Posts Tagged ‘小杜’

snaps | faile @ shanghai ::

Saturday, June 27th, 2009

:: taken in Shanghai at the intersection of Tongren Rd. and Yanan Rd., a Faile sticker spotted on a traffic light. For those who aren’t familiar with Faile, they are a contemporary urban art collective of sorts, founded in Brooklyn, New York. You don’t see their stickers in China much, if at all. To read more about their last stop in Shanghai, link here and here.  // XD

Faile

snaps | hai bao ::

Saturday, June 27th, 2009

:: taken in Shanghai on Fahuazhen Rd. near Jiaotong University; a very well done chalkboard Haibao – the official mascot of the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.  // XD

Haibao Chalkboard

70s & 80s chinese primary school book designs ::

Saturday, June 20th, 2009

:: Chinese retro design has always fascinated me. Over the years I’ve bought more than a few 70’s and 80’s era Chinese books just for the cover designs. I recently saw some threads on MOP with interesting primary school language study book covers, so I thought I’d scour the Web for more examples from the 60s through to the 80s and share here, see below. It’s not only the images that get people nostalgic, there are a few dedicated souls transcribing the stories in these books.  // XD

[Xiao Du is a guest contributor on fifty 5]

traffic accident of a different kind ::

Saturday, June 20th, 2009

lexus vs tank - tank wins

:: following yesterday’s car-related post, I thought I’d share this quick translation of recent traffic accident that happened in Guangdong.

There is nothing out of the ordinary for car accidents to happen in China, except that this one took place between a Lexus and a tank. Needless to say, the Lexus came out the loser. Link here for the original article (Chinese).  // XD

[Xiao Du is a guest contributor on fifty 5]

shanzhai | ferrari ::

Friday, June 19th, 2009

:: I spotted a shanzhai’d Ferrari in Shanghai yesterday. Check out the terrible craftsmanship in the rear lights (last photo). Shanzhai rating: D+ at best.  // XD

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Ferrari 5

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Ferrari 2

[Xiao Du is a guest contributor on fifty 5]

shanzhai | wifi internet connection ::

Tuesday, June 16th, 2009

:: while white collar workers in China’s cities take the Internet for granted, it’s not quite the same in the countryside.

After Lu Hui (卢慧) finished her studies, she went back to being a rabbit farmer in a remote village in Sichuan. She had the benefits of Internet during computer studies at secondary school, but unfortunately her home village was too remote to get a connection.

She first tried wireless Internet (GPRS) at her house in 2005, but it was too expensive. After a few years of self study, Lu Hui and her boyfriend came up with an ingenious solution.

They re-purposed 2 satellite dishes, off the shelf TP-Link wifi routers, and buckets (for rainproofing!) with a 3km line of site connection going from her boyfriend’s place in town to her home in the countryside. They managed to get the connection working in September of last year (2008), and it’s been running successfully ever since.

The “rabbit beauty lady” (as she’s known as on the IT forum ZOL) posted details of her DIY Internet connection two months later in the ZOL forums and almost immediately rocketed to unanimous acclaim. Her ingenuity has led to two TV interviews, as well as a number of media appearances. Link here for more on the technical details of Lu Hui’s Internet connection. Link here for Lu Hui’s QQ blog. Link here to learn more about a DIY microphone project in China.  // XD

shanzhai | johnny worker ::

Monday, May 18th, 2009

:: I was recently reminded of this photo I took in Xinjiang, China last year of the not so famous shanzhai brand Worker Worker Black Labial. The shop also carried a number of other less-known brands, but unfortunately the owner was a little reticent to have me photograph any more.  // XD

famous-brands-shanzai-black-labial

[Xiao Du (小杜) is a guest contributor on 56minus1]

china’s first wooden rollercoaster ::

Saturday, May 16th, 2009

:: with the media focused on more pressing matters the last month or so, Martin & Vleminckx Rides and The Gravity Group’s latest project – China’s first wooden roller coaster – hasn’t made much of an impact.

Despite the coaster being fully operational, albeit for testing, it will be at least another two months before it’s opened to the public. Follow the coaster’s build progress via The Gravity Group’s feed, or in the ThemeParkReview.com forums.

