That's Shenzhen

21/08/2025

🎬 Blink – A Family’s Journey to Capture Light Before It Fades

When three of their four children were diagnosed with a rare condition that will steal their sight, Edith Lemay and Sébastien Pelletier refused to let the world fade away.
Instead, they packed their bags and, together with their kids, set off to see 24 countries — from camel rides in Egypt to Himalayan sunrises — filling their children’s visual memories with beauty before it’s gone.

This deeply moving National Geographic documentary blends breathtaking travel with raw, intimate family moments, reminding us to treasure every sight, every day.

📅 In Chinese mainland cinemas August 16.

✨ Let their journey open your eyes.

Heartfelt documentary capturing love, loss, and precious visual memories

14/08/2025

: “Realm of Living” — Global Real Estate & Design: CBD Fair × Wanhua Group 🏛✨

📅 July 8–11
📍 CBD Fair Guangzhou

When Paris has MAISON&OBJET and Milan has Fuorisalone, Guangzhou now boasts its own world-class platform connecting ideas and production. This year’s “Realm of Living” Special Exhibition, curated in collaboration with nearly 50 top Chinese and international designers and over 30 domestic and global home brands, presents three decades of Chinese design evolution — history told through objects, trends captured through exhibitions.

💡 Seven Curatorial Themes:
Fusion | Dialogue | Diversity | Cross-Border | Empowerment | Cross-Generation | Debut
From high-end residential trends to cross-industry collaborations and sustainable futures, this exhibition reveals the boundless possibilities of modern living.

👩‍🎨 Curator Song Zhen says: “Good design is more than function — it’s the ferryman of emotions.”
🏛 CBD Fair Deputy GM Deng Lizhou notes: “This is not just a special exhibition — it’s the birthplace of trends.”

🎯 Whether you’re a designer, brand owner, or lifestyle enthusiast, here’s what awaits you:
✔ World-class original works making their debut
✔ Seamless fusion of art, design, and living
✔ A deep dive into materials, craftsmanship, and sustainability

📌 Mark Your Calendar:
July 8–11, 2026 — CBD Fair Guangzhou
Join the world’s design leaders for a journey into the aesthetics of living 🌿

13/08/2025

Humanoid Robot Olympics Are Coming to Beijing!
📍 Aug 14–17 | Olympic Stadiums

Watch humanoid robots sprint, tumble, dance & score goals in Beijing’s first-ever World Humanoid Robot Games 🏃⚽💃
💥 Track & field
💥 Robot soccer
💥 Gymnastics & dancing
💥 Real-world task challenges
💥 Even badminton & table tennis

Over 30 international teams 🤝
Futuristic action ⚙️

Tickets via mini-programs & apps (Chaopiaosaiyan, Damai, Maoyan & more)
🎫 Bonus perks for ticket holders: sightseeing discounts, shopping promos & more around town 🛍️
https://www.thatsmags.com/beijing/post/39427/first-world-humanoid-robot-games-to-begin-in-beijing

11/08/2025

🍜China's Food Delivery War Heats Up with Ghost Kitchen Boom🚀

Ghost kitchens—also called cloud kitchens—are on the rise as Meituan and JD.com pour billions into reshaping the food delivery industry.

Here’s what’s happening:

Centralized Kitchens: Massive facilities where dozens of restaurants cook under one roof.

Delivery-Only Menus: No dining rooms, no waiters—just pure online orders.

Lower Costs, Smarter Menus: With no front-of-house overhead, operators can adapt to trends fast.

Tech Meets Trust: Meituan will even live-stream kitchen operations to reassure customers.

📊 The numbers are staggering:

Meituan: 10 centralized kitchens today, 1,200 more planned in 3 years.

JD.com: RMB 1 billion investment to launch 10,000 7Fresh Kitchens nationwide.

From Beijing to Hangzhou, ghost kitchens are quickly reshaping how we eat, giving platforms more control over supply chains—and our cravings.

Would you order from a ghost kitchen? Or do you still prefer the vibe of a real restaurant?
https://www.thatsmags.com/china/post/39394/ghost-kitchens-on-the-rise-meituan-jd-com-s-delivery-war

One kitchen to rule them all

02/08/2025

Shenzhen Wetlands Win Global Honor at Ramsar COP15

Shenzhen’s wetlands are now officially world-class! On July 27, 2025, the Guangdong Neilingding Futian National Nature Reserve and Shenzhen Bay Park Wetland Education Centre received the Star Wetland Centre Award at the Ramsar Convention COP15 in Zimbabwe—an international nod to the city’s outstanding efforts in conservation and ecological education.

