NEWHANFU

The recently premiered historical drama Si Jin (思锦) has captivated audiences with its compelling narrative of personal awakening and growth, seamlessly woven into the exquisite aesthetic of Song Dynasty culture. Adapted from the novel of the same name by Dong Tian De Liu Ye, Si Jin is helmed by artistic director and lead producer Yang Xiaopei. The series follows the journey of Jiang Si, the fourth daughter of the Dongping Marquis household, who is betrayed and seemingly perishes at the hands of her lover, Yu Qi (also known as Yu Jin). However, fate grants her a second chance—this time, she is determined to seize control of her destiny. By reinterpreting a classic "rebirth" trope with a fresh perspective, the series not only explores a nuanced portrayal of female agency but also introduces a more immersive engagement with traditional aesthetics—giving historical elements a more dynamic role in the storytelling rather than treating them as mere decorative backdrops. A New Take on Female Strength While rebirth and revenge narratives are hardly new in historical dramas, Si Jin breaks away from the conventional "black lotus" trope, which often portrays female protagonists as extreme avengers. Instead, the show emphasizes intelligence and strategy as the…...

If one could time-travel back to the bustling streets of the Song Dynasty, the most astonishing sight might not be the vibrant marketplaces or the lively entertainment districts, but rather the mesmerizing artistry found in everyday food. Vendors pushed wooden carts filled with lifelike fruit confections), crafting stunning edible illusions. Among these, the smiling face snacks stood out—honey-glazed plum slices carved into smiling female faces, with dried peaches as blushing cheeks and almonds as delicate teeth. These delicate creations often prompted literati to pause and compose verses, likening the treats to well-crafted smiles. At the grand feasts of the capital's famed establishments, culinary creativity reached new heights. The spectacle of pavilion desserts amazed onlookers: dough tinted with locust flower juice formed gray-tiled roofs, malt sugar spun into intricate railings, and date paste molded into miniature rock formations. Green bean jelly shimmered like a pond's surface, while delicate layers of green bean powder mimicked mossy textures. These microcosmic landscapes were not only admired but also eaten with ceremony—at one banquet, guests were instructed to first drink three cups of wine before disassembling the meandering stream pavilion by consuming its sugar pillars. Poetic Bites: Where Literature Meets Cuisine The rise of symbolic…...

The Art of Tea Reimagined In the misty foothills of China's Sichuan province, a father-daughter duo is rewriting the rules of cultural preservation—one bamboo-wrapped teacup at a time. At Chongzhou's Intangible Cultural Heritage Park, a groundbreaking fusion of Daoming bamboo weaving (a 1,200-year-old craft) and Dehua porcelain (from Fujian's "China White" ceramic tradition) has birthed the viral "Panda Embracing Bamboo" tea set . Bai Jingbo, 52, the mastermind behind the design, explains: "The challenge was to make a 1,200-year-old tea ritual resonate with Gen-Z." His solution? A porcelain core fired at 1,320°C, sheathed in bamboo strips from 2-3-year-old ci bamboos—chosen for their flexibility and 120MPa tensile strength . Each cup undergoes 32 precise weaving steps, transforming rigid bamboo into undulating "water ripple" patterns that cradle the porcelain like a second skin. The pièce de résistance is the panda motif: traditional ink-wash paintings of pandas clutching bamboo stalks are kiln-fired onto the porcelain, creating a dialogue between Sichuan's ecological identity and its craft heritage . Three Generations, One Vision This project thrives on a cross-generational alliance: - Yang Yong, 68, a Chongzhou shadow puppet master, sketches initial panda designs using centuries-old ink techniques . - Bai Jingbo translates these into ceramic…...

