China :: Lifestyle

THE Old Town area is the historical core of Shanghai that included the old walled city, and visitors can still appreciate life in the slow lane along narrow winding streets, with names like Cotton Street, Ham Street and Dog Meat Street. Chen Ye goes for a stroll. History professor Gu Xiaoming recently paid a visit to the Old Town area and says he cannot recognize many places in the former Nanshi District. "I really enjoy wandering about in the old neighborhood, because each street is a piece of history," says the retired professor from Fudan University. "And the vibrant daily life there represents what real Shanghai is and used to be." However, fast urban development has made dramatic changes to the historic area, the oldest part of Shanghai, since Nanshi District was merged into Huangpu District in 2000. Still, all history hasn't been bulldozed and there are places where one can appreciate narrow, winding streets with colorful descriptive names like Cotton St...

STRIKING a temple bell 108 times starting at midnight on New Year's Eve is said to absolve sin and bring luck, but VIPs and businessmen routinely buy up all the costly tickets for the frequently televised events. Chen Ye reports on the toll. To many Chinese people, New Year's Eve means more than parties, good cheer and New Year's resolutions. Striking bells, burning incense and praying to Buddha are traditions that draw thousands of people to temples. They literally ring in the new year by striking temple bells to banish the past year's bad karma and pray for a good year ahead. Bells play an important part in Buddhist and other religious rituals, the fading sound reminding us that life also fades. "For ages, bells and drums have been traditional musical instruments in China, and after Buddhism was introduced, bells became more meaningful, because in Buddhism tolling the bell is a way to forgive sin," says Tian Zhaoyuan, director of the Anthropology and Folkl...

MORE and more foreign students are earning their degrees in China, hoping to be part of China's advancement in the globalized world. One often overlooked price that many of these students pay, however, is that they cannot go home during Christmas. Instead while their families vacation, cook, eat, party and exchange gifts at home, they will cram for finals alone in dorms and libraries. While their Chinese classmates anticipate joining family for Spring Festival during the Chinese Lunar New Year in January, foreign students will make due by celebrating their country's most important holiday between study sessions. Stella Kibet, a Kenyan undergraduate, is in her sixth and final year at Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. "Almost all six Christmases, I had exams on that day," Kibet says. "Almost every Christmas, I'd rush to the exam room, finish, find friends, go out, get a drink, do something." At least this year, Christmas Day falls on a Sun...

IF it's difficult to manage long-distance love and marriage in China, it's a lot harder if one person is overseas. Just hopping on a plane to sort out misunderstandings isn't an option. Cindy Cheng, a 27-year-old public relations assistant, is thinking about breaking up with her boyfriend who went to the United States for advanced studies last year. Cheng, a Hubei Province native, had managed to move to Shanghai where her boyfriend had been working, but he left shortly afterward. Due to US travel regulations and of course high airfare, her boyfriend hasn't been back to visit. Chen feels betrayed. "I can't enjoy any benefits of having a boyfriend," Cheng says. "I have to work and live all by myself in this unfamiliar city. I don't have a close friend I can talk to when I am troubled and confused. A voice over the phone cannot make things better." Valentine's Day and Christmas are sad times since Cheng doesn't have women companions....

AN unexpected but fruitful relationship has blossomed between two potent forces in the swamps of South Florida: the American crocodile and a nuclear power plant. The reptile has made it off the endangered species list thanks in part to 270 kilometers of man-made cooling canals surrounding Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant in the southeastern corner of the Florida peninsula. It turns out that Florida Power and Light was building prime croc habitat just as virtually every other developer was paving it over. Federal wildlife officials give the state's largest public utility part of the credit for a five-fold increase in the species' population in Florida. There are only two other sanctuaries for the crocodiles, which are still considered threatened. "The way the cooling canal system was designed actually turned out to be pretty good for crocodile nesting," says John Wrublik, a biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. "It wasn't designed for crocodiles...

CHINA'S modern-day heroes in science, medicine, culture and sports are profiled in a series of five documentaries produced by the Discovery Channel and starting to air from Thursday. "Portraits of China," to be aired on the Shanghai Documentary Channel at 11pm every Thursday, aims to capture the dreams of a nation through the achievements of modern-day heroes. The portraits include Yang Liping, a world-famous dancer who is using dance to preserve China's tribal culture; Dr Shi Zhengrong, a global leader in solar clean-tech; world-renowned kung fu star and philanthropist Jackie Chan; Zhong Nanshan, a leading virologist trying to bring modern medicine to the masses and build a healthier China; and Team China, which refers to five individuals whose efforts contributed to China's success in the 2008 Olympics.  Dancer and choreographer Yang created an award-winning trilogy of musicals showcasing folk traditions of various ethnic groups in Yunnan Province. Dr Shi, ...

