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The proposition “Has China abandoned Tang-dynasty culture?” appears to lean toward an affirmative answer if examined from the perspective of material remains and institutional continuity. Yet when viewed through its spiritual core and contemporary practices, the conclusion is entirely opposite. Tang culture has not been cast aside; instead, it has undergone transformation in form and …
Xinjiang, Xizang, Mongolia (here referring primarily to Inner Mongolia), and Manchuria (the Northeast China region) do exhibit marked cultural distinctions from inland China, especially the Han agrarian heartlands. Such differences, however, do not equate to being “culturally separate from China” or “non‑Chinese.” A more precise framing is this: these areas evolved into distinct …
If you ask a foreign visitor fresh off the plane what China’s most popular culture is, they may draw a blank. It is not an easy question to answer, for China is vast, and popular culture looks vastly different across different social circles. Yet once you stay a while, scroll through Douyin, wander …
Cultural exchanges between China and the world did not begin with gunboats and warships in modern times, nor were they a one-way process of either “Western learning spreading to the East” or “Eastern learning spreading to the West.” From the Age of Discovery around 1500 to the end of the …
A Foreigner’s Perspective on China’s Cultural Heritage: From Curiosity to Coexistence Author’s Note: This piece is written from the perspective of a foreign observer who has lived in China for years and works in cross-cultural exchange. It explores an outsider’s genuine feelings and uncertainties about how China’s cultural heritage is presented overseas, capturing both moments …
Can White People Wear Tang Suits? Understanding Culture, Identity and Respect The question may seem to concern clothing, but it touches on much deeper issues of culture, identity and respect. My answer is yes: white people can wear Tang suits. However, how a garment is worn and the context in which it is presented help …
Ancient Chinese culture can be likened to a towering, luxuriant tree, with its geographical environment serving as the soil in which it took root and developed. From the sediment-laden waters of the Yellow River to the vast reaches of the Yangtze River, from the Gobi Desert in the northwest to the seas along the southeastern …
The striking cultural similarities between China, Japan and South Korea reflect a complex history shaped by cultural transmission, geographical proximity, political institutions and social evolution. From written language and cuisine to ethical values and traditional festivals, people across the three countries often encounter familiar cultural elements in one another’s societies. These similarities are no coincidence. …
Does China Claim Ownership of South Korean Culture? Historical Facts and Modern Controversies The claim that “China asserts ownership over South Korean culture” requires clarification of the underlying facts. Chinese authorities have not systematically claimed ownership of South Korean culture. Historically, the Korean Peninsula was deeply influenced by Chinese civilisation and formed part of the …
Two Cultural Facts of Daily Life in the Han Dynasty The Han Dynasty was a pivotal era in the formation of China’s cultural DNA. Many practices that we regard as “traditional” today had already begun to take shape more than two thousand years ago. From dining customs to social etiquette, the everyday practices of Han …
