Previously in The Fast Lane, I was just wrapping up week one of a two-week round the world tour and filed this column from the not particularly attractive Asiana lounge at the not particularly attractive Gimpo airport in Seoul. Stockholm, Helsinki and Tokyo had all been visited and I was returning to Tokyo for another few days of business and play. Seven days later I’m now 36,900ft over the South China Sea and the island of Jeju, off the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula, is just coming into view – that’s according to the moving map on the screen in front of me.

I hadn’t planned on being back in Korea quite so soon but Incheon is the pit-stop for the Singapore Airlines 777 flight to San Francisco and a handy place to grab a bit of wi-fi time to get these words back to London and also buy some Sulwhasoo face cream at duty free. good luck trying to buy a decent magazine or book, however – next to impossible.

In a week when far too much air time and too many newspaper pages have been devoted to the IPO of a company that allows people to write mindless things about their daily routines and inhibits polite conversation and spontaneity, I was happy that in all my meetings and conversations from Tokyo to Hong Kong to Singapore the topic never came up – in part because it’s just not that interesting (how do you say bubble in Japanese, Cantonese and Singlish?); in part because most people are much happier finding common ground and talking about aviation.

On my return to Tokyo on Thursday evening I went to the opening of the Tokyo branch of the Oslo café-bar Fuglen (think mid-century Norwegian furniture, low lighting, excellent coffee by day and outstanding cocktails by night). Tucked away on a quiet lane, the small, converted house was packed with cool-looking men and women from in and around Shibuya, Norwegian expats and a clutch of government officials from the embassy and Oslo. while most of my chats started with positive reviews about the drinks and interiors, almost all managed to find their way to the topic of airports, why Norwegian should open a direct flight to Tokyo and what’s going to happen to Scandinavian Airlines.

A few days later in Hong Kong a breakfast, lunch, round of drinks and dinner all had aviation as a common theme. did conversations move in this direction because people know I fly a lot? or did they manage to chart a course of their own without me offering co-ordinates? Over drinks at the Shangri-La my hosts spent the better part of an hour celebrating and slaying various carriers in the region and around the world.

There was a quick appraisal of the commercial aircraft they loved (the 777 was a clear winner) and those they didn’t. Was the commercial airliner business finished in Russia after the crash last week outside of Jakarta? Why isn’t the food better on Cathay? will China create airlines that find an international audience? We could have spent all evening debating these topics but my friend Ian had to whisk us off to a dinner up the hill.

Ten minutes later, on the 22nd floor of a skinny tower in Hong Kong’s Mid-levels, we were eyed up by security as we were shown into a private room at a boisterous Sichuanese restaurant. if the arrival had the feeling of Goodfellas on Victoria Harbour, the scene inside the room was a riotous collision of a Hong Kong action thriller, Canto chick-flick, ABC’s female-hosted talkshow The View and at least five different reality food programmes – with Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay both chopped up into tiny pieces and bubbling away in a cauldron of angry peppers and chillies.

As we settled in and tried to get up to speed with the five ladies holding court, our hostess asked me to comment on the state of the world while she sifted chillies from the pot in the middle of the table. would a wrong answer land me in the pot? or would the blazing contents be hurled at me to the delight of all assembled? It seemed that my comments found favour as another bottle of vintage Ruinart was opened and the discussion suddenly veered to helicopters over the Alps, poor hygiene in aircraft loos (our hostess made a film of herself cleaning the toilet on a flight and sent it to the chief executive) and the shockingly long security queues at its Hong Kong airport for non-residents.

So why do we love to talk about airlines and aviation so much? I pondered this question on the way back to the hotel and concluded that airlines and airports have become a proxy for topics that would otherwise be deemed too politically incorrect. It’s much easier (safer) to poke fun at an airline and its staff than take on a whole country. Heaven forbid we should dare to have a laugh at the expense of others any more. so Heathrow is really shorthand for having a go at the Brits. Alitalia jokes are in fact a comment on Italy inc. And who can resist recalling their favourite crew names on Chinese carriers? “Frosty Ho will be your purser on this flight today.”

Tyler Brûlé is editor-in-chief of Monocle magazine

More columns at www.ft.com/brule

<a href="http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/55f9cbe4-a004-11e1-90f3-00144feabdc0.htmltag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/55f9cbe4-a004-11e1-90f3-00144feabdc0.htmlFri, 18 May 2012 21:01:22 GMT”>Roasted in a cultural stew

May 5, 2012 1:02 pm by DAN LEVIN, KEITH BRADSHER and DAVID BARBOZA / the New York Times

FOR the first-time visitor to China, planning a trip to the most populous country on earth can be an exercise in trying to tame the infinite. Where to begin? since most people will be flying into Beijing, Hong Kong or Shanghai, we suggest basing yourself in one of these three cities, each in its own state of frenzied transformation. As two Times correspondents, David Barboza in Shanghai and Keith Bradsher in Hong Kong, and Dan Levin, a regular contributor from Beijing point out, each city is a study in contrasts. Dazzling, ultramodern skylines conceal hidden corners of traditional China: historic neighborhoods crisscrossed by alleyways in Beijing; teahouses in Shanghai; and centuries-old temples in Hong Kong. which isn't to say that these metropolises, with their up-to-the-minute shops, galleries, restaurants and bars don't possess their own magic. They do. below, essential tips on what to see and do for a week in China's gateway cities.

Around the time the morning coffee starts flowing, the lane outside my courtyard house near one of China's oldest working temples comes to life. the aged knife sharpener pedals slowly by — the clang of grinding metal on stones a developing-world version of the ice cream truck jingle. a rice seller passes a few minutes later, his wagon crammed with sacks of kernels. Retirees in pajamas emerge laden with caged songbirds that they hang in low branches. on summer evenings, my neighbors bet on cricket fights over beers. everyone chain smokes.

This is hidden Beijing, a world that still survives just beyond the six-lane boulevards and gleaming skyscrapers. Here lies a rough beauty unique among Chinese cities — a metropolis filled with history careening into the future. just look for the Buddhist monk gabbing into his Bluetooth. 

Centuries ago, the emperor's feng shui masters chose this arid basin for its spiritual energy and designed a capital that would survive sandstorms, dynasties and Chairman Mao. Holdovers from this ancient city's time as the nexus of China's political and creative power poke through the neon in surprising ways, fueling an urban culture where imperial shrines abut indie rock clubs.

At once authoritarian and optimistic, Beijing is meant to impress. but it's easy to miss its riches without a guide, so here are some highlights that will ensure that you get the most out of a week in the capital. 

