Bohemian Beijing on Yahoo! News Photos

In this May 25, 2008 file photo, a photographer focuses on the ...

(AP) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:39:27 GMT

(AP) - In this May 25, 2008 file photo, a photographer focuses on the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nes in Beijing. The stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies and athletics competition at the Olympic Games, which open Aug. 8. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, file)

A night view of the National Aquatics Center, left, and the ...

(AP) — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 19:14:50 GMT

(AP) - A night view of the National Aquatics Center, left, and the National Olympic Stadium, during construction in Beijing, in this May 24, 2007 file photo. General Electric Co. expects to be a big winner at the Olympics in Beijing next year. With work at Beijing's National Stadium, athletic fields, subways and international airport among other projects, Fairfield-based GE is investing $500 million in China to prepare for the Summer Olympics, strengthening its foothold in a market critically important to the international congomlerate's global strategy. The company has more than 300 projects related to the Beijing Olympics, which will begin next August. (AP Photo/Color China Photo, file)

Visitors view a factory which been transformed to 798 art district, ...

(AP) — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 23:18:52 GMT

(AP) - Visitors view a factory which been transformed to 798 art district, located in the city's eastern Dashanzi neighborhood in Beijing, China, Friday, July 27, 2007. If you tire of Olympic fever and can't stomach sites jammed with flag waving throngs of tourists, don't despair. The 50's-era factory zone has been transformed into a bohemian oasis with dozens of galleries, a smattering of cafes, bookstores, outdoor sculptures, and lots of bemusing graffiti splashed on the old factory walls. (AP Photo)

Two monk work on the oil lamp inside the Baiyun Guan or White ...

(AP) — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 23:18:38 GMT

(AP) - Two monk work on the oil lamp inside the Baiyun Guan or White Cloud Taoist Temple in Beijing, China, Friday, July 27, 2007. If you tire of Olympic fever and can't stomach sites jammed with flag waving throngs of tourists, don't despair. Beijing has rich offerings when it comes to art, music, groovy boutiques and quiet temples. Baiyun Guan or White Cloud Taoist Temple, has dynastic charm without the tourist crush and is a wonderful place to while away the afternoon. Staffed by practicing Taoist monks and also the headquarters of the Chinese Taoist Association, you can often stumble on ceremonies at this 800-year-old temple. (AP Photo)

Visitors shop the fashion boutique inside the Nali Mall in Beijing, ...

(AP) — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 23:18:36 GMT

(AP) - Visitors shop the fashion boutique inside the Nali Mall in Beijing, China, Friday, July 27, 2007. If you tire of Olympic fever and can't stomach sites jammed with flag waving throngs of tourists, don't despair. Beijing has rich offerings when it comes to art, music, groovy boutiques and quiet temples. Nali Mall, located in the Sanlitun bar district you'll find a warren of tiny boutiques selling clothes, shoes and jewelry. Expect to bargain. The offerings are a mix of local design plus some imports and knock offs. (AP Photo)

Visitors take a tour of the 798 art district, located in the ...

(AP) — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 23:18:32 GMT

(AP) - Visitors take a tour of the 798 art district, located in the city's eastern Dashanzi neighborhood in Beijing, China, Friday, July 27, 2007. If you tire of Olympic fever and can't stomach sites jammed with flag waving throngs of tourists, don't despair. The 50's-era factory zone has been transformed into a bohemian oasis with dozens of galleries, a smattering of cafes, bookstores, outdoor sculptures, and lots of bemusing graffiti splashed on the old factory walls. (AP Photo)

Visitors view the scupltures on display at the 798 art district, ...

(AP) — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 23:18:29 GMT

(AP) - Visitors view the scupltures on display at the 798 art district, located in the city's eastern Dashanzi neighborhood in Beijing, China, Friday, July 27, 2007. If you tire of Olympic fever and can't stomach sites jammed with flag waving throngs of tourists, don't despair. The 50's-era factory zone has been transformed into a bohemian oasis with dozens of galleries, a smattering of cafes, bookstores, outdoor sculptures, and lots of bemusing graffiti splashed on the old factory walls. (AP Photo)

China's National Aquatics Center, dubbed the 'Water Cube', is ...

(AP) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:18:26 GMT

(AP) - China's National Aquatics Center, dubbed the 'Water Cube', is seen in Beijing, Dec. 26, 2006. The center will host swimming competition at the 2008 Olympic Games. The sealing of the exterior bubble-like coating of the center was completed on Tuesday. The 30-meter-high and 80,000-square-meter Water Cube is made up of 3000 translucent, bubble-like air cells. (AP Photo/EyePress)

Beijing's Olympic swimming complex, bottom, is seen through ...

