A Thousand Whys

With the arrival of spring, colorful flowers are once again ready to take central stage. "A Thousand Whys" also offers a new series, exploring stories and meanings associated with various flowers. And in this episode, we will find out why peach blossoms are often associated with love in Chinese culture.

"拜年" is a cherished tradition observed during the Chinese New Year. It includes not just saying "Happy Chinese New Year" but also visiting friends and families, bringing them gifts and extending good wishes during the month-long celebration period. In this episode, we explore how Chinese people extend Spring Festival greetings in an efficient way!

2024 marks the Year of the Loong, or the Chinese dragon. In today's episode, we cover the powerful symbolism of loong in Chinese culture.

Dahan (大寒 dà hán), or Major Cold, falls on January 20th this year. In this episode, we show you how ancient Chinese merchants conduct a grand ceremony to honor the god of earth.

Xiaohan (小寒 xiǎo hán), or Minor Cold, falls on January 6th this year. In this episode, we show you what ancient Chinese people used to buy when preparing for the New Year.

Dongzhi (冬至 dōng zhì), or Winter Solstice, falls on December 22nd this year. It is the 22nd of the 24 solar terms and the fourth one in winter. In this episode, we show you why Chinese people "count in nines" in winter.

Daxue (大雪 dà xuě), or Major Snow, begins on December 7th this year. It is the 21st of the 24 solar terms and the third one in winter. In this episode, we show you whether ancient Chinese build snowmen in winter.

Xiaoxue (小雪 xiǎo xuě), or Minor Snow, begins on November 22nd this year. It is the 20th of the 24 solar terms and the second one in winter. In this episode, we show you how Chinese people enjoy vegetables in winter.

Lidong (立冬 lì dōng), or Start of Winter, begins on November 8th this year. It is the 19th of the 24 solar terms and the first one in winter. In this episode, we show you how Chinese people celebrate this solar term.

Shuangjiang (霜降 shuāng jiàng), or Frost's Descent, begins on October 24th this year. It is the 18th of the 24 solar terms and the last one in autumn. In this episode, we show you why Chinese people love to savor persimmons during this solar term.

Hanlu (寒露 hán lù), or Cold Dew, begins on October 8th this year. It is the 17th of the 24 solar terms and the fifth one in autumn. In this episode, we show you why Chinese people love to appreciate chrysanthemums during this solar term.

Qiufen (秋分 qiū fēn), or Autumn Equinox, begins on September 23rd this year. It is the 16th of the 24 solar terms and the fourth one of the autumn season. In this episode, we show you why this solar term is an important one in China.

Bailu (白露 bái lù), or White Dew, begins on September 8th this year. It is the 15th of the 24 solar terms and the third in autumn. In this episode, we show you a special way Chinese people welcome this solar term in style.

As summer fades, we embrace the "End of Heat", the 14th among the 24 solar terms, also known as Chushu (处暑 chǔ shǔ) in Chinese. One of the customs during Chushu is the floating of river lanterns. In Chinese mythology, this practice has something to do with two immortal figures: Zhurong and Gonggong.

Liqiu (立秋 lì qiū), or Beginning of Autumn, begins on August 8th this year. It is the 13th of the 24 solar terms and the first one of the autumn season. In this episode, we show you different ways of Chinese people welcoming this solar term.

The 12th solar term on the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, Dashu (大暑 dà shǔ), or Major Heat, begins on July 23rd this year. As the name suggests, Major Heat marks the peak of the summer season. In this episode, we show you an ancient Chinese people's brilliant solution to find relief in this "steaming and boiling" time of the year.

The 11th solar term on the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, Xiaoshu (小暑 xiǎo shǔ), or the Minor Heat, begins on July 7th this year. During Minor Heat, the temperature continues to rise, heralding the arrival of the hottest days of the year. In this episode, we show you ancient Chinese people's great ideas to stay cool in the hot summertime.

Duanwu Festival, or the Dragon Boat Festival, is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month on the Chinese lunar calendar, which falls on June 22nd this year. In this episode, we show you why Chinese people offer fans as gifts to others during the festival.

The tenth solar term on the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, Xiazhi (夏至 xià zhì), or the Summer Solstice, begins on June 21st this year. In this episode, we show you why noodles have become a representative food item of this solar term.

The ninth solar term in China, Mangzhong (芒种 máng zhòng), or Grain in Ear, is a time of bustling activity in agriculture. The name itself has profound meanings. In this episode, we show you why ox is related to this solar term.

