in the shape of a nightlife. Guests may indulge ship. This is the Peak Tower in Address: in signature cocktails, and an which there are several attractions, 102F, The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, exotic selection of Spanish including Madame Tussauds Hong International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin tapas and Japanese specialties, Kong and Sky Terrace 428. Road West, Kowloon, Hong Kong accompanied by vibrant DJ beats. Step outside for an al fresco Address: Opening Hours: dining alternative, with the casual 1 Lugard Rd, Hong Kong, China Lunch: 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Mon-Fri),11:30 yet dashing terrace showcasing a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sat, Sun and Public Holidays); Suggested Duration: the captivating vistas of the city Dinner 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. 2-3 hours and Victoria Harbour. On Sundays, the area becomes part of the city’s Tin Lung Heen see and be seen brunch venue, Victoria Peak featuring a scrumptious selection Photo by Florian Wehde of culinary favorites.

Address: 118F, The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, Hong Kong Opening Hours: 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. (Mon-Wed); 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. (Thurs); 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. (Fri); 3 p.m. to 3 Photo by Florian Wehde a.m. (Sat); 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. (Sun)

34 35 Travel | Inside China

A Winter Journey to Shangri-La, a village carnival of spiritual practitioners. Since British writer James Hilton under the holy light of wrote his famous book Vanishing the Buddha Horizon, the development of the picturesque land has been fuelled by tourism in Diqing prefecture and the famous fire in the ancient Shangri-La he golden rooftop of city of Dukezong in 2014. Free Songzanlin Temple shines from tourist delegations and selfie The Horizon that Never Vanishes so luminously at dusk in sticks, Songzanlin Temple only Text Monica Photos Yoan Boselli the winter that Kena Village T enjoys tranquility in the morning situated at the foot of the mountain light of the winter. is deprived of freedom for being Winter is also the season when almost shrouded in the Buddha’s black-necked cranes return to future-symbolizing holy light. The the Napa Sea. Every year in mid- first night of the plateau falling, the November, black-necked cranes, Songtsam Retreat looks quiet and white-tailed eagles, crested ibis peaceful in the chilly air, offering a and other birds return in groups glimmer of light to visitors. and enjoy their vacation in the The fire in the restaurant was Napa Sea, which is not far from crackling, and a bottle of Shangri- Songzanlin Temple and Shika La beer, produced on full moon Snowy Mountain. Originally a night, was particularly tasty under mirror-like lake, Haizi has become the moon on the 15th day on the a real wetland as the habitat of its lunar calendar. wild friends. This road along the Rinchen, an old staff member lake is Rinchen’s favorite. He does at the Songtsam Retreat who not need to say too much. All that comes from Kangting in Sichuan he does is put up the telescope and The countryside province, has been here for years let the guests enjoy quietly. The and is now a tourist housekeeper. back garden under the mountain in winter is like a This role is not static, but mobile. has been permanently branded in In the following “Shangri-La quiet and wonderful everyone’s heart. Route”, he is the soul of the plateau ring road. In relationship between the hotel and Tip: Drink beer the local people. I do not think it the best-selling novel Shangri-La fine-brewed beer, appropriate to say that he is the developed by the Shangri-La Tibetan Vanishing Horizon, tour guide. Jiesu Songzan, who grew up in For Songzanlin Temple, the early Switzerland, brings together the it is described morning is the best time of the day. highland barley in Tibetan areas, as a beautiful, Rinchen and I start from the hotel, water flowing from three rivers, and walk along a path in the fields and the fine process from Europe, with breathtaking spiritual meet some local villagers who get a total of five flavors in its series, up early for praying while climbing including the mellow and light flavor Garden of Eden. up the mountain. Several days of yalasuo; songga, which is close to the traditional European flavor; Tibetan Monlam provides an opportunity In reality, it is both Ale,which has a strong Tibetan flavor; to the monks living in each temple Black Yak, which has an espresso ethereal and down-to- on ordinary days to assemble taste; and Supernova, which is earth. in the early morning. And the brewed only on full-moon night every platform in front of the palace on month, standing at the highest end of top of the hill instantly becomes a the product chain.

36 37 Travel | Inside China

An antique photo taken by Joseph Charles Francis Rock in Shangri-La. Ode to Meili Snowy Tip: Print prayer flags Because of the geographical Mountain location of Meili Snowy Mountain, many passersby prefer to put up the prayer flags and pray at Keys Picking On the morning of departure, from Qudeng Pavilion to Meili. If you the sun rose above our head. The have the chance to stay in the village off-road vehicle, carrying our bags, of Gujiunongzang, you may wish to drove off the lakeside highway and experience how to print the prayer went straight up the mountain. flags in the private Buddhist temples of the local people’s home. The closer we got to the snowy mountain, the less lonely we felt. From Baima Snowy Mountain to Meili Snowy Mountain, the tortuous road made the journey even more adventurous. The Cizhong: A gift from is practiced by the Tibetan, Naxi, shining sun and flowing river in missionaries Han and Lisu people in several the valley was replaced by a snow- villages nearby. Even in the same covered, high-altitude field. family, Tibetan Buddhism and Songzanmeili in Gujiunongzang More than 100 years ago, Catholicism can coexist peacefully being more than 100 years old. On Lanyong, has a small vineyard Village is the best place to enjoy French missionaries came to and harmoniously. the contrary, its old age has made where some rose-honey grape the scenery of the snow-capped Cizhong from Myanmar via Weixi Cizhong Church is a relic of the it look more like a treasure. trees are grown in addition to mountain. Lying in bed or sitting and built the Chinese-Western unique combination of Chinese Besides Catholicism, the French cabernet sauvignon. His wine, beside the window will allow you Cizhong Catholic Church. They and Western religious buildings missionaries also brought wine. though limited in yield, is sold to get a full view of Meili. The also taught the villagers to grow in the Tibetan area in Yunnan. To this day, the village has also out every year. He took me to snake-like clouds in the mountain grapes and make wine. The reform You will likely marvel at its preserved the vineyard, orchard, see his winemaking tools, which move very fast at dusk and the ever- caused quite a stir over a period of beauty and integrity the closer garden and paddy fields built at included a large plastic bucket changing sky looks spectacular. In time and triggered two incidents you get to it. Graced with the that time. More surprisingly, the and a dustpan with various types the mountain village with only five in Adunzi and Weixi. For this features of Roman-style churches “rose-honey” grape, which is now of gauze used to filter at different families, people are immersed in reason, the influence of Catholic and combined with a traditional extinct in France, is still alive here stages. “This method has been the joy of a secluded life. Devoting and French missionaries is still Chinese pavilion and cornice roof, all these years later. handed down from ancestors. themselves to Buddhism after hard evident to this day. Catholicism it has never lost its appeal, despite Bao Sanmei’s father, Bao More accurately, it was taught by work is the source of happiness for missionaries. Every family in the every family. village has learned the ropes and Rinchen took me to a villager’s every family has a vineyard to home to print the prayer flags, make their own wine.” which we would use for praying when we arrived at Qudeng Tip: Attend Mass Pavilion the next day. The praying Attending Mass at Cizhong Church hall on the second floor is the is a unique way to experience how spiritual center of the whole immersive the Tibetan Catholic residence. This is the place where villages are. Even if you are not interested in religion, you may the prayer flags are printed to want to do it once with a view to express admiration. The wooden experiencing the local atmosphere. mold of prayer flags, the ink mixed Of course, the precondition for doing with liquor, and the potatoes cut in it is paying respect. You will see the half are the materials for printing villagers go into the church, dressed prayer flags. On the two sides in Tibetan costumes, attend Mass and of the stool, we each hold half a sing. The scene is quite special. potato and then press them against Monks’ early the wooden mold separated by class starts a piece of cloth. That is how the Napa lake is around the prayer flags are made manually. surrounded by sunrise at the mountains. Songzanlin Temple. 38 39 Travel | Inside China

Tacheng: The wedding I could not help walking faster ceremony on the terrace to join the pre-nuptial party. At this time I heard the Naxi and Tibetan love songs. Walking into Tacheng is the lowest point on the courtyard, I saw the villagers the ring road, which appears in dancing around the bonfire, the company of Lancang River. blessing the two young people Golden terraces, farmers working who were to get married the next in fields, tractors and motorbikes day. That scene reminded me of passing across the asphalt road the logo of a type of Shangri-La through the terraces and warm sun fine-brewed beer called yalasuo. At the bottom of Shangri-La, That night, we walked back Tacheng is rich of sunshine in the sky will give you a feeling and grapes. of not wanting to leave Tachang to Songzan after dancing in the in Songzan. Looking out of the bride’s house. With no street lamps, window, you will find yourself the vineyard and terrace looked fascinated with the moving pictures exceptionally mysterious under the Culture of an idyllic life. moonlight. Above this mysterious Tomorrow is the wedding day land and crops, the endless starry of Wang Lifen and Zhang Awei night sky easily captured the heart from Cizhong. The bridegroom-to- of the person who had just drunk be is already in the bride’s home. barley wine and performed the Tonight, the whole village will go to Guozhuang dance. The galaxy Lao Wang’s house. Rinchen tells me formed a clear picture of stars over that if I am not tired, I can go to the the plateau. Drinking and singing Bodhidharma Cave nearby to pray. made me happy enough to resist It was getting dark. Rinchen the cold of the quiet night and the and I quickly went down the slightly drunken gaze let me keep mountain to Wang Lifen’s home in mind the starry sky that seemed to see what was happening on the to never end. eve of a Naxi wedding. The light of the bride’s house seemed to be Tip: Eat bean curd In Tacheng, the local people are illuminating the whole terrace, good at grinding bean curd and but we still could not see the way making all kinds of bean products. clearly. There are no streetlights Traditional grinding stones and in Hada Village. When passing organic harmless beans allow you to through the vineyard, in the dim experience the whole process in the light we could see the grapes house of local people. Tofu pudding, hanging in the tree. I picked one which is produced in 10 minutes, and put it in my mouth. The mixed with the bean sauce and chili The Wonder of Wuzhen Theater / 42 sauce, is a tasty local snack here. mellowness was so refreshing that Something Special about Snow / 48

