https://www.scmp.com/rss/515696/feed Yating is a Beijing-based culture reporter at the Post. Previously, she worked for CCTV-6, covering international film and culture. Her journalistic expertise includes pop culture, entertainment industry, gender equality, education, workplace discrimination, and social welfare. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Yating Yang Yating Yang A 74-year-old British grandmother who set off on a solo trip to China received an unexpected outpouring of support from Chinese netizens who took turns to guide her on her journey. The heartwarming story began with Xiao Yue, a senior university student from Hezhou in Guangxi Province, southern China, who first met the British grandmother while volunteering in Phuket. The woman, Gill, 74, has travelled to 72 countries on her own and has also volunteered in many countries before. Recently, Xiao... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3350839/innate-kindness-chinese-people-moves-british-granny-74-travelling-solo-across-country?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3350839/innate-kindness-chinese-people-moves-british-granny-74-travelling-solo-across-country?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:08 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A Chinese employee has caused widespread jealousy among netizens after she won seven days of paid “rain leave”, meaning she can stay home when it rains. The woman, whose personal details have not been divulged, from Changsha in Hunan province, southern China, works at a spicy snack company and went viral after winning the unusual prize in a company raffle. The company, Mala Wangzi, which literally means “Spicy Prince”, was founded in 2009 by Zhang Yudong and is headquartered in Changsha. The... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3350308/china-worker-gains-envy-after-winning-7-day-rain-leave-boss-also-offers-cash-subsidies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3350308/china-worker-gains-envy-after-winning-7-day-rain-leave-boss-also-offers-cash-subsidies?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:00:10 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A young Chinese woman who returned to her hometown to raise more than 60,000 venomous snakes and earns more than a million yuan (US$147,000) a year has caused astonishment online. The woman, surnamed Qin, was born in 1995 and hails from Guilin in Guangxi province, southern China. Two years after graduating from university, she returned to her village to help her father raise snakes. She now manages more than 60,000 reptiles, including over 50,000 five-step snakes, a highly venomous species of... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3350186/china-woman-returns-hometown-raise-60000-venomous-snakes-earns-us146000-annually?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3350186/china-woman-returns-hometown-raise-60000-venomous-snakes-earns-us146000-annually?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2026 01:00:13 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A traditional Tibetan Bathing Festival sees men and women of all ages bathing together in natural waters in a joyous tradition during which young people can meet potential romantic partners. Every year in early July of the Tibetan calendar, the festival, or Bathing Week, takes place across Tibet, from urban areas to rural villages. The traditional event, held along the banks of the Lhasa River, has a history stretching back between 700 and 800 years. It lasts for about a week, typically from the... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3350176/tibetan-bathing-festival-sees-people-bathe-natural-waters-socialise-seek-romantic-partners?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3350176/tibetan-bathing-festival-sees-people-bathe-natural-waters-socialise-seek-romantic-partners?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Apr 2026 10:00:10 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang An 81-year-old Chinese woman dubbed “the strongest Chinese mother” was born without limbs and managed to raise three children. The octogenarian who has moved many people online sewed with her mouth and used her elbows to hold chopsticks while looking after her family. Wang Yushi, 81, from Baiyin in Gansu province, northern China, was born with a congenital disability and has had no limbs since birth. She did not even have an official name until her late 20s. “My mother was born without hands or... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3350022/china-limbless-mum-sews-mouth-uses-limb-stumps-daily-tasks-raises-3-kids-alone?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3350022/china-limbless-mum-sews-mouth-uses-limb-stumps-daily-tasks-raises-3-kids-alone?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Apr 2026 10:00:09 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A single mother in China who has worked for 16 years carrying heavy bags of cement on construction sites to care for and fund her daughter’s education has moved countless people online. Wei Guiyun, 40, from Qidong County in Hengyang, Hunan province, central China, has gone viral online after sharing her story. In 2010, at the age of 24, she began the labouring job while raising two young children. At that time, her daughter was two and her son just a few months old. “With two children, the... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3350137/china-single-mum-works-building-sites-lifting-bags-cement-16-years-support-child?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3350137/china-single-mum-works-building-sites-lifting-bags-cement-16-years-support-child?