https://www.scmp.com/rss/514363/feed Zoey Zhang is a multimedia reporter who covers ranges of topics including China culture, education, social trends, and Asian human interest stories. She previously interned with the Post on the video desk over the winter of 2022-2023. She holds a master’s degree in Journalism from the University of Hong Kong. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang Mainland social media was engulfed by sorrow following the passing of Zhang Xuefeng, an esteemed education guru with over 30 million followers, in late March. Meanwhile, another influential figure was capturing attention online. ZXMOTO founder Zhang Xue had just achieved a remarkable victory for his motorcycle brand on the world stage. Though these two self-made icons treaded vastly different paths, they simultaneously resonated with the public mood. Their stories reveal a deeper unease in China... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3349856/bikes-books-and-ambitions-how-zhang-xue-and-zhang-xuefeng-inspire-generation-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3349856/bikes-books-and-ambitions-how-zhang-xue-and-zhang-xuefeng-inspire-generation-china?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:00:15 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A coffee shop in eastern China has gone viral for its entry rules banning a range of bizarre misbehaviour, from discarding black stockings to stealing tiny turtles from its pond. The café, Yi Nan Ping, is in Qingzhou Ancient City, a popular tourist site in Weifang, Shandong province, and is known for its signature pineapple Americano and picturesque courtyard. Visitors recently spotted an oversized notice at the café entrance, almost as tall as an adult, opening with a blunt admission: it had... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3349338/china-cafe-sets-entry-rules-ban-littering-discarding-black-stockings-stealing-tiny-turtles?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3349338/china-cafe-sets-entry-rules-ban-littering-discarding-black-stockings-stealing-tiny-turtles?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Apr 2026 06:00:12 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang Long before social media and camera lenses, ancient China had its own “paparazzi” who wielded ink, paper and a sharp tongue to unsettle the lives of the powerful. In those days, gossip was more than idle chatter; it formed an informal information network linking teahouses, stage stations, street tabloids and officialdom. During the Eastern Han dynasty (25–220), the imperial court established the Censorate, a body charged with monitoring official conduct. Its censors watched for misconduct that... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3349254/how-gossip-spread-ancient-china-advent-printing-when-newspapers-reported-scandals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3349254/how-gossip-spread-ancient-china-advent-printing-when-newspapers-reported-scandals?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Apr 2026 01:00:09 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang For most ordinary people in ancient China, using the toilet was a routine necessity. In the imperial court, however, even the most private act became a carefully staged display of status and ritual. Papermaking, one of China’s Four Great Inventions, had emerged by the Han dynasty (206 BC–220), yet paper remained too precious for daily use. Instead of toilet paper, commoners relied on leaves, pebbles, or tiles for personal cleaning, while the elite used silk or cloth. They also employed slender... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3349307/ancient-china-lavish-toilet-routines-nobles-used-silk-empress-cixi-had-28-maids-serve-her?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3349307/ancient-china-lavish-toilet-routines-nobles-used-silk-empress-cixi-had-28-maids-serve-her?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 01:00:14 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang After losing his entire family, a 90-year-old from central China took to the road on a decades-long cycling odyssey in search of solace. The sprightly Zhang Zhongyi, from Kaifeng in Henan province, remains sharp-witted, articulate and quick to smile. His story gained nationwide attention after Bai Xiaobai, a woman who encountered him in Putian, southeastern China’s Fujian province, stopped to help push his tricycle. As they spoke, Zhang recounted the tragedy that had reshaped his life. In the... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348790/chinese-man-90-cycles-across-country-after-tragic-losses-wife-son-daughter-law-grandson?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348790/chinese-man-90-cycles-across-country-after-tragic-losses-wife-son-daughter-law-grandson?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 10:00:08 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A pet-friendly hotel in southwestern China has drawn fierce online criticism after recommending dog meat restaurants to a traveller staying with their dog. On March 27, a social media user surnamed Chen described a disturbing stay at a hotel in Guizhou province. Chen said they had booked a pet-friendly property for a trip with their puppy, but was taken aback when the hotel sent them an official message recommending local attractions, including the town’s dog meat speciality. The message, which... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348646/public-outrage-china-traveller-pet-friendly-hotel-receives-text-recommending-dog-meat-eateries?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348646/public-outrage-china-traveller-pet-friendly-hotel-receives-text-recommending-dog-meat-eateries?