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Yibin municipality at the junction of China’s Sichuan, Yunnan and Geizhou provinces is one of the fast growing cities in China. It is known as the First City of Yangtze River, the Capital of China’s Liquor, and the Capital of Bamboo, among other things. In recent years it has also become a hub for high-tech mobile and car producers.

Oh, and this municipality is known as a city of tea. Yibin is one of the cradles of tea in the world. After over 3,000 years of development, the municipality has become the preferred place to enjoy and buy high quality tea. Sichuan province is the fourth leading tea producer in China, after Fujian, Yunnan and Hubei.

Yan Zewen, Chairman of the Sichuan Tea Industry, says, “To promote sustainable and healthy development of the tea industry chain, Sichuan Tea Group will be built as trans-regional model enterprise of multi-tea operation.” According to him, tea from here will be exported to over 20 countries, including in Europe.

Every year, this municipality organizes International Tea Conference with international company representatives and businessmen in attendance. In March this year, Nepal’s Minister for Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Chakrapani Khanal attended the third session of international conference. In the meeting with Chinese officials, Khanal proposed to transfer the technology to Nepal.

The climate of Yibin is favorable for the growth of tea. Due to this, the harvest time of tea here is 30 days ahead compared to other regions. March is a busy season for picking and subsequent months are devoted for process and packaging.

According to local officials, this industry has helped remove poverty, and ensure jobs for over 10,000 workers. In order to create capable manpower for the industry, the Sichuan Tea Industry Business College has been set up in the municipality. Similarly, Sichuan Tea Industry Technology Research Institute, the first-ever technology service platform in the province for tea industry technology, is undertaking research on tea technology, quality control, inspection, and information services.

Yibin city has a total tea plantation area of 1 million 86,300 acres, which produce 59,200 tons, valued at some 2.475 billion yuan. In the past decade, the brand value of Yibin tea has substantially increased, according to officials.

Have you been thinking of going on an international tour with your family, friends or loved ones but have not had the time to plan your trip? With the festive season starting soon, the holidays are on their way! If you choose one of our recommended tours, you won’t have to go through the hassle of waiting for your visa for eternity.  

Singapore

Enjoy the luscious sights and sounds of Singapore this Dashain and Tihar, with a guide in tow, for around Rs 100,000. In this four-night-five-day package you will explore the city by driving round the Civic District, pass by Padang, the Cricket Club, the historic Parliament House, the Supreme Court and City Hall. You will also explore the world-famous Merlion Park. Then visit the Thian Hock temple and National Orchid temple. This will be followed by a beautiful morning in Sentosa, the island of peace and tranquillity. Prasit Dhakal, sales and reservation officer at Laser Travels and Tours, says that if you want to experience a first-world place with diverse people and cultures, then you should visit Singapore. Visa on arrival. Call 5591381 for details.

Cambodia

The land of the Angkor Wat temple, the largest religious monument in the world first built in the 12^th century, Cambodia is a special destination for history lovers. The beautiful islands and lively night markets are sure to energize you. Anjila Yonjan, ticketing officer at Shikhar Holidays, informs that standard package of five days and four nights takes you to Angkor Thom, Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the Genocide museum, plus capital Phnom Penh. The trip costs you around Rs 80,000 a person, inclusive of round-trip air ticket, accommodation, breakfast, guide, and taxes. Visa on arrival. Call 5530857 for more details.

The Maldives

This land of coral islands where you can jump into clear blue seas and watch the most majestic sunsets, the Maldives is a must visit for people who love oceans. Once thought of as only a honeymoon destination, the Maldives caters to all kinds of tourists. You can go on a cycle ride to experience nature on its true form, try scuba diving, explore the capital, and visit a local village. Manish Kuinkel from Ace Travels informs that a trip of four nights and five days to the Maldives will cost you around Rs 160,000. Certainly one of the most exotic destinations in Asia. Visa on arrival. Call 4411830 for details.

