One of the perks of living in China is not being weighed down with car payments and rising gasoline prices. Taxis are cheap and abundant in both Beijing and Shanghai and we love it. But from New York to New Delhi taxi horror stories abound. Everyday hapless passengers are being taken advantage of; from rigged meters to drivers who think they are in the Indie 500, the list of complaints is seemingly endless. In China, ask any foreigner and they are sure to have a taxi story. A quick poll at the City Weekend office showed that three editors had run-ins with taxi drivers in just four days. But before we write off all taxi drivers, says writer Whitney Rosenberg, we should understand their situation a little. Turn to page 24 to see Rosenberg's taxi cab expose, and learn what the Chinese government is doing to squash corruption among drivers. Here's hoping your next ride is a smooth one.

"Although it’s 10 years since I graduated high school, compiling this month’s Yearbook (Beijing Entertainment Guide, pg. E44) spread did indeed bring back fond, and not so fond, memories of my former glory days,” says Candice Rafferty, Beijing Entertainment Guide editor. When approached by the Western Academy of Beijing to run a spread of their graduation class, Rafferty immediately took to the idea. “Graduating high school is a big part of everybody’s life. I think for students in Beijing it’s particularly momentous as they have managed it in a foreign country. Taking the group photos on the Great Wall was also pretty special.”

"When you consider the audacious nature of modern Shanghai, it came as no surprise to discover the plethora of extreme sports clubs and thrill seekers in the city,” says Shanghai intern Max Walters. “Sports fanatic that I am, this was the perfect article for me.” Whilst watching in awe the rock climbers scuttling up the towering wall at the Indoor Stadium and during one of his numerous chats with local paraglider Jim, Walters was soon seduced by the idea of the extreme life. However, he adds, “I haven’t quite been convinced that a Jin Mao Tower base jump would be my cup of tea, how about you?”

Having not broken out into a trot, gait or even a scamper since sometime in the mid '70s, there was much contributor Morgan Short was able to learn from the organizers and competitors of the Gobi March ultra-marathon when writing this issue’s Coming Soon. "Apart from the obvious physical ability the event requires," says Short, "I was struck by the mental focus and underlining determination of the competitors I spoke to; their capacity to wholeheartedly embrace a challenge." See if you have what it takes to concur the Gobi on pg. 12.