Articles

“Don’t Be a Fool, Eat Your Gruel: The Story Behind Eating Porridge for Laba Festival, Jan 5,” The Beijinger

January 4, 2017

Some people will do anything for a free meal, even if that means waiting in line outside in Beijing in the middle of January for nothing more than a bowl of thin 粥 zhōu, or porridge. And yet tomorrow thousands of Beijingers will line up at temples throughout the city to do just that in honor of the Festival of Laba. [Read More...]

“Capital Histories: How Beijing became the capital of China,” The Beijinger

December 30, 2016

How did Beijing become the capital of China? My short-form history of Beijing for the Nov/Dec issue of The Beijinger. [Read More...]

“Blinged-Out Mobile Not the First Telephone Controversy at the Forbidden City,” The Beijinger

December 24, 2016

The recent flap over the Palace Museum's promotion of a bling-out luxury mobile phone was not the first time that a phone has caused a stir at the Forbidden City. The story of a phone, an emperor, and his love of prank calls. [Read More...]

“A Vintage Whine: Beijing’s Bad Air Days,” The Beijinger

December 20, 2016

We were certainly not the first to complain about Beijing's pollution. New post for The Beijinger looking at vintage observations on the city's often troubling air quality. [Read More...]

Interview: “What do people look for when they come to Beijing?” Radio Beijing AM774

December 17, 2016

The final installment of my conversation with Bruce Connolly of Radio Beijing AM774. What do people want to see when they come to Beijing? Do international visitors and domestic tourists expect different things when visiting the capital? [Read More...]

“Over 75 Percent of Historic Residences in Beijing Fail Preservation Standards,” The Beijinger

December 16, 2016

A recent study found less than 25% of historic residences in Beijing met official preservation standards. [Read More...]

Interview: “Beijing – from low-rise to high-rise,” Radio Beijing AM774

December 9, 2016

My conversation with Bruce Connolly of Radio Beijing AM774 on Beijing's urban development, exploring the city and its history, and leading educational walks through Beijing's streets and alleyways. [Read More...]

“Legal History on Display at the China Court Museum,” The Beijinger

December 1, 2016

New post for The Beijinger on my visit to the recently opened China Court Museum. [Read More...]

“Long Road to Abolition,” The World of Chinese

November 30, 2016

My new post for The World of Chinese on the legal, social, and cultural barriers to ending China’s forced labor tradition. [Read More...]

“Special Exhibitions at the Capital Museum Highlight Beijing’s Imperial Past,” The Beijinger

November 10, 2016

The Capital Museum has always been one of my favorite museums in Beijing. Two new exhibits this month featuring Beijing's imperial past make this a perfect time to visit. [Read More...]

“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...]

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