The eighth solar term on the traditional Chinese calendar, Xiaoman (小满 xiǎo mǎn), or the Grain Buds, is the second solar term in summer. In this episode, we take you to the folklore of Lei Zu, who was revered as the "Silkworm Goddess". Legend said she discovered the art of raising silkworms and imparted the knowledge of creating exquisite silk garments to others.

The seventh solar term in China, Lixia (立夏 lì xià), or the Start of Summer, marks the beginning of the summer season. In this episode, we take you to the fascinating story of Nu Wa, a Chinese goddess, using her wisdom to protect children. We'll also show you why Chinese children wear egg pouches and like to play the egg game on this day!

Get ready to immerse yourself in this tale of love, loss, and the power of myth. In this episode, we dive into the enchanting legend of the sixth solar term in China, Grain Rain(谷雨 gǔ yǔ), and the tragic love story of a young man and a peony fairy. Why is the peony also known as the "Flower of Guyu" and what’s its cultural significance in Chinese tradition?

Yes, of course! When Valentine's Day is around, a handkerchief with hand-embroidered mandarin ducks will make a perfect gift for love birds.

During the Spring Festival holidays, the Chinese people pay visits or give New Year’s greetings to each other, which are not done as you wish but in accordance with some traditions and etiquettes. But please be noticed, this year’s Spring Festival is quite different to the Chinese people, due to the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan City. Some traditions to celebrate the Chinese New Year have to be dropped for now for the sake of health and safety. But I believe as soon as the epidemic passes, everything will get back to its normal track.

What’s a holiday without the right food? Tender, juicy and plump, the Chinese dumpling—Jiaozi is considered by many a must-have for celebrating the Chinese New Year. You know why we love Jiaozi so much?

There is always one thing to conquer another. The men-eating Nian, or the Year monster is no exception. What is he afraid of on earth?

If you find it hard to understand Chinese martial arts novels, get to know about JIANGHU first. Where there are people, there is Jianghu.

Still remember the "Three Friends of the Winter" favored by the Chinese? We've talked about the first two - the bamboo and the pine tree, and now let's meet the third one, the plum blossom. You know what, it's almost the time for us to enjoy the beauty of plum blossom throughout China. So, before that, let's get some ideas about it and get prepared.

Apart from the Gregorian calendar, the Chinese also observe our own lunar calendar. How does it work and what does it mean to the Chinese?

“A Diamond is Forever.” But it can never replace Chinese people’s love of jade, a special kind of stone symbolizing the values of ethics and honor.

Pine and cypress are not simply two kinds of trees in minds of the Chinese people. They have been personified in literature, paintings and other artistic creations throughout the Chinese history, which means Chinese people possess unique feelings and emotion toward these two plants. Let's hear what Shen Ting has to tell you about this love for pines and cypresses.

Winter can be brutal in some parts of China, especially in the north, where blizzards and icy roads are not uncommon. If you want to survive the worst that the winters here can throw at you, it's important to be prepared. Here are some tips for making it through the chilliest days of the year.

We love panda. Panda loves bamboo. We love bamboo. Come on! The love of the Chinese people toward bamboo can't be explained in such a simple mode. Bamboo means so much to the Chinese culture and civilization. As a commodity, it can be easily detected in our daily life, while as a cultural symbol, it has been deeply implanted in the Chinese people's minds.

Chinese people have pursued harmony since ancient times, and the same is true for moderation to music, without emphasizing sharp semitones. The five music notes were connected with the five elements of the nature, and the five main organs of a human body. Meet the world's earliest music therapy.

Angelic, divine, sublime…there are so many words to describe beauty that they make the word beautiful just a bit too common. Here in China, there is a kind of stunning beauty that can "make the fish forget how to swim and birds how to fly." How does it happen? And who is it talking about?

"How's it going?" "Are you all right?" These are how Americans and British people greet each other on a daily basis. Chinese people greet each other, however, by putting forward a question about eating. To find out more about this unique greeting manner and the cultural reason behind it, let's take a listen.

What?! By inserting hair-thin needles to specific acupuncture points, the acupuncturists can restore the flow of “qi”, balance the body’s energy, stimulate healing, and promote relaxation.

Crabs aren’t the most attractive-looking creatures. But the taste of their meat can be irresistible. Have you ever wondered: who was the first person to come up with the brilliant idea that crabs could be eaten? This episode of A Thousand Whys may cause the audience to produce excessive amount of saliva, so listener discretion is advised.

As THE most popular drink of the Chinese people, tea boasts a history almost as long as that of the Chinese civilization. It is something like coffee to westerners that could never be missed or replaced in one's daily life. Let's find out more about how Chinese people love drinking tea and how it has become part of our life.

To answer that, we might as well first talk about something in the ancient Book of Changes. Numbers from 1 to 10 have either yin or yang characteristics.

