Chongqing to Lhasa Taxi Trip Wins $73。5K Tourism Award in July

Influencer wins $73,500 from Xizang Tourism for viral Chongqing-Lhasa taxi trip. July 4 video gets 15M likes, earns top prize for Tibet's culture.

Tags:

• Tibet
• Taxi Road Trip
• Influencer Award
• Viral Video
• Tourism Promotion

Tibet’s tourism authority has granted a 500,000-yuan (US$73,500) cash reward to a Chinese online influencer, whose viral road trip video has massively boosted local tourism promotion and accumulated tens of millions of likes across social platforms.

As reported by Jiupai News, the internet blogger known by the online handle @Liyaode released a short video on July 4 documenting his extraordinary cross-region journey: taking a regular taxi from his hometown Chongqing in southwestern China all the way to Lhasa, the capital of Xizang Autonomous Region. The whole trip spans 2,200 kilometers. The eye-catching video went viral overnight, amassing 15 million likes within just 24 hours of release.

To complete the challenging long-distance journey, Liyaode hired two professional taxi drivers, who took turns driving nonstop. The pair spent a full seven days traveling the iconic route to reach Lhasa, recording the entire unique travel experience on camera.

Shortly after the video went viral, the Xizang Tourism Bureau officially spoke out on social media on July 5, speaking highly of the influencer’s work. The authority noted that the footage vividly showcases Xizang’s stunning natural landscapes and distinctive cultural features from diverse perspectives.

The bureau stated that the viral video has generated high-quality, organic online exposure for local tourism, delivered positive social values, fully aligned with the official promotional positioning of Xizang tourism, and brought remarkable positive social influence.

According to local policies, the substantial reward targets phenomenal viral original works that effectively promote Xizang’s cultural and tourism resources. The influencer’s taxi road trip video fully meets the award criteria with its explosive online popularity and positive promotional effect. The authority confirmed that the reward fund will be fully delivered in accordance with official regulations.

Source: 

Editor: Crystal H

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Typhoon Bavi ： Orange Alert, Landfall July 12 in Zhejiang-Fujian

Typhoon Bavi intensifies to super typhoon with Level 14 winds. CMA orange alert active; landfall forecast early July 12 between Taizhou and Fuding as Level 13-14 storm. Enable official emergency mini-program for real-time alerts.

Tags:

• Zhejiang Fujian
• Typhoon Warning
• Orange Alert
• Real-time Emergency Alerts
• Extreme Weather Preparedness

Source: OT-Team(G), 央视新闻, 新华日报

China's ninth typhoon of the year, Typhoon Bavi, intensified back into the super typhoon category at 12:00 a.m. on July 11.

As of 6:00 a.m., the storm's center was located approximately 540 kilometers east-southeast of the Zhejiang–Fujian provincial border, with maximum sustained winds reaching Level 14 on China's wind scale.

The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) continued to issue an orange typhoon alert at 6:00 a.m. on July 11. According to the latest forecast, Bavi is expected to move rapidly northwest at 30–35 km/h, with little change in intensity before gradually approaching the coasts of Zhejiang and Fujian.

The storm is forecast to make landfall in the early hours of July 12 along the coastal area between Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, and Fuding, Fujian Province, likely as either a super typhoon or a typhoon, with maximum sustained winds of Level 13–14 (38–45 m/s). After landfall, Bavi is expected to turn northwest and then north, weakening gradually as it moves inland.

• Torrential Rain Expected Across Eastern China

As Bavi approaches, July 11 is expected to bring the storm's most intense period of wind and rainfall. Taiwan, Zhejiang, and Fujian are forecast to experience torrential to extremely torrential rain, while North China and Northeast China will continue to see heavy rainfall from other weather systems.

For July 11, heavy to torrential rain is expected in parts of:

1. Beijing 

2. Northern Tianjin 

3. Central and northern Hebei 

4. Northern Liaoning 

5. Eastern Jilin 

6. Western Sichuan Basin 

7. Eastern and southern Zhejiang 

8. Northern Fujian 

9. Northeastern Jiangxi 

10. Taiwan 

Some areas are forecast to receive extremely torrential rainfall, including northeastern Beijing, northeastern Hebei, eastern Zhejiang, northeastern Fujian, and central and northern Taiwan.

