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Chinese culture

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Chinese superstitions
Martial arts
Lunar New Year
Chinese history
Hong Kong culture
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)
A painting depicts Yang Guifei being attended to by a court maid. The princess, regarded as one of the “Four Beauties” of ancient China, has gone down in infamy for contributing to the end of the Tang dynasty. But is this point of view fair?
Chinese culture

Who was Yang Guifei, the Chinese beauty blamed for toppling a dynasty?

One of ancient China’s ‘Four Beauties’, Yang besotted an emperor, was the target of a rebellion, and in death became a tragic romantic icon.

Chinese culture

How China’s ‘Excalibur of the East’ souvenir swords sparked airport warning

Chinese culture

The dark story of Consort Wan, 17 years older than the emperor who loved her

Chinese culture

Origin of Hong Kong’s ‘peace buns’, Cheung Chau Bun Festival’s iconic snack

‘Ping on bao’ are both happily eaten and the focus of the festival’s famous bun scrambling competition. One baker explains how he makes them.

An employee of Kwok Kam Kee, a bakery on Hong Kong’s Cheung Chau island, prepares traditional ping on bao, or “peace buns”, ahead of the annual Cheung Chau Bun Festival. Photo: Yik Yeung-man
An employee of Kwok Kam Kee, a bakery on Hong Kong’s Cheung Chau island, prepares traditional ping on bao, or “peace buns”, ahead of the annual Cheung Chau Bun Festival. Photo: Yik Yeung-man
Chinese culture

She rejected her Chinese heritage as a child. Now, she writes about it

Scottish-born Eliza Chan, who once dropped out of medical school, is a fantasy writer who marries Eastern myths with Western folklore.

Chinese culture

Is the Year of the Horse’s fourth month lucky for you? Forecasts for all signs

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan breaks down this lunar month’s prospects for all 12 Chinese zodiac signs in work, finances, romance and health.

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Chinese culture

Why Chinese-Canadian Derek Kwan is so much more than a ‘token Asian’ actor

As Hallmark’s mahjong movie faces a backlash, actor Derek Kwan talks about championing authentic Asian narratives by making his own films.

Chinese-Canadian filmmaker and actor Derek Kwan on the sets of his short film 100 Days, which was filmed in a functioning Chinese restaurant in Vancouver. Kwan wants to move beyond “token Asian” supporting roles in film. Photo: Instagram/seasonsofeastvan
Chinese-Canadian filmmaker and actor Derek Kwan on the sets of his short film 100 Days, which was filmed in a functioning Chinese restaurant in Vancouver. Kwan wants to move beyond “token Asian” supporting roles in film. Photo: Instagram/seasonsofeastvan
Asia travel

Best things to do in China’s Nanjing, from food and architecture to history

Planning a weekend in Nanjing? Here’s an itinerary to consider for visiting the bustling metropolis in eastern China.

Chinese culture

Beautiful, power-hungry: how Wu Zetian became China’s only female emperor

A legitimate ruler for 15 years – but de facto leader for years more than that – Wu Zetian is remembered as a complex character.

Chinese culture

It started with Crazy Rich Asians. How mahjong is booming across the US

Thriving mahjong clubs in places like Denver are fostering community and connection across generations and cultures.

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Hien Kim (centre) gives advice to the rest of her table during a monthly meeting of the Honour Tile Society mahjong club at Hot Shot Coffee in Denver, in the US. Photo: TNS
Chinese history

Inside the 14k, the Hong Kong triad that went global

From its roots in mainland China to expansion in Hong Kong and beyond, we look at the history of one of the most notorious triad societies.

Police arrest suspected 14K triad members at a restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, in 1995. The 14K began life as an openly pro-Kuomintang society in mainland China before becoming a global criminal organisation based in Hong Kong. Photo: SCMP
Police arrest suspected 14K triad members at a restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, in 1995. The 14K began life as an openly pro-Kuomintang society in mainland China before becoming a global criminal organisation based in Hong Kong. Photo: SCMP
Chinese culture

Is the Year of the Horse’s third month lucky for you? Forecasts for all signs

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan breaks down this lunar month’s prospects for all 12 Chinese zodiac signs in health, love, work and finances.

