Qingming Festival: Mix of sadness and happiness

The Qingming Festival falls on April 5 this year. Let's see why the ancient Chinese people chose that date and how it got its name.

New literary prize inspires young writers

A new literary prize of 300,000 yuan ($47,700) has been set up to encourage talented Chinese writers under the age of 45 to become established and successful writers.

Chinese cake artist stuns the world with historical fondant art

Inspired by Chinese culture, Zhou Yi has a lot to tell about the edible artworks that have gone viral on the internet in China.

Women's issues in focus at session with Spanish writer

The challenges faced by modern women was the subject of a public discussion recently between Spanish writer Rosa Montero and Chinese writer Zhang Yueran at the Cervantes Institute in Beijing.

Richard Flanagan and Yu Hua discuss writing

It is Saturday, when Australian writer Richard Flanagan meets Yu Hua for the first time during an event at a Beijing bookstore.

Artist's exhibition offers new take on Western masterpieces

If visitors at oil painter Xie Nanxing's latest show Spices in Beijing are confused by the event's title, they are in the right place.

Ancient Dongba culture expected to endure in digital era

Efforts to digitally record and preserve the ancient indigenous culture of Dongba in Lijiang and Shangri-la, Yunnan province, have proved successful.

A brief history of Stephen Hawking on screens

The author of A Brief History of Time lived his words in life. Apart from his tremendous contribution to science, he also appeared in a considerable number of films and sitcoms as a humorous man – both as himself or portrayed by others.

Ru ware, an ethereal shade of blue

Named after its origin – the official kiln in Ruzhou, Henan Province, the Ru porcelain ware is recognized as the best of its time as well as in the entire history of Chinese ceramics.

Myth and life

To attract more visitors amid a sluggish book business in China, many bookstores are renovating furnishings and decorations, and are selling coffee, cake and cultural products such as bags and postcards, as well as hosting events or lectures.