On July 12, parts of southern Anhui, northeastern Jiangxi, western Zhejiang, and northwestern Fujian are expected to experience torrential rain, with isolated areas likely to see extremely torrential rainfall.

By July 13, heavy to torrential rain is forecast for parts of central and eastern Jilin, central, northern, and western Liaoning, southern Shandong, central and southern Anhui, and central, northern, and southern Jiangsu.

• Public Urged to Enable Official Emergency Alerts

As extreme weather continues to affect parts of China, authorities advise residents to monitor official forecasts and take necessary precautions. The National Emergency Broadcasting Warning mini program allows users to enable one-tap official emergency notifications for typhoons, torrential rain, floods, landslides, sandstorms, and other major disasters, ensuring they receive real-time alerts as soon as warnings are issued.

• Track Typhoon Bavi's path in real time:

Shanghai Typhoon Bavi ： Orange Alert, Heavy Rain & Weekend Disruptions

Super Typhoon Bavi hits China's east coast July 11-12 with 45 m/s winds and 400mm+ rain. Orange alert issued; outdoor events canceled, travel disrupted. Stay indoors.

Tags:

• Shanghai
• Typhoon Warning
• Severe Weather Alert
• Weekend Disruption
• Travel Advisory

By Ned Kelly

Super typhoon Bavi is currently barreling towards China's east coast, ready to give Shanghai a super soaking.

With landfall expected near the Fujian-Zhejiang provincial border later tonight, July 11, or early morning tomorrow, July 12, here's everything you need to know.

READ MORE: How to Track Typhoons Hitting China on WeChat and Web

It's Larger Than France!

Zut alors!

Super Typhoon Bavi's cloud shield stretches more than 1,000 kilometers across, roughly the distance between Shanghai and Beijing—or larger than France. 

That ranks it in the top 3% of all Western Pacific typhoons over the past decade, and the largest storm by size to hit Taiwan since 1987.

The Perfect Storm

Screenshot via Zoom Earth

Bavi grew to its massive size because it had the perfect combination of environmental factors working in its favor for an unusually long time. 

• High Temperatures: Sea surface temperatures across the western Pacific were 2-3°C above average, with some areas reaching a staggering 29-32°C.

• Abundant Energy: That steady supply of warm water allowed Bavi to continuously extract energy and accumulate massive amounts of moisture over a long period as it traveled across the open ocean.

• Self-Sustaining Cycle: A process of 'rapid intensification' occurred—as the storm drew energy from the warm water, it created a powerful feedback loop that allowed it to strengthen from a modest system into a Category 5 equivalent in less than 48 hours.

• Favorable Winds: Calm upper-level atmospheric conditions allowed the storm to keep its vertical structure intact, preventing it from being torn apart.

Super Typhoon Bavi is a storm that hit all the right conditions... and just kept growing.

Orange Alert

China's National Meteorological Center has issued an orange typhoon alert, the country's second-highest warning level.

Although Bavi has weakened, it is currently still packing winds of up to 45 metres per second and is forecast to bring heavy rain and strong winds to large parts of Chinese mainland over the next 24 hours.

Authorities have urged ships to remain in port, suspended outdoor activities, and advised residents—especially the elderly and children—to stay indoors.

A Super Soaking

Even as the storm gradually weakens, forecasters say its expanding circulation could push tropical moisture far inland, bringing several days of heavy rain well beyond the coast. 

Projected path and rainfall

Some areas could receive more than 400 millimeters of rain, while the storm's impacts are expected to extend into central and northern China.

Weekend Cancelled?

Airlines and ferry operators have already begun suspending services in affected areas as preparations intensify across eastern China.

In Shanghai, dozens of outdoor events, concerts, sports events, beach attractions, and other activities have been either canceled, suspended, or postponed and rescheduled.

If you had plans, travel or otherwise, double check they're still on.

As for fans of England, Norway, Argentina, and Switzerland who still want to venture out for the game—think about booking that Didi in advance, and check your preferred bar is still showing it.

Where to Watch the FIFA World Cup in Shanghai

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