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:00:11 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang An online industry has emerged which allows people to create “wealthy” personal profiles on social media in China by buying “luxury lifestyle” photographs for as little as one yuan (15 US cents). The pictures feature travel scenery, gourmet dining, golfing, skiing and other activities on e-commerce platforms. The photographs are typically priced between one and eight yuan and are marketed as ready-made content for social media posts or for building a curated online persona. They are usually... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3350006/chinese-create-wealthy-online-personas-buying-exotic-lifestyle-photos-warned-legal-risks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3350006/chinese-create-wealthy-online-personas-buying-exotic-lifestyle-photos-warned-legal-risks?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 06:00:10 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A Chinese nurse working at a hospital in Japan has come under fire from both Chinese and Japanese netizens after allegedly routinely posting the personal and medical information of patients online. The Tokyo-based woman, identified as “Zhaozhaozzz”, has around 21,000 followers on social media where she regularly shares content about her life and work. Her personal details remain unclear. While working at the hospital, she filmed so-called “immersive Tokyo nurse vlog” videos with... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3349513/japan-based-china-nurse-criticised-posting-work-clips-raising-privacy-ethics-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3349513/japan-based-china-nurse-criticised-posting-work-clips-raising-privacy-ethics-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 06:00:09 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A 32-year-old Chinese man who went to hospital suffering from stomach pain was shocked to discover that a mercury thermometer he had swallowed 20 years ago was still inside him. The man, surnamed Wang, from Wenzhou in Zhejiang province, southeastern China, had sought treatment at the Longgang branch of The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. A scan revealed a foreign object in his duodenum, which doctors highly suspected to be a mercury thermometer. As the tip of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3349537/chinese-man-32-suffers-stomach-pain-discovers-thermometer-swallowed-child-still-inside-him?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3349537/chinese-man-32-suffers-stomach-pain-discovers-thermometer-swallowed-child-still-inside-him?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 01:00:10 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A Chinese company has sparked controversy after it reportedly used a former employee’s data to create an artificial intelligence (AI) human to continue working following his resignation. A game company in Shandong province in northern China has attracted attention after turning a former employee into an AI-powered “digital worker” which continued performing tasks after their resignation. The employee, whose personal details remain unclear, previously worked as an human resources (HR)... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3349365/chinese-firm-slammed-using-ex-employees-data-create-ai-human-continue-working?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3349365/chinese-firm-slammed-using-ex-employees-data-create-ai-human-continue-working?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 06:00:09 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang Two Americans travelling in China who mistook a “happy funeral” banquet in rural China for a trendy restaurant were unexpectedly given a warm welcome by the locals. Well-known American YouTuber Ludwig Anders Ahgren, who is widely known as Ludwig, has amassed over 6.8 million followers. Recently, he set off on a motorcycle journey across China with his friend, travelling from Guangdong province in southern China to Inner Mongolia in the north. On the fifth day of their trip, while passing... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3349238/us-travellers-mistakenly-think-china-happy-funeral-celebrating-longevity-trendy-eatery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3349238/us-travellers-mistakenly-think-china-happy-funeral-celebrating-longevity-trendy-eatery?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Apr 2026 06:00:11 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A Chinese man who joined a matchmaking event while his wife had briefly gone to the bathroom, then claimed he was single, has sparked outrage online. On April 1, during “Auntie Wang’s Matchmaking” event in Bengbu, Anhui province, central China, a man who claimed to be single went on stage to find a partner was exposed on the spot. The event, which originally took place in Kaifeng, Henan province, also in central China, has attracted much attention on mainland social media. Those taking part are... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3349278/public-outrage-chinese-man-takes-part-matchmaking-event-while-wife-goes-toilet?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3349278/public-outrage-chinese-man-takes-part-matchmaking-event-while-wife-goes-toilet?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Apr 2026 01:00:12 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang China never fails to deliver strange, funny and almost unbelievable viral stories. Today, the SCMP offers a glimpse into some recent quirky moments, from a “haunted” flat that keeps getting resold, to a lift that stops at only one floor and a sushi conveyor belt hijacked by a “Mickey” mouse. Ghostly dwelling On April 1, a flat in Chengdu, Sichuan province in southwestern China, where there had been an unnatural death, was listed for auction for the third time, with bidding set to begin on April... