History has a tendency of repeating itself. Looking at the current landscape, it’s like the late 19th century all over again with foreign entities coming in to carve up a piece of China. Even though the trade is no longer in opium, a new drug has hastened the slicing and dicing of the market. […]

The Man Booker Prize has spawned a child, the Man Asian Literary Prize, and taking the inaugural award home this year is Beijing author Jiang Wong for his novel Wolf Totem. Having been relocated to Inner Mongolia during the Cultural Revolution himself, Jiang’s novel vividly explores life in Mongolia during this period. There’s no doubt […]

Although relatively unknown outside of Asia, with the Jackie Chan vehicle Around the World in 80 Days as one of her Hollywood credits, Karen Mok is a superstar. One can’t walk down the street without seeing her image splashed on various billboards for watches, cameras, and other lifestyle products. I’m still waiting for the […]

On Sunday a black sabbath fell upon Shanghai as one of the original auteurs of nu-metal, Linkin Park, commandeered the stage at Hong Kou Stadium for their long awaited debut in China. According to China Daily, making this show extra special was the fact that this was the first open air concert by a major […]

Affordable couture has finally come to China. Whether you’re at Plaza 66 in Shanghai or at the Landmark in Hong Kong, shopping for designer labels usually means sacrificing a couple of meals or 30 unless, of course, you happen to be an investment banker or on an expat package. For the rest of us, […]

This column serves not only as a tribute to a great man with a great name, but it captures all those moments in China that make you stop for a second and do a double take. We have transmogrified “Oh snap!” to bring you “Bo Zaaaang!”

Venturing out to Mong Kok, an area of Hong […]

It’s that time of year for Oscar’s equally shiny cousin, The Golden Horse, to ride into town. All bad imagery aside, The Golden Horse Awards is Taiwan’s annual salute to all that is fabulous in Chinese cinema. It’s no surprise that this year’s leader at the ceremony is Ang Lee for his skintillating drama, […]

This section will strive to bring you short sweet facts, digestible in 30 seconds, related to all forms of art, and fun to bring up in random conversations with strangers if you’re so inclined.
Tao Qian (365–427) was a pre-Tang Dynasty poet who preferred la vie boheme over any kind of work period. Working as […]

Even in Tibet, the modern age has displaced many of the once indigenous aesthetics and traditional arts of this land in favor of a more common culture shaped by ipods, Xboxes and Mtv, oh my! Like everyone else, young Tibet started to focus on finding different ways to spend their time. Moreover, with […]

In the D.C. Comics universe, Gotham city in particular, Batman is the champion of justice and doesn’t wince when it comes to taking down the bad guys. The list of foes he’s beaten goes on and on. From the best villains, like The Joker, to the worst, the easily forgettable Calendar Man, Batman has faced […]