‼️Our third issue of 2026 is now out!‼️ In "Weight of the Nation," we explore how the shift in understanding of obesity has pushed China to adopt a more systemic approach, with government, health platforms, and private businesses working together to tackle the country’s overweight problem. Among the feature stories in our latest issue are: 💉 the impact of the growing popularity of weight-loss medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro 🏃🏻‍♂️ The growing fitness boom among China's urban youth 🎭 Young Chinese contemplating selling likeness for AI usage in micro-dramas Flip through the highlights of our latest issue here: 👀 theworldofchinese.com/2026/1… Pick up your copy of "Weight of the Nation": 🛒 theworldofchinese.com/magazi…

One man. One opera house. A whole tradition kept alive. Tucked away in Beijing’s historic hutong alleys, Kui De She is no ordinary opera house. Here, one grandfather takes center stage, using his voice and musical instruments to keep the sounds and spirit of traditional folk performance alive. theworldofchinese.com/videos…

A growing number of Chinese people are now turning to gamified apps, cash incentives, and professional clinics to #LoseWeight, reflecting a broader shift in how China is tackling #obesity, backed by national policies. More than half of Chinese adults are overweight as of 2025, according to the National Health Commission’s Guidelines for Weight Management, a figure that is estimated to reach over 70 percent by 2030 without intervention. #weightloss #health theworldofchinese.com/videos…

Wildlife sightings across China are on the rise. From #snowleopards preying on livestock in Qinghai province to elephant herds roaming through villages in Yunnan, human-wildlife conflicts are becoming increasingly common. Habitat loss, urban expansion, and other pressures are bringing people and wildlife into closer contact, raising urgent questions about conservation. On #SnowLeopardDay, learn how people and #wildlife can coexist: #wildlifeconservation theworldofchinese.com/2022/0…

Over 12 days, the 29th #BeijingMusicFestival (BMF) brought music to audiences across the city, from community events to world-class performances. Celebrating the 270th anniversary of Mozart’s birth, the festival featured violinist Ning Feng performing all his violin concertos in one evening, a marathon of nine sonatas for piano and violin, a chamber concert, and a new staging of #TheMagicFlute. Here are some highlights from this year’s festival! theworldofchinese.com/2026/1…

Sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar’s concert was another major highlight of this year’s #BeijingMusicFestival. One of today’s most influential sitar players and composers, Shankar has received multiple Grammy nominations. Joined by her fellow musicians, she took the stage at the Poly Theatre on October 14, inviting audiences into the expansive soundscapes of the Indian subcontinent and beyond. One of the evening’s most anticipated pieces was “Traces of You,” a song Shankar recorded with her half-sister, Grammy-winning singer Norah Jones. Sitar, voice, and piano answered one another in a tender, heartfelt exchange, creating the evening’s most intimate moment. #musicfestival

As the 29th #BeijingMusicFestival draws to a close, we look back at highlights from this year’s performances, including a newly staged production of Mozart’s most famous opera, #TheMagicFlute. Originally set in a fabled land of ancient Egypt, the adventure now unfolds in a modern metro system, where the protagonists and fated lovers, Prince Tamino (Anthony Gregory) and Princess Pamina (Sofia Troncoso), are two travelers who have forgotten where they are headed. Their comic sidekick, Papageno (John Chest), becomes a food delivery courier, bringing fried chicken to the Queen of the Night (Aigul Khismatullina) and her ladies, three flight attendants who have stepped straight out of a travel advertisement on the platform. Director Zou Shuang has also adapted the original German dialogue into English, offering a fresh interpretation of the centuries-old story. For instance, the Queen of the Night and Sarastro, originally adversaries representing the clash between vengeance and reason, darkness and light, are recast as an estranged couple. In the orchestra pit, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, led by conductor Dane Lam, brings Mozart’s score to life with precision and skill. A collaboration among Opera Hong Kong, State Opera South Australia, the Beijing Music Festival, and the China National Opera House, the production ran for two performances at the Central Opera House on October 10 and 11. #musicfestival

China’s new generation is creatively rebranding its historical icons, this time with literary giant Lu Xun and his favorite purple knitted vest. A revolutionary writer and intellectual, Lu Xun is a leading figure of modern Chinese literature. Through works like “The True Story of Ah Q” and “A Madman’s Diary,” he left a lasting mark with his sharp critiques of social injustice and outdated traditions. theworldofchinese.com/videos…

“Ferocious beasts always walk alone. Only cattle and sheep need to gather in herds.” Arguably the greatest Chinese writer of the 20th century, #LuXun, who died 90 years ago today, is considered a founding father of modern Chinese literature. Here are 10 memorable quotes from this literary giant: theworldofchinese.com/2018/1…

A translated #ShortStory by Chinese writer Su Zhenshu (苏枕书) offers a glimpse into the pressures and peculiarities of life as a female liberal arts PhD student in China. #ChineseLiterature #FemaleWriter “Nowadays, the ways by which people carry out ‘the struggle’ have evolved considerably. When dealing with those who have been morally compromised, it’s best to launch a precision attack physically, psychologically, and socially to strike at their body, mind, and reputation.” Read the full story: theworldofchinese.com/2026/0…

During the Kardashians’ latest trip to Shanghai in late September, the family was spotted dining at In & Out, a Yunnan restaurant chain, where they ordered an assortment of the region’s famous #mushrooms, or “junzi.” Tempted to keep up with the Kardashians? Be warned: Yunnan’s wild mushrooms are delicious but can be dangerous if improperly prepared. Known as the “kingdom of wild mushrooms,” China’s Yunnan province is home to over 900 mushroom species. Most are safe and edible — but some unusual varieties have added to the mystery surrounding Yunnan’s fungi. 🍄 #MushroomDay theworldofchinese.com/2026/0…

“Food is the most basic necessity of life,” goes a well-known #ChineseProverb. So it’s no surprise that the character 吃 (chī), meaning “to eat,” has a range of meanings beyond the dinner table. 吃 can also mean “to experience” or “to suffer.” Traditionally, Chinese wisdom holds that 吃苦耐劳 (chīkǔ nàiláo, to endure hardship and hard work) helps build character. Another saying, 吃亏是福 (chīkuī shì fú), suggests that taking a loss can be a blessing in disguise. And as the adage 吃一堑，长一智 (chī yí qiàn, zhǎng yí zhì) reminds us, every setback offers a chance to learn and grow. This #WorldFoodDay, discover what the humble character 吃 reveals about Chinese culture: theworldofchinese.com/2020/0…