Emma Lu

Turning Crisis Into Opportunity: Stinky Tofu

In the eighth year of the Kangxi reign in the Qing Dynasty (1669), Wang Zhihe traveled almost a thousand miles from Anhui Province to Beijing to attend the imperial national examination. Little did anyone realize that stinky tofu would be born from this journey. Wang Zhihe was born in the rural area of Xianyuan County, ...

Emma Lu

Storm clouds.

Hanfu Craze in China

Hanfu is the clothing that was worn by the Han ethnic majority in China prior to the Qing Dynasty (1644 to 1912). After communists took over and Western clothing started becoming prevalent, wearing Hanfu was seen as dangerous since it might indicate a love for tradition. In the past decade, there has been a huge ...

Emma Lu

A Chinese woman wearing Hanfu clothing.

Understanding Milarepa’s Painful Journey to Self-Awareness

The life of Milarepa is one of the most interesting and enlightening stories from Tibet. It is the story of personal growth, showcasing the randomness and extreme situations that human life presents along the journey from utter confusion to complete clarity. It also reveals the power of the human spirit to work through seemingly insurmountable ...

Emma Lu

A painting of Milarepa.

Colorful Clothing of the Miao

When it comes to colorful clothing in China, no one wears them better than the Miao, or Hmong, ethnicity in the country. The Miao have a long history and culture beginning from the Qin Dynasty. And since then, they have honed their arts and crafts, which remain impressive to this day. As lovers of singing and ...

Emma Lu

A Miao woman wearing silver adornments.

Ancient Headwear of China: A Symbol of Elegance and Social Status

Some teenagers wear ripped jeans and brow-raising shirts to tell the world they are a rebel, and some decorate themselves in glam fashion, showing everyone that they’ve made it in the world. Fashion is truly a statement. Likewise, people in ancient China embodied the concept that fashion is tied to your individuality, particularly in terms ...

Emma Lu

Chinese dressed in hanfu clothing.

The Health Benefits of Rice

According to Statista, the human population consumed about 490.27 million metric tons of rice in the 2018/2019 crop year. More than 100 countries include it in their everyday meals, and some serve it from breakfast to dinner. It’s high in calories and cheap, making it easily accessible to the larger public. Arguably, it is one ...

Emma Lu

Terraced rice growing.

Dining With Manners the Chinese Way

When you dine with your Chinese friends, you need to observe proper etiquette. After all, table manners are a big part of the Chinese tradition. There’s a proper way to sit, order a dish, hold your chopsticks, and eat in a Chinese gathering. Whether you are visiting China, eating in a classy Chinese restaurant, or ...

Emma Lu

Pouring tea during a Chinese meal.

Why Is Skullcap Also Known as Hanxin Grass?

Skullcap, or Scutellaria, is a plant of the Labiatae family. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the dried aerial part of Skullcap is capable of clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, reducing swelling and pain, and resisting cancer. Uses of skullcap Skullcap is commonly used in the treatment of bruises, conditions where ...

Emma Lu

Skullcap, also known as Hanxin grass.

Checklist for Chinese Wedding Preparation

A wedding is the most important part of your life. You are excited, nervous, happy, and sad at the same time. Preparing for your wedding day is not an easy thing no matter where you live. Every country has its own customs and China is no different. A Chinese wedding is very special. A Chinese ...

Emma Lu

A red Chinese wedding dress.

A Look Inside Studios of Ancient Chinese Scholars

In ancient China, scholars were held in high regard. They often maintained their own studios. The scholars stored several items that were considered necessary for their profession. The objects’ quality and aesthetics were thought to represent the taste and intellectual value of the scholar himself. Scholar’s items In ancient times, a scholar was supposed to ...

Emma Lu

A Chinese scholar's four treasures.