The coaster’s inaugural run was on April 30, 2009, with a select group of engineers and staff riding the track roughly 1200 meters.

Some stats on the coaster (from the Gravity Group’s Web site)

  • 108 feet (33m) tall
  • first drop of 104 feet (32m)
  • 3,819 feet (1164m) of twisted track
  • top speed of 56 mph (90 km/h)
  • ten track crossovers
  • two road crossovers

The coaster is being built in the confusingly named Happy Valley in Shanghai’s Sheshan area, for Shenzhen’s OCT Property Group. (There is another, more famous Happy Valley in Hong Kong.) This won’t be OCT’s first resort, they’ve been building parks throughout China since early 1998. The park will also feature an innovative 5 star hotel built into the back of an old quarry, as well as a number of other attractions. Shanghaiist has a small writeup about that project here. Happy Valley is set to open around mid July, and the wooden coaster looks like it will take star billing. Visitors will be able to get to the park once it opens, via metro on Line 9, with shuttle buses departing for the park from the Metro station.  // XD

Photo’s provided by Martin & Vleminckx Rides

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[Xiao Du (小杜) is a guest contributor on 56minus1]

li ning X lei feng trainers ::

Thursday, May 14th, 2009

LN X LF:: “为人民服务” is a classic revolutionary Chinese phrase meaning “to serve the people.” Lei Feng is legendary historical figure and model citizen / comrade who dedicated his life to serving the people and the Chinese communist party / government.

Chinese mega sports brand 李宁 (Li Ning) has combined the man / myth and the unforgettable phrase in the release of a new limited edition shoe, the “为李宁服务” 雷锋 001 (“To serve Li Ning” Lei Feng 001) – a cheeky play on words that capitalizes on the retro-military look of Lei Feng-era design. A cross between classic and over the top, but carried off with panache.

“为李宁服务” 雷锋 001s are not cheap. A pair will cost you RMB 2800, and that’s only if you can find them.

If you liked these, there is plenty more shoe pornography at Dunk.com.cn to check out.  // XD

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[Xiao Du (小杜) is a guest contributor on 56minus1]

sex & the average advert ::

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

:: I like sex just as much as the next average adult male (or female), but it’s staggering to see the amount of blatant advertising that goes on in China for sex-related services.

Even just a cursory view of any foreign language publication in Shanghai reveals a plethora of such “services,” most of which are targeted at male readers.

Despite an official government stance against both sexually explicit adverts and blatant promotion of sexual services, pretty much all the expat magazines and papers in Shanghai (Shanghai Daily used to be a prime example of this) have, or up until fairly recently, had sexually explicit advertising.

Online classifieds are even worse though. Check them out, you’ll find sexual service related advertising catering to the straight and gay male population.

If we narrow the field down to Shanghai, there are a few main websites with classifieds we can focus on. If we focus on Craigslist Shanghai, we can actually make some statistical analysis of this advertising.

Such adverts in Craigslist Shanghai typically mention “special services,” and happy endings, below is an example (pardon the grammar / spelling mistakes, it’s quoted content):

I have on offer something quite special, some would say something better than sex.

I am independent massage provider, Visiting you ( out calls only please ) at your private home/residence or hotel, My ultimate goal is to sensualize your mind, entice your body, elevate your spirit.I will fulfill all your desires in the most pleasurable way.

I will completely relax you with passionate, sensual caressing, massaging, and special touching over every part of your body, using my skillful hands and perfect breasts. Words can’t describe how good it will feel. I will let you touch me, as long as you let me do most of the touching! Of course, naturally, with a gorgeous woman being this intimate with you, you will become incredibly aroused, I will let this build up until, naturally I give you blissful relief.

Soft, tasteful music, candles and delicious aromas of essential oils will complete the atmosphere.

I am beautiful both of face and body (and mind, for those that this matters to!) sensual and curvy in the right places, 36C and rounded, sexy bottom. Soft features and cute and alluring smile. . My personality is warm, and I’m comfortable to be around.

Fee: Hot special Sensual massage: 300RMB 90mins

As each advert includes a telephone number, a basic Google search can reveal further information.

