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Shanghai-native Zoey Xinyi Gong is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner, a food therapist, a registered dietician and nutritionist, a chef, a published cookbook author, a social media influencer and more. Bridging modern recipes and a thousands-year-old practice for holistic wellness, Zoey’s TCM philosophy embodies the Chinese cultural idea that food and medicine are at once synonymous and inseparable. “TCM isn’t quite like a religion, but a holistic way of thinking that can enlighten your well-being and improve your overall relationship with your own body, mind, and surroundings,” remarks Gong. By learning to harness the power that food has on all aspects of the human body, Gong is aiming to bring TCM practices yet again to the fore – specifically for the younger generation – through her accessible tips and suggestions via her personal social media channels. We sat down with this TCM guru to learn more about her personal journey with TCM and food therapy, her favorite TCM-centric spots around town, how she dispels TCM misconceptions, and some helpful ways to incorporate TCM into our own daily lives. Let’s start with your backstory. How did your journey with alternative medicine and cooking begin? When I was 16, I moved…Original link

On August 30, the 2024 Guangzhou Asian Food Festival reached its climax with the grand unveiling of over 50 “Asian Landmark Cuisine” winners at the Asian Landmark Cuisine Industry Conference in Guangzhou. This event, part of a broader initiative to promote Guangzhou’s rich culinary heritage, was organized by the Guangzhou Daily Group in collaboration with several government and industry bodies. A Culinary Call to Support the 15th National Games and Paralympics As Guangzhou prepares to host significant events for the 15th National Games in November 2025, the food industry has taken a proactive role in supporting these events. During the "Asian Landmark Cuisine" Cultural Night, representatives from leading cultural and culinary enterprises came together to advocate for the food industry’s role in ensuring top-quality service and safety standards during the Games. This initiative is seen as a key opportunity to showcase Guangzhou’s culinary excellence to a global audience. A significant milestone of the event was the signing of a partnership agreement to promote the “Taste Guangzhou, Experience the National Games” initiative. This agreement not only aims to inject fresh momentum into Guangzhou’s culinary scene but also to enhance the global reach of its food culture. Unveiling of 50+ Asian Landmark…Original link

Tuesday, September 3 Harakiri for the Sky Harakiri for the Sky, the Austrian post-black metal band formed in 2011, is known for its hauntingly beautiful and melancholic sound. Comprised of multi-instrumentalist M.S. and vocalist J.J., this duo weaves despair and beauty into a unique auditory experience. Their music is a blend of atmospheric post-rock and visceral black metal, creating a soundscape that is both ethereal and brutal. Their live performances are a cathartic experience, drawing the audience into a world of intense emotion and stunning melodies. September 3, from 10pm For Tickets: www.showstart.com/venue/3515 SDlivehouse, Unit 207, 2/F, HICITY, No.154 Nanzhou Lu, Haizhu 海珠区南洲路154号（侨建·HICITY ）2/F 207 Saturday, September 7 Junna "Rock You" Asia Tour 2024 Junna, the powerhouse singer from Japan, is making waves with her unique and dynamic musical style. Rising to fame as the lead vocalist of the tactical music unit “Walküre” from the hit anime Macross Delta at just 14, Junna has captivated fans across the globe. Now, in 2024, she embarks on her “Rock You” Asia Tour, bringing her extraordinary voice and stage presence to audiences in China. Expect an unforgettable concert filled with energy, emotion, and the iconic sounds that have made Junna a rising star in…Original link

We’d be willing to bet with all of the coffee shops in Beijing, you could (probably) enjoy a different cup from a different place each day until the end of the year. Today, we’ve got two to add to your list of places worth trying… and one of them serves beer. CLOSER   This place pops out like some sort of movie theater along Andingmen Neidajie, and if the entrance doesn’t get you inside, the menu just might. For coffee, they’ve got everything from Americano (RMB 28) to Espresso con Panna (RMB 20) to a nice looking Affogato (RMB 42) we missed on our previous list. Not just content with coffee, CLOSER has C早A晚  -- C Zǎo A Wǎn, aka morning coffee evening alcohol -- covered with brews on tap. They've got a number of breweries on tap from across China and beyond, making it a nice morning and afternoon spot, depending on your poison of choice. CLOSER Café & Taproom 233 Andingmen Neidajie, Dongcheng District 东城区安定门内大街233号 Hours: Mon-Thurs, 10-1am; Fri-Sun, 10-2am Contact: 185 0018 2860; 176 1015 8680 Qinghuachi Coffee Taking its name from the time-honored brand bathhouse that now operates as a spa, Qinghuachi might be more about the gimmick than…Original link

Our To Try List covers new restaurants, dining deals, drinks discounts, guest shifts, pop-ups, and more foodie happenings in Beijing. Dastaan opens Mumbai Impression, Las Musas launches vegan menu, Goose Island opens two new branches and more on our To Try List this week. Dastaan Opens New Restaurant Mumbai Impression and Announces “Bollywood Bash” We love to see places in the F&B industry doing well here in Beijing and one spot that certainly seems to be on a roll is Dastaan. Having already opened Bollywood Tales earlier this year, they’ve now opened another new restaurant: Mumbai Impression. Located in Wanda Plaza here you can get Dastaan’s usual amazing offerings of authentic Indian dishes complete with elegant traditional Indian décor for a warm, inviting atmosphere. Mumbai Impression is also currently participating in Restaurant Week which is a great way to sample some of their offerings (just search for the DiningCity mini-program in WeChat to book). In other Dastaan related news, on Sep 7 they will be putting on a special “Bollywood Bash” at their flagship Dastaan location in Sanlitun Soho. The night will feature a buffet dinner, free-flow drinks, live Bollywood dancing and songs, games, a henna station and more! Dastaan's Bollywood…Original link

