National Theatre for the Performing Arts

Even though Beijing's National Theatre for the Performing Arts - 'the egg' - officially opened at the very end of last year, we only recently visited the building. Not that we aren't supporters of the performing arts - I had front row seats for Chun Yi: Legend of Kung Fu - but opera and classical music have never been great favourites of mine.

The building was designed by French architect Paul Andreu - he of the collapsing Charles de Gaulle airport terminal building - and was significantly over budget and over schedule.


The end result, though, is spectacular. Just a stone throw away from Tienanmen Square the titanium & glass egg sits, as if suspended, on the waters of the man-made lake surrounding it. Entrance to the building is by a glass-roofed tunnel under the lake so you can look up and see the shimmering waters as you pass below. Inside the six storey structure are two concert halls and a theatre.
The 'egg' with Great Hall of the People in the background

Trim in the park

What could be more satisfiying than sitting in a park on a late summer's afternoon and getting your hair cut? This entrepreneurial barber keeps his overheads low by plying his trade in a small park near our apartment. With a mirror strapped to the back of his bicycle and an old car battery - connected with Frankenstein-like jump leads - providing power to the electric trimmer all usual services are provided despite the al-fresco setting.