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With China's 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy now covering 54 countries, Shenzhen's major tourist attractions are experiencing a significant boost in overseas visitors.   The Splendid China • China Folk Culture Villages, one of Shenzhen's must-see theme parks, recorded a staggering 1,125% year-on-year increase in overseas tourists between January and August this year, according to a Shenzhen Special Zone Daily report Saturday.   Located in Nanshan District, the park highlights China's rich cultural heritage, history, and diverse traditions. It features 82 miniature architectural landmarks, offering international visitors the chance to "step into history and explore all of China in a day." Additionally, the park houses 28 ethnic villages that showcase the authentic customs of China's 56 ethnic groups.   To better serve its growing number of international tourists, the park has enhanced its services and streamlined processes. Now, international visitors can purchase discounted tickets online, receive personalized tour route recommendations from staff, and enjoy a range of cultural activities, including trying on traditional Chinese costumes and experiencing ethnic customs.   Beyond its regular attractions, the park also hosts special cultural events, such as the "Splendid Guangdong New Year" and the "Splendid Lantern Carnival," offering international visitors a deeper, more immersive exploration…Original link

Registration is now open for the 8th China (Shenzhen) Innovation & Entrepreneurship International Competition, dubbed as the "Entrepreneurship Olympics."   Without nationality barriers, all overseas innovation and entrepreneurship projects are eligible to enter the competition.   With a prize pool of 9.42 million yuan (US$1.31 million), the competition's first-place winner will receive up to 1.75 million yuan in prize money and start-up subsidies, according to the organizer, the local human resources and social security bureau.   In addition, a venture capital pool of 25 billion yuan has been set up by over 50 investment institutions to encourage outstanding projects to settle in the city.   The deadline for application is Sept 10. Between mid-September and the end of October, regional contests will be held across 12 countries at 13 sites in Tokyo, Melbourne, London, Paris, Munich, Milan, Barcelona, Eindhoven, Stockholm, Zurich, the San Francisco Bay Area's Silicon Valley, Boston, and Toronto.   Winners of these regional contests will qualify to compete at the finals, which will take place in Shenzhen between November and December.   Competitors will compete in seven thematic areas — next-generation electronics, high-end equipment manufacturing, green and low carbon, new materials, biopharmaceuticals and health, digital and fashion,…Original link

Ever since China began expanding its visa-free travel and 72/144-hour visa-free transit policies to more countries last year, have you had any friends or family members who have come to Beijing to visit since then? Anyone you know planning to come? What sort of essential tips would you give them? The Beijinger is running a new series providing such essential tips for short-term visitors to the capital. We hope it’ll make things easier for overseas visitors, and help make your life easier inviting and receiving visitors from back home. Check it out and give us your feedback below! Given China’s long history, Beijing is home to dozens of restaurants that have stood the test of time  – some of them have been serving customers  – even emperors  – for centuries. Locally referred to as “Laozihao” (老字号) or "time-honored brands", there are some 70 of these establishments in Beijing. Here are a few must-try spots. Quanjude 全聚德   Quanjude is the most famous restaurant chain for Peking Duck, the hallmark dish of traditional Beijing cuisine. Quanjude uses a special roasting method in which an entire duck slowly rotates in a cylindrical oven with fire at the bottom, ensuring crispy skin and a rich, smoky…Original link

Are you fascinated by Chinese culture? Want to learn how to make dim sum at home but unsure where to start? Don't miss your chance to join the autumn semester of Shanghai Citizen Art Night School, a public service project offering evening cultural and art courses for adults aged 18-55. With extended hours and an affordable fee – just 500 yuan (US$69.79) for each course, including 12 sessions – this initiative helps citizens enhance their artistic appreciation, cultural literacy, and aesthetic abilities. Following the success of the spring semester, the Shanghai Citizen Art Night School is now welcoming expatriates for autumn registration. The final deadline is this Friday, August 23, so be sure to secure your spot and enjoy an enriching learning experience! This semester, City News Service has again partnered with the Shanghai Mass Art Center to provide exclusive registration channels for expatriates. There are nine different classes to choose from, including Calligraphy, Blackpool Sequence Dance, Jiangnan-style Pastry Making, Shanghai Dialect and Guqin. Classes are scheduled on weekdays from 7pm to 8:30pm, making it convenient for busy professionals. Several classes have already gained immense popularity, with some selling out within seconds. How to register 1. Visit the City News…Original link

