Opera on A Dream of Red Mansions

In March 2007, when David Gockley, the artistic director of San Francisco Opera, visited Beijing, he went to the National Center for the Performing Arts, which was still under construction. He was simply curious to see the site.

Ghost sweeps into Beijing

Ghost, the musical, will be enjoyable for people who loved the 1990 film and those who are new to the story.

Even in the wired age, travel's headaches still manage to endure

Traveling in the country has become more convenient in the mobile era. You can book your plane/train tickets, hotel rooms, and even car rides through various kinds of apps and arrange a trip from your home within minutes.

Respect? no thanks. just use my name

Showing care for seniors is nice, but we can do without the hurt feelings

Bad accent? Don't lose it, use it

I've gotten used to people nodding and smiling politely at me whenever they have no clue what I've just said - Chinese, Americans, and even some fellow Englishmen; they all do it.

Seduced by optimism

Luxe house Chanel celebrates the joy of life with its latest fragrance. Sun Yuanqing chats with creator Olivier Polge about accentuating the positive.

Queen of punk offers tea and scones

At Vivienne Westwood's first-ever cafe in Shanghai, the bittersweet coffee and sweet lemon meringue tart seems to have little in common with the British Queen of Punk.

Spiced saffron rice (India)

This rice is simple to make, delicious, and undeniably South Asian with the flavors of cardamom, cinnamon and cloves infusing the bright yellow saffron grains.

On the flavor trail

Laura Kelley is a trained scientist, but cuisine is her true passion. The enthusiastic foodie tells Mike Peters why she wrote a book based on her culinary adventures across the Silk Road.

Canada to feed Chinese appetite for sea cucumbers

Chinese want them - and can't get enough.

Citrus of the sea

Beijing's happy-hour hot spot of the moment is Buena Onda, a Peruvian pop-up that promises to bring the good vibes of South America to the streets of China's capital. It starts with well-crafted nibbles like this Ecuadoran ceviche, with fresh nuggets of seafood, and salmon tartare. Then, there are three versions of the pisco sour - a sassy cocktail perfect for summer, and served in a jewel-toned martini glass. Coming soon: salsa lessons on Tuesdays and a dance party at the plaza on Fridays.

Yoga in tai chi land

Hundreds visit Southwest China to learn the ancient Indian regimen, Xu Lin reports in Chengdu.