Smooth and shiny, soft yet strong, silk is considered a symbol of luxury for thousands of years. It frequents runways of fashion weeks, and is the popular choice of royalty and nobility. But did you know that silk was one of the longest kept industrial secrets in the world? Have you ever wondered how silk was invented?

Autumn is here! As nature will soon cast its magic on mountains and woods by adding various charming colors, the weather is also getting colder and colder. In China, especially in the north of country, many people follow such a folk custom called as "pasting the autumn fat" by eating more meat at this time of year. Sounds weird? But don't draw a conclusion so easily until you finish listening to this episode with our host Shen Ting.

Every year when the summer heat is gone, and the moon is full and bright, it’s time to celebrate. On what the Chinese call the Mid-Autumn Festival or the Moon Festival, the moon is the absolute center of attention. Do you have any idea how much we are fascinated by our cosmic neighbor?

In modern days, people are writing less and less with pens. Instead, the computer and smart phone have taken place to function as the method of conveying or recording information and messages. But in China, there are still quite a large quantity of people practicing the traditional Chinese handwriting, or the Chinese calligraphy. What's the charm and magic behind it? Let's find out more.

Cicadas have a rather short life, but they signify rebirth and immortality in Chinese folklore and art. They’re known for their noisiness, but useful in Chinese medicine in treating ear-ache, sore throat, husky voice, and sick eyes. (Photo by Xie Yanan)

Chinese people are considered to be good at martial arts, or Kung Fu. There is Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li to name just a few of the masters the world may well know. But are all, or most of the Chinese people good at Kung Fu as some may assume?

Ask any Chinese people about his or her favorite flower in summer, you would probably get the same answer - the lotus. It is beautiful, it is fragrant, and it contains some cultural messages that really enchant the Chinese people. You'll surely find out more after listening to this episode.

50 Shades of Qing... greenish blue, blueish black, blackish green...

If you lived in ancient times and wanted to build a house, what materials would you use for the framework? In China, the answer was wood. Why?

For a Chinese person, Sichuan Cuisine means something that can really bring out your great appetites, no matter whether you are a lover of spicy food or not. How could the food coming from a province in southwest China become a knock-out cuisine that has won most stomaches throughout the country? Let's find out with Shen Ting.

Playing with fire, standing for justice, fighting for peace... mythical animals can do a lot that humans are not able to. These glass animals are often seen on the upturn eaves of Chinese imperial buildings. Find out who they are and what they're good at.

The world of numbers is fascinating. While designers are obsessed with the golden ratio 1.618, and mathematicians with Pi 3.1415926, the Chinese people tend to mostly favor the number 8. But why?

Why do the Chinese people love using chopsticks, which look so hard to master for many westerners? Why do they not throw these two sticks away and turn to use fork and knife like many people in the rest of the world? Listen to the show and find out reasons in terms of funtions and cultural connotation contained in chopsticks.

Shirley shares the secret about the one accessory that's also a lifesaver in ancient China.

If you’ve a chance to go to a museum and take a look at the section of the Chinese relics, you’ll be sure find many exhibits of China wares. But have you ever noticed that many of them are in the pattern of blue and white, which is a unique style to differentiate the porcelain works of China from other countries? Why do Chinese people love the pattern of blue and white so much and even give it a name as Qing Hua Ci?

You may say this kind of eyes is slanted eyes. We don’t. We say it’s phoenix eyes, and it's considered noble in ancient China. While doctors may say it’s epicanthal fold, and it's good to protect the eyes from extreme sunlight and cold weather. Now the question is: Why are these eyes considered noble?

The stories of the dragon are told in many cultures in the world. Some dread it. Others adore the legendary creature so much that there is popular saying that they are the descendants of the dragon. It’s not the Targaryens. It’s the Chinese we’re talking about. But why?

Come listen to what ChatGPT has to say about China's popular snack during the Qingming Festival! Today's episode is generated and narrated by AI tools, and it introduces you to Qingtuan, a unique type of food that has been served during the Qingming Festival since ancient times. What are the cultural meanings of this green rice ball, and why is it such an important part of China's Qingming Festival tradition? Travel with us on this AI guided tour and find out!

What exactly is a Chinese gentleman, and what are the essential traits that define the spirit of the "君子 Junzi"? In this episode, we will dive deep into the world of the "君子" and explore the key virtues and characteristics that have shaped Chinese culture for centuries.

According to the Five Elements of Chinese philosophy, spring is associated with the color green, the wood element, and the climate of wind. So we eat green vegetables, plant seeds, and fly kites. After a season of darkness and quietness, the spring equinox marks the beginning of spring. Let’s celebrate the time of rebirth.

