That's Guangzhou

No long journey required for this Mid-Autumn and National Day escape.

At Foshan Marriott Hotel, check into a candy journey family room, complete with whimsical antlers, a little tent, toys and colorful details for younger travelers.

Afternoon brings osmanthus-and-chestnut sweets over tea, before dinner turns to seafood, with a global seafood buffet alongside freshly made Cantonese dim sum and local favorites.

Then head outside. Foshan Ancestral Temple offers a dose of Lingnan history, Qiandeng Lake is made for an evening walk, and Denghu West Street keeps things going after dark with food stalls and local finds.

A short stay with plenty of Foshan packed into the day.

Osmanthus & Chestnut: A Taste of Autumn

Foshan’s first hints of autumn arrive at the afternoon tea table, with osmanthus and chestnut setting the flavor of the season.

At Courtyard by Marriott Foshan, the new spread pairs the delicate floral fragrance of osmanthus with the mellow richness of chestnut, carrying the combination through an assortment of petite cakes and pastries. The sweetness stays restrained, while savory bites and hot and cold drinks bring contrast between rounds.

And unlike the traditional tiered afternoon tea, this one is served buffet-style — so going back for the osmanthus cake that caught your eye is very much part of the plan.

Until October 31, 2026, from 14:00 to 17:00 every day
Lobby Lounge, Courtyard by Marriott Foshan

China Ends 32-Year Dividend Tax Break for Foreigners

A tax exemption dating back to 1994 has officially come to an end.

From September 1, foreign individuals receiving dividends and profit distributions from foreign-invested enterprises in China are subject to individual income tax at a standard rate of 20%.

So, does it affect you?

For most foreign employees in China, probably not. The new policy applies specifically to dividend income and profit distributions — it does not introduce a new 20% tax on salaries or employment bonuses, including year-end bonuses.

Companies paying dividends are generally required to withhold and file the tax. The new rule took effect on the same day it was announced, with no separate transitional arrangements specified.

Some questions remain over how the policy will apply in practice, including to residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan and foreign nationals living overseas.

What would you like to see clarified? How could the change affect foreign business owners and investors in China?

Share your thoughts in the comments.

Breakfast Until 2pm? Changsha Gets It. 🥢☕️

Stayed out late on Jiefang West Road? No need to choose between sleeping in and breakfast the next morning.

At Maqo Changsha, Lazy Breakfast runs daily from 6.30am all the way to 2pm at E.D.I.T. — a schedule made for a city that knows how to stay up late.

The spread mixes a semi-buffet with unlimited made-to-order dishes: think Eggs Benedict, caramelized French toast and Mexican-style crepes alongside Changsha rice noodles and pan-fried dumplings.

🌙 Changsha after dark. Breakfast when you wake up.

That sounds like a pretty good arrangement to us.

How Far Can Hunan Flavor Travel?🌶️🌊

Hunan has a long tradition of cooking freshwater fish. At Blue Kylin in Changsha, that story ventures much further out to sea. One look at the fish tanks and you begin to see a different footnote to the story of Hunan cuisine.

Stonefish from the South China Sea slips into a broth fragrant with green chili and perilla. Indonesian fish maw meets house-made chopped chili. French blue lobster finds an unlikely companion in tender Hunan tofu.

Fragrant, sharp, sometimes fiery, the heat becomes a medium, coaxing out sweetness, adding another dimension to the brininess and giving seafood from distant waters a distinctly Hunan expression. Fresh chilies chart a new course for seafood.

Perhaps that’s the pleasure of this particular voyage. The seafood may have crossed oceans to reach Changsha, but once it hits the table, it speaks Hunan.

A Foshan Summer, Right by the Lake ☀️

Who says summer holidays need a long journey?

Check into Foshan Marriott Hotel by Qiandeng Lake and switch straight into holiday mode. 🌿

🧸 Settle into family-themed rooms designed for little travelers
🍑 Graze your way from global buffets and Hainan flavors to peach afternoon tea and freshly made Cantonese dim sum
🎨 Make something together at the daily family craft workshop
💦 Cool off with a swim, let the kids loose in the play area, or find your favorite corner of the European-style garden

Then head outside and make Foshan part of the stay: watch lion dances at the Ancestral Temple, catch the evening glow around Qiandeng Lake, and follow the lights to the night market on Denghu West Street.

One night, plenty of little summer memories. ✨

Three trips to the seafood bar is a perfectly reasonable place to begin.

The evening unfolds with snow crab, prawns and shellfish on ice, freshly sliced sashimi, sizzling grills, and a scoop (or two) of Häagen-Dazs before heading home. You'll also find steamed baby lobster, abalone with sea cucumber and other rotating specials. Live guitar keeps the atmosphere going while you decide whether there's room for just one more bite.

📍 The Foshan Kitchen Western Restaurant, Foshan Marriott Hotel
🗓 Until September 6, 2026
⏰ Wednesday–Sunday | 6pm–9pm

For most of the year, dragon boats typically belong to the waterways. But this summer, one has made its way into the heart of downtown Foshan.

A 23.8-meter traditional dragon boat from Jiujiang's Huangji Village has been installed at Lingnan Xintiandi, bringing one of Lingnan's most recognizable traditions out of the river and right into the city.

Visitors can circle the boat, pass through a giant Dragon Gate installation, and get an up-close look at the craftsmanship, rituals, and community spirit behind dragon boat culture. Throughout June, the site will also host dragon boat markets, cultural performances, interactive drum experiences, and talks featuring champion dragon boat racers.

For visitors new to South China, it's a perfect chance to experience dragon boat culture beyond race day. For locals, it serves as a vibrant reminder that the region's time-honored traditions are still very much alive.

📍 Lingnan Xintiandi, Foshan
📅 Event Highlights
Traditional Dragon Boat Display: May 30–July 19
Long Men Art Installation: May 30–July 19
Dragon Boat Market: June 13–14, June 19 & 21
Dragon Boat Singing: June 14
Drum Experience: June 19