To understand contemporary China, one must look back into its past. As one of the world’s oldest civilizations, China’s more than 5,000 years of history are not confined to textbooks and museums; they continue to offer living wisdom today. Its long history was shaped not only by emperors and legendary figures, but also by the countless ordinary people who have lived on this land.
From the complex political struggles during the Three Kingdoms period and the mysterious bronze artifacts unearthed at Sanxingdui, to the lasting influence of Confucianism, which continues to influence Chinese social values and ways of life, China’s history reveals the breadth of human experience, as the ancients learned about the natural world, overcame disaster, dealt with conflict, sought better lives, or simply live out their days while creating arts and poetry and forming philosophical ideas.
Whether it’s the tumultuous Warring States period, lost tales along the ancient Silk Road, crime and punishment in the Ming and Qing dynasties, or the sweeping transformation of modern China, our collection of stories from Chinese history is yours to explore.
How the humble “pingfeng” screen came to adorn everything from cave dwellings to the emperor’s throne
Zhao Jishan, “the movie man,” spent years dragging a mobile cinema through rural China to bring entertainment to the villages
From marking good looks to advancing political careers: See how the rules and styles of facial hair changed in ancient Chinese history
We take a trip to every Maoist’s favorite travel destination: Nanjie Village
In 18th century China, evil spirits and sorcerers were a constant menace to the public and the government
Discover some lesser-known love stories for Chinese Valentine’s Day
How Huangsiqiao, a historic town with China’s oldest city walls, came to molder in the jungle of western Hunan
How DIY travel originated in the Cultural Revolution and evolved into a modern quest for self-discovery
From swimming across the Yangtze in the 60s to indecency scandals in the 80s: 30 years of swimwear history in China
In the Tang dynasty, scholars celebrated the end of exams with food, bribes, and cosying up to officials
From controversial kiss scenes in movies to stolen trysts by the riverbank, here’s how China rediscovered kissing after the Cultural Revolution
How rulers and would-be rulers used and manipulated prophetic texts
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