In ancient China, where a patriarchal society was the norm, did women have the opportunity to pursue career or political aspirations? What kind of roles did "female officials" play in the ancient Chinese dynasties?

As March arrives, nature welcomes the third solar term "Jingzhe", or "the Awakening of Insects". What is it that awakens the insects in spring? What are the exciting folk customs in China during this time of year?

There is an ancient Chinese saying, “春雨贵如油，the spring rain is as precious as oil,” but why and how is the rain in spring is so important? What interesting customs take place during the solar term “Rain Water”?

Whether humans are born with an innately good or evil nature is still an ongoing debate after thousands of years of discussions. Today, we’ll travel back to ancient China, and find out how some of China’s most renowned philosophers answered this question!

In almost every culture, there exist myths regarding floods. In China, the story of Yu the Great has been told for centuries and has inspired generations of Chinese people to better manage water and find ways to coexist with Mother Nature. Check out this episode of A Thousand Whys and get a feel for how one flood myth has been teaching Chinese people to keep floods at bay.

As one of the most common elements of daily life, water is one of the root metaphors in Chinese culture and wisdom. What is the Chinese “way of water”? How does the way we perceive water affect our self-identity?

February 4th sees the arrival of the first of this year’s traditional Chinese solar terms, named Lichun, usually translated into English as the “Beginning of Spring.” In ancient times, this particular day was seen as the prelude to a whole host of seasonal activities to welcome the coming spring. Tune into today’s episode to hear more about how the Chinese celebrate Lichun!

During the Chinese New Year, known as Spring Festival in the country, one of the most popular greetings is 恭喜发财，which translates as ‘Wishing you Prosperity and Wealth’. How did this greeting come about? Who is the Chinese God of Wealth? When do Chinese people welcome this propitious God? What stories are told about this deity? Why do Chinese people give red envelopes during the Spring Festival? This episode brings you all the things you need to know about wealth and the Chinese New Year.

With New Year celebrations worldwide done and dusted, attention is now turning to the Chinese New Year, saying goodbye to the year of the roaring tiger and to welcome the year of the tender rabbit. How is the rabbit represented in traditional Chinese culture? Is there a story behind this particular Chinese zodiac sign? Hop over to check out this new edition of A Thousand Whys!

The ancient Chinese bathing culture dates back to 3,000 years ago. For ancient Chinese, taking a bath was not just a personal hygiene issue, it was also considered an art and a lifestyle. So how did people bathe in ancient China? What can you expect in today’s commercial bathing houses in China? Explore this episode for more.

Qipao, or the Cheongsam, is widely regarded as the dress that best brings out the charm of Chinese women. This type of traditional tight-fitting garment has transformed from a gender equality statement to everyday clothing, and now to a fashionable expression of Chinese elegance in the past century. How did Qipao come into being and what stories are behind its cultural connotation? Tune into today's episode and find out!

How come holidays originated from bathing in ancient China? How did the ancient Chinese distinguish between workdays and non-work days? Which dynasty had the longest holiday? Who is the workaholic in Chinese history? In this episode, we will tell you something interesting about holidays in Chinese history.

You probably know that the Spring Festival is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture, when families get together to welcome another new year. But did you know that over 2,000 years ago, Chinese people actually marked the beginning of a new year on another day? That is, the winter solstice day, better known as Dongzhi in China. Tune in to learn about how Chinese people celebrate the arrival of winter.

How did the love of a princess’s dress almost bring about an environmental disaster in Chinese history? Then how did ancient Chinese people protect wildlife? In this episode of A Thousand Whys, we’ll explore the ancient Chinese wisdom in protecting the environment.

Have you heard of a game called Cuju? This "kick-ball" game was played in China as early as over 2,000 years ago. Well, as the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 reaches its exciting finals, we are going to talk a bit about football games, and try to decode how the ancient Chinese celebrated their love for this unique ball game. Tune in to find out more in this episode!

Winter is coming! In this episode, we tell stories about beauties and daffodils and explore why Chinese people love to describe beauties as ice and snow.

China's traditional tea-making has been added to UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list. As THE most popular drink of the Chinese people, tea boasts a history almost as long as that of the Chinese civilization. It is something like coffee to Westerners that could never be absent or replaced in one's daily life. In this rebroadcast of one past episode, let’s find out how Chinese people love drinking tea and how it has become part of our life.

Besides keeping us hydrated and clean, one of the most important practical uses of water is transportation. The longest canal in the world is in China! But why do some say that its construction caused the fall of a dynasty?

