Daffodils and beauties
Winter is coming! In this episode, we tell stories about beauties and daffodils and explore why Chinese people love to describe beauties as ice and snow.
Nov 29, 2022•9 min
A Thousand Whys
A Thousand Whys is tailor-made for curious minds about China and the Chinese culture.
This podcast offers fascinating facts about what this ancient civilization has to offer, covering a wide range of topics including history, philosophy, literature and arts, lifestyle, science, and the natural world.
Subscribe to learn "what are the Chinese ways and why", for free.
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Episodes
Previous Episode: Let's have a cup of tea!
China's traditional tea-making has been added to UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list. As THE most popular drink of the Chinese people, tea boasts a history almost as long as that of the Chinese civilization. It is something like coffee to Westerners that could never be absent or replaced in one's daily life. In this rebroadcast of one past episode, let’s find out how Chinese people love drinking tea and how it has become part of our life.
Nov 29, 2022•11 min
How did a canal destroy an emperor’s reputation？
Besides keeping us hydrated and clean, one of the most important practical uses of water is transportation. The longest canal in the world is in China! But why do some say that its construction caused the fall of a dynasty?
Nov 22, 2022•9 min
Why do Chinese people boil their water?
If you’ve ever visited China, you are probably surprised by people drinking boiled water. Some might tell you boiling water removes harmful bacteria that could potentially make you sick. But this doesn't explain the practice of boiling bottled water!
Nov 15, 2022•8 min
Why is strategy game Go so charming?
The board game Go is perhaps the most challenging one of all, for human intelligence and for artificial intelligence. In this episode, let's examine this complicated yet charming strategy game.
Mar 24, 2022•6 min
Why does the lion dance matter to us?
Ever seen the dazzling lion dance and wondered what it is about?
Mar 16, 2022•6 min
Flower festival - an ancient celebration remembered
If you love flowers, here's a chance to indulge yourself in a sea of blossoms in this early spring. A Thousand Whys invites you to a flower-themed gathering.
Mar 09, 2022•5 min
Why do we say goodbye with willow branches?
In the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, the theme “A Willow Twig” was presented both as a symbol of bidding farewell to the athletes and a remembrance for lost ones in ancient Chinese culture. Do you know why willow branches serve as a symbol of farewell? What exactly do willow trees represent in the Chinese context? Let’s find out in today’s episode!
Feb 24, 2022•10 min
Why "jade and silk" is peaceful allusion?
Jade and silk are two things that are dear to the hearts of Chinese people. It is therefore no surprise that they are part of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. The design of the Beijing 2022 medals is based on Chinese ancient jade pendants while their ribbons are made of silk. The combination of jade and silk symbolizes "peace" – and the medals' design is inspired by a Chinese legend from ancient times. A Thousand Whys tells you more about the beautiful allusion of the duo of jade and silk....
Feb 18, 2022•6 min
An age-old winter tale in China’s Altay
For skiers and snowboarders in China, the Altay Prefecture of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is a dreamland. With a vast area of natural powder snow, Altay is considered by some as the birthplace of skiing that dates back to tens of thousands of years ago. Meet an age-old winter tale in this episode of A Thousand Whys.
Feb 10, 2022•5 min
How does a time-honored railway connect with the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics?
What is the first self-constructed railway line in China? How does it relate to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics?
Feb 06, 2022•7 min
Chinese Lunar New Year 2022: Why tiger?
Chinese people are looking forward to the Lunar New Year! And according to the Chinese zodiac, 2022 is the "Year of the Tiger." The big cat is known to be the "King of All Beasts" in China and is third among the twelve Chinese zodiac signs. Why is 2022 the year of Tiger? What are the fun stories behind the zodiac signs and its sequence? Let's dive right into this episode and find out!
Jan 27, 2022•7 min
Wanna try ice games from ancient China?
Imagine playing football on ice, doing archery while skating, or being in a big air game on ice? This is not a joke. These are real ice games that were once played in the winter in ancient China. In this episode, we take you on a journey back to an ancient world of winter sports from which you may get some inspiration, while tracing the history of ice sports in China.
Jan 20, 2022•10 min
Why do we love Tanghulu?
By stringing sugar-coated fruit on a skewer, the unique Chinese snack Tanghulu has attracted many to DIY it at home for the sweet crunchy bite. But did you know that this sweet treat is also one of the traditional snacks of Beijing? Do you know the connection between Tanghulu and the old capital city? Let’s have a listen and find out!
Jan 12, 2022•8 min
Why are some lakes in Beijing called “sea”?
