Places & Regions
Why are there streams in the streets?
In Lijiang, water runs through the old town's layout rather than disappearing under it.
Read the storyCities & urban life
Places & Regions
Why does one island have so many building styles?
Gulangyu's varied buildings record international contact, including an unequal treaty-port history.
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Places & Regions
What would you find in an old port?
Quanzhou's history is a reminder that a port is built from people as much as ships.
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Places & Regions
Can a city have a spine?
The landmarks make the plan less abstract. UNESCO’s listed property includes the Bell and Drum Towers, Jingshan, the Forbidden City and the Temple of…
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Language & Meaning
Should a place name be translated?
Some place names reach English as sounds, some as meanings, and some by a mixture. A map cannot make the decision for us.
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Language & Meaning
Why might an address start with the biggest place?
A postal address can guide your eye from a wide area down to a particular door.
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Places & Regions
Is a rooftop Ferris wheel the best city view?
A Shanghai shopping centre has a rooftop Ferris wheel. The view is fun, but the city below may be the part worth studying.
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Everyday China
Would you try a citywide navigation game?
A Shanghai sports programme included orienteering through the city. It makes a familiar street feel different when finding your way is the challenge.
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Places & Regions
Can a skatepark change a riverfront?
Shanghai's West Bund has space for skating and other sports. The interesting question is who gets to use a city when a riverfront changes.
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Everyday China
What happens when a bus joins a fandom?
A Shanghai shopping event turned a sightseeing bus into a moving fan attraction. Suddenly, a journey between places became part of the event.
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Everyday China
Board games get their own expo
Shanghai's cartoon and game expo gave tabletop games and indie creators room alongside the screens. Why would a city make space for both?
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Everyday China
What is guzi, and why do people collect it?
Badges, plush toys and tiny figures can turn a favourite story into something you carry. In Shanghai fan markets, they have a name of their own.
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