China Insider

News.

What we're reading, writing, and arguing about — every week.

Wanglaoji Goes Ultra-Luxury: “Diamond Wanglaoji” Priced at ¥18.28M 💎

Legendary Chinese herbal tea Wanglaoji — the brand many of us grew up grabbing at corner stores — just took a turn into the ultra-luxury world that even fashion

Feb 21 min read
Travel

Chinese New Year Surprise: UK and Canada Get 30-Day Visa-Free Access to China 🎉

Remember a few days ago when we told you China was planning visa-free travel for UK and Canadian passport holders? Well — it’s official now 🎉✈️.

Feb 11 min read
Viral

This Chinese grandma moved to Canada — and built her comeback with LEGO

Meet Zhao Yushu, an 85-year-old Chinese grandma who’s proving that Lego isn’t just for kids — it can be therapy, culture, and pure joy wrapped into one.

Jan 281 min read

Luckin moves into Starbucks’ old Shanghai flagship — and keeps the 9.9 RMB price

In early 2026, Shanghai’s coffee scene got a plot twist.

Jan 261 min read
Entertainment

From advertising deal to wedding toast: The unlikely love story between a Chinese actress and a coconut milk brand

In early 2026, Chinese actress Xu Dongdong announced her upcoming wedding with actor Yin Ziwei in Harbin — and somehow, the real star of the ceremony became coc

Jan 241 min read
Fashion

This Plus-Size Store Hired Male Models — and Shoppers Went Wild

A plus-size women’s clothing store in Heze, Shandong just showed how far offline retail marketing in China is willing to go — and the internet is loving it.

Jan 231 min read
Society

This Former Actor Went Bankrupt Saving Kids — Then the Internet Refused to Let the Hospital Die

If one story truly defined China’s internet in 2026, this was it.

Jan 212 min read
Viral

7-Eleven in Guangdong is selling an edible “shoe sole” and yes, people are eating it

If you thought convenience store food had peaked, think again.

Jan 201 min read
Entertainment

Singer gives out money on stage, audience raises the wrong QR codes

Besties, we’ve been missing out. 👀✨ At a music festival in Xiamen, the biggest reaction didn’t come from the speakers — it came from the crowd.

Jan 181 min read
Travel

A Chinese uncle’s no-filter Paris photos triggered the ultimate social media vs reality moment

A Chinese uncle just delivered the most brutal social media vs reality moment of the year — completely by accident 😭📸 Zhang, a retired man from Henan, joined a

Jan 171 min read

China’s last province finally gets McDonald’s — people queued 2+ hours just for a cone 🍦

Big news from China’s high plateau: McDonald's has officially opened its first-ever store in Qinghai, making it the last province in China to finally get the go

Jan 131 min read
Viral

A small mistake turned this Chinese New Year toy into a viral hit

One tiny sewing slip in Yiwu turned into the internet’s next lovable vibe 🐴✨.

Jan 101 min read