SHANGHAI — Zhou Yinan is a bit of an anomaly among rock climbing enthusiasts in China — she is afraid of heights. “It’s actually quite scary to climb to the top of an indoor rock wall,” she admits. “I know there is no real danger, but I can’t help feeling afraid. This fear is something I have to face.” Drawn to rock climbing by photos … Continue reading Rock Climbing Gains Traction as After-Work ‘Meditation on a Wall’
SHANGHAI — In 2019, Lu Yangyang, fresh out of grad school with a fashion degree, was searching for her niche in the business world. That’s when she saw an untapped opportunity in China’s booming pet market: While pets were often dressed fashionably, their owners lacked the option to coordinate their outfits. One year later, Lu launched her fashion brand GIGIWAWA in Shanghai, designed specifically to … Continue reading A Shanghai Startup’s Fashion Twist: Matching Outfits for Pets and Owners
SHANGHAI — Having recovered from the pandemic last year, people were champing at the bit to get out again and embrace life. Capturing that heady mood, bistros have burst onto the lifestyle scene of Shanghai. Good food. Cozy ambience. Even the imagery of street life in Paris. The venues quickly became a captivating trend. “This kind of dining seemed so novel, so I began going … Continue reading Zut Alors! The Ambience of Paris Streetlife Is Creating a Popular New Wave in China
SHANGHAI — Wang Xia still denies that she runs Shanghai’s only feminist bookstore. When she started the business in 2020, she claims that she didn’t even know what the term meant. “The word ‘feminism’ was very unfamiliar to me,” Wang tells Sixth Tone. “I still insist that my bookstore is a women-themed bookstore.” For Wang, running the business has been quite an education. It has … Continue reading The Bookstore Giving Shanghai’s Women a Room of Their Own
ZHEJIANG, East China — On a cavernous factory floor, workers dressed in blue overalls are sorting through giant piles of dog chews molded into the shape of candy canes. The workers carefully inspect and weigh each item, before bagging it ready for shipment. In a month or two, the festive dog treats will begin their long journey to the West, where they’ll hit supermarket shelves … Continue reading How a Chinese Town Made a Fortune From the World’s Lockdown Pets
When East Meets West 