MUSIC

Post-Pandemic, Are Chinese Music Lovers Ready to Rock Again?

Music festivals in China are back after the pandemic hiatus. But inflated prices, poor site management, and a lack of diverse lineups leaves attendees disappointed

ANCIENT HISTORY

How Did Ancient Chinese Scholars Prepare for Exams?

From cram academies to meeting celebrity scholars, preparation for ancient China’s civil service exams was both similar and different to test-prep today

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE
MUSIC

Will Singapore’s Mandopop Scene Ever Flourish Again?

Singapore artists used to be Mandopop royalty, but new acts are struggling to make a breakthrough

MODERN HISTORY

Backpedaling the History of Bicycles in China

The story of the two-wheeler’s rise and fall—and comeback—in the “Kingdom of Bicycles”

FEMINISM

Mixing Equality: Why is it So Hard for Women to be Bartenders in China?

Female bartenders in China share the reality of navigating their male-dominated profession

ANCIENT HISTORY

Could You Pass Ancient China’s Exam for Child Prodigies?

China’s imperial examinations included a controversial test for gifted children

STREET TALK

Young Chinese Are Seeking Friends—With No Strings Attached

“More than acquaintances, not quite friends”: A new Chinese term shows how youngsters are seeking shallow social relationships without expectations of commitment

LIFE

At World’s End: My Life in China’s Antarctic Research Station

Four-time Antarctic expeditioner Cao Jianxi recalls the dangers, thrills, and lifelong bonds he developed in one of the world’s most extreme environments

HISTORICAL FIGURES

Shadow Games: The Cunning Art of Espionage in Ancient China

From turning the tides of battle to preventing conflict altogether, spies were an integral part of warfare in ancient China—sometimes unwittingly

POETRY

Poetry That Delivers

Wang Jibing, China’s “delivery driver poet,” talks to TWOC about getting inspired on the road and not letting online trolls get the better of him