Chinese tourism to Japan jumps by a quarter

TOKYO: Travelers to Japan from China rose by nearly a quarter last year, boosting the total number of visitors and the economy, the government said Tuesday. A total of 810,000 Chinese visited Japan in 2006, a growth of 24.6 percent from the previous year, according to a report by the transport ministry.

Life Health

Soaking up the healing powers of the sea

HAMBURG: Every year countless vacationers take a beach holiday as a way to relax, feel the surf on their feet, the warmth of the sun on their skin and the wind in their hair.

IN BRIEF (Page 19)

Fat or fiction?

LONDON: Working out can be not only tough and time-consuming, it is often downright bamboozling because there is so much information to comprehend. We looked at how the five biggest fitness myths stack up against scientific fact.

Life Art

Importance of getting Gaudi and gorgeous

The bright silver arch, with a mirror positioned underneath, and a uniquely designed wooden bench are out of the ordinary. Welcome to the world of Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926), Spain's most eccentric architect. The exhibition, Cosmos Gaudi: Architecture, Geometry and Design, is now running at the Capital Museum in Beijing until August 2.

Spicy opera serves up many different courses

It was a pivotal moment of East-meets-West culture on Beijing's art stage. At the Forbidden City, acclaimed director Zhang Yimou and his international crew staged Puccini's opera, Turandot. That same week, Sichuan dramatist Wei Minglun presented Chinese Princess Du Landuo - his adaptation of Puccini's famous work.

The stuff of dreams

Shakespeare wrote in The Tempest: "We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep." British actor Barrie Rutter has always lived his dream, and this year marks a special highlight in his long and distinguished career.

Life Expat

Global village

Beijing

Nicoleen's adventures are heaven sent

Ten years ago, in the sunny Caribbean island of Jamaica, Nicoleen Johnson had to decide between two attractive post-graduate scholarships: a one-year master's program in England or four years at Fudan University in Shanghai.