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04 Jul 08
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Hybrid taxis and other taxi-related news by Paul Pennay, image by Simon Lim
According to a recent article in The Beijing Evening News and translated here, 50 new Chery A5 hybrid taxis are now in service across Beijing. The Beijinger photographer Simon Lim caught this photo of one of the new... |
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04 Jul 08
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World's largest adidas store to open in Sanlitun at midnight tonight Until recently, the local front in the Nike versus adidas war has been played out on the billboards lining Wangfujing and Xidan. The two global brands are also struggling to be the providers of whatever sporting apparel athletes choose, or are instructed,... |
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03 Jul 08
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Tonight in Beijing by Paul Pennay, images Josselin Gautier
There's always a few late-breaking events that we didn't hear about before our weekly 7 Days in Beijing newsletter goes out, and so, in an effort to give the Beijinger readers the widest possible range of events... |
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03 Jul 08
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Some Like it Hot! Review of the Immersion Guides' Chili Pepper Eating Contest by Paul Pennay
Jun 29
Immersion Guides' Chili Pepper Eating Contest
Although registering for the competition is free, participants will still be required to pay the RMB 120 entrance fee to the Canada Day festivities.
1pm. Canadian International School... |
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02 Jul 08
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Beijinger Podcast - Episode 27 by Paul Pennay
Sit back and listen as host Paul Pennay talks to informed editors from The Beijinger about their picks of the best events going on in town this weekend.
Dining editor Jessica Wang offers a choice between Hawaiian brew and a BBQ on... |
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01 Jul 08
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An error in our July issue and Beijing's best vegetarian restaurants by Oliver Robinson and Paul Pennay
In the July issue of the Beijinger, as part of the Talk about Town column entitled Meat-Free Philosophy (p21), founder of the Vegan Social Club Chris Barden was quoted as saying: "Chinese people don't understand... |
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01 Jul 08
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Tuesday Film Roundup by Paul Pennay and Victoria Yang
Keep reading below for a comprehensive list of all the films showing around town this half-price Tuesday. Aside from the films listed below, you can also catch a Chinese Japanese co-production set in the aftermath of... |
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28 Jun 08
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No More Chickens Without a Sex Life by Jessica Wang
There will be no more Stewed Pork in Brown Sauce or Chickens without a Sex Life! In preparation for the Olympics, the government has just released a list of suggested Chinese dish translations. The mew model menu offers more readily understandable English translations of dishes that previously went by names such as Lion's Head or Saliva Chicken. Too bad for that, I really enjoyed reading all the Chinglish dish names, my favorite being Steamed Crap and Noodles of Fornication. Take a look at this New York Times article or this story over at Slate for a more in-depth analysis of the new translated menu. [...] Read more! |
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27 Jun 08
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First issue of the Beijinger is out! by Paul Pennay
Yes folks, the wait is over. As of today you'll finally be able to get your hands on a crisp, freshly printed copy of the Beijnger. The debut issue's cover feature is devoted to our Reader's Choice Bar and Club Awards and is accompanied by Nightlife editor Matt P. Jager's own picks of the best places to slum, schmooze and sparkle around town.
As Matt says, the results of this survey should be a guide, not a gospel. Chances are that there are some pretty chill places to have a brew, hiding out just around the corner. But until the day you stumble upon some hidden treasure, it might be worth taking a look at what our readers collectively consider to be the cream of the crop.
Aside from Q Bar (Bar of the Year, Best Cocktails) and Saddle Cantina (Best New Bar, Outstanding Cocktails) other big winners in this year's awards include The Rickshaw, which not only took home the honors for Best Happy Hour, but also managed to win the awards for both Best Place to Start the Evening and Best After-Hours Spot. A contradiction in terms? Newcomer White Rabbit won the clubbers' vote, taking home awards for Best Electronic Music and Best Place to Dance, while Centro held strong and retained the mantle of Best Business Networking venue for the fifth year in a row. Old favorites Bed (Best Place to Bring a Date, Best Lounge ), Lush (Best Student Hangout, Best Value)and Suzie Wongs (Most Beautiful People, Best Place to Find a Date) all took home awards in more than one category.