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THE WONDER OF the old town with the unlimited spatial quality. When the festival is Theater, which was designed by imagination of performing arts, not running, all of the venues are renowned architect Kris Yao and creating the timeless appeal of used for artistic events. took three years to complete. It has the festival. The majestic Wuzhen one level underground and seven Grand Theater is a landmark, and above. Located near the entrance is often referred to as the most Wuzhen Grand of the Wuzhen West Scenic Zone, beautiful theater in China. Each Theater the Grand Theater covers an impressive 54,000 square meters of the smaller venues have their Wuzhen invested heavily in the WuzhenText Feng Shuangqing Theater next to Yuanbao Lake, where an own historical heritage and unique construction of Wuzhen Grand enormous glass front glows in the evenings and reflects on the water uzhen, a town in Theater Festival. plazas for performance, with the to striking effect. southeast China One of the unique qualities striking venues creating a unique When not used for the festival, with a history of of the Wuzhen Theater Festival theater cluster. the building’s state-of-the- Wmore than 1,300 is the charm and variety of all Amongst the historical buildings art theaters host a variety of years, is transformed into a of its theater spaces. Within of the Western District, Festival performances and other cultural splendid stage every autumn, walking distance of each other in director Chen Xianghong and events. As an architectural when a grand celebration of the old town are more than 10 artistic director Stan Lai have led masterpiece, Wuzhen Grand the art of performance is held. indoor venues that sport widely the planning and design for the Theater integrates cultural Theater lovers all over the differing characteristics — all reconstruction and renovation characteristics of northern and world are invited to enjoy and exuding the charm and beauty of five smaller venues. Together southern China, as well as local participate in a tantalizing feast of the old town. There are also they form the Wuzhen theater West Warehouse Theater elements. The exterior features of the theatrical arts at Wuzhen amphitheaters and many outdoor cluster, which unites the allure of oversized, ancient “bricks” of a slate appearance and a thick, downward-sloping wall made up of petal-like segments. Based on the culturally auspicious “double lotus”, the building encompasses one large and one mid-sized theater back to back. The theaters are separated by a removable soundproof wall, so they can be used either together or independently. The smaller of the two theaters — the charming Studio Theater — is a flexible space for performance within the Wuzhen Grand Theater that is separated from the main. It can form a macro stage with the Grand Theater, or work independently with end stage audience seats for 224 people. The space can also be used for events and film screenings. The core performance space is the Wuzhen Grand Theater stage, with more than 1,000 seats on three levels, including theater boxes on the second level. The walls are covered in a lovely flower pattern from Wuzhen’s own signature silks, promising a Wuzhen Grand Theater pleasant experience.

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people for each performance. An an endstage configuration, with a in Wuzhen. Today their courtyard place for silk merchants to dry especially spectacular feature is that wraparound gallery on the second estate has been converted into the out silkworms and silk. When Wuzhen’s Water Ancient Courtyard the back wall of the theater opens floor, seating approximately 150 festival headquarters. The third renovated in 2008, the poetry of Theater Theater onto a picturesque canal, where people, with all members of the courtyard has been converted into many famous historical people Wuzhen Water Theater is a If you wander along the main the Emerald Pond holds additional audience having an intimate view the stunning traditional Teahouse from Wuzhen was carved into the stunning amphitheater that seats street of the West Scenic Zone seating and a viewing area — on the performance. The seats Theater that seats approximately square in many places, thus giving more than 2,000 people. The in Wuzhen, you cannot miss the offering the unique possibility of can also be removed, creating a 100 people. The new theater its name “Shi Tian”, meaning a audience views the performance Ancient Courtyard Theater. The using the stage to face either indoors stunning open space for alternative is equipped for traditional “field of poetry”. across water, with ancient buildings theater was originally an open-air or outdoors. The renovated Ancient performance configurations. performances, where one can sip tea in the background, framed by the traditional Chinese-style courtyard Courtyard Theater serves as the The West Warehouse Theater while enjoying a show, or for cutting ruins of a poetic broken bridge, and stage. An architectural jewel, it venue for both traditional Chinese is configured in a shallow thrust, edge shows, where the audience can Portal Hall the stately Bailian pagoda in the has been painstakingly restored opera and contemporary theater and is the center of activity for be configured in any way. Portal Hall skirts the Wuzhen distance. On the edge of Wuzhen’s to its former splendor under the productions. the Youth Competition. It seats Grand Theater, essentially old town, the Water Theater is a supervision of eminent theater approximately 200 people, also functioning as an annex. Forming unique and magnificent venue for artist Stan Lai, and enclosed to host providing intimate views. Poetry Square the first impression for visitors outdoor performance. performances in any season. The East & West Poetry Square is located at the arriving at the Grand Theater, hand-carved dome, the exquisite end of the Xizha Street, close Portal Hall ingeniously combines details in the original woodwork and Warehouse Theater Shen Estate Teahouse to the outdoor Water Theater. the characteristics of the town the resplendent decorations provide One of two former warehouses It is a stately plaza bordered of Wuzhen itself, with its well a special aesthetic experience. The located in close proximity of each Theater by the elegant facade of an old preserved and richly ornamented Ancient Courtyard Theater can other, separated by Xiushui Plaza, The Shen family was one of silk factory, shops and hostels. traditional buildings incorporating entertain an audience of up to 300 the East Warehouse Theater is in many illustrious merchant clans Historically, it was used as a elements of modern design.

Wuzhen’s Water Theater

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Hall is used for exhibitions, press conferences and banquets, Water Stain of the fifth and is also used as a performance Wuzhen Theater Festival at space during the festival. With the Poetry Square stairs serving as seats, and effective acoustics produced by the dome, the function of this space is being further developed for theater.

N Theater N Theater is one of the venues of the Wuzhen Internet International Conference & Exhibition Center, located in the northwestern part of Wuzhen West Scenic Area, with the Grand Canal to the west and Huanhe Road to the east, covering a total construction area of 60,000 square meters. With its understated, environmentally friendly and HALL No.3 & No.5, “smart” features embodying Wuzhen International its design idea, the style of this Internet Exhibition & space also reflects elements of the internet age, along with features of Convention Center Covering 81,000 square meters traditional Chinese culture and this and consisting of three functional southern Chinese riverside town. areas (a conference center, a The N Theaterseats 427 people, reception center and an exhibition and is equipped with professional center) this area meets the needs lighting and sound systems. of the World Internet Conference, including hosting meetings, forums and exhibitions. The convention center is composed of a main venue and 18 meeting rooms, while the exhibition center has eight pavilions. The interior decoration of the venue meets the standard of most large international conferences, with a complete set of facilities, plus fast and reliable internet services. “When entering the theater space, and while watching a play, one can feel that, in the corner, secretly hides the warm and beautiful god of theater,” said Tian Qinxin, the artistic director of the fifth Wuzhen Theater Festival. To see great theater in these special, historic venues is to experience the unique spell that the Wuzhen Festival casts on all its audiences.

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Something Special about Snow

Text Stella Cao

Of all the climatic phenomena, snow is the most popular, Why do people fall in love with skiing? Gliding on with its rich white color and exquisite patterns. Yet it creates the snow can make one feel unrestrained and able various kinds of mood in the hearts of different people — to forget the trivialities of daily life. A skier becomes happiness, mystery, joyfulness or sadness. integrated with the nature in an instant, and nothing is Nothing is more joyful than a snowy day for ski lovers. more pleasant to the ear than the whistling wind and Brave people enjoy the challenge of the unknown. In the the sound of friction between skis and snow. same vein, people redefine speed, courage and the power of Why are people liable to get addicted to skiing? nature when they ski. Of those films set in the snow, skiing is Interesting answers are available on zhihu.com. One an important theme, as well as love. There are numerous ski- netizen said: “One can get addicted to skiing, which is themed films, among which the most familiar ones include why snow is also known as white opium.” Snowboarder, Chalet Girl, Steep, All I Can and Frozen.

Lovozero, Russia Photo by Zhao Rui

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Of all the ski-themed films, Eddie the Eagle left the deepest impression on me. It has no soul-stirring plots nor heartthrobs or beauties, but is a simple yet thought-provoking tale. Based on a true story, it recounts how Eddie Edwards, a British ski-jumper, earned his name at the 1988 Winter Olympics held at Calgary, Canada. In his Story seminar, Robert McKee says: “An obvious characteristic of a comedy character is blind perseverance.” Eddie is such a kind of person. He insisted on fulfilling his dream despite being very nearsighted and unable to move in an agile manner, transforming from a downhill skier into a ski-jumper at the “advanced” age of 22. To realize his dream of participating in the Olympic Games, he overcame difficulties such as the lack of funds and his own physical disadvantages. He represented Great Britain at the 1987 World Championships, with his performance qualifying him as the sole British applicant for the 1988 Winter Olympics ski-jumping competition. Although Eddie finished last in the competition events and was not presented with any award, he still left an indelible imprint on the history of Winter Olympic Games.

