TRADITIONAL CULTURE

Prayers, Calligraphy, and Hanfu: How Chinese Kids Usher in Their First Day of School

Incoming first-graders in China participate in the “First Writing Ceremonies” before starting elementary school to better their chances of a gainful education

FOOD

The Timeless Appeal of Jasmine

Celebrate summer with jasmine tea and discover why this floral-infused brew remains a perennial favorite across generations in China

TRADITIONAL CULTURE

Revel in Minor Pageantry With Cantonese ‘Floating Kids’ Parade

Children take center stage in Guangdong’s “floating colors” ceremony, which celebrates the God of Wealth and other festivities during the Lunar New Year

SOCIETY

Buying Words and Flowers: Scenes of Preparation for the Lunar New Year

These scenes of pre-New Year celebrations in southern China will put you in the mood for the holiday

TRADITIONAL CULTURE

Soak Up the Decadent Footbath Culture of China’s ‘Foot Capital’

Learn the origin of footbaths in the southern city of Changsha, and how bathhouses shed their seedy reputation to become modern entertainment complexes

FOOD

Forget Pumpkins, Fall is Persimmon Season in China

Busting ghosts, dyeing cloth, or making frozen treats—Chinese persimmon is a fruit of many uses

LIFE

The Sky-High Stakes of Chinese Pigeon Racing

With big money invading pigeon-racing, hobbyists wonder about the future of their time-honored sport

ANCIENT HISTORY

Ancient China's April Fools' Day

China's practical jokers were pranking centuries before the Western festival

HISTORY, TRAVEL

Woven History: Li Textile Culture

The Li people of Hainan were at the forefront of Chinese textile development for centuries, and still use traditional methods today

TRADITIONAL CULTURE

Age-Old Question

Due to a tradition known “nominal” or “fictitious age,” many Chinese claim to be a year or two older than their actual birth