The clock struck 9 PM in Beijing, but inside Paris's Palais de Tokyo, the night was just beginning. Editors from Vogue, influencers clutching their iPhones, and celebrities like Liu Yu and Yuan Shanshan buzzed under the cavernous ceilings, their eyes fixed on towering embroidered tapestries depicting mythical butterflies, celestial cranes, and love stories woven into silk. This wasn't just another Paris Fashion Week spectacle—it was SHIATZY CHEN's Fall/Winter 2025 collection, a masterclass in bridging 1,000-year-old Miao traditions with the pulse of contemporary luxury. For founder Shiatzy Chen (Wang Chen Tsai-Hsia), this show wasn't merely about aesthetics; it was a manifesto. "When I first started, department stores told me, 'No one wants Chinese styles—give us international,'" she recalls, her voice steady yet charged with defiance. Nearly five decades later, her brand stands as a beacon of neo-Chinese chic, proving that heritage isn't a relic—it's a revolution. Ancient Stitches and Avant-Garde Craft The collection, titled Far&Near, hinged on a radical proposition: What if Miao embroidery—a UNESCO-listed intangible cultural heritage—could speak the language of modern urbanites? To answer this, Chen and her team embarked on three pilgrimages to Guizhou's remote Miao villages, collaborating with seven intangible cultural heritage artisans. Their mission? To decode…...

Recently, the television adaptation of Northward (北上), based on the Mao Dun Literature Prize-winning novel, has captivated audiences in China. Airing in prime time on CCTV, the drama transports viewers to the banks of the Grand Canal, where a group of young dreamers navigate the currents of life. More than just a coming-of-age story, the series breathes fresh life into the rich heritage of the Grand Canal, bridging historical and contemporary narratives with an innovative approach. In recent years, adapting literary masterpieces for television has become an increasingly popular trend, and Northward offers a compelling case study of how literature and cinema can reinforce one another. By blending traditional storytelling with a fresh cinematic vision, the show opens up new possibilities for literary adaptations. A Bold Reinterpretation of a Literary Classic As one of Xu Zechen's most celebrated novels, Northward carries a distinctive literary voice. The creative team behind the series has worked meticulously to preserve the novel's core themes while reinterpreting them for a contemporary audience. Instead of simply recounting historical events set in the Qing Dynasty, the adaptation shifts the focus to the 1990s, a period of rapid change in China. This bold reimagining places the narrative within…...

Xi'an Xianyang International Airport has redefined layovers with a groundbreaking attraction: the Western Airport Museum, the world's first in-terminal archaeological exhibition. Opened on February 26, 2024, this innovative space blends modern air travel with China's ancient heritage, offering a time-traveling journey for history buffs and curious globetrotters alike. Whether you're transiting through Xi'an or starting your Silk Road adventure, here's why this museum deserves a spot on your itinerary. A Gateway to China's Glorious Past Located within the newly operational T5 Terminal, the Western Airport Museum turns wait time into wonder. Its permanent exhibition, "Chang'an·Everlasting Peace: Relics from Xi'an Airport and the Legacy of Ancient Chang'an", showcases artifacts unearthed during the airport's construction. These relics, spanning millennia, narrate Xi'an's role as the eastern terminus of the Silk Road and the heart of the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE), when Chang'an (modern-day Xi'an) was the world's largest cosmopolitan city. Highlights include: Silk Road Trade Relics: Exquisite Tang-era pottery, foreign coins, and glassware revealing cross-cultural exchanges. Interactive Displays: Holographic projections recreate bustling Tang marketplaces and caravan routes. Airport Archaeology: Rare photos and tools used in rescue excavations during T5's development, emphasizing how infrastructure projects preserve history. For travelers en route to the Terracotta…...

In the labyrinthine alleys of Tianjin, a traveler's innocent request for lettuce in their Jianbing guozi (Chinese crepe) might elicit a side-eye from the vendor. In Rome, a photo of Hawaiian pizza could send an Italian chef into a theatrical meltdown. And in Guizhou, a bowl of Zhe'ergen (fishy-smelling herb) tossed with strawberries might make locals recoil in horror. Welcome to the deliciously contentious world of food purism—a global phenomenon where culinary traditions are guarded like sacred texts, and even the slightest deviation can spark international outrage. Food, it turns out, is more than sustenance—it's a battleground for cultural identity. Recently, a fiery exchange between Italian and Chinese netizens went viral, with an Italian woman named Maria clapping back at Chinese commenters who trolled her with images of broken spaghetti and pineapple-topped pizza. Instead of crumbling, Maria retaliated with photos of candy-stuffed dumplings and zhe'ergen-strawberry salads, leaving Chinese foodies equally scandalized. This culinary "mutual assured destruction" revealed a universal truth: Every culture has its gastronomic red lines. For travelers, navigating these unspoken rules can feel like walking through a culinary minefield. But understanding the why behind the drama—why a lettuce leaf in a crepe is heresy, or why pineapple on…...