Also in this month's issue, Halla Mohieddeen talks to Chinese designer Xander Zhou; Oliver Robinson and Venus Lau speak with Tiago, Beijing Guo'an's Brazilian striker; artist Olivier Mosset tells us why his work is really nothing special; and Matt P. Jager chats to some very eco-friendly DJs. All this, plus a handsome selection of new bars, restaurants and shops to offer you respite from the sticky heat of July. |
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26 Jun 08
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Mind maps and other arty stuff by Venus Lau and Paul Pennay
Last week, on a stuffy Wednesday afternoon, I went to check out the opening of the Map Games: Dynamics of Change exhibition at the Today Art Museum. Featuring the works of more than 20 big-name artists and architects, including the likes of Ai Weiwei and Ma Yansong, the show revolves around the topic of maps.
After entering the exhibition hall, it became obvious that the exhibition was divided into two types of artworks ? ones inspired by maps and ones that actually were maps. Examples included Russian artist Varvara Shavrova's Beijing Map and Ai Weiwei's Map of China ? an installation shaped like the map of China made from wood sourced from a relic of the Qing dynasty (see image above), were also examples of the creative interpretation of maps. [...] Read more! |
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25 Jun 08
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Beijinger Podcast - Episode 26 by Paul Pennay
Sit back and listen as host Paul Pennay talks to informed editors from The Beijinger about their picks of the best events going on in town this weekend.
Managing Editor Oliver Robinson recommends a few places where you can catch the Euro 2008 Final and also encourages listeners to head out to Fengtai Sports Center on Sunday to support the local Beijing football team. Iain Shaw talks about Xiao He's show aboard the Stone Boat on Friday evening, he also offers a couple of suggestions for those thinking of heading out of town: The Great Wall Beach Party or a tour of an Eco-Village.
Food editor Jessica Wang dares Beijing's spice meisters to take part in the Chili Pepper Eating Contest being held as part of the Canada Day celebrations out at the Canadian International School on Sunday, Lisa Liang recommends the three-day 13th Month Records Festival that's going on at Beijing Exhibition Theater on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening and Reid Barrett reveals details about the next great map from Immersion Guides.
You'll need to keep listening until the end to know the answer to this week's trivia. We're offering a copy of the extremely useful Insider's Guide to Beijing 2008 to the first listener who can tell us, In order to claim the title of Chili Eating King, how many peppers did the winner of the 2006 Chili Pepper Eating contest eat in 5 minutes? Send an e-mail to podcast@thebeijinger.com before Friday noon with the answer.
So, once again, if you're not sure what to do next weekend, plug in your headphones, sit back, and enjoy the entertaining ephemera that is ... the Beijinger Podcast!
For those who'd like to download the podcast and listen to it later, click (right-click to save in MP3 format) on the icon to the left or click
here. [...] Read more! |
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25 Jun 08
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Wireless City - Free wireless internet in central Beijing during the Olympics by Paul Pennay
According to this report in today's Beijing Times, Beijing residents and Olympic visitors will be able to take advantage of free wireless internet throughout large sections of central Beijing during the Olympics. The first phase of the roll out of free internet, part of the Wireless City WiCity initiative (thanks to Banyue at Danwei for the correction and link to the official site), will begin testing today. The area covered in the first phase (see map above) includes the second and third ring roads, the CBD, Financial Street, Zhongguan Cun and the Wangjing Economic and Technological Development Zone. Areas of Xuanwu and Yizhuang are also covered in this first phase which offers high-speed wireless services over an area of around 100 square km.
