Ring, ring: London statues want to talk to you

Calling all London tourists: Peter Pan, Sherlock Holmes and Queen Victoria want to have a word with you.

Paperback owls

All-night bookstores across China are now offering people an alternative to either partying or watching TV at home. While the stores allow readers to purchase books at any time, visitors are also encouraged to sit down to read.

Hostile books fill shelves in Japan

Books and publications carrying disparaging content about South Korea and China have been growing in popularity in Japan to the point that some bookstores even have a dedicated corner for such xenophobic material.

IN BRIEF (Page 19)

Books of summer

Want to beat the heat with a cool read? Xing Yi and Liu Zhihua find out what books some authors, diplomats and businesspeople are thumbing these days.

Little House on the Prairie author's autobiography published

Laura Ingalls Wilder penned one of America's most beloved children's series of the 20th century, but her forthcoming autobiography will show devoted Little House on the Prairie fans a more realistic, grittier view of frontier living.

Emperor in disguise

What would an ancient emperor, who worked hard and was known for his taste in art, do for fun? He would dress up and pose for pictures.

Art beat ... finger on the pulse

Beijing

Relics of worship

An exhibition featuring a complete set of ancient articles used during worship rituals of Confucius (551-479 BC) is now on display at the Beijing Confucius Temple and the Imperial College.

Toeing a joyful line

International ballet teachers bring a new spirit of dance to young and old students in Beijing this summer, Chen Nan reports.

Life in an urban jungle

From a moderately sized courtyard tucked away in Beijing's hutong area within the Second Ring Road, artist Wu Yang's exhibition - Glimpses of the City - offers an interesting juxtaposition between her subject of modern urban spaces and the remnants of the city's traditional dwellings.

Lord of the Rings maker to drive war exhibition

New Zealand's commemorations for the centenary of World War I are to feature an exhibition by Oscar-winning director Peter Jackson.