(AP) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:18:15 GMT

(AP) - Beijing's Olympic swimming complex, bottom, is seen through the girders of the National Stadium, in Beijing Tuesday March 27, 2007. The so-called 'Bird's Nest' - the 91,000-seat National Stadium - and the 'Watercube' - the National Aquatics Center - are at the center of next year's Beijing Olympics, located several hundred meters across from each other at the heart of the sprawling Olympic Green area. The two buildings and the innovative National Indoor Stadium form a triangle of bold architecture that embodies the Beijing Olympics - unlike anything that's come before. (AP Photo)

Construction work continues at Beijing's National Stadium, in ...

(AP) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:18:11 GMT

(AP) - Construction work continues at Beijing's National Stadium, in Beijing, China Wednesday July 11, 2007. The so-called 'Bird's Nest' - the 91,000-seat National Stadium - and the 'Watercube' - the National Aquatics Center - are at the center of next year's Beijing Olympics, located several hundred meters across from each other at the heart of the sprawling Olympic Green area. The two buildings and the innovative National Indoor Stadium form a triangle of bold architecture that embodies the Beijing Olympics - unlike anything that's come before. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)

A Chinese construction woker is seen working on top of Beijing's ...

(AP) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:18:00 GMT

(AP) - A Chinese construction woker is seen working on top of Beijing's National Stadium, known also as the 'Bird's Nest' in Beijing, Wednesday July 11, 2007. The so-called 'Bird's Nest' - the 91,000-seat National Stadium - and the 'Watercube' - the National Aquatics Center - are at the center of next year's Beijing Olympics, located several hundred meters across from each other at the heart of the sprawling Olympic Green area. The two buildings and the innovative National Indoor Stadium form a triangle of bold architecture that embodies the Beijing Olympics - unlike anything that's come before. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)

A Chinese woman retrieves plywood from a construction site as ...

(AP) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:17:50 GMT

(AP) - A Chinese woman retrieves plywood from a construction site as work continues on Beijing's National Stadium, in Beijing, China July 11, 2007. The so-called 'Bird's Nest' - the 91,000-seat National Stadium - and the 'Watercube' - the National Aquatics Center - are at the center of next year's Beijing Olympics, located several hundred meters across from each other at the heart of the sprawling Olympic Green area. The two buildings and the innovative National Indoor Stadium form a triangle of bold architecture that embodies the Beijing Olympics - unlike anything that's come before. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)

A Chinese man offers prayer inside the Baiyun Guan or White ...

(AP) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 14:49:40 GMT

(AP) - A Chinese man offers prayer inside the Baiyun Guan or White Cloud Taoist Temple in Beijing, China, Friday, July 27, 2007. If you tire of Olympic fever and can't stomach sites jammed with flag waving throngs of tourists, don't despair. Beijing has rich offerings when it comes to art, music, groovy boutiques and quiet temples. Baiyun Guan or White Cloud Taoist Temple, has dynastic charm without the tourist crush and is a wonderful place to while away the afternoon. Staffed by practicing Taoist monks and also the headquarters of the Chinese Taoist Association, you can often stumble on ceremonies at this 800-year-old temple. (AP Photo)

A Chinese man draws the street of Nanluoguxiang, a well-preserved ...

(AP) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 14:49:27 GMT

(AP) - A Chinese man draws the street of Nanluoguxiang, a well-preserved stretch of backstreets in downtown Beijing, China, Friday, July 27, 2007. If you tire of Olympic fever and can't stomach sites jammed with flag waving throngs of tourists, don't despair. Beijing has rich offerings when it comes to art, music, groovy boutiques and quiet temples. Nanluoguxiang, a well-preserved stretch of backstreets in downtown Beijing along which bars, hostels and boutiques have mushroomed in the past few years but that still retains a neighborhood feel. (AP Photo)

A Chinese man exercise at the entrance of the Baiyun Guan or ...

(AP) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 14:48:35 GMT

(AP) - A Chinese man exercise at the entrance of the Baiyun Guan or White Cloud Taoist Temple in Beijing, China, Friday, July 27, 2007. If you tire of Olympic fever and can't stomach sites jammed with flag waving throngs of tourists, don't despair. Beijing has rich offerings when it comes to art, music, groovy boutiques and quiet temples. Baiyun Guan or White Cloud Taoist Temple, has dynastic charm without the tourist crush and is a wonderful place to while away the afternoon. Staffed by practicing Taoist monks and also the headquarters of the Chinese Taoist Association, you can often stumble on ceremonies at this 800-year-old temple. (AP Photo)

Visitors visit the Nali Mall in Beijing, China, Friday, July ...

(AP) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 14:48:21 GMT

(AP) - Visitors visit the Nali Mall in Beijing, China, Friday, July 27, 2007. If you tire of Olympic fever and can't stomach sites jammed with flag waving throngs of tourists, don't despair. Beijing has rich offerings when it comes to art, music, groovy boutiques and quiet temples. Nali Mall, located in the Sanlitun bar district you'll find a warren of tiny boutiques selling clothes, shoes and jewelry. Expect to bargain. The offerings are a mix of local design plus some imports and knock offs. (AP Photo)