Category: Uncategorized

ZHUHAI, China, Dec 13, 2024 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–

The Huangmaohai Link, a new major cross-sea passage project in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, went into trial operation on December 11. This project, designed as a two-way, six-lane expressway with a speed limit of 100 kilometers per hour, runs about 31 kilometers from Pingsha Town in the city of Zhuhai to Doushan Town in the city of Taishan, part of Jiangmen. Upon operation, the journey time between the two cities will be reduced from more than one hour to around 30 minutes.

As the western extension of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the passage began construction in June 2020 and passed its acceptance inspection in November 2024. It encompasses two main bridges, namely the Gaolan Port Bridge and the Huangmaohai Bridge, the world’s longest three-tower cable-stayed highway design bridge. By connecting Hong Kong and Macao through the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the passage offers the impressive scenery of slender-waisted towers on the sea and flocks of gracefully flying egrets. Beyond that, it leads tourists to such attractions of Jiangmen as age-old watchtowers and eco-friendly Birds’ Paradise, a wetland park, where they can find their way to local eateries providing seafood.

The administration center of the Huangmaohai Link introduced that the project, overseen by Guangdong Provincial Communication Group and involving 31 organizations and nearly 10,000 workers, navigated formidable challenges, including frequent super typhoons, completing in just six years — a pace that reflects what officials call the “Huangmaohai speed”. Not merely functional, the passage incorporates striking aesthetics. Two main bridges, the Gaolan Port Bridge and the Huangmaohai Bridge, boast five cable-stayed towers, resembling slender waists rising gracefully over the sea. Beyond appearances, the project pioneers seven innovations, including the structure of the curve-faced single-pole reinforced concrete tower and aerodynamic controls for suppressing flutter and vortex-induced vibrations in split-type steel box girders. Billed as the “greenest cross-sea passage”, the project ecologically bypasses protected natural reserves and offers the sight of egrets flying in tandem with the passage, underscoring a vision of natural, humanistic, and cultural beauty.

For residents of Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, and overseas Chinese, the passage offers the fastest route to Jiangmen via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. Together with other major routes in the Greater Bay Area, such as the Huangpu Bridge, Nansha Bridge, Humen Bridge, the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, it will weave a vast network of cross-sea and cross-river connections across the Greater Bay Area. This ambitious network is poised to accelerate the region’s transformation into a world-class transportation hub, fostering deeper integration across industries, technology, culture, and tourism between the Greater Bay Area and western Guangdong.

Source: The Administration Center of the Huangmaohai Cross-Sea Passage

–BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 10 (Bernama) — Hakuba Ryujin Onsen in Hakuba Village, Nagano, operated by Abest Corporation headquartered in Kobe City, Hyogo, is set to reopen in mid-December this year as “Hakuba Ryujin Onsen RYOKAN SUI”, offering a newly transformed winter experience.

The renovation includes extensive upgrades to the main building’s guest rooms and onsen (hot spa) facilities. Located in the popular international tourist destination of Hakuba Village, the newly rebranded “RYOKAN SUI” offers a unique blend of traditional Japanese aesthetics and modern comfort, providing an unforgettable stay for guests.

The name change reflects the aim of offering more international visitors the opportunity to experience Japanese culture, beauty, and healing through the concept of “ryokan” (Japanese-style inn), according to a statement.

Additionally, the hotel features the Abest Group’s “SUI Series”, which is inspired by the Edo-period aesthetic of “iki” (stylishness)” and “sui” (elegance), featuring sophisticated designs, high-quality facilities, service that evokes Japan’s traditions, and warm hospitality.

“RYOKAN SUI” will incorporate even deeper “wa” (Japanese elements) and transform into a more refined “wa-modern” accommodation to offer a unique space that blends with the natural beauty of Hakuba Village.

The renovations, based on the “Wa-kon Modern” (Modern Japanese Spirit) concept, integrate Japanese culture and spirit in a contemporary context.

The redesigned reception area and guest rooms boast luxurious high black ceilings with traditional Japanese brocade “Nishiki-weaving” patterns. Spacious rooms, some with loft-type bedrooms and bunk beds, are perfect for families and groups.