A business park exclusively for European startups helps them get a foothold in the China market, and its French founder says his aim is to make investment simple, rapid, efficient and secure. He talks to Fei Lai. Many consultants and innumerable authors advise foreign companies on how to do business in China, but few can match the 30 years of China field experience of French entrepreneur Antonio Duarte. Today Duarte, an entrepreneur in the French auto industry, devotes himself to helping French and other European businesses - especially small- and medium-sized - tackle the complicated China market. A year ago Duarte and his Shanghainese partner Wang Lin founded DPARK (D for Duarte), an exclusive, multilingual, high-service park for European businesses on Changyang Road in Yangpu District. It's a one-stop shop for startups. The modern and tasteful five-story "park" in a former textile factory has around 20 European tenants in trade, high tech, consulting, banking, art ...

ARTIST Ding Yi has built his career by using the symbols "x" and "+" in his paintings. Considered a pioneer in abstract art in China, Ding is an important figure in the country's New Wave Movement. Minsheng Art Museum is holding a solo exhibit of Ding's work called "Specific Abstract." The exhibition features 35 canvases and 26 paper works dating back to 1986. Ding says he rarely has solo exhibitions because "I don't have much in my hands." "I always face the same question: 'Do you get bored repeating those symbols all the time in the past 20 years'?" he says. "My answer is, never." Zhou Tiehai, executive director at Minsheng Art Museum, says the crosses are Ding's unique way of practicing Zen. Sometimes Ding spends months on a single painting, piling on layer after layer of "x" and "+" motifs in geometrical patterns. He says the process requires an almost "maniacal slowness...

GARY Oldman agonized over whether he should tinker with British spymaster George Smiley, a character who is an institution to John le Carre's readers and already had been played to perfection by Alec Guinness. The filmmakers behind the big-screen adaptation of le Carre's "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," which opened in the United States on December 9, wanted Oldman to play Smiley so much that they offered him the role before he met with them to talk it over. Oldman spent a month mulling it over, and even once he had agreed, the actor had a moment of terror a week before shooting, wondering if he could pull it off. "The ghost of Guinness just sort of loomed so large," Oldman said of Sir Alec, who brilliantly played Smiley on television in a 1979 miniseries of "Tinker" and 1982's "Smiley's People." Oldman exorcised that ghost by likening Smiley to classical roles played by different actors. "If you're going to play Hamlet, yo...

WHILE Hollywood advances its 3-D capabilities and other dazzling digital technology, the Academy Awards could be going silent. Not since the first Oscar ceremony in 1929 has a silent film walked away with the top prize. But the 84th Oscars feature a potential front-runner with virtually no spoken dialogue in "The Artist," a loving reproduction of the silent era that has emerged as an early favorite among awards watchers. "Early favorite" is a critical distinction, given that the February 26 Oscars still are two months away. Awards fortunes rise and fall, momentum shifts back and forth, and other awards shows help sort out winners from losers on the long path to the Oscars. At this stage, unlike past years when clear front-runners emerged from the outset, every major Oscar category is up for grabs. Yet "The Artist," made by a French film maker barely known in Hollywood, looks like a solid contender for one of the best-picture slots alongside a lineup of b...

CONFUCIUS (551-479 BC) didn't concern himself much with business, but he was not anti-wealth and his teachings indicate the importance of harmony between profit or wealth and justice. "One who on seeing profit thinks of righteousness may be considered a perfect man," he said. "For wealth that can legitimately be pursued, I will go after it even by doing lowly jobs; but for wealth that must not be pursued, I will not pursue it," he also said. Those who would apply Confucian principles to business cite Confucius' emphasis on ren (benevolence), stability and harmony, the good of the larger group or society, the importance of hierarchical relationships and filial piety, as well as reciprocity and do-unto-others. By extension, the head of a company is like the father in a family or head of state; he acts for the good of the whole and treats others with fairness. His employees, like children, owe him obedience and respect; he in turn cares for them. The firs...

BREAST cancer experts are cheering what could be some of the biggest advances in more than a decade: two new medicines that significantly delay the time until women with very advanced cases get worse. In a large international study, an experimental drug from Genentech called pertuzumab held cancer at bay for a median of 18 months when given with standard treatment, versus 12 months for others given only the usual treatment. It also strongly appears to be improving survival, and follow-up is continuing to see if it does. "You don't see that very often. ... It's a spectacular result," said one study leader, Dr Sandra Swain, medical director of Washington Hospital Center's cancer institute in the United States. In a second study, another drug long used in organ transplants but not tried against breast cancer - everolimus, sold as Afinitor by Novartis AG - kept cancer in check for a median of 7 months in women whose disease was worsening despite treatment with hormo...

