CITY LIVING
TRAVEL & SPORT
TRAVELDeals Eastern China
Maldives
Magnificent Maldives
This secluded island is the perfect tranquil location for a get-away holiday. Famous for the spectacular clear waters, it is an irresistible destination for those looking to explore the marine ecosystem. The tropical landscape is the perfect setting for a relaxing escape. Seven days, six nights from RMB 8,160. Flight Center. Tel: 4008 810 325. Web: www.flightcentre. com.cn
Kota Kin
abalu
Bangkok
Cambodia
Cambodia's Lost City
Angkor Wat is said to be one of the greatest archaeological sites in Southeast Asia, the harmonious ancient city is one of grandeur and timeless beauty. Explore the temples and be awe-inspired by giant carvings of gods and demons. The trip includes tours of Cambodia's Angkor Wat, the temples Bantaey Srei and Bantaey Kdei and Tonle Sap lake. Four days, five nights from RMB 6,780. Tel: 3222 0616. Web: www. countryholidays.com.cn
Eastern China
Tour Eastern China and visit the historical culture in Jiangnan, the area south of the Yangtze River. Let Spring Tours guide you through the gleaming towers of China's financial heart through to Nanjing, the former capital city, and the ancient Wu Kingdom. You will be immersed in history and culture with the convenience of an English-speaking guide, meals, admission and transportation already covered. Five days, four nights from RMB 2,600. Tel: 6251 5777. Web: www. chinaspringtour.com
Bangkok City Escape
This fast paced capital city is the largest urban area in Thailand. The dazzling bright lights, gleaming palaces, wondrous temples and marvellous shopping malls will captivate you; the tantalising Thai dishes will excite you and the locals will steal your heart. A perfect destination for a weekend break this summer. Three days, two nights from RMB 2,850. Tel: 400 820 6113. Web: www.classictravel.net.cn
Family fun in Kota Kinabalu
Located in Borneo, East Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu is paradise and the perfect location for a family vacation. Relax and dine on the white sandy beach or be entertained by leisure activities such as horse riding, kayaking, banana boat riding or orangutans spotting! Stay at the Shangri-La’s Rasa Ris Resort to benefit from an ecologically friendly championship golf course, spa, and educational nature center for kids. Six days, five nights from RMB 7,390. Tel: 6439 2985. Web: www. xpatstravel.com
Tonight We Ride Dawa Tshering
Tuesday nights on the steamy streets of Shanghai may have you witnessing a strange site: scores of cyclists plowing through the roads on a glittering array of exquisite bikes. The pack winds its way across the city seeking new routes and new adventures, much to the confusion of local taxi drivers.
F
or several years now, Factory Five has held court over the Shanghai cycling scene. They specialize in fixed gear bikes, built to order, whether they are custom frames created in house or reconditioned Chinese classics. If you keep your eyes peeled for beautiful bikes around Shanghai, it won’t be long until you spot their mastery. However, they were not satisfied with just running a shop, they also run a community, from long weekend excursions out of the city to the Alley Cat Races, they have hosted all sorts of events. Unfortunately this year’s Shanghai Alley Cat, scheduled for June, was cancelled, however this has not
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dampened the spirit of the nightriders. Every Tuesday evening, just before 9 o’clock, cyclists from all walks of life flock to the Factory Five workshop on Jiangsu Lu. By sharing a beer and an interest in bikes, friendships are easily formed. At 9 o’clock the group sets off; routes are kept a secret and are known only to the ride leaders; each time exploring a new part of the city. Recent highlights have included a tour of Shanghai’s bridges (which provide the only uphill roads in an otherwise flat city) and cycling onto the local Huangpu ferry to cross between Pudong and Puxi. The rides generally last around two hours, with the crew stopping at a
FamilyMarts along the way to refuel before finishing at a bar for that all-important post-ride social. In recent months, as the weather has improved, the ranks of cyclists involved in the night ride has ballooned. If the conditions are good, expect to see well over a hundred bikes hitting the streets. Pace is swift but entirely manageable, with traffic lights providing the perfect opportunity for newer riders to catch up. An Olympic level of fitness is not required; just expect a decent two hours of cardio. Similarly, professional equipment is not necessary (although it will be on show from some of the top riders); so long as your bike is not a rusty, beaten up, old thing (so common to the streets of Shanghai) you should be fine. Bring a helmet, a sense of adventure and prepare to explore parts of the city you would never think to visit normally. Sign up to the Factory Five newsletter at www.factoryfive. com for weekly notifications on the exact time of the rides and reports on the previous week’s journey.
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