lifestyle

Women Take a Stand in China’s Youth Fishing Craze

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

As the popularity of angling surges in China, young women are defying conventions and taking their place next to men.

Fan Yiying

Dong Ziqing

Hu Anyan and the Beauty of ‘Ordinary Things’ as a Refuge From Reality

Translations, cross-publications, and collaborative projects from Sixth Tone’s external partners. 

SIXTH TONE ×

Reflecting on his journey from odd jobs to literary success, author Hu Anyan emphasizes the value of the everyday and banal in his new book “Living in Low Places.”

Hu Anyan

Gen Z Interns Answering Call of the Countryside

Chinese university students are increasingly taking summer jobs in agriculture and other rural sectors as they look to broaden their horizons.

Shanghai Observer

Shanghai’s Forgotten Ferries: A Commuter’s Tale

Despite modernization, Shanghai’s ferries continue to connect diverse lives across the Huangpu River.

SHer Life

Paris 2024: Why Chinese Brands Are Betting on Sports Over Stars

Chinese brands are increasingly turning to athletes for endorsements before the Olympics, seeking to avoid the pitfalls associated with celebrity scandals and capitalize on the positive image of sports figures.

Li Xin

Ding Xiaoyan

Chinese Influencers Banned Amid ‘Money Worship’ Clampdown

The three influencers attracted millions of followers by flaunting their super-rich lifestyles. Then, they suddenly disappeared from every major Chinese social platform.

Ding Rui

China’s TV Hit of the Year Is a Drama About Kazakh Nomads

Set in China’s remote northwest, the mini-series “To the Wonder” is a smash hit with domestic viewers — and a rare example of a Chinese drama winning international recognition.

Ye Zhanhang

The Ups and Downs of Owning Pet Birds in Urban China

While birds offer an affordable pet choice, their vulnerability to illness and the lack of specialized veterinary care, particularly beyond major urban centers, present significant hurdles.

He Qitong

China’s Marathon Dilemma: Millions of Runners, Not Enough Races

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

Marathon running has surged in popularity in China over the past few years. But the number of races hasn’t kept pace with demand.

Home From Home: The Bar Trend Redefining Shanghai Nightlife

Business owners say this emerging trend provides an intimate setting for strangers to meet and mingle, and a safe haven for anxious nine-to-five workers.

Oh! Youth (36Kr)

Scratch-Off Lottery Tickets: Is Big Money Really at Your Fingertips?

The popularity of instant games is growing fast in China, especially among young people, but what are the chances of winning big money?

The Paper

Holding the Line: Shanghai’s Last Public Phone Booth

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

MULTIMEDIA

Lü Xiao

Eyesores or Heritage? Shanghai’s Ubiquitous Laundry Racks

Writers and residents reflect on how a classic style of outdoor clothes racks came to dominate the city’s skyline.

Professional Declutterers in China Help Transform Houses Into Homes

“Home organizers” are helping Chinese people improve their living spaces — and their lives.

Yang Caini

Chasing Calm: The Rising Cost of Spiritual Healing in China

Seeking mental wellbeing in a fast-paced, competitive society, young Chinese are turning to meditation, talismans, and tarot cards. The rapid growth in such practices is now raising regulatory concerns, including content and provider qualifications.

Rice Soup: A Splash of Shanghai Culture

The classic breakfast, which recently featured in the hit TV show “Blossoms Shanghai,” has been fueling working families in the city for generations.

Rock Climbing Gains Traction as After-Work ‘Meditation on a Wall’

In indoor gyms across China, young people are finding that climbing releases stress and forces introverts out of their shells.

Liu Shuhuan

AI Friends, Self-Care, Alter Egos: What Young Chinese Want in 2024

Drawing from a survey of over 3,800 users, mainly aged 18 to 27, a recent report on likely social trends in 2024 reveals new preferences and mental wellness strategies among young Chinese coping in a complex, tech-driven world.

Huang Yang

Throwing Caution to the Wind, Digital Nomads Are Blown Back to Reality

For many young people, the idea of combining work and travel was the ideal lifestyle. But many who give up mainstream jobs to pursue that dream find erratic income distressing and return to stable jobs.

Chu Jing Her

A Shanghai Startup’s Fashion Twist: Matching Outfits for Pets and Owners 

When GIGIWAWA was founded in 2020, matching outfits for pets and their owners was largely unfamiliar in China. But now, this niche market has seen a significant surge, with even established brands expanding their collections.