If you don’t recognize the face on this issue’s cover, it’s hard to imagine where you’ve been these past few years. The new agenda features an exclusive English-language interview with one of China’s most famous citizens, actress Zhang Ziyi. The stunning Ms. Zhang and co-star Peter Ho talk to us about their starring roles in the new comedy Sophie’s Revenge, which is released on August 14.

Among the new restaurant and bar openings we cover in this issue’s Try These:
Vegetarians’ Celebration – vegetarian dishes with intriguing and romantic names such as “Heavenly Rain Falls on the Plants in a Whisper” and “Ocean Elixir;”
The Bak Kut Teh Specialist – Malaysian-style hot pot with a side order of cold dishes available for the hot weather;
Fubar – Former manager of Rickshaw and Tun Chad Lager’s cavernous high-ceilinged speakeasy offers quality spirits and large measures

Our appetites have taken as much of a hit in recent weeks as have our overworked sweat glands. So many of those dishes we order on auto-pilot in cooler months aren’t as appealing when temperatures inch towards 100 degrees. Times call for something cooler; the chilled noodle dishes available in these restaurants are perfect for soothing you through summer.

Tibet has never been the easiest place to get to, and there are few who would make the pilgrimage for the food alone. If you are a fan of tsampa, momos and yak meat, however, or are curious to try any of the above, Beijing has a few Tibetan restaurants worth their butter tea. Find your Himalayan soul – or perhaps just the hippy backpacker in you – at one of these spots.

Back in May, we profiled Art of War (mixed martial arts) organizer Conrad Pi; now we get to know two of those actually doing the fighting – Dai Shuanghai and Wang Sai. They’re excited about the upcoming Art of War 13 tournament on 18 July at the Beijing National Olympic Center Auditorium. After reading our interview with the fighters, we think you will be too.

Indian restaurant Ganges now has four locations in Beijing, the newest in The Village at Sanlitun, and in our Spotlights we profile the owner of this increasingly popular establishment, Mumbai native Hetal Hemnani. We also speak with Andromeda Turre, the beautiful voice you hear Monday through Saturday nights at Centro; Turre has worked with Ray Charles and Woody Allen, and received a Grammy nomination in 2008.