How did ancient Chinese scholars prove their worth? The Chinese exam literature of the imperial exams shaped minds through essays and poetry for 1,300 years. This guide traces its …

How did ancient China pick its leaders? The Chinese imperial exams, starting in 605 CE, used tests to choose officials, breaking the grip of nobles. This guide explores their rise,…

How did ancient Chinese farmers grow crops in dry lands? Their drought-resistant farming techniques, like groove-and-ridge systems, turned harsh soils into thriving fields. This gu…

Ever wondered how people farm steep mountains? The Tujia people of China’s Wuling Mountains turned rocky slopes into thriving fields, weaving a 700-year story of grit and wisdom. T…

Ever marveled at how humans tame mountains into thriving farms? In Guizhou, China, the Miao people carved stunning rice terraces, blending nature and culture into a living masterpi…

Ever wondered how ancient farmers planned their crops with pinpoint accuracy? The 24 Solar Terms, a 2,000-year-old Chinese system, syncs farming with the sun’s rhythm. This guide u…

Standing before a Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art manuscript at The Met, I marveled at problems solved 1,600 years before Newton. Ancient China wove math into poetry, divinat…

At New York’s Maritime Museum, I stood before a model of Zheng He’s treasure ship, its nine masts and twelve sails towering like a 15th-century aircraft carrier. This wasn’t just a…

Touching a Tang Dynasty Xing kiln white porcelain bowl at The Met, its cool glaze felt like a whisper from ancient Chang’an’s markets. These clay-and-fire creations, part of China’…

Sipping Shandong’s creamy “milk soup” with tender water shield stems, I got why Confucius said, “Never tire of fine food.” Hanfu may dress the body, but China’s 8 major cuisines fe…