Entertaining romp through a century of perfumes

Fragrance has always been wrapped in social and economic issues, controversy, memories and history as Lizzie Ostrom so persuasively shows in the lively Perfume: A Century of Scents.

IN BRIEF (Page 18)

China's first pop-up

There was a big plastic bin of live scorpions in the kitchen.

Got eggnog?

What would Christmas be without eggnog? We can't imagine, which is why you might spot a lot of folks this weekend sporting creamy yellow mustaches.

Tastes of France, California and osmanthus

Yunnan province's city of Pu'er, which is also the name of China's most famous and expensive fermented black tea, is for the first time holding an exhibition about another world famous beverage: French red wine.

Weaving dreams

When he decided to move to China a decade ago after quitting his job in the United States, Pakistani textile expert Abdul Latif Khan surprised many.

Experience Tibet with digital art

A photography exhibition on Tibet autonomous region kicked off on Wednesday in Bangkok, attracting many to admire the photos and to experience beautiful Tibetan scenery with virtual reality headsets.

Chinese opera celebrates Jianzhen's journey to Japan

A China-made opera, Jianzhen's Journey to Japan, premiered in Tokyo on Tuesday, the anniversary of the Chinese monk's arrival in the country 1,263 years ago.

Sci-fi saga with a local twist

If Chinese fans feel disappointed today that all the heroes in Hollywood sci-fi blockbusters are Western faces, change is at hand. Now, thanks to China's fast-growing film market, the country with a short history of sci-fi novels is becoming a pivotal part of the futuristic world.

Besson reveals how Avatar influenced his latest project

James Cameron's hugely successful 2009 sci-fi film Avatar had a dramatic impact on French director Luc Besson's plans for his upcoming film.

Behind the magic

Welcome to the fantasy land where characters from "Middle Earth", such as the wizard Gandalf, the Elf prince and the Hobbit Gollum, break into an ancient water town in East China, together with Dr Grordbort, with lots of ray guns from the future world.

Yamada comedy gets a Chinese face-lift

Yoji Yamada has been familiar to Chinese fans for decades, but now the iconic Japanese director will see his latest work introduced to the country in a new way.