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 — Yang Yanhua, 61, is one of the estimated 300,000 retirees living alone in Shanghai. She may be alone, but she is not lonely. In a sense, she is a role model for older people who are determined to find fulfillment on their own. “What I fear the most is sitting at home doing nothing,” she tells Sixth Tone. “I don’t find retirement scary as long … Continue reading Retired but Not Retiring: China’s Solo Seniors Find New Grooves in Life
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
After years working in China’s finance industry, Helen Wang was feeling on the edge of burnout. She was fed up with working grueling hours, then being expected to be on call during her precious time off. The 28-year-old wanted to find a new path: one where she could “lie flat” for a while. Then, a friend gave her a left-field suggestion: move to Sweden. On … Continue reading Young Chinese Love Everything About Sweden. Except Living There.
Before the pandemic, Xia Chaoyun, usually spent the May 1 holiday traveling with her family. A resident of Hangzhou, sometimes she went to other cities in Zhejiang province; sometimes, or neighboring countries like Japan and South Korea, if the holiday is extended to five days. This year, China’s Labor Day holiday was five days, including a weekend. But both Xia’s company and her daughter’s school … Continue reading As Long-Distance Travel Plummets, China Vacations Close to Home
When East Meets West 