There's much more to the UK than fog, David Beckham and the Royal family and in this month's special report we give our readers an insight into the super luxury of the UK . From the top hotels and best shopping destinations to the leading luxury car, clothing and whiskey brands. There are also guides to Britain's best golf courses and leading private schools, plus an interview with one of Britain's most famous entrepreneurs, Head of Virgin Atlantic, Sir Richard Branson.
With Britain rating as one of the most popular travel destinations in the Hurun Report's Preferred Brands of China's Richest survey 2006, this historic and cultural European country is set to become a hot destination for China 's wealthy in the next couple of years.
Getting there in style is now becoming increasingly easy. Two of the world's leading airlines British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are both UK-based and offer award-winning business and first class cabins and airport lounges to ensure that China's elite arrive relaxed and refreshed.
Virgin boss, Richard Branson also told me that the company has been campaigning hard to make it easier for Chinese to get visas to visit the UK . “ Britain is a great country and the centre of the European business world, but much more should be done by the UK to encourage Chinese to come” he said. “If you're encouraging people to travel abroad then you need to make them feel comfortable and welcome, that's why on our London-Shanghai flights fifty per cent of our staff are local Shanghainese.” He added that many of the Uks hotels could do more to make the UK appealing and welcoming for Chinese. Like Italy and Switzerland , most hotels still do not have Chinese speaking staff and Chinese language services.
On the other hand, the UK 's fashion industry seems to be on the ball when it comes to high-end Chinese travellers with most leading brands offering Chinese speaking staff in their flagship London stores. Along side Paris and Milan, London is one of the great fashion and design capitals of the world and is increasingly attracting the high end Chinese consumers wanting to access to the luxury brands and merchandise that aren't available in mainland China. Legendary department stores Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges are a must for any wealthy Chinese looking to pick up the latest designer styles that their peers can't get their hands on at home. And for the well-dressed entrepreneur, London 's celebrated Saville Row tailors can provide exquisite tailoring that will impress even the Chinese famed eye for detail. For a more information on the top British clothing brands see our British style section.
