China Insider

News.

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

Entertainment

Famous American actor Timothée Chalamet spotted selling moldy tofu on a Chengdu street stall

A video of famous American actor Timothée Chalamet selling moldy tofu on a Chengdu street stall has gone viral online — mainly because the scene looked so…

Mar 101 min read
Society

A Shenzhen mall’s Women’s Day campaign tells women: be your own main character

This Women’s Day in Shenzhen, one shopping mall skipped the usual “goddess” marketing and told women something refreshingly simple: pin yourself first.

Mar 81 min read
Food

Young people in China are reinventing dumplings — would you eat them?

In China, dumplings used to be the most predictable thing on the holiday table: classic fillings, neat pleats, vinegar on the side, end of story. Not anymore.

Mar 61 min read
Food

A Milan clerk asked tourists to bring him one Chinese candy — and a global relay began

It all started with a crumpled candy wrapper. At Hotel Flora in Milan, a front-desk clerk named Karem surprised a Chinese guest during checkout.

Mar 41 min read
Fashion

Beijing’s “Black Puffer” Joke Just Turned Into a Real Beauty Pageant

If you’ve ever survived a Beijing winter, you already know the city has one official outfit: the black down jacket.

Mar 21 min read
Lifestyle

Chongqing Is Now Home to China’s Biggest Cat Rescue Park 😺

Chongqing is now home to China’s biggest cat rescue park — and this isn’t just a cute weekend attraction.

Feb 281 min read
Business

This drink brand hired abs models as the God of Wealth for its annual party 💸

If you thought company annual parties were just awkward speeches and raffle draws… think again 💸🔥 Chinese herbal sparkling drink brand Hope Water just hosted…

Feb 261 min read
Business

McDonald’s China brings back mahjong for Chinese New Year — and it sells out again

Mahjong isn’t just a game in China — it’s basically the unofficial soundtrack of Chinese New Year 🀄 Four people, 144 tiles, dice rolling, aunties whispering…

Feb 251 min read
Culture

Gen Z turns 3,000-year-old Chunlian into a pop culture remix

Spring Festival couplets, or chunlian, trace their origins back more than 3,000 years to the Zhou dynasty.

Feb 221 min read
Culture

Alexander Wang transforms Chinatown in NYC with a new creative HQ — 20,000 paper planes take flight for Chinese New Year

This Chinese New Year, something historic happened in New York’s Chinatown — and it’s bigger than just an art show.

Feb 201 min read
Fashion

Why everyone in Hunan turns into a teddy bear every winter

Every winter — especially around Chinese New Year — Hunan starts looking like a full-on teddy bear convention.

Feb 191 min read
Tech

Netizens calling this the “lowest human content” Gala ever

This year’s CCTV Spring Festival Gala — aka the Super Bowl of Chinese TV — is being called the “lowest human-content edition” ever.

Feb 171 min read