Culture the 798 Art District (798district.com), in a sprawling decommissioned military factory compound, allows for a whirlwind tour of China's lucrative modern art world, one that attracts neophytes and collectors alike. Two standouts: the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (www.ucca.org.cn) features massive installations and intense retrospectives, and Galerie Paris-Beijing (parisbeijingphotogallery.com) has a generous supply of photographs featuring China's fierce creative landscape. Eyeing rich Chinese buyers, global commercial galleries have descended on 798, including Pace Beijing (pacebeijing.com), which features a rotating selection of premier Chinese and international artworks.  the district is a sprawling warren of industrial relics, galleries and cafes, and half the fun is stumbling upon the absurd, whether it be an old locomotive train that has become a popular backdrop for wedding photos or a two-story bird cage tucked down a side street.

Walk Beijing's faceless bureaucrats may pay lip service to their nation's ancient history, but the swift disappearance of the city's historic hutongs, or alleys, reveal their fondness for the bulldozer. Luckily, a small network of hutongs in the heart of the city remains unscathed, so make sure to add a hutong stroll to your Beijing itinerary. start off at the Lama Temple and head west down quaint, leafy Guozijian street, named for the imperial academy where Qing dynasty scholars once studied to become officials. the academy and the adjacent Confucius temple are serene places to take in Beijing's historical significance before facing its modern incarnation as a city of fortunetellers, home design stores and cafes.

Things get much more hectic across Andingmen Nei Dajie street, a bustling thoroughfare home to the city's best dumplings (Xian Lao Man, no. 252; try the tea leaf and pork, and the beef and carrot varieties) and some hilarious Chinglish shop signage, such as “Cherish Lady Herd Living Space” for a store specializing in women's herbal beauty products. while some of the hutongs, like the tourist-mobbed Nanlouguxiang, are long past their prime, the northern Beilouguxiang Hutong remains largely undiscovered by the camera-laden masses even as it has become a hub of youth culture. be sure to check out Mai Bar (No. 40), a minuscule cocktail courtyard joint, for some imported bourbon before turning left onto Baochao Hutong, where you'll encounter the goth boutique Monster and some seriously obscure fashion havens. From there it's south to Gulou Dongdajie, which is filled with quirky boutiques and is a short walk from the ancient Drum and Bell Towers and the subway.

Can't miss the ultimate Beijing experience is Tiananmen Square, one of the most surveilled spots on earth. the square, which bears no record of the bloody events of June 1989, is the quintessential totalitarian mecca — a destination built for the masses to venerate the Communist Party at the geographic heart of Beijing. Rub shoulders with peasants from the outer provinces on a pilgrimage to Mao's mausoleum and do not be surprised if they ask you to pose for photos — you may be the first foreigner they have ever spoken to.

A word of warning: avoid the friendly “students” who say they want to practice their English at a teahouse or bar nearby. This is a scam in which tourists end up footing an exorbitant bill, which the proprietors then split with the scammers.

Decompression With its plush thread counts, chic bars and haute interior design, the opposite House (theoppositehouse.com)  has reigned supreme among Beijing's hotels since opening in 2008. and no wonder: this boutique hotel, designed by Kengo Kuma, knows how to do chill-out, from its gently towering atrium to its airy rooms done up in natural woods. It's smack in the middle of the city's upscale Sanlitun neighborhood, which means that retail therapy is a mere few feet away. if Uniqlo and the Apple store feel too close to home, make for the notorious Yashow market, a multistory temple to the counterfeit gods where, depending on your bargaining skills, low-cost tailoring and fake brand-name sneakers and apparel can be procured for a fraction of what the genuine articles cost just down the block. the area is also home to dozens of dining options that cater to both the gastronomic daredevil and the Luddite.

Night Out Beijing has hundreds of bars and nightclubs. Beer aficionados in the know flock in summer to El Nido (59 Fangjia Hutong), a pub boasting obscure ales from around the world. Another hot spot is great Leap Brewing (greatleapbrewing.com), a courtyard microbrewery with an ever-changing selection of homemade brews hidden in a quiet back street. Seeking the high life? Migas (migasbj.com) offers a bird's-eye view of it, with cocktails and D.J.-spun parties on the huge deck all night long. 

Outing the great Wall, just two hours away by taxi or hired car (you will pay 500 renminbi per day at most), lives up to its name. make the journey feel less like a haul by staying overnight at the Schoolhouse at Mutianyu (theschoolhouseatmutianyu.com), a resort in a village at the foot of the Mutianyu section of the Wall. To avoid the crowds, arrive in the late afternoon and wait until the other tourists have left to catch the last cable car back to their transportation at 5:30. the walk down is easy and, better yet, the Wall will be empty. Then you can imagine facing the oncoming Mongol hordes without being disturbed by souvenir vendors. after days of making sense of Beijing's chaos, the sight of pale stone snaking over the mountains to the horizon will renew the spirit.

If you go

Lodging Hotel G is a mod boutique hotel in the Sanlitun neighborhood, close to night life and shopping (hotel-g.com). Rooms start at about 882 renminbi (around $140 a night at 6 renminbi to the dollar). the Emperor Hotel, a futuristic boutique hotel down the road from Tiananmen Square, has a rooftop bar with views overlooking the Forbidden City (theemperorbeijing.cn). Rooms start at 599 renminbi.

Dining Middle 8, a taste of China's tropical Yunnan Province cooks, is packed every night, and for the right reasons. One of the city's best places to eat, with presentation to match and very fair prices. no reservations (8 Dong Sanlitun). Temple Restaurant Beijing is housed in a 600-year-old Buddhist temple compound. It serves European cuisine that costs an emperor's ransom in a setting worth the price (temple-restaurant.com).

Getting around Taxis in Beijing are jaw-droppingly cheap, costing less than 65 renminbi for an intra-city trip. always ask for the meter. (The Beijing taxi guide iPhone app, for $9.99, is vital: itunes.apple.com/us/app/beijing-taxi-guide/id287346119?mt=8.) Beijing's subway system is vast, easy to navigate and exceedingly prompt.

For years, Hong Kong, a British colony until 1997, was the West's window onto China, a place where Americans and Europeans could capture a tantalizing glimpse of Chinese culture. but now this teeming city-state — the financial hub of Asia — has been transformed into China's window on the West. Luxury stores like Louis Vuitton are so mobbed with mainland Chinese customers that velvet ropes are installed on the sidewalk for crowd control. Outposts of Tiffany, Starbucks and other Western companies have pushed egg tart vendors, florists and silk shops out of gracious stone buildings, which have been replaced with opulent shopping malls and high-rises connected by aerial walkways. Stanley Market, where snakes lurked in apothecary jars and pigs were slaughtered in the alleys during my boyhood in Hong Kong in the early 1970s, is now a warren of touristy stalls selling cheap paintings and T-shirts.

While downtown Hong Kong feels like a more frenzied and costlier version of Midtown Manhattan, this metropolis of 7 million inhabitants — one of the most densely populated places in the world — still has much to offer visitors, especially those who know when and where to look. the secret is to visit as many places as possible in the morning, before the tides of Chinese visitors — 28.1 million of them last year, compared with 1.8 million visitors from the Americas and a similar number from Europe — flood tourist sites and stores. Then have an afternoon nap to cope with jet lag before heading out to dinner, with reservations made well in advance.