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3349474/quirky-china-haunted-house-auctioned-3-times-lift-serves-only-1-floor-mouse-run-eatery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3349474/quirky-china-haunted-house-auctioned-3-times-lift-serves-only-1-floor-mouse-run-eatery?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 06:04:00 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang In an attempt to mimic cervical traction therapy used in hospitals, a new trend known as the “neck-hanging exercise” has emerged among young Chinese people. The exercise involves people hanging by their head from trees to relieve cervical spondylosis. According to the 2024 China Cervical Spine Health White Paper, more than 200 million people in China suffer from cervical spine disorders, with over 40 per cent of patients under the age of 30. The new hanging trend has been gaining traction... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348773/doctors-warn-spinal-cord-damage-neck-hanging-exercise-trends-among-china-youth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348773/doctors-warn-spinal-cord-damage-neck-hanging-exercise-trends-among-china-youth?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 06:00:08 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang In ancient China, women’s sumo was a popular form of entertainment in which participants wore minimal clothing that exposed their arms, backs, navels and lower abdomens, drawing significant attention. Sumo is widely known as Japan’s national sport, but forms of wrestling also existed in ancient China. Not only did men compete, but women also took part, making it a popular form of public entertainment. Even emperors would watch the “performances”. It is also believed that China has some of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348810/women-sumo-wrestling-was-popular-pastime-ancient-china-until-rise-confucian-ethics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348810/women-sumo-wrestling-was-popular-pastime-ancient-china-until-rise-confucian-ethics?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2026 06:00:08 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang As Chinese cemeteries become increasingly expensive many people are buying flats to store the ashes of their loved ones, triggering a discussion which has divided public opinion. Chinese families have long placed great importance on burial practices, with securing a respectable grave regarded as an essential act of filial piety. However, as rapid urban development limits available land and an ageing population drives up demand, burial space has become increasingly scarce, giving rise to... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348673/chinese-buy-flats-cremated-ashes-due-high-cemetery-costs-leading-law-against-practice?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348673/chinese-buy-flats-cremated-ashes-due-high-cemetery-costs-leading-law-against-practice?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 06:00:08 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang In ancient China, a highly lucrative and fiercely competitive profession known as the “dung collector” brought its exponents significant profits. These people were responsible for gathering human waste, otherwise known as night soil, from residents’ chamber pots. Due to a lack of modern toilets and flush systems, people stored human waste in chamber pots and were not allowed to dispose of it freely. Waste from each household was collected by specialised workers known as “dung collectors”. At... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3348540/why-dung-collector-was-highly-lucrative-profession-ancient-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3348540/why-dung-collector-was-highly-lucrative-profession-ancient-china?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2026 10:00:08 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang Following a dispute with his neighbour, a Chinese man resorted to blasting ghost stories for more than 10 hours a day as revenge, deliberately keeping the volume just below the legal limit, drawing widespread ridicule online. The case was revealed by the Ministry of Justice of the People’s Republic of China. The man, surnamed Lu, and his cohabiter, surnamed Li, both from Guangzhou in Guangdong province, southern China, became embroiled in a dispute with their neighbour, surnamed Xie. The exact... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348496/chinese-man-blasts-ghost-stories-over-speakers-10-hours-daily-retaliate-against-neighbour?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348496/chinese-man-blasts-ghost-stories-over-speakers-10-hours-daily-retaliate-against-neighbour?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2026 06:00:09 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang “Pet spirit money” in various currencies has emerged as a burgeoning trend, with many promoting “luxury dog funerals” that include paper servants and companion pets, as well as unique paper offerings such as salmon, tuna, steak, Wagyu beef and dried chicken. In China, holding funerals for loved ones and burning joss paper have long been revered mourning traditions, originally intended to express remembrance and respect for the deceased, as well as to convey the hope that they will thrive in the... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348735/wagyu-joss-paper-rise-pet-spirit-money-luxury-farewell-ceremonies-take-china-storm?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348735/wagyu-joss-paper-rise-pet-spirit-money-luxury-farewell-ceremonies-take-china-storm?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 06:00:09 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang In ancient China, it was not uncommon to use animal excrement in beauty treatments, a practice exemplified by Manchu Empress Dowager Cixi (1835–1908), who reportedly included bird droppings in her lifelong skincare routine. Cixi, who rose from a low-ranking concubine to power as regent, effectively ruled the Qing dynasty (1644–1911) for nearly 50 years, from 1861 until her death in 1908. While she navigated China through major challenges such as the Boxer Rebellion, foreign imperialism, and... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348550/why-empress-dowager-cixi-and-people-ancient-china-used-animal-faeces-beauty-routines?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348550/why-empress-dowager-cixi-and-people-ancient-china-used-animal-faeces-beauty-routines?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 01:00:13 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A Chinese influencer gained more than a million followers in just two weeks by simply teaching people how to rent a home. His efforts earned widespread support and appreciation from Chinese netizens. The influencer, known as Gulumao, was born in the 1990s and is based in Xiamen, Fujian province, southern China. He went viral for offering simple, practical life-skill tutorials, becoming one of the fastest-growing creators on one major platform since the start of this year. On February 26, he... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3347961/china-influencer-amasses-over-1-million-followers-2-weeks-sharing-how-rent-home-tips?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3347961/china-influencer-amasses-over-1-million-followers-2-weeks-sharing-how-rent-home-tips?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 06:00:09 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang China’s young city dwellers have embraced a quirky new dating trend known as “city work,” where couples enhance their romantic evenings by riding e-bikes and delivering takeaways. This innovative approach allows them to combat burnout while earning a little extra cash. Departing from the traditional “Beijing drifter” dating style characterised by lavish dinners, couples are now opting for a fun twist: delivering meals together after a long workday. For many, life has morphed into a monotonous... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3347865/china-city-work-new-dating-trend-promotes-love-move-couples-earn-extra-cash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3347865/china-city-work-new-dating-trend-promotes-love-move-couples-earn-extra-cash?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Mar 2026 10:00:08 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A young Chinese woman has spent an eye-watering 12,000 yuan (US$1,700) to enrol her six-month-old Samoyed in a dog kindergarten due to her busy work schedule. The woman opted for a package that includes personality testing, behaviour training, social activities and even a school bus for pickup and drop-off. The woman, who uses the pseudonym Taotao, was born in the 1990s, and is based in Shanghai. She said that due to a lack of time to provide enough companionship, she enrolled her six-month-old... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3347706/china-woman-spends-us1700-enrol-dog-school-personality-testing-training-company?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3347706/china-woman-spends-us1700-enrol-dog-school-personality-testing-training-company?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Mar 2026 01:00:07 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang Chinese secondary schoolteachers have introduced a new way of motivating pupils by awarding them “digital pets” that they can adopt online. The move has gained widespread attention and support. Recently, primary and secondary schoolteachers across China introduced an innovative “class pet-raising programme” in which pupils earn points for good behaviour to “feed” and nurture virtual pets. At the start of the new school semester, Liu Qianqian, a class head teacher at Hangzhou Shenglan Middle... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3347866/new-china-school-system-rewards-diligent-pupils-digital-pets-motivate-them?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3347866/new-china-school-system-rewards-diligent-pupils-digital-pets-motivate-them?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Mar 2026 06:00:10 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A 55-year-old Chinese medical aesthetics tycoon has shocked the internet by marrying her 25-year-old husband, reportedly with a 50 million yuan (US$7.3 million) dowry. Yu Wenhong, 55, was born into a financially modest family in Dalian, Liaoning province, in northeastern China. After her father died, she began working in the beauty industry at the age of 18 to support her mother and younger brother. She started as an eyebrow tattooing technician and later went on to establish her own beauty... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3347823/rural-girl-tycoon-china-woman-55-marries-lover-25-us73-million-dowry?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3347823/rural-girl-tycoon-china-woman-55-marries-lover-25-us73-million-dowry?