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Cycling across China
Lifestyle / Fitness
Written by : Sammi Zhou
Apr 1, 2008
Tags :
cycling
sports
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| Traveling by bus, car, train or airplane is meaningless to me. I prefer to travel by bicycle, making good use of the most simple traffic tool to experience happiness, tiredness, and the excitement of adventure – so speaks Liao Jianhui, the organizer behind the Giant Bicycle Club in Guangzhou.
Long and short distance journeys can easily be arranged at Giant Bicycle. However, to Liao, the most impressive journey one can make here is a mammoth ride to Beijing. Yes, on a bicycle.
"There were 15 members in our team, six women and nine men," he recalls of his own expedition to China's capital. "Before we set off, we didn't reserve a single hotel room. We didn't even have a car ?following us for emergencies. Carrying just a simple pack, we just rode. Along the way, we kept encouraging and helping one another. Every four hours, we took a break. Whenever there was rain, we wore raincoats. Whenever there was heat, we wore shades. ... ... |
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The great outdoors
Lifestyle / Buy the Way
Written by : Sammi Zhou, photos by Joe Chen
Apr 1, 2008
Tags :
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| Get equipped with these funky sporting shops.
European Corner 欧洲胡同
354, Sky Galleria, 223 Tianhe Bei Lu, Guangzhou (020-38912796) 广州市天河北路223号中天购物城354号
When adapting your needs for the outdoor life, everything you desire can be found right here. Functional and practical, and with everything imported from abroad, you can choose items such as the SIGG water bottle (100RMB-300RMB) for cycling, driving, jogging, mountain climbing, fishing and so on. Better still, they can also keep coke, orange juice, fresh milk, and even the odd cheeky tipple. Fancy some sharp binoculars to follow wildlife? Steiner's telescopes from Germany are sold in many models. Their night version model (9,900RMB), while rather ?expensive, is highly recommended. Plus they also have scopes for birding, astronomy, hunting and marine watching. Why not try the Swedish LMF lunch box (258RMB), made of eco-green PP materials? Their triangular shape can stand very high pressures. And don't forget c ... ... |
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This sporting life
Lifestyle / PRD Fashion
Written by : Sammi Zhou, photos by Joe Chen
Apr 1, 2008
Tags :
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| Get the look before you get hooked.
Now the fine sunshine is back, getting into sports again is a must. There is a well-known phrase among women – "You don't have to play it well, just wear it well." In other words, simple yet directional pieces like these can complement your sporty look. .
Jogging
Take your dog for a quick jog in the morning sun and feel the stress flood out of you.
The Rules
A nice sporty look may make for a more pleasant walk. Pink or light purples go well with spring colors. Throw away baggy bottoms; replace them with fitted cotton trousers.
The new pink Apple ipod nano will add to your look micely. You can even enjoy TV shows, movies, videos and podcasts. 4GB and 8 GB models start at just 1,798RMB.
Where To Jog:
Baiyun Mountain 广州白云山
Baiyun Da Dao Bei, Guangzhou (020 3722 2222)
It enjoys a reputation as "The First Beauty of Ram City" and covers a green area of 30sq kms. A cha ... ... |
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Learn to master Wing Chun Kwan
Lifestyle / Fitness
Written by : Sammi Zhou
Mar 11, 2008
Tags :
martial
community
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| Get involved in China's largest martial art community . . .
If you're a Kong Fu fan, and they are legion, then you may have heard of Wing Chun. However, it has been reported that the Wing Chun Organization is now the largest martial art school in the world, with something like one million card-carrying members.
Huang Nim yi, who is the master of the Mai Gei Wong Wing Chun School in Guangzhou, is now running Wing Chun branch schools in France, Italy, UK, Australia and other countries. In his own words, this special martial art has flourished because "the admiration for Bruce Lee has been the stimulus for people to learn about this intense discipline of Kung Fu."
Wing Chun was actually invented by a martial heroine, Yan Wing Chun, from Fujian Province. That is to say, it is named after its creator. Mimicking animal movements is particularly common to Chinese martial arts. It is said that Yan was inspired by observing a fight between a snake and a crane. Yet, afte ... ... |
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How to …have good table manners
Lifestyle / Local Customs
Written by : Lena Gidwani
Mar 11, 2008
Tags :
seating
chopstick
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| All it really takes is some courtesy and common sense
Just as Chinese food seems to taste better when eaten with chopsticks, a whole meal can be more enjoyable if one knows a little of the ancient traditions and beliefs that place the meal in a 5,000-year-old culinary heritage. So here is a short guide to Chinese dining etiquette...
Seating
First of all, don't sit! Wait for your host to seat you. The guest of honor will usually be seated facing the door or furthest away from the door. The younges will be closest to the door.
Serving
After being seated, wash your cutlery in the bowl of tea. Also wash the lip of the bowl. Before eating, the host may offer you words of greeting. Guests should not start to eat until the host says, "enjoy yourself!", otherwise it suggests disrespect.
