How Mongol rule changed China, Anthony Wong’s life amid adversity: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From a Chinese-New Zealander artist’s heritage to a thrilling new Samurai Netflix drama, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting

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A statue of Kublai Khan, China’s first Mongol emperor, in the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar. The Yuan dynasty brought about big changes in China, but also a big increase in the country’s influence across Eurasia. Photo: AFP

Published: 3:15pm, 13 Nov 2025

We have selected seven Lifestyle stories from the past seven days that resonated with our readers. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.

1. How China changed during the Yuan dynasty, when Mongols ruled

Mongol rulers shook up Chinese society during the Yuan dynasty. For the first time in history, the whole of China was ruled not by a native Han descendant, but by a Mongol khan. The period was one of many firsts, as Silk Road trade routes thrived, paper money became common and China’s influence in Eurasia grew.

2. How actor Anthony Wong survived terrible films, ‘shut out’ by mainland China

Hong Kong actor Anthony Wong at an interview with the Post in 2019. Photo: Jonathan Wong

From humble beginnings, Anthony Wong overcame adversity to become one of Hong Kong’s top actors – and a man unafraid to speak out. For over a decade now, he has been blacklisted by some in his home city and in mainland China for his support of the “umbrella movement” protests in 2014.

3. How running helped with a break-up and led to AI-backed Silk Road trek plan

Ria Xi shows girls “they can go out and do hard things” on her run on the Sinai Trail in Egypt, in January 2025. Photo: Jack Lawes

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