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Sing when you're winning
Reviews / Books
Written by :
16 days ago
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| Footy on the weekend – even when you're 5,000 miles from home
It's the afternoon of Sunday, October 12, a fantastically clear and warm day, with comically white, fluffy clouds wending across the baby-blue sky. Two rival university football teams, comprised of a global mix of young students, are warming-up on a brand new pitch, preparing to kick-off. Welcome to 'college football', Chinese-style. It may lack the glamor of the American game on campus, or the mud and grit of the British amateur leagues, but the game of 'footie' - as we Brits lovingly call it - is booming in Chinese campuses. The good news is that with increasing numbers of university-goers across China - and with campuses developing better sports facilities - football is on the up and up and getting better organized into solid teams and leagues.
Suzhounese Soccer
In Suzhou, the news is even better for college-going amateur football teams, as the city's three largest universities - Suzhou Uni ... ... |
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Ain't nothing going on but the rent
Features / Real estate
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16 days ago
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| I'm sure that whenever you visit friends you always think their apartment is so much nicer than your own - and they managed to get it so cheap! Now, how does that work exactly? Well, delving a little deeper into rental fees it's not unusual to find two identical apartments - with the same layout and same owner,- yet which are on the market at different prices. You may think "that's not fair" but to properly compare rentals, a number of other factors have to be considered. For example, are taxes, management costs, club house fees and parking included in the price? From the point of view of an agent, we need to see the bigger picture to be able to judge whether the price a landlord is charging is reasonable or not. Sometimes these businessmen and women will ask our advice about rental levels; while others will have their own idea about how much to charge. If we are asked to set a rental fee, we usually look at how much the landlord paid for the apartment and how much he has sp ... ... |
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Properties of the Month
Features / Real estate
Written by :
16 days ago
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| The Palisade Villa
Location: 98 Lingtian Road, Mudu Town
This luxurious villa sits in a compound located at the foot of Linyan Hill, one of Suzhou's tourism hotspots. The stunning Tianping Mountain is also within walking distance. The surrounding scenery is just one of the attractions of the properties' garden and private terrace which occupies a huge 800sqm plot. You're also just a 20 minute drive from the centre of SIP. The pictured villa is 410 sqm with four bedrooms and boasts a huge western-style kitchen. It's stylishly decorated throughout and comes fully equipped with modern appliances as standard.
Monthly Rental: 35,000 RMB
Taihu Star
Location: Changsha Island, Tai Lake Area,
This is a typical resort villa - ideally located on one of Tai Lake's most famous islands and offering superb panoramic views to three sides. Sign up to the local country club where you can enjoy horse-back riding, and the facilities of a first class golf course. Wit ... ... |
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JJ2
Getaway / Shanghai getaway - Bars
Written by :
16 days ago
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| A cluster of enthusiastic staff greeted us at the entrance of JJ2 before leading us through a maze of corridors to the main floor of this mega-club complex, where fluorescent blue and pink lighting gave a stylish psychedelic edge. Two towering projection screens framed the DJ booth and stage, drawing all eyes up to the high ceilings and lavish balcony areas. The menu (read in the torchlight of obliging waiting staff) matched the extravagant decor with an extensive list of cocktails (RMB50+), with the added option for bar staff to create any drink you desire. Before long, the dance floor radiated the heat of well-heeled dancing divas. With different DJs every night and special events every week (including a regular house-and-trance night on Thursdays) this is sure to be a popular venue for those in search of a bling-tastic night out.
Daily 9pm-late. All cards. 1123 Yan'an Zhong Lu, by Huashan Lu 延安中路1123号, 近华山路 ... ... |
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A night at the ballet
Features / Cover story
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16 days ago
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| After October's injection of Broadway glitz and glamor - courtesy of smash-hit musical Aida - Suzhou's culture vultures can indulge themselves in a double dose of Chinese performing arts this month. And although these two separate productions can be ostensibly categorized under the umbrella term 'ballet', their striking differences point to the radical changes this art form has undergone since its relatively late introduction into China. Local audiences, at least, will need no introduction to The Red Detachment of Women . During the late 1960s and early 1970s, this full-length piece was one of only eight theatrical works performed throughout the country, with the result that its score and libretto are second nature to almost anyone who grew up during that time. "Nearly every Chinese person knows the story, or has at least heard of it before," says a spokesman for the National Ballet of China (NBC) who will be presenting a revival of The Red Detachment at the SSCAC this mo ... ... |
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A River runs through it
Features / Interview
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16 days ago
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| The picturesque charms of Suzhou have long attracted painters and photographers, and are now belatedly drawing the attention of the nation's cinematographers. Jia Zhangke, one of China's most talented 'sixth generation' directors, has set his latest film in the canal-ringed city, entitled, appropriately enough, Cry Me a River . The story follows four Suzhou University alumni who all have families and good jobs - but also regrets about the direction life has taken them. Last month the film was shown at the 65 th International Venice Film Festival with Jia and his long-term muse and leading actress Zhao Tao in attendance. We talked to Zhao Tao about the experience of making the film and of her time spent in the 'Suzhou of the West.'
that's: Cry me a River is your fifth collaboration with director Jia Zhangke. Can you tell us about the film?