Starting from today, people in the areas mentioned above can use the new system to get online and come the Olympics the wireless service will be available for free. China Comm, the company behind the project, have also announced that after the Olympics, they plan to extend the wireless zone to first cover everywhere within the fifth ring road by 2009 and then cover the whole city by the end of 2010. [...] Read more! |
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25 Jun 08
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agenda's out! by Iain Shaw
The latest issue of agenda takes us through to the beginning of July, and August's big event looms ever larger over Beijing. With one month still remaining before the city goes nuts for a few weeks, there's no shortage of things going on, and we've got the best of the next two weeks of events in our Day-by-Day listings. Our cover feature is a look inside the out-of-town Crown Wine Cellar and an interview with the venue's GM, James E. Thompson. We also talk to Royal Restaurant boss Ni Xiaopei on eating like the emperors, and take some spa tips from Aye Mon Yee of the Heavenly Spa at The Westin Chaoyang, which opened last Saturday. Other features include lists covering the best of Sanlitun nightlife, eating Southeast Asian-style in Beijing, some choice out-of-town daytrips, and our picks of Beijing's best dining and shopping venues in Try These.
Let us know what you think! Get in touch with your comments and suggestions by e-mailing iainshaw@agendabeijing.com[...] Read more! |
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24 Jun 08
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Video of the Week: Charity Bachelor Auction this Saturday at Kro's Beijing bachelors strut their stuff for a good cause this Saturday, June 28th, at the Gongti Kro's Nest, located just inside the North Gate of the Workers' Stadium next to Vics.
More info about the event can be found at the... |
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23 Jun 08
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Eliminate the Four Pests - 2008 Edition by Paul Pennay
The Eliminate the Four Pests Campaign, along with the encouragement of backyard steel production, are often presented as textbook examples of the comically tragic movements carried out with fervor and revolutionary zeal during the early... |
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20 Jun 08
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Old School Hip Hop comes to town: Run DMC and Jungle Brothers by Paul Pennay
Darryl McDaniels, founding member of the pioneer hip hop outfit Run DMC, is in town tonight to help Hard Rock Cafe celebrate the re-opening of their new look Beijing branch. Located on east Third Ring Road, Hard Rock arrived on the... |
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20 Jun 08
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Price Hike: Beijing's petrol and energy prices go up - and maybe cabs? by Paul Pennay
There were long lines at Beijing's gas stations last night as cab drivers and other motorists rushed to fill up the tank before a 16% increase in fuel prices came into effect at midnight. The price hike, which was decided upon by the... |
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19 Jun 08
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Olympic Scratch Cards by Paul Pennay
Ever wonder where Beijing's getting all the money to build such architectural marvels as the Bird's Nest (estimated at costing around RMB 3.5 billion) and the Water Cube (about RMB 1 billion)? Well, yesterday's release of Olympic scratch... |
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18 Jun 08
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Beijinger Podcast - Episode 25 by Paul Pennay
The podcast has taken a couple of big blows this past week, former host Willy Sier has returned home to the Netherlands, where she's no doubt basking in the glory of her national football team's performance at Euro 2008, and we've also... |
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17 Jun 08
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Forgotten Beijing: Beijing by Foot book talk at the Bookworm tonight by Fiona Lee
If you missed out on the interesting events that marked Cultural Heritage Day last Saturday, tonight offers up another chance to delve into some of the quirkier aspects of Beijing's history.
Eric Abrahamsen, the principal contributor to... |
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16 Jun 08
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China fails to qualify for the 2010 World Cup by Paul Pennay
Anyone who's spent a bit of time in China knows not to bring up the topic of Chinese football with a taxi driver ? either it's a conversation killing "bie ti le" or you'll receive a 15 minute ear-bashing about what the problem is with... |
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13 Jun 08
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Interview with the Chef: Eric Johnson of Jean George by Jessica Wang
Executive Chef of the famous Jean George in Shanghai, Eric Johnson, will be at Beijing's Ritz-Carlton's Culinary Coin Festival this Saturday and we asked him a few questions before tomorrow's event.
