Seattle Luxury Living: The Mandarin Guide to Seattle and the East Side

From the Seattle magazine team, a regional introduction for international newcomers.

By Man Wang June 27, 2018

downtown Seattle, Pier 66

This article originally appeared in the Seattle Mandarin Guide 2018 西雅图中文生活方式指南 issue of Seattle Magazine.

I fell in love with Seattle at first sight when I moved here almost 15 years ago to pursue my doctoral work at the University of Washington. Much of Seattle’s urban landscape reminds me of home town of Dalian. Its hilly streets, stunning natural beauty, strong Asian influences and heritage, and vibrant urban culture enthralls any new visitor and beckons them to stay. That was certainly the case for me.

The “Emerald City” abounds in natural beauty, from snow-capped peaks and lush forests to coastal waters and glacially carved lakes. Seattleites embrace the great outdoors to the fullest—we hike, bike, ski, climb, camp, fish, paddle, you name it. Within this stunning landscape is a global hub for innovation, leading research, and entrepreneurship, including the likes of Amazon, Microsoft, Starbucks, Boeing, the University of Washington, Costco, Nordstrom, Expedia and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to name just a few. Anchored by these tech, industry, and research leaders has emerged a dynamic start-up culture. These are among the many reasons you’ll feel right at home here.

Seattle is hip, vibrant, and home to thriving art, music and culinary scene. We’re among the most well-read and educated population in the country. We are home to the world-renowned Seattle Symphony, the Seattle Opera, and the Pacific Northwest Ballet, but also the birthplace of Nirvana and Jimi Hendrix, and a heritage of spurring independent music. Seattle is the foodies’ paradise. Our talented local chefs use hard-to-beat fresh ingredients from local farms and waters to create delicious dishes that will satisfy every taste bud.

(Click on the cover to visit our digital edition)

Seattle (and Washington state) have a long history of economic and cultural ties with China. The Chinese pioneers first arrived in the region in the late 1850s, and the first Boeing engineer was Chinese.  In 1979, the Port of Seattle was first port of call in 30 years for a Chinese vessel. Since then every Chinese president has made Seattle a major stop in on their U.S. visits. Today China is Washington’s largest export market, and increasingly a source of foreign direct investment.

Now let’s turn to the pages that follow to read in-depth stories about the richness of our region and gain a better understanding of what really makes Seattle a great place to live. You’ll discover different ways of enjoying our natural beauty, such as a multi-day road trip or strolling along beautiful beaches and parks. You’ll explore our charming neighborhoods to learn about the places we live in and discover favorite local spots. You’ll find where to dine for some of the best local, fresh ingredients, or have a pint of one of our best local brews, and where to shop for the latest fashions and one-of-a-kind local artisan gifts. You’ll receive an insider’s look at our booming real estate market, a top market for Chinese home buyers, with a focus on the luxury homes. You’ll learn about innovative collaborations between China and Seattle, as well as how our local art groups find creative ways to bring arts and audiences together.

This is the third year of Seattle Luxury Living by Seattle Magazine, who has served as the “owner manual” for exploring and understanding this vibrant city with in-depth stories and recommendations on hot spots for over 50 years. We hope you enjoy the magazine, and Seattle—a place that you may call home someday.

For digital edition of Seattle Luxury Living or sharing helpful content about the thriving city of Seattle with friends, families, and business associates, please scan our WeChat QR code or visit the digital edition here.

Man Wang, PhD
Editor

Where to Find Seattle Luxury Living

The VIP lounge in the International lobby of the Sea-Tac Airport and other locations at the airport

Luxury and upscale hotels such as Four Seasons Hotel, The Fairmont Seattle, Pan Pacific Hotel, Grand Hyatt Seattle, Hotel 1000, Sheraton Seattle Hotel

Pacific Place Shopping Center Concierge Stand

Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty Kirkland and Seattle offices

Starbucks Roastery and other locations

Washington State China Relations Council

Plus, other high-end retail locations.

You can also download and view the digital edition here.

我之于西雅图是一见钟情。15年前来到华盛顿大学读博士时,这里的山山水水和大大小小的坡路让我想起了我的家乡大连。它令人惊叹的自然美景、浓厚的亚洲传承和影响、以及充满活力的城市文化会让任何一个来客着迷、流连忘返。而我就是经不住诱惑而留下来的一个。

这座“翡翠之城”的美景无处不在,无论是白雪覆盖的山峰、葱郁的森林、还是碧蓝的海湾和冰川湖。西雅图人将大自然的宠爱享受到极致—我们徒步、骑车、滑雪、登山、宿营、垂钓、划船等任何您能想到的户外活动。西雅图是自然美与城市繁华的完美结合。这里是全球创新、创业和先进科研的枢纽,是众多世界知名企业的故乡,包括亚马逊、微软、星巴克、波音、华盛顿大学、好市多(Costco)、Nordstrom、亿客行(Expedia)和盖茨基金会等。以这些科技、行业和科研先导为支柱,一个生机勃勃的创业文化因时而生。而这些只是让人们爱上并在西雅图安家的部分原因。

西雅图充满活力,有些雅皮,有着浓厚活跃的艺术、音乐和美食氛围。这里是是全美读书最多、教育程度最高的城市之一。这里是享有盛誉的西雅图交响乐团、西雅图歌剧院和太平洋西北芭蕾舞团的故乡,也是著名摇滚音乐人涅槃乐队(Nirvana)和Jimi Hendrix的诞生地,使西雅图成为独立音乐的大本营。西雅图是美食者的天堂:我们天才的厨师知道如何使用来自当地农场和水域的新鲜食材做出满足任何味蕾的美味佳肴。

西雅图及华盛顿州同中国的经济文化纽带源远流长。首批华人拓荒者于19世纪中后期来到西雅图;波音公司的第一位工程师是华人;1979年,西雅图港是美国第一个迎接中国货轮的港口,结束了中美长达30年的海上不通航历史。自此,历任中国领导人都将西雅图作为他们访美的重要一站。今天,中国是华盛顿州最大的出口市场,反之,华盛顿州也是中国投资和旅游的热点。

那么就请随我们走进这期的故事,深度了解下西雅图及周边地区的风土人情和魅力。您会发现欣赏自然美景的不同方法,比如多天的自驾游或在美丽的沙滩或公园漫步;您将探索我们富有个性魅力的街区,了解我们生活的地方并发现最爱去处;您会知道去哪里美餐一顿用本地最新鲜食材烹饪的佳肴,去哪里喝一杯当地最棒的精酿啤酒,和去哪里购买最新时尚和独一无二的本地工匠礼品。您会深入了解这几年来已成为中国人购房热门的火爆西雅图房地产市场,这期我们将聚焦豪华住宅;您将了解中国和西雅图之间创新合作的最新动态,以及当地艺术团体如何用创意作品让观众与艺术共鸣。

今年是《西雅图杂志》出版发行《璀璨奢逸西雅图》这本杂志的第三个年头了。作为西雅图生活时尚趋势的“使用手册”,《西雅图杂志》50多年来以其精彩非凡的深度故事和最佳去处推荐,引领读者去探索和了解这座魅力城市。本中文杂志也会同样精彩。感谢您阅读我们的杂志,希望您享受西雅图—或许有一天,这里也会成为你的家。

请扫描上方二维码,关注我们的微信号“璀璨奢逸西雅图”,或链接到本杂志的电子版,阅读或同您的亲朋好友分享相关中英文文章,从而更深入地了解这座城市的衣食住行、文化和商业机会 。

Man Wang(王蔓), PhD

编辑

 

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