Editor’s Letter

“Here is the world of imagination， hopes， and dreams，” Walt Disney said of the one-of-a-kind family fun park he opened in California in 1955. In the 1980s and 90s， Chinas first theme parks opened their doors just as optimistically to a population starting to discover travel and recreation in the post-reform economy. But none of the thousands of pleasure grounds that followed has reached the same imaginative caliber as Disneys creation—which itself has come to China via its Shanghai resort， and sent the domestic theme park race into hyper-drive.

In this issue， we travel to several theme parks， and hear designers and visitors thoughts on how they can capture the elusive fun factor. Back in Beijing， we visit a school for the blind， and explore how the nation could  better serve its visually impaired population. We talk to former recruits of Chinas violent pyramid schemes， whove formed rescue organizations for other victims after their own harrowing escapes， as well as beauty queens working hard to bring home the international pageant crown.

Theres also a trip to a former socialist seaside resort， an interview with an extreme marathon man， and a cheeky look into the fortunes of an ancient hemorrhoid cure—all this， and more， inside.

Hatty Liu

Managing Editor