Build your sound studio with virtual gear

Recording music used to be an arcane process best left up to the studios. But the age of digital processing made it possible for music fans that were willing to learn the software to develop their brief melodies into full songs.

Woodworkers of the city, unite!

Nothing says manly like working with wood, remodeling your home or tinkering with your car. But with car and home ownership far off dreams, carpentry is the only option for young men seeking a masculine outlet.

Professional photos on your smart phone camera

A camera made by a domestic label was one of the must-have luxuries of the 1980s Chinese family. That national obsession with photography has faded little over the years, as evidenced by the expensive DSLR cameras and huge lenses enthusiasts lug each weekend to the city’s scenic spots.

Tablet fashion

The iPad seems to have become the ultimate all-weather fashion accessory in the last year. It’s no surprise that fashionistas are looking for ways to extend their obsession to its software.

Improv the new entertainment for young Beijingers

For most people in China, improvisational theater comes as a new channel by which they can enrich and rediscover themselves. It can be a fun way to release pressure, and also gives young performers a positive outlook on life.

Team diners scour city for best eats

One of the top social activities in Beijing is food hunting, due to the multitude of regional and national cuisines available in the capital. But looking for restaurants can be boring if you go alone. Many young people have started forming dining teams to find interesting new menu options together.

Shopping the Web for charity

Charity stores are a relatively recent phenomenon in China. They came in only three years ago with expats and those returning from abroad. Through their work with domestic NGOs, many are becoming new platforms for bringing together people who want to help and those who need it.

Smart looks to stay warm

January is a tough time to look your best: no one looks fashionable when cloaked in feather-stuffed clothes. It’s also the easiest time of the year to get sick, and many offices are now full of employees with coughs and fevers. Much of the time, these colds begin with a failure to dress for the weather.

Ex-soldiers take up air guns for CS

Counter-Strike (CS) has long had a strong following of Chinese players. But for real military enthusiasts, a video game can hardly satiate their thirst for real combat…

Top creative projects of 2010

2010 has been a year of creativity. We’ve seen collectors of curios, students starting gaming bars and artists drawing factual comic books. All these ventures share one thing: a minority audience.