China Insider

News.

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

Gaming

91-year-old “Game Grandpa” is living every gamer’s dream retirement

Yang Binglin, known online as “Game Grandpa,” is a Chinese retired petroleum engineer from Fuzhou who became a viral gaming creator on Bilibili.

Jun 71 min read
Gaming

Chinese Grocery Chain Turns QQ Farm Into Actual Farmland You Can Rent

Anyone who grew up stealing virtual vegetables at 3am on QQ Farm is about to feel personally attacked.

Jun 51 min read
Marketing

Chinese snack brand creates moving billboard parade to feed hangry office workers

Picture this: you're a tired office worker, stomach growling at 3pm, when you look up and see a massive billboard..

Jun 52 min read
Society

Xiaohongshu launches 'Old Red Book' magazine for seniors who've gone viral

Xiaohongshu just did something unexpectedly brilliant — they launched a physical magazine called "Old Red Book" (老红书 Beyond the Years) dedicated entir

Jun 41 min read
Marketing

HEYTEA Teams Up With China's Official Art Publisher for Rebellious Children's Day Campaign

HEYTEA just dropped the most unexpectedly nostalgic Children's Day campaign by teaming up with People's Fine Arts Publishing House — China's official art publis

Jun 41 min read
Culture

MINISO's anti-smoking campaign uses wordplay to ban cigarettes but allow everything else

MINISO just dropped one of the cleverest anti-smoking campaigns we've seen, and it's all about wordplay that works way better in Chinese than it sound

Jun 41 min read
Marketing

2,000 People Did Yoga on China's Great Wall Because Lululemon Went All Out

What do you get when you combine ancient Chinese architecture with modern wellness culture?

Jun 32 min read
Retail

HARMAY turns a mall into a school with nostalgia-driven store concept

Remember those plastic school chairs, metal lunch boxes, and the smell of chalk dust?

Jun 31 min read
Tech

Xiaohongshu Just Scored the 2026 World Cup Broadcasting Rights in China

Plot twist nobody saw coming: Xiaohongshu, the app where you go for skincare routines and aesthetic cafe recommendations, just became China's exclusive World Cu

Jun 31 min read
Retail

Duolingo’s green owl just invaded MINISO, and Chinese shoppers are not safe

Duolingo and MINISO have launched one of the funniest brand collaborations in China right now: a full “shop while you study” takeover that turns casual retail t

Jun 23 min read
Travel

Sichuan Airlines let kids become “little flight attendants” for Children’s Day

Sichuan Airlines gave some of its youngest passengers a very cute upgrade for Children’s Day: a chance to experience life as “little flight attendants.

Jun 12 min read
Food & Beverage

CHAGEE just turned its signature tea drinks into Geelato

CHAGEE just turned its signature tea drinks into Geelato! CHAGEE is no longer satisfied with being something you drink on a hot day.

May 304 min read