Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles on 25 – 27 August
Maintaining a spacious display area of 103,500sqm as last year, Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles remains the largest home textile trade fair in Asia. Thus far, around 500 exhibitors from 19 countries and regions have signed up for the event including new suppliers from India and Malaysia. Running through 25 – 27 August at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, the 2009 fair will adopt new twists to ensure the productive experience of exhibitors and buyers is further enhanced.
To heighten exhibitors’ exposure to the right buyers, the fair will group famous home textile suppliers from around the globe into relevant products zones.
New to this year’s fair is the inclusion of international brands in the Brand Bedding and Towelling Hall. More than 60 selected international and domestic big labels such as Lenzing and Kuan’s Living will be showcased in this hall.
To capitalise on the market opportunities available in China, curtain and upholstery manufacturers are formed into product zones to showcase their innovative textiles together with international groups and pavilions from Germany, Pakistan, Taiwan and Turkey, plus individual exhibitors from all over Europe and Australia in the international halls.
Demonstrating the continued expansion of China’s home textiles market, Chinese suppliers will be grouped into:
- Curtain Zone
- Down Products Zone
- Functional Home Textiles Products Zone
- Upholstery Zone
- Seven regional pavilions
In order to generate new business opportunities for both exhibitors and visitors, a VIP programme inviting important buyers and retailers from around the world has been created. Nibico, agent of Trussardi-Home, Benetton, Sisley Casa, CK Home in region of Greater China as well as other big brands has attended Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles for a number of years in an effort to find quality suppliers. Ms. Wong, a representative from Nibico’s buying department said, “this fair is one of our major product sourcing channels. For the last three years, we have successfully found new suppliers and are confident to achieve equally good results in the coming edition.”
To amplify time efficiency, a tailor-made business matching service for VIP buyers to meet exhibitors on-site has also been created. Mr. Cheung from Marks & Spencer ─ one of the largest UK based retailers said, “I feel that the business-matching service is a fantastic initiative to help me narrow down my search for quality suppliers in an effective manner, and reduce the time to bring a product to market.”
Sightseeing and shopping tours after attending the Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles…
Xian to Pingyao by train
There are three train coming to xi an from Ping Yao .It would not be hard to get a hard sleeper as long as you ask the guesthouse to book it for you upon your arrival . The cost of train ticket is only about 90 Yuan . they would probably charge you a little bit money for service charge ( aroun 30 to 50 yuan depending on the high / shoulder season ) . Some of the guest house there offer free booking service of the train ticket provided that you stay in their place.
It takes overnight to get to xi’an from ping yao . Your chance to get a soft sleeper train ticket would be quite hard because there are only two such carriges on the train .
There are chartered public buses to xian from pin yao . The condition is pretty good in terms of road ..ect . but you got to watch your belonings . there are at least 3 to 5 bus lines coming to xian daily . the cost is higher than train travel by about 20 to 30 yuan.
Sanya, the end of the earth
We arrived in Sanya, the “end of the earth”, on Feb 14th, a romantic day to start with. Warm breeze touched our faces, arms, shoulders, and ankles. Comeing from the north, we were too excited to wait until the next day to feel the sea, we went to the sea that night, made sand sculptures of “I Love U” for Valentines’ Day. Da Dong Bay is a wonderful place to stay. We found a family hotel, at 90 CNY (about 12 USD) per room per night. The hosts are a nice family from northeast of China.
Feb 15th, we decided to go to the The End of Earth Resort. Who don’t want to see the end of the earth? The beach is beautiful there, with white and fine sands. Far away, the sea is groaning with waves; close to us, the sea is like a gentle lady, winding between the huge rocks. When we got the rock with the word “The End of Sea” engraved, there was already a long list of people waiting to be photographed with this famous rock. Finally, we got our turn.
Feb 16th, a one-hour bus ride brought us to Ya Long Bay, the first bay of the world. The beach, the palm trees, the big sunshades, the bikini beauties, the running children… are all what make this place “the first bay of the world”. We enjoyed playing with the sea, but later found out we got sun burn. So when you come to Sanya, never forget to wear sun block cream.
Feb 17th. after two days of being at the seashore, we picked Nanshan Cultrual Park for today’s agenda. Nanshan Park hosts a 108-meter guanyin (a buddha), which was just contructed a few years ago.
Wu Zhi Zhou Island has the bluest water and softest beach in Sanya. According the tour guide, guangyin is facing three directions. One side has a buddhism inscription in her hand, which stands for wisdom. Another side holds a lotus flower, meaning the tranquility. The third side takes a buddhism necklace, which shed the mercy on the whole world. Nanshan is often quoted in a famous saying “May longevity be like Nanshan, and good luck be like Dong Hai” (Shou Bi Nan Shan, Fu Ru Dong Hai).
Feb, 18th, we got on the ferry boat to the Wu Zhi Zhou Island, the place of my dream for a long time. Just like what the internet says, this island has the clearest and bluest water. The pearl shells and coral pieces on the beach only add more surprises to our trip. We have determined to return.
Pacific Rim Hotel Zhongdian
Location of the Pacific Rim Hotel is far from Old Town of Zhongdian/ Shangri-La (at least 30-40min walk).
December is low season - few guests, and of all the rooms they could have possibly allocated, we had one with broken bathroom tiles and non-functional hairdryer. TV reception is hit-miss and channels are limited.
Temperatures reach -13 degrees celcius overnight. Heating is not turned on until 6.30pm-midnight (according to reception staff) and request for heating was refused (”heating will make you sick”, male reception staff informed us) until we spoke to the manager.
No individual room radiator was available (but multiple were noted in the business centre - unused). In addition, for reasons unknown, every morning all hotel doors are opened (still -10 degrees celcius) - clearly patrons’ comfort is not a high priority for management.
Breakfast is served from 7.30am. As we needed to be at the airport at 8am, our tour guide organised for a 7am breakfast. No surprise when restaurant staff denied any knowledge of this arrangement the next day.
Final straw - as we were checking out, reception staff could not find our registration papers (male reception staff as above had not filled out the papers). More time wasted by the hotel when we had to assist them with the details.
Only positive - Bellboy/porter was most helpful and understanding.
More informations of the Pacific Rim Hotel, Zhongdian…
Protecting intangible cultural items
We visited an exhibition of native ethnic culture in Beijing lately, the exhibition intended to showcase the country’s progress in protecting intangible cultural items. Some 2,322 precious items and activities such as paper-cutting paintings, printing, pottery, carvings, tea brewing, embroidery and traditional medicine were showed on the exhibition.
A woman of Li ethnic group from south China’s Hainan Province showcases brocade-weaving skills at an exhibition.
The Best Place you could stay - Li River Retreat
My husband and I stayed here mid-December 2008 for a 4 days to just get away. It was $55 per night , which we really felt was a great price for any hotel — and especially this place with such amazing views.
I had originally planned for us to stay at Yangshuo Mountain Retreat because the photos there looked so great, but because of all the negative reviews of the staff there on Tripadvisor.com, I looked around some more and found this place — the Li River Retreat.
The photos on the Retreats own website really do not do this place justice. It is an amazingly beautiful retreat — exactly what you think a retreat should be like. It is quiet, very clean and modern and best of all are the incredible, unbelievable views from the rooms and the whole retreat site. All of the photos I am uploading are from our room or other common areas of the retreat.
The food was great and priced moderately. I think you can even check out the menu on the Retreat’s website. The American breakfast is so normal, the Chinese style breakfast is good too. Some things come out funny, like a chocolate malt which is really more like lightly flavored chocolate milk, or the “orange juice” that is more like Tang with a little pulp in it; but we had a lot of the food, chinese and western (dumplings, pizza, etc.), and loved it all. I highly recommend the Chicken burger — wow that was so good.
The staff at Li River Retreat are so, so helpful and friendly. The front desk acts as a concierge service and will get you anything you need — tickets to a show, booking a taxi, bicycle rental, maps and directions plus honest recommendations on things to do in the area. It made it so easy.