Thailand

We know this is a clichéd choice but then Thailand has so much to offer. In Thailand, you can marvel the gleaming temples, catch a tuk-tuk along the bustling Chinatown in Bangkok, or take a long tail boat through the floating markets. Good hotels welcome you with the famed Thai hospitality. The Bangkok trip would not be complete without a glimpse of its famous nightlife. Sushmita Shrestha, sales and marketing officer at Raintree Tours and Travels Pvt Ltd, says this is a cheaper option compared to other international tour packages. It will cost you around Rs 65,000 for four nights and five days, inclusive of airfare, lunch, transport, visa, and a guide. You are sure to love the coral island in Pattaya. Visa takes five business days. Call 4225975 for more details.

Package tour: Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand

Or, with the Dashain holidays rather long, you can visit three different countries in one go. Well Nepal Travel and Tours offers a 10-day package to Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand at just Rs 130,000. The company’s Ramesh Ghimire says the package is for people of all age groups. Starting from places like The Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Pao in Bangkok, you are sure to have an exciting tour. In Singapore, you will visit Universal Studios, Singapore Flyer, Asian Civilization Museum, Peninsula Plaza, Botanic Garden, Singapore Art Museum and Great World City. In Malaysia, you will be guided in places like Jamek Masjid, Tugu Negara, Thien Hou Temple and King Palace. Even though so many places are covered, you will still have enough time to relax and explore these beautiful destinations. Visa needed for Thailand. Contact 9851136944 for details.

This yearly signature event of the Photojournalist Club, this year titled “Literacy and Multilingualism photo contest,” received 636 submissions from 182 photographers. If you go to Nepal Art Council, Babarmahal you will see the best 54 photographs that highlight the essence of learning and teaching experiences in the multilingual settings of Nepal. On September 8, three best photographs and two honorary mentions were given cash prizes.

Pankaj Shrestha bagged the first prize. His photo “Help begins with understanding” shows a teacher helping an autism affected boy learn in classroom. Sunita Dangol got the second prize with her photo of the living goddess Kumari getting private lessons at home. The photo of Anish Regmi, which won the third prize, shows deaf students communicate in sign language. 

Photo Mahendra Khadaka

Bhanu Roshan Rajbhandari, an advocate, who had come to see the exhibit, says the photos give him mixed feelings. “As beautiful as the photos are, they also hide much pain,” he says. He adds that these photos make it clear how far our education system still has to go. Till now, students have to sit on mats or beside rivers to study. “These photos make me question where all the investment in education is going,” he says.

Photo Mahendra Khadaka

The exhibition is aimed at promoting social cohesion and providing a platform to bring better understanding of effective learning in our diverse environment. Anyone interested in photography or in the state of education in Nepal should consider visiting the exhibition which runs till September 14. 

Traditionally, a bass player has always had the least glamorous role in a band. Even though they are the foundation of the rhythm section of any band with drums and guitars, players of the modern electric bass find themselves hiding in the shadows of the front-men. But the situation has been changing in recent years. Bass players around the world have been getting more and more recognized and with the introduction of ‘Bass Day’—an event where bass players of different genres meet to perform together and share knowledge—the bass community is only getting stronger.

Starting 2016, Nepal has had its own version of the ‘Bass Day,’ which is usually organized in the third week of September. This year, the fourth edition of Bass Day Nepal is happening at Shisha Bar, Thamel on September 21 in association with Sangeet Pathshala. Seventeen bass players—aspiring and professionals from 18 to 50—will be gathering to display their skills as well as learn from each other in this event that celebrates true musicianship.

“There’s a small misconception among local musicians that this is a competition,” shares Deepak Shakya, the man behind the event. “This is not the intent. We just want bass players to collaborate and take this as an opportunity to share their skills.” Shakya is himself a well-recognized bass player who started his career in 1999 and has played with different artists across various genres.

The idea of organizing a day dedicated to the low-enders had come to Shakya earlier than 2016. But the problem was finding like-minded people to invest their time and resources on a not-for-profit event. Failing to find much support at the time, he ventured out on his own. The first Bass Day Nepal in 2016 saw its humble beginnings at the House of Music, Thamel. The event, although small, was well received by musicians and paved an easier way for future ventures.

“With time, the magnitude of the event has only grown and last year we saw a full house with more audience reaching out to us,” Shakya says. “This year we have participants not only from Kathmandu but also from Pokhara, Dharan, and other cities.” Shakya says he also wanted to get international musicians to perform at the event. “But I was advised otherwise by a few sponsors and well-wishers,” he says. “We want to keep it organic and local for maybe a few more years.”