China has outright banned using "literary works" to promote tourist sites under a new decree. As if that wasn't bizarre enough, they also extended the ban to "negative historical figures." That means that both The Tomb of Cao Cao and The Birthplace of the Monkey King are now no longer allowed to market themselves as such because "rival claims to be the birthplace of characters from fiction or legend can become unseemly." Oh no, what will this mean for Avatar Mountain in Hunan? more ›

Archeologists in Henan province have discovered a tomb in Mengjin County, Luoyang City belonging to general Cao Xiu of the Three Kingdoms period (220-280 A.D.), says Caijing. Cao Xiu is recorded as having died in 228. The tomb, discovered late last year, measures 50 meters long and 21 meters wide, and contains human bones belonging to a 50-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman along with pieces of chinaware, copper, cups and jugs. more ›

Another week, another edition of Shanghaiist Reads. SH and Shanghai Talk are on the clock … more ›

How does the other half live? Shanghaiist is talking about our print media counterparts — you know, the ones that have actual deadlines and office space to fuss over. We won’t pretend to put ourselves in their shoes (well, some of us might, seeing as how we occasionally swing both ways — in the non-biblical sense, of course), but we can, at least appreciate an alliterative headline, a punchy lead, and some slick, savvy reporting. Oh, and artsy photos — we like those too. So without further ado, we bring you Shanghaiist Reads, where we tell it like they tell it — only better. And without costing you a dime. (Just kidding ... we love our local rags. And they’re free.) Think of our summary of what's in the local mags as a tribute to our print brothers and sisters who fight the good fight — and still have time to come to our website when their bosses aren’t looking. more ›

Shanghaiist asked its contributors (and a few "music people" in town) to list their five favorite albums released (or yet-to-be released) somewhere in the world in 2006. Got a list of your own? Submit your favorite 2006 music as a comment to this post. Enjoy! more ›