Designers go retro with a headscarf

It's time to raid Granny's wardrobe. The headscarf knotted under the chin is back on the Paris catwalk.

'How are you?' Here's what you should say

"How are you?"

Zodiac animals get a makeover

Chinese artist Huang Yongyu, 93, designed a stamp to mark the Year of the Dog in 2006 after being commissioned by China Post. But Huang, who is known for his sense of humor and a down-to-earth style, fell foul of the authorities after he submitted the illustration of a peeing puppy for the stamp.

Chinese artists make a point at Westwood's Shanghai exhibition

Chinese curator Song Zhenxi wanted to impress fashion designer Vivienne Westwood at her first cross-over exhibition in China called Get A Life!.

Wines to crow about

Our host at dinner formerly worked as a judge in China's judicial system and as an automobile executive. Today, Chen Lizhong is the high-flying owner of Tiansai Vineyards, the Xinjiang winery known in English as the label Skyline of Gobi.

10 good things to know about South African vintages

Beijing, a city with a vibrant international dining scene, has seen many interesting wine-pairing dinners and events. Everybody seems to know one or two things about how to match Chinese food with French and Italian wines, but what about South African wine?

Scotch egg rises beyond poetry

Fish and chirps? Crickets make leap as a protein

At Tomorrow's Harvest farm, you won't find acres of land on which animals graze, or rows of corn, or bales of hay. Just stacks of boxes in a basement and the summery song of thousands of chirping crickets.

When the rooster calls

As every Spring Festival approaches, Chinese households follow the custom of hanging paintings - usually colored woodblock prints - on their doors and walls to welcome the new year.

Li Lei brings his visual symphony to Beijing

Shanghai-based artist Li Lei says that lately he has been listening to Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No 2. He is "moved to tears" each time he hears the late Russian composer's piece.

Sister phoenix, part two

I never thought my column would have a sequel.

Lang Lang takes on NCPA role

Chinese pianist Lang Lang, who has played to sold-out venues around the world, performed with world-renowned orchestras, and has performed at the Beijing Olympic Games and the Grammy Awards, is now taking on a new role. He will be artist-in-residence at the National Center for the Performing Arts for 2017-18.