BUSINESS

From Buy to Borrow: How Young Chinese Are Driving the Rental Boom

Prioritizing value over status, young consumers are embracing rentals, from designer toys to electronics, yet challenges remain in trust, regulation, and platform safeguards

TRADITIONAL CULTURE

Old Techniques, New Vibes: How China’s Inheritors Are Reshaping Ancient Arts

As concerns grow over the decline of China’s intangible cultural heritage, young inheritors, veteran artisans, and enthusiasts are finding new ways to revive traditional crafts and connect with a modern audience

TV

The Second Tale: Tradition Meets the Self in “YAO-Chinese Folktales 2”

The sequel to China’s beloved animation anthology turns boldly inward, but not every story finds its footing

LIFE

Maotai Drifters: Work and Life in China’s Liquor Capital

Photographer Ma Changyu, a former worker in Maotai, documents the surreal contrasts of solitude and bustle that define the baijiu-producing town

GALLERY

A Man, Three Pairs of Flip-Flops, and 574 Kilometers of Hike Home

Young artist Guo “Slipper King” Dingfen is rebranding a maligned footwear from his hometown into a collective memory of a generation

FOOD

Getting Sour: How Guizhou’s Sour Soup Went National

While the southwestern province’s fermented soup has grown in popularity over the past several years, businesses still face challenges promoting it as a debate over “authentic flavors” continues to simmer

NEWS

Two Sessions Proposals You Shouldn’t Miss in 2026

From childbearing-friendly policies to AI regulations, here are the Two Sessions proposals you shouldn’t miss

TRADITIONAL CULTURE

In a Digital Age, Young Chinese Women Are Turning to Nüshu, a Centuries-Old Script, to Reclaim Strength

Once a secret script shared among women in Jiangyong, Hunan, Nüshu now inspires young female creators to reimagine its origins, create new works, and carry its culture and spirit forward

TECHNOLOGY

“Bumping” Into Adolescence: Kids’ Smartwatches and the Battleground Between Safety and Control

Children’s smartwatches have become big business in China, but do their safety features outweigh the potential risks to attention spans and social inclusion?

TRADITIONAL CULTURE

A Festival of Lights: How Lanterns Illuminate the Yuanxiao Festival Across China

From cyberpunk horse installations to “My Little Pony”-inspired lanterns, here’s a glimpse of how the Lantern Festival is lighting up every corner of the country