And, whatever you do, avoid visiting on or close to Chinese holidays, like National Day on Oct. 1, when even larger crowds of mainland visitors come.

Culture Situated close to where the Pearl River pours its muddy waters into the island-dotted expanses of the South China Sea, Hong Kong is justifiably famous for its harbor, but the city has a colorful background as well. for great views and an introduction to Hong Kong's history — from the British conquest in the early 1840s to the Japanese attack hours after the bombing of Pearl Harbor — try the Museum of Coastal Defense, which stands at the eastern entrance to Victoria Harbor, where craggy bluffs plunge into the sea. Largely undiscovered by tourists, the museum is actually a series of half-ruined British fortifications. With exhibits ranging from a wire-guided torpedo concealed in man-made caves to a gun battery at the crest of the hill, it is a great destination for children. the museum has a simple cafe with a balcony overlooking the South China Sea, and sells delicious grilled cheese sandwiches for 19 Hong Kong dollars (about $2.50).

To get there, take a taxi or catch the Island subway line to the Shau Kei Wan stop. Right outside the subway stop is one of the oldest sites for the worship of Tin Hau, a local sea goddess who protects sailors and fishermen. the current temple dates from the 1870s; inside, it is black with soot from decades of incense burning. on the three-block walk to the museum, you'll pass Hong Kong's oldest temple to Tam Kung, a fishing god believed to have power over the weather.

Can't miss Arriving early is especially important for what is justifiably one of Hong Kong's top attractions, the Peak Tram, a funicular railway to Victoria Peak that offers stunning panoramas of Hong Kong Island and the surrounding area. Long lines form by 10 a.m. and last into the night. To avoid the crowds, get there soon after the tram starts running at 7 a.m. after reaching the terminus, take a hard right onto Lugard Road for a stroll around Victoria Peak. Lugard changes its name to Harlech three-fifths of the way around the mountain, and the two roads form a fairly flat two-mile circuit with magnificent views of downtown, the bustling harbor and the South China Sea. the path is seldom crowded except on Sundays, as most mainland tourists are met by tour buses after reaching the top of the Peak Tram.

Decompression after walking around the peak, have breakfast at Pacific Coffee, easy to find in the tower where the tram terminates at the top. It is a local version of Starbucks with impressive views of the entire city below. the longtime manager, Bino, greets morning regulars by name. after descending the hill on the tram, visit nearby Hong Kong Park, an oasis of koi ponds and quiet park benches.

Many residents decompress by shopping, a favorite local activity. the best buys are pearls and custom-made suits. World pearl prices have plummeted because of soaring production of high-quality freshwater pearls in China. American jewelers have been slow to pass on the savings. so try Irene at stall 278 in the old outdoor Jade Market in Kowloon, across Victoria Harbor from Hong Kong Island. She offers a fixed-price, no-haggling bargain. Don't miss the beautiful Chinese temple with a front courtyard of graceful banyans, diagonally across the street from the market.

Another smart purchase is a custom-made suit, which may cost the same as an off-the-rack suit in an American department store, but fits much better. try Empire International or Sam's Tailor in Kowloon, where you can expect to pay anywhere from $250 to $2,500.

Night Out no trip to Hong Kong is complete without crossing Victoria Harbor to Kowloon, a wonderful place to spend an evening. you could take the Star Ferry, with its wooden seats and noisy diesel engines, but for a more luxurious, leisurely trip, go for a 45-minute cruise on the Aqua Luna, built according to the century-old designs of wooden Chinese sailing vessels.

Kowloon is the best place from which to see Hong Kong's 13-minute nightly light show at 8, with multicolored lights running along the sides of some of Asia's tallest skyscrapers, and green lasers crisscrossing the sky above. One viewing spot is from the Avenue of the Stars, the Kowloon boardwalk facing Hong Kong Island. or watch the show while dining at the Hutong or Aqua restaurants, atop a skyscraper three blocks from where the Star Ferry and Aqua Luna drop you off. At the Hutong, order in advance the beggar's chicken (508 dollars), a whole chicken stuffed with mushrooms, cabbage and minced pork, wrapped in clay and baked. Breaking the hardened clay open with the restaurant's small hammer is fun for all ages. a pricey alternative is the new Italian restaurant Tosca on the 102nd floor of the International Commerce Center, a short taxi ride from the ferry docks in Kowloon, although Tosca is so high that the view below is often lost in the clouds.

Outing for a jaunt from Hong Kong, take a one-hour ferry in the morning to Macau, a former Portuguese colony that is now the world's top gambling center. Walk through the historic quarter from the Largo do Senado — a pedestrian area with wavy black and white lines underfoot, and some good Portuguese restaurants at the fringes — and several blocks uphill past shops crowded with furniture and bric-a-brac to the ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral. try to return to Hong Kong before hordes of tourists pour onto the sidewalks by midafternoon.

If you Go

Lodging on Hong Kong Island, the luxurious Island Shangri-La hotel (shangri-la.com; 3,900 Hong Kong dollars, about $515 at 7.60 Hong Kong dollars to the U.S. dollar) is a 10-minute stroll east across Hong Kong Park from the base of the peak tram. a slightly longer walk in the opposite direction will take you to the hipper Hotel LKF by Rhombus (hotel-lkf.com.hk; 2,188 dollars), with a rooftop bar and restaurant, Azure, that is not to be missed. for a night in the clouds with a swimming pool on the 118th floor, try the Ritz-Carlton, atop the International Commerce Center in Kowloon (ritzcarlton.com; 4,500 dollars). Prices quoted in late April are for a basic room without a harbor view on the night of June 19.

Dining for northern Chinese cuisine and traditional Chinese décor, go to Hutong (aqua.com.hk). Located on the 28th floor of One Peking Road, it offers excellent harbor views. Aqua (aqua.com.hk), with contemporary food, is one floor up with a nearly identical, breathtaking view. Tosca (ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/HongKong/Dining/tosca), with southern Italian cuisine, is on the 102nd floor of the Ritz-Carlton.

Sites Museum of Coastal Defense (hk.coastaldefence.museum/index.php; 10 dollars). Open daily except Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; until 6 p.m. in July and August. Irene Lam (852-9639-3084) for pearls at stall 278 of Jade Market, Kowloon. for tailors, try Empire International (empiretailors.com) and Sam's Tailor (samstailor.com).

Getting around Adult fares for the Peak Tram (thepeak.com.hk/en) are 28 dollars one way, or 40 dollars round trip; 7 a.m. to midnight daily. on June 24, fares on the Star Ferry (www.starferry.com.hk) will rise from 3 dollars to 3.40 one-way on weekends and public holidays. Weekday fare will remain at 2.50. Fares on the Aqua Luna (aqua.com.hk) are from 150 to 240 dollars.

One of the remarkable things about living in Shanghai is being able to witness this city's race to complete a century's worth of building in a mere decade or two. Fortunately, the charm of old Shanghai still exists in places like the outdoor market near the corner of Xiangyang Road and Changle Road, a few blocks from my home in the former French Concession. the sidewalks are narrow and grease-stained. Folding tables and tiny stools make dining awkward. Service with a smile is nonexistent. and yet every morning at daybreak, residents line up there to savor pork-filled dumplings and jian bing guo zi, or egg pancakes.

The scene is a time capsule in a city that is changing at warp speed. Dilapidated lane houses and tenements are being razed to make way for high-rises, boutiques and yoga studios. In a city whose streets were once crowded with bicycles, there are now fleets of Lamborghinis, Porsches and Land Rovers.

At the end of the 19th century, Shanghai, a port city near the mouth of the Yangtze River, was a flourishing international trading and financial center that was known for its decadence — an intoxicating mix of brothels, cabarets, opium dens and privileged foreign settlements. That city disappeared after the Communists swept to power in 1949. but today Shanghai has re-emerged as the dragon's head of an ambitious nation.

Here are some of my recommendations for a week in the city.

Culture begin with a trip to the Shanghai Museum, built in the shape of an ancient bronze cooking vessel, and a treasure house of artifacts, including world-class collections of ancient jade, ceramics, porcelain, bronze and imperial coins. South of People's Square, race ahead in time, to 1921, at the site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China, a gathering that helped give birth to the Chinese Communist Party. Photographs, pamphlets and old daggers trace not just the origins of the Communist Party, but the country's struggle against “foreign aggressors.” (What is remarkable is that this museum exists near an expensive neighborhood, filled with luxury shops.) the museum connects to a red-and-charcoal-colored lane house where 13 delegates to the Chinese Communist Party met in 1921. Among them was a 27-year-old man named Mao Zedong.

Head east to the Dongtai Road Antiques Market, an outdoor bazaar that sells coins, maps, scrolls and sculptures of Mao for as little as 50 renminbi (about $8). be prepared to bargain (drop the asking price by 75 percent, walk away and see what happens). you will likely be greeted by an elderly man pleading in rough English: “Look! look! Old. very old.”

The best place to see contemporary art is M50, or the Moganshan Road arts district, an enclave of studios, galleries and shops. the most notable space is ShanghART, run by the Swiss-born Lorenz Helbling, who has represented artists like Wang Guangyi and Zeng Fanzhi. Nearby, M97 has fine photography exhibitions.

Walk In the French Concession, start at the corner of Shaanxi and Shaoxing Roads, and head east, strolling down the tree-lined Shaoxing, past the Vienna Café and the Old China Hand Reading Room. make a left at Ruijin Road, another fabulous road with mansions, gardens and old villas. be alert — drivers sometimes get close enough to remove loose clothing. you might also stop by Taikang Road, and visit the area called Tianzifang, a series of corridors that house bars, coffee shops, restaurants and galleries.

Can't miss At nightfall, go to the Bund, the historic riverfront district. the city spent over $700 million to widen the sidewalks and remake the river promenade ahead of the 2010 World Expo. the Bund is dominated by neo-Classical-style buildings, most built in the 1920s and 1930s. inside are restaurants, bars, galleries and shops. My favorites are three on the Bund and Bund 18, both masterful blends of preservation and postmodern chic. farther north is the former Cathay Hotel, with its green copper roof, now known as the Fairmont Peace Hotel. Built in 1929 for Victor Sassoon, the British businessman, the hotel reopened in 2010 after renovations.

Near Suzhou Creek is the Rock Bund area, with turn-of-the-century buildings and cobblestone streets. Here, you'll find the Rock Bund Art Museum, which hosts some of the city's best exhibitions, and the new Western restaurant 8 &frac12; Otto E Mezzo Bombana, partly owned by the Shanghai-based artist Zhang Huan.

Decompression To write, I often venture out to a cafe or teahouse. One of my favorites is Baker & Spice, in Shanghai Center, with work benches, comfortable seating and delicious tartines filled with smoked salmon. I also like the lounge at the Puli Hotel, which serves tie guan yin tea from Taiwan and has Asian-chic décor, with antique chests, soft lighting and a black and white interior. and I spend hours reading at the Song Fang teahouse, run by a French expatriate. for something more traditional, head to Da Ke Tang, an old villa decorated with antiques and 1920s memorabilia.

Night Out the American architect Ben Wood, working with a Hong Kong developer, has managed to turn some old Shikumen-style Chinese town houses in the eastern part of town into a trendy bazaar called Xintiandi (“new heaven and earth”), which visitors can navigate into the wee hours. Xintiandi is filled with cafes, jewelers, shops, bars and several restaurants, like Ye Shanghai and Harbour Plaza, which serves splendid Peking duck. At Crystal Jade, a Cantonese restaurant, sample the roasted, crispy pork loin.

For cheaper, authentic Shanghai fare, try Die Yuan, or Butterfly Garden, which is close by, at 70 Taicang Road. after dinner, head to the Bund for drinks at the Glamour Bar, or stop by the hip Vue Bar, at the Hyatt. the Long Bar, at the recently opened Waldorf-Astoria, is also a good place to relax. on the other side of the river, in Pudong, go to the 91st floor of the Park Hyatt hotel and order drinks at 100 Century Avenue, a restaurant and bar that has one of the city's best views. Equally mesmerizing is Flair, the bar on the 58th floor of the new Ritz-Carlton hotel, also in Pudong.

Outing From Shanghai, Hangzhou is an hour's ride on China's new high-speed train. if you choose to stay over, try the Hyatt Regency at West Lake, set against a backdrop of mountains. the lake is surrounded by temples, pagodas and gardens. One of China's best known teas, Longjing, comes from this region, and there's a tea museum in the area. for even more serenity, head to the elegant Fuchun Resort, about 40 minutes away, in the hills near Fuyang. after spending a week in Shanghai, you may want to retreat to a place where the lakes and misty hills look like something straight out of a classical Chinese painting.

If you Go

Lodging Mao stayed at the Ruijin Hotel (ruijinhotelsh.com), and so did Nixon. This state-run guesthouse in the former French Concession is modest but comfortable and well situated. Rooms in June start at 1,320 renminbi (about $214 at 6 renminbi to the dollar). the Puli Hotel (thepuli.com) is a boutique property that blends traditional Chinese features with a sleek modern style. Rooms start at 2,000 renminbi plus a 15 percent service fee.

