ANCIENT HISTORY

The City at the Heart of Three Kingdoms Power Struggles

Cao Cao, Guan Yu, Liu Bei, and other Three Kingdoms heroes fought over Jingzhou for decades

ANCIENT HISTORY

China’s Long History of Dragon Sightings

Reported sightings of the mythical creature have captivated people in China for centuries

ANCIENT HISTORY

Carved in Stone: Why Did Ancient Chinese Etch Messages into Rock?

Exploring the ancient Chinese obsession with carving messages and poems on rocks and walls

ANCIENT HISTORY

Cold Fashion: How Ancient Chinese Kept Warm in Winter

From paper and straw to fur coats...this is what ancient Chinese wore to keep themselves warm in winter

ANCIENT HISTORY

Ancient Snitches: How China’s Emperors Encouraged Informants

From Wu Zetian to Emperor Yongzheng, China’s imperial rulers were obsessed with people conspiring against the throne and came up with various systems to encourage informers

ANCIENT HISTORY

How Did Ancient Chinese Advertise?

Slogans, music, celebrities, and rhymes all helped ancient Chinese advertise their wares for sale

ANCIENT HISTORY

A Trip in Time: How Did People Travel in Ancient China?

​Historian Duan Zhiqian explores road dangers and the emergent travel industry in China’s Ming and Qing eras

ANCIENT HISTORY

Curious Court Etiquette From Ancient China

An audience with the Son of Heaven could be a minefield of ritual, ceremony, and etiquette for China’s court officials

ANCIENT HISTORY

Redeeming the Scapegoated Women of Ancient China

These women were wrongly blamed for bringing down dynasties

ANCIENT HISTORY

How Did Ancient Chinese Avoid Sunburn?

From veiled scholar hats to canopied backpacks, China’s obsession with sun protection is not a recent one