arts

How a Tibetan Village Became a Giant Factory for Buddhist Art

Articles that cut to the core of contemporary China. In-depth, informed, and carefully crafted, every piece is carried by the voices of the story’s participants.

FEATURES

China’s growing obsession with Buddhist paintings has transformed life in the historically Tibetan village of Wutun — and sparked local soul-searching about the trade-offs between economic progress and religious faith.

Wu Peiyue

A Beloved Chinese Classic Gets a Weightless Adaptation

Contributions from individuals with unique perspectives to share. Hear from everyone, from experts and commentators to those whose voices are often marginalized.

VOICES & OPINION

Kunqu opera has made a commercial comeback over the past two decades, but a recent adaptation of “Six Records of a Floating Life” misses the mark.

Chen Tian

‘The Phantom of the Opera’ is Here — in Chinese 

Timely reports on issues and events from across China. Drawing on a vast range of sources, these succinct articles provide insights into the significance of each issue in a wider context.

NEWS

The first-ever Chinese-language production of the legendary musical was always going to find it difficult to impress diehard Chinese musical fans. But the translation has largely been a success.

Fan Yiying

A Crazy Labor Day Holiday — But Not For Movies

The long May holiday is an important period for China’s film industry. But this year, moviegoers didn’t seem all that impressed with what was on offer.

China Academy of Art Fires Professor Over Plagiarism Allegations

Recent allegations on social media claimed that many of the professor’s works closely resembled those of artists based abroad.

Yang Caini

30 Years On, a New ‘Slam Dunk’ Scores Big With Old Fans in China

Blending basketball and friendship, the iconic anime has returned to the big screen, drawing millions of middle-aged fans and breaking box-office records.

Vincent Chow

When the Countryside Is the Art

The Nanhai Art Field wants to bring art lovers into the Guangdong countryside. Is it working?

Wang Jingsi

Medicine and Meridians: A Chinese Artist’s View of Body and Spirit 

Visual stories that get up close and personal with contemporary China. A mix of short videos, documentaries, photography, and data visualization.

MULTIMEDIA

Self-taught artist Guo Fengyi drew inspiration from traditional Chinese medicine and Taoist cosmology and left behind art that remains intriguing to many, even to this day.

Meng Xianhui

The Hunt for China’s Ugliest Building

For 13 years, the “China’s Ugliest Buildings” poll has documented the misfires and gambles that defined the country’s urban building spree. What can the results teach us about taste in architecture?

You Xudong

Defying God — and COVID — on a Shanghai Stage

Guo Chenzi, a playwright, reflects on the three-year odyssey of “Hudec,” from script to stage.

Guo Chenzi

Spirited Away: A Peek into the World of China’s Door Gods 

While the superstition isn’t widespread, the age-old tradition of hanging up door gods still endures during Lunar New Year.

Sheng Wenqiang

A Bunny Hop Through Centuries of Chinese Art

For centuries, rabbit hair was believed to produce the finest ink brushes. Chinese literati repaid their debt to the humble creature in poetry, prose, and paintings.

Bao Wenwei

How an Aging Artist Put His Stamp on the New Year

Understanding the Chinese art world’s latest controversy is simple. Just follow the rabbits.

Wu Haiyun

Mary and Jesus in the Eyes of Chinese Painters

Since the late Ming dynasty, artists have been finding ways to depict the Virgin Mary and Jesus with Chinese painting techniques.

China’s Hottest Art Show Is in the Middle of Nowhere. Literally.

After being quarantined in a ‘fangcang’ hospital, artist Meng Lichao and two friends decided to put on a show. Don’t bother trying to get a ticket though — you have to you know someone with COVID.

Luo Meihan

China Adagio: A Photographer’s 40-Year Visual Journey

Photojournalist Andrew Wong has been documenting China’s rise since the early 1980s. His work offers a unique perspective on the country’s transformation.

Zhang Liting

J.R.R. Tolkien and the Magic of Chinese Gardens

The English writer’s concept of “Faërie” can help us understand the unique aesthetics of China’s traditional gardens, as my new art project explores.

Zhou Yang

New Exhibition Explores Chinese Civilization’s Earliest Origins

“The Making of China” brings together archeological findings from the dawn of Chinese history.

Sixth Tone

A Star is Born, If You Don’t Mind the Silver Spoon

The National Theater said it was looking for fresh talent. Instead, it hired nationally recognized, if young, stars.

Ye Zhanhang

First Tragedy, Then Farce: The Chaos Engulfing China’s Broadway

In Shanghai, theaters are finally reopening after a four-month shutdown. But putting on a show isn’t easy — especially when your cast, director, and audience members could be locked down again at any moment.