Dining In the bazaar known as Xintiandi, restaurants include Ye Shanghai (No. 338 South Huangpi Road in Xintiandi North; 86-21-6311-2323); Harbour Plaza (Unit C, no. 17 Lane 181, Taicang Road; 86-21-6387-6777), known for its Peking duck; and Crystal Jade (crystaljade.com), a Cantonese restaurant. for Shanghai fare, try Die Yuan (No. 70 Taicang Road, Luwan District; 86-21-5383-7338). 100 Century Avenue Restaurant (91 /F Park Hyatt, no. 100 Century Avenue; 86-21-6888-1234) is open for dinner and drinks from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Bars on the Bund, go to Glamour Bar (6/F, no. 5 the Bund; 86-21-6329-3751), Vue Bar (32-33/F, Hyatt on the Bund, 199 Huangpu Road; 86-21-6393-1234) and the Long Bar at the Waldorf-Astoria (No. 2 Zhongshan Dong Yi Road, Huang Pu District; 86-21-6322-9988). Flair (ritzcarlton.com/en/properties/shanghaipudong), another favorite, is on the 58th floor of the new Ritz-Carlton.

Sites Shanghai Museum (www.shanghaimuseum.net; free) is a treasure house of artifacts, while the Site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China (No. 374 Huangpi South Road, Luwan District; 86-21-5383-2171; free) offers an overview of Chinese Communism. for contemporary art, go to M50 (No. 50 Moganshan Road, Zhabei District; 86-21-6266-0963 ) and ShanghART (shanghartgallery.com). To take a breather, head to quiet cafes or teahouses like Baker & Spice (Suite 118, East Retail Plaza, Shanghai Center, 1376 Nanjing West Road, JingAn District; 86-21-6289-8875), Song Fang Tea House (songfangtea.com); or Da Ke Tang (dkt-puertea.com).

Getting around three of the Shanghai train stations have trains to Hangzhou, but Hongqiao station is the safest, with most trains scheduled from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. round trip is 160 renminbi for a secondary seat; 260 renminbi for first-class seat.

<a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/life/travel/easy-china-3-ways-634525/tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/life/travel/easy-china-3-ways-634525/Sat, 05 May 2012 17:01:33 GMT”>Easy China, 3 Ways

Risk exists in almost every aspect of the stock exchange and in the portfolio management arenas. Risk is something that can be adequately managed and manipulated to lessen negative outcomes and make investment in funds, stocks and equities more profitable. Operational risk is always a probability whether one is an Asian investor or not. When dealing with the Singapore Exchange, or even the Hong Kong Stock Exchange the level of risk will be determined by the specific type of index funds one is dealing with.

Asian buy side firms can alleviate some of the operational risk of ETF’s by using the counterparty risk model. This particular means of managing and trading ETF’s allows the parties involved to avoid interaction and collaboration with the banking system. while many might think that this is not a good thing and that it will increase the risk level of the ETF in question, this is not the case.

The counterparty model actually increases the security of the ETF. This type of interaction allows for a greater diversity level of the fund. This translates to a higher level of competition for the ETF and not having to rely on a singular entity to ensure its health. This model also allows for a greater level of flexibility in the swap exchange when it occurs. Closes on swaps can be made after hours and the transfer of the ETF can be made before the market opens. This, in turn, then allows for a better price to be had for the ETF, and for the liquidity of the ETF to be attained easier and more fluidly.

It is for these reasons that a counterparty risk assessment for any of these funds is the optimal choice for Asian investors seeking to build their portfolios in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. What should be noted at this juncture is that the use of synthetic ETF commodities are used in this model. This is because for the most part, this is a swap based exchange. the many Asian buy side firms can have greater leniency and ability to make swaps when the model is set up to maximize profits and minimize losses. the mere nature of the synthetic ETF allows these firms to do this in a more efficient manner.

The rule of thumb with any type of portfolio or investment management is to ask questions. make sure that you are aware of the facets of swapping or trading any fund and that the company one is dealing with is trusted and reputable.

What Is Operational Risk In The Context Of An Index Fund?

Hong Kong is one of the fastest growing economies, which registered growth of 6.8 per cent in 2010 in spite of the global economic turmoil. It banks upon a sound financial and legal system, as well as export of goods in international market. Companies which render work with geographically dispersed offices and associates credit online meetings as one of the chief proponents of remote collaboration, which has been a key to the success of Hong Kong in the international arena. Web meeting solutions enable Hong Kong based companies to liaise with their clients, vendors and personnel in spite of the geographical distance between them.

Nowadays, many well known conferencing service providers are engaged in providing online collaboration solutions in Hong Kong. These firms hold expertise in creating a virtual environment that is conducive towards work and allows geographically isolated professionals to work in close coordination with each other. the online meeting solutions provided by such firms are easy to use and cost effective, as these eliminate the travelling and lodging costs associated with conventional meetings. such firms devise affordable pricing plans which allow clients to send and receive tremendous amount of data periodically at a fixed price.

Relations with foreign companies require a professional environment, which can be effectively induced using web-based remote meeting solutions. the collaborative conferencing rooms can be accessed simply with a login ID and password, which can be used on any web browser. Information can be shared effortlessly by users working on any operating system, such as iOS, Windows and Linux. Conference service providers have also created dedicated applications for Smartphones and tablet computers in the wake of growing influence of mobile devices for work. This allows Hong Kong based professionals to join online meetings even while they are on the move, thus increasing their actual productivity.

The prospects of web conferences over the cloud have been increasing steadily in Asia Pacific. in the year 2010, the global video conferencing revenue was recorded at $ 2742 million, which should increase to $ 8755 million by the end of 2014. by 2017, Asia Pacific alone will account for revenue worth $ 1.3 billion, depicting the effective functionality of virtual meetings in the corporate environment of the region. hence, it is important that companies in Hong Kong should deploy such web conferencing solutions within their offices to stay ahead of the curve. With advancements in technology in the coming time, companies can enjoy affordable and productivity-enhancing solutions which streamline business operations.

Simple user interface, cost effective prices, optimal bandwidth requirement, convenient billing options and possibility of working from home are factors that boost the sales of online meeting solutions in Hong Kong. These key drivers are also relevant to the growth of an organisation and increasing overall organisational productivity while reducing costs considerably. Companies that are working to shoulder their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the best possible manner are also adopting virtual meeting solutions and reducing the travel costs incurred by their personnel. they can host high end events and work despite physical distances without losing productivity, thereby increasing the bottom line substantially.

Virtual Meetings Are Key Collaboration Drivers in Hong Kong

Travelers flying with cheapest possible airline tickets to Hong Kong get their heart filled with a sense of satisfaction, peace and tranquility while they book their international air flight tickets with cheap air flight tickets for Hong Kong. Tourists are most welcomed by the people of Hong Kong, one of the most remarkable lands that affect the entire outlook on life. Travelers should at least visit to take part in the excitement and allure of Hong Kong tour. Hong Kong travel can be a very pleasant and memorable experience for those people who love to explore each and every part of the world in order to collect information about the country’s culture and heritage. Incorporated with a deep root of cultural rich peoples, travel to Hong Kong has already prove to be a great learning experience among the travelers, and traveling with cheapest possible airline tickets to Hong Kong will be an added bonus for the trip. Traveling to Hong Kong for a holiday vacation along with family or with loved ones, majority of the travel expenses goes in purchasing air flight tickets and booking an accommodation. It is therefore of no surprise why most of the travelers cancel their trip for Hong Kong. but the travelers now no need to worry any more with the upcoming deals and offers of finding cheapest possible airline tickets to Hong Kong, travelers can now easily book their air flight tickets to enjoy the cultural heritage and rich roots of European and Portuguese influences in Hong Kong tour.