ZT: It's a 20 minute short film about four schoolmates who once ... ... |
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Chen Fu Ji
Getaway / Shanghai getaway - Restaurants
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16 days ago
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| This Singaporean chain has a reputation for fried rice that is nearly 40 years strong, but only now has it arrived on the mainland. The atmosphere of their inaugural Shanghai branch, while comfortable enough, can't seem to shake that corporate sterility one comes to expect of a chain restaurant. We were craving carbs, so we decided to try their award-winning golden fried rice (RMB 26). Initially, we were taken aback by a latticework of century egg yolk squirted on top, but we mixed it up and ate a spoonful anyway. While less greasy than it looked, it had a strangely sour note to it. Laksa is the best measure of a Singaporean restaurant's quality, so we ordered a helping with chicken and hand-pulled noodles (RMB 20). It was satisfying, for sure, but the soup was disappointingly lean and one-dimensional. Their diced chicken CFJ-style (RMB 36), however, redeemed our experience with its finely balanced sweet sauce. Overall, the food was average. But considering the price, we can't complai ... ... |
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The Seventh Shanghai Biennale 2008
Getaway / Shanghai getaway - Arts
Written by :
16 days ago
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| The 2010 Shanghai World Expo promises "Better City. Better Life," but we also hope it delivers Better Art. Because if we have to suffer a repeat of the tripe masquerading as 'art' at the 7 th Shanghai Biennale we'll be off to find a Better City. This biennale's Translocalmotion theme addresses the effects of city planning, public life, cultural exchange and country-to-city immigration on Shanghai's urban fabric. Will it unravel? Fray at the edges? Tear apart? Of course it will, say the international artists whose works are on display here.
Dutch-Indonesian Tiong Ang's multimedia installation Models for the People portrays an African man's disassociation in the rushed and homogenous streets of Shanghai. Mexican Mariana Castillo Deball's video Entropology tells the story of a man who intended to eat a goat he killed but instead ate himself because his own flesh "tasted good." But the most reductionist of all the international contributions is Berlin-based T ... ... |
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Where you eat if you are a foreign teacher
Food & drink / Restaurants and bars
Written by :
16 days ago
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| As much as I love cooking every night, sometimes, after a long day of screaming children it's nice to go out and eat dinner around other adults. But, where to go in SIP? Mister Pizza is an obvious and popular choice. The location is convenient and you might even run into a friend or two while you dine. The only downside might be trying to make a decision from the extensive menu. For excellent lunch deals I like Thai by Simon , especially the Monday, Wednesday lunch buffet which satisfies any cravings for delicious, Thai food. Casa Zoe is the perfect remedy for a Sunday brunch hangover. They offer large portions and the American breakfast with bacon reminds me of home. When I do venture downtown for dinner I go to Xinjiang Ya Ke Xi , an ethnic Chinese restaurant. The eggplant dish is amazing and you can even order an entire roast sheep. ... ... |
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Restaurant Events
Food & drink / Restaurants and bars
Written by :
16 days ago
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| Oct 5–Oct 31
Hairy Crab Buffet All Seasons, Sofitel Suzhou, 818 East Ganjiang Lu (6801 9888). Sumptuous choice of Mediterranean, Western and Asian food including a large choice of Seafood! 5:30pm-9pm. 128 RMB plus 15% surcharge. 108 RMB plus 15% surcharge if you buy 10 coupons in advance.
Oct 31
Halloween Theme Buffet Dinner Café Soo, Shangri-La, 168 Ta Yuan Lu, SND (6807 1116). Beware of the sinister works by the haunting devils. Enjoy a thrilling and sumptuous Halloween night at Shangri-La…298 RMB for each adult and 150 RMB for each child aged 3-12. Festive feast and free flow of Coke, Sprite, orange juice and local beer with attractive lucky draw prizes. 5:30pm-9:30pm.
Every Monday to Saturday
Salad Bar & Desert Buffet Lunch All Seasons, Sofitel Suzhou, 818 East Ganjiang Lu (6801 9888). Free Salad Bar & Dessert Buffet available if you order one of our main course per person. 11:30am-2pm. 38RMB or more.
&nb ... ... |
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Today's Events
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