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Crowning Glory: China’s Floral Headdress Tradition
From the women of Xunpu to ancient emperors, the floral hairpin has been a cherished tradition among both men and women for centuries, serving as decorative ornaments and symbols of authority
Ancient Snitches: How China’s Emperors Encouraged Informants
From Wu Zetian to Emperor Yongzheng, China’s imperial rulers were obsessed with people conspiring against the throne and came up with various systems to encourage informers
Tang Qunying: One of China’s Earliest Feminists
She led an army of women against Qing forces, fought her whole life for women’s rights, and even slapped the country’s top leaders for failing to commit to gender equality—meet Tang Qunying
A Trip in Time: How Did People Travel in Ancient China?
Historian Duan Zhiqian explores road dangers and the emergent travel industry in China’s Ming and Qing eras
China’s Long Road to Abolishing Slavery
Legal, social, and cultural barriers to ending China’s forced labor tradition
Remembering the Deadliest Bridge on the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway
A spectacular 115-year-old railway bridge in Yunnan province stands as a reminder of the Chinese workers who died in its construction
The Biggest Teacher’s Pets in Chinese History
Four stories of ancient Chinese pupils who went to great lengths to honor their teachers
The Sorcerers and Soul Stealers that Terrorized Qing China
In 18th century China, evil spirits and sorcerers were a constant menace to the public and the government
Where’s the Best Place to Beat the Heat in China?
From ancient times to now, Chinese have had their favorite locations to escape the summer sun
The Russian Refugees Who Made a Home in Qing China
How a priest from today’s Ukraine and a band of Siberian refugees built a Russian Orthodox mission in the heart of the Qing Empire