Pecking Order
The practice of presenting the best or finest foods first to the senior members of the family has been observed for countless generations. With a fis ... ... |
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Exquisite furnishings
Lifestyle / Buy the Way
Written by : Sammi Zhou,photos by Joe Chen
Mar 11, 2008
Tags :
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| Bored of Ikea? Try these two unique home design stores
Newsdays 集美组
East gate, 8 Haishan Jie, Er Sha Island, Guangzhou (020-8735 2589) 广州市二沙岛海山街八号东门集美组
A blend of Chinese and Western cultures
After more than 20 years in the market, Newsdays is now recognized as a cutting-edge interior design contractor, with successful contracts upheld with Chimelong Hotel Guangzhou and Royal Lagoon Hotel Dongguan.
Newsdays also has a great line of furniture. Collectivism and individualism are two essences of their philosophy. Its name, 集美组, means "the blending of various beauties", and often they send their designers abroad for special training. They mostly work in traditional Chinese wood or bamboo, but you can also see neat Western flourishes.
KJ04 BUX
102-104, 44 Tianhe Nan Yi Lu, Guangzhou(020-85515378) 广州天河南一路44号102－104
A celebration of all things London
Not exclusively a furniture store (it sells clothes and mag ... ... |
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Four flavors for spring
Lifestyle / PRD Fashion
Written by : Sammi Zhou, photos by Joe Chen
Mar 11, 2008
Tags :
womenswear
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| New womenswear gets the "wow" factor.
Fresh Light
Dots, chiffon, and flower prints play a pivotal role this season. Light baby doll dresses go with super-cropped jackets; a low-cut midi-length silk dress pairs with slender long jeans; while extra-long shirts mix well with cargo shorts.
Color Opposites
Color crossovers like lemon yellows, brilliant purples, bright reds, elegant violets, sharp pinks are here to produce subtle contrasts and sharp brightness.
Back to the future
Clean lines, ultra-light, geometric motifs, plastic wind clothes and high-tech materials reflect the spirit of the future with bursts of shiney silver, polished greys and metallic blues.
Blue revolution
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Top Secrets (08-03)
Lifestyle / Top Secrets
Written by :
Mar 11, 2008
Tags :
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| Things about you nobody knows back home . . .
VITAL STATS
Name: Lennart Nilsson
Where I'm from: Sweden
Where I live: Tianhe, Guangzhou
What I do: The Swedish Commercial Consul in Guangzhou
How long I've been in China: A little more than two years.
What is your favorite bar or club?
Tang Club, because of the cool architecture and the interior design.
Describe your ideal Saturday in Guangzhou.
Hanging out with interesting people, either sharing good food, having a few drinks, or dancing our asses off.
What do you love most about Guangzhou?
The dynamic atmosphere!
What do you hate most about Guangzhou?
The fact that I will have to leave someday!
What do you do to relax on Sunday afternoons?
I grab a guitar, compose and record music, or just play around in my little home studio.
What is your favorite Cantonese phrase?
Yauh mouh gau choh ah!
What is the greatest lesson China has taught you?
That I thought my o ... ... |
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This is for Lovers
Lifestyle / Buy the Way
Written by : Sammi Zhou, Jinee Liu, Tiffany Hong and Shane Qin
Feb 4, 2008
Tags :
gift
lover
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| 4 perfect Valentine's Day gifts.
Eclectic clothes
C-Pix (衫国演义) specializes in T-shirts, sweaters, and coats with very original designs such as "modified" Chairman Mao head portraits, double happiness icons, moon nymphs and primitives. Winter coats also sell for around 180RMB-280RMB.
C-Pix
1) 3342/3F, China Plaza, Guangzhou(020 83738699) 广州市中华广场3楼3342铺
2) Subway Entrance A, Window of the World, Nanshan District, Shenzhen(13715230953) 深圳市南山区世界之窗地铁A出口
Home goodies
If you're living together, a cool appliance which both can share is another great idea. Kissing bears (58RMB), couple key rings (30-50 RMB), "shoe" ashtrays (24RMB) and even Adam and Eva pillow cases (75RMB) can add a little smile to your daily life.
Appliance:
Super Girls, 3616, 3F/Basement, Diwang Square, 18 Jiaochang Xi Lu, Guangzhou (13760659890 Nancy)
超级女生，广州市较场西路18号地王广场负二三中庭3616铺
It's A1, C-031, 2F/ Basement, China Plaza, Jiaochang Xi Lu, Gu ... ... |
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Cool holiday gear
Lifestyle / PRD Fashion
Written by : Sammi Zhou
Feb 4, 2008
Tags :
cool
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| Ditch the sporty winter wear and think smart-casual.
FOR GENTLEMEN
A printed cotton polo shirt is a real asset to your overall look.
Levis, Highsun Sport City, 93 Dongchuan Lu, Guangzhou (020 8388 5933) 广州市东川路93号
This deep brown poacher bag is made of buffalo leather. In other words, very "now".
Dunhill, G/F, Friendship Store, 369 Huanshi Dong Lu, Guangzhou (020 8357 4220)
广州市环市东路369号友谊商店
These rhinoceros leather shoes mixed with canvas allows you to kickback and chill over Spring Festival.
MFG, E1107B, B/1. Estern Section, Comic City, Zhongshan Wu Lu, Guangzhou (020 6282 1282) 广州市中山五路动漫星城东区E1107B
Tartan trends are back, so why not wrist-up with this watch with tartan belt and double spliced surfaces?
Guess, 2/F, World Trade Center, 371-375 Huanshi Dong Lu, Guangzhou 广州市环市东路371-375号世界贸易中心2楼
Updated tailored or slimmer silhouettes cont ... ... |
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