AMERICAN singer and songwriter Richard Marx has a good sense of humor judging by his website. There he lists five questions that he would be happy if "no human ever asked me again." The first is "What's your favorite song you've done?" His reply: "The most unimaginative, generic and boring question of them all. It forces artists to respond with equally boring musings like, 'My songs are like my children I love them all equally. I don't have a particular favorite'." The three-time Grammy nominee is touring Asia in support of the newly released "The Christmas EP." It will bring him to Shanghai this Thursday. Marx tore up the charts in the 1980s and 1990s with hit songs such as "Right Here Waiting," "Endless Summer Nights," "Now and Forever" and "Hold On to the Nights," which are popular with Chinese fans. He has sold more than 30 million records. He's also known for writing and p...

A tail-less bird that can barely fly is marooned on a cloud above surreal "traditional" landscapes that are beautiful but glow with a strange light and are clearly out of kilter. This sick and directionless bird - birds cannot control their flight or go far without tail feathers - is one of the signature elements in the intriguing acrylic landscapes by Gao Huijun. He uses the traditional landscape to paint a discordant inner world and one that he says reflects contemporary Chinese society. An exhibition of Gao's works "Inner Nature" is underway at the Longmen Art Projects through February 15. The more than 20 works were painted from 2005 through this year. While ancient landscapes emphasized harmony and tranquillity, Gao's contain peculiar and out-of place elements. Some of his trees - favorite topics of ancient painters - cannot sink their roots into rocks and integrate tree and stone as in ancient paintings; they appear to struggle and their roots are l...

LINDA Cantello has never been one to shy away from bold statements, pushing boundaries with her creativity. She is the originator of the famous "smoky eyes," "glowy face" and the "nude look." Since the influential British-born makeup artist joined Giorgio Armani Cosmetics three years ago, she has reinvigorated the brand with her fresh ideas and color expertise. She works closely with Armani on his runway shows and new product launches. Her makeup regularly appears in all the fashion and beauty bibles, including American, British, Italian and French Vogue, Harpers Bazaar and ID. She has collaborated with every major photographer, including Irving Penn, Richard Avedon and David Sims. She had done art-like makeup for Kate Moss, Megan Fox and Lady Gaga. The makeup artist was in Shanghai last week for the Elle Style Awards and she was named Best Makeup Artist of the Year by Elle China. Cantello spoke with Shanghai Daily about her three decades in makeup and t...

KIDS can video chat with Santa, follow him on Twitter or enlist NORAD to track his every move online. And yet in many ways, technology may be making it harder for parents to keep their children believing in the jolly old elf. At nearly every turn, the Internet threatens to blow the fat man's cover. Practically any schoolchild can type "Is Santa real?" into Google. And just a few clicks can bring youngsters to websites that sell customized letters from the North Pole or offer advice on how Mom and Dad can fool the kids into believing in old St Nick. "I have a love-hate relationship with technology and Santa," said Kristi Kovalak, a mom in St Louis, the United States. "The beauty of Santa is the not knowing. Technology is all about knowing, and knowing this instant. I swear, Google is the nemesis of the North Pole." She embraces digital life daily but stays far away from cyber-Santa for her two boys, ages 5 and 11. Kevin Grout and his wife had a close ca...

SHANGHAI East Jiangzhou Drum Company is trying to revive traditional drum art by adding modern touches. During the company's performances on December 12-13 at People Grand Theater, 12 jade drums with Chinese dragon carvings will be presented on stage. The carvings are to celebrate the coming Year of the Dragon. Water drums, laser crystal drums, blue and white porcelain drums and diamond-shaped drums will also be on display. Quan Junmin, director of Shanghai East Jiangzhou Drum Company, says you have to find new ways to attract young people. "Traditional arts are not that appealing to many young people today, but a creative performance may change this," Quan says. The company will perform the songs "Chinese Dragon," "Dreams," "Flying Up" and "Hundred Drum Waves." The 12 jade drums feature dragon sculptures on the side and carp sculptures on the bottom. "Jade, dragons and carp are lucky symbols in Chinese culture, which inspi...

