Shanghai Daily reports that the Shanghai Food Safety Commission is planning to increase the reward for people who call in food safety violations to "no less than 500 yuan ($78) and there is no upper limit." They're hoping in particular to nab "illegal addition of prohibited chemicals and non-edible substances, recycling expired food, excessive use of food additives and the use of swill oil." Strangely enough, apparently there has been an upper limit of 50,000RMB for rewards since 2007, but they consider the number too low to encourage management to report their own companies. This new law would also allow tippers to receive a percentage of "the money involved" - we have absolutely no idea what that means but it sounds like they could be encouraging people to take down violators and profit from their collapse. Anyway, reporting violations isn't going to solve the larger systemic problem, and China is still crawling in its efforts to form an effective food safety infrastructure. Last week they announced the latest move in that direction, in the form of a "Food Industry Credit System." more ›

If you've been living in Shanghai for a while, chances are you've probably already found your favorite DVD store, meat stick stand or dry cleaners. But if you're still searching for a place to get your hair cut, a used English bookstore or the place for Shanghainese food, maybe Shanghai Solved can help. Set up with a basic "you ask, anyone with an answer answers" format, the user-regulated site describes itself as "a community of expats and locals who are passionate about sharing tips and tricks on living in Shanghai." more ›

Ever been surfing around on the Chinese internet, looking at BBS forums and searching for any new pictures of Jay Chou that might have surfaced since you were last on, only to stumble across some terribly lewd pornographic site that wasn't blocked by the Great Firewall? Neither have we, but in case you do, the government is now offering between 1,000-10,000 RMB for tips on pornography. There are 9 different categories users can tip the police off about, including mobile porn. Apparently the campaign is already pretty successful: 3,500 out of 13,000 or so tips have been confirmed. Take that, pornographers! more ›

Yes, we're sick of the scaremongering, paranoia and misinformation. While we're already cringing every time someone sneezes in the office or metro, we've realized what real paranoia is after spending the weekend in Hong Kong: doormats being disinfected every half hour, people talking through masks, masks being sold at every convenient store and an entire hotel being put under quarantine. more ›

Some of us here have decided to pony up and start training for the Great Wall Half Marathon, which takes place on May 16. We are pleased to say that on Monday, we survived 4 kilometers on the treadmill and yesterday it was an 8 kilometer run around the French Concession. more ›

Nancy Sinatra had no idea.....her boots may have been made for walking, but with the rains never ceasing in Shanghai, boots made for walking just ain't cutting it. We need boots made for sloshing...rubber rain boots. Sleek and sexy ones. Ones that you can wear for both home and office. Well, depending on your office dress codes. more ›

Last week a 19 year old girl in Beijing died of bird flu (avian flu) in China's first reported case in about a year. Beijing Notebook wrote a list of tips for preventing infection by bird flu based on a distribution list from a doctor of the German Embassy in Beijing. Go to www.Beijing.diplo.de for a Chinese translation. more ›

It's that time of the year again — temperatures are creeping up, and we spotted our first shirtless market stall holder at the weekend; summer is just around the corner. more ›

Here is a warning to all. Don't buy those cute, little baby bunnies off the street or at the flower markets around the city. more ›

Some of you have been asking on our Facebook page (remember to sign up as a Fan!) if there will be an update of the Shanghaiist logo once the WFC — you know, the building that had to be redesigned because it reminded people too much of the Japanese flag, took forever to be built because of a property glut, was almost burnt down, and recently suffered a security breach — is up and running. more ›