Blog Archives

Shanghai Marriage Market

6/25/2018

Singles' stats attached to umbrellas in People's Park

Each weekend in People's Park, Shanghai, local parents and grandparents flock to the pop-up Marriage Market. Some clip small posters onto clotheslines; others attach them onto opened umbrellas resting on the ground. The posters are chock full of descriptions about their child's or grandchild's stats. Age. Height. Weight. Hobbies. Job. Home ownership. Sometimes even income. The names and pictures are generally withheld. It's the Chinese elders' Match.com equivalent. They are modern day matchmakers with primitive methods.

Walking through the market, there are heated discussions about the young adults and whether or not they might have a match made in heaven. There are actual matchmakers, paid to broker deals for families. They charge a monthly fee to hang a poster for the family and tacitly try to promote those who pay them. Then there are individuals who go out each weekend, hoping to find a husband or wife for their children. Sometimes blind dates are arranged. Infrequently the children acquiesce and go on a date, just to get their parents (or aunts, uncles, grandparents) off their backs.

The market is mostly a social gathering, an excuse for the elder generation to come together and schmooze. Granted, there are some serious parents out there with notebook and pen in hand, taking notes and contact information. However, the incidence of actual marriages that come from these informal discussions and information trades is quite low. The market mostly serves to help parents feel like they are playing a role in their own future; one of the Chinese goals in life is to see one's child married and to have grandchildren.

Join me at the Shanghai Marriage Market in People's Park on the next Chow Fun Tour!

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The Pandas of Chengdu

6/18/2018

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There is something magical, mystical almost spiritual about pandas. I could watch them for days. If I weren't married with kids, I think I could have been to pandas what Jane Goodall was to gorillas.

At the Panda Research Base in Chengdu, China, the habitats are beautifully kept. The pandas sit, roll around and eat bamboo all day long. It's incredible to be able to be so close to them.

Years ago, you could pay to hold a panda at the research base. You paid your fee and dressed in disposable scrubs so as not to expose the panda to germs. The employees limited each panda to being held by around ten people. Then a new panda was brought out so that the pandas were not overtaxed. It became more and more expensive as they allowed fewer and fewer people to hold the pandas each day. They realized that people would pay almost anything so they could have fewer people hold the pandas, but make the same amount of money for their research and facility upkeep.

The increase in price did not stop me from paying the fee three times. I first held a panda when I went to China with my kids, paying the equivalent of $150 US for each of us. The next time I was in Chengdu, the price was about $220. The last time, I paid $300. I would have paid $500.

They have suspended the program to hold pandas at the Panda Research Base, but I understand that they still allow it at Dujiangyan Panda Base, about two hours from Chengdu. I have not been to that facility before, but I will check it out the next time I go to Sichuan Province.

Whether you hold a panda or not, the experience is surreal. There is something about seeing them in their natural habitat and knowing that these beautiful creatures would be extinct were it not for the extreme efforts of the people of Sichuan Province. Perhaps you will venture with Chow Fun Tours to visit the pandas with me!

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Qingcheng Mountain

6/11/2018

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Incense burners in one of the Taoist temples on the mountain

Chengdu's largest draw is the pandas, but Qingcheng Mountain, less than two hours from the city, is my favorite place to visit in the area. The mountain is situated on the far eastern edge of the Tibetan plateau.

Calm, peace and serenity come to mind when I think of Qingcheng. The mountain is known as one of the birthplaces of Taoism. There are dozens of Taoist temples, both large and small, dotting the mountain. Due to the fact that the mountain is relatively secluded, it attracts and inspires many writers, artists and scholars. The paths are paved and well maintained, like those of most mountains in China. I like to walk up to the small lake part way up the mountain. From there, we take a short boat ride across the lake, or walk around the lake. On the other side of the lake is a cable car. We usually take the cable up to one of the temples. Sometimes I sit and order tea and people watch. Other times I continue to walk up the mountain to see the magnificent views from a higher elevation.

The mountain is the inspiration for the panda habitat in the "Kung Fu Panda" movie series. In fact, the producers of the movie visited the mountain in order to create scenes that would be true representations of the panda habitat. The gate in the movie's "Valley of Peace" is based on the gate at the base of Qingcheng.

Whether it's Qingcheng or another mountain in China, beauty awaits you. Join me on a Chow Fun Tour!

One of the entrance gates

Beautiful pagodas line the pathways

Short boat ride

Making friends

Temple entrance

Inside one of the Taoist temples

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Yunnan Cuisine

6/4/2018

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Yunnan Eggplant and Tofu at Lost Heaven Restaurant in Shanghai

Yunnan is the Chinese province with the most ethnic minority groups, all of which influence the traditions and cuisine. A lot of dishes are spicy, but there is no way to generalize the food. Dai food is hot and sour while Naxi food is spicy. The countries and other provinces that border Yunnan, such as Thailand, Myanmar, Tibet and Sichuan Province, influence the cuisine.

Some of the more interesting food in Yunnan is the Rubing goat cheese. Anyone who has traveled to China knows that cheese is nonexistent. Chinese people do not eat cheese, except for in Yunnan. I have eaten Rubing cheese many times and love it. The texture reminds me of haloumi cheese. It is usually served lightly fried and salted.

Yunnan cuisine often has Southeast Asian inspiration, as evidenced by some of the herbs and vegetables served. Mint is plentiful in the province and is often prepared in a simple salad with spicy peppers, soy sauce, vinegar and sesame oil. Mushrooms are a Yunnan vegetarian staple, often served in hot pots during the rainy summer months.

There are many Yunnan style restaurants in Chinese cities outside of the province. My favorite is Lost Heaven, with branches in Beijing and Shanghai. The entryways to the restaurants are lined with beautiful photographs of the province and its people. The dark lighting takes some adjustment, but adds to the atmosphere. I feel like I am in Thailand or Cambodia, rather than China. The food is phenomenal because it is so different from other parts of the country. I go to Lost Heaven almost every time I travel to China.

I look forward to introducing you to Yunnan cuisine on the next Chow Fun Tour!