2016

“On the Future of Nanluogu Xiang,” The Beijinger

November 3, 2016

Several sections of popular Beijing hutong Nanluogu Xiang are closed this month for "renovations." In my latest post for the Beijinger, I reflect on the past, present, and future of the neighborhood. [Read More...]

“The Ghost of Stone Tiger Hutong: A Beijing Halloween Tale,” The Beijinger

November 2, 2016

Is it possible that even in the neon canyons of Xidan, spirits of Beijing's imperial past still lurk? A Halloween-inspired post for The Beijinger blog. [Read More...]

“A Tale of Two Brothers,” The World of Chinese

October 19, 2016

The emperor called two brothers into his chambers. Only one would be named heir to the empire. [Read More...]

“Modern Structures to be Demolished, New Areas Opened to the Public at the Forbidden City,” The Beijinger

October 18, 2016

Updates on the removal of modern structures and the opening of new areas to the public at The Forbidden City. My latest post for The Beijinger. [Read More...]

“The Blast that Nearly Destroyed Beijing,” The World of Chinese

October 13, 2016

In 1626, the Wanggognchang Armory in Beijing suddenly exploded. The blast wiped out half the city, killed 20,000 people, and entered the annals of history as a story weird enough to be worthy of its own X-File. [Read More...]

“Preserved Architecture, Sustainable Crowds, and Manageable Traffic: The Story of What Beijing Could Have Been,” The Beijinger

October 9, 2016

My column on Liang Sicheng for the September/October issue of The Beijinger. [Read More...]

“Reading Hillbilly Elegy in Beijing,” Los Angeles Review of Books China Blog

October 8, 2016

A review essay for the Los Angeles Review of Books on the similarities between the historical experience of the rural white working poor in the United States and a new generation of migrant workers in China's cities. [Read More...]

From the Archives: Why Hua Guofeng Matters…No. Seriously.

October 7, 2016

Originally published in 2008 on the occasion of the death of Hua Guofeng, 1921-2008. October 7, 2016 is the 40th anniversary of Hua's ascension to power following the death of Chairman Mao. [Read More...]

History Walks for the 2016 October Holiday

September 29, 2016

In Beijing during the October holidays? I'll be offering a full slate of walks and discussion throughout the city between October 1st an the 8th. [Read More...]

New History Walks and Talks for October

September 26, 2016

The library intern who would lead a nation? The scholar who built the capital of the Mongolian Khans? The exam candidate who lost his mind and nearly toppled an empire? The prince who tried to save a city? These are a few of the characters featured in two new walking tours and a new talk offered by The Hutong and The Granite Studio this Oc [Read More...]