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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.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
Chinese knots have a long history, and are especially popular at Lunar New Year because they are believed to bring good luck. Photo: Shutterstock
Lunar New Year

Why now is the best time of the year to get tangled with Chinese knots

We explore the rich history and symbolism of Chinese knots, which signify good luck and are displayed during Lunar New Year festivities.

China

Video | China’s Lunar New Year ‘AI temple fair’ combines tradition with innovation

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Lunar New Year

Born in the Year of the Pig? Here’s everything you need to know in 2025

Lunar New Year

China’s box office riding Lunar New Year wave to record Spring Festival haul

Ne Zha 2 and Detective Chinatown 1900 lead the way as billions of yuan in cinema receipts bode well for an industry still looking to bounce back to pre-pandemic numbers.

A poster for Ne Zha 2 appears at a cinema in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Monday. Photo: Getty Images
Lunar New Year

Feng shui master’s advice for Pigs in the Year of the Snake

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan shares where Pigs can place auspicious elements, colours or symbols to help have a better Year of the Snake.

Lunar New Year

Born in the Year of the Dog? Here’s everything you need to know in 2025

From predictions to curses and feng shui tips for Dogs in the Year of the Snake.

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Lunar New Year

Feng shui master’s advice for Dogs in the Year of the Snake

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan shares where to put crystals and flowers to maximise luck for Dogs, who are in for a good Year of the Snake.

The Year of the Snake will bring luck for Dogs, who had a hard time last year. A feng shui expert shares where to place auspicious objects in your living space. Photo: Shutterstock
Lunar New Year

Born in the Year of the Rooster? Here’s everything you need to know in 2025

From predictions to curses and how Roosters can survive the Year of the Snake.

Lunar New Year

‘Little luxuries’: China’s crystal industry shimmers amid economic unease

Crystals with perceived properties to heal and enhance career prospects are increasingly becoming a source of hope and comfort in tough times.

Lunar New Year

Feng shui master’s tips for Roosters in the Year of the Snake

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan shares how red roses will benefit Roosters, and where to put them and other things for a good Year of the Snake.

A Year of the Rooster zodiac figure. Photo: Shutterstock
Food and Drinks

Why Chinese people eat spring rolls to celebrate Lunar New Year

The clue is in their name: spring rolls are eaten year round, but particularly at new year because their colour and shape evoke gold bars.

Fried spring rolls are considered by Chinese people to be an auspicious food to eat at Lunar New Year. Photo: Shutterstock
Malaysia

Care or convenience? Debate rages over Malaysia’s ‘abandoned’ parents

High cost of private care, genuine concern over their elders’ health issues among reasons Malaysians cite for ‘abhorrent’ practice.

Lunar New Year

Born in the Year of the Monkey? Here’s everything you need to know in 2025

From predictions to curses and how Monkeys can survive the Year of the Snake.

Lunar New Year

Feng shui master’s advice for Monkeys in the Year of the Snake

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan shares where to place lucky elements and colours in your living space for an auspicious Year of the Snake.

Money will come and go for Monkeys in the Year of the Snake. A feng shui expert gives tips on where to put lucky objects for a healthy body, love life and bank account. Photo: Shutterstock
Food and Drinks

Chinese-American graphic novel cookbook author on its inspiration

Ying Chang Compestine often explained the names of Chinese dishes to American friends. Then she hit upon a fun way to do so in a cookbook.

Prolific author Ying Chang Compestine, who was written a graphic novel Chinese cookbook with illustrations by UK-based artist Vivian Truong. Photo: Instagram/yingchangcompestine
Lunar New Year

Born in the Year of the Sheep? Here’s everything you need to know in 2025

From predictions to curses and how Sheep can survive the Year of the Snake.

Art

When Brit art world provocateurs Gilbert & George’s visited China

It was the early 1990s, the mainland was opening up, and coming in hot were the two biggest troublemakers in British art. The man who got them there tells all in his new book.

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Lunar New Year

Feng shui master’s advice for Sheep in the Year of the Snake

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan shares why patience will pay off for Sheep this year and where to place auspicious objects to prevent bad luck.

For Sheep in the Year of the Snake, the wealth position is north and northwest. A feng shui master explains how to act on this for good luck. Photo: Shutterstock
Food and Drinks

Why glutinous rice cakes are considered lucky at Lunar New Year

The history of nian gao according to Chinese legend, and how the rice cakes are eaten to mark new year in Hong Kong, mainland China, Korea and Japan.

Asian cinema: Chinese films

Review | In Chinese fantasy Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force a star is born

Wuershan’s rollicking fantasy adventure sequel to his Creation of the Gods has an expanded role for Nashi, and the actress is a revelation.

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Lunar New Year

Born in the Year of the Horse? Here’s everything you need to know in 2025

From predictions to curses and how Horses can survive the Year of the Snake.

Illustration: SCMP Graphic
Special Report - Jewellery

New Chinese jewellery tells a story of heritage and style

Of emperors and dynasties – see how ancient jade and gold, dragons and cranes are used in eye-catching, new ways.

Dawn Atelier & Academy’s carved green jadeite necklace and earrings set. Photo: Handout
Fame and celebrity

How the qipao found favour as a film mood-setter and red-carpet favourite

The traditional Chinese dress, which had its heyday in the glamorous 20s and 30s, is now a symbol of Chinese style that has lit up films like In the Mood for Love – and red carpets aplenty

Lunar New Year

Born in the Year of the Snake? Here’s everything you need to know in 2025

From predictions to curses and what the snake represents in Chinese culture.

Malaysia

Malaysia’s Lunar New Year dirty secret? Abandoning elderly relatives in hospital

A frustrated doctor’s viral TikTok video has exposed Malaysians’ hidden holiday habit of using hospital wards as makeshift nursing homes.

An elderly woman is seen in Pasir Mas, Malaysia’s Kelantan state. Photo: AFP
Banking & finance

Hong Kong firms use lai see envelopes as marketing tool in digital era

HSBC and ICBC (Asia) promote milestones using lai see envelopes, while the newly rebranded Hong Kong Gold Exchange sends out 60,000 red packets.

Banks and financial companies send specially designed lai see envelopes to their clients to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Photo: Enoch Yiu
Lunar New Year

Feng shui master’s advice for Horses in the Year of the Snake

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan shares where to put lucky decorations, colours and more in your living space to ward off bad energy this year.

Food and Drinks

Mouthing Off | Is snake soup medicinal? IDK. I’m just a sucker for hot broth in winter

As Year of the Snake begins, Hong Kong snake restaurants are packed. Snake soup is to Chinese people what chicken soup is to other cultures.

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