The "Jiaoling Youren (交领右衽, cross-collar-and-right-wrapped, the left lapel covers the right lapel when wearing)" based on flat cutting is a typical collar that has been passed down in the Chinese civilization for thousands of years. It fully embodies the diverse and integrated pattern since ancient times, carries Chinese common cultural connotation as a nation, and is a symbol of the spiritual essence extracted from the long history of Chinese civilization. Chinese traditional costumes are profound and have a long history, Jiaoling Youren is like main threads linking thousands of years' of flowery clouds together to inherit continuously with boundless beauty. The character "衣 (clothing)" already existed in oracle bone script which reveals its structural feature: two lapels overlap each other forming into textual symbols.   01 What is Jiaoling Youren One of the most prominent features of Hanfu is the collar design that crosses left over right to form a "Y" shape known as the Jiaoling Youren style. This collar design has more than 5,000 years of history since Zhou Dynasty. Even though Hanfu keeps innovating with different styles such as straight collars, tank tops, and stand-up collars, the cross-collared Hanfu still maintains its mainstream position among these styles.  …

Among the upcoming dramas, "Snow Eagle Lord" starring Xu Kai and Gulnazar has been receiving a lot of attention. The drama, which obtained its license in May, has gained immense popularity and heat with over one million reservations made recently. It is definitely a hot topic before it even airs. The original novel of "Snow Eagle Lord" already had a high level of popularity. The plot is extremely exciting with numerous fighting scenes, grand world-building, and otherworldly plots as well as an all-star cast with attractive looks that are sure to captivate viewers. Additionally, the current topic surrounding the show suggests that it may become the biggest dark horse drama this season. The fantasy drama "Snow Eagle Lord" tells the legendary story about Dongbo Xueying, his wife Yu Jingqiu, and their companions' struggles and adventures in another world continent, eventually achieving unsurpassed achievements. From what we know from promotional materials so far, the costume design and makeup artistry are excellent, fighting scenes are fluent and stunning, and the pacing is also very compact, making for an overall high-quality production. Regarding the cast, Xu Kai and Gulnazar are two recognized ancient costume drama actors that make for a feast of beauty.…

After experiencing the oriental beauty of "The Island of Siliang" and the passionate combat in "Douluo Continent", what other expectations can we have for Chinese animation? The release of stylized martial arts animation "Blades of the Guardians" on June 1, 2023, surprises us with something new. Unlike the recent popular science fiction or immortality themes on various streaming platforms, Chinese martial arts finally becomes the theme again in the animated series "Blades of the Guardians (Biao Ren, 镖人)". A mysterious middle-aged martial artist, with a thin horse and a young child, walks in the desert outside of the country. He negotiates deals with bandits while making friends among commoners, he is both a armed escort and possesses an adventurer's courage. This character has rekindled memories of martial arts within society after only four episodes aired. Some see it as embodying Wuxia aesthetics; others use it to refute claims that martial arts are dead - even inspiring some to pick up original comic books once more. For a long time, whenever the content industry reached certain points, it was necessary to discuss the disappearance of martial arts theme. It is believed that lack of audience interest and reluctance from production teams…

In 1904, the construction of the Bianluo Railway began. As a part of the later Longhai Railway, this transportation line passed through Mangshan to the north of Luoyang city, an ideal place for emperors, officials and civilians to choose their burial grounds since at least the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. The construction of modern railways undoubtedly broke the peace of another world, but it also allowed underground treasures to see daylight again. Among many damaged Tang tombs, a type of color-glazed ceramic funerary object that had never been seen before by people drew attention from antiquarians; this is "Tang Sancai". Since then, people have been indulging in the gorgeous and lustrous colors of Tang Sancai as if all the grandeur and majesty of Tang Dynasty were condensed into such an object. It was an era completely different from that during Qing Dynasty; gazing upon and playing with Tang Sancai might help one temporarily withdraw from chaotic times and dream peacefully in a book room filled with sandalwood aroma.   The Legacy of the Tang Dynasty In fact, although they are called Tang Sancai, there is no record of such object names in historical documents. The name "Tang Sancai (唐三彩, Tang Tri-color…