The Beijinger: Why did you become a... |
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13 Jun 08
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Recommended Listening: Reith Lectures 2008 ? China Vista by Paul Pennay
In many ways the BBC's Reith Lectures are a classic example of the British public broadcaster's penchant for busying itself with the moral improvement and edification of their listeners. Inviting serious intellectuals and public figures... |
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12 Jun 08
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What's going on tonight? Sexy Beijing on a Boat, A Chinoiserie out of the Old West and Cypher Dynsaty by Paul Pennay
We failed to get two of them into last week's issue of 7 Days, but there are three great events taking place this evening and a thin thread connects all three of them.
At 5pm, New York artist Patty Chang will give a talk over at Ullens... |
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12 Jun 08
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The team that brought you that's Beijing for 7 years now brings you The Beijinger! Hi friends and supporters of that?s Beijing magazine:
It's official ? our company, the producer of "that's Beijing" magazine since its debut issue in October 2001 right through the June 2008 issue, will now no longer be involved with the brand... |
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11 Jun 08
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Beijinger Podcast ? Episode 24 by Paul Pennay and Willy Sier
Sit back and check out what's going on in Beijing this weekend as host Willy Sier hits up The Beijinger editors for their suggestions. Food editor Jessica Wang reckons that the Ritz Carlton's (Financial Street) Second... |
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11 Jun 08
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The new swipe card system by Paul Pennay
There was a bit of confusion during yesterday's peak hour as Beijing's white-collar crowd struggled to adjust to the long-awaited introduction of the new swipe card system on Beijing's subway. For most regular subway users little has... |
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08 Jun 08
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One Taxing Test China's National College Entrance Exam (a.k.a. the Gaokao) took place this past Thursday and Friday, and with it, the fates of millions of high school students across the country were decided.
Slate has an excellent article describing this extremely... |
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07 Jun 08
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Where to Eat: Shinyeh by Jessica Wang
A number of upscale places have recently opened their doors in the midst of Beijing?s pre-Olympic glamorization and gentrification, but one restaurant is scaling down its presentation in the hope of attracting a more down-to-earth crowd.... |
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06 Jun 08
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Beijing And Beyond ? by Halla Mohieddeen
There have been many recent and exciting developments in the world of fashion in Beijing. Fendi hosting a fashion show on the Great Wall, Yohji Yamamoto presenting a collection in the Forbidden City, Nike designing the costumes for... |
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06 Jun 08
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Sweet Tooth Beijing's growing selection of high-end chocolate allows you to savor the sweet stuff like a pro
by Jessica Wang
Similar to a wine tasting, savoring gourmet chocolates is becoming popular with guiltless gourmands everywhere. And with Beijing?s growing... |
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06 Jun 08
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Kaiser Carries the Torch Longtime that?s Beijing columnist Kaiser Kuo recently had the honor carrying the Olympic torch in Hubei province as a representative of Ogilvy/WPP where he works as Director of Digital Strategy.
Read about his experience at his China Digital Watch... |
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05 Jun 08
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Witness to Disaster Tom Shanahan is the television presenter for the CCTV-9 program Rediscovering China. Below is his first-hand account of reporting on the scene about the aftermath of last month?s tragic Sichuan earthquake. The first part of the program airs today on... |
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05 Jun 08
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June?s Urbane is Out By Gabriel Monroe
This month?s cover depicts a cool, sleek corridor in Jiang Tao?s studio, and the visually evocative tour of the Green T. House designer?s lair is just one of many treasures within the magazine?s pages. Our two features will whet your... |
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05 Jun 08
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New issue of agenda out by Iain Shaw
Another two weeks have flown by, and that means it?s time for the latest issue of agenda!
