2012 Feb 19 Walk This Way: A New Way to See Beijing
Unless living in Beijing is part of an overall master plan that included language and cultural classes in college, there's probably a lot that you may not know about the city. How about the duality of Confucianism? Or politics behind contemporary art? Whether you're visiting or just want to know more, here are some new walking tours everyone can check out.
Context Tours has just established itself in China with their scholarly-led tours in both Beijing and Shanghai. Current options in the capital cover both art and history with the possibility of more to come. You can choose between their groups tours that are limited to six people or opt for a private tour that can also be customized based on personal interested, though these will be dependent on the expertise of available guides. For their present lineup, you can view all docents and their qualifications online.
The three walks Context has on offer are: Is it art?, an exploration of the 798 art district with a focus on the cultural and historical background behind both Chinese and foreign art; Taoism to Buddhism: A History of Chinese Thought, which will take you around the Confucius and Lama temples to examine 4,000 years of spiritual history; and Tiananmen and the Making of Modern China which looks at the developments and changes in China during the 20th century.
Aside from tours in Beijing and Shanghai, Context also has walks in 16 other cities including New York, Barcelona and London.
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Countdown to Armageddon? Win Yen New Year Tickets!
It’s only five days till 2012, but you’ve still got one big decision to make: Where are you going to be at midnight on New Year’s Eve? We’ve already highlighted the Nova party at 751 D-Park, and given you an in-depth roundup of parties taking place around town, but would winning a pair of tickets to the Yen Countdown party at 798 help you make your choice?
Ray P. Lee of FEI Space
FEI Space just under went its latest renovation, still stocking the same range of impressive labels – from American cult favorite Alexander Wang to much-hyped Chinese designer Zhang Da – along with exclusive new additions. Starting this month, FEI can officially claim credit for guiding Topman’s (and soon Topshop’s) first entry into the Chinese mainland. Here, creative director Ray P. Lee dishes on sex saddles, wedding photos and why he thinks 798 has changed for the worse.
Going Underground: Culture and Tranquility at Tiananmen West, Line 1
“Going Underground” is a regular magazine column in which we explore the neighborhoods surrounding subway stations.
Selling Point
Besides the quick access to Beijing’s most famous landmark, this subway stop is also the easiest way to get to “The Egg,” aka the National Centre for the Performing Arts, where world-famous opera and ballet troupes regularly grace the stage. An underground exit takes you right into the NCPA lobby.I Got Rhythm: Banging the Drums With SambAsia
On that Sunday morning, my head was throbbing, my eyeballs hurt and I was wheezing for water. I was hungover, and the last thing I wanted to do was trek out to 798 Art District to partake in some drum fest.
Topshop and Topman in Beijing? The Exclusive at FEI
Up until now, Topshop and Topman have only been accessible to China residents via their online websites. All that’s about to change.
FEI Space – a concept store in 798 that’s been likened to New York’s Opening Ceremony (by us), a “genteel flea market” (by Stylites.net) and “a creative bazaar” “with a salvaged-chic vibe” (by the New York Times) – sits at the helm of Topshop and Topman's entrance into the Chinese mainland market.