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Mar 2026 06:00:09 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang In ancient China there was a unique and quirky profession: if someone committed a crime and was sentenced to flogging, they could hire another person to take the punishment on their behalf. During the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), flogging was a form of punishment in which court officials were publicly beaten with heavy rods. The striking end of the rod was carved into a hammer-like shape and wrapped in iron and sometimes even fitted with barbs, making the punishment extremely brutal. There were... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3346861/ancient-chinese-people-sentenced-flogging-could-hire-substitutes-endure-punishment-fee?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3346861/ancient-chinese-people-sentenced-flogging-could-hire-substitutes-endure-punishment-fee?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Mar 2026 10:00:12 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang Famous Chinese actress Li Yitong, who rose from being Zhao Liying’s stunt double to becoming a leading actress, has taken on 14 roles in a single year, earning her the name of a “real-life Cinderella”. Li, whose original name is Li Xue, was born in September 1990 in Jinan, Shandong province, northern China, and graduated from the Beijing Dance Academy with a major in folk dance. After graduation, she planned to open a teahouse that incorporated dance performances. However, while searching for a... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3346367/real-life-cinderella-china-stuntwoman-transitions-playing-body-double-stardom?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3346367/real-life-cinderella-china-stuntwoman-transitions-playing-body-double-stardom?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Mar 2026 10:00:10 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang Ethnic minority groups in China have long relied on a gruesome method to predict their fortunes: beating a rooster to death and reading its femur bones, a practice that has lasted for centuries. Tracing back to the Tang (618–907) and Song (960–1279) dynasties, the custom is known as “Dajibu”, meaning chicken divination. It originated from ancient spiritual beliefs in southwestern China, where people lacking access to medicine would beat bronze drums to pray for healing. Chicken bone divination... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3346349/how-china-ethnic-minority-groups-use-chicken-bones-small-roosters-predict-fortunes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3346349/how-china-ethnic-minority-groups-use-chicken-bones-small-roosters-predict-fortunes?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Mar 2026 10:00:09 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A wave of “cyber heartbreak” has swept social media in China as young people “mourn” loving artificial intelligence (AI) partners suddenly “cancelled” by system upgrades or entirely wiped out by server shutdowns. The bizarre phenomenon, dubbed “cyber widowhood”, sees devastated users write eulogies on social media as the tech industry pivots away from emotional companionship towards cold, calculating efficiency. Falling in love with AI often begins out of curiosity or simple entertainment. But... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346230/cyber-heartbreak-wave-sweeps-china-social-media-users-grieve-loss-ai-partners-after-updates?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346230/cyber-heartbreak-wave-sweeps-china-social-media-users-grieve-loss-ai-partners-after-updates?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Mar 2026 01:00:08 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A young Chinese single mother who started with a street stall and just 700 yuan (US$100) to her name has built a successful nationwide clothing business. The “new Chinese-style clothing” brand, now earns tens of millions of yuan each year and its success has inspired many people online. Dong Na, a single mother born in the 1990s from Zhengzhou in northern China’s Henan province, has attracted public attention after sharing her entrepreneurial story. In 2012, Dong became a single mother with no... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346072/china-single-mum-starts-business-us100-runs-clothing-brand-earning-tens-millions-yearly?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346072/china-single-mum-starts-business-us100-runs-clothing-brand-earning-tens-millions-yearly?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Mar 2026 06:00:09 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A growing global craze has seen foreigners flock to malatang restaurants to celebrate birthdays and go on dates. The trend has sparked widespread online sharing and lively discussions on mainland social media. Malatang, which literally means “numbing, spicy and hot”, is a popular Chinese street food originating from Sichuan province in southwestern China. It consists of various self-selected meats, vegetables and noodles boiled in a broth. Often described as a “personal hotpot”, diners choose... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3345275/foreigners-flock-chinese-malatang-eateries-host-birthdays-believe-rich-soup-healthy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3345275/foreigners-flock-chinese-malatang-eateries-host-birthdays-believe-rich-soup-healthy?