1. Glitter Album by Pasteboard

Established in 2001 from its origins in Saitama, Japan, Pasteboard is a band founded by Mihoko Tanoue and Makoto Igarashi. Here, their 2006 album entitled Glitter was released under the abcdefj*record label. What one can find are cushioned vocals and echoed halls of smoothly plucked guitar. It introduces a series of songs about one’s unrequited passion for music, as it incites an ode to the band Slowdive and what it means to be a “shoegazer”. 

2. Blaze Down His Way Like The Space Show Album by Burrrn

Founded in Tokyo, Japan in the year of 2005, Burrrn is a band primarily led by Hitomi Torii and Hideharu Watanabe. Their 2011 album entitled Blaze Down His Way Like The Space Show, released under R-R-R-Records. Provided here are quickened, sugary vocals and brassy instrumentation, paired with distorted guitar riffs. Tracks within this album provoke a feeling of dreaminess and clouded illuminations. 

3. nightlife EP by yuragi

Japan-based band yuragi began making music in 2015, with their most recent release being this EP entitled nightlife. Released under the management of Sango Records, this EP, offers piping, high-frequency vocals accompanied by lush stretches of reverb-weighted instrumentation. Songs across the album explore urban imagery and city life. 

4. Urban Twilight Single by Oeil

Another band sprouted from Tokyo, Japan, Oeil formed in 2007. With leadership from Mitsuko Hoshino and Takafumi Hibino, the band’s remastered single entitled Urban Twilight that was released in 2016 under Submarine Records. It features a set of songs that display bubbly, ringing vocals that coincide with catchy, bright reflections of instrumentation. Songs that are discoverable in this single exude the feel for homesickness and yearning. 

5. California Nebula Album by Default (缺省)

Based in Beijing, China, Default (缺省) is a band that was most recognized for its 2017 album entitled California Nebula, released under SJ Records. The album exhibits sounds of hushed sonority and thrashing whips of chorus and flanging delay. Vocally, the tracks are peacefully edgy, with instrumentation that emit roaring blares of phased chorus. Tracks among this album manifest atmospheres of escapism and potent nostalgia. 

6. Unexpectedly EP by Megumi Acorda 

From Manila, Philippines, Megumi Acorda is 5-piece band known for their 2018 album entitled Unexpectedly. The album was recently reissued by Boring Production Records and Genjitsu Stargazing Society. Unexpectedly emanates compressed, chasmic vocals that are teamed with vibrations of resonance and plangency. Songs contained within this EP convey themes that revolve around the hopeless romantic trope, with bliss and heartfelt bathos. 

7. demo Single by cheeky things 

Derived from the Philippines, cheeky things is a newly-founded band that started out in 2021 with their first big release being the demos EP. It comprises of 3 songs that effuse telephonic, static-ridden vocals and fuzzed out ascensions of guitar. Lyrically moody and dreary in tonality, what the EP constitutes is a driven burning for a definitive description of inexpressible emotions, when conflicted with the self. In the album, the band attempts to make sense out of these disconcerting confusions all within a fazed-out ambience. 

8. Split EP by Ozzga, Polar Lows

Ozzga, another Filipino band, was founded in 2014. Their most recent release includes their Split EP, which is 4 tracks compound of buzzing extensions of guitar, with crunchy, jangly accents. Two of the songs were made with the company of Polar Lows. Vocally featuring a harmonious melody of whispery, muzzled hums of fullness, each track on this EP will make one feel like getting on the subway train to no particular destination. They are just there for the cruise, meandering through blurred visions. 

9. Fogesque Album by FOG

FOG is a band from Seoul, South Korea, that formed in 2018 with Gyungwon Sin on lead. A notable release of theirs would be their 2020 album entitled Fogesque, which was released under Gezellig Records. With limitless belts of chamber-like shimmer, and mumbled purrs of vocals, the album includes tracks that explicate a collective love letter to the broken-hearted. With symphonies made of noise gates and slap-back vocals, the songs in this album are lucidly tranquil. 

10.  Untitled Album by Cosmic Child 

Emerging from Singapore, Cosmic Child released its 2017 Untitled album which under Middle Class Cigars Records. The album is prosperous with halls of drowsy vocals and psychedelic like instrumentation that make the songs all the more well-blended, and shadowy with its electronic qualities. While listening to this album, one might feel like a leading hero protagonist or main character. The tracks found within this album make you feel like you are on top of the world, more or less in a poised and suave manner with respect for what one has gone through and what one once was. 

Credits to Casper Bakker for the cover image logo design.

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1. Seaside

One of the seaside at the east part of Nanao is called YangMeiKeng.

