It doesn’t chirp, purr, or wag its tail; nor does it fetch, cuddle, or respond to its name. In fact, it doesn’t do much of anything besides sit quietly. But for a growing number of young Chinese, that’s exactly the appeal of owning a chongwu shi or “pet rock.” Inspired by the animated movie “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” where the character Otto treasures a … Continue reading Stone Cold Craze: Why China’s Gen Z Is Falling for Pet Rocks
SHANGHAI — In her hat, mask, long pants, and long sleeves to shield herself from the sun, 30-year-old Chen Yawen doesn’t fit the image many in China have of an angler. But beside a pond at a “fishing experience center” in downtown Shanghai, she assembled her black Shimano brand fishing rod with the precision of a professional, threading the line and carefully selecting a lure. … Continue reading Women Take a Stand in China’s Youth Fishing Craze
The indigo milk cap, trumpet of the dead, darkening brittlegill, and ox tongue — wild mushrooms with names as intriguing as the thrill of foraging them. This summer, these fungi have sparked a frenzy across southwestern China, with young Chinese flooding Yunnan and Sichuan provinces to join guided mushroom hunts. Driven by social media platforms, where posts capturing the allure of hunting for rare fungi … Continue reading Growing Wild: Why Young China Can’t Get Enough of Mushroom Hunts
When East Meets West 