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Chinese culture

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Chinese superstitions
Martial arts
Lunar New Year
Chinese history
Hong Kong culture
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)
Chinese-Canadian filmmaker and actor Derek Kwan on the sets of his short film 100 Days, which was filmed in a functioning Chinese restaurant in Vancouver. Kwan wants to move beyond “token Asian” supporting roles in film. Photo: Instagram/seasonsofeastvan
Chinese culture

Why Chinese-Canadian Derek Kwan is so much more than a ‘token Asian’ actor

Raised in Vancouver, actor and filmmaker Derek Kwan is creating and starring in his own projects about the Chinese diaspora.

Asia travel

Best things to do in China’s Nanjing, from food and architecture to history

Chinese culture

Beautiful, power-hungry: how Wu Zetian became China’s only female emperor

Chinese culture

It started with Crazy Rich Asians. How mahjong is booming across the US

Thriving mahjong clubs in places like Denver are fostering community and connection across generations and cultures.

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Hien Kim (centre) gives advice to the rest of her table during a monthly meeting of the Honour Tile Society mahjong club at Hot Shot Coffee in Denver, in the US. Photo: TNS
Hien Kim (centre) gives advice to the rest of her table during a monthly meeting of the Honour Tile Society mahjong club at Hot Shot Coffee in Denver, in the US. Photo: TNS
Chinese history

Inside the 14k, the Hong Kong triad that went global

From its roots in mainland China to expansion in Hong Kong and beyond, we look at the history of one of the most notorious triad societies.

Chinese culture

Is the Year of the Horse’s third month lucky for you? Forecasts for all signs

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan breaks down this lunar month’s prospects for all 12 Chinese zodiac signs in health, love, work and finances.

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SCMP Highlights

Family of 7 ‘hot’ dentists; Hainan chicken rice roots: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From Joey Yung’s journey to Cantopop stardom to a mother’s inspiring weight loss story, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

The Chen family (from left): Aleq, Audree, Jennifer, Leon, Nina, Nasdaq and Niq. All seven members of the family are dentists. Photo: Niq Chen
The Chen family (from left): Aleq, Audree, Jennifer, Leon, Nina, Nasdaq and Niq. All seven members of the family are dentists. Photo: Niq Chen
Chinese culture

Turning walnuts into ‘jade’? Social media goes nuts over old Chinese tradition

You will not actually make jade by rolling walnuts around in your palm, but this Chinese tradition can boost hand strength and calm anxiety.

Food and Drinks

Forced to stop selling stinky tofu, this Taiwanese restaurant fought back

The owner of Southern California’s Golden Leaf reveals how a neighbour’s vendetta has seen the popular street food dropped from his menu.

Chinese culture

The origin of triads, from secret societies to global criminal networks

While Hong Kong triads are now known for their criminal enterprises, their roots lie in secret societies that stretch back hundreds of years.

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Suspected members of triad societies are guarded by officers in Tung Tau Estate, Kowloon, in 1973. Hong Kong’s triads have evolved from secret societies into global criminal networks. Photo: SCMP
Chinese culture

Is Year of the Horse’s second month lucky for you? Forecasts for all 12 zodiac signs

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan breaks down this lunar month’s prospects for all 12 Chinese zodiac signs in health, love, work and finances.

How’s your luck in the Year of the Horse’s second month? Feng shui master Andrew Kwan gives his predictions for all 12 Chinese zodiac animal signs. Photo: Shutterstock
How’s your luck in the Year of the Horse’s second month? Feng shui master Andrew Kwan gives his predictions for all 12 Chinese zodiac animal signs. Photo: Shutterstock
SCMP Highlights

Hong Kong Michelin star list; monthly zodiac forecast: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From a study linking poor-quality sleep and dementia to this lunar month’s predictions, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Chinese culture

SCMP cartoonist Harry Harrison’s Year of the Horse collection to be auctioned

Bidding for the eight original watercolour and ink works inspired by the Year of the Horse begins on March 13; prices start at HK$2,026.

Chinese culture

This Cantonese language course is 85% Mandarin speakers. Here’s why

Originally targeting heritage speakers, the University of British Columbia’s language programme is proving more popular among another group.

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A Cantonese language course at the University of British Columbia that was originally geared towards heritage speakers is proving far more popular among Mandarin-speaking students. Photo: Getty Images
Chinese culture

A Gen Z take on the Chinese almanac? Grandma’s tear-off calendar goes digital

Feng Shui Calendar Widget developer Jingyi Ma reveals why her digital version of the Chinese almanac is about more than finding auspicious dates.