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 01:00:09 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang By night, some young Chinese are swapping traditional cocktails for so-called traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) bars, where herbal-infused spirits promise everything from heartbreak cures to wellness boosts. In these dimly lit venues, R&B or rock music pulses through the speakers while behind the bar, drawers brim with herbs rather than bottles. Bartenders in white coats, often certified TCM practitioners, begin each visit by taking pulses and asking about lifestyle habits before crafting... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348517/china-youth-flock-tcm-bars-prescription-cocktails-amid-rise-punk-wellness-lifestyle?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348517/china-youth-flock-tcm-bars-prescription-cocktails-amid-rise-punk-wellness-lifestyle?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:00:08 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang In recent years, a new “city bus” trend has been gathering pace in southern China. It offers a fresh spin on the “city walk” craze and sees buses transformed into roving venues for karaoke, film screenings and even yum cha. In Guangdong province, some young people are embracing what they see as the most local way to explore the region: using themed public buses to take in the slow rhythms of everyday life. While eating is banned on public transport in most mainland cities, passengers on... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348487/china-immersive-fun-buses-see-rise-mobile-venues-karaoke-films-dim-sum-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348487/china-immersive-fun-buses-see-rise-mobile-venues-karaoke-films-dim-sum-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:00:08 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang Before electricity, central heating, and down quilts, winter in ancient China was not simply a season but a test of class. Cold was shared by everyone, but warmth was usually not. During the Han dynasty (206BC–AD220), emperors used specially designed “warm chambers” to protect themselves from the winter cold. The walls were plastered with a mixture of mud and Sichuan peppercorns, thought to preserve heat while resisting dampness and insects; curtains and screens helped keep out draughts. These... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3347718/how-emperors-and-nobles-kept-warm-without-down-quilts-during-winter-ancient-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3347718/how-emperors-and-nobles-kept-warm-without-down-quilts-during-winter-ancient-china?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 10:00:10 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A six-year-old boy in central China was left alone in a hotel for more than two weeks, touching hotel workers who stepped in to care for him like family. According to Henan Television, the boy, nicknamed Chengcheng, checked into a hotel in Zhengzhou, Henan province, with his 25-year-old mother, surnamed Yue, in February. She initially went out at night and returned during the day, but stopped returning in March and left no contact information. For more than half a month, Chengcheng stayed alone... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348002/chinese-mum-leaves-son-6-hotel-room-more-2-weeks-staff-act-carers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348002/chinese-mum-leaves-son-6-hotel-room-more-2-weeks-staff-act-carers?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 01:00:09 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A troupe of left-behind rural women in central China has gained online fame through group live streams orchestrated by local Gen Z managers. In Junying village in Henan province, more than 20 women with an average age of 60 wear sunglasses and gloves, colourful jackets and dance with props in a disused courtyard. But this is no ordinary square dancing. In group live-streams, the aunties take on the viral dance routines favoured by younger internet users, while viewers send virtual gifts and... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/gender-diversity/article/3347686/china-left-behind-aunties-known-senior-girl-group-gain-popularity-charm-dance-skills?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/gender-diversity/article/3347686/china-left-behind-aunties-known-senior-girl-group-gain-popularity-charm-dance-skills?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Mar 2026 06:00:09 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang Using only a childhood photograph, a woman in central China found her younger brother who had been lured away with a piece of bread more than three decades ago. Li Lin, 44, from Xiantao in Hubei province, was separated from her brother, Li Xin, in childhood after tragedy tore their family apart, Daxiang News reported. Their mother died of cancer, while their father reportedly suffered a mental collapse, left home and never returned. Orphaned at the ages of 11 and seven, the siblings survived by... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3347846/china-woman-uses-old-photo-find-brother-who-was-lured-away-bread-33-years-ago?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3347846/china-woman-uses-old-photo-find-brother-who-was-lured-away-bread-33-years-ago?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Mar 2026 01:00:09 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang The tale of seven dogs from China allegedly fleeing captivity from a dog meat restaurant won hearts globally, but the reality has recently come to light, taking an unexpected turn. Local media and official fact-checks later revealed that the German shepherd in the video was in heat, attracting the other six dogs who followed it. This dramatic and heartwarming story began with a video captured by a road user in Changchun, Jilin province, northeastern China, showing seven dogs walking along a... