| Grand Hyatt, Erawan Bangkok | Pullman Bangkok Hotel G | |
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The Location |
After 1949, communism was going to be a problem. My parents wanted to leave [China], but they left me behind in Guangzhou. They had to get me out through Macau, because the border to Hong Kong was closed. They pretended our close friends were my parents because they were Macau residents.
I was smuggled out. My mother would always talk about how she was waiting for me on the other side. I was only three. She remembers that the immigration person took a lot of time. They would ask, “Who are your parents?” I was trained to answer.
Fashion designer Vivienne Tam, known for her signature east-meets-west style, rose from more than humble beginnings in Guangzhou and Hong Kong to become one of the most famous Chinese designers in the world. She talks to Hana R. Alberts about sewing with remnants, cajoling reluctant factory managers and taking Mao’s name in vain.
What’s a sure-fire way to get the hell outta town when everyone else is fleeing to warmer climes on trips they planned months in advance? Make a beeline for Macau, of course. It’s cheap, convenient and there’s as much hoopla about the holidays there as there is here. Sure, Senado Square gets all prettified, but there’s more to do than just ooh and ahh at the lights. We’ve rounded up where to find the best Yuletide food, festivities, culture and more. And if you you want to stay the night, we’ve got you covered, too.
Hop on a ferry to our sister SAR for an easy escape during the festive season.
To most Hongkongers, Shenzhen’s a destination for shopping, while Guangzhou is pigeonholed as that polluted place you’re dragged to visit relatives during Chinese New Year. But despite misconceptions that it’s all factory smoke and mall mirrors, the city has experienced a renaissance of sorts over the last few years that has resulted in tons of cool activities sure to fill at least a weekend.
Hana R. Alberts braves the smog to venture into the Pearl River Delta, and discovers that our mainland neighbor has more to offer than she thought.