In the previous article, the top 20 Chinese museums worth visiting in China were introduced to you. Then, in this article, 14 niche China museums were selected that each represents a specific period in Chinese history, connecting them together to form a visible development context of Chinese history.   01 The Earliest China If we were to compare different stages of Chinese history to different times of day, then the Liangzhu Civilization would be the pre-dawn. From childhood, the concept of "5000 years of Chinese civilization" has been deeply ingrained in Chinese minds. And Liangzhu marks the beginning of those 5000 years. Liangzhu Museum Before the emergence of Liangzhu civilization, what did China look like? Cultural relics such as Hemudu, Banpo and Hongshan can be found from the Yangtze River to Yellow River and even further north in Liaoning and Inner Mongolia. Crossing over from culture to civilization, mark an entirely new stage in human social development: settlements continued to develop, forming embryonic forms of early cities; labor was effectively organized, and massive water conservancy projects with storage capacity reaching 46 million cubic meters (more than three West Lakes) were built to resist floods; meanwhile, surplus productivity was sufficient enough…

"Creation of the Gods I" has announced its release date on July 20th. This mythological film, directed by Wu Ershan and starring Huang Bo, Fei Xiang, Li Xuejian, Xia Yu, and Chen Kun took over five years to produce and will finally meet with audiences. "Creation of the Gods" started shooting in September 2018 as a trilogy. The three parts were titled "Creation of The Gods I: Yao Luan Guo Shang", "Creation of The Gods II - Mo Dao Zheng Feng", "Creation of The Gods III - Feng Shen Tian Xia". Part one was initially planned to be released during summer 2020 but production schedules had been disrupted due to the pandemic. Now that it is set to premiere this summer season, can it boost the entire market? "Creation of the Gods" is based on China's famous classical novel "Investiture of the Gods", narrating an epic mythical war that lasted over three thousand years between humans, immortals, and demons. In part one of this series, Huang Bo plays Jiang Ziya; Fei Xiang portrays King Zhou of Shang; Li Xuejian appears as Ji Chang, King Wen of Zhou; Xia Yu takes up Shen Gongbao’s role while Chen Kun portrays Yuanshi Tianzun -…

The Chinese anime "The Ravages of Time" has finally met with its audience amidst high anticipation on April 29. The animation's production started years ago, but it faced many setbacks. After the release of the first promotional video, fans were dissatisfied with the rough modeling and voice acting quality which led to revisions in hopes of improvement. Unfortunately, after a revised edition was released, there was no further news or updates on development from the production company for some time. Thus, this year's sudden release came as a welcome surprise to viewers. As a Three Kingdoms-themed comic that has been serialized for over 20 years, "The Ravages of Time (Huo Feng Liao Yuan, 火凤燎原)" has becoming the longest-running comic series based on this historical period globally. For many readers and enthusiasts alike, it is undoubtedly one of China's best comics ever created thus far while maintaining close similarities to its original source material within several episodes aired so far. This leads us to question what makes "The Ravages of Time" such an outstanding success story and what inspiration can be drawn from it for future creations based on stories related to this era?   The longest Three Kingdoms comic ever…

As a typical representative of Chinese traditional clothing culture, cheongsam has fascinated people around the world with its outstanding form. Although there are still many disputes over the definition of cheongsam today, it remains one of the most splendid and formal dress cultures in China's long history. At first, the style of Chinese cheongsam had tight cuffs, narrowed edges, slightly embroidered patterns and slightly longer hemlines. In the late 1920s, influenced by Western skirts, cheongsam underwent more obvious changes, tightening waistline to highlight curves and simplifying decorations. Cheongsam became a fitted curve shape that first reflected women's features such as concave-convex lines and laid a foundation for today's basic characteristics and fashion trends in women's wear. After the 1930s and 1940s, Chinese cheongsam reached a perfect maturity in design becoming world-renowned classic attire - this was also the peak period for cheongsams. High-collared necklines with waists sucked-in tightly; short sleeves fastened with knots or buttons; slanting fronts often opened high on one side; some dresses were short while others were long; cutting styles followed western skirt designs emphasizing smoother lines which made Chinese Cheongsams fit better to display female beauty figures. When wearing a Chinese Cheongsam dress woman’s graceful figure…