There are multiple ways in finding of cheap possible airline tickets to Hong Kong without putting any extra efforts. from hotel deals to car rentals, from discount coupons to gift vouchers, there are several opportunities present in the market but one has to how to track those opportunities. Travelers has got a lot of things to do and see in Hong Kong and for a shopping lovers Hong Kong is a paradise on earth, there are various shopping bargains found in Hong Kong. While utilizing the benefits of cheap air flight tickets to Hong Kong immersed into a senses of joy. Thanks should be given to Internet for the overwhelming travel information found for cheapest possible airline tickets to Hong Kong. one can just log on into any travel sights or any travel planner sites where they can help a traveler by giving information about proper planning for their Hong Kong tour. Travelers can collect information on such planned vacation by sitting at home. with just a few clicks one can get a chance to marvel at the huge Bronze Buddha is situated on Lantau, get the magnificent view of the Kowloon Pennisula with Hong Kong Island or shop at the very famous Ladies Market for T-shirts, jeans, watches, ties and many more fancy articles.

Online travel sites provide ample of information of cheap possible air flights, discount offers, holiday packages and many more related information about Hong Kong trip. Travelers should go for comparison-shopping before making any decision on air flight booking. with plenty of search engines travelers get confused with the right kind of air flight ticket to Hong Kong. Research work done daily can benefit a traveler with air flight cheap ticket for Hong Kong. Travelers can make a list on several air flight available going to Hong Kong for a particular date; list of information is available on air flight prices on various airlines. Browsing on various air travel sites focuses on tracking right kind of air flight deals for Hong Kong. so, go for comparison-shopping and become a part of the most iconic and inspiring city. After a long research work done on comparison-shopping for finding cheapest possible airline tickets, Hong Kong is all set to admire you with the its high rising sky scraping buildings, temples to capitalism, electric streetscapes, oriental-looking gifts and Chinese name engraved on a Chinese seal stones available at Stanley Market which are not to be missed. The Disneyland of Hong Kong is all set to attract the kids with its fantasyland, shows and rides related to jungles, Mickey’s 3D show. there are several rides that ride-lovers would never want to miss. those travelers who are no more interested in watching the sights of Hong Kong can spend their time just gazing at the beautiful soft beaches of Hong Kong and the Repulse Bay is the most famous beach in Hong Kong to visit without fail.

For cheap air flight tickets, a traveler does not need to bloat their wallet any more. one can enroll their name with the budget travel clubs. these clubs are mostly find online, such clubs will give limited budget and cheap flights tickets for Hong Kong air flights. Visiting any travel agent is also a good option for getting cheapest possible airline tickets to Hong Kong, traveler can visit to their office and can demand for the kind of air flight they are looking out and according to the description the travel agent will try to provide air flight cheap tickets to their customers. but there is one major disadvantage with booking air flight tickets with travel agents; extra service charge or commission charges are taken apart from the airfare tickets from their customers. if anyone does not want to spend their time sitting in a travel agent’s office, then online booking is a best option for cheap air flight tickets for Hong Kong travel. as mentioned above Internet provides the freedom and advantage to compare various air flights along with flight departure and arrival times so that one can book their cheap airline tickets to Hong Kong as soon as possible.

Time spending on online research work, reading daily newspapers on various cheap air flight deals for Hong Kong, or just visiting at any travel agent by your area nearby is really worth as far as time spending days at Hong Kong is concerned with entire family. one should not miss out the gorgeous nightlife of Hong Kong. It is one of the best party towns of Asia, so if any one wants to spend a night in a night club or at any discotheque or at a simple restro-bar then Hong Kong will never let you down with your expectations. Hong Kong has various great nightlife venues where the party animals can party; enjoy the rock music, dance along the music beats with the locals and with the other travelers until the early hours of the morning. apart from lovely sun tanned beaches, lovely ancient buildings, high rise sky scrapper buildings, botanical parks and zoos, night life in Hong Kong comes as a bonus for the travelers. Undoubtedly, make your trip an ideal vacation destination with your cheap air flight tickets to Hong Kong.

If the air flight price still looks very expensive for the budget, then the travelers can improve their chances of getting cheap airline tickets to Hong Kong by being a little flexible with their traveling dates. Generally, weekends are the busiest and costliest travel days of the week. Try booking air flights departing on a Tuesday or Wednesday and save a lot on your airline ticket. Flying during the month of August or Christmas can increase your budget on airfare, so it is better to avoid such months.

Search Internet for finding cheapest possible airline tickets to Hong Kong.

Signing up with programs such as frequent flier miles can help to get cheap airline tickets.

Avoid traveling on Christmas, or any long weekends.

Without delaying a single moment don’t hesitate to call an airline help line number for some travel packages.

Cheapest Possible Airline Tickets to Hong Kong

Thinking about trying your luck in gambling, poker games or exclusive golf tournaments in Macau, China? Book hotels in Macau and experience what all the hotels have to offer to make your vacation a pleasure trip Macau has fast become one of the biggest and popular tourist sports in Asia with gambling being the major event. This small coastline city in China is featured with deluxe hotels that attract golf enthusiasts and gamblers from around the world. Situated at the Southern Guangdong Province, 145 km Southwest of Guangzhou, this coastline city of China is well known for gambling, hotels, restaurants, games, casinos and much more. Macau, towards the South China Sea has flourishing industries like toys, textiles and electronics.

Gambling and gaming in Macau hotels

In Macau, over the past few decades, gambling and gaming has been the major attraction for the visitors. Infact, this coastline city is the biggest gambling paradise in China. Small casinos, professional gambling tables, poker games, kids clubs and all table games is what you can enjoy at each of the small or big casino-hotel in Macau. most of the casinos and gambling hotels are open on 24/7 basis, which is an icing on cake for the gamblers.

Macau hotels attract Hong Kong gamblers, as most of the major casinos are located just 60 km away from Hong Kong. The first thing to notice about at all of the casinos, restaurants and areas around the city is cleanliness. Known for their glitzy atmosphere, the casinos are also popular for variety of entertainment offered. They are well connected with all tourist attractions, a perfect chance for the travelers to book their package.