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Mar 2026 06:00:12 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang Famous Taiwan singer and actress Annie Yi has called for an end to “female competition”, saying that “being 58 years old is nothing to be ashamed of”. The comments have won her widespread praise online. On February 26, Yi, 58, posted a message calling on women to “stop female competition”, sparking lively online discussion. She said that after attending events, she often sees comments comparing women as if their appearance and age are the only things that matter. However, she rarely sees the... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/gender-diversity/article/3345344/taiwan-actress-58-praised-youthful-looks-advocates-against-female-competition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/gender-diversity/article/3345344/taiwan-actress-58-praised-youthful-looks-advocates-against-female-competition?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Mar 2026 10:00:10 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang In a bizarre and gruesome blend of medical belief and extreme filial devotion, many people throughout Chinese history cut flesh from their own thighs to heal sick relatives. The custom later evolved into a government-endorsed trend, turning the practice into a path to social mobility and marital success. Ge gu liao qin, which literally means “cutting one’s own flesh to heal a parent”, refers to an ancient practice in which a child would cut flesh from their own thigh to use as medicine to treat... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3345236/why-ancient-chinese-folk-custom-involved-cutting-thigh-flesh-feed-sick-relatives?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3345236/why-ancient-chinese-folk-custom-involved-cutting-thigh-flesh-feed-sick-relatives?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Mar 2026 06:10:10 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A new trend known as the “Storm Bath Spa” is gaining traction in major cities across China, uniquely merging wellness and innovation by creatively simulating storms and incorporating mild electric shocks. This experience offers both emotional and psychological healing, attracting an increasing number of enthusiasts. Chinese bathhouses boast a rich history spanning thousands of years. Beyond serving basic hygiene needs, they have long functioned as spaces for social connection, allowing people to... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/environment/article/3345331/china-storm-hot-springs-simulate-squalls-mild-electric-shocks-unique-experience?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/environment/article/3345331/china-storm-hot-springs-simulate-squalls-mild-electric-shocks-unique-experience?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Mar 2026 01:03:19 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A young Chinese man who offered cat-feeding services during the Chinese New Year reported earning 160,000 yuan (US$23,000) over the holiday. The sizeable earnings generated by the feline feeding enterprise have highlighted that there is significant demand for such services. Huan Cong, born in 1991, and based in Shanghai, is a professional in the pet-care industry who has specialised in door-to-door cat feeding services for nine years. During this year’s Spring Festival, he and four employees... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344581/chinese-man-earns-us23000-holiday-week-through-cat-feeding-services?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344581/chinese-man-earns-us23000-holiday-week-through-cat-feeding-services?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Mar 2026 06:00:08 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang Anxious Chinese parents are increasingly turning to “find a daughter-in-law” or “find a son-in-law” platforms online, turning partner seeking into direct negotiations between parents. During the Chinese New Year, as young people fend off probing questions about marriage and relationships from relatives at the dinner table, sharp-eyed businesses have already shifted their strategies. Instead of trying to persuade single young adults who resist matchmaking, they are now directly targeting a... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344739/eager-china-parents-use-apps-find-partners-adult-children-turn-pairing-transactions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344739/eager-china-parents-use-apps-find-partners-adult-children-turn-pairing-transactions?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Mar 2026 10:00:09 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang In China, during the Lantern Festival, a unique folk custom involves the worship of a Toilet Goddess. The unlikely ritual sees people create life-size straw portraits of the goddess and hold ceremonies near toilets, pigpens and kitchens to honour her and seek predictions for the coming year. The Lantern Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month, is the first major festival after the Chinese Spring Festival. On this day, people admire decorative lanterns, watch dragon and lion... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3344710/why-chinese-honour-toilet-goddess-straw-effigies-rituals-during-lantern-festival?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3344710/why-chinese-honour-toilet-goddess-straw-effigies-rituals-during-lantern-festival?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Mar 2026 10:00:10 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A Chinese father who, after divorcing, confiscated more than 80,000 yuan (US$11,500) of his son’s Chinese New Year “red envelope” money to cover the expense of a new marriage ceremony, has lost a lawsuit that demanded he return the full amount. The boy, 10, who is known as Xiaohui, comes from Zhengzhou in Henan province, northern China, and has been living with his father since his parents divorced two years ago. Over the years, Xiaohui had accumulated more than 80,000 yuan in Chinese New Year... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344450/china-boy-sues-dad-taking-his-us11500-red-packet-money-cover-remarriage-expenses?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344450/china-boy-sues-dad-taking-his-us11500-red-packet-money-cover-remarriage-expenses?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Feb 2026 01:00:08 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A Chinese company and its boss have gone viral on mainland social media for distributing 180 million yuan (US$26 million) in year-end bonuses out of 270 million yuan in profits, sparking widespread envy among netizens. On February 13, Henan Kuangshan Crane Co., Ltd. held its annual company gala, during which more than 60 million yuan (US$8.7 million) in cash bonuses were distributed on site. At the event, 800 banquet tables were set up to accommodate around 7,000 people. Employees were invited... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344466/china-boss-offers-us26-million-bonus-staff-can-take-many-bills-possible-within-set-time?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344466/china-boss-offers-us26-million-bonus-staff-can-take-many-bills-possible-within-set-time?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Feb 2026 01:00:08 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A scenic spot in northern China has ignited controversy by featuring live horses in a carousel ride, where six horses are secured to a rotating iron frame, raising significant concerns regarding animal welfare and public safety. The tourist attraction, located in the Shijingli Scenic Area of Xian, Shaanxi province, has stirred heated online debates since introducing the “Rotating Real Horses” attraction. Videos circulating on social media depict the six horses fastened to a metal carousel frame,... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344348/china-scenic-spot-faces-outcry-over-real-horse-carousel-ride-raising-animal-welfare-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344348/china-scenic-spot-faces-outcry-over-real-horse-carousel-ride-raising-animal-welfare-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 08:00:10 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang Fitness-friendly young Chinese travellers are turning to a new trend known as “sportcation” which blends physical health with leisure. Health conscious tourists are spending 20,000 yuan (US$2,800) not to relax, but to endure military-style tennis camps, turning the romantic island of Bali into a gruelling Indonesian sporting getaway. In the trend, which as the name suggests blends sport and holiday, physical activity becomes the central focus of travel. Instead of sightseeing or lounging on the... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344291/sportcation-gains-popularity-among-china-youth-transforms-romantic-getaway-athletic-hub?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344291/sportcation-gains-popularity-among-china-youth-transforms-romantic-getaway-athletic-hub?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 10:00:08 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A Chinese influencer with more than 12 million followers has sparked controversy after filming his wife’s 23-hour childbirth and posting the video online. The footage included her suffering severe post-partum bleeding and images of her exposed body. The influencer known as “Paul in USA”, who was born in 1990, graduated from Columbia University in the United States and is based in Seattle. He previously worked as a product manager at Microsoft. In February 2019, he began posting videos online... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3343290/nudity-china-influencer-slammed-profiting-privacy-live-streaming-wifes-childbirth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3343290/nudity-china-influencer-slammed-profiting-privacy-live-streaming-wifes-childbirth?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 01:00:10 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A novel way of bringing up children, known as “reversed parenting”, has become popular among millennial Chinese parents. The trend sees mothers and fathers mimic the behaviour of their children to promote more equal conversations. It stems from a viral incident in November 2022, when a mother in Heilongjiang province, northeastern China, allowed her daughter to experience the harsh winter cold first-hand. In freezing temperatures, the woman’s three-year-old insisted on going outside in a thin... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3342497/reversed-parenting-china-couples-imitate-their-kids-throw-tantrums-promote-equal-talk?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3342497/reversed-parenting-china-couples-imitate-their-kids-throw-tantrums-promote-equal-talk?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Feb 2026 08:00:09 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang To welcome the arrival of spring, Chinese people across the nation observe a series of seasonal rituals such as Biting the Spring, Whipping the Spring and Speaking the Spring. The customs reflect people’s hopes for renewal, good fortune and a prosperous farming year, while also marking the transition from winter stillness to spring vitality. The SCMP explains why. Biting the spring Known as Yao Chun in Chinese, this is a traditional custom that involves eating seasonal foods such as spring... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3343047/how-chinese-people-overcome-challenges-eating-and-whipping-spring?