What is a tea ceremony? The book "Chinese Tea Ceremony", is explained as a cultural art that embodies the perfect combination of tea and culture, a means of cultivating oneself. However, when people mention tea ceremony, many think of the Japanese tea ceremony. Yet this ancient way of drinking tea has actually retained many Chinese Tang and Song dynasty customs. Over the past two thousand years, the way people drink tea has been constantly changing from simple to complex. It took Chinese people more than one thousand years to evolve from simplicity to complexity; then another one thousand plus years to return back to simplicity. Let us explore the Chinese tea ceremony by savoring a cup of warm tea soup while searching for flavors once tasted by our ancestors.   1 Tang Dynasty: The Art of Jian Cha Ceremony The most primitive way for Chinese people to taste tea was by eating it. Ancient people originally used tea leaves for medicinal and food purposes, boiling fresh leaves and consuming the liquid directly. Gradually, they discovered that tea had a refreshing effect on the body, leading to the development of cooking tea as a dish with added seasonings such as scallions,…

With the development of time, many Chinese traditional crafts and techniques have fallen into oblivion due to time-consuming nature. In order to protect their inheritance, Intangible Cultural Heritage was born. Recently aired TV culture cdrama "Hi Producer" is a series that involves intangible cultural heritage themes. Directed by Gao Han, written by Zhou Mo, starring Guo Xiaodong as the lead actor alongside Zhang Nan, Li Xiaoran, and Zhang Bo among others; it fully showcases the exquisite craftsmanship and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage skills. The plot of the drama "Hi Producer" revolves around a major cultural program "Chuan Cheng (传承, Heritage)". The program directed by Gu Shiyong (Zheng Kai), and the female lead writer-director Yu Zaizao (Zhang Nan) join in, competing with Yuan Jiaying (Sun Yihan) for the position of chief writer-director. In order to form a high quality production team of programs, the team also invites veteran host Wang Xinin (Li Xiaoran) and young cultural relic expert Tao Tang (Zhang Bo) to join. Through their collective efforts, "Chuan Cheng" finally becomes a phenomenal cultural program. During the filming process, Yu Zaizao initially lacked empathy but gradually opens up his heart and eventually gains fulfilling friendships as well as career…

In the early 1920s, when the popularity of upper coat and lower dresses was dwindling, qipao quietly emerged and underwent bold improvements. This can be considered a remarkable revolution in women's clothing, elevating qipao to become one of the world's distinctive Eastern female outfits. During the Republican era, qipao was a long robe-style one-piece garment that cinched at the waist and highlighted women's natural beauty while accentuating their curves and slender figures. Instead of wearing long pants underneath, silk stockings, thread stockings or underwear were worn. The thin and transparent material of the cheongsam should be worn with a white petticoat, which also has white lace. In this way, the slender legs and lines can also be shown in the slit of the cheongsam. In this article, we will introduce the basic 9 type of cheongsam sleeve for you.   Sleeveless The sleeveless style is a universal design that can be worn by anyone regardless of body type or age. The most significant feature of this style is its coolness and comfort, showcasing one's entire arm, making it perfect for summer wear. Zhang Manyu wore many sleeveless qipaos in "In the Mood for Love", which complemented her tall and slender figure…

On the first day of summer, a major fantasy Xianxia drama began airing. On June 1st, "Beauty of Resilience (花戎, Hua Rong)," starring Ju Jingyi and Guo Junchen, premiered online. Since filming started in mid-2021, this drama has garnered attention from both inside and outside the industry. For Ju Jingyi's debut in a fantasy drama like, her character's intense conflicts and growth through multiple reincarnations serve as an advanced test for her acting skills which is highly anticipated by fans. Departing from its original style with light ancient elements, "Beauty of Resilience" ventures into mature genres such as fantasy Xianxia dramas. From the first six episodes aired so far, it seems that "Beauty of Resilience" has indeed found a way to stand out amidst fierce competition within this genre. Although it tells stories within grandiose settings where three realms coexist together, what stands out most prominently are themes of growth challenges, family bonds, romantic feelings, and academy life which cleverly aligns with realism for youth elements that resonate well with viewers while also creating an accessible pathway toward empathy between audiences and characters alike.   Youthful Endeavors in the Academy At the beginning of "Beauty of Resilience," Wei Zhi (played…

