What's new

Film savors musical life

A year that spoke volumes

It's been a blockbuster year for the leading names of Chinese literature. But if one trend has made 2013 a milestone in the world of books, says veteran literary critic Meng Fanhua, it is a shift in Chinese literary writing away from the traditional focus on rural life.

Stand out with style

Many fashion brands are struggling to find that quality that will make them stand out in what has become a monotonous and crowded retail environment. Some look to heritage, others to craftsmanship. Some feature exotic locations with every campaign.

Romance afoot as designer's shoes reflect Chinese opera

In the 17th century, Chinese playwright Tang Xianzu, often called the "Oriental Shakespeare", wrote the romantic love story The Peony Pavilion.

IN BRIEF (Page 22)

Gray skies, black humor

Someone in Beijing says its smog is so dense he cannot see the Chairman Mao portrait at the Tian'anmen Rostrum. Another counters: "You call that dense? I cannot see the Chairman Mao image on my bank note."

Actors in street play highlight green issues

In the cold haze of Christmas morning, He Yu was waving a mask and dancing in Beijing's streets, with several empty plastic bottles on a rope tied around her waist. Suddenly, Yan Sheng-in a white clown mask-came and snatched her mask, leaving her sitting on the ground in despair.

What's new

Letv honors best stars in industry

A survivor's game

The past year has been especially difficult for high-end restaurants in Beijing. Many top Chinese restaurants either closed down or have tried to reinvent themselves for a downscale market. At the same time, some middle and low-end eateries have sustained good business. The closing of Maison Boulud at Qianmen 23 on Dec 8 came as a shock to many gourmets in Beijing. Just three months ago in September, New York-based founder Daniel Boulud himself was in town to celebrate its fifth anniversary. The restaurant had a good reputation and won plenty of media awards for both food and service.

New rule for diners: Look before you eat

Restaurant menus have become much more interesting reading in the last few years. Many of them include the origins of a dish, how it is prepared, what the main ingredients are, and more often now, the farms from which the ingredients come from.

Small Bites

Hong Kong New Quarry bistro

Lighting up Nanjing

Nanjing's Jin'ao Tower, East China's latest landmark and architectural wonder towers more than 200 meters high and resembles an immense Chinese lantern. Right on top, the Fairmont is opening its fourth property on the Chinese mainland.