SCMP Highlights

Family of 7 ‘hot’ dentists; Hainan chicken rice roots: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From Joey Yung’s journey to Cantopop stardom to a mother’s inspiring weight loss story, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Chinese culture

Turning walnuts into ‘jade’? Social media goes nuts over old Chinese tradition

You will not actually make jade by rolling walnuts around in your palm, but this Chinese tradition can boost hand strength and calm anxiety.

A social media trend takes on an ancient Chinese tradition in the form of rolling a pair of walnuts around in your hand until they turn into “jade”. Photo: YouTube/ growithjessie
Food and Drinks

Forced to stop selling stinky tofu, this Taiwanese restaurant fought back

The owner of Southern California’s Golden Leaf reveals how a neighbour’s vendetta has seen the popular street food dropped from his menu.

A plate of stinky tofu. The street food popular in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan is prized for its distinct, potent stench - but for some, the smell is simply too much. Photo: Shutterstock
A plate of stinky tofu. The street food popular in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan is prized for its distinct, potent stench - but for some, the smell is simply too much. Photo: Shutterstock
Chinese culture

The origin of triads, from secret societies to global criminal networks

While Hong Kong triads are now known for their criminal enterprises, their roots lie in secret societies that stretch back hundreds of years.

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Chinese culture

Is Year of the Horse’s second month lucky for you? Forecasts for all 12 zodiac signs

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan breaks down this lunar month’s prospects for all 12 Chinese zodiac signs in health, love, work and finances.

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SCMP Highlights

Hong Kong Michelin star list; monthly zodiac forecast: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From a study linking poor-quality sleep and dementia to this lunar month’s predictions, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Chocolate dessert by Leo Faler at Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic. The restaurant has been promoted from one Michelin star to two. Photo: Jocelyn Tam
Chocolate dessert by Leo Faler at Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic. The restaurant has been promoted from one Michelin star to two. Photo: Jocelyn Tam
Chinese culture

SCMP cartoonist Harry Harrison’s Year of the Horse collection to be auctioned

Bidding for the eight original watercolour and ink works inspired by the Year of the Horse begins on March 13; prices start at HK$2,026.

Chinese culture

This Cantonese language course is 85% Mandarin speakers. Here’s why

Originally targeting heritage speakers, the University of British Columbia’s language programme is proving more popular among another group.

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Chinese culture

A Gen Z take on the Chinese almanac? Grandma’s tear-off calendar goes digital

Feng Shui Calendar Widget developer Jingyi Ma reveals why her digital version of the Chinese almanac is about more than finding auspicious dates.

Jingyi Ma, the Beijing-born, New York-based creative technologist behind the Feng Shui Calendar Widget. Ma says her almanac app for iPhone is about passing down “something old and physical” in a world where “no one buys paper goods any more”. Photo: courtesy of Jingyi Ma
Belt and Road Initiative

Open Questions | China always a connector, never a coloniser, author says

Sheng-Wei Wang says China’s Belt and Road Initiative echoes the voyages of 15th century Chinese explorer Zheng He, who promoted trade but never stayed.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
SCMP Highlights

Hangzhou’s fine-dining scene; ‘nostalgia-posting’ trend: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From TCM’s ‘miracle pill’ to the benefits of working past retirement age, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Chinese culture

How AI is helping bring Hong Kong history to life on Instagram and beyond

Cultural preservationists use generative AI to breathe life into photos from the past, but does this practice promote or distort history?

Wellness

All about TCM’s ‘miracle pill’ Angong Niuhuang Wan, and when not to take it

The prized Angong Niuhuang Wan is thought to help stroke victims if taken at the right time. But when is that, and can it harm you?

A traditional Chinese medicine practitioner checks an elderly man. According to the Hong Kong Stroke Fund, about 25,000 new stroke cases occur in the city each year. Photo: Eugene Lee
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