“The Left-Behind Village,” The World of Chinese
Tea plantations in Northern Thailand built by descendants of Chinese soldiers [Read More...]
Chinese History
From the Archives: Why Hua Guofeng Matters…No. Seriously.
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
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
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...]
A daughter is married, a mother remembers
This past summer, I (YJ) was a bridesmaid at my friend's wedding in England. Her parents were so happy and they told me the story of their own wedding day, in far humbler circumstances, in the years just after the Cultural Revolution. [Read More...]
Taiwan’s apology, Beijing’s problem
Taiwan’s president's apology to the island’s aboriginal groups could complicate relations with Beijing [Read More...]
What does evidence of China’s Great Flood mean for Yu?
Today's New York Times reports on findings by Chinese archaeologists that seem to confirm the story of Yu and the Great Flood. [Read More...]
Requiem for a Noodle Joint
In Beijing’s fast evolving food and beverage industry, the lifespan of a restaurant — a short-lived beast in any environment — makes the medfly look like Methuselah. [Read More...]
On the Rocks
Should the tribunal rules against the PRC — as it is expected to — and if the Chinese government chooses to use the tribunal’s ruling to, for example, wipe the ass of the nearest stray dog — as they will almost certainly want to do — the repercussions will ripple far past the rocks and reefs of the South China Sea. [Read More...]
From the Archives: The Ghost of Zheng He rises…again
In honor of Maritime Day in China, an updated piece from the archives on whether the ocean voyages of Ming Admiral Zheng He were really as peaceful as many Chinese historians today claim. [Read More...]
From the Archives: 独立宣言–The American Declaration of Independence in Chinese
The linguistic and philosophical thorns of translating American independence into the Chinese language. [Read More...]
From the Archives: Mao and the Marriage Counselor
Still one of my favorite posts, a little something from the archives on the Anti-Rightist Movement of 1956-1958. Also known as the 100 Flowers Movement, this era set the stage for the Great Leap Forward and foreshadowed the chaos of the Cultural Revolution. [Read More...]
Beijing’s Roadways: Beyond Thunderdome
I've seen drivers plow through crowded hutong, barrel down bicycle lanes, and park on sidewalks. I rarely ride my bike anymore, it's too dangerous and I feel for the guys who make a living riding around town delivering food and packages. [Read More...]
Imperial Politics, the Lantern Festival, and Yuan Shikai’s Balls
How a misunderstanding over the name of a glutinous rice ball panicked a would-be dictator [Read More...]
Sun Yat-sen: The Love Doctor
Excerpts from the letters of George "Morrison of Peking" Morrison. The revolutionary Sun Yat-sen is in the midst of mid-life crisis and the head of the YMCA, and family friend to Sun's intended paramour, reaches out to the famous journalist. [Read More...]