Smart onboard functions have enabled Chinese automotive startups to make foray into high-end markets and compete with established global giants, said a senior J.D. Power executive. "Smart NEVs have won the heart of Chinese car buyers," said Su Jun, president of J.D. Power China, at a forum held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Thursday. "In other words, smart functions have proven to be the driving force for Chinese carmakers to catch up and even overtake global rivals," he said. Smart cockpit technologies are more widely accepted by new vehicle owners in China and are a key factor in their vehicle-buying decisions, according to the 2024 China Tech Experience Index Study, whose findings were released earlier this month. Besides the market, J.D. Power has also found changes in car buyers, especially those born after 1995, who are wooed by dealers as they account for a big proportion of new car buyers. One important finding is that they value a fast response. A previous J.D. Power study reveals that their overall satisfaction can hit 825 out of a scale of 1,000 when a dealer contacts them within an hour of leaving their contact information. The score would drop to 792 if it…Original link

Hangzhou has recently launched a service called “The Easy Go luggage delivery”, allowing visitors and their heavy baggage to “go separately”. If visitors don’t want to catch the high-speed train with burdens when they leave Hangzhou, they can now have their luggage delivered directly to the carriage with only a call. Upon arrival in Hangzhou, visitors can deposit their luggage at the targeted transportation hub, then go straight for the West Lake with ease. And when leaving, their luggage is allowed to go first to the station after check-in at the hotel. Thereafter, visitors are enabled to enjoy a last tour in Hangzhou to the fullest before going to the transportation hub to pick up their luggage. The appointment phone number can be inquired at the hotel reception. And if guests are too busy to handle the checking procedures by themselves, they can inform the hotel of their needs and entrust the hotel to check in the luggage. During the trial operation, the delivering service costs 99 yuan for the first piece of luggage, and an additional 10 yuan will be charged for each additional piece of luggage. After making the appointment one day ahead, the stuff of China Railway…Original link

(The image is not related to this article.) “You will not back walk again.” The doctor’s words echoed in the cold hospital room, freezing the young man into an icy grip of despair. The young man, Timour Alserhan, with an imposing physique, spoke with politeness, his eyes conveying respect and courtesy. “I was devastated at that time because I thought that I would never be a champion anymore.” He confessed at the beginning. This, however, rather than a conclusion, served as the prologue of a new story. Dramatically, it turned out that the doctor had made the mistake of mixing another patient’s file with his. However, the doctor still insisted that Timour's head was damaged and he could not do boxing anymore. This time, Timour listened to his unyielding voice within: “Boxing is in my blood and I will become the Asian champion. ” True to his word, he returned to training, and at the tender age of 18, he won the Asian championship, just two months before his journey to China. Born in Jordan, a city pulsating with the heartbeat of the Middle East, Timour was shaped by the same vibrant spirit that characterized his homeland. As a young…Original link

The scene of the Guangdong Science Center. The Guangdong Science Center has recently unveiled its latest masterpiece, the "Math and Physics Panorama" exhibition hall, after three years of meticulous planning and construction. This innovative space invites the public to embark on a journey where abstract scientific concepts become tangible and palpable. Far from merely a showcase of curious phenomena, the exhibition hall aims to equip visitors with the ability to "think like a scientist." By eschewing the conventional approach of isolated subject displays, it intertwines the intricacies of mathematics and physics, transporting visitors to the very heart of scientific discovery and immersing them in the investigative processes of pioneering minds. One such immersive experience is the "Vortex Bowling" exhibit, where a mere push of a button unleashes vortex rings in a tank, propelling bowling pins. Witnessing the "fluid bullet" effect firsthand, visitors gain an intuitive understanding of underwater dynamics. The exhibition abounds with such hands-on interactions, with 123 exhibits spanning mathematics, acoustics, optics, electromagnetism, mechanics, fluid dynamics, and quantum physics. By mirroring scientists' path from observation to hypothesis, experimentation, and conclusion, it encourages active learning, fostering scientific thinking and methodology beyond mere fact retention. At the intersection of science and…Original link