FRENCH Cinema Festival "SH 7me Art" is back in town again. This year will feature special guests such as director Yves Lavandier and Eric Riewer, director of the Animation Department of L'Ecole de l'Image des Gobelins in Paris. This edition of the festival will focus on contemporary French comedies such as "Le Petit Nicolas" by director Laurent Tirard. Director of both short and full-length films, Lavandier is also a famous script writer. He has taught screenplay writing techniques around the world. He will share his experiences on what makes a comedy on December 9 and talk with audience members after the screening of his movie "Oui, mais ..." on December 8. Meanwhile, Riewer will screen a selection of short comedic films on December 7. Other films at the festival include Jean-Pierre Jeunet's "Delicatessen," Cdric Klapisch's "Un Air de Famille," Emmanuel Mouret's "Changement d'Adresse," Rmi Bezan?on...

MORE than ever, we need a world where a pig can be romantically linked to a frog. A world where no one finds it odd that Jason Segel's little brother is a puppet, and they share a room with twin beds as well as a taste for pastel leisure suits. "The Muppets" marks a very welcome return for Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and the rest of Jim Henson's creations after a 12-year big-screen absence. From start to finish, the movie is a healthy, dizzy dose of childlike bliss, the songs campy but catchy, the humor corny but clever, the cast - both human and Muppet - one of the most lovable gangs you'll ever spend time with at the pictures (another lovable gang, the "Toy Story" playthings, star in a short animated charmer that precedes "The Muppets"). Sure, the Muppets have long been a wholly owned subsidiary of big Hollywood, namely, the Walt Disney Co. But this is a gentle, loving rebirth, leaving intact the decency and goodness that have always been at ...

DONG Shanshan's life was short and painful. She was only 26 when she died from renal failure after two months in the hospital. Her husband Wang Guangyun who started beating her six moths after they married was imprisoned for merely six years and six months. She wanted a divorce but didn't pursue it. The police responded eight times to domestic violence calls and Dong explained her situation to a court and a doctor. It did no good. "The police came and went, saying it was not their job to deal with such domestic troubles," Zhang Xiufen, Dong's mother recalls. For the past 10 years, the All-China Women's Federation, experts and many women have been pressing for adoption of a national anti-domestic violence law in China. In October, the Anti-Domestic Violence Network of the China Law Society (ADVN) submitted a proposed draft law to the National People's Congress, China's legislature. The proposal is being examined. The last proposal in 2003 was not reco...

IN 2008 Australian Cameron Andersen was practicing international law in Shanghai when he was spotted as a TV natural by the producer of "Getaway." He was then invited as a guest for the 30-minute travel show on International Channel Shanghai, or ICS, which is seen nationwide and overseas.  Not only was he funny, smart, versatile and poised, he also spoke fluent Mandarin and Shanghainese, and that clinched it. He sings and raps in Chinese and does break-dancing and free-style Latin dance, but not on the show. He's also a martial arts practitioner, and viewers can sometimes watch him demonstrating his skills on the travel show. Today Andersen, 29, is still the regular host of "Getaway." "TV was absolutely a big decision for me, a huge departure from my former profession and life. But I am a person who love to succeed at the many things I dream of," he says. Andersen quit the law and got some practical TV training. The global financial crisis hit in 2...

WEEKENDS and holidays are prime time for tourist attractions and shop owners at such places who rarely enjoy a free weekend or holiday. Yet, on a warm Saturday afternoon, almost one-third of the shops on the main site of historic, scenic Anren Town have closed their doors. "They must be out somewhere having tea or playing mahjong," a next-door shop owner says, half joking. "I almost joined them but they already have four for mahjong." Only a few steps away, two locals are chilling out in the sun with tea and peanuts. Next to them are four others at the peak of mahjong excitement. The famous Chinese tile game usually ends when one of the four player wins, but the Sichuan version is different - "fight to the last blood," as the locals say. Players keep fighting till only one is left. Anren Town is around 40 minutes' drive to the west of Chengdu, capital city of Sichuan Province and a political, financial and technology center of southwestern China. ...

TRANQUIL and beautiful, Chongming County is seeking a higher quality of life by becoming a place of leisure. October and November are the busiest season on the island because of the harvest and the wide number of festivals and cultural events. About 688,000 tourists visited the island, up 7 percent from a year earlier, during the recently concluded 2011 Chongming Forest Tourism Festival. The six-week event generated more than 70 million yuan (US$10.97 million) in revenue, up 9.4 percent from last year. The annual festival is like a stepping stone in that it progresses each year. This year was the 14th edition of the festival, which kicked off with a performance that included Peking Opera, acrobatics, dancing, a violin performance and "China's Got Talent" contestants. The evening gala was broadcast live on Chongming Television to enable the entire island county to enjoy the event. "The natural ecology is Chongming's bestselling point," says Zhang Lixin, dir...