Travel
Shaoxing's "Grandpa Gourd" hangs the gourds back up: "If there are too many people, we'll interact less — just take a quick look from afar"
The Shaoxing "Grandpa Gourd," who personally cut down the gourds six days ago, has once again hung those seven gourds back on his balcony. The simple statement, "If there are too many people, we'll reduce interactions," speaks volumes about the elderly man’s resignation to the noise and also reveals a gentle understanding. On September 11, 75-year-old Chen Jin’ao rehung the seven gourds on his balcony overlooking the water.
Chinese authorities announce "reciprocal adjustment" to Japan visa fees — single-entry visa jumps from 2,250 to 16,750 yen!
On September 11, the Chinese Embassy in Japan issued the "Notice on Adjusting Visa Fees for Japan": Starting from September 14, 2026, the visa application fees for Japanese citizens applying for Chinese visas will be raised across the board. The most eye-catching figure in the announcement is that 16,750 — the fee for a single-entry visa has leapt directly from 2,250 yen to...
The "health stones" carried by a traveler were found to have radiation levels exceeding safety limits by a thousand times, potentially endangering fellow passengers on the same flight. Customs issues warning!
Consumers might never have imagined that so-called "health stones" could turn into "deadly stones"?! Recently, while monitoring an inbound flight, Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport Customs under Dalian Customs discovered an item with severely excessive radiation levels. According to a report on the WeChat public account of the General Administration of Customs on October 22: an inbound traveler was passing through the customs checkpoint when...
Shenzhen Airport Issues Late-Night Notice: Unidentified Aerial Object Detected, Causing Widespread Flight Delays!
On October 23, multiple netizens reported that Shenzhen Airport experienced widespread flight delays, with numerous flights being diverted or postponed. According to these reports, over 30 flights were diverted, most of them landing in Guangzhou and Zhuhai, while more than 70 flights were delayed. Flight data from Umetrip showed that on the evening of that day, flights at Shenzhen Bao'an International...
“They only said it cost money after I opened the box and washed it!” 200g of grapes sold for 60 yuan on a high-speed train—12306 responds!
On October 20, a woman complained about 200g of grapes being sold for 60 yuan on a high-speed train, with the related topic trending and drawing widespread attention. According to a previous report by Jimu News, on October 15, Ms. Zhao, who was traveling with her 2-year-old son on the G3584 train from Nanning to Chengdu, purchased a ticket priced at nearly 1,900 yuan.
Can't buy an airline ticket? Denied exit? Blocked from boarding? A large number of Chinese tourists have mysteriously become "discredited individuals"
Recently, news that "Chinese tourists with passport numbers starting with EL were mysteriously listed as discredited individuals" has caused an uproar among those planning to go abroad. According to a previous report by News Fang, a Ms. Chen shared her recent personal experience: she applied for and received a new passport on September 5, which starts with EL. Subsequently, she booked a flight for September 24
Adverse weather and economic fluctuations impact Colombia's coffee market
According to the monthly coffee market report published by FNC (Colombian Coffee Growers Federation), last month Colombia's coffee production increased by 2% year-on-year, reaching 849,000 bags (60kg), compared to 834,000 bags (60kg) in September of the previous year. The 2022/23 coffee year ended (last October
Beach bathing area responds to 2 yuan/30 seconds fee for freshwater foot rinsing: Clearly priced!
Recently, the topic #Beach bathing area responds to 2 yuan for 30 seconds of freshwater foot rinsing# has sparked widespread discussion among netizens. According to a report by Upstream News, a tourist visiting Qingdao recently posted photos and text complaining about the exorbitant fee for using a freshwater machine to rinse feet on a beach. Images provided by netizens show that users need to scan
Taking off with an improperly closed cabin door? Wing malfunction? Multiple flights made emergency returns mid-journey!
According to comprehensive reports from civil aviation resource websites citing foreign media, on the evening of October 17 local time, Ryanair flight RK187 from Belfast International Airport in Ireland to Edinburgh, Scotland, made an emergency return shortly after takeoff. According to The Independent, the incident was related to a "technical issue," while passengers on board claimed it involved the cabin door.
