“The Great Chinese Tea Theft,” Here! Dongguan
Imagine Indiana Jones, but if Indy had been a gardener, rather than an eminent archaeologist. Meet Robert Fortune, the man the British East India Company hired to steal tea from China. [Read More...]
History
“Capital Histories: How Beijing became the capital of China,” The Beijinger
How did Beijing become the capital of China? My short-form history of Beijing for the Nov/Dec issue of The Beijinger. [Read More...]
Chinese History FAQs: “What was Mao’s Deal?”
Probably the most commonly asked question in my classes is “What was Mao’s deal?” It’s a tough question to answer, even for folks from China. Approach ten people in a Beijing park, and ask them about Mao, best be prepared to get ten wildly different answers. [Read More...]
“Blinged-Out Mobile Not the First Telephone Controversy at the Forbidden City,” The Beijinger
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...]
“Friends With (few) Benefits,” The World of Chinese
If you’re a Chinese businessman or official and you call David or James an “Old Friend,” you might as well pack up whatever it is you’re selling because they’re not buying it. It’s an old strategy, one that has been perfected over the years. But there was a time when the “old friend” routine was still a work in progress. [Read More...]
“Over 1000 ancient tombs discovered at construction site in Tongzhou,” The Beijinger
New post for The Beijinger on the recent discovery of several tombs and other historic sites in the eastern suburb of Tongzhou. [Read More...]
“Re-repeating History’s Mistakes,” Here! Dongguan
Far too often, humans are reminded of historical parallels to current crises that could have been avoided. War is repetitive, but is it necessary? The past may just be the best indicator of the future. [Read More...]
John Pomfret’s new book already feels a bit dated
Looking at excerpts from John Pomfret's new book The Beautiful Country and the Middle Kingdom, there seem to be assumptions and interpretations which are decades out of date. [Read More...]
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...]