Did You Know Ice Cream Originated in China?

Ice cream is a popular dessert loved the world over. Many of my students assume that ice cream is a dessert that is imported from the West. That is NOT true!

Actually, ice cream originated in China. Millenniums ago, emperors stored iced drinks in cellars, to keep them safe from the summer heat, and would drink them each summer to cool off. These iced drinks were the beginning of ice cream.

So what are China’s Favorite Ice Cream Brands?

1. 和路雪 (Hé lù xuě) Wall's
As the world's largest producer of ice cream, Wall's not only brings a delicious treat to your table, but also brings joy. Wall's is a famous British ice cream company, headquartered in the United Kingdom, with a number of branches around the world. It is a subsidiary of Unilever. Its Chinese ice cream brand is "He Road Snow" which was established in 1993. It is a subsidiary of the manufacturer Anglo-Dalian. It has many different ice creams branded differently for each country, including Miko in France, Wall's for the UK, and Lu Xue for China.

Most popular variety: 可爱多 (Kě'ài duō) Cornetto

2. 伊利 (Yīlì) Yili
Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd. is one of the leading enterprises in the dairy industry in China. It is listed under one of the 520 key industrial enterprises and rated the first of 151 leading agricultural industrialization enterprises in the country.

Most popular variety: 巧乐兹家族 (Qiǎo lè zī jiāzú) Chocliz family

3. 哈根达斯 (Hā gēn dá sī)) Haagen-Dazs
Haagen-Dazs, an American ice cream brand, was developed in 1921 by Reuben Mattus and was branded and sold in the Bronx, New York, in 1961. It has also established a chain of ice cream specialty stores, selling its brand of ice cream around the world, and opening more than 700 branches in 54 countries or regions. Haagen-Dazs uses pure natural materials and does not contain any preservatives, artificial flavors, stabilizers or pigments. It also uses skim milk, appealing to health-conscious consumers. The New York Times magazine has given Haagen-Dazs the reputation of... Read More

Since the Beijing Olympics of 2008, there has been a large increase in the amount of foreign travelers coming into China. In recent years, with China’s economic and cultural rise, more and more people are choosing to come to China for travel, work and study. Just as Chinese people are traveling abroad in record numbers, so are foreign travelers entering China in record numbers each year.

I am a Mandarin Chinese language student currently studying in Beijing. Prior to securing my study visa, I have been through the application process for a few Chinese tourist visas. I put together my experience to help you navigate the visa application process.

Here are my answers to 10 common questions that visa applicants to China will have when applying for the China visa:

#1: Where can I apply for a visa?
Foreign citizens should apply for visas in advance to a Chinese "大使馆 (dàshǐ guǎn) embassy" or consulate authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Chinese embassies and consulates abroad are divided into consular districts. Applicants are encouraged to apply for visas from the embassy or consulate of their place of residence for best results.

#2: How to check up on the progress of your application?
For some special circumstances, the embassies and "领事馆 (lǐngshìguǎn) consulates" abroad also have the right to extend the time for approval of the visa. After the approval, applicants will be notified by phone or email. If you have special requests, you can contact the relevant embassy or consulate by telephone.

#3: Can the visa be processed for "延期 (Yánqī) extension"?
After the visa expires, the applicant should apply again. When applying for a visa, the parties should indicate the duration and dates of stay in China on the visa application form.

#4: What is the meaning of the residence certificate "免签 (miǎn qiān) exemption"?
Foreigners holding a valid residence certificate may stay in China for multiple periods of entry and exit during the period of validity of their residence permit, and no additional visa is required.

#5: What are some urgent issues to be aware of when preparing visa application materials?
The types of visas available are classified according to the reasons for entry: study visa, tourist visa, work visa, business visa and family visa.The consular officer may request that... Read More

Quiz:
1. Which of the following place can't apply for a visa?