🌿 Guangdong Neilingding Futian National Nature Reserve
A 921.64-hectare sanctuary of rare species, this reserve includes:
– Neilingding Island, home to macaques, pangolins, and ancient forests
– Futian Mangroves, hosting 273 bird species and nearly 100,000 migratory birds annually, including 4.6% of the global black-faced spoonbill population!

🐦 Shenzhen Bay Park Wetland Education Centre
China’s first free public eco-education hub, led by MCF, offering interactive nature programs, birdwatching tips, and family-friendly workshops.

📍 Plan your visit:
– Reservations required (80 visitors/day; closed Mondays)
– Best birdwatching: October to April
– Key spots: Xiaosha Hill, Dayun Torch Tower, Zhongwan Yuehai Square

This award puts Shenzhen on the global map for urban biodiversity. Whether you're a birder, a nature lover, or just curious—Shenzhen’s wetlands are calling.

Read the full story and visiting tips below.

Shenzhen scored another major win in wetland conservation

31/07/2025

Shaolin Scandal Shakes China: 'CEO Monk' Under Criminal Investigation

A major scandal is unfolding at one of China's most iconic temples. On July 27, the Shaolin Temple confirmed that its abbot, Shi Yongxin, is under investigation for serious criminal and religious violations, including embezzlement and illicit relationships.

Once dubbed the ‘CEO Monk’ for commercializing Shaolin's brand, Shi now faces accusations of turning the temple into a personal empire. Allegations include misuse of temple funds, fathering illegitimate children, and breaching Buddhist discipline.

The Buddhist Association of China has revoked his jie die—a monk’s formal religious certificate—effectively stripping him of his monastic status. This marks a rare and symbolic fall from grace in modern Chinese Buddhism.

This isn't Shi’s first brush with controversy. Similar accusations surfaced in 2015 but were denied and never officially acted upon. This time, however, the investigation is officially confirmed and already moving fast.

Shi Yongxin, whose secular name is Liu Yingcheng, has not issued a public response. Stay tuned to ThatsGBA for the latest on this unfolding case.

Check out the link below for the full story!

Embezzlement, extramarital affairs, and illegitimate children

29/07/2025

Shekou Launches China’s First Visa-Free Cruise Transit Zone

Good news for cruise travelers: Shekou Cruise Homeport in Shenzhen has just introduced China’s first international visa-free sea transit zone, allowing same-day cruise passengers to skip the visa hassle—as long as you stay within the terminal and depart within 24 hours.

This new policy is especially useful for travelers coming from Hong Kong, Macao, or overseas, heading to a third country by cruise.

Key benefits:
· Border clearance steps cut from 8 to 4
· Waiting time reduced from over 2 hours to just 30 minutes
· Shorter walking distance and a new lounge area for added comfort

While it’s not part of Shenzhen’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy, this is another step toward turning the city into a more international cruise hub.

Planning a cruise out of Shekou? This policy might be your ticket to smoother, faster boarding.

📌 Applies only if you remain in the terminal and board your ship within 24 hours.

🔗 Full details at the link below.

Smooth new option for those heading out by sea

22/07/2025

Didi Drivers, Daily Poems & Digital Art – Meet Dom Armstrong, China’s Funniest Poet-in-Transit

What started as a hilariously relatable poem about Didi drivers has turned into a viral sensation—shared across WeChat and beyond.

We tracked down the man behind the words: Dom Armstrong, a British teacher-turned-poet based in Ningbo. From crafting verse about angry taxi horns to writing 100 poems in 100 days, Dom's take on daily life in China is sharp, heartfelt, and delightfully absurd.

🚗 From malfunctioning printers to dying houseplants as jilted lovers
🧠 From surrealist roots to digital art and voiceover poetry
🖋️ A proud member of Inkwell, Asia’s largest creative writing collective
📚 Plans in the works for a full poetry collection on China’s quirks

What drives him to write daily? “Sometimes it’s poetic Sudoku. Sometimes it’s just a malfunctioning AC repair guy.”