Les 2 Alpes, Mont-de- Lans, France Photo by Matthieu A

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People

“The most important thing in life is not triumph, but struggle” is the last line in the subtitles at the end of the film. It highlights again the theme of the film. “Triumph” is defined by others, while “struggle” stems from one’s own heart. This is substantiated by what Eddie was told by his coach before making his last jump — to fly for himself instead of the crowd. In fact, Eddie knew better than any other person why he worked his way to the competition arena of the Winter Olympic Games and Sino-Japan Relation Drives JAL Rejuvenation / 54 what price he had paid for it. He may have been at a loss after being Designing ‘Letters of Love’ / 60 Grand Massif Samoens, France left in the cold for so many years, but he discovered courage from Photo by Club Med watching the ski field of the Winter Olympic Games. A Fiery Trajectory of Aerobatic Flight / 64

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JAL Rejuvenation Text Cao Shenshen

record 250-strong passenger traffic both from and to hear his story about Japan Airlines. delegation of Japan, especially to North America Japanese business and Europe,” Erikawa said. ST: How many nonstop routes and entrepreneurial Erikawa joined JAL 33 years ago does Japan Airlines operate in A after graduating from university, heavyweights arrived in Beijing the Greater China region? What on Nov. 21, 2017, kicking off majoring in Brazilian-Portuguese is the overall performance of their annual China visit. The language and the Sociology of the routes to China launched by delegation comprised of major Brazil. At that time, he wanted JAL? Japanese companies, including to use his language skills to help Erikawa: Currently we are Japan Airlines (JAL). Munemitsu foreign passengers and launch operating 14 daily flights between Erikawa, Japan Airlines’ Executive new routes from Japan to South the Chinese mainland and Japan, Officer & Senior VP for China, America. He started his career excluding Hong Kong. We used to said: “It means Japanese companies at Narita International Airport fly to more cities, but due to the are expecting greater success for before transferring to the sales and bankruptcy, we downsized our their business in China in the near marketing department and human capacity. future.” resources head office of JAL. We have been enjoying relatively Last year marked the 45th The biggest challenge of his long strong demand of Chinese tourists anniversary of the normalization career in the civil aviation industry visiting Japan in the past three of Sino-Japan diplomatic relations, came in 2010, when JAL went or four years. On the other hand, while 2018 will mark the 40th bankrupt. At that time, Erikawa the demand of Japanese tourists anniversary of the signing of the was working as an executive coming to China has decreased Treaty of Peace and Friendship responsible for human resources. in the past three or four years, between China and Japan. Erikawa He needed to handle the harsh and although it has picked up in the believes such landmarks will be a painful process of restructuring past few months. I hope that this positive turning point for Japan- the company and dismissing year will be a turning point for China bilateral mutual exchanges, employees. “The JAL group the number of Japanese tourists not only politically, but also in the had about 48,000 employees, coming to China. business and cultural sectors. but bankruptcy meant it had to According to statistics from remove 16,000 employees from its ST: From April 1 to Sept. 30, TripAdvisor, global inbound payroll,” he said. 2017, the operating revenue of travel interest in Japan has been In 2013, he was appointed as JAL grew to 692.3 billion. How growing at an average rate of Executive Officer & Senior VP of did the company achieve that? 30 percent year-on-year over the JAL for China, with the position Erikawa: Actually our operating past four years, with majority of based in Beijing. Erikawa has a lot revenue picked up more than we interest focused on Tokyo, Osaka of Chinese friends in the capital, expected at the beginning of our and Kyoto prefectures. Moreover, and during weekends, he teaches fiscal year. International passenger during the first six months of this karate to children. He loves living traffic enjoyed strong demand both fiscal year, the Japanese economy in Beijing and hopes JAL can from Japan to overseas destinations had experienced a moderate grow in popularity and bring the and vice versa. Domestic passenger recovery and was also impacting Japanese “omotenashi” service traffic also increased. One of the on JAL’s operation. “Due to the concept to Chinese passengers. reasons is that JAL introduced free recovery, we have witnessed Sky Times recently interviewed Wi-Fi services on every domestic Photo by Lu Ning a steady increase in business- Erikawa in his Beijing office to route in Japan, which became

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a strong incentive for business inflight meals, comfortable seats ST: How do you compete with develop and explore this gigantic has been growing at an average visiting Aomori, and Okay Airlines tourists in Japan. Meanwhile, and atmosphere in the cabin, and other Chinese domestic carriers market potential for Japan. rate of 30 percent year-on-year is operating direct flights between cargo traffic has also been steadily excellent human services. and Japanese carriers in the over the past four years. Which Tianjin and Aomori. We are proud increasing. JAL’s Boeing 787 seat space intensely competitive China ST: According to TripAdvisor, Japan destination is the most that JAL’s longstanding efforts in economy class is wider than market? How do you keep your global inbound travel interest in popular in China market? to promote Aomori has, to some ST: What is your goal for the average seat space on other own advantage? Japan Erikawa: It remains Tokyo and extent, contributed to this increase JAL in the China market in the airlines. For inflight meals, we Erikawa: As you pointed what we call the “Golden Route”, in Chinese tourists there. near future and what is your offer dishes using ingredients from out, there is a lot of which is Tokyo to Fuji expectation? Hokkaido and Kyushu. Haagen- competition in this mountain to Kyoto and ST: How important is the role Erikawa: From the viewpoint Dazs ice cream is also popular market and we Osaka, is the most that JAL plays in promoting of JAL’s international marketing among Chinese passengers. must keep popular travel Japanese culture to China strategy, China is one of the most We started to employ Chinese on route. Also, customers? important and promising markets cabin attendants based in Shanghai Erikawa: I strongly believe that for now and in the future. We for our international routes the role of global or international would like to be the most preferred 18 years ago. In our training airlines is not only to make quality airline for Chinese curriculum money, but also to contribute customers, as well as in Japan and for cabin to mutual understanding and the rest of the world. We would services, we exchanges of people, cargo, like to differentiate JAL from put great culture and friendship. Therefore competitors by further enhancing effort into we would like to put more our excellent quality of services. making sure emphasis on Japan-China’s We strongly believe that the China Chinese flight cultural exchanges and market requires high-quality attendants social contribution in both Japanese services, and customers understand and countries. For example, are willing to pay reasonably acquire highly on top of the currently higher air existing JAL Scholarship prices for for collage students, we quality are now planning to start services. a new program aimed at exchanges of high school ST: Do you have some strategic students. Also, in December partnerships in China and the valued this year, along with Beijing Oneworld Alliance to promote traditional Japan Club and the Japan the development of inbound Japanese service skills. Embassy in China, we are tourism? For example, they will now planning to hold Japan’s Erikawa: There is no Chinese experience “Japanese Tea traditional comedy storytelling airline in the Oneworld Alliance. ceremony rituals” during this Rakugo event in Beijing for better However, we have a close training period. We already recognition of Japanese traditional relationship with China Eastern have experienced Chinese culture among Chinese people. Airlines and China Southern senior instructors who can teach Airlines, respectively, on a bilateral high-valued Japanese services to ST: Which destination that you basis. We would like to maintain or the newcomers. I conducted a have never been to would you further develop our relationships China Seminar to 60 managers like to visit? with these two major Chinese and directors of the cabin and Hokkaido Erikawa: Well, I have never been airlines. airport divisions at head office in polishing and Okinawa to Tibet or Xinjiang. I want to October 2017, in order for them our competitive are very popular go there and take the train across ST: What products and services to understand Chinese customers edges such as high in China. However, we the highland in Tibet. That is my have JAL launched to meet the and the importance of this market. quality services. At the have been witnessing more dream and I am looking for any needs of Chinese passengers? This kind of effort made by JAL to same time, however, the air travel Chinese tourists starting to visit chance to go there. Erikawa: We believe there ensure better mutual understanding market in China is huge and has a local cities all over Japan. Five are four key factors that attract between these two different lot of potential for growth. In that years ago, when I was transferred ST: On a normal working day, Chinese frequent travelers to Japan: cultures is important for further sense, we will not only compete to China, almost nobody in China what takes up the most of your punctuality of flights, quality of betterment of quality services. with other carriers, but also work knew much about Aomori, but time and what is most important? together with them to further nowadays many tourists are Erikawa: Dealing with a lot of

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incoming emails is what takes up most of my time, although it is also the most important task, because it involves the sharing of important information.

ST: In your spare time, what kind of activities do you like to do in order to relax and do your better job? Erikawa: I teach Japanese karate every weekend. The number of students has already exceeded more than 50, and almost half of them are Chinese. By practicing karate with them, it makes me relaxed and keeps my body fit and healthy. On top of that, I can enjoy making friends with Chinese people in a very natural and intimate way.

ST: What do you think makes a successful leader? Erikawa: I think there are three major factors. First, leaders should be always cheerful and optimistic in their outlook. Pessimistic types does not give energy to their staff or subordinates. Second, leaders should share their values and visions with their colleagues. I learned this from Doctor Kazuo Inamori, who is a famous and prominent entrepreneur and philosopher. Third, leaders should always maintain a self-reliant attitude. Leaders should not rely on other people or good luck. They should always rely on themselves.

ST: Could you recommend a couple of winter destinations to travel to in Japan? Erikawa: My recommendations are Aomori and Niigata. Both of these prefectures are wonderfully snowy in the wintertime and full of delicious seafood, vegetables, rice and Japanese sake. Also, people are extremely kind and welcome tourists from China enthusiastically.

