There now seems to be something Beijing has that Shanghai doesn't -- hospital clowns. The clowns work in several hospitals, including the large Women and Children's Hospital, as well as orphanages and schools for the children of migrant workers. Magic Hospital, the Beijing-based charity that organizes this, was the brainchild of German Claudia Vogg. The article notes that the hospital clown is a more familiar figure in the West than in China. Certainly China does not yet have anyone like Shobhana Schwebke (try saying that five times fast!), aka Shobi Dobi the Clown, who publishes the Hospital Clown Newsletter , which is probably one of the most informative sites you can find on anything relating to hospital clowns and the therapeutic effects of clowns and laughter. You can find out where clown conferences and festivals are being held or buy Japanese books on hospital clowns. more ›