Culture

Who’s Afraid of the Chinese Ghostbuster?

Scare away spooks with Zhong Kui, a Chinese folk deity renowned for his frightening looks

SOCIETY

Trick or Reincarnation: The Curious Case of Tang Jiangshan

A Hainan man who claims to be living a double life remains one of China’s greatest mysteries

ANCIENT HISTORY

The Sorcerers and Soul Stealers that Terrorized Qing China

In 18th century China, evil spirits and sorcerers were a constant menace to the public and the government

TRADITIONAL CULTURE

All the Ways to Celebrate Hungry Ghost Festival

How to avoid hungry ghosts and placate “good brothers” this Zhongyuan Festival

ANCIENT HISTORY

How a Daoist Movement Emerged Out of Han Dynasty Chaos

As the Han empire crumbled and the Yellow Turban Rebellion sought to overthrow imperial rule, the “Way of the Five Pecks of Rice” quietly planted the roots of a durable Daoist movement

TRADITIONAL CULTURE

Chinese Trees and Their Meanings

Symbolism of eight common trees in Chinese culture

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE
TRAVEL

Yak of All Trades: Tibetan New Year with Herders on the Plateau

A New Year celebration on the plateau showcases modern Tibetan herding culture

SOCIETY

The Extraordinary Life of a Professional Mourner

How a professional mourner has spent 40 years helping families grieve for their deceased loved ones

TRADITIONAL CULTURE

The Last Shamans of the Changbai Mountains

In Jilin province, shamans adapt ancient beliefs to the modern context

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE
TRAVEL

Dancing for the Dead: Stumbling Across a Tujia Funeral

A chance encounter with the Tujia ethnic group’s funeral practices in south-central China

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