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348152/great-escape-great-reunion-plot-twists-china-viral-video-7-dogs-homecoming?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348152/great-escape-great-reunion-plot-twists-china-viral-video-7-dogs-homecoming?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 10:00:08 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang Top Chinese education influencer Zhang Xuefeng, who had over 30 million online followers, died on March 24 at the age of 41 after suffering a cardiac arrest. His studio announced the news in an obituary, while CCTV News reported that Zhang felt unwell after a run and was rushed to the hospital. Doctors were unable to revive him and ruled cardiac arrest was the cause of his death. Possible triggers include strenuous exercise after staying up late or sharp emotional swings. For years, Zhang... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3347974/once-poor-village-boy-famous-china-educational-guru-zhang-xuefeng-dies-41-after-run?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3347974/once-poor-village-boy-famous-china-educational-guru-zhang-xuefeng-dies-41-after-run?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 10:00:17 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A Japanese food company has transformed tofu with a “manly” twist, attracting younger consumers and generating over 6 billion yen (US$38 million) in annual revenue. Tofu, introduced to Japan from China during the Tang dynasty (618–907), boasts a rich historical lineage. During the Edo Period (1601–1868), the shogunate implemented austerity measures to combat a financial crisis, directing the samurai class to adopt cotton attire and consume economical tofu for sustenance. Since then, tofu has... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3347676/japan-food-company-rebrands-boring-tofu-making-it-manly-appeal-young-customers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3347676/japan-food-company-rebrands-boring-tofu-making-it-manly-appeal-young-customers?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Mar 2026 06:15:08 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A recent development in this story has revealed that, following a further investigation, the dogs did not escape captivity. For a detailed account, please read “Plot twists in the viral ‘great escape’ and homecoming video of 7 dogs from China”. Seven stolen village dogs in northeastern China captured the hearts of millions online after breaking free from thieves working for a dog meat shop and embarking on a journey home together, igniting calls for stronger animal protection laws. On March 16,... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3347595/heartwarming-tale-7-china-dogs-escape-captivity-garners-230-million-views-online?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3347595/heartwarming-tale-7-china-dogs-escape-captivity-garners-230-million-views-online?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 10:09:28 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang In a heart-wrenching display of devotion, an elderly man from eastern China spent 12 hours every day for 105 days travelling to visit his wife in hospital. Chen Achong, 82, a farmer from Zhoushan in Zhejiang province, and his wife, Xue, have been married for more than 50 years, according to the mainland media outlet Xinwenfang. A year ago, Xue suffered a stroke and soon after developed severe pneumonia, leading to her hospitalisation in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Li Huili Hospital in... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3347144/chinese-man-82-travels-12-hours-daily-105-days-visit-wife-icu-devotion-touches-hearts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3347144/chinese-man-82-travels-12-hours-daily-105-days-visit-wife-icu-devotion-touches-hearts?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 06:00:09 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang From a former lecturer to the mastermind behind a lingerie empire, Zhang Rongming’s journey reshaped China’s intimate apparel industry with innovation and a keen eye for market trends. Zhang, 64, from Suzhou in Jiangsu province, eastern China, is the founder and chairman of Aimer, a leading lingerie brand. He excelled in metallurgy and chemistry during his university years, later pursuing graduate studies. In the late 1980s, while teaching at Shougang Institute of Technology in Beijing, he... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3347174/ex-china-university-lecturer-sets-luxury-lingerie-brand-earning-us770-million-fortune?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3347174/ex-china-university-lecturer-sets-luxury-lingerie-brand-earning-us770-million-fortune?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Mar 2026 10:00:09 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang In some Chinese workplaces, employers use office Wi-fi, surveillance cameras and even smart seats to monitor what staff do, say and search online. Workers’ Daily reported that a woman working at a technology company in Guangzhou, southern China, discovered that a camera had been installed above her desk after she declined to go on a business trip because she was ill. In January, she said a manager warned her not to use private group chats during office hours. After checking the camera’s storage... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3347010/china-bosses-use-smart-seats-wi-fi-track-staff-activities-leads-anti-monitoring-gadgets?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3347010/china-bosses-use-smart-seats-wi-fi-track-staff-activities-leads-anti-monitoring-gadgets?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Mar 2026 06:00:11 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang An emerging form of therapy in China has stirred controversy over blurred boundaries by using sensory tools, touch and hugging to ease clients’ stress. Mainland media reports say workshops and services centred on “intimate touch” have spread across social media since late last year. In quiet, softly lit rooms, intimate touch therapists offer what they describe as emotional healing through light caresses, hugs and sensory tools such as feathers and velvet gloves. Customers typically remove some... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346899/intimate-touch-therapists-spark-china-debate-using-sensory-objects-hugs-help-clients-relax?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346899/intimate-touch-therapists-spark-china-debate-using-sensory-objects-hugs-help-clients-relax?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Mar 2026 06:00:09 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A Chinese woman who was abandoned in a toilet as a newborn by her grandfather has reunited with her biological parents 28 years after being adopted by a Dutch couple. Hong Yangli, 28, was born into a rural family in Nanchang, Jiangxi province, central China, as the third child, the mainland media outlet Daxiang News reported. Her mother, Yang Xiaoying, said that a day after giving birth, her father-in-law offered to take the baby home and look after her. Still weak after childbirth and with her... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346901/china-woman-reunites-birth-parents-after-being-abandoned-toilet-grandad-28-years-ago?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346901/china-woman-reunites-birth-parents-after-being-abandoned-toilet-grandad-28-years-ago?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Mar 2026 01:00:09 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang Long before calorie counting and healthy diets, women in ancient China were already under intense pressure to stay slim, even swallowing cacti or silk in pursuit of what was perceived as perfection. Many assume ancient Chinese women prized fuller figures, but the reality was more nuanced. The Tang dynasty (618–907) is often cited as the classic example, thanks in part to figures such as the female sovereign Wu Zetian and the consort Yang Yuhuan. Yet plumpness was never the sole ideal. In most... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3347118/swallowing-pieces-silk-eating-cacti-or-just-1-meal-day-all-pursuit-thinness-ancient-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3347118/swallowing-pieces-silk-eating-cacti-or-just-1-meal-day-all-pursuit-thinness-ancient-china?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:00:13 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang The Greater Bay Area offers a varied cultural calendar this spring, from headline concerts by pop stars and rock bands to recitals by celebrated pianists and a French musical. Read on to find out what exciting things are coming up in Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Macau over the next two months. Late March 1. Jane Zhang concert tour (Guangzhou) Known as the “Dolphin Princess” for her signature whistle register, Sichuan-born singer Jane Zhang is bringing her world tour to Guangzhou. Zhang’s list of... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3347094/nicholas-tse-exo-among-top-music-and-art-events-coming-shenzhen-macau-and-guangzhou?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3347094/nicholas-tse-exo-among-top-music-and-art-events-coming-shenzhen-macau-and-guangzhou?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Mar 2026 06:15:08 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A 12-year-old girl from central China showed her business acumen by using her savings to buy a stationery shop and hiring her mother for 3,000 yuan (US$440) a month. Li Yue, who lived in Jiangxi province and received over 44,000 yuan (US$6,400) in lai see during the Spring Festival, decided to invest the money in a business. She believed that depositing the money in the bank would offer an interest rate too low to keep up with inflation. While on her way to the bank, Li spotted a stationery... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346377/china-girl-12-uses-lai-see-money-buy-shop-paying-mum-us440-salary-run-it-her?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346377/china-girl-12-uses-lai-see-money-buy-shop-paying-mum-us440-salary-run-it-her?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Mar 2026 01:00:09 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang The sole female senior officer aboard China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier has urged women to put aside their gender and focus on professionalism and responsibility. On March 7, during the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing, a poised and confident female military deputy in uniform captured nationwide attention. Zhu Yuemeng, 36, from a modest family in Jilin province, northeastern China, is a naval lieutenant colonel and serves as a political instructor on board the Liaoning aircraft... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3346243/china-liaoning-warships-sole-female-senior-officer-urges-fellow-women-prioritise-professional-skills?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3346243/china-liaoning-warships-sole-female-senior-officer-urges-fellow-women-prioritise-professional-skills?