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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
A tiger bestrides Shanghai’s Yuuan Garden during the Lantern Festival in 2022. Tigers in the Year of the Snake face strife on the health and home fronts, but can take steps to mitigate their bad luck. Photo: Shutterstock
Lunar New Year

How Tigers can overcome their bad stars in Year of the Snake

The Tiger is one of the zodiac signs in conflict with the guardian deity in the coming lunar year. What this means, and what to do.

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Timepieces

5 Chinese New Year watches: exclusive Year of the Snake 2025 themed timepieces

Lunar New Year

What’s ahead for Pigs in the Year of the Snake, and their lucky colour

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Lunar New Year

Why red packets are given at Lunar New Year and the rise of e-versions

Called lai see in Cantonese and hong bao in Mandarin, red packets wish good luck and prosperity, but are electronic versions taking over?

The red colour of lai see symbolises good luck and prosperity, and the amount of money inside usually ends in an even number, which is considered more auspicious. Photo: Shutterstock
Lunar New Year

Born in the Year of the Pig? How to survive 2025’s Year of the Snake

The Pig is among the zodiac signs in conflict with the coming lunar year’s guardian deity. From temple rites to travel, ways to improve luck.

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Lunar New Year

Survival tips for Monkeys facing evil star in Year of the Snake

Lunar New Year in 2025 means conflict between its guardian deity and some Chinese zodiac signs, including Monkey. What they can do.

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Hong Kong culture

Being Chinese | The beauty of being a filial Chinese daughter

Despite the caregiving challenges, there’s a beauty in accepting filial piety is not a choice but a necessity: roles and responsibilities are clear.

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Amy Wu and her father, Dr Joseph Wu, attending the annual senior prom event organised by the New York Dutchess county government’s Office for the Ageing in October 2024. Photo: Courtesy of Evelyn Loo
Food and Drinks

5 food mistakes you should avoid over the Lunar New Year holiday

The Lunar New Year holiday is a time to eat foods with auspicious meanings, but there are also some that the superstitious should avoid.

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Lunar New Year

Is your zodiac sign Snake? You’re in conflict with guardian deity this year

Lunar New Year in 2025 ushers in conflict between a guardian deity and some Chinese zodiac signs, among them Snake. What to do.

Food and Drinks

Best restaurants for luxury Chinese New Year menus in Hong Kong

Celebrate in style with our list of some of the best restaurants for Chinese New Year lunch and dinner dining in Hong Kong.

Duddell’s Chinese New Year Premium Poon Choi menu stars a poon choi chock full of luxury ingredients, from abalone to braised sea cucumber. Photo: Nicholas Wong/Sixteen Photography
Lunar New Year

Year of the Snake 2025 predictions for Dogs, from finances to romance

Dogs will earn more this year amid financial pitfalls. It’s a good year for love and marriage but mediocre for health – avoid certain places.

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The Year of the Snake will bring good luck for Dogs. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
Old Hong Kong

Then & Now | How Chinese medicinal wines became just the tonic in Hong Kong

Chinese medicinal wines made with herbs or animal parts have long been the go-to remedy for all sorts of maladies, from bad breath to marital inharmony.

Lunar New Year

Editorial | It is time to make Lunar New Year red lai see packets greener

While it is a tradition to fill red paper envelopes with freshly printed notes, mainland Chinese have shown sustainable digital options can be just as effective.

Martial arts

Martial artists honouring Bruce Lee teacher on their love of wing chun

More than 100 martial artists from around the world gathered in Hong Kong at an event dedicated to Wong Shun-leung, student of Ip Man.

Pure Ving Tsun boss Jerry Yeung (left) and martial arts actor Philip Ng train at PVT Group Hong Kong in Tsim Sha Tsui on November 24, 2024. Both attended an event in honour of wing chun master Wong Shun-leung in November. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Lunar New Year

Year of the Snake 2025 predictions for Roosters, such as lots of money

Congratulations, Roosters – according to Chinese geomancy, you can expect easy money, career growth and a social whirl in Year of the Snake.

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Year of the Snake 2025 predictions for 12 zodiac signs. How is your health, luck, wealth?
Art

New interest in viral Donald Trump as Buddha figures by Chinese sculptor

Sculptor Hong Jinshi’s Buddha-like Trump figures went viral in 2021, and since the US election are back in demand. His new focus? Elon Musk.

Hong Kong society

Palace Museum to bring Islamic, Tutankhamun relics to Hong Kong in 2025

Museum’s number of visitors fell by 17 per cent last year to 1 million, compared with 1.2 million in 2023.

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Malaysia

Asian Angle | Malaysians’ embrace of Mandarin is a win for multiculturalism

A rise in Mandarin fluency is shown to help foster positive attitudes and reduce prejudice, but challenges remain in boosting inclusivity.

Pupils attend class at a primary school in Selangor, Malaysia. More non-Chinese Malaysians are embracing Mandarin. Photo: Shutterstock
Lunar New Year

Year of the Snake may be unlucky for Snakes. How to avoid misfortune

The Lunar New Year in 2025 heralds the Year of the Snake. It’s bad news if the Snake is your zodiac – you’ll be hit by the ‘12-year curse’.

Lunar New Year

Being Chinese | Who’s Singaporean and stressing over Lunar New Year food abroad? Not me

Grappling with being the sole source of Singapore Chinese culture for my children, I have focused on transmitting it through food.

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Lessons from China's history

Reflections | The earliest Chinese lotteries, and a cheating operator’s gruesome death

Various forms of lottery have existed in China for centuries, as have attempts to ban them for reasons like the social problems they induce.

People queue to buy lottery tickets at a branch of the Hong Kong Jockey Club in the city’s Central business district for the Mark Six Snowball draw of HK$100 million on January 2, 2025. Photo: Edmond So

Video | Chinese engineer turns to tofu to revive home village

Luo Zhaoliu quit his high-paying job as an engineer in the city and returned home to start a fermented tofu business.

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Photo: SCMP
Lunar New Year

Why are there fewer babies born during the Year of the Snake?

Many think those born under the Snake will be unlucky. On the other hand, fewer births means less competition for things like school places.

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Lunar New Year

Year of the Snake 2025 predictions for Monkeys, such as a big career boost

Monkeys can expect career advancements – especially if they work with women or are in a women-led industry – according to Chinese geomancy.

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Fame and celebrity

16 new spiders have just been named after Jay Chou’s songs

In 2011, Taiwan’s astronomers named an asteroid after the Mandopop star – now, a scientist has brought us ‘Excuse spider’ and ‘Rainbow spider’.

Jay Chou performs at Nanjing Olympic Sports Center in November 2019. Photo: Getty Images
Hong Kong tourism

100,000 spectators expected at Hong Kong Lunar New Year float parade

Night parade will be held on the first day of the Year of the Snake, showcasing 55 performance groups, including K-pop band Kep1er.

K-pop girl group Kep1er will perform during the Lunar New Year celebrations. Photo: Handout
Lunar New Year

Year of the Snake 2025 predictions for Sheep, including their lucky colour

According to Chinese geomancy, those born in the Year of the Sheep will make money this year if they are careful – but love won’t come easy.

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Food and Drinks

What is that red Chinese candy box you see during Lunar New Year?

The chuen hup, also known as a togetherness box, is full of tiny sweet treats that carry rich cultural connotations and auspicious meanings.

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