The one thing I wish I would have planned for better, was to have someone meet us when our boat arrived (we arrived in Yangshuo on a 4-hour river cruise from Guilin — highly recommended and about $50/person which includes a buffet). I envisioned stepping off the boat and just hailing a taxi to take us to the retreat — but this was so far from possible. There were dozens and dozens, I might even say over a hundred salespeople yelling at and approaching us loudly to buy stuff and if I wanted a bike or a guide. Oh my gosh it was so overwhelming. Luckily, I was able to borrow a cell phone from a random person and call the retreat, they sent someone to the place we were, and we got a ride up to the retreat. It worked out, but I recommend knowing beforehand how you will get to the retreat itself. There really are not taxis to just hail in Yangshuo.
When we were nearing our port in Yangshuo, I saw a gorgeous hotel on the mountainside, and wished it had it’s website listed so I could look it up. It turned out that it was our place! The Li River Retreat! Wow, this place is so great — highly recommended — the views from the rooms and around the retreat are breathtaking and everything you wanted to see when you went to see karsts. Enjoy your trip.
P.S. There is a lot of shopping, hustle and bustle in Yangshuo, and we did that, but I was really there for the serenity at the retreat — i know other review talk a lot about what to do in Yangshuo. I do highly recommend the show in Yangshuo that was created by the same guy who did the Beijing Olympics. It is out of this world.
More information of Li River Retreat Yangshuo
Yangshuo Mountain Retreat with Perfect Location and Views
We stayed at the Yangshuo Mountain Retreat for three nights in late May 2008. The views from the hotel of the Yulong River are absolutely breathtaking — makes you feel that you are looking at a scene from 500 years ago, with the peaks and the fields in the background and bamboo rafts gliding by all day.
We had the hotel book a hot air balloon flight over Yangshuo, and it was the highlight of our whole trip to China — stupendous scenery, and the balloon outfit they used was absolutely professional and confidence-inspiring. They took us way up in the sky, above the peaks, and then brought us down into the valleys twice during the hourlong flight — we got to sail along 50 feet above people working in the rice paddies — pure magic. In the photo I took in-flight, the hotel is located at center left, where the river bends close to the road.
The hotel is basic but comfortable, and the food is worthwhile. This is truly a unique location in the world — see it while Yangshuo is still an out-of-the-way locale, before it gets ruined by giant chain hotels.
Shangri-La Express (formerly China Orient Express)
The private Shangri-La Express (formerly China Orient Express) is at this writing still the most modern hotel train in China and far surpasses regular train service in every aspect. The Shangri-La Express is modern, air-conditioned and has first-class sleeping compartments with two bunk-style twin beds. It is not a luxury train, but it is the best way to see this fascinating country. The much-touted Tangula Express continues to be postponed and thus the Shangri-La Express is currently the best private touring train available in China.
The Shangri-La Express is modern, air-conditioned and has first-class sleeping compartments with two bunk-style twin beds. A small washroom with sink is shared between compartments. Toilets are down the hall. Showers are in a purpose-built shower car. Service on board is cheerful; each car has
its own attendant who cleans the cabins, makes the bed and is on call to serve tea and coffee 24 hours a day.
Discriminating travelers should book two adjoining cabins so they can spread out more, each have a lower bed and share the washroom.
On Shangri-La Express tours that include Tibet, the day-long (12+ hours) trip between Lhasa and Golmud is by regular-service, purpose-built train equipped with special reinforced windows and additional oxygen pumped into the cars. This line reaches a height of 16,640 feet at the Tangula Pass.
Shopping In Beijing
What To Buy
Like every other metropolitans in the world, Beijing gets everything you possibly need, and more. Beijing has been the country’s capital for 800 years, so in addition of those modern stuff, Beijing also offers some nicest tokens of its rich history and culture. This is particularly liked by first-time visitors of Beijing.
Also, knowing what to buy can help you figure out where to buy, ‘cause there’re certain areas in Beijing where you it’s more easier to find certain things.