In a remarkable discovery that has stunned both locals and historians alike, 148 ancient tombs have been uncovered beneath the bustling grounds of the Guangzhou Zoo, a popular tourist attraction in the heart of the city. The announcement, made on August 8, has revealed a treasure trove of history, with the tombs spanning various periods, including four from the Han Dynasty, 8 from the Jin and Southern Dynasties, 15 from the Tang Dynasty, and a staggering 121 from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. On-site display of unearthed artifacts. Image via 广州发布/WeChat In total, 196 artifacts were unearthed from these burial sites. This discovery isn’t entirely unexpected, given that the Guangzhou Zoo sits in one of the city’s key areas for ancient tombs. Since 1956, nearly 500 ancient tombs have been excavated in over 30 different locations within the zoo. However, this recent find is particularly significant due to the sheer number and diversity of the tombs, as well as the historical periods they represent. Besides these 148 newly uncovered tombs, the most recent excavation occurred during the construction of the zoo’s new giant panda exhibit in 2023, where a group of 47 relics was unearthed, further enriching the zoo’s archaeological…Original link

As a UNESCO World Heritage site, West Lake carries millennia of stories and cultural heritage. This summer, for the first time, visitors can enjoy a night cruise to Three Pools Mirroring the Moon Islet on traditional painted boats. This new experience is an attempt to pay homage to Song Dynasty culture while exploring modern tourism possibilities. This immersive tour recreates West Lake night tours of a renowned scholar-official, poet, and calligrapher of the Song Dynasty, Su Dongpo. During the tour, guests can enjoy boating, poetry, wine, floral headpieces, tea ceremonies, and traditional Song Dynasty activities such as archery and musical performances. Onboard, attendants in Song Dynasty attire will narrate stories of West Lake and Su Dongpo, enhancing the beauty of the scenery. On the island, guests will be greeted by Su Dongpo and his attendant, with performances of silk and bamboo music, dancing, and traditional Song activities such as floral headpiece making and archery. There will also be poetry competitions with prizes. In Yingcui Pavilion, visitors can enjoy Song-style tea ceremonies and tea wine performances, while on the lakeside, traditional music will accompany recitations of Su Dongpo’s works. Su Dongpo held office twice in Hangzhou. He not only left behind…Original link

With over a month to go until the Mid-Autumn Festival, various mooncakes have already hit supermarket shelves. However, what the people of Hangzhou are truly anticipating are the vegetarian mooncakes wrapped in oiled paper from the city’s major temples. On Aug 9, Fajing Buddhist Temple at Zhongtianzhu was the first to begin selling these mooncakes, adding the first touch of deliciousness to the Mid-Autumn Festival for the local people of Hangzhou. The vegetarian mooncakes from various temples have been popular in Hangzhou for over a thousand years. It is said that during the early Northern Song Dynasty, Yongming Yanshou, the first abbot of Jingci Temple and the most revered monk in Hangzhou at the time, advised King Qian Hongchu of Wuyue to voluntarily submit to the Northern Song Dynasty before he passed away. However, Qian Hongchu was reluctant, arguing that Wuyue was wealthy while the Song Dynasty was impoverished, making it hard for oil and water to mix (In Chinese, we often use "oil" to represent wealth and "water" to represent poverty). Then the monk responded, "When dying of hunger and thirst, which is more precious, oil or water?" He then mixed water, flour, and a small amount of oil…Original link

