Destination: China
China: It’s Not Easy “Preserving the Progressiveness”
by Jim Benning | 03.09.06 | 2:42 PM ET
Today’s New York Times has an interesting story on China and the communist party’s struggle to retain members and maintain interest. The approach? A “Maoist-style ideological campaign, complete with required study groups,” the paper reports. The campaign is known as “preserving the progressiveness.” It’s the butt of jokes in China, and it’s easy to understand why. When I was there, I asked a Chinese friend about the state of communism in the country. The response? “I don’t pay much attention to communism. I’m too busy following the value of my stock.”
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Yahoo! BuzzPeter Hessler on His Chinese Hutong
by Michael Yessis | 02.15.06 | 12:38 PM ET
Translation: his alley. The 80th anniversary issue of the New Yorker features a terrific story by River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze author Peter Hessler about the unnamed, centuries-old alley he lives on in Beijing, about a mile north of the Forbidden City. It’s unavailable online, but highly recommended.
Chinese Cyclist Aims to Ride Solo Around the World
by Michael Yessis | 02.14.06 | 11:52 AM ET
The Olympic spirit has really gotten into Yang Guangwen. The 46-year-old plans to ride his bike around the world beginning in March, visiting the cities that have hosted the Games since their modern inception. Beijing will host the 2008 Games, and Yang wants to do his part to promote the Olympics through travel.
Mattel’s New Ken Doll: “He’s Been Backpacking Through Tibet”
by Jim Benning | 02.12.06 | 2:56 AM ET
The New Architectural Wonders of China
by Michael Yessis | 01.13.06 | 4:12 AM ET
They’re putting up some amazing buildings in China these days, and Business Week Online has an excellent slide show featuring ten of the most innovative. “Each, in its way, pushes the boundaries of the architectural status quo,” Reena Jana writes. “Together, they represent the wonders rising on the skyline of the new China.”
Meet Laura Moser, Medical Tourist
by Michael Yessis | 12.08.05 | 11:26 PM ET
The Rise and Fall of a 10th Grade Social Climber author Laura Moser has an interesting two-part story in Slate this week about her experience as a medical tourist in Beijing. Her decision to seek treatment abroad isn’t unusual.
Italy Ranked Number One “Country Brand”
by Michael Yessis | 12.02.05 | 11:56 AM ET
Australia took the runner-up spot, and the United States rounded out the top three in a recent global survey conducted by FutureBrand and its sister company, public relations firm Weber Shandwick. It also named China as the “most improved” country brand.
Have You Taken the Trans-Siberian Express from Moscow to Beijing? If So, Any Advice?
by Rolf Potts | 11.27.05 | 9:15 PM ET
Vagabonding traveler Rolf Potts answers your questions about travel
Pico Iyer Discusses the Dalai Lama on Tibet.net
by Jim Benning | 11.21.05 | 1:43 AM ET
The official website of the Central Tibetan Administration has posted an interview with Pico Iyer, noting that Iyer is now at work on a book about the Dalai Lama. Iyer recalled meeting the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala in 1974, before he had gained celebrity in the West. Iyer marveled that he and his father, who was a philosophy professor, rang the doorbell and “were able to spend an hour and half [in] conversation with His Holiness.”
President Bush to Reporter: “Have You Ever Heard of Jet Lag?”
by Michael Yessis | 11.20.05 | 9:43 PM ET
U.S. President George W. Bush had an awkward moment this morning during a press session in Beijing, blaming a lackluster appearance with Chinese President Hu Jintao on jet lag.
Ian Buruma on Protest Songs from Washington to Beijing
by Jim Benning | 11.15.05 | 12:04 AM ET
The author of the fine travel memoir “God’s Dust: A Modern Asian Journey” has written a thoughtful story in the Guardian about the state of protest music. Buruma begins by asking why Bob Dylan tunes are still the go-to music for American protests, but the article soon takes a global turn, touching, for example, on the music that fueled the 1989 student uprising in Tiananmen Square.
Boeing 777-200LR Lands in London, Sets Nonstop Flight Record
by Michael Yessis | 11.10.05 | 10:56 AM ET
The plane, which departed from Hong Kong yesterday with four pilots aboard, landed at Heathrow airport in London today after 22 hours and 43 minutes in the air—and two sunrises. MSNBC, the Telegraph and many others have details.
Record-Breaking 23-Hour Nonstop Flight Takes Off
by Michael Yessis | 11.10.05 | 4:35 AM ET
Captain Suzanna Darcy-Hennemann took off from Hong Kong Wednesday morning in a Boeing 777-200LR and set out for London—heading eastbound, the long way around. Four Boeing test pilots are scheduled to share flying duties during the 12,500-nautical-mile flight, which Seattle Times reporter Dominic Gates writes will be a distance record for a commercial jet.
Portrait of the Chinese Tourist
by Michael Yessis | 10.24.05 | 9:37 AM ET
Last month the World Tourism Organization reported that the number of Chinese tourists is growing at a record pace. An estimated 100 million of them will be traveling abroad by 2020. Impressive numbers, to be sure. But what are their travel habits? Wayne Arnold of the New York Times writes that the unflattering stereotypes emerging about Chinese travelers are part of a soundtrack we’ve all heard before.
Chinese Noodles Predate Marco Polo
by Jim Benning | 10.13.05 | 12:23 PM ET
It’s not often that explorer (and travel writer) Marco Polo makes the news these days, so we couldn’t pass up the chance to mention it here. It seems that Mr. Polo was not responsible for introducing the noodle to China, as some historians have contended. In northwestern China, scientists have discovered a container with 4,000-year-old, delicate yellow noodles. (And you thought the leftover macaroni in your fridge was stale.)