IN BRIEF (Page 18)

Seeking Lost Libraries Along The Silk Road

A British artist embarked on a unique six-month journey by motorbike to visit sites in China, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Egypt, Italy and Iran. Bo Leung in London reports.

Exploring how cities create a sense of belonging

"Because of its rapid urbanization, in China, cities are emerging as a very important part of a person's identity," says Daniel Bell, sitting comfortably in a chair, legs crossed, wearing an oversize suit jacket.

House Of Clouds

In Lost Horizon, the late British author James Hilton described "Shangri-La" as a mysterious valley in the Himalayan region where the 1933 novel's main character, Hugh Conway, a diplomat from his country, hopes to find peace from the conflicts of the world.

Traditional attire helps Miao women earn a living

Ma Meiying learned the skills needed to make traditional Miao ethnic attire, which is decorated with elaborate and colorful embroidery, from her mother when she was a child.

Summer treats

As the summer hits China, the country is seeing a glut of films for one of the year's most profitable periods for the Chinese film industry.

Mainland audiences losing interest in Hong Kong action movies

Sammo Hung hobbles into the interview room on a crutch. He sits, looking exhausted and holding a palm-sized electric fan near his face.

Losing a 'lunatic' scientist

Huang Danian was a scientist and a self-proclaimed "lunatic". His mad approach to technology, duty and education enabled China to make great strides toward uncovering the mysteries that hide under the ground we stand on.

Chinese symbols mark Huang's sojourn in UK

A framed golden embroidery of a dragon and a phoenix - traditional Chinese symbols - and a green tea tin are the two living memories of a late Chinese scientist that are still at his old office in the United Kingdom.

'Alien ice' created on Earth for first time

WASHINGTON - A strange form of ice has been captured being frozen from water in real time on Earth for the first time, US researchers said on Tuesday.

Wonderful world

It was a breathtaking moment. In her heavy scuba diving equipment, Li Jie was excited to see a school of fish swim toward her. Like a thick wall, they soon surrounded her.

Reviving a sound from the past

When Cao Xiaoqing started learning the accordion at the age of 5 in 1970, the instrument was very popular in China.