For your beloved: Emperor’s new clothes

Clothing is made of cloth. Whether its wool, cotton, silk or synthetic, the bottom line is that if there is no cloth, there is no garment, right? Wrong!

For colleagues: Lantern Festival

Today is an age of information with jet aircrafts, highways and computers as its symbols. It is rare to find mysterious places left in the world, but Tibet is an exception. If you don’t have the time tovisit, you can still find typical Tibetan folk arts here in Beijing.

For students: Toys are us

When we think back to our childhood, we always remember our favorite playthings. Educational toys, which help develop intelligence through play have become very popular. So for something other than books or pens, try T.O.T.S, a store that specializes in wooden toys.

For friends: Fancy dress

Peking opera is a purely Chinese opera form which dates back to the year 1790. That year four local opera troupes from Anhui Province came to perform in Beijing by the order of the imperial court. The tour was a hit and the troupes stayed. The artists absorbed the tunes of the Hubei local opera and drew on the best of Kun Qu, Qin Qiang, Bang Zi and other local operas.

For wives: From here to eternity

Ever since the birth of Dolly the sheep, the word clone has become well known. Even so, this advanced technology remains firmly in the realm of science fiction for most of us.

For grandparents: These shoes are made for walking

Shopping for shoes can be a painful experience at the best of times, both in terms of finding a style you really like among the thousands you wouldn’t be seen dead in, and then getting apair that are actually comfortable to walk around in for more than five minutes.

For husbands: Ring the changes Nokia 8310

How about upgrading you mobile phone for the coming year? A good way to be a trendsetter is to buy the most up-to-date mobile, provided you have the finances to do it, that is!

For kids: Gallop into the New Year

Tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake and horse, each following the other, year by year. What are these?