For once, we start away from Page One Headliners. If you have less than CNY 50,000 to spend — do not buy a Tianjin Xiali car at any cost — its shakier-than-conceivable engine has a bad tendency to break down when the spirit moves it. For most expats, we're looking at cars around at least CNY 200,000, so cars to on your shopping list should be the Passat and, at over CNY 300,000, the Toyota Crown or if you're dealing with Chinese government people, the Audi A6. Stay away with the Mazda 6 and the Toyota Camry — these cars don't really mix with the vox populi. For speed and comfort, try your Beijingologist's Nissan Teana (less mileage on the meter now thanks to the Subway) — it can still come close to previous speed limits while remaining pretty smooth (as long as you're not doing curves — the thing does get suicidal then!).

The Olympic Carnival's now history, as the same Page 4 has it, but Willy Wonka's likely next as a "dream choc family" is next. Those carnival bits'n'pieces are next headed to Kunming. So long, Big Nest.

Subway, Subway, Subway: it's a Shanzhai Beijingologist without the Subway. If you're doing late night Line 13 rides on October 24 or early on the 25th, here's what will change:

Late on October 24, 2009:

• Last train from Dongzhimen to Xizhimen leaves at 21:32 (no longer at 22:42). Trains after that only run from Lishuiqiao to Xizhimen.

• Last train from Xizhimen to Dongzhimen leaves at 20:34 (no longer 22:42). Trains for Lishuiqiao only run until 22:42.

• Trains from Lishuiqiao to Xizhimen run as late as 23:01.

Early on October 25, 2009:

• Trains from Dongzhimen to Xizhimen run beginning 06:24 (not 05:35).

• Trains from Huoying to Dongzhimen run as of 05:42 (not 05:00).

There's also a nice pic of Na Ying with a mic in her hands on page 33. Fans of the diva might want to check out the Workers Stadium late on December 31, 2009.

If your car's plates end in 1s or 6s, take the Subway instead tomorrow — it's your day off inside the 5th Ring from 07:00 through to 20:00. Clearer skies still but a chilly night: 8°C through 23°C.