ANCIENT HISTORY

Rebellion, Corruption, and the Lychee: The History of Chinese Couriers

Long before express delivery became an everyday essential, ancient China had built an intricate courier system, though its bureaucracy also bred corruption and chaos

MODERN HISTORY

History of Ballroom Dancing in China

What was once a banned pastime in the 1980s has transformed into a nationwide cultural movement—filled with joy, competition, and camaraderie

HISTORY

Ne Zha: From Myth to Cultural Icon

Ne Zha transcended his origins as a Buddhist deity to emerge as a rebellious, anti-patriarchal hero in popular culture

HISTORY, TRADITIONAL CULTURE

Scent Across Time: How Traditional Fragrances Quiet the Clamor of Modern Life

From ancient scholars to modern youth, timeless scents like sandalwood and jasmine continue to captivate young Chinese, offering solace in an increasingly busy world

ANCIENT HISTORY

Greeting the New Year: The (Un)changing Customs of Chinese New Year Wishes

From carving on wood to “flying cards” in red envelopes, how people expressed their New Year’s greeting, or “bainian” in ancient China

ANCIENT HISTORY

Justice for Snakes: The Real Story of the Most Misunderstood Zodiac Animal

How the snake evolved from a revered symbol of worship to a figure of fear and evil in ancient Chinese culture

ANCIENT HISTORY

Written in the Stars: Astrological Signs in Ancient China

China’s adherence to the 12-year zodiac cycle is known around the world. What might be more surprising is that the West’s astrological signs have also existed in the country, possibly from the very beginning.

ANCIENT HISTORY

Mockery, Sarcasm, and Roasting in Ancient China

Ancient scholars and ministers used all forms of scathing rhetoric to refute, persuade, and influence—sometimes to disastrous ends

ANCIENT HISTORY

Elixirs of Power: Chinese Emperors’ Quest for Immortality

How the pursuit of eternal life shaped politics, culture, and fate in ancient China

ANCIENT HISTORY

How Women in Ancient China Endured and Resisted Domestic Violence

Unequal or nonexistent laws left women in ancient China who faced abuse with very few options