July 2011

Out Now - the Beijinger August 2011: Take A Hike

The August issue of the Beijinger is out now and what better time for us to unveil the new way to read the mag online than our Art issue? Inside the magazine - as you can see above - you'll find a veritable visual feast as we take the high roads and the low roads to explore Beijing's Art Districts. We're always hearing Chinese modern art this and Beijing's the center of that so we went for a wander around to find out where's best to have a great day out seeing it for yourself. Now you can impress your dates, astound your visitors and get fit while getting as much intellectual stimulation as you can handle.

Also this month, we interview a tattoo artist with no tattoos for Beijing Folk, we let the public turn art critic in Talk About Town and we find out all about the aliens ruining China's ecology - don't worry it's not expats ... this time. We've got our grills greasy for a Dining Feature on DIY Barbecue and put blueberry muffins to the taste test, we've been taken for a motorbike tour of the grasslands in our Explore Feature and had a chat with British Sea Power about what's naughty-sexy.

Splatter on the best in events, new bars, restaurants and shops plus old favorites like Ich Bin Ein Beijinger (where Kaiser takes a stand on TCM) and you've got the August issue of the Beijinger. Since we love you all so much we didn't stop there. We've got more prizes than ever before, including two pairs of shoes and some art-themed gift packs. And yes, one of the pairs of shoes graces our cover.

Get a copy of the August issue while you can ... or check it out below.

Agenda's Love Issue is out!

According to Abraham Maslow’s pyramid of human needs, love and belonging are only secondary to our needs for sustenance and safety. Yet anyone who has ever been in love will tell you that they would gladly forsake food and risk their lives for one tender embrace. Romance in Beijing, however, can evoke some other emotions, from frustration to confusion, and in some cases, pure bliss. Jo Gan blogs about her experiences with all of these in her blog Life Behind the Wall. Check out her interview, and her blog, for a frank conversation on what it means to be a modern couple. Also be sure to read psychologist Rik Ruiter’s advice on good, and bad, relationships, and author Chandran Nair’s proposal for tough love in economics. Be sure not to miss Carlly Chun’s list For the Love of Aps, a guide to which apps to use during each stage of love. Download this issue at agendabeijing.com.

In this issue you’ll also learn about the art of taking a perfect photo from Maxim and Jenny Popov of Mishka Family Photography, and the exciting new concept in wine stores from Marcus Ford, director of Pudao Wines. If you’re thinking of tying the knot, let Lin Ying, wedding planner and founder of Weddings by Ling do the heavy lifting for you, or, if you’re a diy kinda person, check out our list of the best wedding cakes, romantic wedding spots and more.

Not there yet? No worries, we’ve also put together lists of the best whiskey bars, places to increase your thread count, Beijing’s best facials, and the best places for romantic dates. All this, plus all the best restaurants and events, in one handy little issue of Agenda.

Agenda's Social Enterprise Issue is out!

Business just got social. In the latest issue of Agenda we take a closer look at the hottest new business trend spreading through Asia: social enterprise. Don't know what that is? Then start off by reading Social Enterprise 101 to get a better understanding of the topic. Once you've done that, dig into our interviews with Wu Qing, the people's representative for Haidian District and founder of the Beijing Cultural Development Center for Rural Women, to learn about her ongoing fight to empower people. Also be sure to read our interviews with Meixin Lee, the executive director of Gift of Hope, and the women of the YouChange Foundation, who are mobilizing social enterprise on a large scale.

Download the latest issue at agendabeijing.com.

Technology is becoming an ever more important part of the way we do business, and it shows. Casey Wilson, founder of Wokai, shares with us her favorite productivity apps (and some fun ones, too!), and Emily Young, former food writer for the Beijinger, shows us how to build a following on Weibo. Another interesting read is an interview with Zoey Liu from the Social Venture Group, on how technology facilitates their work. If you want something even higher-tech, check out the new Green Room at the Westin Financial Street, which general manager Charlie Dang told us all about.

Finally, you'll want to learn about the Jump! Foundation's plans to make a better world for our youth from senior project manager Safia Tapal. If you're inspired, check out our lists of the best cafes for brainstorming and best bar food to start those meetings, or, for something a little less ambitious, make a difference by shopping in Beijing's most sustainable shops!