The Beihai Park, or the Northern Sea Park, is a great place to enjoy the water view and a boat ride in Beijing. But for anyone who visits the park for the first time, the "sea" in the name might seem a bit misleading. It’s highly likely that he or she will wonder: Why is it called a sea? In present-day downtown Beijing, there are six interconnected lakes that are called various “seas”. Why?
Jan 05, 2022•6 min
Tickling your funny bone with cross talk
A Thousand Whys introduces you to a popular stage performing art that may help improve your sense of Chinese humor: cross talk. This traditional performing art remains popular, especially among young people in China. Listen to this episode to find out why.
Dec 30, 2021•6 min
Is there still an “old Beijing”?
Is there still “old Beijing” in the new Beijing? In this episode, we will share with you the traits of Beijing that have survived throughout the centuries and are still vibrant today. Attention! We’re going to discuss something that's hidden behind the hutongs, quadrangles, or the other iconic symbols that you can easily find in a Beijing travel guidebook.
Dec 23, 2021•7 min
Bird walking in Beijing!
Taking a walk with a pet bird has been a popular hobby of some Chinese people for centuries. In this episode, we are going to introduce to you why we do it, what it is like, as well as some fun facts and tricks about this particular Chinese tradition. Want to know how and why we walk birds? Please join us on A Thousand Whys!
Dec 15, 2021•7 min
What is it like to live in a Beijing quadrangle?
With expanding urbanization all around the globe, historical residences that still exist today are especially precious as witnesses of history and traditional culture. In this episode, let's tour around a traditional residence in China's capital city Beijing. The siheyuan courtyard, or a quadrangle, shows us a glimpse of what Beijing style was like back in time.
Dec 08, 2021•6 min
What's so special about doornails in China?
"Golden doornails on a red gate" has been a symbol of the imperial power of the Qing dynasty. Apart from this, did you know that doornails have long been used in China for centuries? In this episode, we are going to introduce to you how Chinese doornails evolved into the way they are today. Let's check this out!
Dec 01, 2021•10 min
Why we celebrate seniors' birthdays with… peaches?
What do you think is the meaning of a birthday celebration? Sending and receiving best wishes, perhaps? This episode of A Thousand Whys shares with you an interesting and meaningful Chinese tradition concerning birthday celebration – not for kids this time, but rather, for seniors!
Nov 25, 2021•6 min
What did you pick on your first birthday?
The first birthday of a baby is the most precious – it’s a landmark for any child as well as an exciting time for parents. In China, it’s believed by some that the first thing you pick up at your first birthday party can tell about your future career. Interested in the “picking up” game for the first birthday, in a Chinese way?
Nov 18, 2021•6 min
Who do we see in our dreams?
If someone tells you that he/she saw Mr. Zhougong last night, you might wonder, who is Mr. Zhougong? Anyone to be worried about?
Nov 10, 2021•6 min
Fun facts about Shanghai you might not know
You might know Shanghai as an international cultural metropolis, yet you probably don’t know that Shanghai is also an international hub of shipping and trade. This episode will share with you some fun facts about “the city you think you know.”
Nov 03, 2021•6 min
Why is Peking Opera considered the Quintessence of Chinese culture?
Peking Opera has been one of China's most popular traditional performing arts for 200 years. Want to know what's so special about it and why we love it so much? Let's check it out!
Oct 27, 2021•9 min
Fantastic mushrooms and where to find them
Fungi are perhaps one of the most fantastic creatures in our planet. There's a place in China that drives mushroom lovers crazy. Let's dive in!
Oct 21, 2021•5 min
Why do Chinese people love mountains and waters?
The list of the first batch of national parks in China has just been announced. These parks are for the protection of rare plants, birds and animals, the preservation of land and water, and for the Chinese people’s long tradition of love towards nature, especially in the hearts of the poets, painters and philosophers. In today’s episode, we explore these charming locations and look at how the ancient Chinese people appreciated the beauty of nature.
Oct 14, 2021•9 min
Why do we divide a year differently?
As the temperature continues to drop, the traditional Chinese calendar has ushered in another solar term today: the Cold Dew. In case you are curious about why we have soooo many different solar terms in a year, we bring the answer in this episode.
Oct 07, 2021•6 min
Was The Analects really written by Confucius?
There is a saying that one must learn about Confucius and his legacy to truly understand China. The Analects of Confucius is the absolute classic on Confucianism. But was the book really written by Confucius?
Sep 30, 2021•8 min
Is autumn always SAD?
Though many of us tend to consider autumn as a time of nostalgia and sadness - some may even experience seasonal affective disorder, or SAD - a Tang Dynasty poet had a totally different perspective of this season.
Sep 22, 2021•6 min
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