The French Pavilion at the 2024 South China Book Festival and Guangzhou Book Fair. The 2024 South China Book Festival and Guangzhou Book Fair opened on Aug 16, with the French Consulate General in Guangzhou and the organizers of the book festival unveiling the French Pavilion at Area B of the Canton Fair Complex at 9:30 am. This year commemorates the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. The festival has designated France as the guest country and features exhibitions of works that have received the Fu Lei Translation and Publishing Award, wine culture displays, and educational exchanges. Visitors are encouraged to immerse themselves in French culture through these offerings. The Paris Olympics mascot "Phryge" also made an appearance at the French Pavilion, attracting many readers eager to take photos. The event, which runs from Aug 16 to 20, offers a chance to explore outstanding Chinese translation works awarded the Fu Lei Translation and Publishing Award, participate in literary discussions on "Contemporary French Literature in China" led by French professors, engage in French language experiences brought by the Alliance France Canton, and consult with the Campus France for information on studying in France.Original link

Hangzhou-Wenzhou High-speed Railway will open soon. The travel time between Hangzhou and Wenzhou will be shortened to about one hour. This railway is directly connected to Hangzhouxi Railway Station, and will connect Hangzhoudong and Hangzhounan Railway Stations in the future. Hangzhou-Wenzhou High-speed Railway is connected to Huzhou-Hangzhou Section of Hefei-Hangzhou High-speed Railway at Tongludong Railway Station, Shanghai-Kunming High-speed Railway at Yiwu Railway Station, and Hangzhou-Shenzhen Railway at Wenzhoubei Railway Station. It is an important part of the intercity railway network in the Yangtze River Delta, and is also the key project of Zhejiang to achieve the 1-hour transport circle inside the province. The railway passes through nine railway stations, linking many tourist attractions in Zhejiang, such as picturesque Tonglu, Yiwu with bustling international trade, Hengdian as the Film & TV Base, and Xianju with beautiful mountains.Original link

Shenzhen had a total of 71,479 registered physicians as of Dec. 31, 2023, up 7.28% compared to 2022, according to data released by the city's health authority yesterday, the seventh China's Doctors' Day.   Among them were 67,690 practicing doctors and 3,789 practicing assistant physicians. In terms of practice type, the city had 45,364 clinical physicians, 9,635 stomatologists, 3,199 public health physicians, and 13,281 traditional Chinese medicine physicians.   In addition, Shenzhen boasted 10,569 general practitioners (GPs), which accounted for 14.79% of the total number of registered physicians. By the end of 2022, the city had achieved the goal of having four GPs per 10,000 people, with an average of 5.48 GPs per 10,000 people currently.   Shenzhen has continued to improve the quality of health services. As of the end of 2023, Shenzhen had a total of 5,431 medical and health institutions, 926 community health institutions, and 159 hospitals, cumulatively offering 69,877 beds.   Last year, the city's medical and health institutions completed more than 128.84 million medical treatments, a year-on-year increase of 24.3%. The huge contrast between 71,479 registered physicians and over 128.84 million treatments reflects the hectic daily schedules of doctors in Shenzhen, according to the health…Original link

Ever since China began expanding its visa-free travel and 72/144-hour visa-free transit policies to more countries last year, have you had any friends or family members who have come to Beijing to visit since then? Anyone you know planning to come? What sort of essential tips would you give them? The Beijinger is running a new series providing such essential tips for short-term visitors to the capital. We hope it’ll make things easier for overseas visitors, and help make your life easier inviting and receiving visitors from back home. Check it out and give us your feedback below! Paying for things in China can, for some, be as smooth as silk, while others might find trouble getting off the ground or getting everything registered to go on one of the country's big two apps, WeChat and Alipay. One of the respondents to our questionnaire accompanying these articles had a story relating to today's topic, about a family visiting China who ran into some easily avoidable trouble: A career businesswoman who hadn't been to China in over ten years visited with her family. They assumed they wouldn't need a Chinese SIM with local number, a good step to take when getting…Original link

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