Experience the gifts of nature! A countdown of the world’s ten most stunning coastlines
A coastline is like nature’s tailor, sketching the outlines of islands and land with lines—some smooth and graceful, others winding and rugged, some vibrant and colorful, still others strange and mysterious. Walking along the shoreline, with azure waters on one side and bare rocks on the other, and a gentle warm breeze blowing in your face, your heart is instantly filled with...
Chengdu Wenshu Monastery scenic area administrator uses a loudspeaker to expose scams, chased by vendors, applauded by onlookers
Recently, a video of a scenic area administrator at Chengdu's Wenshu Monastery using a loudspeaker to warn tourists about scams has gone viral online. In the video, a staff member is seen following an elderly vendor, holding a loudspeaker and shouting: “Everyone, please be very careful. The dzi beads he’s wearing around his neck were bought wholesale from the Hehuachi Market
Is Thailand permanently waiving visas for Chinese tourists? Both countries agree to restart visa agreement negotiations!!
Recently, Thai Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin, while attending the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in China, revealed that the Thai government hopes to make the "visa exemption for China" measure long-term (permanent) when discussing the "phased visa exemption" policy. However, the Thai government prefers and expects the visa exemption policy to be a "mutual...
WCR: Global collaborative breeding program launched, first seeds have sprouted around the world
In 2022, the World Coffee Research (WCR) organization launched the Innovea Global Collaborative Breeding Network. The goal of the Innovea network is to unite partner countries in improving coffee breeding and accelerating genetic advancements in crop yield, quality, climate adaptability, and resistance to pests and diseases. To date, nine countries have...
The World Coffee Research organization has launched the Innovea Global Collaborative Breeding Network
The World Coffee Research (WCR) is a non-profit agricultural research institution that works to improve coffee yield, quality, climate resilience, and farmers' livelihoods through agricultural R&D. It collaborates with over 200 coffee companies worldwide to establish diversity in coffee-growing regions.
Ethiopian coffee exporters face severe crackdown by regulators
According to Ethiopian media reports, the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE; the country’s central bank) is currently investigating allegations that some coffee exporters have misused special loans provided by the government to boost overseas coffee trade operations. In the last fiscal year, around 144 Ethiopian coffee exporters received
What impact does WCR's launch of an Arabica genetic identification database have on the coffee industry?
Between 2021 and 2023, the World Coffee Research (WCR) organization conducted sampling of common Arabica coffee varieties in Latin America and Africa, and in collaboration with IntertekAgritech laboratory in Sweden, performed genotyping on the samples to establish SNP fingerprints.
China adds 4 new villages to UNWTO's 'Best Tourism Villages' list
Our stunning landscapes have once again earned global recognition. On October 19th local time, the 25th session of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly opened in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The 2023 list of 'Best Tourism Villages' was announced at the meeting, featuring four Chinese villages: Huangling Village in Jiangxi Province, Xiazhuang Village in Zhejiang Province, Zhagana Village in Gansu Province, and
Is Hailing Island in Yangjiang, Guangdong, cheating customers with rigged scales? Whistleblowers can get rewards of up to 10,000 yuan!
Recently, Hailing Island in Yangjiang, Guangdong has drawn attention and heated discussion online. According to the official Douyin channel of Pearl River Channel’s program “Today’s Focus,” after two previous undercover investigations uncovered issues, the program team conducted a third secret investigation on Hailing Island and found that some shops still engage in “scale rigging,” openly disregarding consumer rights. Some unscrupulous...
Starbucks has developed new coffee varieties that can withstand climate change
The coffee industry is facing various challenges brought about by climate change. For years, researchers have been paying attention to the impact of rising global temperatures on coffee yields and farmers' livelihoods. Starbucks, the U.S.-based coffee brand headquartered in Seattle, has also taken note. Recently, Starbucks announced that it has developed six new coffee varieties that can withstand
The Kenyan government takes action against the 'coffee cartel'
According to foreign media reports, Kenyan Members of Parliament recently discussed and passed the 'Coffee Bill 2023'. Vice President Rigathi Gachagua convened a meeting on reforming the coffee agricultural sector, aiming to prevent coffee theft, free farmers from debt, and increase their income.