Few figures in Chinese history loom as large as Yu the Great, the mythical ruler-engineer who tamed China’s primordial floods […]
Long before modern social welfare systems emerged, Song Dynasty officials established the world’s first government-operated orphanages – an innovative response […]
Long before modern welfare states emerged in the West, imperial China developed sophisticated systems for caring for its most vulnerable […]
Few modern inconveniences compare to realizing you’ve forgotten your ID card when trying to board a flight or check into […]
For over a millennium, China’s imperial examination system stood as the world’s most sophisticated merit-based bureaucracy—a labyrinthine series of tests […]
China’s reverence for education stretches back millennia, forming the backbone of its enduring civilization. But behind this cultural ideal lay […]
When Tang Dynasty poet杜牧 (Du Mu) wrote the now-famous line “A single rider in red dust brings a smile from […]
When the Tang dynasty poet 杜甫 (Du Fu) wrote “烽火连三月，家书抵万金” — “For three months war flames burned, a letter from […]
The Surprising Truth About Ancient Chinese Holidays When we think of ancient societies, we rarely imagine structured holiday systems. Yet […]
When we think of ancient China, the image that often comes to mind is one of serene landscapes, scholars with […]
In the grand narrative of Chinese history, tales of emperors, battles, and dynasties often take center stage. Yet behind the […]
When we think of ancient taxes, most of us imagine a few sacks of grain paid to the emperor in […]
The Secret World of Ancient Chinese Savings Long before modern banking systems and digital wallets, ancient Chinese people had to […]
In today’s world, splurging on a lavish meal at a fine restaurant might cost you a few hundred or even […]
When we think of martial arts heroes in Chinese wuxia novels, the imagery is vivid: a lone swordsman walks into […]
Have you ever watched a Chinese historical drama and wondered how much that one tael of silver tossed across the […]
Title: From Shells to Silver: The Fascinating Evolution of Money in Ancient China Money is a part of daily life—essential, […]
Few color associations carry as much cultural weight as China’s connection between green and infidelity. When someone is cheated on […]
When it comes to historical dramas, the drama between wives and concubines is a popular theme, especially in ancient Chinese […]
When discussing ancient marriage customs, many men like to wistfully imagine a time when they could have multiple wives and […]
When you think of weddings, what comes to mind? White dresses, flowers, vows, and—typically—a ceremony that takes place in the […]
Marriage—something that’s supposed to be a joyous occasion—can feel more like a headache for today’s youth. With the difficulty of […]