Where To Buy
You can buy the latest fashions in XiDan, WangFuJing, or JianGuoMen in central Beijing, antiques in LiuLiChang in the south, miscellaneous in PanJiaYuan in the southeast, and many other nice shops in between. Ohh…there is a XiuShui Street being the favorite for many expatriates.
How To Buy
Figure out by what means you are going to shop around. In a city like Beijing, taking subway is always the one advised as your first choice. It’s fast, it’s convenient, and and it can take you to most parts of the city. Plus, it’s penny-saving. So, why not subway?
Well, you can also take taxi. Taxi drivers in Beijing normally can speak a little English (enough to take you where to want to go), and known for being kind and helpful.
Take bus if you want to know more about the people. But make sure you do know and understand a little Chinese.
Some Tips for Bargain
DO NOT say how much you want to pay for an item unless its near the end of the process. Always try and drop the seller’s offering price as much as possible before opening your mouth with a price.
DO throw out really low prices like 10 RMB as long as you have a big smile.
DO keep smiling throughout. The seller is much more likely to continue bargaining with a happy smiling face. Getting angry rarely gets you the price you want.
BE AWARE the initial price offered by the seller is usually at least 40% over the general price acceptable. It can be up to 500% over.
DO have an idea of what the item is worth. You can ask Chinese friends, hotel staff, ex-pats or look at our rough guide below. This is very general and is based on a market like Xiu Shui. You may not be able to get the lowest prices stated at Xiu Shui, especially on a weekend when there are lots of tourists around.
DO walk away once you’ve given them your final price, even before. If you get called back, you know you are close. If you do not get called back, go to a similar stall and try again with a slightly higher price.
After an exhausting shopping day, you must want a happy diner, a light-hearted massage or pedicure, etc. The Peking Roast Duck is highly recommended!
Let the big shopping day start to rock!!!
Beijing Join-in tours depart daily, check detail information now…
My Eclipse Plan to China in 2009
We have booked on Sinoway Travel tour “SWEclipse03” - one of four Eclipse tours which is highly recommended by the tour consultant at Sinoway Travel. Considering it is the fisrt time to visit China, we would like to cover the highlights of China except the amazing solar eclipse. We were recommended to visit Beijing, Xian, Shanghai and Suzhou, Hangzhou city.
We will be arriving in Beijing on 13 July, 9 days before the Solar Eclipse day.
Between 13th July to 16th July, we will be staying in Beijing at Guangzhou Hotel. In Beijing, our proposal covers all of the city highlights, the largest and most complete imperial palace — Forbidden City, TianAnMen Square which is the biggest public square in the world, Temple of Heaven and Great Wall. We also will not miss the Hutong tour and Olympic Stadium (Bird Nest).
On 16th July, we will leave for Xian for 2 nights. In Xian, we will be able to say hello the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses. And we will stay in Bell Tower Hotel which is near the Bell Tower.
We will leave for Shanghai on 18th July, of course, visit the Bund amongst other Shanghai highlights before taking the train to Hangzhou on 20th, July. In Hangzhou, we intend to visit the West Lake and surrounding areas. The West Lake is reputated to be one of the most beautiful lakes in China.
Eclipse Day — 22th, July
For eclipse day itself, we will be at the Qiatang River Bore. The duration of totality, commencing at 09:34, at Qiatang is expected to be 5 minutes 40 seconds in duration. The Tidal Bore Viewing Area is around 90 minutes from Hangzhou itself and the eclipse itself will end at around 11:00.
It is expected that there will be an impressive tidal bore which is often several meters high and we hope this will be an excellent ending to the longest eclipse in over a century.
After the eclipse, we will head to Suzhou, which is known as one of the major silk producing areas of China. Suzhou has been at the centre of Chinese Silk production for 2,500 years. We will visit the Suzhou Silk Museum. We also expect to visit a Silk Factory to see the Silk Production process.
After Suzhou, we will spend one nights in Shanghai. We will travel to Shanghai by train.
We will fly back sweet home on 24th, July.
Details of Eclipse Tours in China
