Modern public baths emphasize socializing and relaxing

2010-03-03 13:24:18

Even just a few decades ago, for most Beijingers taking a bath was a luxurious activity that only happened on special occasions.

The fall of an old bathing business

2010-03-03 13:16:55

Communal bathhouses were part of everyday life in Beijing. But as lifestyles change, washing with others is becoming a thing of the past and the traditional public bathhouses are giving way to modern bathing complexes, Qin Zhongwei and Meng Jing report

Dealer's business hit hard by recall

2010-03-03 10:34:03

Gong Jianzhong has a lot of time on his hands these days. While he used to be busy each day negotiating purchases with consumers, he now gets to sit in his office for longer than he would like, reading newspapers and surfing the Internet.

Wheels come off for Toyota sellers

2010-03-03 10:29:51

Toyota sellers in Beijing are suffering a slump in business.

Customers sold new way to go shopping

2010-03-02 12:12:22

A 36-year-old foodstuff salesman became the first person in China to try out a brand new way of shopping, signing up for newly launched consumer financing in the capital yesterday.

The economics of Kebab King

2010-03-02 11:54:27

When he made the highest bids for food stalls at two local temple fairs that occurred during Spring Festival, Kebab King Gu Shengli was confident he would make millions.

Some hard-to-find books prove a tantalizing temptation

2010-03-01 12:18:37

Playwright Shi Hang still gets a thrill when he finds hard-to-find books with provocative titles at street stalls - although the pirate copies are often too flawed to finish.

Beijing is a treasure trove for secondhand book collectors

2010-03-01 12:03:38

A 1957 edition of Philosopher Zhang Dainian's An Outline of Chinese Philosophy is one of book collector Feng Kechen's favorites among his collection of secondhand books.

Beijing's best-seller lists no open book

2010-03-01 11:58:25

Some publishers build buzz for titles, but numbers aren't exactly binding

Another good year for the local property market

2010-03-01 10:58:22

Li Wenjie, general manager of property agency Centaline China (North China region), speaks to METRO about the housing market in Beijing.

'Boring' tax forms are overlooked by majority

2010-03-01 10:52:58

Most Beijingers are ignoring rules that call for those who earn more than 120,000 yuan a year to complete a self-declaration tax form.

Economic whiz-kid recalls his fortune

2010-03-01 10:40:21

From collecting coins to becoming a successful financial investor with two luxury villas and downtown apartments in the city, Ma Wenya, 21, is an early pursuer of wealth