If you’ve ever visited China, you are probably surprised by people drinking boiled water. Some might tell you boiling water removes harmful bacteria that could potentially make you sick. But this doesn't explain the practice of boiling bottled water!

The board game Go is perhaps the most challenging one of all, for human intelligence and for artificial intelligence. In this episode, let's examine this complicated yet charming strategy game.

​Ever seen the dazzling lion dance and wondered what it is about?

If you love flowers, here's a chance to indulge yourself in a sea of blossoms in this early spring. A Thousand Whys invites you to a flower-themed gathering.

In the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, the theme “A Willow Twig” was presented both as a symbol of bidding farewell to the athletes and a remembrance for lost ones in ancient Chinese culture. Do you know why willow branches serve as a symbol of farewell? What exactly do willow trees represent in the Chinese context? Let’s find out in today’s episode!

Jade and silk are two things that are dear to the hearts of Chinese people. It is therefore no surprise that they are part of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. The design of the Beijing 2022 medals is based on Chinese ancient jade pendants while their ribbons are made of silk. The combination of jade and silk symbolizes "peace" – and the medals' design is inspired by a Chinese legend from ancient times. A Thousand Whys tells you more about the beautiful allusion of the duo of jade and silk.

For skiers and snowboarders in China, the Altay Prefecture of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is a dreamland. With a vast area of natural powder snow, Altay is considered by some as the birthplace of skiing that dates back to tens of thousands of years ago. Meet an age-old winter tale in this episode of A Thousand Whys.

What is the first self-constructed railway line in China? How does it relate to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics?

​Chinese people are looking forward to the Lunar New Year! And according to the Chinese zodiac, 2022 is the "Year of the Tiger." The big cat is known to be the "King of All Beasts" in China and is third among the twelve Chinese zodiac signs. Why is 2022 the year of Tiger? What are the fun stories behind the zodiac signs and its sequence? Let's dive right into this episode and find out!

Imagine playing football on ice, doing archery while skating, or being in a big air game on ice? This is not a joke. These are real ice games that were once played in the winter in ancient China. In this episode, we take you on a journey back to an ancient world of winter sports from which you may get some inspiration, while tracing the history of ice sports in China.

​By stringing sugar-coated fruit on a skewer, the unique Chinese snack Tanghulu has attracted many to DIY it at home for the sweet crunchy bite. But did you know that this sweet treat is also one of the traditional snacks of Beijing? Do you know the connection between Tanghulu and the old capital city? Let’s have a listen and find out!

The Beihai Park, or the Northern Sea Park, is a great place to enjoy the water view and a boat ride in Beijing. But for anyone who visits the park for the first time, the "sea" in the name might seem a bit misleading. It’s highly likely that he or she will wonder: Why is it called a sea? In present-day downtown Beijing, there are six interconnected lakes that are called various “seas”. Why?

​A Thousand Whys introduces you to a popular stage performing art that may help improve your sense of Chinese humor: cross talk. This traditional performing art remains popular, especially among young people in China. Listen to this episode to find out why.

​Is there still “old Beijing” in the new Beijing? In this episode, we will share with you the traits of Beijing that have survived throughout the centuries and are still vibrant today. Attention! We’re going to discuss something that's hidden behind the hutongs, quadrangles, or the other iconic symbols that you can easily find in a Beijing travel guidebook.

Taking a walk with a pet bird has been a popular hobby of some Chinese people for centuries. In this episode, we are going to introduce to you why we do it, what it is like, as well as some fun facts and tricks about this particular Chinese tradition. Want to know how and why we walk birds? Please join us on A Thousand Whys!

With expanding urbanization all around the globe, historical residences that still exist today are especially precious as witnesses of history and traditional culture. In this episode, let's tour around a traditional residence in China's capital city Beijing. The siheyuan courtyard, or a quadrangle, shows us a glimpse of what Beijing style was like back in time.

"Golden doornails on a red gate" has been a symbol of the imperial power of the Qing dynasty. Apart from this, did you know that doornails have long been used in China for centuries? In this episode, we are going to introduce to you how Chinese doornails evolved into the way they are today. Let's check this out!

What do you think is the meaning of a birthday celebration? Sending and receiving best wishes, perhaps? This episode of A Thousand Whys shares with you an interesting and meaningful Chinese tradition concerning birthday celebration – not for kids this time, but rather, for seniors!

The first birthday of a baby is the most precious – it’s a landmark for any child as well as an exciting time for parents. In China, it’s believed by some that the first thing you pick up at your first birthday party can tell about your future career. Interested in the “picking up” game for the first birthday, in a Chinese way?

If someone tells you that he/she saw Mr. Zhougong last night, you might wonder, who is Mr. Zhougong? Anyone to be worried about?