The local Chinese mobile phone number: has spammed Craigslist Shanghai 99 times in the last 30 days, although the advertiser has been rather consistent compared to others (see below).

This advertiser uses 13512189744 as a contact number, and claims to be a “young, beautiful, 100% independent Chinese girl named Lily” (again, pardon the grammar / spelling mistakes, quoted content):

I am a young and beautiful 100% independent Chinese girl. I have very soft, creamy skin and a cuddly, warm personality to match.
With a natural and fit 32C/D-24-34 figure I enjoy being a real GFF to distinguished gentlemen. Whether you seek a rslaxing evening with a glass of wine and conversation, or an exciting mid-day rendezvous I will provide you with my complete attention.

I will give you the perfect massage. Our time is unhurried and preferred for the kind gentleman seeking an erotic and romantic confidant. I take good care of my health and body, and my face is beautiful. I am passionate about life and it is my nature to get pleasure from my work. I am playful or serious and have an appreciation of a good sense of humor.

I am looking forward to meet you soon. My phone number:13512189744 (lily)
Romantic massage /2Hr:300RMB
Happy massage /2 Hr:500RMB
Top oil massage/2 Hr :800RMB

Cross checking the whole of Craiglist Shanghai for “Lily’s” mobile number (13512189744) reveals 344 spamvertised ads.

Googling that same number shows that the Chinese BBS’s are also being spammed with this particular advert: example.

This advertiser is named “Anna:”

Hey Guy’s. If you are looking for a sexy, attractive, busty young girl to relax with tonight look no further.

I am Anna, 21 years old, 162cm tall and weigh 45kg. And now I’m living Shanghai.

I enjoy meeting new people. I am an independent, discreet girl ready to get a little naughty with a guy looking for a laid back down to earth cutie! I provide a memorable service, which is both erotic and relaxed. I am very warm, friendly, intelligent and easy to be with and provide a first class service!

Give me a call and let’s see how much fun can we have together!

A cursory check on Craigslist Shanghai reveals that that mobile number (15021931860) has been used 194 times in adverts over the last month, and more interestingly, Anna is also known by a number of different names: Anna, Grace, Nana etc.

Perhaps more interestingly, she also appears to look like different people in her different photo’s.  A more cynical person than I might deduce that the pictures are fake.

pic

The next advertiser, using the mobile number 15901761699, has no name, but has advertised 85 times under different titles / images. of that mobile number reveals more details than the other numbers above.

According to the Google results, the advertiser is actually named Linda Gao (高小姐), and she has an address, a company name, and a Web site.

Shanghai White Cloud Blind Masseuse Club (上海白云盲人保健按摩会所)
#33 Chenjiazhai Rd., Shanghai, China (上海市陈家宅路33号
http://www.shgongguan.cn

Unfortunately the Web site is not reachable, but as all Chinese Web sites require an ICP licence, it’s possible to look up “the responsible party.”

The Miibeian.gov.cn site reveals that the site was registered to Guan Junhua 关俊华, with a government issued ICP number of for a number of (didgy) Web sites:

www.ywlp-sh.com
www.pandot.cn
www.chinamassage88.com
www.shgongguan.cn
www.shgangyun.com

Google ChinaMassage88.com reveals another mobile phone number: , and an address (the other sites appear to be gone / inaccessible).

Unfortunately further research was a dead end – although a number of Web sites have exactly the same email address, and contact numbers. The businesses range from delivery companies to someone selling mail order clothing. There is also a link to someone asking for assistance in Web development / coding.

It’s likely that this is the Web site developer for the massage sites above, but I couldn’t find anything concrete showing involvement in the massage game, so they were probably just work-for-hire.

I backtracked to Linda Gao and searched for the company name instead.  This led to a job posting advert for a spa site.

The job posting has a contact name for the job, which turned out to be Miss Gao (高小姐) again! More interestingly, it also has an address that actually exists, unlike the previous ones, and it turns out to be #298 Tongren Rd. (Shanghai), less than 300 meters away from where I am writing this post.