A few weeks ago, following the release of the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list, we set about putting together a list of bars in and around the hutongs of Gulou we felt were worth stopping by for a tipple or two. Now, we’re setting out to document some of the best cocktail bars across the capital – kicking things off once again in Gulou. This time we’re looking at a few more bars in the area, plus one or two that are in between as the series moves from Gulou and into the surrounding areas and beyond. Whatever the location may be, we think these spots are all well worth a visit, so drop by when you get the chance. B.A.r.  Short for "Brand new Age", this is the former second location of now shuttered B.A., which shared a space with the also shuttered Fenzi Coffee near Andingmen. The new iteration has a larger space but keeps the attitude and drinks style championed by B.A. alive. That being said, the menu is more extensive here. B.A. did things on a flashcard-like menu, whereas B.A.r. breaks drinks into categories with a few varieties for each, like different martini variations and all…Original link

Enjoy exclusive deals! Join our Travel News & Deals WeChat Group! 4-Day Inner Mongolia Desert Hike Image courtesy of M2 Adventures Experience the magic of the Tengger Desert on this 50 kilometer hike. You'll cross golden dunes, walk through grasslands, discover a hidden lake oasis and even sleep in a Yurt. At night, enjoy a bonfire with new friends, dancing under a sky full of stars. Feel the thrill of sandsliding down the dunes, and taste the famous Ningxia BBQ mutton, known for its tender, flavorful meat. This trip offers adventure, stunning landscapes, and unforgettable memories! For More Information Click Here 3-Day Embracing the Wild Mother Retreat Image courtesy of Yoga for Life Embark on a transformative three-day retreat inspired by Clarissa Pinkola Estés’ book Women Who Run with the Wolves. Together, delve into the powerful archetypes of Vasalisa and Baba Yaga to explore the evolution from the nurturing but limiting 'too-good mother' to the fierce, wild qualities of the goddess mother. Through storytelling, introspection, interactive workshops, yoga, and breathwork practices, shed the constraints of overprotective mothering and embrace the wisdom of the wild, intuitive feminine. Discover how to integrate the strength and authenticity of Baba Yaga into your life, harnessing the power…Original link

Drones and advanced 3D scanning technologies were used to produce the video game "Black Myth: Wukong," which debuted on Tuesday and captivated millions of players, also causing a surge of interest in ancient Chinese architecture and sculpture. The game soared to the top of Steam's Most Played Games list, with over 2.2 million concurrent players at its peak. Beyond the numbers, the game has inspired players to explore real-world locations behind its in-game settings. Flights of drones, including DJI devices, contributed the vivid and stunning graphics or immersive gameplay and the deep connection it fosters with Chinese traditional culture, industry insiders who were involved told Shanghai Daily. The multi-angle videos help game developers produce game scenes infinitely closer to the real sites, experts said. This video showcases how drones capture 3D scenes at ancient architectural sites, which have become flooded with traffic alongside the game's popularity. Included are Yungang Grotto (云冈石窟) in Shanxi Province; Dazu Grotto (大足石窟) in Chongqing city; Mount Fanjing (梵净山) in Guizhou Province; and the Pagoda of Fogong Temple (应县木塔) in Shanxi Province. Edited by Zhu Shenshen.Original link

A delegation led by the Hubei Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism made its appearance at the “Hello! China”, a tourism exhibition opened in Bangkok, Thailand, on August 20, 2024. More than 200 guests, including officials from the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the China Cultural Center in Bangkok, as well as representatives from major tourism companies, airlines and media of China and Thailand, attended the opening ceremony. The delegation launched eight themed tourism routes and four sci-tech business tourism routes at the exhibition, introducing iconic cultural and landscape elements of Hubei like the Yellow Crane Tower, the Three Gorges, the Wudang Mountain, Shennongjia and the Enshi Grand Canyon, and cutting-edge technologies such as gene technology, driverless car, digital industry and aviation tourism. During the three-day tourism exhibition, the comprehensive revenue of Hubei tourism enterprises was expected to reach 17.4 million yuan (including the sales of creative products of intangible cultural heritages). According to data from China’s online travel platform Ctrip, the inbound passenger trips made by Thailand reached 39,907 in the first seven months of the year. And Bangkok is the second largest overseas…Original link

Imaginechina Whether you're visiting China for the first time or returning from an overseas trip, it's crucial to be aware of what items are allowed through customs. Failing to follow these rules could result in fines or other penalties. Here's a brief guide to help you navigate customs with ease. Items banned from China Certain items are strictly forbidden from being brought into the country. These include: - Counterfeit currency and securities - Weapons, imitation weapons, ammunition and explosives - Fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, tobacco, seeds and plant materials - Narcotics and psychotropic substances such as opium, heroin, and marijuana - Materials harmful to China's politics, economy, culture, or morality, including specific books, films, and other media - Biological materials such as pathogens, pests, and products from quarantined animals or plants - Live animals (except for dogs and cats with proper documentation), meat products, dairy, eggs and other animal-derived products Items allowed through Customs When bringing items back to China, they must be for personal use and within reasonable quantities. The general rule is that items with a total value of up to 5,000 yuan (US$700.84) are exempt from customs duties. Here are specific details for common items: Gold and…Original link

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