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Chinese culture

Chinese culture
Latest news and updates on Chinese culture including the country’s traditions, food, values, history and festivals.
Leung Kar-yan in a still from “The Postman Fights Back”, directed by Hong Kong filmmaker Ronny Yu. The film features Leung as a courier in Republican China tasked with delivering a mysterious cargo to a violent mountain bandit, whose motley crew of associates includes a young Chow Yun-fat.
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Why Ronny Yu’s The Postman Fights Back is an unusual wuxia gem

Starring Leung Kar-yan and with a young Chow Yun-fat on the cast, 1982’s The Postman Fights Back is an intriguing mix of Western and wuxia.

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Food and Drinks

History of Macau’s iconic pork chop bun and where to eat the authentic classic

Chinese zodiac predictions

Year of the Horse 2026 predictions for Tigers, from career to romance

China-Japan relations

Japan urged to ‘correct historical errors’, return Tang dynasty stele to China

9.5-tonne stone slab shipped to Japan as ‘war trophy’ in 1908 is described as one of China’s most significant ‘lost national treasures’.

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The Tang Honglu Well Stele pictured at its original site in Lushun in the early 20th century. Photo: Handout
Food and Drinks

Why Dali in China’s Yunnan province is a great place for food adventurers

Yunnan’s climate and geography are ideal for growing a wide range of produce, and chefs in Dali are taking the cuisine to the next level.

Chinese zodiac predictions

Why the Year of the Horse 2026 could be a tough one for Rats

Unlucky stars in the Year of the Fire Horse mean Rats will have to work hard to reap rewards at the office, and travel with caution.

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Year of the Horse 2026

7 horse-themed Chinese idioms to use during the Year of the Horse

Horses symbolise strength, speed and health in Chinese culture. Here are seven sayings based on the animal, with Cantonese pronunciations.

Horses are the subject of many Chinese idioms. Here are seven of the most popular horse-related expressions in Chinese, how to pronounce them in Cantonese and the stories behind them. Photo: Shutterstock
Chinese zodiac predictions

Year of the Horse 2026 predictions for Pigs, from money to love and health

After a volatile year, Pigs will enjoy success at work in the Year of the Fire Horse, but need to pay close attention to their health.

Chinese zodiac predictions

Year of the Horse 2026 predictions for Dogs, from success at work to love

Harmony with the tai sui deity means Dogs’ wealth will grow in the Year of the Fire Horse, but certain relationships will need nurturing.

Mainland China

Video | Chinese-made ‘Are You Dead’ app addresses fear of dying alone

Failing to check in for two days in a row will result in the app sending an email to the emergency contact person.

A viral Chinese app called “Are You Dead” has topped the paid app charts in China’s ios App Store.
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Year of the Horse 2026

What the Chinese surname Ma, meaning ‘horse’, symbolises and how it spread

Ma is one of mainland China’s most common surnames and is interestingly even prevalent among Chinese Muslims. We look at its history.

As the Year of the Horse 2026 approaches, we explore the origins and prevalence of the Chinese surname Ma, which literally translates as “horse”. Photo: Shutterstock
Art

Hong Kong artist’s ceramic forest inspired by old Shanghai’s wooden staircases

At the Shanghai Biennale, Jaffa Lam explores the climate crisis and community with her Longquan-celadon-style ceramic columns.

Year of the Horse 2026

Why the Year of the Horse 2026 will be lucrative and romantic for Roosters

Lucky stars in the Year of the Fire Horse mean Roosters will prosper at work and could meet their ideal partner. But healthy living is key.

Cantonese

Lunar New Year greetings in Mandarin, Cantonese, Shanghainese and Hokkien

The Year of the Horse 2026 will be welcomed across China with blessings for money, health and more. Here are common ones and their meanings.

A woman holds Lunar New Year decorations. Throughout China, greetings in various dialects will be exchanged to welcome the Year of the Horse. Here are some of them and their meanings. Photo: Shutterstock
Chinese zodiac predictions

Year of the Horse 2026 predictions for Monkeys, from love to health

In the Year of the Fire Horse, Monkeys should focus on travel and avoid places with heavy yin energy, fortune-teller Tong Pik-ha says.