Read the full interview and ride along on a journey of humor, heart, and literary chaos.

👇 Who else has experienced Didi Driver Stockholm Syndrome? Sound off in the comments.

The comic verse of Dom Armstrong

21/07/2025

A forgotten kingdom rises again—China’s Xixia Imperial Tombs in Ningxia have officially joined the UNESCO World Heritage list, becoming the nation’s 60th site to receive the honor.

Spanning 40 square kilometers at the foot of the Helan Mountains, this necropolis reveals a lost Tangut civilization that ruled parts of northwest China for nearly 200 years.

🏛️ What makes it special?

• Nine imperial tombs and 271 satellite tombs filled with cultural hybridity—Han, Tibetan, and nomadic influences all in one.
• Fusion architecture blending Tang-Song symmetry with earth pagodas and stele pavilions.
• Rich Silk Road finds: coins, Central Asian beads, Song-era silk, and more.
• Standout relics: Glazed roof guardians, a 188kg gilt bronze bull, and a rare bilingual warrior carving.
Want to see it up close? A special exhibition is now showing in Shanghai (through September 14), with over 120 artifacts and immersive VR tomb experiences.

👉 The story of Xixia is a story of cultural fusion—long before globalization.

📲 Follow That’s for more on China’s newest World Heritage site.
https://www.thatsmags.com/shenzhen/post/39305/from-sand-to-spotlight-xixia-tombs-joins-unesco-list

01/07/2025

July in China - Big Screen Legends Are Back!

Get ready for a summer of cinematic legends! July’s film lineup in China is nothing short of epic—with reboots, re-releases, and major returns lighting up screens across the country.

🌋 Jurassic World: Rebirth (July 2)
Dinosaurs meet science in this post-dino-crisis thriller starring Scarlett Johansson.
🦸 Superman (July 11)
James Gunn’s reboot gives the Man of Steel a soulful new edge.
👑 Le Petit Prince (July 18)
The beloved stop-motion classic returns for a 10th anniversary re-release.
🔵 The Smurfs Movie (July 18)
Smurfette (voiced by Rihanna!) leads a real-world rescue in this glittery reboot.
🏴‍☠ Captain Sabertooth & the Countess of Gral (July 19)
A Nordic pirate adventure filled with magic, humor, and cursed treasure.
🧬 Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 25)
Marvel's First Family reboots the MCU with retro-futuristic flair.
🎩 The Gold Rush (July 25)
Charlie Chaplin’s 1925 masterpiece returns in glorious 4K for its 100th anniversary.
🎟 From cult classics to futuristic superheroes, there’s something for everyone this month. Just don’t forget: most films are shown in original audio with Chinese subtitles, so check before you book.
📲 Need help navigating Chinese cinema platforms? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Booking Cinema Tickets in China in the link below.

All-out movie magic for summer!

27/06/2025

Starting June 28, only power banks with the official 3C logo will be allowed on domestic flights in China.

✅ What’s allowed:
✔ Devices with a clear China Compulsory Certification (CCC/3C) mark
❌ What’s not allowed:
✖ No 3C logo
✖ Damaged or unclear labels
✖ Products flagged in safety recalls

This move comes after several fire incidents on flights involving uncertified batteries. Airport security teams are tightening checks—your power bank will be scrutinized at screening.

💡 What to do before you fly:
🔍 Check your power bank for the 3C logo
📲 Verify product model info online
🚫 Leave uncertified ones at home

Don’t let a power bank ruin your summer trip! Stay informed, stay safe.

Look out for that CCC logo!

25/06/2025

🍃 If you’re a tea buyer searching for premium products or a culture enthusiast eager to discover rare brews, the 2025 Global Tea Fair in Shenzhen, China 🇨🇳 is the perfect place for you! ✨
👥 For professionals: connect with around 1,000 top exhibitors and make sourcing easier than ever.
🍵 For visitors: enjoy live tea ceremonies, tasting events, and the chance to bring home some of the finest teas from China’s most celebrated regions.

🎟️ Don’t miss out—register now to secure your E-ticket!

📅 June 27-30 | 🕒 9:30 AM-6:00 PM (June 30 until 5 PM)
📍 Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center (Futian)
☎ For inquiries: [email protected]
GlobalTea Fair