58 59 People Pants: Flares Upper Garment: Vicky

Bei’s cupboard for more than two elegant life style, an externalization decades. It represents the beginning of internal beauty, to unleash Designing of her dream, and as such, she has that inner beauty; and finally the never thrown it away. so-called internationalization, meaning that the styles are not Communicating through limited to any particular locale, clothes they are both oriental and international.” ‘ ’ A far as Chen Bei can Chen Bei believes that “people remember, Jan. 11, 2001, was a should remember a person’s special day, when she arrived in internal beauty rather than Paris from Beijing. This start of Text Stella what she is wearing”. Clothes Letters of Love the new year also signified the serve people, their purpose is start of her new direction in life to raise, shape and help express eijing has the most Bei Garden. Since graduating Immersed in the world of in France. “Those two years of the wearer, with their soul and mesmerizing scenery in from the Academy of Arts& clothing design, Chen Bei refines studying in France fundamentally vitality being grounded entirely late autumn. In a studio Design,Tsinghua University, she her skills. Using aesthetic beauty transformed my understanding of in the human being. named Bei Garden on has lived in Paris for a decade, to pay back time. To her, it is a art and approach to design, and B made me become aware that the the East Fourth Ring Road, I following which she brought kind of fortune, but also a kind of Fusion of East and West came across a charming woman, her BEI brand back to Beijing. choice. most important aspect of clothing a designer of “love letters”, who Maturing in Paris and blossoming “I think that design comprises design is to comprehend what In 2012, Mo Yan, a famous took me on a journey into fashion in Beijing, in a beautiful instant, a part of my life. Do you not you like. This seems like it should Chinese writer, gave his acceptance to gain an understanding of Chen Bei continued her beautiful think that being able to play one’s be easy, but not everybody is able speech for winning the Nobel Prize elegance. journey of appreciation of elegant favorite game each and every day to find the answer.” During those in Literature in Sweden, wearing aesthetics. is very interesting?” Since designing two years of school in Paris, Chen a Chinese tunic suit embroidered Something done well lasts It is often said that people are her first dress when she was 11 Bei was constantly on a quest to with his own name. As a Chinese discover what her style was. In literary giant, people around the forever at their most fortunate when they years old until the present day, all uncover their likes and dislikes, the clothes that Chen Bei has worn the end, she found herself and world knew him, and many media members strove to find out the “Each item of clothing I design when they listen to their internal have been designed by herself. submitted an excellent graduation identity of the mysterious designer is a letter of love, and the message voice, and follow their own heart. It is possible that her pursuit piece for design. of his and his entire entourage’s each one conveys is one of love,” On this point, Chen Bei is in full of aesthetic beauty and dream of “A good designer can turn trash outfits. That designer was Chen said Chen Bei, the owner of agreement. “This is the perfect being a designer have already set into treasure; they can turn water vocation for me, I have never down roots. When girls of the same into wine.” Looking at Chen Bei’s Bei. “I hoped that the attire would considered doing anything else. age as her sat at home watching gradation design Yin &Yang series, state what Mo Yan wanted to When I was young I did not know television or playing games, you will understand the importance express, and what should be what a clothes designer was, but she played with scissors, a tape of her words. Every single item of said, and also communicate to felt it sounded like a fun ‘game measure, and needle and thread. clothing is fashioned out of curtain everybody on the international to play’. Now I believe it is She would stay indoors during linen. Chen Bei candidly states: “I stage the character, world view, something that can help one holidays and painstakingly design wanted to use the plainest material lifestyle, cultural background and continuously improve items of clothing. possible, and turn it into something emotions of the wearers.” oneself. It brings together Chen Bei’s memory is extremely quite extravagant. Luxury is not In fact, this was not been the first many different fields clear when thinking back to bound by the material used, but time that Chen Bei had appeared of knowledge, and is her first creation when she was in the spirit and atmosphere that under the media spotlight. As early also an extremely young: “It was a dress with a it creates. These are my design as 2005, she won over Parisians challenging job. defined waist that I designed for concepts.” at her own roadside launch event Most importantly, my birthday. There was a small With her confidence and evident “When BEI Ladies Arrive”, a designer also mushroom print on the top half, ability, Chen Bei set up her own following which, she designed contributes to all yellow and green. I did not use high-end clothing brand, BEI the characteristic “cloth square the cultural and a sewing machine for that one, the style, in Paris in 2004. “B stands trousers”, catching the attention aesthetic level of a entire dress was stitched by hand. for beautiful, E for elegant, and of Carla Bruni Sarkozy, the wife society.” I also did a black-edged collar, the I for international. These are of the former French president middle of which had a decorated the concepts I really wanted to Nicolas Sarkozy. With so much communicate. Apart from this, I brilliance, one could not help but Chen Bei button.” This small curtain dress Fashion designer has now been hanging in Chen also wanted to express a kind of wonder the exact nature of this

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female designer’s “magic”. from both locales to find their Some people say that the “I did not want my design own sense of belonging. External modern age is infused with a to have mass appeal. It is like a circles have defined BEI products love of the vulgar and Chen Bei hybrid, making you feel that it is as being “hybrid”, and this is also strongly agrees. “It is an extremely noticeably different yet intimate.” how Chen Bei herself positions her interesting concept, and it is a Chen Bei is measured when designs. phenomenon apparent everywhere talking about her designs. For one goes in the world.” Many her, fashion in clothing reflects Bringing art to life young people think that wearing the spirit of the times, while good the current fashion is necessary no clothes effortlessly adhere to an Chen Bei’s longstanding matter whether it looks any good elegant style. “I hope that my viewpoint is that clothing must or not. But, in fact, every person is clothes can empower thoughtful, have an artistic component. She unique, and so the same item of cultured women to find a style is not too bothered about the clothing on people of different that they can truly call their own appellations of “designer” and physiques and carriages will in this age of convergence.” What “artist”, for she only wishes give very different results. Chen Bei has always focused on is to promote an appreciation of What Chen Bei wants to do ensuring that, no matter whether aesthetics and seamlessly integrate is to study human aesthetics, undergarments or an overcoat, artistic attire into the wearer’s and help people find the attire when wrapped in exquisite life. When she achieves this, she most suited to them through the textures and materials, the delicate feels she has achieved her goal. “I design of individual articles. gradients of the female form are am not engaged in the creation of Having created more than unveiled, graceful and simple, artwork for onlookers to admire, 1,000 designs over a decade or whilst also containing fashionable and being collectable for some, more, Chen Bei’s BEI label is no elements. There are no surprises but unattainable for others. I hope longer merely a clothing brand. It from excessive complications to turn attire into an aspect of represents an aesthetically holistic or overly ornate pomposity, just life. In so doing, its beauty can be approach to life like at Bei Garden understated luxurious comfort. promoted.” where Chen Bei occasionally hosts Chen Bei’s designs reflect her own However, are beautiful things not salons, Bei Aesthetics Class, and charm, and have an otherworldly certain to start trends? When asked art exhibitions, bringing together elfin spirit. this question, Chen Bei thought fashionable attire, art, photography “It is difficult to work out deeply, saying that what becomes and performances, and sharing which aspects are Eastern or trendy is not necessarily beautiful, Bei’s newest works in a unique, Western inspired with these but is commercialized and hyped artistic fashion. kinds of aesthetics, but it has up. She does not follow trends. Chen Bei often says that art melded the characteristics of both What she wants to do is to guide is the companion of the spirit, together in an incredibly natural people through beauty, because and clothing is the best vehicle fashion, creating its own unique everybody deep down has a desire for its transmission. Apparel can character.” Chen Bei’s design is for beautiful things and feels a transcend time and space, and most suited to the fusion of the Orient strong pull toward them when they importantly, it is its most honest, Dress: Natery and Occident, allowing people see them. sincere and loving representation. Upper Garment: Vicky

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A Fiery Trajectory of erobatic light TextA Lu Ning Photos Wang Yang F

Everyone on every flight will approve of one word: smooth. A trip of peace from departure to arrival. There is a group that refuses to be smooth and steady. Rather, they are flamboyant and mysterious: Stunt pilots.

erobatic flight is when pilots conduct various difficult and composite A aerobatic maneuvers when navigating planes along the longitudinal, horizontal and vertical axes. The origin of aerobatic flight stemmed from aerial combat, where highly skilled pilots invented a number of extraordinary stunts to attack or evade. In the process of acrobatic flight, such parameters of the aircraft as height, speed, direction and overload undergo drastic changes, and pilots must ascertain at any time the state of the flight and control the aircraft in a timely and precise manner. Any overload in flight will give rise to insufficient blood supply to the pilot’s head and surrounding areas, constriction of visual field, and even blackout if the overload continues to increase. Consumption of physical strength is unimaginably enormous, so acrobatic flight generally lasts less than half an hour, including takeoff and landing. At present, aerobatic pilots are rare around the world, and pilots that can perform stunts are sure to be excellent fighter pilots. The completion of various stunts

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depends not only on the technical level of pilots, but also on the performance of the aircraft. For example, all handmade XA-42 aircraft made by German company Xtreme Air have a carbon fiber fuselage and structural design, with instrument limit overload value being +/- 10G and +/- 12G in theory. These advantages make it an unlimited champion aircraft at competition level, and it is currently the only certified CAAC aerobatic plane. China’s Sky Alliance aerobatic team now has three planes, and the figure will soon rise to five. The XA-42 plane smoothly completed the established training course in the air, maneuvering freely like needlework, moving skillfully between the earth and the sky at sunset. The heart- stopping maneuvers are part of a distinctive everyday routine for the aerobatics team. During this period, Cao Wei sent commands from the control tower. love of flying, like Zhang Cheng.” He is a friend of Zhang Cheng, Cao Wei said Zhang Cheng is vice president of Reignwood Star. devoted to industrializing aerobatic “Aerobatic flight is extreme. In flight, and this is an original idea. China, aerobic flight is still in its “In China, someone has to take the infancy. Aerobatic teams such as lead in this aspect. He is a banner.” Ba Yi and Feng Lei are military The operation of the aerobatic forces. There are no standards for team requires a great deal of aerobatic flight in China, while financial support; the establishment training, management and air- of an industry, the ideal is only the worthiness are still undeveloped. beginning. Fortune always favors Sky Alliance is the biggest in scale those who are determined and and it is really special,” said Cao hardworking. Wei. He said it is necessary to In 1999, the Lake Tai Aerobatic give more support to aerobatic Flight Competition and the flight flight, because it will make a big through Tianmen Cave in Hubei Aerobatic flight is the symbol of difference. Province left a deep impression “Aerobatic flight is rare, but on him for he saw that it was all it is of profound significance foreigners that piloted the planes. freedom, ultimate experience and even for training aviation enthusiasts He was certain that he was also and promoting aviation culture. able to make it, but he had to keep an embodiment of the soft power of Aerobatic training is especially it to himself as he was serving in important for young people to the army at that time. A report in a China’s aviation development.” develop their interests and for flight magazine that talked about a pilot reserves. In view of technical foreigner being the “Godfather of — Zhang Cheng requirements and psychology, China’s aerobatic flight” left him aerobatic pilots require a genuine shocked and was the motivation

