BOOKS

Revisiting the Chinese Labor Corps: An Interview With Author Fan Wu

Chinese American writer Fan Wu discusses language, identity, and her motivation for revisiting the Chinese contribution to WWI in her new book “Souls Left Behind”

FOOD

Hot and Spicy: How Malatang Conquered China

As a Gansu variety of “malatang” goes viral online, we delve into the history and appeal of one of China’s most ubiquitous dishes

TRAVEL

China’s Tin City: How the Metal Made Gejiu

The boom, bust, and rebirth of a small Yunnan city built atop mountains of tin

TRAVEL

Caverns of Culture: Leisure and Spirituality in China’s Karst Caves | Photo Story

Photographer Cai Shanhai captures life and leisure of southwest China’s “cave dwellers.”

FILM

The Female-Perspective Films Enriching Chinese Cinema

Discover five recent female-centered films and the women directors behind them

MUSIC

Wildest Dream: What Taylor Swift Means To Her Chinese Fans

Five Chinese “Swifties” explain how they fell in love with the American popstar, and what she taught them about life

SOCIETY

China’s Chengdu Disney Has Massive Queues and Just One Ride

How a rapper’s diss track turned a single piece of exercise equipment in a small community gym into the latest viral travel destination

STREET TALK

Zeroes to Heroes: Chinese Fans’ New-Found Love for Losers

China’s latest meme celebrates unsung, “spineless” heroes, proving that real strength often lies in the beautifully flawed

MODERN HISTORY

One Card to Rule Them All: The History of China’s ID System

How Chinese ID cards evolved from simple handwritten cards in 1984, to sophisticated digital documents essential for everything from riding the train to playing video games

SOCIETY

Before Forever: The Rise of Prenuptial Agreements in China

More young Chinese are signing prenuptial agreements before marriage, but are they enforceable?