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3343047/how-chinese-people-overcome-challenges-eating-and-whipping-spring?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Feb 2026 01:00:09 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang Amid the firecrackers and festive cheer, China’s young generation is redefining the Chinese Spring Festival with a “Cyber Lunar New Year”, blending hi-tech with spiritual pragmatism. From burning digital incense on their smartphones to exchanging electronic New Year’s goods and finding emotional comfort in the arms of artificial intelligence (AI) companions, young people are reshaping traditions in their own virtual way. Cyber worship The Lunar New Year is traditionally a time for visiting... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3343245/cyber-lunar-new-year-trending-among-china-youth-who-buy-virtual-goods-burn-digital-incense?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3343245/cyber-lunar-new-year-trending-among-china-youth-who-buy-virtual-goods-burn-digital-incense?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Feb 2026 08:00:08 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang Garlic occupies a unique position in Chinese wedding traditions and broader cultural beliefs. In parts of Guangdong province, brides traditionally include garlic in their dowries, as it is believed to ward off evil spirits, dispel negative energy, and enhance feng shui in southern China. China stands as the largest producer and consumer of garlic globally, which serves as a foundational aromatic ingredient, alongside ginger and spring onions, in most regional Chinese cuisines. In traditional... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/gender-diversity/article/3343505/how-garlic-brides-dowries-china-promotes-frugality-and-household-management?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/gender-diversity/article/3343505/how-garlic-brides-dowries-china-promotes-frugality-and-household-management?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Feb 2026 10:21:50 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A 30-year-old Chinese woman earning over 1 million yuan (US$140,000) per month has publicly announced her retirement plans to travel to Iceland, igniting widespread envy among younger generations online. Deng Yiran, a geophysics graduate from Nanjing University in Jiangsu province, southeastern China, has garnered considerable attention following her announcement to retire at such a young age. As of this month, Deng collaborates with several companies across China, including those in Beijing,... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3343421/china-woman-30-earning-us140000-month-running-marketing-firm-announces-retirement?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3343421/china-woman-30-earning-us140000-month-running-marketing-firm-announces-retirement?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Feb 2026 06:00:09 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang China’s beloved “Diving Queen” Quan Hongchan has once again amazed her fans by being named Sports Person of the Year and making her magazine debut on the cover alongside other Chinese stars. On February 9, the country’s People magazine officially announced its 2025 cover line-up. It features eight phenomenal figures who made a significant impact in their respective fields in 2025. The line-up includes Quan Hongchan, Xin Zhilei, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Shu Qi, Shan Yichun, Liu Jiakun, Zhi Huijun and... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3343158/china-buzzes-diving-queen-quan-hongchan-named-sports-person-year-makes-magazine-debut?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3343158/china-buzzes-diving-queen-quan-hongchan-named-sports-person-year-makes-magazine-debut?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Feb 2026 06:00:09 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A new “parenting” trend in China is seeing young women embrace “painless motherhood” by raising cotton dolls as their own children. The toy-caring fad even extends to celebrating their “children’s” birthdays at hotpot restaurants, buying expensive clothes and even taking them on holidays. The trend gained attention in October 2023, when a woman took her cotton dolls to the popular hotpot chain Haidilao and made a viral post titled: “Is Haidilao Discriminating Against Cotton Doll Owners?”. In the... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3342361/china-gen-z-nurtures-stuffed-toys-real-babies-celebrates-birthdays-shows-affection?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3342361/china-gen-z-nurtures-stuffed-toys-real-babies-celebrates-birthdays-shows-affection?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Feb 2026 01:00:12 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang Young Chinese people have created a new dating trend called “ex-partner referrals” in which they treat former lovers like job candidates. The young people share detailed profiles, personal feedback and previous relationship “usage reports” with strangers online to help navigate the risks of modern dating. The trend reportedly began on social media after a viral post asked for an “internal referral” for a boyfriend. The viral post read: “Can any sisters refer me to their ex? I really do not... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3342232/new-china-dating-trend-emerges-where-people-refer-exes-new-prospects-akin-job-referrals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3342232/new-china-dating-trend-emerges-where-people-refer-exes-new-prospects-akin-job-referrals?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Feb 2026 06:00:09 +0000