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for his transformation. When to be engaged in investment and he retired from military service, cooperation. We had to build a he was determined to undertake good, feasible, forward-looking and aerobatic flights, set up a Chinese sustainable business model, and aerobatic team, participate in thus Sky Alliance came into being. and win the world aerobatic Sky Alliance has developed into championship. a group company headquartered He loves the military and that in Shanghai with seven wholly- love never dies. To this day, Zhang owned subsidiaries, including two Cheng is sincerely proud of the general aviation companies, one strength of China, and proud of the engaged in aerobatic teams and development of the air force. After the other in amphibious aircraft he retired from military service, he and other aircraft, including tried to collect all data concerning hot air balloons, helicopters, aerobatic flights, attended unmanned aerial vehicles, flight exhibitions, and showed great simulators; an airport construction concern over aerobatic flights. He management company; an aircraft even tried to figure out how every manufacturing company; a culture, move was made from looking at sports and tourism company; an Lifestyle pictures, and why planes were able aviation service company; and to make 90-degree maneuvers. an aircraft import and export While looking at pictures, he corporation.” Flight is Zhang weighed techniques over and over Cheng’s love and the modern again, and then practiced them. enterprise he established is growing To outsiders, aerobatic flight rapidly. From aircraft production, means danger at every second. marketing, after-sales service and But Zhang Cheng is very rational air material supply to navigation in his belief that aerobatic operation, pilot training, air flight is the symbol of freedom, travel, air shows, aviation events ultimate experience and even an and aviation towns, Sky Alliance embodiment of the soft power of is a whole industry chain and a China’s aviation development. He is comprehensive group. It has also intuitive and fierce like a beast, and established an aviation public the carrier of courage and strength. fund, which does not depend on Beijing Winter Brunch Guide / 70 Zhang Cheng was also aware government backing, but was A Traditional Touch of Italy in Shanghai / 76 that it was impossible for him to built up entirely by businesses to build an aerobatic flight industry help more people who love flying. Chic / 80 on his own, and it was necessary to Zhang Cheng has grown aware introduce capital into a new model. of the necessary conditions for Books & Films / 82 “There must be a new business sustainable development, with Music Might Explain Why Human Love Cats / 84 model to attract capital. Initially, it aerobatic flight acting as a core was a dream that drove us to create product driving the development Spend a Special Festival Season in Snowy Hokkaido / 85 a Chinese aerobatic team and start of the entire industry. Bulgari Hotel Beijing: A display of Italian design spirit / 86

68 Lifestyle | Bite

The Lobby Beijing at The Peninsula Beijing he Sunday Brunch Buffet oysters accompanied by homemade dining concept. To complete a served in the Lobby at sauces, condiments and dressings. truly unforgettable family brunch, TThe Peninsula Beijing An extensive selection of cold cuts a mouthwatering selection of creates memorable culinary includes cured and smoked fish, while handcrafted desserts and freshly moments for family diners. the delicatessen station also offers an baked pastries and muffins are The sumptuous weekend feast impressive platter of premium cheeses guaranteed to bring a smile to combines international farm-to- from around the world. diners of all ages. table buffet and a la carte options In addition to the extensive buffet The delicious brunch cuisines are Winter with contemporary French cuisine, selection, guests can choose from an paired with free-flow wines from paired with free-flow fine wines, a la carte menu of hot appetizers, the Wine Market; a handpicked champagnes, bespoke cocktails and signature rice dishes and main selection of four fine red and fresh, healthy juices. courses. Each main course is served four delicious white wines from Each Sunday, family diners with fresh organic vegetables, which Italy, France and Spain. You can enjoy unlimited access to a lavish are produced by local farms also choose a free-flow option presentation of freshly imported certified for their sustainability of The Peninsula Champagne by seafood, featuring succulent and traceability as part of The Deutz and Krug Grand Cuvee Brunch lobsters, shrimps and shucked Peninsula Beijing’s farm-to-table Champagne. Guide Text Feng Shuangqing

Embracing a bright brunch can’t be more suitable for a cold sunday winter day at Beijing. The city has endless options to fulfill your weekend needs from free-flow deals to the best French toasts. Now here we give you Address: some the best hotel brunches in town. 1F, The Peninsula Beijing, 8 Goldfish Lane, Wangfujing, Beijing Opening Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Sunday

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Bistrot B Zijin Mansion ne of Beijing’s most pastry counter renowned chefs and featuring freshly f you are a big fan of O a protege of Daniel baked fruit tarts Cantonese dim sum, be sure Boulud, one of the United States’ and cheesecakes, I not to miss Beijing’s most leading culinary authorities, as well as an lavish seafood dim sum and BBQ Jarrod Verbiak invites guests to artisanal ice cream brunch at the incomparable Zijin enjoy the Chef’s Brunch at Bistrot bar. Moreover, you Mansion at the Waldorf Astoria B, featuring exquisite dishes that will be surprised Beijing. Masters of the fine art he would delight in serving to and entertained by the of dumplings and pastries roll, friends and family in his own frozen-popcorn trolley, fold and pinch exquisite bundles home at the weekend. something never seen of salty and sweet perfect bites Diners can whet their appetite before. as you move through and savor with hors d’oeuvres especially made No brunch is complete over 60 different offerings for sharing from the “Catch on Ice” without free-flow libations. You including hand-pulled noodles, platter offering the freshest seafood may sample the Sommelier’s chilled seafood, selected cold and an artisanal cheeses trolley. You Selection, which features an friends appetizers as well as a BBQ and may select a delectable main course assortment of white wines, red and family dessert station. from a mouth-watering wines and hangover cocktails. For on the weekend,” Verbiak The freshest seafood will array of Shunyi those partial to some bubbles, said. “I am excited to be able be transformed into beautiful Farm egg dishes, the sparkling package offers a to choose the best seasonal steamed dumplings stuffed with bistro classics selection of champagnes and ingredients and to recreate dishes scallop, shrimp, abalone and pork and specialty sparkling wines. like those I would serve to special or rice noodle rolls with king crab. yakitori. “A Sunday just is not Sunday guests at home.” Indulge on delicate blanched sea Completing without brunch, and we wanted snails marinated in sesame oil and the menu to create a new menu for guests spring onion or deep fried prawns is a divine to enjoy as they unwind with with wasabi mayonnaise. Chaoyang District, Beijing ialou, , Huj Zijin Mansions fragrant, crispy nter Ce ang hand-cut suckling pig is cooked Gu Jing ijing, ay in a traditional manner, but ood, Be und Address: Rosew ry S . eve prepared with the chef’s own Op 3:30 p.m ening Hours: 12 p.m. to secret and guarded sauce. It is cooked low and slow to achieve a moist flesh and crispy golden skin, and is served on the BBQ station along with traditional roasted goose and Beijing duck. Feast on comforting hand-pulled noodles served in deeply layered fish stock or with marinated beef in chicken stock. Finish with a selection of Cantonese sweets, including chilled sago mango cream with pomelo, and sweet almond and egg white soup.

Address: 3F, Waldorf Astoria Beijing, 5-15 Jinyu Hutong Dongcheng, Beijing Opening Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday

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Feast (Food by EAST) Grill 79

he original weekend been a better time to Feast. ith views reaching all destination, Feast offers Feast has always been an the way to the rooftops T an unlimited selection of ideal hangout for families and W of the Forbidden salads, imported cheese, pasta, with the all new Kid’s Corner, City, Grill 79 is a captivating seafood and fine desserts, Mom and Dad can really relax destination for anyone in search alongside cooked to order classics over the amazing buffet while of a memorable dining experience. such as salmon eggs benedict, the little ones play. With nearly Appetizers at Grill 79 provide baked stuffed lobster and fluffy 40 square meters of toys, play a fresh start, with the offering pancakes. With free flow soft cars, picture books, play sets, of salad nicoise, salmon gravlax, drinks, coffee, tea, beer and house the latest kids movies and adult prawns Caesar salad and wine all included, plus a fabulous supervision, Feast is the perfect Mediterranean Tabbouleh. The Moet & Chandon champagne weekend destination for all-day charcuterie and seafood platters package, there really has never family fun. bring delight to the tip of diners’ tongues. The selection of foie gras and broken eggs, scrambled Address: 2F, EAST, Beijing, No.22 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing egg and eggs Benedict ensure a Opening Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday morning full of vitality. The brunch experience at Grill 79 involves four hearty main courses in seafood linguine, slow- cooked veal loin, Wagyu beef tenderloin and grilled Boston lobster. The dessert menu features Belgian waffles, American buttermilk pancake and white chocolate parfait, adding a bit of sweetness to a bright family gathering on Sunday.

Address: 79F, China World Summit Wing, Beijing, No. 1 Jianguomenwai Avenue, Beijing Opening Hours: from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Sunday

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intage pieces and naturally-aged materials are paired with modern VItalian design to give the residence of the Italian consul general in Shanghai a homely feel. Stefano Beltrame and his wife, Nicoletta Beltrame, moved into this residence in the end of 2014. Having lived in Kuwait, Italy, the United States, Germany and Iran for more than 20 years, the couple began their experience of living in East Asiain Shanghai. Having maintained a traditional Italian lifestyle in different cities and countries, Nicoletta again grabbed the chance to introduce color, texture and a personal style A Traditional Touch of to her new abode. And she had the freedom to create an eclectic look. There was not much furniture before the couple moved in. “I have brought almost everything from our home in Rome,” she said, adding that she had visited Shanghai with her three children to look at the place before their move. “I then started to think what furniture and decorative items would fit in here.” Italy in Shanghai The first floor is the living and Text Yang Di dining room area for the family, but Photos Dong Jun is also used for official functions. The living room’s high windows let in plenty of light, and the walls are painted cream, providing the perfect backdrop for artwork. Rather than creating an interior that only reflects Italian culture, Nicoletta has carefully chosen pieces and materials that they have collected from the different countries they have lived in. “We wanted to create an atmosphere with a well-balanced mixture of culture — from Iran, Italy and also China,” Nicoletta

The essence of Italian living said. “Of course, we have kept our is centered around the European identity, but worked on a dining table - the porcelains fusion style that is also very much tableware, the way to serve integrated into the local culture.” food, the authentic Italian food and wine. 76 77 Lifestyle | Home

Italian Consul General in Shanghai, Stefano Beltrame and his wife Nicoletta Beltrame.

Some of the best family memories are framed and displayed.