The onsen and bedrock bath areas have been revamped with a calming black-based design, and the tatami-matted changing rooms, featuring dragon-inspired lampshades, offer a serene space to relax after a rejuvenating hot spring bath.

— BERNAMA

XI’AN, China, Dec. 6, 2024 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/– 

Ice and snow intertwine with flames, while light and shadow blend with music on a stage at the foot of Lishan Mountain in northwest China’s Xi’an City. On Dec. 1, a large-scale live historical drama called the ice-fire “The Song of Everlasting Sorrow,” produced by the Huaqing Palace scenic spot, started performance against the backdrop of mountains and waters at the historical site.

Rolled out in 2021, the ice-fire “The Song of Everlasting Sorrow” is the upgraded version of the traditional production. By innovating stage design, choreography, high-tech application, a new interpretation has been achieved on stage art setting.

The performance has transformed the seasonal disadvantage of winter tourism in Xi’an into a distinctive experiential attraction, achieving a breakthrough in outdoor live performances during winter in north China.

Based on the narrative poem by Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi, the dance drama revolves around the love story of Emperor Tang Xuanzong (618-907) and his consort Yang Guifei, recreating the moving chapters of the poem.

The Tang Dynasty, as a prosperous era in Chinese history, exerted a profound cultural influence across Asia and Europe through the Silk Road. Today, the 70-minute dance drama ingeniously combines historical narratives, stage performances, and audio-visual effects, impressing the audience with the Tang Dynasty’s splendid atmosphere.

Since its debut in 2006, the dance drama has been performed over 5,300 times and attracted approximately 10 million visitors.

Conducting in-depth exploration and innovating forms, the dance drama constantly refreshes itself to stay relevant.

This year, the spot has recruited a group of Central Asia actors, making the performance in line with the Tang Dynasty society’s openness, inclusiveness and multiculturalism and enhancing the performance’s artistic expression and international influence.

The Huaqing Palace scenic spot, an iconic tourism destination showcasing Tang culture, in recent years has been integrating culture and tourism, and developed many outstanding productions, making the area a signature tourism project in Shaanxi Province.

“We will continue to leverage the Tang culture’s profound artistic charm and deepen culture-tourism integration, and use the performing arts to facilitate global culture communication,” said Gao Jie, chairman of Shaanxi Huaqing Palace Cultural Tourism Co., Ltd.

Source: The Huaqing Palace scenic spot

–BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 (Bernama) — Avex Pictures Inc has announced that K-pop icon SEVENTEEN’s ‘RIGHT HERE’ world tour concert, taking place at the Kyocera Dome Osaka, Japan, will be broadcast live in cinemas worldwide on Dec 14.

According to a statement, global tickets for SEVENTEEN ‘RIGHT HERE’ WORLD TOUR IN JAPAN: LIVE VIEWING can be purchased through the official live viewing website.

The concert will feature SEVENTEEN’s latest tracks alongside iconic hits and fan favourites, offering a vibrant and diverse performance that fans worldwide have been eagerly anticipating.

With large screens and superior sound quality, the cinematic experience will bring the energy, humour, charm, and unique unit stages of SEVENTEEN to life for audiences in various countries.

Fans can expect an unforgettable performance full of excitement and cohesion, showcasing the group’s unmatched stage presence.

Since their debut in 2015, this 13-piece act has won numerous awards, broken many records, and achieved five consecutive million-sellers. The K-pop icon continued its momentum into 2024 with remarkable achievements.

Their Best Album 17 IS RIGHT HERE, featuring SEVENTEEN’s celebrated discography, was released and they became UNESCO’s first-ever Goodwill Ambassador for Youth, recognised for their role in uplifting and inspiring young people worldwide.

They made history at Glastonbury as the first K-pop act to perform at the festival and set another milestone as the first K-pop headliner at Lollapalooza Berlin. Most recently, SEVENTEEN won Best Group at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards.

Avex Pictures Inc is a Japanese film production, sales and distribution company. It is a consolidated subsidiary of Avex Inc, an entertainment conglomerate that supports and advances the careers of performing artists.

— BERNAMA