Places to see in Macau

Along with gaming and gambling, the hotels offer a lot other stuff Hotels in Macau are connected to all major tourist attractions around this city through different transport mediums. Some of the places that you would want to cover in your Macau trip include:

• Casino at Venetian Macao
• Grand Prix Museum
• Cotai Strip
• Lisboa Casino
• Largo do Senado, Senate Square
• Monte Forte, Fortaleza do Monte

Moreover, the city Macau in China is popular for the gambling options offered by the hotels. When it comes to gambling and gaming, you just cannot miss out on food and beverages alongside Hotels in Macau are well known for their dishes and tasty cuisines from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Burma. Macau offers French, Italian, Korean, America, French, Mozambique and Brazilian cuisines. if you want to enjoy the nightlife along with some gambling, hotels like New Century, Royal Hotel, Holiday Inn and Lisboa Hotel would suit your need and budget.

Thanks to the rise in number of visitors in Macau since last few years, another 15 resorts featured for gambling, are scheduled to be inaugurated by the end of 2012. considering overall sports activities, games, nightlife, tourism and food facilities offered by the hotels in Macau, the hotel industry is booming in China at fast rate

Luxurious Hotels in Macau – Great Attraction for the Tourists

By Samuel Rubenfeld

A roundup of corruption-related news from Dow Jones and other sources. you can also receive a newsletter version of Corruption Currents here.

Bribery:

Mike Lucas

Three of Angola’s most powerful officials allegedly held concealed stakes in an oil venture with Cobalt International Energy, a Goldman Sachs-backed company under investigation by U.S. authorities for possibly violating the FCPA in Angola. Shares of Cobalt tumbled following the report; the company denies it. More here and here. (Financial Times sub req, Financial Times sub req, Reuters, Bloomberg, FCPA Blog)

Macau’s top court named two Hong Kong tycoons in a corruption case involving the jailed transport minister. the court heard that an unnamed company controlled by the two allegedly paid a $2.6 million bribe to the minister to acquire land across from Macau’s airport. there was no suggestion of wrongdoing by the tycoons, however. More here and here. (South China Morning Post sub req, Forbes, Reuters, Dow Jones Newswires)

An Italian businessman linked to a sex scandal involving Silvio Berlusconi was arrested on charges of offering bribes to the president of Panama to score construction contracts. He had been a fugitive, and while abroad denied wrongdoing. More here. (Financial Times sub req, AFP)

Bangladesh’s railway minister resigned amid a corruption scandal in which he was alleged to have taken bribes from people seeking jobs. More here. (AFP, BBC)

The FCPA Blog thinks amending the FCPA could help alleviate malnutrition in developing countries and reports that Victor Dahdaleh appeared in a London court. Tom Fox continues his U.K. theme. the FCPAProfessor notes some case-law developments and dings the Justice Department. Mike Volkov navigates the risks of foreign customs clearance.

Miller Chevalier released its FCPA Spring Review for 2012.

The former top housing official in Prince George’s County, Md., received 37 months in prison for soliciting and taking thousands of dollars in bribes. More here. (Washington Post, WMAR)

A plastic factory executive in Kuala Lumpur pleaded not guilty to giving a RM100,000 bribe. (Bernama)

India’s defense ministry fined a defense company for the first time for alleged bribery. it seized back a $70 million bank guarantee from Israel Military Industries. (Globes)

Money Laundering:

James Ibori, a former Nigerian state governor, is about to be sentenced in the U.K. following a guilty plea to money laundering. the British media savaged him for formerly being a cashier at a hardware store there before heading back to Nigeria. He lived like royalty while scamming the poor there. Nigerians, meanwhile, laid siege on the courtroom, leading for police to be called and the judge to eject Ibori’s supporters.  (Nigerian Tribune, Reuters, SKY News, Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail, Sydney Morning Herald, Vanguard, AFP, Radio Netherlands, PM News Nigeria)

The U.K.’s Department for International Development allowed tens of  millions of pounds to be invested in Nigerian money-laundering fronts linked to Ibori. the DfID said it investigated and found no indication of misuse of funds. More here. (BBC, Daily Times Nigeria)

Gbenga Daniel, another former Nigerian governor, was freed on bail following new charges of money laundering and corruption. More here. (Nigerian Tribune, Nigerian Tribune, Leadership)

Woody Toys, a California-based toy company, was charged along with seven owners, employees and customers with laundering bricks of U.S. dollars into pesos for Mexican and Colombian drug lords. the company declined to comment. More here and here. (LA Times, AP, Patch)

A Greek former defense minister was remanded into custody on money laundering charges after testifying for more than eight hours in connection with a scheme he allegedly orchestrated to hide illicit payments while serving as minister. More here, here and here. (ekathimerini.gr, Express.gr, Reuters, AP)

The mayor of Fort Lee, N.J. is on the board of a bank where his former law partner allegedly helped drug dealers launder their money. the mayor isn’t implicated in any wrongdoing. (Patch)

West African states were encouraged to beef up their anti-money laundering compliance. (Vanguard)

Clifford Chance releases a client alert that looks at the proposed FATCA regulations.

Representatives of Vodafone appeared before India’s Enforcement Directorate to discuss a money-laundering probe. More here. (Hindustan Times, DNA India)

The European Commission rejected the requests of banks to ease their money-laundering compliance burdens. (Legal Support Network)

Sanctions:

The U.S. ruled out easing sanctions on Iran, a key demand of Tehran’s in continuing talks over its nuclear program. There’s no room to do that until Iran cooperates, the Danish foreign minister said. Iran spurned a request from the U.S. for direct bilateral talks.  Porsche, meanwhile, bowed out of Iran. Russia warned against further sanctions on Iran. (AFP, Reuters, Reuters, AFP, FoxNews.com, Deutsche Welle)

The African Union suspended Guinea-Bissau after a coup and said it would request sanctions. More here. (AFP, AP)

France’s foreign minister said sanctions on Syria have halved its financial reserves, and that countries should keep the pressure on Bashar al-Assad’s regime. SJBerwin released a client alert about the latest sanctions. (AP, AFP)

The U.S. is drafting expanded sanctions against North Korea in the wake of its failed rocket launch. More coverage of the U.N. action is here, here and here. (The Hill, BBC, Financial Times sub req, Reuters)

General Anti-Corruption:

The future of Asian soccer hangs in the balance as the Court of Arbitration for Sport prepares to take up the appeal of Mohamed bin Hammam, who was banned for life from FIFA. A U.N. sports adviser wants the pace of reform to pick up. (AFP, World Football Insider)

A riddle: He may have been convicted for felony corruption but he’ll likely get re-elected anyway. Who is it? (NPR)

Equatorial Guinea is launching a probe into whether the French chapter of Transparency International slandered the country. (AFP)

Police in Cameroon arrested former prime minister Inoni Ephraim as part of an investigation into corruption, his lawyer said. (AFP)

Most listed large companies in Korea will be required to have a compliance officer. (International Compliance Association)

<a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/corruption-currents/2012/04/17/high-tide-from-cobalt-in-more-angola-trouble-to-tycoons-named-in-macau/?mod=google_news_blogtag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://blogs.wsj.com/corruption-currents/2012/04/17/high-tide-from-cobalt-in-more-angola-trouble-to-tycoons-named-in-macau/?mod=google_news_blogTue, 17 Apr 2012 18:42:34 GMT”>High Tide: From Cobalt In More Angola Trouble To Tycoons Named In Macau

Due to the different trademark systems between Hong Kong and mainland China, a successfully registered trademark in Hong Kong may not gain the same protection by law in mainland China. so the trademark shall be registered in China to gain its protection.

