For fans of chocolate, (maybe the world majority!), there’s a new Willy-Wonka style theme park in Beijing. It’s the Chocolate Wonderland Park which is next to the Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium and features five pavilions: the World’s Chocolate Hall, World’s Candy Hall, Wonderland Theme Hall, Sweet Experience Hall and the Sweet Gift Hall.

The 215,000 square foot park uses about 80,000 kilograms of chocolate (imported from Belgium) and also apparently includes a Sweet Stage and Sweet Shopping Street where chocolate makers are on hand to teach children how to make their own chocolate.

The chocolate park showcases artifacts including miniatures of the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, as well as life-size chocolate replicas of the Terra Cotta Warriors.

The park will stay open until April 2010 when the weather will be too warm for the chocolate. By January 2011, it is planned to reopen with all new displays.

More photos on The Telegraph

Technorati Tags: Beijing, China, chocolate exhibition, Chocolate Wonderland Park, chocolates

Chopstick variations seem to be a regular feature on OneInchPunch and why not, when there are some bizarre ways to look at this seemingly simple utensil. Here, designer Aïssa Logerot takes a pair of disposable chopsticks and plugs them into a purpose-design soup spoon. What do you think of these?

One-trick pony? I can see these easily falling apart, let alone becoming impractical once the impatient diner breaks the sticks apart.

And by the way, if you ever thought disposable chopsticks, like these ones in the photos, were a good, hygienic idea, you should read Chopstick Alert.

More Chopstick spooning on Yanko Design

Via Gizmodo

Technorati Tags: chopsticks, cuisine, disposable chopsticks, spoon chopsticks

Blog Pop Wuping posts some tips about buying bags in Bangkok, mentioning the various markets that are worth checking out. Jatujak Market is mentioned, and its one of the world’s largest weekend markets. We visited this market last December during our trip to Thailand and will post about it in the near future on MangoVine. Meanwhile, read some shopping tips on Pop Wuping…

Buying Bags in Bangkok

Technorati Tags: Bangkok, bags, shopping, shopping tips, Thailand

After our previous post about Thai Horror Posters from the 80’s, Lucky Cat pointed us in the direction of River Books who appear to specialise in books about Thailand. In particular, there’s “A Century of Thai Cinema” which might be of interest to those loved the previous artwork.

A Century of Thai Cinema from River Books

Thanks Lucky Cat!

Technorati Tags: books, history, Thai Cinema, Thailand

Apparently, painted movie ads were the norm in 80s Thailand and I suspect in other parts of Asia too. We think the aesthetic is collectable if you can find any original posters but otherwise check these out for inspiration and perhaps look for reprints when next visiting Thailand. Recognise any of these films?

Via io9

Technorati Tags: design, horror posters, movie posters, painted posters, Thailand

Fashion designer Kosuke Tsumura creates knitted art pieces by masterfully coiling the wires, cables, plugs and small gadgets together. Whilst we’re just about able to wrap our extension leads away for storage, Tsumura is a little more adept at creative-looking sculptures.

Via Japan Trends

Technorati Tags: art, cable art, Japan, Kosuke Tsumura

Ever since visiting the TOTO showroom in Tokyo (hi-tech toilets recommended in our guide book!), we’ve been noticing the brand in practically all the toilets in East Asia. Well, it seems TOTO marketing knows no bounds resulting in a toilet robot action figure, created to promote their latest product.

Apparently, it’s capable of pre-programmed speech. We’ve wondering if that comes gurgle-accented..

Via Ubergizmo

Technorati Tags: gadgets, Japan, toilet robot action figure, TOTO, toys

The Big Picture posts a series of photos depicting Chinese New Year celebrations around the world. Since its the Year of the Tiger, conservationists are hoping to call attention to the plight of the endangered big cats, whose population has dropped from 100,000 at the beginning of the 20th century, to less than 3,000 today.

Welcoming the Year of the Tiger

Technorati Tags: Chinese New Year, photography, Year of the Tiger

For the cheapest path to ninjadom, check this Ninja Wisdom Deck, a portable guide containing 50 deadly meditations for the non-ninja.

The Ninja Wisdom Deck on Amazon

Via The Awesomer

Technorati Tags: cards, martial arts, ninja, Ninja Wisdom Deck

The Selby shoots Tatsuhiko “Ryu” Akashi at the Medicom Toy Office in Tokyo. Check the link below for a visual insight into the life of a Japanese toy company.

Medicom Toy Office by The Selby

Technorati Tags: Medicom, photography, Tatsuhiko “Ryu” Akashi, Tokyo, toys