As spring returns to the earth, a culinary revolution sprouts across China—one that turns thorny shoots, toxic buds, and even tree bark into poetic feasts. Join us on a journey where every bite whispers ancient legends and defies modern logic. Nature's Daredevils: Eating Buds Becomes an Extreme Sport In the misty highlands of Guizhou, spring arrives with a dare. Here, villagers forage for the tender shoots of Heshouwu (Polygonum multiflorum), a plant so toxic its roots are used in traditional rat poison. Yet, between late March and early April, its emerald-green buds become a coveted delicacy. "Timing is everything," explains Chef Yang, stirring a bowl of blanched Heshouwu buds at a rustic farmhouse near Puan County. "Pluck them too early, and they're bitter. Too late, and the toxins intensify." Served with chili oil and crushed garlic, the buds carry a crisp, herbaceous tang—a flavor locals describe as "nature's adrenaline rush." This dangerous dance with botany isn't reckless; it's a testament to ancestral wisdom passed down through generations. Meanwhile, in Shaanxi, diners flirt with another perilous pleasure: pagoda tree buds. While its fragrant white flowers are harmless, the tree's young leaves contain alkaloids that can cause dizziness if consumed raw. Undeterred,…...

As one of China's most dynamic "post-95" actresses, Zhao Lusi has redefined the landscape of historical and fantasy dramas with her magnetic performances. Her works are not just entertainment—they are gateways to understanding Chinese culture, blending traditional aesthetics, mythological lore, and progressive themes. This guide recommend her top Period Dramas: Love Like the Galaxy·星汉灿烂·月升沧海 Aired: July 2022 Genres: Family Saga, Political Intrigue, Romance Period Background: Loosely inspired by the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), with fictional kingdoms and war-torn landscapes. Adapted From: Xing Han Can Lan by Guan Xin Ze Luan. Cheng Shaoshang (Zhao Lusi), a neglected noble daughter, grows up in a family overshadowed by political ambitions. Abandoned by her parents during wartime and raised by a manipulative aunt, she survives by feigning ignorance while secretly honing her intellect and resourcefulness. Her life intertwines with Ling Buyi (Wu Lei), a general haunted by his mysterious past and driven by a quest for justice. Their relationship evolves from mutual distrust to a partnership that navigates familial betrayals, wartime chaos, and court conspiracies. The series delves into Confucian family dynamics, where filial piety clashes with personal ambition. Shaoshang's journey—from a marginalized "left-behind child" to a strategist who saves her nation—mirrors the…...

In the golden age of historical dramas, off-the-shoulder costumes were a staple, often resembling an ancient version of a "deep V." These bold designs captivated audiences with their dramatic flair, but as modern productions strive for greater historical accuracy, such outfits have largely vanished from the screen. Were these revealing styles ever rooted in historical reality? And what led to their decline in contemporary storytelling? The Historical Roots of Off-the-Shoulder Fashion Contrary to the sensationalized portrayals in early historical dramas, ancient Chinese fashion was far more conservative. While certain artworks, such as the murals in the Xu Xianxiu Tomb (徐显秀墓) or figurines from the Wei and Jin dynasties, might suggest the existence of off-the-shoulder attire, these depictions are often misinterpreted. In reality, such outfits were layered with undergarments, ensuring modesty even with a slightly exposed neckline. For instance, during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, a style known as Daxiu ru (large-sleeved robes, 大袖襦) gained popularity. This design featured wide sleeves and a deep neckline, but it was always paired with a circular undergarment or Liangdang (a type of vest, 裲裆) to cover the shoulders. The result was a look that revealed only the collarbone at most—far from the exaggerated "shoulder-baring"…...