She thinks that the combination light coming in during daytime. of old and new is more Nicoletta loves to spend time in meaningful, saying it is important this cozy corner, drinking tea or to mix them because the contrast coffee, reading books and simply enhances both styles and forms a enjoying the special moments. truly modern look. “Iranians have very good taste “As long as you fill your house and I found very modern elements with things you love, it will just in their antique pieces,” she said. fall into place, regardless of age or Nicoletta pointed out the Iranian style,” she added. artworks in the living area. Talking about the way she “There are so many young maintains her Italian identity, painters and photographers in Nicoletta said: “The essence of Tehran. I always checked their Italian living is centered around ateliers and discovered something our dining table — the porcelain new. The artwork by Farad tableware, the way we serve food, Moshiri that I brought here the authentic Italian food and with me is one of my favorites. wine. We love to host receptions His painted jars, which form a and make our guests feel at trademark of his production, home,” she added. representing three-dimensional The dining room reflects objects, with mosaic effects.” Nicoletta’s preference for mixing “Having moved recently to Italian design with ethnic accents. Shanghai, I am still in the stage Around the Italian table setting, of discovering the city by visiting there are amazing antique and art exhibitions and markets,” ethnic pieces she picked up in Iran Nicoletta said. — a collection of potteries, old The villa house also has a ceramics from mosques and small garden that the family enjoys, items. In a typical Iranian home, spending much of their weekends textiles and embroideries are key sunbathing in it or having brunch elements. Nicoletta bought the with friends. The contrast of old and textiles and crafts from Iran and “The compound is tranquil, and new in Italian Consul even custom-made cushions and the trees and flowers in the garden General Stefano Beltrame's residence shawls with her own designs. make it a comfortable place to be, in Shanghai enhances An Iranian corner in the especially during warm seasons,” both styles and gives a living space features abundant Nicoletta said. truly modern look.

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L’OREAL Lancôme LA PALETTE AND Hypnose Pour Homme CHEEK BISOLAS

SHISEIDO Shimmering Cream Eye Color BOSS Bottled Giorgio Armani Iris Celadon The scent of

CHANEL Rouge CoCo loves It is the first thing you do, right? Sniff the product. Ferragamo Research shows that scents can ignite a sexier state of Tuscan Soul mind. Here are the most tasteful ways to use scents to set the mood. You can even wear these perfumes to bed.

YSL BABY DOLL KISS&BLUSH Fresh Life eau de parfum Looking Like Roses GUERLAIN Meteorites Text Clare Pink can be relaxed, playful and flirty. Fresh, rosy faces are the hottest look for any season. In fact, hot pink can look pretty sweet and chic, rather than too Barbie. Beauty’s elegant new mood is a soft focus on radiant Shu Uemura skin. Prepare to get pretty. Eye Liner

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SHISEIDO Giorgio Armani GIVENCHY Eye Shadow Lip Maestro Prisme Libre Powder YSL L’homme Libre 80 81 Lifestyle | Books & Films

From the bestselling author than tenants; all four Richardson of Everything I Never Told children are drawn to the mother- Call Me by Your Name You, Little Fires Everywhere is daughter pair. But Mia carries a riveting novel that traces the with her a mysterious past and a intertwined fates of the picture- disregard for the status quo that Timothee Chalamet, from Ho so he has sparked the interest of story of Elio and Oliver, but it perfect Richardson family and the threatens to upend this carefully meland and Miss Stevens, plays some French girls staying nearby. is more a terrarium of human enigmatic mother and daughter ordered community. Elio, a smart, earnest, precocious He is interested in them, too, but experience, a sensory immersion who upend their lives. When old family friends of the kid living an odd and lovely kind is not pulled to them in the same that is remarkably full in its vision. In Shaker Heights, a placid, Richardsons attempt to adopt a of life in the summer of 1983. way that he is drawn inextricably progressive suburb of Cleveland, Chinese-American baby, a custody His parents are international to Oliver, the 20-something grad everything is planned — from battle erupts that dramatically academics, spending summers student boarding at Elio’s family’s the layout of the winding roads, divides the town, and puts Mia at a villa in Northern Italy that house while he works with Elio’s to the colors of the houses, to and Elena on opposing sides. Elio’s mother inherited. Living father. Elio’s attraction to Oliver the successful lives its residents Suspicious of Mia and her motives, in a multilingual household full — and Oliver’s to Elio — is laid will go on to lead. And no one Elena is determined to uncover of books and discussion about out delicately by Guadagnino. The embodies this spirit more than the secrets of Mia’s past. But her said books, Elio is beyond his film’s pacing is fluid but helter- Elena Richardson, whose guiding obsession comes at unexpected and years intellectually, a confident skelter, with long and considered principle is playing by the rules. devastating costs. and curious kid who nonetheless scenes suddenly giving way to Enter Mia Warren — an artist Little Fires Everywhere explores feels woefully ignorant, or ecstatic short bursts. Little Fires Everywhere and single mother — who arrives the weight of secrets, the nature of inexperienced, in one crucial field A pretty good approximation by Celeste Ng in this idyllic bubble with her art and identity, the ferocious pull — love. of the rhythms of memory, of teenage daughter Pearl, and rents of motherhood and the danger of It is summer, and 17-year-old adolescent desire, of summer’s a house from the Richardsons. believing that following the rules Elio is handsome, a beanpole intoxicating spell, Call Me By Your Soon, Mia and Pearl become more can avert disaster. topped with a thicket of dark curls, Name tells the short, bittersweet

The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy

The Ministry of Utmost war. It is an aching love story and a Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Thank You for Your Service Happiness takes the reader on an decisive remonstration, a story told intimate journey over many years in a whisper, in a shout, through across the Indian subcontinent — unsentimental tears and sometimes Three Billboards A group of United from the cramped neighborhoods with bitter laughter. Its heroes are Outside Ebbing, States soldiers of Old Delhi and the roads of the people who have been broken by Missouri is a darkly returning from Iraq new city to the mountains and the world they live in and then comic drama from struggle to integrate valleys of Kashmir and beyond, rescued and patched together by Academy Award back into family where war is peace and peace is acts of love and by hope. winner Martin and civilian life, McDonagh. After while living with the months have passed memory of a war without a culprit that threatens to in her daughter’s destroy them long murder case, after they have left You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me Mildred Hayes the battlefield. It is by Sherman Alexie makes a bold move, an updated version painting three of the classic The Family relationships are never simple. But Sherman Alexie’s bond signs leading into her town with a controversial Best Years of Our Lives, right down to following with his mother Lillian was more complex than most. She plunged message directed at William Willoughby, the three soldiers returning to their home town. But her family into chaos with a drinking habit, but shed her addiction town’s revered chief of police. When his second- while the earlier movie dealt with injury and re- when it was on the brink of costing her everything. She survived a in-command, Officer Dixon, an immature assimilation issues, it did not deal with post- violent past, but created an elaborate facade to hide the truth. She mother’s boy with a penchant for violence, gets traumatic stress disorder, which was known then selflessly cared for strangers, but was often incapable of showering involved, the battle between Mildred and Ebbing’s as “shell shock” or “combat fatigue”. This movie her children with the affection that they so desperately craved. You law enforcement is only exacerbated. does, brutally. Don’t Have to Say You Love Me is a searing, deeply moving memoir about family, love, loss and forgiveness.

82 83 Lifestyle | Music Lifestyle | Report

Spend a Special Festival Season in Snowy Hokkaido Text Cao Shenshen

ave you ever wondered where to spend Tomamu snow, famous for its coldness in Hokkaido, the festival season? The ideal destination almost contains no water. With sugar-like ski tracks and for a winter vacation must have fantastic facilities, there are plentiful options to enjoy Hbeautiful snow and good conditions for snow sports. snow sports. Hoshino Resorts Tomamu the Tower Music Might Explain Why Hokkaido represents the ideal destination. A recent blockbuster featuring actors Hu Ge HIGHLIGHTS and Wallace Huo made Hoshino Resorts Tomamu Human Love Cats the Tower Hokkaido so popular in China that it Forest restaurant has become hard to make reservations there. The The forest restaurant Nininupuri is the Text Sun Morong hotel’s impressive entertainment facilities, cost- largest self-service restaurant in the effective meals and superb natural scenery provide resort —the buffet offering fresh and delicious local food —surrounded the perfect reasons to visit the resort. hat is the most popular pet? Answers eventually selling over 1 million copies. by the century-old Emishi pine may vary, but cats would definitely In the introduction to Zez Confrey’s Modernistic Piano Hoshino Resorts is a Japanese resorts forest. On the side of the restaurant Solos, the story behind the music is explained: “Zez was management company with a 100-year. Founded is a glass curtain, allowing diners be one of the most competitive to enjoy the fairy tale of the forest, nominees. According to WorldAtlas, an staying at his grandmother’s house and was awakened by in Karuizawa in 1904, Hoshino Resorts currently has four hotel brands —Hoshinoya, Hoshino Kai providing a visual feast of green and W white both in the day and at night. informative geographic website, the country with the a strange series of sounds. He went down to investigate largest number of cats worldwide is the United States, and discovered the house cat sauntering back and forth on Hakone, Hoshino Risonare, and wedding brand with China in second place. House cats first became the piano keyboard.” Risonare Dream. Surrounded by mountains, Ski lessons popular about 9,000 years ago. Since then, they have Hoshino Resorts Tomamu the Tower Hokkaido In addition to the beautiful scenery and has two hotels —The Tower and Risonare. The wonderful facilities, Hoshino Resorts gradually won people’s hearts, including those of our Leroy Anderson: The Waltzing Cat scenery is beautiful. Designed based on the natural Tomamu the Tower Hokkaido also offers musicians. Here is the proof: This piece of light orchestral music by United States a variety of snow-based projects and landscape, the hotel has retained the primitive trees composer Leroy Anderson is a vivid yet humorous courses for different levels of skiers. and grass, and is now a famous tourist destination. Frederic Chopin: Waltz in F Major, Op. 34, No. 3 portrayal of how cute cats are. As the music plays, you Both experts who want to ski freely Our first recommendation was composed by prominent can imagine a soft kitty strutting and meowing in front of The Tower is the resort’s landmark construction, and beginners who want to learn systematically can be satisfied. The Polish musician Frederic Chopin. People may have heard you, rolling over and exposing its belly. Everything is so consisting of two 36-story buildings with a total of 514 rooms, each covering an area of 25 to 58 GAO Skiing School offers three levels of his famous piece The Little Dog Waltz (Waltz in D Flat, peaceful and cozy until a dog’s bark interrupts the cat’s of introductory, intermediate and Op. 64, No. 1), but it is rarely known that he also wrote waltzing swagger. square meters. The hotel opened in 1986, and in advanced teaching courses for those a waltz for cats. It is said that one day, the cat of Georges Leroy Anderson (1908-1975) was a composer of short, 2006 invited Astrid Klein Mark Dytham, a well- over the age of 13. Females can also sign up for Girls Snowboarding courses. Sand, a famous French novelist, jumped on to Chopin’s light concert pieces. John Williams described him as “one known architect from Europe, to modify the piano and strolled back and forth across the keyboard. of the great American masters of light orchestral music”. exterior walls of the building. Getting there The sound this cute little creature created became Chopin’s Located in the central position of Hoshino Resorts Tomamu the Tower Hokkaido, Hoshino You can take the JR tram from the New Chitose Airport, inspiration for this piece of music. Friends: Smelly Cat Smelly Cat comes from the phenomenal television sitcom Risonare is a five-star family hotel, consisting of transfer at Minami-Chitose Station to Tomamu Station two 32-story towers with a total of 200 rooms. (1 hour, 10 minutes), and then take a free bus from the Zez Confrey: Kitten on the Keys Friends. It is a song written and performed by Phoebe, one Chopin is not the only person who found out that cats of the six main characters. It is not a perfect masterpiece. Each floor is designed into four suites, each suite station to the resort. You can also choose to take the are capable of composing. About 100 years later, United The lyrics are childish and the rhythm is simple, but it covering an area of more than 100 square meters. airport bus from the New Chitose Airport to the hotel States composer Zez Confrey wrote a piano solo called is definitely a classic. If you do not understand why this The rooms are equipped with a shower, sauna and (2 hours, 15 minutes). Buses run six times per day from Kitten on the Keys, inspired by hearing his grandmother’s badly written song is so touching, watch the show — you king-size massage bathtub. An Italian restaurant on 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. cat walk on the keyboard of her piano. It became a hit, will not regret it. the top floor offers panoramic views of the valley.