Jingyi Ma, the Beijing-born, New York-based creative technologist behind the Feng Shui Calendar Widget. Ma says her almanac app for iPhone is about passing down “something old and physical” in a world where “no one buys paper goods any more”. Photo: courtesy of Jingyi Ma
Jingyi Ma, the Beijing-born, New York-based creative technologist behind the Feng Shui Calendar Widget. Ma says her almanac app for iPhone is about passing down “something old and physical” in a world where “no one buys paper goods any more”. Photo: courtesy of Jingyi Ma
Belt and Road Initiative

Open Questions | China always a connector, never a coloniser, author says

Sheng-Wei Wang says China’s Belt and Road Initiative echoes the voyages of 15th century Chinese explorer Zheng He, who promoted trade but never stayed.

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SCMP Highlights

Hangzhou’s fine-dining scene; ‘nostalgia-posting’ trend: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From TCM’s ‘miracle pill’ to the benefits of working past retirement age, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

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Chinese culture

How AI is helping bring Hong Kong history to life on Instagram and beyond

Cultural preservationists use generative AI to breathe life into photos from the past, but does this practice promote or distort history?

A photo of Hong Kong during the mid-20th century, colourised by OldHKinColour. The team behind the popular Instagram account uses artificial intelligence to bring such photos to life, but some say this “distorts” history. Photo: OldHKinColour
A photo of Hong Kong during the mid-20th century, colourised by OldHKinColour. The team behind the popular Instagram account uses artificial intelligence to bring such photos to life, but some say this “distorts” history. Photo: OldHKinColour
Wellness

All about TCM’s ‘miracle pill’ Angong Niuhuang Wan, and when not to take it

The prized Angong Niuhuang Wan is thought to help stroke victims if taken at the right time. But when is that, and can it harm you?

SCMP Highlights

Feng shui advice, a mom’s path to pain-free movement: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From a nostalgic trend making a comeback in Hong Kong to exploring China’s Zhongshan, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Hong Kong culture

What’s behind Hong Kong’s retro display craze sweeping shops and stations?

The transformation of a Wellcome supermarket branch into a viral photo hotspot highlights a growing nostalgia trend engulfing the city.

Tourists gather around an old-school display at a Wellcome supermarket in Hong Kong’s Yau Ma Tei neighbourhood. Similar retro-themed displays are popping up all over the city. Photo: Dickson Lee
Chinese culture

Feng shui tips for all 12 Chinese zodiac signs for the Year of the Horse 2026

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan shares where each Chinese zodiac sign can place items for good luck in the Year of the Fire Horse.

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Customers choose colored glaze snake handicrafts for the coming Chinese New Year, the Year of Snake, in Xiye Colored Glaze Studio in Boshan district, Zibo city, Shandong province, China, on Jan. 9, 2025. With a long history of colored glaze, Boshan is regarded as China’s Hometown of Colored Glaze and has 12 colored glaze enterprises and 65 art studios. (Xinhua) 新华社照片，淄博（山东），2025年1月9日 1月9日，消费者在淄博市博山区西冶工坊展销厅内挑选蛇年主题琉璃工艺品。 春节临近，山东省淄博市博山区的琉璃生产企业推出众多蛇年主题创意琉璃制品，受到市场青睐。博山区被誉为“中国琉璃之乡“，琉璃生产历史悠久，当地已发展琉璃生产企业12家、工作室65个。 新华社记者 朱峥 摄
Customers choose colored glaze snake handicrafts for the coming Chinese New Year, the Year of Snake, in Xiye Colored Glaze Studio in Boshan district, Zibo city, Shandong province, China, on Jan. 9, 2025. With a long history of colored glaze, Boshan is regarded as China’s Hometown of Colored Glaze and has 12 colored glaze enterprises and 65 art studios. (Xinhua) 新华社照片，淄博（山东），2025年1月9日 1月9日，消费者在淄博市博山区西冶工坊展销厅内挑选蛇年主题琉璃工艺品。 春节临近，山东省淄博市博山区的琉璃生产企业推出众多蛇年主题创意琉璃制品，受到市场青睐。博山区被誉为“中国琉璃之乡“，琉璃生产历史悠久，当地已发展琉璃生产企业12家、工作室65个。 新华社记者 朱峥 摄
Chinese culture

Feng shui advice for Snakes for luck in money, health and romance

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan shares where Snakes can put lucky coloured items at home and work for luck in the Year of the Fire Horse.

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Chinese culture

Feng shui advice for Dragons for a lucky, healthy Year of the Horse 2026

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan shares where Dragons can put auspicious items at home and work for fortune in the Year of the Fire Horse.

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Chinese culture

When should you open your Lunar New Year red packets? The luckiest time, and why

It is considered rude to open lai see in front of the giver but don’t leave the red packets unopened for more than a couple of months.

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Giving red packets (also called lai see or hong bao) is a Lunar New Year tradition, but when should you open them? Photo: Getty Images
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