Hutong spirit alive and well

Once a strictly residential hutong area, Wudaoying was opened to businesses and pedestrians in 2006 and has since seen rampant growth. It is being hailed as the newer sibling of well-known Beijing shopping and bar street Nanluoguxiang, but Wudaoying is still new enough to exhibit the unique fusion of classic hutong life with the retro boutiques that are a throwback from the quickly changing lifestyle here.

Islands offer easy getaways

There is no need to travel far for the short break. Rebecca Lo recommends some of the best beachside attractions in Hong Kong.

Seven Days

Sept 26 / Beijing

Ningbo serves up 'Ashoka' for Buddhists

The Buddhist monk, swathed in black robes and with something of a ghostly pallor about him, looked like a distant relative of the dark emperor in Star Wars, and I was testing his patience.

Wenger fumes over bad timing

SUNDERLAND, England - Arsene Wenger insisted there was no confrontation with fourth official Martin Atkinson as Arsenal was denied top spot in the Premier League thanks to Darren Bent's dramatic injury-time goal in a 1-1 draw at Sunderland.

Spurs fight back

Tottenham shrugged off a European hangover to overcome Wolves and move into the top four of the Premier League on Saturday as Newcastle stunned Everton with a 1-0 victory at Goodison Park.

Ronaldo hits winner as Real goes top

MADRID - Cristiano Ronaldo scored with a deflected free kick to earn Real Madrid a battling 2-1 victory at promoted Real Sociedad in La Liga on Saturday.

France reaches final, Djokovic flops

PARIS - Nine-time champion France eased into the Davis Cup final on Saturday, but Serbia's decision to throw unfit world No 2 Novak Djokovic into doubles action backfired against the Czech Republic.

Score Board

BASEBALL

IN BRIEF (Page 23)

Lights up for the circus

They are sending in the clowns - along with the acrobats, lions, jugglers and the rest of the cast of characters who fit the big-top bill. But while it's got everything that traditionally makes a circus a circus, the Beijing carnival, Pandora Fantasy, truly shines with its lighting technology and sci-fi special effects.

Fire starters for fall

Hong Kong has numerous venues where you can have a splendid picnic or an outdoor barbecue. Food tastes better when eaten straight off the grill - beneath a canopy of stars in fresh air and picturesque settings.