As June arrives, we first welcome Children's Day on June 1st. Let us enjoy the joyful atmosphere of Children's Day with this painting from the Southern Song Dynasty called "Bai Zi Tu." In the painting, children are seen riding on wooden horses, wearing masks, playing drums and flutes, dancing and performing plays, all kinds of entertainment for their amusement. While we reminisce about how carefree childhood was during this time, the third solar term of summer, Mang Zhong, arrives punctually on June 6th. Every year when mantises are seen in fields and farms it is a sign that Mang Zhong has arrived. It is also known as the busiest farming season where wheat is harvested followed by sowing late millet crops such as sorghum and broomcorn. There can be no delays during this season. So what customs do people follow during Mang Zhong? In southern Anhui Province in China, after planting rice paddies people hold an Anmiao ceremony to pray for a good harvest in autumn. There are also many delicious foods to enjoy around Mang Zhong. In the south of China, Mei Zi (plums) have ripened and it's a great time to pick some during the rainy season and cook…

"Beauty of Resilience (花戎, Hua Rong)" is a ancient-style fantasy drama starring Ju Jingyi and Guo Junchen. It will be aired on June 1, 2023. Adapted from the popular xianxia novel "Wu Chang Sheng" by Lin Jiacheng, the story follows the female lead Wei Zhi and male lead Yan Yue as they overcome obstacles to rewrite destiny and save the three realms from chaos. Directed by renowned directors Chen Guohua and Hu Yijuan with script written by Qian Yu, this creative team boasts tremendous experience in storytelling; Chen Guohua has created successful ancient dramas such as "The Blooms at Ruyi Pavilion", while Qian Yu is one of the main screenwriters for "Goodbye My Princess". With their expertise at play, Beauty of Resilience's production quality is bound to impress audiences. The drama centers around the growth of Wei Zhi, the phoenix reincarnate female lead character. It tells a story of her and the male lead's affectionate entanglement, featuring many highlights such as Wei Zhi's blackening reversal and the male lead's dilemma between righteousness and love. The exquisite costumes and excellent special effects render this drama with remarkably high quality. Ju Jingyi, who plays the female lead, has a sweet appearance and…

Among the many upcoming Chinese period dramas, "Destined" starring Bai Jingting and Song Yi has been highly anticipated. With over 2 million reservations before broadcast and the previously exposed romantic relationship between the two lead actors, fans are eagerly awaiting this historical romance costume drama. After intense post-production work, "Destined (Chang Feng Du, 长风渡)" has finally announced a premiere date for June - with rumors suggesting it to be on June 21st. In light of uncertainty regarding when other dramas like "Story of Kunning Palace" will air, perhaps "Destined" will become a flagship ancient costume drama during this summer season. Given its overall appeal and potential strength as a hit show, there is no doubt that it possesses qualities that could make it one. Directed by Yintao who is an experienced director in making quality period dramas such as his representative works including "Who Rules the World", along with screenwriter Rao Jun known for their reputation within industry circles - both of whom have created numerous popular productions- viewers can expect excellent cinematography and visual effects from them leaving deep impressions . With them at the helm of production , there's little doubt that quality assurance would be present throughout…

With summer just around the corner, viewers can look forward to a slew of new cdramas. Among them is "Lost You Forever", starring popular actors Yang Zi and Zhang Wan Yi. Prior to its release, "Lost You Forever" had already garnered over 2 million reservations. With its growing buzz and attention, the drama has recently received official approval for broadcast. Judging by the show's quality and unique plotline, it may very well become this season's biggest hit. Directed by Qin Zhen and Yang Huan with Tong Hua serving as screenwriter, "Lost You Forever" follows Ji Jiu Yao - played by Yang Zi - as she navigates through life in turbulent times after losing her identity as a princess. The story revolves around her personal growth journey intertwined with various relationships including friendship and love. Of course, one cannot ignore the stunning cast that includes many talented actors. As female lead actress in particular, Yang Zi is no stranger to costume or fantasy dramas having starred previously in hits like "Ashes of Love" and "Immortal Samsara". Her outstanding acting skills combined with her versatile portrayal of different character traits have earned her much acclaim from audiences. Once again taking on a…