I pass this address on my way to and from work every day, so I’m quite familiar with the road and immediately realised exactly where I thought this would be: on Tongren Rd., in between the restaurants Malones and Spot Bar, the small “hairdressing” salon (i.e massage parlour). Every day I pass by there I see a bunch of bored, scantily dressed girls, and at least one on a laptop.

Unfortunately when I walked home tonight, my suspicions were dashed, as I realised that the potential location was on the wrong site of the street number wise. I was close though, 298 is actually the sauna *directly* opposite Malones. So, at last I had found the spammers. Mystery Solved. Kudos to them for being computer literate at least!

Craigslist even lists a dedicated to spamming / spreading the word for “special services” in China. Also, just for reference, her are the relveant online China anti-pornography law, and reporting sites

// XD

[Xiao Du (小杜) is a guest contributor on 56minus1]

shanzhai | diy helicopter ::

Monday, April 13th, 2009

:: Chen Zhao Rong (陈昭荣) dreamed of flying. Despite not being able to read English and with only a primary school education, Chen scoured through foreign-language flight Web sites, checking out pictures and schematics, before finally starting to build his very own helicopter.

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Chen made and welded all the body parts himself, checking his design against photo’s on the Internet as he progressed with his work plan. After the body was built, he bought a secondhand engine and mounted it.

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With a total cost amounting to less than RMB 70,000, and a little over 2 years of development, Chen finally achieved his dreams and made a flying helicopter.

He now had a flying machine, but he still needed to learn how to properly fly it.

For the first few months, every time he started up the engine, the whole village would come watch. It took him another 6 months before he was confident enough to take flight.

His first successful flight took him 1 meter off the ground.

Soon enough, he was flying 6 meters above the ground and then eventually above his 5 story building – he was afraid to go higher.

It took him another few months to be comfortable turning and landing his aircraft with ease.

080704_zsj01

Unfortunately, in May 2008, while flying to another village, he lost power at a speed close to 70 km/s and crashed his helicopter in a nearby field. Although fearing the engine would explode, he survived the crash and managed to walk home in one piece.

His wife was not so happy though, and left him for a week, threatening to leave him for good unless he stopped flying.

News about Chen’s exploits also reached the local police who subsequently made him sign a document stating that he wouldn’t fly again.

In the end, he sold his helicopter parts to a friend for RMB 20,000.

He still hasn’t given up on his dream though, and his fame lives on in the Internet, where thousands of people watch in awe at the video of his flight. Flying dangerously close to power lines, buildings, and somehow landing in one piece.  // XD

[Xiao Du (小杜) is a guest contributor on 56minus1]

iphone shanzhai + bling ::

Friday, April 3rd, 2009

:: you’re traveling to another dimension… To a world of imagination… A world without proper IP regulation… A world devoid of taste or design sensibilities… A world where products are so bad that they become good again. A world called….The Shanzhai Zone. Welcome!

I present you – the iPhone Shanzhai. Now with more bling. Available at all good Taobao retailers for RMB 400 – 500.  // XD

bling bling lights

os

back cover

color variety

back and ccard

…and just in case those of you want to think different, you can now also get the iPhone Air.

iphone air

iphone air black and silver

iphone air pink

iphone air2

[Xiao Du (小杜) is a guest contributor on 56minus1]

things done well | badges ::

Sunday, March 15th, 2009

:: 56minus1 reader (and my friend) 小杜 recently started a company called I Want One that makes rad kitsch badges. Have a look below. My favorites are the ones with Shanghainese phrases (支持方言, 支持普通话!). RMB 5 each. Bravo, well done.  // AjS

iwantone.cn

iwantone.cn

wolixiang – home (Shanghainese)iwantone.cn

xiaozilu – little rascal / brat / pig (Shanghainese)iwantone.cn

nonghao – hello (Shanghainese)
iwantone.cn

cena – shit (Shanghainese)iwantone.cn

snaps | capetown graffiti ::

Wednesday, March 4th, 2009

:: taken in Capetown, South Africa by 小杜, link here to see these photos in their full, original format. 小杜 is also the force behind 我要 li(ttle)URL.cn, a Chinese URL shortening service.  // AjS

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