The Year of the Horse 2026 will be a time for those born in the Year of the Monkey to expand networks abroad. But married Monkeys are at risk of feeling alienated from their spouse. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

3 of Gong Li’s surprising 1990s Hong Kong movie roles

Gong switched gears after making it in Chinese art-house films, starring with Stephen Chow, Brigitte Lin and others in lesser-known movies.

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Chinese zodiac predictions

Why the Year of the Horse 2026 will be lucky for Sheep in money and love

A fortune-teller reveals why the Year of the Fire Horse will be a positive one for Sheep and how to take advantage of good fortune.

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China consumption

Horse power: brands in China seek sales boost with Lunar New Year items

Distiller Kweichow Moutai among the companies launching limited-run Year of the Horse products to jolt revenues during the festive season.

Distiller Kweichow Moutai has released a limited promotional line of liquor commemorating the Year of the Horse. Photo: Kweichow Moutai/Handout
Lessons from China's history

Reflections | How ancient Chinese dental practices were often similar to those used today

From gargling with medicinal concoctions to chewing sticks, people in China addressed dental health with considerable ingenuity.

Chinese zodiac predictions

Why the Year of the Horse will be a profitable but turbulent one for Horses

In this volatile, turbulent year, Horses can expect to prosper at the office or in a new job, but health and romance will not be so lucky.

Chinese zodiac predictions

Year of the Horse 2026 predictions for all 12 zodiac signs. Is your luck in?

A fortune-teller gives Year of the Fire Horse predictions for careers, relationships and more, plus lucky numbers, colours and elements.

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Will the Year of the Horse 2026 be lucky for you? Fortune-teller Tong Pik-ha offers her comprehensive predictions for those born under all 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
Food and Drinks

‘Umami, salty, stinky’: how 3 flavours define China’s Ningbo cuisine

We go on a culinary journey through Ningbo with the people behind Yong Fu Hong Kong to discover the region’s punchy and pungent flavours.

Ningbo-style marinated virgin crab is served at Zao Feng Lou in Cixi, Ningbo. The region’s unique cuisine, blending umami, salty and stinky flavours with innovative techniques, showcases its rich culinary heritage. Photo: Hei-kiu Au
Fashion

History of Chinese-style ‘frog buttons’, seen on viral Adidas jacket

Used in China for centuries, frog buttons are a key feature of a limited-edition Adidas jacket that has become a huge hit on social media.

Hong Kong culture

Editorial | Zhou Shen concerts a showcase of Hong Kong-mainland cultural ties

The Mandopop superstar’s concerts in Hong Kong attracted a large number of mainland visitors and his tribute to Cantonese culture won him new fans.

Food and Drinks

5 premium sparkling teas in Hong Kong to try during Dry January

From The Peninsula’s Cuvée Sparkling Tea to Saicho’s limited-edition osmanthus offering, these low- or zero-alcohol tipples let you ditch the hangover but not the ceremony.

Saicho is just one of many labels offering non-alcoholic beverage options today. Photo: courtesy Saicho
Art

Hong Kong’s women tattoo artists who draw on Chinese culture to ink differently

These artists channel elements of Chinese painting, calligraphy and Buddhism through their needles in a new form of ‘poetic expression’.

Bella Yuen tells the Post that, as a child, she used to go to Buddhist temples and chapels in Hong Kong with her Buddhist mother. She also read Chinese Buddhist texts and practised calligraphy briefly, which “planted the seed” of her unique traditional Chinese tattooing style now. Photo: Bella Yuen
Horoscopes

Horoscopes: what’s your luck like in January 2026, Earth Ox month?

It’s going to be smooth sailing for the Dragon, Horse and Dog, but those under the Ox sign need to be careful while on the road.

Year of the Horse 2026

3 Hong Kong events to celebrate the Year of the Horse 2026

From a horse show to a run in nature to a special character’s appearance at Hong Kong Disneyland, ring in the Lunar New Year at these events.

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