The September issue of That's Beijing is out now – paper-and-ink-form citywide, digital pdf form right here or in your browser here. Editor-in-Chief Noelle Mateer introduces the magazine:
September is Beijing’s best month. It is. I can hear you saying, ‘What about May?’ But I will not listen. As I write this, I am staring out my office window into the nasty bowels of August below, and dreaming of the September to come. September is the one month where we Beijingers can count on the weather to be neither too hot nor too cold. And when it’s nice out, Beijing feels like the greatest city on Earth. This feeling is very rare. Appreciate it.
Ironically, we welcome this characteristically low-pollution season with a cover story on smoking. For the first time in recent history, the number of smokers in China has dropped – and while a lot of that has to do with public smoking bans, it also has to do with vapes. Yes, we’re talking about those weird gadgets sold at shops with ridiculous names like Vape Saint and Vape Professor (actual Beijing stores).
You might think vapes are American, given their stores’ bro-ey subculture and penchant for playing hip-hop, but they are a Chinese invention. Read more about their growing role in Chinese smoking culture in Jocelyn Richards’ piece, p. 38.
Elsewhere in the magazine:
Oscar Holland gives us the non-athlete’s guide to cycling Taiwan (p. 20);
Erica Martin shares her pick of the best new Chinese albums (p. 35);
And I check out Migas Mercado, which is every bit as cool as we hoped (p. 52).
Finally, we’re excited to announce the debut of our That’s Tianjin website and app. If you – like many Beijingers – find yourself in our sister city often, it is an essential source of events, listings and news. And even if you don’t, well – maybe it’s time for you to visit.
Until next month,
Noelle Mateer
Editor-in-Chief
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