Totally empty and unused, some had unfinished (dirt) floors on the first level, but they sure looked nice. I'm sure it's still going on with the Olympics getting close.
RE: Supermarkets - Beware the jelly donut like confection filled with fish paste.
thanks for the advice... I am sampling things at random.
The construction continues here apace. Cranes litter the skyline everywhere. There are about 50+ at the end of the airport, and 7 out my window. Prep for Beijing 08 is blamed for most of it, but I wonder how much is really just a product of the 9% growth rate, and/or the transformation of Beijing from an industrial city to a major capital city.