This issue?s cover feature combines culinary and aesthetic enjoyment in equal measure with a roundup of the finest of Beijing?s courtyard... |
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04 Jun 08
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Beijinger Podcast Episode 23 by Paul Pennay and Willy Sier
Sit back and check out what's going on in Beijing this weekend as host Willy Sier hits up that's Beijing editors for their suggestions. Food editor Jessica Wang suggests going go the European Charm Club for a French food... |
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04 Jun 08
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Please Vote For Me Directory Chen Weijun discusses his documentary about primary
school class elections
by Cecily Huang
Last month?s fifth annual Chinese Documentary Exchange Week (中国纪录片交流周) was held at the Songzhuang Art Center from May 25-31 and fea... |
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03 Jun 08
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tbjkids Special June/July Issue Out Now! http://www.tbjkids.com
The tbjkids June/July special double issue is out! And just in time for the summer travel season. If you haven?t made plans already, check out our list of 25 must-see places for families to visit in China. But don?t take our word... |
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02 Jun 08
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Loco Dice Debrief by Carissa Welton
Over the weekend BaiCai Productions presented one of the most sought-after artists in the electronic music scene. If you missed him, shame on you. Loco Dice, who made his first visit to China last summer at The Bank, has been a regular... |
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30 May 08
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Breaking News: 2008 Beijing Pop Festival Called Off by Berwin Song
Shan Wei of Rock For China dropped a major bomb today: there will be no Beijing Pop Festival this year, due to uncertainties in the current climate for music events.
"Things are too risky this year," he said. "It?s the earthquake, the... |
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30 May 08
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Immersion Guides? 2008 Beijing Map by Adam Pillsbury
Immersion Guides, makers of Beijing neighborhood maps since 2003, have pulled out a bigger canvas to produce their first chart of the entire city, the 2008 Beijing Map.
Inserted in the June issue of that?s Beijing, this free map is... |
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29 May 08
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NBA rejected by CCTV by Oliver Robinson
There are lots of basketball fans in China ? it's been estimated that there are as many NBA fans here as there are in the US and that viewing figures for each NBA game are somewhere around the 100 million mark. So it hasn't gone... |
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29 May 08
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June issue of that's Beijing is out 101 Things You Should Do Before Leaving Beijing
In the process of throwing together a list of 101 things that readers should do before they leave the capital, that's Beijing editors discovered they had more ideas than they could fit into the confines of... |
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29 May 08
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Who's in town this week? by Paul Pennay
Beijing has received a lot of guests this past week. The new Russian President Dmitry Medvedev arrvied in the capital last week in what was his first trip to China and also his first visit to a non-CIS state since being elected earlier... |
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28 May 08
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Beijnger Podcast ? Episode 22 by Paul Pennay and Willy Sier
Sit back and find out what's going on in Beijing this weekend as host Willy Sier hits up that's Beijing editors for their suggestions. Fashion editor Halla Mohieddeen makes use of her first appearance on the podcast to... |
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28 May 08
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Review: Nederlands Dans Theatre II by Cecily Huang
May 23
Nederlands Dans Theatre II
RMB 80-580.
7.30pm. PLA Song and Dance Theater (6686 3483)
Not to be confused with Nederlands Dans Theater I or the now defunct NDT III, NDT II consists of 16 dancers aged between 17 and 23 and is one... |
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28 May 08
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Review: DJ Nu-Mark at Song by Lisa Liang
May 24
DJ Nu-Mark
RMB 100.
10pm. Song Music Bar (6587 1311)
After some rescheduling and a bit of reshuffling, DJ Nu-Mark finally made his Beijing debut at Song last Saturday, May 24. The vibe for the night was a bit strange for a... |
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27 May 08
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Tuesday's Film Blog by Paul Pennay
Chinese Films at Cannes
Despite reports that Jia Zhangke's 24 City (Ershisi Chengji) was "one of the top three favourites for Cannes' coveted Palme d'Or for best film", the director returns to China empty handed with French film The... |
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27 May 08
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Chinese Contemporary Art Charity Auction on Thursday by Caitlin Manicom and Paul Pennay
In recent weeks, Beijing has witnessed an outpouring of donations, an official mourning period and thousands-strong rallies in solidarity with the victims of the recent Sichuan earthquake. Chinese artists have now... |
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27 May 08
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James Fallows at the Bookworm tonight by Paul Pennay
May 27
James Fallows at the Bookworm
Free.
7.30pm. The Bookworm (6586 9507)
Although best known as a correspondent for the Atlantic Monthly, journalist James Fallows has also served as a speech writer for Jimmy Carter and as editor of... |
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