Schools out this summer?

Among Beijing's thousands of primary and middle schools, there are 123 special ones for children of floating labour families without residential permits from China's other provinces and regions.

Striving for the good life

Once upon a Dongsi Tiao

Once upon a tiao (Ìõ) I had hopes that modern redevelopment of the Chinese capital would be enlightened in its planning, preserving significant portions of the ancient urban form intact for future generations. Sadly, I was living in denial, not Beijing.

'I'm looking for the dinosaur...'

Finding Beijing Tokyo Art Projects' atmospheric base is half the fun of a trip to see the latest work exhibited there.

Sausage, shrimps and sauerkaraut!

Coming in the wake of a season known in the West as a time of over-indulgence, it might perhaps seem a bold move to stage a German food festival now.

Feet first!

Often overlooked, a healthy pair of feet is in fact very important to people's health.

Toys from yesteryear

Recently, a 90-year-old craftsman who has been making Beijing's ancient toys all his life, has opened a shop to sell his works and those of his contemporaries.