As a country steeped in culture, history, and traditions, China has no shortage of museums that tell stories of its past, present, and future. From ancient relics to modern art, these museums are a window to the country's rich heritage and offer a glimpse into its diverse cultures. With so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide which ones to visit. In this article, we've rounded up the top 20 popular museums in China that are definitely worth your time and attention.     01 The Palace Museum The Palace Museum is an exceptional museum. Established in 1925, it was built on the foundations of the imperial palaces of the Ming and Qing dynasties - the Forbidden City. After six hundred years of rise and fall, glory and shame, the doors to these royal palaces finally opened to the public. The Palace Museum boasts a collection that is unparalleled, it houses one of a kind artifacts within wooden structures preserved from Imperial China's largest palace complex in its entirety.   02 National Museum of China The National Museum of China is the highest institution representing the state's collection, research, display, and interpretation of artifacts that reflect…

It seems that the audience's preferences have changed along with the trend of Xianxia dramas. Increasingly, Xianxia dramas are bringing back the long-lost sense of youth to the audience, offering a blend of joy, passion, and adolescent energy. Not only do viewers indulge in the sweet and bitter plotlines, but they are also awakened to their yearning for idealized love, which can inspire the brighter side of human nature. If every generation has its own Xianxia dramas, then the Xianxia dramas represented by "Love Between Fairy and Devil" and "Back from the Brink" undoubtedly fit the aesthetic taste of Generation Z in terms of art style, character design, and core values. They meet the current young people's demands for passionate values, which is markedly different from the previous style of Xianxia dramas.   Character Setting Downgraded Prior to "The Journey of Flower," the main theme of Xianxia dramas was the growth of youths in a collective background. Such as Li Xiaoyao, Jing Tian, and Baili Tusu were chosen because they came from the lower classes or had a strong aura. Since then, the protagonist of Xianxia dramas has become female, and the narrative of adolescent growth has been replaced by…

It has always been difficult to make sequels to Chinese costume dramas, and they always go through all kinds of twists and turns. Even for high-quality dramas with a large audience demand, it is not an easy task to gather the same cast and crew. It is possible that the actors have moved on to other projects, and scheduling conflicts make it difficult to coordinate everyone's availability. As a result, delays are inevitable, making it hard to gather the original team. While replacing a few supporting roles may be acceptable, changing the main cast would seriously affect the show's quality, leading to a completely new drama. However, this situation has improved this year. Many popular dramas have returned for a second season, such as "Young Blood 2," "Strange Tales of the Tang Dynasty 2," "Joy of Life 2," and so on, with the original cast and crew. "Young Blood 2" has already been approved and will premiere next month. "Young Blood" was a unexpected drama when it premiered, with only Zhang Xincheng gaining some recognition from his role in "My Huckleberry Friends." As for Zhou Yutong, Wang Youshuo, Su Xiaotong, and others, they were all new faces with little recognition.…

From elaborate brush strokes to bold colors and intricate patterns, Chinese art has a rich and diverse history that spans millennia. Today, artists continue to be inspired by this artistic legacy, creating work that is both contemporary and rooted in traditional Chinese aesthetics. In this article, we'll introduce you to 10 talented Chinese style illustrators who are making waves in the world of art with their unique styles and fresh perspectives.   1 - Ni Chuanjing Ni Chuanjing, an illustrator from Hong Kong, China, became one of the youngest winners on Forbes's "30 under 30" art list at the age of 25. In addition, she has received a series of awards, including two gold medals from the Society of Illustrators NY, for her excellent illustration works. As an illustrator, Ni's works have always been exquisite endorsements. In the presentation of the picture, every viewer can deeply feel the delicacy, dreaminess, and skillful mastery of her style. At the same time, she also incorporates her own experiences and stories into her works, giving them a brand new soul. This allows every viewer to find their own memories in the picture and resonate with the author and the work. The biggest feature…