Events Watch: Beijing's Best Events That Won't Leave You Hungover, Mar 27-31
Our Events Watch series aims to highlight happenings that aren't focused on alcohol and drinking, but instead take a more educational or productive approach. Events include comedy, talks, networking events, markets, and dinners etc.
Monday, March 27
Book Talk with Zhang Lijia
Zhang Lijia’s compelling debut novel Lotus is a story of a young migrant-worker-turned-prostitute in Shenzhen that was inspired by the deathbed revelation that the author’s grandmother had been sold to a brothel in her youth.
In conversation with Indian novelist Radhika Jha, Zhang Lijia will discuss her process of bringing Lotus to literary life, how she gained insight into the illicit trade, and her take on some of the related and pressing social and legal issues in contemporary China. 7.30-9.30pm. RMB 50 (tickets here), RMB 40 (members), tickets include a drink. The Bookworm
Tuesday, March 28
Women's Health Seminar
A seminar presented by YCIS Beijing and Hong Kong International Medical Clinic in Beijing, covering cervical cancer and common breast abnormalities in honor of Women's History Month. Free. 9-10.15am. YCIS
Artificial Intelligence Forum
In the future, historians will look back and call the 2010’s the ‘key years’ of Artificial Intelligence development, and China is at the forefront of AI technology. Come to the 2017 Artificial Intelligence Summit and experience the latest developments in technology – in business services, investment, self-driving cars and other things that only a few years ago were science fiction, not science. 8am-6pm. RMB 99-1,980 (tickets here). Asia Hotel
Wednesday, March 29
In the Footsteps of the Emperor: A Walk and Discussion at the Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven contains some of the most iconic architecture in Beijing. It is also a gathering place for Beijingers of all ages. Nowhere does Beijing's past and present exist so prominently side by side. You will look not only at the Temple of Heaven complex and its ritual and historic significance, but you will also discuss the connections between present and past and between historical and contemporary Beijing. Along the way, you will have a chance to see dancers, jugglers, martial artists, and even parents matchmaking their (often unsuspecting) grown offspring. 9-11.30am. RMB 300 (includes all admission tickets, book here), RMB 260 (The Hutong members). Temple of Heaven
Thursday, March 30
Light it Up: Sharing Bright Ideas for Success
Every month, the Beijing Women’s Network and JingJobs bring together experts from diverse backgrounds to empower young and mid-range professionals to build upon their career skills and networks.
Innovation and entrepreneurship are a key focus of China’s most recent Five-Year Plan, and the government recognises the crucial role entrepreneurs have played in the country’s rapid growth. New businesses seem to pop up every week in Beijing, but only a few seem to make it to the top. What does it take for a start-up to make it big, successful and sustainable? This event covers that question, with three people who have taken their ideas and turned them into reality. 6.15-9.15pm. InnCube. RMB 60
Dashan Talks Comedy at The Bookworm
China's "most famous foreigner,” the Canadian Mark Rowswell aka Dashan, has been working as a comedian and media personality in China for nearly three decades.
Recently, Dashan has returned to his roots in a series of live shows combining traditional Chinese comedy with Western stand-up – a format relatively new to China but growing in popularity. Dashan Live will be featured at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in April – the only non-English performance listed. On the eve of his departure, Dashan will talk to the FCCC about his life as a household name, his work to bring stand-up to China and his plans to take Chinese language comedy to mainstream international festivals. RMB 75, RMB 65 (The Bookworm members), free for FCCC members, tickets include a drink.
Friday, March 31
Internet of Things Conference
The new trend in Internet development is the ‘Internet of things,’ the interconnecting of everyday objects through the use of Internet technology. Join top international experts at the they discuss the new market, the revolutionary advances in technology and the development of new industries. Speakers will include Tsinghua professor Jianping Wu, from Tsinghua’s x-lab, the chairman of the EU China Committee on Urban Development and many others. 9am-8pm. RMB 400 onwards (tickets here). Headquarters Base Holdings
More stories by this author here.
Email: margauxschreurs@truerun.com
Instagram: s.xuagram
Images courtesy of the organizers