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Mar 2026 01:00:10 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A pet shop owner from southwestern China discovered an abandoned cat with a note and cash, uncovering an elderly person’s final, loving gesture for their pet. On March 7, the woman surnamed Sun, who runs a pet shop in Chuxiong, Yunnan province, found a grey pet carrier outside her shop. Hearing a kitten meowing, she opened it to find a tabby cat surrounded by cat food. “I was furious, thinking an irresponsible owner had abandoned it,” Sun said. But as she looked closer, she found a crumpled... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346210/china-pet-shop-owner-finds-dumped-cat-touching-note-and-cash-elderly-facing-surgery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346210/china-pet-shop-owner-finds-dumped-cat-touching-note-and-cash-elderly-facing-surgery?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Mar 2026 06:00:09 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A young girl from central China earned widespread praise online after fearlessly confronting riding instructors over why they assigned her friends vicious horses. Nine-year-old Langlang from Huangshi in Hubei province has been travelling the world with her parents since she was a baby. While travelling in Egypt with her parents on March 4, she was taking a riding lesson with two friends at a local equestrian club. Although the pair were beginners, the coaches assigned them two ill-tempered... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346097/china-girl-goes-viral-after-confronting-riding-instructors-assigning-vicious-horses-friends?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346097/china-girl-goes-viral-after-confronting-riding-instructors-assigning-vicious-horses-friends?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Mar 2026 06:00:11 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A 102-year-old woman from eastern China has won hearts online with her optimistic attitude and unique lifestyle. Jin Baoling, a centenarian from a rural area in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, is frequently visited by her son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter. Known for her longevity and cheerful personality, fellow villagers affectionately call her “Old Baby.” According to the Taizhou Evening News, Jin is mentally sharp and physically healthy, having not visited a hospital in the past 50... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346119/china-old-baby-102-sleeps-15-hours-daily-loves-pig-trotters-wine-has-not-been-hospital-50-years?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346119/china-old-baby-102-sleeps-15-hours-daily-loves-pig-trotters-wine-has-not-been-hospital-50-years?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Mar 2026 01:00:09 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang From speaking Chinese to filming square dancing in a park, Hollywood’s golden boy Timothée Chalamet gave his fans a lot to talk about during his trip to China. The 30-year-old American-French actor, affectionately called tian cha, “Sweet Tea”, by his Chinese fans due to the phonetic similarity to his name, is considered a front runner to win an Oscar. His recent trip to China is to promote Marty Supreme, a film about a shoe salesman who risks everything to pursue his dream of becoming a world... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3346337/timothee-chalamet-charms-fans-embracing-chinese-culture-selling-tofu-playing-table-tennis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3346337/timothee-chalamet-charms-fans-embracing-chinese-culture-selling-tofu-playing-table-tennis?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:00:13 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A school dropout from eastern China who survived a violent attack and bankruptcy has built a steamed bun empire that generates 180 million yuan (US$26 million) annually. Liu Huiping, 49, hails from Anhui province, famously known as China’s “hometown of dough makers.” To ease the financial burden on his parents, Liu left secondary school early. He initially learned furniture making before shifting his focus to the craft of Chinese buns. In 1998, with a 4,000-yuan (US$580) loan, Liu ventured to... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3346323/net-worth-us580-us580-million-china-school-dropout-builds-steamed-bun-empire?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3346323/net-worth-us580-us580-million-china-school-dropout-builds-steamed-bun-empire?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Mar 2026 06:11:05 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang At first glance, it is just a photograph of an empty room. But on mainland social media, it has become something else entirely: a virtual confessional. Beneath such posts, users anonymously unburden themselves to strangers, sharing the guilt, anxiety and struggles they cannot voice to family or friends. Traditionally, the confessional in Christianity is a space where believers admit their sins to a priest and seek absolution. Such so-called cyber confession rooms have recently surged in... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346064/cyber-confession-room-where-china-youth-share-struggles-financial-problems-gains-traction?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346064/cyber-confession-room-where-china-youth-share-struggles-financial-problems-gains-traction?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Mar 2026 01:01:13 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang In modern China, the so-called 996 work culture, working six days a week from 9am to 9pm, has become a major point of contention. While some advocate for the gruelling schedule as a fast track to success, others decry it as “modern slavery”, pointing to cases where excessive work hours have led to severe health problems or even death. The debate was first ignited in 2019, when an anonymous protest on GitHub, a global developer platform owned by Microsoft, drew attention to how the 996 culture... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3345675/china-996-work-culture-dates-back-2200-years-shows-work-life-balance-struggles-through-ages?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3345675/china-996-work-culture-dates-back-2200-years-shows-work-life-balance-struggles-through-ages?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Mar 2026 01:00:07 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang In ancient China, patriarchal and feudal norms limited women’s control over reproduction, forcing many to endure risky contraceptive methods. According to the Classic of Mountains and Seas, one of the earliest known contraceptives in China was a herb called Gurong. Its taste was extremely bitter, its leaves resembled orchids and its roots were similar to those of the balloon flower. During the pre-Qin period (2100–221), people believed that consuming Gurong, a plant that only bloomed but did not... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/gender-diversity/article/3345435/ancient-chinese-women-used-crude-contraceptives-eating-tadpoles-ingesting-mercury?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/gender-diversity/article/3345435/ancient-chinese-women-used-crude-contraceptives-eating-tadpoles-ingesting-mercury?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Mar 2026 10:00:09 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A little girl from central China has touched millions of hearts online with a handwritten farewell message and money for her parents as they left for work. Xinyu, a 10-year-old from Shangqiu, Henan province, is raised by her grandmother with her younger brother while her parents work in Suzhou, eastern China. According to mainland reports, her parents only return home once a year during the Spring Festival, which this year ran from February 15 to 23, the longest holiday in recent years. Before... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3345388/china-girl-writes-farewell-note-offers-us120-pamper-parents-highlights-left-behind-kids-lives?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3345388/china-girl-writes-farewell-note-offers-us120-pamper-parents-highlights-left-behind-kids-lives?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Mar 2026 01:00:11 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang Two women in southern China who have lived together for 13 years have gone viral and sparked an online discussion about female cohabitation. Liang Shichun, 59, and her best friend Li Yan, 51, bought a house together in Nanning, Guangxi province, and share everything from household chores to the mortgage. Both women had unhappy marriages and chose not to remarry, instead opting to live together and support each other. Their friendship, which has lasted more than two decades, included Li being... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/gender-diversity/article/3345303/china-women-living-together-years-spark-discussions-female-cohabitation-and-support?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/gender-diversity/article/3345303/china-women-living-together-years-spark-discussions-female-cohabitation-and-support?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Mar 2026 10:00:07 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang Today, we can order food from apps and enjoy it at home, thanks to smartphones and e-payments. But long before modern vehicles and technology, ancient China had already developed a rough version of food delivery services. Historical records say that during the Han dynasty (206BC-220), an emperor once asked his officials about the living conditions of ordinary people. To conceal the fact that famine had struck the city, one official deliberately bought a bowl of meat soup from a market,... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3345290/ancient-china-had-food-delivery-services-during-song-dynasty-emperors-ordered-meals-eunuchs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3345290/ancient-china-had-food-delivery-services-during-song-dynasty-emperors-ordered-meals-eunuchs?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Mar 2026 01:00:08 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A man from central China discovered gold while slaughtering a duck, an unusual find that echoes ancient gold rush practices. In February, a villager surnamed Liu from Longhui county, Hunan province, discovered the gold particles in a duck’s stomach. After a burning test, the particles were confirmed to be genuine gold, weighing around 10g and valued at nearly 12,000 yuan (US$1,800), the mainland media outlet Xinwenfang reported. Liu’s father saw it as a sign of good luck for the year ahead. Liu... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3345489/chinese-man-discovers-gold-particles-ducks-stomach-weighing-10-grams-worth-us1800?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3345489/chinese-man-discovers-gold-particles-ducks-stomach-weighing-10-grams-worth-us1800?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Mar 2026 01:00:09 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A 75-year-old Chinese actress has ignited a nationwide debate over age representation after portraying a teenage girl and sharing a kiss with a much younger male co-star in a mini-drama. Liu Xiaoqing, a cherished figure in Chinese cinema with over 10 million social media followers, has long been celebrated for her youthful energy and commitment to her craft, earning her the title of China’s “ageless goddess.” In the mini-drama Splendid Tranquility, which aired in February, Liu plays Su Wanqing,... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3345418/china-actress-75-triggers-debate-playing-teenage-girl-mini-drama-kissing-young-man?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3345418/china-actress-75-triggers-debate-playing-teenage-girl-mini-drama-kissing-young-man?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Mar 2026 10:00:35 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A man’s journey across China’s congested highways to propose marriage has captured the internet’s attention after he posted a simple red banner in the back window of his car urging fellow drivers to give way. In February, many netizens shared a heartwarming scene they witnessed while driving. Videos posted online showed the banner which read: “Brothers, let me go first. I am heading to Guizhou to propose to the love of my life.” The vehicle’s owner, surnamed Tan, 26, from Jiangxi province in... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344728/chinese-man-drives-900-km-marriage-proposal-hangs-banner-asking-fellow-drivers-make-way?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344728/chinese-man-drives-900-km-marriage-proposal-hangs-banner-asking-fellow-drivers-make-way?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Mar 2026 01:00:08 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A woman in southern China who was being pressured by her family to marry has been defended by her nephew, leaving relatives speechless. On February 19, the 26-year-old woman from Zhanjiang, Guangdong province, known online as “I Have a Nephew (Boasting Edition)”, shared a viral video. The clip showed a family gathering during Chinese New Year, where she was introduced to a man in his 30s and urged to marry. Caught off guard, the woman was immediately defended by her six-year-old... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344714/china-boy-defends-aunt-who-faces-pressure-marry-says-she-only-wants-man-8-pack-abs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344714/china-boy-defends-aunt-who-faces-pressure-marry-says-she-only-wants-man-8-pack-abs?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Mar 2026 01:00:13 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A businesswoman from central China who was raised in a family that prized sons over daughters has built her own e-commerce fashion empire. Huang Xuanni, 44, grew up in a rural family in Binzhou, Hunan province, where she was the overlooked sixth daughter among seven children. Her parents, who lavished attention on their only son, left Huang to eat alone on the doorstep and rarely remembered her name. Mainland reports recount a heartbreaking moment in her childhood when her parents abandoned her... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3344619/china-entrepreneur-abandoned-child-owns-fashion-brand-generates-us36-million-sales?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3344619/china-entrepreneur-abandoned-child-owns-fashion-brand-generates-us36-million-sales?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Mar 2026 01:00:09 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A traditional ceremony in a village in eastern China, where men bow and kowtow in reverence to their ancestors while women watch from the sidelines, has ignited debate over gender roles in cultural practices. In February, a viral video captured a compelling scene from Dalei village in Yanggu county, Shandong province, during the Chinese New Year holiday. The footage shows more than 600 men from the Lei clan lined up along a red carpet in front of the ancestral hall. Arranged by age and lineage,... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/gender-diversity/article/3344612/china-village-holds-ceremony-where-600-men-bow-homage-ancestors-igniting-gender-debate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/gender-diversity/article/3344612/china-village-holds-ceremony-where-600-men-bow-homage-ancestors-igniting-gender-debate?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Feb 2026 10:00:11 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A 64-year-old trans woman in eastern Japan is embracing a quiet, slow-burn romance with a boyfriend 22 years her senior, often showing up to dates in princess dresses. Kuboyama, a retired information technology (IT) engineer from Kawasaki City who also goes by the name Catherine, was once known for her handsome looks and high-paying job before the sex reassignment surgery, TV Tokyo reported. She says she was drawn to women’s clothes and make-up from childhood and felt little interest in... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3344558/japan-trans-woman-64-enjoys-slow-paced-life-lover-86-wears-princess-dresses-dates?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3344558/japan-trans-woman-64-enjoys-slow-paced-life-lover-86-wears-princess-dresses-dates?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Feb 2026 06:00:10 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang In China, some young people are paying steep prices for wish candles sold by influencers, hoping to rekindle a romance. One such influencer, Li Zhuofan, built a following of more than 600,000 on mainland social media after appearing on the Russian reality show The Battle of Psychics, where she used a candle to “locate” a person hidden in a car boot and claimed she could sense that someone had once died in another vehicle. After returning to China, Li began selling handmade wish candles online.... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344487/china-influencer-earns-us7-million-wish-candles-sale-arrest-fraud?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344487/china-influencer-earns-us7-million-wish-candles-sale-arrest-fraud?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Feb 2026 10:00:09 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang As feline companions, cats have woven themselves into the fabric of modern Chinese life, appearing in homes, cafes and even fashion shows. But what you might not know is that their appeal is rooted in ancient times. In fact, bringing a cat into the home and raising it as a pet once followed rituals similar to marriage in ancient China. Scientists have revealed that the earliest domestic cats appeared around 1,400 years ago during the Tang dynasty (618-907), arriving in China from Central Asia... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3343351/ancient-chinese-process-bringing-cat-home-raise-pet-was-similar-marital-contract?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3343351/ancient-chinese-process-bringing-cat-home-raise-pet-was-similar-marital-contract?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 06:00:09 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang Young people in Japan are using artificial intelligence (AI) to make before-and-after cosmetic surgery photographs which look like they are two “different” versions of themselves in a single setting. Data suggests the country is relatively relaxed about cosmetic procedures, but the latest trend is raising concerns about the effect it might have on youngsters. According to the Japan Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the country logged about 3.3 million aesthetic medical procedures in 2022,... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3343313/japan-youth-share-photos-show-and-after-cosmetic-surgeries-raise-copycat-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3343313/japan-youth-share-photos-show-and-after-cosmetic-surgeries-raise-copycat-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Feb 2026 08:00:09 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang Once, young people in China were obsessed with emulating trendy lifestyles, attending parties, enjoying fine dining and treating consumption as a social currency. But as this fast-paced lifestyle became the norm, many began to feel exhausted. In response, a quieter, more traditional way of living has surfaced, and the young people have started calling themselves “old-school humans”. Last December, some people began sharing stories on social media about spending time with their grandparents at... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3343202/china-youth-ditch-fast-living-become-old-school-humans-stories-get-1-billion-views-online?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3343202/china-youth-ditch-fast-living-become-old-school-humans-stories-get-1-billion-views-online?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Feb 2026 01:00:09 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang In quiet corners of China, a growing community is forging a deep, almost personal connection with history. Known as “history fangirls”, they visit the museums and mausoleums, write books about them and are keen on related merchandise. One such devotee, a woman known online as @bufashi, spent the past year visiting 52 gravesites, travelling through remote mountains and forests in search of the resting places of ancient Chinese figures. Each solo trip is more than an act of remembrance; it is a... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3342507/china-history-fangirls-visit-mausoleums-write-books-marking-rapid-growth-heritage-tourism?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3342507/china-history-fangirls-visit-mausoleums-write-books-marking-rapid-growth-heritage-tourism?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Feb 2026 01:00:07 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang In China, death is traditionally seen as a taboo and often tied to bad luck. But in Heze, a city in eastern China’s Shandong province, this cultural barrier has given rise to a booming industry. According to Personage magazine, Lisa Liu, 29, from Heze was once a teacher. Exhausted and hoarse from the pressure of work, Liu switched careers in July 2023. After a chance interview, she went into coffin sales, focusing on the European market, particularly Italy. Her boss took her on a tour of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3343065/china-woman-quits-teaching-sell-coffins-europe-generating-us6-million-sales-annually?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3343065/china-woman-quits-teaching-sell-coffins-europe-generating-us6-million-sales-annually?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Feb 2026 08:00:09 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A mother from eastern China who faced online criticism for making simple breakfasts has turned heads and gone viral with her bizarre breakfast creations. Clothing shop owner Zhang Liping from Zhejiang province lives with her husband and their 16-year-old son. Last December, Zhang casually posted videos on social media of her son’s breakfasts, including several pieces of dry bread, rice crackers and a cup of hot water. Netizens quickly pointed out the lack of nutrition this provided, with one... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3343020/chinese-mother-prepares-thunder-breakfast-son-goes-viral-900-million-views?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3343020/chinese-mother-prepares-thunder-breakfast-son-goes-viral-900-million-views?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Feb 2026 01:00:10 +0000