“The Bridge Sure Is Strong”: 300,000 Gather Atop Bridge In Sichuan For Traditional Festival

Bridge in Sichuan 2
A traditional rhyme in Sichuan goes like this: “Toss medicine money, worship your godfather, throw away clothes, and pray for the whole family.” The people of Mianyang, the second largest city in Sichuan province after Chengdu, take the rhyme very seriously, along with other traditions. On March 18, thousands flocked to Jushui Village for the Ju Water Bridge Festival (雎水踩桥会), almost all of them to do one thing: step on a bridge.

Saying Goodbye To China’s 64-Year-Old Ministry Of Railways

Ministry of Railway
The Ministry of Railways (MOR) is as old as New China, having been in operation since October 1949. But on March 10, toward the construction of a newer China at the 12th National People’s Congress, the government announced a series of reforms and reconstructions, which included the decision to dissolve outdated ministries. The Ministry of... Read more »

Environmentally Conscious Chinese Rally For Arbor Day

Arbor Day in China
Did you know that Tuesday, March, 12, was Arbor Day in China? On Zhi Shu Jie (植树节), literally Plant-A-Tree Day, people celebrated by planting anything they could. As Sina Weibo user @粮仓一鼠 put it, “Although there is no land to plant a tree, we can grow a pea in a flower pot.” Like him, many... Read more »

How Have Netizens Reacted To North Korea’s “Official Hairstyles”? Hilariously

Approved hairstyles for North Korean women
Outside a salon in the city of Pyongyang hangs a framed picture showing 28 hairstyles for customers to choose from. The North Korean government has declared these styles the official ones for men and women -- and what selection! We're all too familiar with the practices of a conformist state, but this is a throwback to an even more communist era. If you are a married woman, you have to keep your hair short and ribbon-free; if single, young ladies should keep braids; etc.

Chinese Olympian Sun Yang Punished for Misconduct

Sun Yang
Remember swimmer Sun Yang at the London Olympics? He broke his own world record in the 1500-meter freestyle, and won another gold in the 400-meter free, joining Michael Phelps as the only male swimmers to win two individual titles. With the success came endorsements and a hot girlfriend, but China's poster-boy swimmer now finds himself at the center of a scandal.

Meet Sina Weibo Star Choi Seongho, A Self-Proclaimed North Korean Patriot Who Just Might Be This Country’s Most Brilliant Satirist

Writer Choi's first message
 By Xiao Yi “At my residence in Beijing, with Coke toast first to the supreme leaders!” And with that first message on June 29, Sina Weibo user @作家崔成浩 – literally, “Writer Choi Seongho” – launched himself into Chinese social media fame. From the very beginning, as a self-proclaimed North Korean patriot, he has written solely to glorify the Democratic People’s... Read more »

The Coolest 72-Year-Old Grandfather In The World Lives In China

Grandpa Liu in red and pink
Ed’s note: Offbeat China, who first blogged this on Friday, has more pictures of Liu Xianping, the 72-year-old model of Yuekou online store. This piece is the first for BJC’s newest contributor, Xiao Yi. By Xiao Yi “Look at the camera – no slouching!” Miss Lü instructs as she shoots pictures of her 72-year-old grandfather, dressed in... Read more »