September 2008

urbane October 2008

As the specter of winter cold looms around the corner, Urbane’s gaze turns toward another looming beast, as both of our features address the magnificently monstrous new CCTV headquarters project in Beijing’s CBD. Alex Pasternack slips behind the scenes of the CCTV project, finding out why and how the people behind it have made it the way it is. Meanwhile, photographer Jim Gourley and his camera take a more pedestrian approach, appraising the structure from a thousand human perspectives.

In the Dwell section, we recommend a palette of stylish autumnal decorations, as well as a slew of sleekly thin gadgets, and sit down with the designers behind the local product line Doublebrain. In our two design features, we go inside architect Wang Hui’s striking Changping District retreat as well as the gritty, seductive Hotel G by Gongti West Gate.

Meanwhile, outside of Beijing, ever-intrepid Robert la Bua does the best of Kuala Lumpur, and Amy Fabris-Shi takes in the Park Hyatt Shanghai, inside the Shanghai World Financial Center, now the world’s highest hotel. Gary Bowerman sends tidings from Tianjin (the “Shanghai of the North”), a fascinating, kinetic urban juggernaut right down the highway. Look out world; they’re way more than just baozi.

All that and golf’s World Club Championship coming to town, the ancient goddess temple on the Olympic Green, Biennales galore (Shanghai and Venice), and much more ...

To read the lastest issue online, download PDFs of the magazine here

Sanlitun Area Guide Fall 2008

The Sanlitun Fall 2008 Area Guide, distributed with the October issue of the Beijinger, brings you more bun-related options than ever, from Beijing’s fanciest burger at 25 Degrees to the astoundingly delightful RMB 15 hot dog at No More Bunz. Of course, it also has less-carnivorous options to offer. While the Pure Girls are no more, the detailed “Central Sanlitun” inset will guide those in search of cheap booze to the nearest watering hole. A map of the Sanlitun Village helps dazed shoppers to wander from China’s first Apple Store to some great restaurants and cafes to rest their weary feet. Other additions include modern South-American cuisine at Mosto, professional-quality cooking supplies and kitchen gadgets at Pantry Magic, new boutiques, and the new location of Gustomenta. There’s also a slew of new hotels in Sanlitun, from budget digs to the sleek Opposite House – just because the Olympics are over, it doesn’t mean we’ll stop welcoming friends and family from afar.

agenda September 25th to October 8th

The latest issue looks forward to the National Day holiday with full listings for events including the Modern Sky Festival, AIR, Avril Lavigne and the World Folk Song Festival. In Try These, we profile new openings like Mosto, Sureno, Let’s Burger, Glen and Luga’s Villa. There are interviews with Sebastien Noat of Bling and traditional toymaker Tang Yujie, along with a look at the history of the newly reopened Qianmen area. Our cover feature, meanwhile, takes a look at the various health benefits that tea is said to offer, including helping you dodge the various bugs and viruses which are going around as the temperature cools and the air dries up. Pour yourself a cup then, and sit down to the new issue of agenda.

agenda September 11th to September 24th

We’re all looking forward to a hard-earned break during the week-long National Day holiday, which comes around at the month’s end, but there’s one more holiday to get through before that! From September 13-15, China takes a long weekend to stuff itself silly with mooncakes and celebrate Mid-Autumn Day in all its full-mooned glory, so for this issue, we take a look into the festival’s origins and evolution over the past few millennia. If you don’t spend the whole holiday bingeing on mooncakes, you’ll want to check out some of the many great events happening this weekend – as always, you’ll find all the info you need in agenda’s Day-by-Day listings. Aside from the Mid-Autumn festivities, we talk to Miao Wong from techno crew Acupuncture Records about the gang’s first anniversary party on September 30 at The Star Live, get some TCM tips from doctor Shen Caiping, and chat with multi-tasking restaurateur Gassano Barhoumeh of Middle Eastern eatery Za’atar. With autumn approaching, we profile some lakeside attractions perfect for the milder weather, and in Try These, we lift the lid on new openings like Drei Kronen 1308, Stadium and The Opposite House. Get your copy today!

urbane September 2008

This month Beijing hosts the Paralympics, and Urbane takes a closer look at the athletes and the games they play. As the event represents a high-profile demonstration of handicapped awareness in a city not necessarily known for it, our second feature investigates how far Beijing has come in terms of accessibility.

Meanwhile, in the month after the Olympic Games, not only does the world continue to turn, but it’s only getting wider and brighter for Urbane readers. Robert La Bua takes us to the gateway to Antarctica, Amy Fabris-Shi appraises the fabulous Palazzo Versace on Australia’s Gold Coast, Rania Ho braves the vertiginous dunes of the Badain Jaran Desert, and Gary Bowerman shares a sneak peak of the wonders in store for the 2010 Guangzhou Asia Games.

Back in Beijing, we talk to the founders of Memory, our very own homegrown inheritors of the recycled-bag eco-chic movement. The issue’s ByDesign features a characteristically elegant interior designed by Lehman & Qian’s Karolina Lehman, while Most Wanted tracks down some inspirational pieces – from character chairs to animal googly eyes – by foreign designers currently working in China.
All that, and a roundup of the Olympic sponsor pavilions, our regular spa spotlights, columnists, art previews and much more – this month’s magazine is a feast for Urbane eyes.

To read the lastest issue online, download PDFs of the magazine here

beijingkids September 2008

Nab the latest issue of beijingkids!

We’re back with a guide on “what to expect when you’re expecting in Beijing”, from doctor's visits and maternity clothes to dealing with all the attention babies attract in public. If you'd welcome a bit of help post-birth, consult Jerry Chan's primer on finding and keeping your dream ayi. Meanwhile, columnist Donna Scaramastra Gorman chronicles her experience giving birth for the fourth time. Can baby learn English, putonghua, French, and Japanese all at once? Find out in this month's feature on raising bilingual kids.

It’s September, so Tania McCartney gets the kids ready to head back to school. Jessica Pan uncovers the city’s best family hikes within a two-hour drive, and Cecily Huang scopes out the golf courses, restaurants, and spas in Lakeview. In a new feature, Snapshot, we hit the town to find a few stylish Beijing mamas.

Elsewhere, German school teens debate sex ed and NYU student Veronika Kamenova gives parents of college freshmen this advice: Don’t worry. Meet a scuba diver, pet a shark, and cook up traditional fried rice in just minutes.

the Beijinger September 2008

Year Zero: life after the Olympics has begun. But don't worry. To help you get over the hangover, the Beijinger brings you a bumper issue of September fun. Drum roll, please...

French duo Air bring their eclectic electro to Beijing and Kayne West gets freaky at Fengtai. Meanwhile, Jonathan White speaks to the Paralympic Murderballers about the hottest event of the 2008 Games. Also check out our extensive Paralympic schedule. Venus Lau interviews Li Yifan and Zhang Xiaotao about their artistic tribute to the Sichuan earthquake victims, and also reviews Warhol's Sports, Stars and Society exhibition and talks to artist Xiang Jing about souls and human bodies...as one does. We also review four new drinking establishments and 13 new restaurants, plus all the best Beijing events, parties, shows and exhibitions for the ninth month of the Gregorian calendar.

45,000 copies of the September issue are out around town; should you be unable to locate one, contact our distribution department at distribution@thebeijinger.com or download the PDF version of the issue below: