The Chinese Way

Can't be bothered with boxing? Tired of track? Fed-up of fencing? If a month spent watching the world's greatest sporting spectacle isn't for you, fear not. The world may have gone China-crazy as all eyes are on Beijing for this month's Olympics, but if you want a taste of the Orient there are plenty of ways you can explore Chinese culture without ever having to lay eyes on a javelin.

ART

Chinese Art On Your Doorstep is a one-week free activity programme at The Burrell Collection, Glasgow, from 11-15 August. Events, for adults and children, include handling sessions of Chinese objects and themed tours of the collections.

The City Art Centre, in Edinburgh, is celebrating all things Chinese this month to coincide with its exhibition China: A Photographic Portrait. A series of talks and events on Chinese culture will run alongside the exhibition.

MUSIC

Drum Drama (at City nightclub, Edinburgh, 4pm daily until 24 August) stars the award-winning China Jiangzhou Drum Arts Ensemble and features heart-stopping beats and spectacular costumes. For something a little more sedate, the Harmony Chinese Music Ensemble will be performing Chinese Music – Old and New, at the Canongate Kirk on 23 August. Solo and group pieces on traditional instruments incorporate a wide variety of styles from Mongolian mountain songs to Shanghai jazz and modern Chinese pop.

SPORT

Just because you're avoiding the Olympics doesn't mean you have to ditch all sports. Roll up your sleeves for the Dragon Boat Festival at Broughty Ferry Harbour on Sunday 17 August from 10:30am-4pm. It costs 300 per team of 16 to take part, with proceeds going to Tayside Chinese Community Centre. Don't fancy getting your feet wet? Go along and cheer on the most colourful team.

If you'd rather stay indoors , try Mah Jong, the ancient Chinese board game that requires skill, strategy and a bit of luck. Buy your own set at www.mastersgames.com

FILM

"Beyond Banning: How the West Sees Contemporary Chinese film" is a lecture at the City Art Centre in Edinburgh on 29 August at 1:30pm. Presented by Mark Cousins, former director of the Edinburgh Film Festival, he examines perceptions of Chinese films in the West. If you're feeling lazy, head to your local DVD rental and hire some Chinese classics, from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon to Jackie Chan chop-socky.

FOOD

"Chinese people are unified by their love of food, and they like nothing better than socialising over a meal," says Frances Christensen of China Now, a year-long celebration of Chinese culture in Scotland. And her favourite restaurant? "It has to be Wang's on Lady Lawson Street in Edinburgh. It does sumptuous tofu and aubergine dishes, as well as very tasty pigs' trotters." Meanwhile, for getting started at home, try Ching-He Huang's new cookbook, Chinese Food Made Easy (from the BBC TV series).

THEATRE

Dragon Lady: Being Anna May Wong is at C Soco (Venue 348) until 24 August and examines the life of the first Chinese-American movie star, Anna May Wong, focusing on her struggles with racism and typecasting and her eventual international stardom. In the mood for something a bit more energetic? The Chinese State Circus is in town. They'll be twirling and birling at the Meadows Theatre Big Tops until 25 August.

BOOKS

This year's Edinburgh International Book Festival in Charlotte Square is packed with events celebrating Chinese literature. On 11 August at 7pm, Yiyun Li – author of A Thousand Years of Good Prayers – will discuss her writing and the challenges of being a writer in exile. On 25 August, at 6:45pm, Sun Shuyun will be talking about A Year in Tibet, an examination of a Tibetan village known for its anti-Chinese stance.

FASHION

Think your wardrobe could do with a taste of the Orient? In the capital, some of Harvey Nichols' best-loved designers are of Chinese or Asian descent. Try Jimmy Choo for skyscraper heels or 3.1 Phillip Lim for a sophisticated take on street styles. Or see ||WEBSTART||www.net-a-porter.com||WEBSTOP|| for designer pieces from Derek Lam, Anna Sui and Vera Wang. Looking to namecheck edgy, up-and-coming Chinese designers? Check out Seiko Taki, who presented her first collection, with a childlike take on femininity, just last year.