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Bulgari Hotel Beijing

A display of Italian design spirit Text Wang Ruosi

hether in London, Milan or Bali, if you High ceilings make this luminous suite exceptional, are looking for an unparalleled haven together with teak finishing and floor-to-ceiling of opulence, Bulgari is always the first windows. The bedroom, with its comfortable super Wchoice. The recently opened Bulgari king size bed made from woven bamboo, has an Hotel Beijing is a stunning place to experience the elegant walk-in closet leading to the master bathroom. concept of “urban resort”, and is definitely a must- Languishing in the large Jacuzzi bathtub, guests can visit for fans of Italian design and romance. enjoy pure relaxation with perfect river views. The The hotel is located in the Chaoyang neighborhood Bulgari Suite is also accompanied by its own spa amid the prestigious green surroundings of the treatment room and private sauna. Embassy District. It is an oasis of tranquility that balances art and nature with sculpted gardens that extend along the Liangma River and include the Genesis Art Foundation. HIGHLIGHTS The Bulgari Hotel Beijing was entirely designed by renowned Italian architectural firm Antonio Il Ristorante Flying Citterio and Patricia Viel. They conceived both the Niko Romito offers spectacular views over interior and exterior in a process comparable to the the park and an outstanding terrace for outdoor dining. creation of a high-end Bulgari jewel: pairing rare, Michelin-starred Italian chef Niko raw materials according to color, texture and feel, Romito is the genius behind the and sculpting them into objects of enduring beauty. gourmet delicacies at Il Ristorante. In the spirit of integral design dating back to Working from his headquarters in the 1930s, the architects hand-selected or custom- Italy and regularly counseling his personally trained resident chef designed every element for consistency, comfort and Diego Ottaviani, Romito brings to purity, allowing the hotel’s design to maintain an Il Ristorante a menu that optimally uncompromising Italian style, while simultaneously expresses the culture, elegance and incorporating the uniqueness of its location. vitality of Italy. The hotel’s 119 exquisitely furnished rooms — Weddings & Events using outstanding Italian luxury residential furniture The Bulgari Hotel Beijing offers beautiful brands such as Maxalto, B&B Italia and Flos — venues to choose from on site, include the exceptional Bulgari Suite, with some of including the Bvlgari Ballroom and the best views over the city. It measures nearly 400 a stunning garden facing the river. square meters and offers guests modern Italian design The lavish ballroom can host up to 300 seated guests, while in the with touches of Chinese tradition coupled with spacious foyer up to 400 people cutting-edge technology. can enjoy standing cocktails The Bulgari Suite is one of the largest suites prior to a function. The hotel in Beijing. Offering guests sweeping views of the gardens are the perfect location for weddings during the warm season. Eating While Flying: Secrets of Inflight Meals / 88 Liangma River, the Beijing skyline, and Bulgari’s own Scattered throughout the property, magnificent private gardens, the suite features modern “living sculptures” represent resilience and Ask the Captain / 94 Italian design coupled with state-of-the-art technology. longevity, and offer the perfect backdrop for outdoor events. News / 96

86 Flying

nflight meals are not renowned for being Airlines are upping their game in terms of the best quality, and it is not uncommon their culinary offerings to draw the crowds to hear people say they despise them. in, exemplified by Singapore Airlines, which IHowever, in today’s highly competitive regards inflight meal services as highly Eating While Flying marketplace, airlines have to stand out from significant to its customer experience. one and another, ensure the passengers’ Not satisfied with only suiting passengers’ onboard experience is a positive one and taste, the airline has gone a step further Text Feng Shuangqing ultimately generate customer loyalty. Given to enhancing sustainability practices in its Secrets of Inflight Meals that, the stereotype of the barely edible inflight inflight food offerings, with a new initiative meal appears to becoming a thing of the past. “From Farm to Plane”.

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Samples of inflight From Farm Products to meal displayed at the 2017 World Gourmet Forum by Menus by Michelin-starred Chef Inflight Meals Singapore Airlines.

Connecting consumers directly to the sources of their food In September 1998, Singapore Airlines set up the is still an uncommon practice in the commercial food industry, International Culinary Panel, comprising award-winning and a novelty in inflight comforts. From 2018, passengers on chefs from the culinary capitals of the world. The panel Singapore Airlines may find produce sourced from Singapore’s works closely with the airline’s own chefs to create the farms. On top of leafy greens, eggs and fish, local farmers also unique selection that is available on board. produce quails, quail eggs, frog meat, seafood, goat’s milk, It is not often you get to enjoy a meal created by a fruit, vegetables, edible flowers, herbs, spices and super foods celebrated chef. Let alone eight. Not just one, but eight rich in nutrients. A balanced and nutritious meal can be almost world-renowned chefs form the International Culinary entirely domestically sourced. Panel. A look at the resume of the panel will ignite the With a population of 5 million crammed onto a landmass imagination of a culinary feast, for both the eyes and of just 715 square kilometers, currently only 7 percent of the palate. Singapore’s food is grown domestically. The country imports The Panel includes Alfred Portale of the United States, most of its fresh fruit and vegetables daily from neighboring an internationally lauded pioneer of new American cuisine, countries such as Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines, as whose Gotham Bar and Grill has received four consecutive well as from more distant trading partners like Australia, New 3-star reviews from The New York Times; Carlo Cracco of Zealand, Israel and Chile. Italy, a leader in the new generation of progressive Italian Farms and agriculture are important to every country. cuisine, whose two Michelin-starred restaurant, Ristorante The Kranji Countryside Association (KCA), a nonprofit Cracco, garners worldwide attention for his creative organization that promotes local agriculture, food security takes on classic Italian food; Georges Blanc of France, a and sustainability, has been working with public and private grand master of French cuisine, who has been consistently partners to maintain 1 percent of Singapore’s land area for awarded the three-star rating in the Michelin Guide; growing food in a secure, safe and sustainable way. At the Matt Moran of Australia, the youngest chef to receive the World Gourmet Forum held by Singapore Airlines on Oct. coveted One Chef’s Hat for modern Australian cooking; 11 in 2017, eight world renowned chefs from the airline’s Sanjeev Kapoor of India, chef, TV host, author of many International Culinary Penal (ICP) were hosted by local best-selling cookbooks, restaurateur and winner of several farmers in Kranji, where they got a chance to sample local culinary awards, whose innovations in Indian cuisine produce to potentially be used in inflight meals. It was said have made him a household name in India and abroad; that cherry tomatoes, pumpkins, green beans and lettuce might Suzanne Goin of the United States, renowned for her appear on a new inflight menu. inventive and distinctly Californian style with Preparing airline food that looks appetizing and tastes good preparations rooted in classic culinary requires getting creative with ingredients. With the “From traditions; Yoshihiro Murata of Farm to Plane” concept, Singapore Airlines intends to use more Japan, one of the few chefs able sustainable and meatless ingredients in its inflight meals. In the to discuss Japanese cuisine near future, passengers who fly with Singapore Airlines might from a global perspective come across food provided by KCA members, for example, Kin and whose creations are Yan Agrotech situated at Lim Chu Kang Agro technology Park famed for their subtle — Singapore’s largest commercial, organic wheatgrass farm. French accent; and Zhu The farm produces fresh edible cactuses, aloe vera, mushrooms Jun of China, winner as well as roselle fruits. The Fish Farmer is a proponent of of the Excellent green and environmentally friendly fish farming methods and Chef award at the also the largest marine fish farm in Singapore. It rears all its 15th China Chef fish without injections, vaccinations or chemicals. Each fish Festival, whose dishes is proudly given a QR code tag with suggested recipes and carry his signature information about the farm. Shanghainese “Our food and beverage sustainability efforts will further influence, with a dash demonstrate and reinforce Singapore Airlines’ ongoing efforts of Sichuan, Huaiyang, to help reduce our carbon foot printand ensure a greener Fujian and Guangdong environment,” said Marvin Tan, Singapore Airlines’ Senior Vice touches. President of Products and Services.

