China
-
What is Ghost Month and the Hungry Ghost Festival?
Do you believe in ghosts? That’s always been the divisive question separating the non-believers from the sixth-sensers; the logical from the “open-minded”. In Taiwan, however, this question has a much more definitive answer. The sincere belief in ghosts and the spiritual world is so deeply rooted in Taiwanese culture that as many as 70-90% of Taiwanese citizens acknowledge at least acknowledge its cultural significance. Even those who might not consider themselves true “believers” still observe many customs and superstitions surrounding the idea. Though you may be picturing ghouls and goblins coming to haunt your dreams, it’s not quite as morbid as you might think. In fact, there’s an entire month…
-
What is it Like Living in China?
China is one of the most misunderstood nations on Earth. Tales of mysticism and peculiar oriental traditions travelled far and wide along the Silk Road and beyond, creating a cultural mythology like no other. Foreign nationals are few and far between in the lands of China; thus, a perspective on life in the beating heart of Maoist communism is more exclusive than a list of potential Premier candidates. As one of the few wai guo ren who has lived and worked amongst the hallowed streets that were once considered forbidden, what was life like living in China? As a bright-eyed, clueless Brit, I was equally uninformed and completely naive to…
-
The Siberian Tiger Park: A Retrospective of Cruelty
While fastidiously reading through my Lonely Planet Travel book on China, I soon came across a section dedicated to the little-explored far northeast. Amongst this barren frozen wasteland, its crowning jewel is the city of Harbin. Known as the Ice City, Harbin has also gained international recognition as the host of the yearly Snow and Ice Festival, a place which produces some of the world’s largest ice sculptures. The city was also home to a Japanese chemical weapon laboratory during the height of the war. Yet, that isn’t what has brought the city such notoriety. Harbin is also home to the Siberian Tiger Park, a place where the breeding and…
-
The 20 Strangest Chinese Superstitions
The mythical nation of China is one that’s steeped in ancient traditions and belief systems. As such, superstitions and the supernatural have played a role in the lives of Chinese citizens for centuries, with many of these practices still being observed today! While stepping on a crack or a broken mirror might bring bad fortune in the West, there are plenty more mystical dos and don’ts that are followed in China! So, in that case, here are the 20 strangest and most unique superstitions in China! This article may contain affiliate links which I may be compensated at no extra cost to you, dear readers! The Number 4 The number…
-
The Ultimate Travel Plan: Visiting Beijing’s Bug Market
Along with visiting beautiful relics and experiencing new exotic landscapes, there is one aspect of travel that people cherish more than anything, food! Diving into the culinary world of different nations and cultures becomes a vital part of the experience! There’s no better place to find some local delicacies than in the bustling street markets, where local favourites are abundant. Beijing on the other hand has something a little different on offer, nothing less than a mouth-watering bug market. In the heart of a luxurious shopping district surrounded by megalithic malls and big named capitalist brands is an alley where you can chow down on some deep-fried critters to your…
-
The Milk Tea Alliance: An Online War of Democracy
A few things are capable of bringing nations together. It may be a common heritage or sharing cultural similarities, yet history has shown that nothing brings two countries together more than a hatred of a common enemy. For Asian countries, this dreaded bogeyman has always been the same, China, and more importantly, the lack of democracy that they inspire. In the past year, countries across South-East Asia have joined hands as a sign of solidarity in the face of adversity from both home and abroad. This unique union is symbolically represented by a common love that these nations share, milk tea. Who knew a nice cup of Yorkshire could be…
-
Chinese Kids with Western Names
Ever wondered how your parents chose your name? Maybe you were named after a family member, or more likely your name was completely picked at random from a long potential list. Many people will even have a bit of resentment towards their parents for their names. Of all the millions of potential names they could have picked, why did they have to choose that one? For most of us, that’s the name we’ll be stuck with for the rest of our lives. Surprisingly, many Chinese kids have to go through the same drama, twice. Did you really think that Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee were their real names? Of course…
-
Chinese Kids vs. Western Kids: What’s the Difference?
Of course, there is an incredible amount of contrast between China and the West, both culturally and superficially. After enough time in both places, such differences become just another part of everyday life. However, one difference stands out beyond the rest: childhoods. During my time teaching children in Beijing, I was fortunate enough to spend a considerable amount of time amongst China’s youth. I couldn’t help but notice the stark differences in their upbringing compared to the typical Western child. Chinese kids do not have what we would consider a typical childhood, and grow up under very different attitudes. It’s difficult to work out which way is better, so let’s…
-
China vs. Taiwan: What’s the Difference?
Dawn over the Taiwan Strait brings to light the geographical divide between the communist powerhouse and its more progressive, rebellious step-brother. But this is more than just distance – it’s divergence, an evolutionary boundary that has produced fascinating results. In the red corner: a one-party superpower shaping geopolitics, driving development, and manufacturing the world’s goods. In the blue corner: a scrappy island where democracy has flourished into a noisy, televised, memed society – fiercely defended by its people. Same civil war scar. Same cultural ancestry stretching back thousands of years. But somewhere between revolution and retreat, red flags and ballot boxes, the lines split hard. Different governments.Different economies.Different passports.Different militaries.Different…
-
The Ultimate Guide to Trains in China
The train has been a consistently reliable form of travel across many nations for centuries, and one that’s still used by travellers today. China shares the same opinion too, with a considerable rail system that is spread over its vast territories. If you were told to picture the scene inside a typical Chinese train, odds are you’d see smoke-filled carriages, stacks of bodies piled on top of each other, chickens running loose and deafening yells of intensely ranting locals. But what’s it really like? In this article, we’ll explore every aspect of Chinese trains and look at everything from comfort to speed. We’ll also look at the different types of…
