Ctrip Mustache Summer contest: Don't be caught with a naked upper lip

Summer in Shanghai means many things: humidity, men with their shirts half off, Expo and now, the Ctrip mustache. Ctrip is back at it this summer holding another contest and invited us to be a guest judge of all Twitter submissions.

What’s on the line this time around? Anyone who submits a photo for the Ctrip's Mustache Summer contest is entered to win an RMB 20,000 gift certificate to spend at Ctrip, but those who submit via Twitter (@ctripenglish) are entered to win two nights at the Shanghai Four Seasons.

So what is this contest anyway? The Mustache Summer competition is simple: Ctrip is giving out orange mustaches along with information cards from April 19 until June 21. Get your hands on one and take a photo of yourself -- or an unsuspecting friend -- wearing the mustache and send it to Mustache_Summer@ctrip.com to enter. On June 21, all photos will be posted and the public will have a chance to vote for their favorite pic.

The winners will be announced on July 5 -- plenty of time to put those gift certificates to good use for an October holiday.

We stopped Ctrip creative coordinator Emily Eliot, the woman behind @ctripenglish and this fabulous contest, to find out one thing: Why an orange mustache? “Practically speaking,” she tell us, “the mustaches are small and portable, meaning people can easily carry them around China or take them on vacation until they find the perfect photo opportunity.” Really? Potability is the main reason? She finally cops to a better answer: “But really,” says Eliot, “why not a mustache contest? Who doesn’t look good in a ginger 'stache?”

Her tip for contestants thinking about their perfect photo: “For me it has nothing to do with the fact that you are wearing a mustache and everything to do with where you are and what you are doing while you are wearing the mustache. I’m looking for creative and unexpected."

Specs you need to know for the Ctrip Mustache Summer contest

Where to get a Ctrip mustache: Sherpas is also delivering the 'staches on Mondays with food orders. If you’re not a take out fan (shame on you!), mustaches can be delivered by Ctrip to anyone in Shanghai (or Beijing) making a cash payment for a flight purchase. If all else fails, email your name, address (domestic only, sorry!) and phone number to Mustache_Summer@ctrip.com and Ctrip will send a mustache right over.

Ctrip Twitter contest details: Submit your photo to @CtripEnglish on Twitter by noon on May 7 and CNNGo will pick two winners for the free stay at the Shanghai Four Seasons. The photos have to be using the Ctrip mustache and they’ll be entered into the main contest once submitted.