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Inspired by their culture and banquets of Heian, temple meals Casserole experiences, and the places where during Kamakura, the feasts of How Does Inflight Assembly of Muslim Meal you fly to, the panel boasts samurais during Muromachi, and Catering Work? at SATS a selection of exclusive and the tea ceremonies of Higashiyama. tantalizing signature dishes, and The Kyo-Kaiseki meal takes is constantly creating new dishes, passengers on a journey through Are you curious about how designed to delight even the most these different periods, with fresh to offer quality meals to tens discerning taste buds. ingredients inspired by nature and of thousands of people every For example, the Shahi Thali — its changing seasons. Furthermore, day, when those meals will be a platter of Indian rice, roti, Zhu Jun, the ICP chef from China eaten hours later after being re- chutneys and entrees — is designed who is classically trained in French heated and served at altitudes by ICP chef Sanjeev Kapoor to give and Italian cooking, uses his that numb the taste buds to leave an authentic north to south Indian training to re-interpret traditional the richest foods tasting like dining experience. Shahi Thali is Chinese favorites for Shi Quan oatmeal? Ever wondered how cooked with the exact ingredients Shi Mei — Chinese fine dining to produce meals in hundreds of and in the same way that they are on board. Shi Quan Shi Mei varieties, addressing special dietary needs and the food preparation prepared in the regions in which emphasizes the use of seasonal are stored in specialized automated requirements of the world’s they originate. ICP chef Yoshihiro and fresh produce with traditional warehouses until work-orders call religions, in time for hundreds Murata’s Kyo-Kaiseki is a modern cooking methods. To enhance the up a demand for warehouse robots of flights scheduled to depart take on centuries-old Japanese experience, the meal is paired with to transfer them to distribution. day after day, while ensuring cuisine — the imperial court specially selected seasonal tea. At assembly, a master sample consistency, quality, variety and dish is prepared against which all food safety? other dishes are measured. The The answers can be found in experienced workers do not need Indian Premium Meal kitchens of SATS at Singapore much guidance. Nevertheless, floor preparation (Tandoori Changi Airport, which got its supervisors keep a watchful eye Chicken) at SATS start as Singapore Airlines’ in- and are available to address any house catering service, before being problems that could delay the next privatized and grown into a publicly stage of completion. traded company that supplies 60 of Food safety could not be a more the world’s airlines. critical element of inflight catering. Once recipes are developed in At SATS, there is a research and the laboratory kitchens, chefs test development centre equipped the results in a simulated aircraft with a development kitchen, a cabin, which generates cabin laboratory and a sensory room, pressure equivalent to the operating to ensure that the highest level of pressure inside an aircraft flying food safety is a part and parcel at 30,000 feet. Once they have of every inflight meal. In addition been inside the pressurized cabin to intensive research on the long enough for their palates to application of food technology, be affected, chefs trial their new they also perform microbiological creations and discuss changes tests on drinking water, raw required to get the flavor just right. materials and finished products, as When recipes get perfected, well as swab tests, hygiene checks specific standards are drawn up for and quality audit checks. preparation and presentation for The catering center can produce the kitchens to follow. No detail up to 80,000 meals per day, with is too small. The measurements of 19 separate kitchens including meat cuts, the exact amount of rice cold, pastry, oriental, dim sum, and vegetable accompaniments, the Indian, Japanese, Muslim, amount of sauce and the number premium, Thai and western foods. of peas — each is counted and This is what makes the inflight weighed. Ingredients are ordered in dining experience something to bulk from all around the world and truly look forward to.

92 93 Flying Ask the Captain Text Fannie

Q: Can an aircraft be struck by lightning if it is flying through or near a thunderstorm? Would a lightning strike adversely affect an aircraft’s normal operations? How can an aircraft avoid damage from a lightning strike?

Q: Where does the electricity on a plane come from? What is the composition of a plane’s power Duan: An aircraft could be struck by lightning when supply system? Which equipment flying through a thunderstorm. People and equipment in is power supplied to? the aircraft would be safe because the metals used provide shielding effects, but lightning could damage an aircraft itself. As there are some non-metal parts and exposed antennas, serious damage could still be caused by the strong electromagnetic radiation of lightning. In addition, Yu: The power supply system is roughly powerful lightning currents could fuse the metals, or divided into three parts, including the even strike through the aircraft cover, damaging a large engine, APU and accumulator. The electric area. Being struck by lightning is an emergency situation, generator driven by the engine is the major which doesn’t usually cause the aircraft to lose control power supply system. Most of the time when immediately. However, serious damage would cause a the engine is running, for instance during drop in aircraft pressure rapidly and the oxygen masks cruising and taxiing, this system supplies would appear, pilot should descend to safe altitude at the plane with electricity. However, the APU once to ensure sufficient oxygen supply. Lightning could supplies power when the engine stops or in also interfere with the airborne electrical equipment for case of faults with the engine, for example communication and navigation, and even lead to partial during boarding, fueling or an engine power failure, but a well-trained professional pilot always system failure. The accumulator works knows how to deal with such an emergency situation. in a similar way to that of a car, but both The best way to avoid a lightning strike is just to keep capacity and power of the accumulator away from it. Before each flight, we make a detour plan on a plane is much greater than that of a in advance based on meteorological data. We also detect car. When a plane starts the APU from the a thunderstorm’s coverage and intensity via the airborne status of aircraft on ground, it relies on the weather radar during flight. Manual specifies that a accumulator. In addition, in the process of certain distance must be kept between the aircraft and flight, the accumulators of plane types 737- a thunderstorm area. If a thunderstorm area is too large 7/800 can supply power for at least 30 to 60 to avoid, pilots might choose to delay the flight, turn minutes even when all other power supply the aircraft back or prepare for an emergency landing to systems have failed. ensure the absolute safety of all passengers. Yu Xin Duan Lian Xiamen Airlines China Eastern Airlines Plane type: Boeing 737NG Hours of flight: More than 5,500 Plane type: Airbus A330 APU Hours of flight: More than 15,000

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New Nordic design for Finnair Routes Finnair is rolling out a new design in its Business Class cabins. Beijing Brisbane New cabin textiles and Air China launched a four- amenities, including new times-weekly non-stop service seat covers as well as pillows, between Beijing and Brisbane in blankets and chinaware with December 2017. Flight CA 795 prints from iconic Finnish design departs Beijing at 2:35a.m. and house Marimekko, are all being arrives in Brisbane at 3:10p.m. introduced from February 2018. The return flight CA796 departs The new designs aim to reflect Brisbane at 7:30p.m. and touches Nordic interiors and landscapes back down in Beijing at 4:45 a.m. according to David Kondo, Head the following day. This route is of Cabin Interior Development operated by Airbus A330-200. at Finnair. In addition, the airline is introducing a new menu from Swedish chef Tommy Myllymaki, Qingdao London who is the creative director for Capital Airlines began operating five restaurants in Stockholm. China Southern Airlines received its first Boeing 737 MAX 8 on Dec. 1, 2017. The 737 MAX 8 delivers the highest a twice-weekly service from Myllymaki will design menus efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market by incorporating high-tech CFM International LEAP- Qingdao to London on Nov. 17 for Finnair’s Business Class, and 1B engines, advanced technology winglets, the Boeing Sky Interior, large flight deck displays and other improvements. 2017. Operated by Airbus A330, his winter menu will be served The efficiency gains helped make the MAX the fastest selling airplane in Boeing history, with more than 4,000 orders to flight JD431 departs Qingdao at on all Finnair long-haul flights date from 92 customers worldwide. 3:05p.m. and arrives in London at departing from Helsinki from February 2018. 7:50p.m. The return flight JD432 The winter menu has dishes such as Jerusalem artichoke with cep departs London at 10p.m. and mushrooms and pear, and braised ox with celeriac and kale. The summer arrives in Qingdao at 5:30p.m. menu will place more emphasis on seasonal, crisp fresh vegetables to the following day. American Airlines and Casper help travelers dream big celebrate the freshness of the Nordic summer. with new onboard bedding Guangzhou Cairns China Southern Airlines launched New A330-800 starts final assembly a thrice-weekly services between American Airlines announced that Guangzhou and Cairns in it is partnering with innovative global Final assembly of the newest member of the Airbus A330neo Family, the December 2017. Flight CZ333 sleep company Casper to offer a best- A330-800, has started and is on track for the first flight planned in mid-2018. departs Guangzhou at in-class sleep experience to American The A330-800 complements the A330-900, the largest member of the 10:10p.m. and arrives in Cairns Airlines customers. A330neo Family. With its 242-ton Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW), the at 7:40a.m. the following day. Beginning in December 2017, A330-800 can operate routes of up to 7,500 nautical miles, and with the The return flight CZ334 departs customers seated in long-haul recently launched 251-ton MTOW variant the aircraft can operate ultra-long- Cairns at 9:40a.m. and arrives in international and transcontinental range routes of Guangzhou at 3:05p.m. First or Business classes or Premium up to 8,150nm. Economy can now enjoy advanced Together, the sleep offerings designed by Casper’s A330neo variants award-winning engineering team. Paris Taipei are part of the The Casper line of sleep products Air France will launch a thrice- world’s most include a mattress pad, duvet, pillow, weekly non-stop service comprehensive day blanket, lumbar pillow, pajamas between Paris and Taipei in April twin-aisle, twin- and slippers, with the exact offering this year. Flight AF552 will depart engine aircraft varying based on the route. Paris at 1:35p.m. and arrive in family from 260 to Casper studied travel conditions Taipei at 8:15a.m. the following more than 360 seats, for months to better understand the day. The return flight AF557 will which includes the challenges of in-flight sleep. Casper’s sleep engineers then applied their renowned expertise in sleep research and sleep depart Taipei at 10:25a.m. and A350 XWB Family. science to design innovative products specifically for air travel and made exclusively for American Airlines. arrive in Paris at 6:20p.m.

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SKY TIMES Inflight Magazine