Ever look through magazines and wish you could either afford an interior designer or be one of those really creative people who just know how to decorate like the TLC stars? There is no magic to it, you don’t have to be a professional, you just need to ... Read More>>
Vintage clothing has been making a huge comeback in fashion forward cities around the world, especial at major fashion centers like New York and London. Polka dot frocks from the 50’s, eccentric outfits from the 1960’s, elegant dresses and brogue shoes ... Read More>>
While every visitor to Beijing, long term or short, has probably visited the big markets like Panjiayuan flea market and Xiushui, there are some hidden gems around Beijing. These are places where the locals go to find unexpected treasures, from 80s era ... Read More>>
Photo: hongkongnese.com Once you find the right combination, having clothes tailor-made in Beijing can be a wonderful experience. Not all fashion is created equal so why settle for a finished product that is lacking your style or needs to be altered to fit ... Read More>>
Venturing through a Chinese Hutong is an incredible experience, not only because it is completely different from western civilisation but because it is a piece of ancient history that is soon to be non-existent. There are very few traditional housing ... Read More>>
It is truly difficult to imagine how anyone could dislike cheese. It’s sometimes rich, soft, mild, hard, creamy, pungent, sharp, smooth, herb coated or nut crusted; it is cheese and it is delicious. Beijing is an enormously populated city with a cheese ... Read More>>
Beijing’s book selection is growing a little larger with two giants of the industry now battling it out under the same roof. Read on to find out what each has to grab your attention. Read More>>
If you’ve browsed through the exhibition halls of IKEA more times than you can possibly recall and know the Swedish names of at least 3 products in the store without looking at the tag, then it may be time to switch it up a little and inject your home with ... Read More>>
It seems almost everything these days has the words ‘Made in China’ branded on it. Much to the surprise of many fresh expats in Beijing, even though many electrical goods are manufactured here, they are still retailed at a high price and some items are can... Read More>>
Wudaokou’s Chengfu Lu is one of Beijing’s commercial and recreational areas most overlooked by the non-student/university crowd. However, in recent years, the area has come on in leaps and bounds receiving attention from residents of other districts. With ... Read More>>
Aside from eating, drinking and cavorting, shopping has to be one of the Beijing expat’s most favoured pursuits. There are miles of shiny marble-floored malls filled with couture boutiques with stylishly near empty shelves in Beijing, as well as tourist ... Read More>>
Beijing’s biggest second-hand goods market is about to open at the end of the month. Xinqicai Commercial Centre (新七彩商业中心) opened for business on December 31st in Yaojiayuan (姚家园), Chaoyang District. The market’s location is behind Beijing’s ... Read More>>
Dashilan’er (also known as Dazhalan West Street), one of Beijing’s oldest commercial streets has re-opened following intensive renovations that lasted for over one year and cost 93 million RMB. Dashilan’er is located in the Qianmen area, south of ... Read More>>
One issue many foreigners face in Beijing, and even worse in other areas of China, is the lack of English language books. Many of us take refuge in books, and in the loud, crowded, manic, hustle and bustle that is China that need for the solace a book ... Read More>>
Shopping in Beijing can be a nightmare, especially if bargaining isn’t your thing or if you’re simply not willing to pay an extortionate price for something that should be cheap. Well dream no further! Here’s an introduction to Beijing’s best bargain ... Read More>>
There isn’t one single word that can sum up what’s hip and fashionable in the Imperial city of Beijing. However, one thing is for certain, from viewing what people are going for in the hutongs and courtyard houses it is very much Beijing’s old folk ... Read More>>