Companies catering for ultra-luxury travellers to the country are pessimistic about a quick recovery, with political tensions, the stigma surrounding the virus’ origins and travel restrictions for the foreseeable future all weighing heavily.

Chinese people hold world records in a number of categories, from mass gatherings to feats of physical strength and dexterity to amassing large collections to outlandish feats using needles or solar panels.

The event that started in South Africa has spread to China, as 24 women show their mettle on a tough trek.

Challenge Family introduces its brand to China as more than 1,000 participants take on the full, half and relay triathlons in Anhui province

Chao Xiaomi says there is still a serious lack of LGBT education in China and wants to reach out to its smallest and most traditional communities to address issues of bullying and shaming.

Expats families in China can find it hard to teach their maids to whip up their favourite dishes from back home because of language and cultural barriers. These Beijing expats found a solution: writing their own bilingual cookbooks.

China’s tremendous development has put the country increasingly on the radar of wealthy travellers. Ultra-luxury tour companies tailor itineraries to their clients’ interests, but there are some requests they can’t fulfil.

Warren Hsu sources his beans from around Taiwan’s Mount Dawu and creates some unique chocolate – shrimp and almond anybody? He produces his chocolate at his eco resort, Fu Wan Cafe Villa in Donggang.

The oldest player is 85, the youngest 55, there are no tackles and few rules; these grannies practise Football Fitness, a Danish sports concept that uses the game’s skills to promote exercise, limit lifestyle diseases and thus prolong lives.

The hallucinogenic plant, that is smoked or made into a brew, is outlawed in most parts of the world. Despite this, shamans are using it in spiritual healing ceremonies in Asia for those who know where to look.

A gay bar in Beijing’s Chaoyang district hosts fortnightly drag queen shows, where the likes of Lola Du Jour, Krystal de Canteur and Elizabeth Stride perform their racy routines – for now; they fear a Chinese government crackdown.

Hong Kong’s Steve Lo Chun-yin set up Wheel for Oneness to allow people from different backgrounds with different abilities to run as a team. Last year, 45 volunteers and two children completed the 100km Gobi Desert Ultra.

• Lauren Tininenko has been a keen swimmer and sportswoman all her life. After moving to Shanghai, she started coaching a swimming team and recently signed up for the cross-strait swim.

Loop Fitness is shaking up China’s gym model with no mirrors, no loud music and a welcoming environment for all ages. The company has had to adjust its modest business model to be attractive in the Chinese market

Arguments abound that setting the US legal drinking age to 21 has pushed youth alcohol consumption underground into riskier settings. Compare this to China, where kids as young as 14 flock to bars and nightclubs.

Enoch Li was diagnosed with depression in 2009. Ahead of World Mental Health Day 2018, husband Tim Coghlan tells how, with his help and through therapy, she overcame it and the relapses that followed, and the impact her illness had on him

Australian Gronya Somerville, who cut meat out of her diet after turning pro, might wear the yellow Aussie T-shirt when winning titles, but has a Chinese father and is a descendant of a prominent Chinese scholar.

They call him The Tough One, and no wonder: Roberto Zanda got lost in a Canadian Arctic winter, and it cost him nine fingers and both feet, but unbowed, he’s walking again on prosthetic legs and signed up to run an African ultramarathon.

The faces on the starting line have become familiar for overseas runners invited to race in obscure parts of China to help promote tourism. Another group of runners, Africans on short-term visas, are in it for the money.