How long have you been sitting in front of the computer screen before you glimpsed this article? Are your eyes already starting to pain? Come on, your body is calling you to break away from the screen and breath some fresh air outside! It is time to do some sports! If you are thinking now that you don’t have somebody to do sports with or are lacking equipment, think again. There is one excellent sport you can do without any equipment while at the same time being able to counterbalance your time in front of the computer effectively: jogging.

Continue reading "Jogging in China – With Some Advice for Chengdu"

Along with economic development and social evolution in both developed and developing countries, leisure activities have become more important and diverse than ever. Relaxing after long and strenuous working hours and the other obligations of daily life is now a necessity. The “need to escape” is enjoyed in different ways across cultures and is closely related to daily lifestyles, working life, and cultural patterns. As Chinese society has experienced great changes over the last few decades, leisure activities have also developed a lot. I have had the opportunity to observe these evolutions in China and explore Western and Chinese views on this issue. The following is an interview conducted with David Ritter, a 27 year old American male who has been living in China for two and a half years, and Yang Qi, a 25 year old Chinese male who studied in Australia for six years but has since returned to Chengdu. Below is a transcript of our discussions about Chinese leisure activities.

Continue reading "Leisure Culture in Modern China"

I have been two months in India already and I thought I have seen crazy things, chaotic traffic, and incredible scenes. I didn´t realize yet that I didn´t know anything about cricket. I noticed that they were broadcasting several matches on TV, but I didn´t pay any attention really. Suddenly a Cricket World Cup semi final was taking place in the north of India and everyone was just crazy about it. Two days before the event everyone was talking about it and asking me who did I support: India, for sure.

Continue reading "India Celebrating Cricket: Foreigners Witnessing the 2011 World Cup"

Knowledge Must had the chance to interview the China-born martial artist Shaobo Tang who is living in the Netherlands. Although not living in China any more he continues to cultivate many Chinese traditions, especially Wushu. Whenever he finds the time he goes back to China to train with the masters. Consciously moving between Dutch and Chinese cultures Shaobo is trying to make the most out of the two worlds.

Continue reading "Wushu Culture: An Interview with the Martial Artist Shaobo"