 New Agreement Means More Chinese Tourists in America
The United States might soon see an increase in visitors from China, a welcome idea from both the tourism industry and the US Commerce Department. United States Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez just signed a deal that will allow Chinese travel agencies to market packaged tours to the United States and will allow the US to advertise directly to the Chinese public...READ MORE |
 Art on the Town, Blue Lights on Bypasses
If you’ve never been to Shanghai, one of the first things that will strike you is the unexpected and unassuming artistic lights adorning the elevated roadways that cut around and throughout the city. I wondered about it, so I did my research, and having lived in cities before, the answer came as a surprise; it’s all about the aesthetics...READ MORE |
 Don’t Trust Those Kindly Kids at Your Hotel
I know the kids who run the hotel you stayed at may have seemed to have been nice, kind and concerned with your best interests, but the truth of the matter is as likely as not that they are paid a commission on your final hotel bill, and that they’ll as soon rake you across the coals as look at for what is right. Before signing your checkout bill, check it, check it again, make sure it’s 100% accurate and raise holy hell if it isn’t...READ MORE |
 Getting out of China Through Customs
When leaving China there are a few critical considerations to consider. Whether you’re trying to bring out cash, antiques, name brand goods or just a fat stack of stuff, it’s up to you to determine and legitimately declare the value, origin and age of your goods. We’ll help you determine which is what, but beyond that, it’s up to you...READ MORE |
 Personal Space & Earsplitting Hubbub: You’re Not in Kansas Anymore
The tornado you unsuspectingly ride upon is an airplane and you are mostly oblivious to the fact that when you step off that plane you will be in a whole new world, a world that will look and smell different; a fascinating world that will enliven your senses and enrich your life. You think you are prepared for the change. You know the language will be different, the money, the food, the customs. But you also know that it’s a great industrial city, a real metropolis that you are moving too and you think to yourself “it can’t be that different.” And then...READ MORE |
 Dark Street, Scary Night, Are You Safe?
The government, communities and businesses have been working nearly around the clock for well over ten years razing every square inch of Shanghai, replacing it with sparkling new testaments to what the city truly represents, but in any city in the world you have to take a moment to ask yourself whether or not you are safe. In Shanghai, however, the answer comes especially quickly… yes you are...READ MORE |
 Continental Revives Airline with the Help of Few Million Shanghainese
Last week I reported that American Airlines would be offering non-stop service between Chicago and Shanghai. Now, Continental Airlines is hoping to service Shanghai as well; an effort that would not only give consumers choice but might bring Continental out of the red...READ MORE |
 American Airlines to Offer Non-Stop Shanghai-Chicago Route
American Airlines has announced that beginning April 2, 2006 they will have daily non-stop service between Chicago and Shanghai. This move is part of an effort to increase profitability of the Chicago hub...READ MORE |
 Railway Offers Alternative Sleeping
"I just can't accept the idea of sleeping inside a cubical next to some guys I don't know. It would feel so unsafe and uncomfortable," said Ruan Chenji, a 25 year-old single woman from Shanghai. And now when she travels between Shanghai and Beijing by train, she won’t have to...READ MORE |
 Maglev Denied Shanghai-Hangzhou Run
China Business News has reported that an unnamed Chinese government official has rejected claims by the German transport minister that Siemens AG and ThyssenKrupp AG have been approved to build a maglev rail line running between Shanghai and Hangzhou...READ MORE |
 China Enters Aviation Market with New Jet
A new Chinese regional jet, the ARJ-21 (which stands for Advanced Regional Jet for the 21st Century), is being assembled at the Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Factory in Shanghai. The plane was developed by the China Aviation Industry Corporation I (AVIC I), and production began in 2002. It is expected to be finished by the end of the year. The ARJ-21 will give China a presence in the aviation market, which up until now has been dominated by foreign companies such as Boeing and Airbus...READ MORE |
 Shanghai to Extend Maglev Train Line
Shanghai will be extending its maglev train line to the Hongqiao Airport, as part of a high-speed transport link between Shanghai and Hongqiao... READ MORE |
Thoughtful Tourists Don’t Photograph Strangers Children
Photographs are still considered with more cautious guard than they may be in whichever first world country you are from. The Chinese do not smile upon you taking unauthorized photos of their children, but if you think about it, how would you feel about a foreigner who doesn’t speak your language taking pictures of your child without permission?
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Scam Watch – The Promise of the Shanghai Lady
If you are traveling in Shanghai and would like to meet a nice, local girl with which to share a quiet evening or two, you may do that. There is no law against it and more and more, it is not even looked upon as something strange. But if you’re looking to find a prostitute, you are asking for nothing but trouble and opening yourself up to jail time, deportation, robbery, or any number of the world’s sexually transmitted diseases...
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Scam Watch – The Guide You Didn’t Want and Just Can’t Stand
If you’re a tourist or even just look like one, you may find your stroll through the market a little less comfortable than you’d hoped. It may be that you’ll take on an unrequested new “friend” who just wants to show you around -- even if you already know your way around -- even if you tell him to get the heck away from you. It may be nothing, but be on guard, this guide may be less friendly than you think...
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 How to Order Your Big Mac
When all else fails and you’re so hungry you could eat at McDonalds, the easy thing to do is surrender, go in and order your Big Mac, fries, coke and any other such fatty delights of home that may please you. But what do you do if they don’t speak English and your Chinese is limited to “hello” and “thank you”? Just use the picture menu...READ MORE |
 Just Say "Mayo" to Beggars
If you see a beggar come up and latch on to you with a sad look and an outstretched hand, you know you must be on the streets of any city in any nation of the world. China has taken great steps to insure that visitors are not troubled by beggars, but no amount of preparation against this can ever make it go away. Only you can make them go away, and if you don’t, they’ll call in reinforcements until all your money is gone... READ MORE |
 Disneyland China: Twice the Pleasure and a Bit of Heartache Too
Hong Kong Disneyland opened six months ago in a joint venture between the company and the Hong Kong government. Disney’s $314 million investment in the $1.8 billion park has gotten off to a rocky start with rumors that it had not been meeting the company’s expectations. And now they’ve been faced with a new problem, too many visitors. Despite troubles in Hong Kong, Disney has acknowledged that they are in talks with the Shanghai city government about placing a park within its auspices.... READ MORE |
 Getting Into China Through Customs
When traveling in to China, it’s important to understand the customs regulations, so that you do not bring in any forbidden items. Though these things may be illegal, common sense alone should help you avoid any legal trouble, with the greatest fear being only that you could forfeit your goods upon entry to the country... READ MORE |
