Blog Category - Chinese Culture

Year of the Snake: Unveiling the Chinese Zodiac’s Origins
The Chinese Zodiac is an enticing part of the culture during Spring Festival, so let's dive deeper into its origins and learn more about its deep...
Ring in the Year of the Snake With Meaningful, Stylish Jewelry
Longtime Hainan resident Nicki Johnson honors the island that has shaped her life.
Mandarin Monday: Mastering Your Chinese New Year Greetings and Well-Wishes
With CNY approaching, it's time to dust off polite phrases before you get knocked upside the head with baijiu and fireworks.
Beijing’s "Ghost Markets": A Brief History & Where To Find Them
Beijing's “ghost markets” can be traced back to the late Qing dynasty and the early Republic of China.
Visit Here: Yuan Dadu Ruins Park
From the Dongsi Hutong Museum, we turn our attention to a spot that recalls when Beijing went by another name.
Mandarin Monday 2024's Top Ten Chinese Buzzwords
Each year, a selection of buzzwords captures the evolving zeitgeist of Chinese society.
Solar Terms 101: Squeeze Your Holiday Fat With These Unconventional Winter Sports
Everything you need to know about xiaohan aka "minor cold"
Five Ancient Beijing Trees Worth Looking For
Beijing is home to over 40,000 ancient trees. These are a few old trees worth checking out.
Visit Here: Dongsi Hutong Museum
While more of a massive art show than a museum, this space on Dongsisitiao is still a nice place to visit and contemplate.
Visit Here: the Temple of Agriculture
Located along the Central Axis north of Yongdingmen, this temple is less popular than the Temple of Heaven but still boasts a lot of historical...
Visit Here: Yongdingmen Park
Once the site of Beijing's outer city gate, Yongdingmen Park now serves as the starting point of the city's newest UNESCO heritage site.
Mandarin Monday: Different Euphemisms for S*x in Chinese
When it comes to talking about s*x, the Chinese language doesn’t hold back on creativity.
Visit Here: Dongyue Temple & Folklore Museum
From trains and such we move to a more folklore bent with a look at this ancient Taoist temple and modern-day museum.
Mandarin Monday: Of Shi and Si
There's shi and si, but what about si and shi and si si and shi shi?
Learn the Art of Cricket Fighting at Timekeepers This Sunday, Oct 20
At this Gulou event, learn a form of entertainment that's been going on in China for centuries.