An Expat in China

Chinese acrobatics is said to have started during the Warring States Period two thousand years ago. Nowadays more than 10,000 people are involved in the acrobatics industry across China. But is it as spectacular as they would have you believe?

Lecturing to students at Renmin University is an experience I can thoroughly recommend to anyone... who needs their ego boosted!

If it hadn't been for the grand larceny of the naughty Empress Dowager Cixi, the Beijing Tourism Bureau wouldn't be lauding her now...

While relatively obscure in most other countries, Singles Day is likely to increase in prominence in China as the male vs female ratio is now out of kilter and females are under tremendous pressure to get married before they are 30.

The "New Media, New Future" contest run by China Daily's Web site department attracts students from all over China. But pity the poor judges who have to get up at the crack of dawn and then put their bladders through turmoil...

What do a tiger, a rat, a dog, an ox and a pig, together with a bell and a drum have in common? Answer: They save you having to wear a clepsydra on your wrist (or they certainly used to!)

Every year Beijing's Red Leaves Festival is held to celebrate the autumnal colours of the changing foliage. But what happens if nature is caught napping? Turn to Mickey Mouse of course!

It's predicted that within 50 years the quality of Chinese wine will rival that of Bordeaux. So what's the quality like now? And will "real" wine ever replace baiju as the nation's favourite tipple?

Huairou is an area some 60kms to the north of Beijing. It's home to a number of attractions, but seeing a deer's private parts up close might not be on everyone's must-see list...