Listen to more on Beyond Beijing

[Metro & Sports]

• China is confident of hosting a safe and successful World Expo, Shanghai's top leader has said in the aftermath of serial suicide bombings in Russia which have jolted the world.
• A classic folk song concert featuring Chinese singer Zu Hai and Spanish singer Jose Carreras has been held in Vienna's Golden Hall to mark the upcoming Shanghai Expo.
• The city of Beijing will raise daytime parking fees and transform some market-oriented parking lots in certain downtown areas to ease the worsening traffic pressure brought by the soaring number of vehicles, the Beijing Daily reports.
• Ten archaeologists from China's Guangdong province have arrived in the coastal city of Shantou in an effort to salvage an ancient ship sunk off Nan'ao Island, a key cultural project of China's undersea heritage protection.
• Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson ended with figures of 6-73 as Australia beat New Zealand by 176 runs in the second Test in Hamilton to claim a 2-0 series win.

[China's Champion] Sun Dongchun, Give the Trip a Meaning
In the West, many people may take an "international working holiday" in which they spend a year traveling and doing volunteer work at the same time. This period is called a gap year. In China, the idea of a "gap year" is a new concept. But a recently published book entitled "The Late Gap Year" has been receiving a lot of attention recently. Sun Dongchun, the author, tells about his experiences during his gap-year trip. His stories have touched many people who also want to take such a trip.

[Tour Tips]: Daocheng-Yading
Shangri-la, the very name that evokes images of a mythical mountain paradise where peace reigns and life approaches perfection. There are a number of places considered Shangri-las in China, but the Daocheng-Yading area which we introduce today is called "the last Shangri-la" in the world.

[Cultural Voyage] Drama "Who is Zhuang" to be Staged
Comedies are always a very popular genre in small theaters. Audiences welcome funny performance styles and subjects that are close to everyday life. However, an upcoming drama named "Who is Zhuang" aims to deliver some traditional Chinese philosophy through a story about famous Chinese Taoist philosopher Zhuangzi, which is set more than 2,000 years ago.

[Showbiz News]

• Two entertainment stars, actress Zhao Wei and CCTV host Liu Fangfei, are reportedly involved in a graft case surrounding a top official.
• Renowned actress Zhang Ziyi and Hong Kong actor Aaron Kwok will play a couple suffering from AIDS in director Gu Changwei's film, entitled "The Era of Magic."
• Easter weekend will be sweetened with yet another 3D release, as "Clash of the Titans" aims to exploit the format's surging popularity.

[Strange News]

• A couple who met while running a marathon has held a marathon wedding in Changzhou, east China��s Jiangsu Province with 40 other long distance runners on Saturday.
• Authorities say a Virginia woman pretended to be an FBI agent and conned her neighbors into taking jobs as her assistants.
• Britain's spy agency says it's firing some James Bond-generation agents because they've failed to master social networking, such as Facebook, and other Internet technology.

[Real China] Traditional Look Is Still Big in World of Modelling
During the recently concluded China Fashion Week, the "traditional Chinese beauty" dominated the catwalk. But despite this "look" dominating China's fashion industry, models from China's 55 ethnic minorities have also managed to break into the glamorous world of fashion. Yingying takes a closer look.