It is less well-known than other seasides while it has fantastic views, which is often used as a place for shooting wedding photo or film. Yangmei is the Chinese translation for berry, and Keng stands for the pit. They are inspired by the hill that is filled with berries. The river that is connected to the sea is crystal clear. The stones that are on the edge of the river are with the pointed angle or with different shapes. You can see the newlyweds have the photoshoot, standing at the edge of the stones and taking their vow.

There are three major activities that most people do here. First, you can choose to book a yacht for a group of 10 and go fishing – they also provide fly fishing pontoon to people who love solo fishing, open a party or do sailing for a group of 7. The Intrepid website will offer you the best selection of powerboats. make sure to bring sunglasses for water sports with you in case you want to go fishing.

Some people choose to go hiking. You will start from Dongchong, crosses the Dayanding and arrives in YangMeiKeng. The total trip is about 7 miles, where you will see the overview of the Dapeng Bay. The most popular activity is biking along the beach.

The four people bike is an attractive option. I once tried it with friends. The first person in the front needs to navigate, and it takes time to experiment and finally to keep balance. The ride will lead you to the Deer Mouth Height, which includes cliffs, rock hills, and rock caves. Trying out the seafood here is another must-do option. The traditional dishes are deep fried fish, crabs and scallops, steamed oysters and seasoned shrimps, etc

2. Night view/life

Shenzhen- a city that never sleeps. Similar to the major city in the States, people do various activities at night. The majority of people living in Shenzhen are young people, who go to work at eight and get done around 6. Working out after dinner is becoming a trend. The Shenzhen Bay Park, located in the Baoan district, on the west side of the city and close to Hong Kong.

It has a six-mile bike route and a mangrove forest. To run or bike at the park is an option because you get to see the newly built commercial districts, sports center and a part of Hong Kong. The night view is extraordinary. The Shenzhen Bay bridge which connects Shenzhen with Hong Kong is brightly lit at night.

After the nice walk around the bay, going out to a jazz bar or whiskey bar at the Coco Park is another option. Coco Park is a shopping center, located in the Futian district. It contains multiple restaurants, entertainment and leisure activities.

One-fourth of the shopping center is outdoors, where you can breathe in fresh air after dining or shopping. The first floor of Coco Park consists of bars. Shark Fine Wine & Dine is one of them.

It is special since it features different selections of wines from 8 different countries and cuisine made by Michelin-Star chefs. There are also sports bars and bars with DJs.

Another place for night bars is the Sea World, located in the Nanshan district.

It is similar to the inner harbor in Baltimore, which contains a large cruise. Since the location is near the Shenzhen Bay, this place is popular for foreigners. It has the international bars street and tons of restaurants. I had a frozen yogurt there which has a similar taste with the one in Iowa City. Rama Club is unique since it is decorated as an exquisite Thai garden.

It has different Buddha figures all over the courtyard. Come enjoy a cocktail and have a slice of pizza surrounded by the cultural relics.

3.Food

In Shenzhen, you can taste a variety of food from different cities in China since it is an immigrant city. The dish range from the local Cantonese cuisine(South) to mid or northwest Chinese cuisine, Korean, Japanese, South Asian and American food. You cannot miss the Cantonese food, Yuecai, because it is probably the most authentic one you can get.

Jade Garden, located at the Yitian Holiday Plaza is famous for the Cantonese Dimsum. Food is good in its look and the taste. You cannot miss the steamed shrimp dumplings, pan fried pork dumplings (serve with soup) and lobster cream soup with puff pastry, etc.

Shigonghui, located in the Futian district, is a place for traditional seafood. The restaurant is in the large scare, where people would sit at large round table, talk while eat. The service is fast-paced since a lot of people are in line. Dishes we usually order are roast pigeons, abalones, and scallops with minced garlic. It might be exotic to people who are not familiar with seafood, but they will not regret to try them. The freshness and flavor of the dishes are the key to success.

4.Afternoon tea

Shenzhen is also full of bakeries, café, and the specialty- milk tea place. Growing up in Shenzhen, we cannot resist the fruit flavor tea and milk tea in any seasons. If you also are a fan of tea, get a tea subscription so you can taste new flavors.

Heekcaa, located at different shopping centers in Shenzhen. It offers all kinds of tea from cheese tea, fresh fruit tea, etc. It is better than other tea stores because of the richness of the tea. They use tea base from Taiwan, North India and mix them with ice and milk.

1. A website made by a local English newspaper for foreigners who live or visit Shenzhen: Eyeshen
2. This is a useful website for things to do in Shenzhen including events, places, apartments, language study: Shenzhenparty.com
3. A useful traveling tool  in Shenzhen for reviews and tips: tripadvisor
4. There are six major metro lines in Shenzhen that is convenient for visitors. You can find schedule and stops to take: SZM

My first part of the city guide: Travel around the World: touring in Shenzhen Part 1

This monthly column will cover my traveling experience, my reflection of the local culture, people and food in different locations. 

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