TOPIC

Chinese culture

Home
Tourists
Crime
Culture
Families
Education
Health
Chinese culture
Latest news and updates on Chinese culture including the country’s traditions, food, values, history and festivals.
While Binondo today is known as a foodie’s paradise, it was once better known as a financial hub. Photo: Shutterstock
Asia travel

History of the world’s oldest Chinatown, Binondo, now a foodie paradise

Established in 1594 in the Philippine capital Manila, Binondo has gone from financial hub to culinary hotspot boasting amazing restaurants.

videocam
Asian diaspora

Discover the rich history and modern revival of Bangkok’s Chinatown

Mental health

Letters | Social connection and purpose are also vital for mental health

Singapore

Singapore’s flavour face-off: mainland Chinese cuisine vs local food culture

The rise of Chinese food brands in Singapore and their impact on local cuisine has sparked debates on cultural preservation and coexistence.

13
Chinatown Food Street in Singapore. Many Chinese food and drink operators see Singapore as a useful testing ground. Photo: Shutterstock
Chinese overseas

Chinatowns around the world

Chinatowns are often portrayed as gritty underworlds riddled with prostitution, gambling and drug trafficking. Some of this is rooted in truth, but that unfair depiction is largely the result of rampant xenophobia and cultural ignorance, especially in the West.  

Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong DSE: citizen and social development exam ‘easy’, some students say

Exam paper asks candidates to discuss Hong Kong’s strengths in promoting Chinese culture and the influence of China’s foreign aid.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Chinese language cinema

How Chinese in the US hired a cinema to see Ne Zha 2 on IMAX

Across the US, in big cities and small towns, Chinese communities arrange IMAX screenings of Chinese blockbuster; some watching in costume.

videocam
Zhao Yuanyuan (right) takes her son to a community-organised IMAX screening of Chinese blockbuster Ne Zha 2 in the US state of Maryland. Similar screenings have been organiser elsewhere in the United States. Photo: AP
Asian diaspora

The turbulent history of San Francisco’s Chinatown, North America’s oldest

From the Chinese Exclusion Act and 1906 earthquake to sex-trafficking rings and ‘paper son’ system, this Chinatown’s story is a bumpy one.

Horoscopes

What’s your luck like for April 2025, the Metal Dragon month?

Rats, Tigers, Roosters and Monkeys are in for a great month, but Pigs and Dogs should watch themselves – but how is famous Dragon Vladimir Putin affecting this month’s vibes?

Hong Kong society

Hongkongers perform ‘lost music’ of ancient China in the West for the first time

Recent tour by Hong Kong Gaudeamus Dunhuang Ensemble is part of wider efforts by city to forge cultural ties overseas.

The Hong Kong Gaudeamus Dunhuang Ensemble has performed more than 60 concerts in Hong Kong and mainland China, as well as one in Tokyo. Photo: Handout
Women and gender

Being Chinese | I identify as a Chinese auntie, cheapskate and busybody. Anyone else?

I revel in low prices and awkward questions. I’m finding that being a Chinese auntie overseas also means being part of an Asian sisterhood.

8
A woman finds a use for a bus stop railing while running an errand in Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, on October 20. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong society

Thousands in Hong Kong mark Ching Ming at cemeteries, 470,000 leave for weekend

About 473,000 residents have left city, while around 214,000 visitors have arrived.

Hong Kong

No hot food before Ching Ming? Diving into the forgotten Cold Food Festival

A nobleman once cut a piece of his flesh to feed an exiled Chinese prince. The Cold Food Festival in his honour was inspired by his death.

Hong Kong culture

Explainer | What is the Chinese Ching Ming Festival and how is it marked?

Traditionally a Chinese spring ritual, the tomb-sweeping festival is said to have its roots in an emperor’s cruelty to a follower.

Grave sweepers worship their ancestors at Diamond Hill Cemetery in Kowloon, Hong Kong, on Ching Ming Festival. Photo: Elson Li
Chinese overseas

Seoul and Incheon’s Chinatowns tell stories of Chinese immigration to Korea

The history of South Korea’s two main Chinatowns also reveals the complex relationship between Korea and China over the past few centuries.

The main entrance gate to Incheon Chinatown, South Korea’s oldest Chinese enclave. Photo: AP
Profile

The influencer from China who speaks exactly like Donald Trump

Chen Rui, a Chinese marketer who went viral for his spot on Trump impressions, teaches English through his social media.

Science

What’s in a Chinese name: scientists bid for identity when using Latin alphabet

Chinese researchers seek ways to be distinguished in a world where their work is not published using their Mandarin name.

videocam
11
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Singapore

‘It’s easy’: as Singaporeans rediscover China, young travellers lead the way

Fuelled by visa-free entry and social media buzz, tech-savvy Gen Z travellers are discovering a modern China that shatters old stereotypes.

6
Singaporean tourist Jordy Cheah, 28, at Sayram Lake in Xinjiang, China, last year. Photo: Jordy Cheah
Chinese zodiac predictions

Is Year of the Snake’s third month lucky for you? 12 zodiac sign horoscopes

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan breaks down this lunar month’s prospects for love, career, health and finance for the 12 Chinese zodiac signs.

TV shows and streaming video

Addictive China micro-dramas show how commercial demand fuels netcasting boom

The head of China’s body overseeing film and TV calls micro-dramas a ‘new growth pillar for China’s online audio and video industry’, with growing influence overseas.

videocam
Art

Angelle Siyang-Le tells of her journey to Art Basel Hong Kong

The director of Asia’s largest contemporary art fair on finding her voice through art and immersing herself in the artistic community.

Angelle Siyang-Le, the director of Art Basel Hong Kong. Photo: courtesy Art Basel
Asian diaspora

50 years of growth and cultural change in London’s Chinatown

Early Chinatown was a place of restaurants, underground gambling dens and brothels, but it has grown more affluent and diverse over time.

Wardour Street, Chinatown, London. The area, which dates back to the 1970s, has evolved over time to become the multicultural enclave it is now. Photo: Getty Images
Hong Kong culture

Video | Sunset for Hong Kong’s Sunbeam Theatre

The church group that purchased the theatre plans to convert the building into a community centre.

videocam
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong’s intangible cultural heritage to be celebrated in new annual initiative

Different types of craftsmanship, performances, traditions and rituals among activities to be showcased across the month of June.

Food and Drinks

All about cinnamon, and how to use the spice in cooking and baking

The spice, derived from the bark of a plant, is used in Chinese, Indian and Middle Eastern cooking, and by bakers. See our easy recipe ideas.

Cinnamon is sold in stick and powder form. It has wide use in cooking and baking, to make things such as cinnamon rolls. Photo: Shutterstock
Food and Drinks

Ketchup? Ramen? Adobo? Thank Chinese food culture for these and more

While Chinese cuisine has absorbed outside ingredients and techniques, many dishes around the world have drawn from it.

Many know of the connection between China’s la mian (pulled noodles) and Japan’s ramen. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong society

Ne Zha 2 inspires John Lee to ‘overcome obstacles, forge path’ for Hong Kong

Hong Kong leader reveals on social media he and his wife have watched record-breaking animated film.

Art

It’s showtime for 4 must-see art exhibitions this week

This week’s thought-provoking shows from the queer cosmos of ‘How to be Happy Together?’ to exploring human destiny in ‘Veering’ and more.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement