the Beijinger

It's that time of year again, where the boundaries between this realm and the netherworld are said to dissolve. Halloween, or wansheng jie as it’s known in these parts, is upon us again. That means another chance for you to dress yourself or your little ones up in something perfectly frightening. To make sure you get your costume sorted before darkness falls, we've come up with a list of shops, markets and websites that will aid you in pulling you and your kids' Halloween togs together. 

Beijing is home to one of the world’s most exciting live music scenes, with shows ranging from straight-up punk to blues and jazz to experimental techno on any given night. One key factor in keeping these scenes going is the myriad of venues, each with their own distinctive feel and character. Here are our picks for the best.

In 2008 Rania Ho and Wang Wei, along with curator Pauline Yao, chose an unassuming hutong in which to house one of Beijing’s most innovative art spaces, Arrow Factory. Besides working as curators of exhibitions and creating their own interactive installation art pieces, the pair also design interiors via their boutique design firm, Kupa Studios – they conceived the chic space that is Apothecary, among others. The couple took some time to have a chat with Agenda about their projects and the art scene in China.

It’s cold out, but that doesn’t mean you should stay holed up at home. Beijing has many cozy and creative venues offering free Wi–Fi access where you can write that masterpiece in a social setting.

Don’t overlook the shopping potential of Dongsi, once one of Beijing’s premier mercantile destinations, known as Silver Street (Yin Jie).

Beijing has many charity groups that are in need of volunteers and resources over the holiday season and beyond, so there’s no better time than now to get out there and make a difference.

Born in Japan and raised in France, Maika Endo first arrived in China in 2000 with an “intuitive conviction” that this was the place to be. After working in marketing (Maika was once the Marketing Manager for the company that now produces Agenda) as well as promotions, the 30-year-old self-described “spa junkie” set up Kocoon Spa in Sanlitun’s Nali Patio with her mother last year, and her quest for perfection took her on a globe trotting expedition to learn age-old techniques from revered masters. We sat down recently with Maika to discuss the ins and outs of running a spa in the capital.

Beijing-based charity Little Bird provides hope to migrant workers by helping to solve industrial disputes, providing legal counseling and career guidance. This grassroots organization is the first labor NGO established in China that can work directly in the community with migrant workers. Little Bird founder Wei Wei, a former migrant worker himself, sat down to tell us more about his organization and the difficulties that migrant workers face in China.

Irish pub Danger Doyle’s has already made its mark on the sports bar map in its relatively short existence. The man that made it happen is local impresario and bar scene veteran, Glenn Phelan.