Up to Bashang for a northern-frontier excursion

Only 200-some kilometers from Beijing, Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province is an accessible city and the nearest urban center to the Bashang Plateau, a natural grassland where one can camp, view sunrises and sunsets and go horseback riding.

Calligraphy for contemporary times

“The era of traditional Chinese calligraphy has passed. I am trying to explore ways to revive it,” said Feng Mingqiu during the opening of his solo exhibition at Yishu 8 Gallery last Saturday.

Friday, August 27

Speciosity – Wie Qingji’s Solo Exhibition
Where: Embassy of the Czech Republic, 2 Ritan Lu, Jianguomen Wai Dajie, Chaoyang District
When: Until September 5, daily, 10 am – 6 pm
Admission: Free
Tel: 8532 9500

Saturday, August 28

It is after World War II and Max, a transplanted American, goes to an English pawnshop to sell his trumpet. The shopkeeper recognizes the tune Max plays for him as one on an unreleased album, restored from shards found in a piano salvaged from a ship that is now slated for demolition.

Sunday, August 29

Composed of the US’ top brass musicians, Rodney Mack has performed with such groups as New York’s Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and the Baltimore Symphony.

Capitalism as natural no more

The economist idol Adam Smith said capitalism was a natural outgrowth of human nature and inevitable, but Joyce Appleby sees its rise as unlikely from the start.

Three decades of stories cross the Straits

There are two things that have driven Taiwanese writer Chu Tien-wen’s passion for the language arts these 30 years: the desires to unearth humanity and to record modern times.

The Basics On Doing Business In China.

Two things. That business in China is nothing like business anywhere else. That the law in China is just like the law everywhere else.

Trends Lounge book listing

This text explores the careers of every LIFE magazine staff photographer of the 20th century, as well as a handful of others closely affiliated with the magazine, including Alfred Eisenstadt, Margaret Bourke-White, Gordon Parks, Eugene Smith and Joe McNally.

Artisan soap from Provence

France has a long history making quality natural soap. One of its famous brands, Pre de Provence, just entered China with the opening of a flagship store near The Place.