Important issues for trademark design you need to know:

1. those are identical with or similar to the national name, national flag, national emblem, military flag or medals of the People’s Republic of China, as well as those are identical with the names of the specific sites or the names and designs of the symbol buildings at the places where the central government agencies are located.

2. those identical with or similar to the national name, national flag, national emblem or military flag of any foreign country, except with the government consent of that country.

3. those are identical with or similar to the name, flag, or emblem of any inter-governmental international organization, except with the consent of that organization and those are unlikely to mislead the public.

4. those are identical with or similar to the official marks or inspection marks that indicates the control or guarantee, except with authorization.

5. those are identical with or similar to the name or symbol of the Red Cross or the Red Crescent.

6. those have the nature of discrimination against any nationality.

7. those are constitute exaggerated advertising and are deceitful

8. those are determental to socialism morality or custom, or having other harmful influences; and

9. the place names of the administrative districts at the level of county or above or the foreign place names known by the public shall not be used as Trademark, provided that the place names do not have other meanings or are not integral parts of a collective mark or certification mark. Trademark that has already been registered with place names shall remain valid.

The requirements for trademark registration in China

The applicants of trademark registration shall be legally established enterprises, institutions, social organizations, individual businessmen, individual partnerships, foreigners or foreign enterprises which have signed the agreement with China or jointly participating in international treaties or under the principle of reciprocity. Meeting the above criteria, applicants need to apply to the China Trademark Registration Bureau to gain the trademark right.

The required documents for China trademark registration:

The identity card and its copy of the applicant; the copy of enterprise business license and a valid copy of the business license; the completed application for trademark registration Stamped with the official seal and personal signature; 10 pages of color trademarks logos (specify color shall be attached with the coloring pattern for 10 pages, one black and white ink is also required). Application should claim by an arrow on the bottom for logos direction. Applying for the trademarks for cigarettes or cigars, the size of drawings may be identical to the actual size.

To apply for the trademark according to goods and services classification:

When apply for China trademark registration, you should choose goods and services classification according to the Classification Table. To use the same trademark in different categories of goods, you should provide the application in different class of products classification in order, which can not only help you avoid the unfair expanding of trademark scope, but also easy for conducive to review approval and gain the trademark protection rights.

In addition, the date for trademark application is also very important. according to the priority principle of China trademark registration, in the event the date of filing has become the legal basis to gain trademark rights, applications for trademark registration are bound to the receiving date of the application files of China Trademark Bureau. Foreigners or foreign companies should delegate an agency to apply for China trademarks registration.

How to Register a China Trademark in Hong Kong?

Guilin San Hua Wine:

Guilin San Hua Wine has a long history which can date back to South Song Dynasty. It was first invented by a famous cook, and later it became popular among the folk. in the late Qing Dynasty, professional wine-brewing workshops appeared in Guilin. The wine is braised and boiled three times, once you wave it, there will be countless bubbles. It is clear and smells fragrant. It can refresh people and activate blood. The famous wine has been exported to Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, and Southeast Asian areas, etc.

Guilin Chili Paste:

The chili paste has a history of more than 300 years. It is called one of the three treasures of Guilin. The main materials are fresh chili, lobster sauce, and garlic. It has a strict way to choose the raw materials and the producing art is quite special. The lobster sauces are produced by a assigned factory and the red chili is provided by a professional base. It is spicy and sweet-smelling. It may stimulate the appetite and is good to a man’s spleen. It is the best seasoning in the dinner.

Guilin Fermented Bean Curd:

There is a unique way to make this specialty. First, choose high-quality beans to make hard bean curd, then take away the moisture to make square cakes of bean curd which will be put into a mildew box, at last, when the white mycelia appear, mix it with San Hua wine, salt, and other flavors, and put it into jars to bloat, two days later, irrigate it with rice wine and airproof it for 4 to 6 months. The fermented bean curd is sweet-smelling and good-looking. there are a lot of ways to eat. It can be appeared in each dinner of Guilin people’s local life. It is an essential seasoning to cook delicious Guilin dishes, such as Lipu Taro Looped Meat. Guilin fermented bean curd is one of the most popular specialties that tourists love to buy.

Three Treasures of Guilin Cuisine

Chinese New Year – the primary Chinese festival in and out of Hong Kong, characterized by its famous night parade eventually becomes a full-blown giant street party. be sure not to miss the beautiful stunning fireworks display as it lights up the night sky and if you are a betting man try your luck on a Chinese New race day that is held every Jan 25.

Che Kung’s Birthday – A general of the Sung Dynasty, Che Kung was elevated to divine status and now has his own shrine. Che Kung is a good luck god and on his birthday lots of people, including gamblers visits the temple to consult fortunetellers and turn the wheel of fortune. Hong Kong’s Sha Tin Racecourse is located nearby, convenient.

Spring Lantern Festival – Marking the end of Chinese New Year celebrations, this festival is also a romantic occasion and colorful lanterns adorn every park and homes.

Cheung Chau Bun Festival – what started as a ritual ceremonial parade to banish the plague that afflicted the island of Cheung Chau, has now become a festival thanking the god Pak Tai who supposedly ended the plague? the main attraction is the Bun Mountain, a group of tower studded with burns and where athletes scramble up the tower when the midnight comes.

Dragon Boat Festival – This ancient held in remembrance of the popular Chinese hero, Qu Yuan who drowned himself in the Mi Lo River as a form of protest against the corruption of the rulers. the Deities Parade in the fishing village of Tai O and the famous Dragon Boat racing marks the festival.

Hungry Ghost Festival – Held during the seventh moon of the lunar calendar where it is believed that the spirits of the dead roam the earth. the festival’s purpose is to appease the ghosts roaming around, believer’s burn fake money and offer food to ghosts. they also perform Chinese operas and burn Joss papers and incense to further placate the spirits.

The birthday of Confucius – Celebrating one of China’s most influential philosophers his birthday is commemorated with great reverence due to his legacy teaching that stresses the virtues of chastity, justice, propriety, wisdom and loyalty. it has been 2,500 years and yet his teaching still endures.

Dong Zhi Festival – This is the Chinese calendar’s second most important festival, the Winter Solstice. This is the time when the night is longest Families celebrate this festival by visiting families with gifts, putting on new clothes and drinking liquors.

Celebrating the Chinese Festivals of Hong Kong