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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
Flower prices are down in southern China ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday as a mild winter and weak consumption weigh on retail profits. Photo: Xinhua
Lunar New Year

Bloom and gloom: China’s Spring Festival flower sales hit by dim demand, weather

Lunar New Year botanical fairs see stall costs and plant prices plunge amid consumption woes in lead-up to holiday, boding poorly for domestic demand.

Food and Drinks

How prosperity toss brings chaos to the Lunar New Year table

Art

How a Hong Kong seal carver keeps an ancient Chinese art alive

Lunar New Year

Language Matters | Where English got the word ‘snake’, and ‘eating snake’ in Singapore

The root words of snake and serpent mean ‘a creeping thing’. Most snake sayings are negative, including a Singlish loan phrase from Hokkien.

The root words of the English snake and serpent mean “a creeping thing”, and most sayings that incorporate snake have a negative meaning, including the Singapore English “eat snake”. Photo: Shutterstock
China’s Communist Party

How China’s ‘cultural confidence’ push is sparking traditional crafts revival

Handicrafts and artisans – relegated to the margins during China’s industrial boom – get boost from authorities and online marketing.

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Architecture and design

How to prepare your home for the Year of the Snake with positive feng shui

Feng shui designer Thierry Chow shares top tips for arranging your personal space in time for the Lunar New Year.

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Food and Drinks

Explainer | What is turnip cake and why is it a Lunar New Year favourite?

Lo bak go – turnip cake or radish cake in English – is very popular during the Lunar New Year, but is enjoyed all year round in Hong Kong.

The “Ocean Treasures Daikon Radish Cake” from Daishijie. Nowadays, many big brands and luxury hotels make their own versions of lo bak gou. Photo: Dashijie
Hong Kong

This week in PostMag: from Little Bao chef May Chow to Gilbert & George in China

Chef Chow talks about what’s next for her after Little Bao restaurant, a new look at the provocative British artist duo’s exhibitions on the mainland in 1993, and a trek through Ladakh’s Markha Valley.

ByteDance

ByteDance staff to lose Lunar New Year perk from 2026, gain medical benefits

The new benefits package includes improved medical insurance, with access to premium medical care in regular public hospitals.

Hong Kong

Being Chinese | My Hong Kong crash course in Chinese calculations of everything

Some autumns ago, a midlife crisis brought me to Hong Kong, where it has been inspiring how savvy people are about Chinese cosmology.

A man stops to read an advertisement in Yau Ma Tei in 2021 for a feng shui master’s services for Chinese zodiac signs facing a challenging year. Photo: Xiaomei Chen
Lessons from China's history

Reflections | So Chinese New Year prosperity toss salad is unchristian?

A pastor has called the Chinese New Year ritual of shouting good wishes while tossing salad ingredients high in the air ‘superstitious’.

People tossing the ingredients of “yusheng”, or prosperity toss salad, during Chinese New Year, a traditional practice in Malaysia and Singapore for luck and prosperity. Photo: Shutterstock
Lunar New Year

Designer on why Hong Kong red packets need to be ‘universal’

A designer of lai see envelopes given out at Lunar New Year talks about adding novelty to them while still satisfying traditionalists.

China's economic recovery

Pet healthcare booms in China as furry friends outnumber infants and toddlers

Pet economy offers better career prospects as clinics and hospitals open across country.

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Food and Drinks

Drink in Focus: Milk & Honey at Kinsman

A nostalgic journey through Hong Kong’s past, the cocktail blends local Yuk Bing Siu Zhao spirit with milky oolong tea, lychee honey, and a touch of licorice.

Milk & Honey is one of the three bestsellers for Kinsman in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout
Art

Tai Kwun’s InnerGlow festival lights up Chinese New Year

The extravaganza features stunning 3D art projections by Hung Keung and other emerging artists, celebrating Hong Kong’s visual identity.

InnerGlow 3D projection show at Tai Kwun Parade Ground in Hong Kong serves as a platform for showcasing local artistic talent. Photo: Tai Kwun
Lunar New Year

Dragons’ lucky colour in the Year of the Snake, and their prospects

Dragons are expected to thrive in the workplace and in new relationships, while doing less well when it comes to wellness.

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Food and Drinks

Where to dine in style this Chinese New Year in Hong Kong

Ring in the Year of the Snake with auspicious dishes at Duddell’s, Man Wah and Ming Pavilion, afternoon tea at The Butterfly Room, and classic puddings from The Peninsula Boutique.

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TikTok

My Take | China’s soft power moment has arrived with RedNote’s unexpected global success

The millions of new users who flocked to RedNote ahead of the TikTok ban show that China’s soft power can come in different forms.

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The RedNote app had gained popularity around the world ahead of a ban on TikTok in the US. Photo: Reuters
Lunar New Year

How the 12 Chinese zodiac animals were chosen and ordered: a race

According to legend, the Jade Emperor held a race to determine how to name each year, which brought out the best, and worst, in the animals.

Lunar New Year

Want better luck in the Year of the Snake? Pray to these 3 Chinese gods

Besides the tai sui and Jade Emperor, the gods of wealth, doors and kitchens are also appeased by those wanting the best shot at fortune.

Lunar New Year

What’s ahead for Rabbits in the Year of the Snake, from money to health

Rabbits are in for a lucky financial year and should take chances to boost their career, but also consider buying health and travel insurance.

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Will Rabbits be lucky in the Year of the Snake? Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
Lunar New Year

What are ‘enemy signs’ in the Chinese zodiac and which are the Snake’s?

The Tiger, Monkey and Pig animal signs are considered ‘enemies’ of Snakes. Here’s how to overcome relationship issues in love and business.

Tigers are one of the Snake’s three “enemy signs” in the Chinese zodiac. The Snake and Tiger can be a challenging combination in both love and business, with relationships often full of conflict. Photo: Shutterstock
Lunar New Year

Predictions for Tigers in the Year of the Snake, from lucky colour to income

Tigers will have a good year for career and income but risk having financial disputes, and will be less lucky with health and relationships.

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Food and Drinks

All about the ‘Little New Year’ festival that precedes Lunar New Year

A key part of the Chinese “xiao nian” festival a week before Lunar New Year concerns the Kitchen God, who is also celebrated in Vietnam.

Lunar New Year

5 ways to beat bad luck predictions in 2025’s Year of the Snake

Every lunar year, certain Chinese zodiac animals offend the ruling deity and risk bad luck. Fortunately, there are ways to appease the deity.

Every year in the Chinese lunisolar calendar, some zodiac signs clash with the guardian deity, bringing bad luck to people born under those signs. But there are things they can do to improve their luck. Photo: Getty Images
Lunar New Year

What the Year of the Snake holds for Oxen, from love to money

People born in the Year of the Ox will be lucky at work and generally healthy in the new year, but there may be relationship problems ahead.

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How will Tigers fare in the Year of the Snake? Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
Lunar New Year

Rats’ lucky colour in Year of the Snake and predictions for love, money

People born in the Year of the Rat can expect to be rewarded for hard work, but need to balance that in their love lives.

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Tourism

London’s Chinatown to usher in the Year of the Snake with major celebration

One of the city’s grandest cultural events, Year of the Snake festivities will include a colourful parade, lion and dragon dances, and traditional cuisine.

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