A statue in Hangzhou Library dedicated to an extraordinary soul: Wei Sihao韦思浩, the "scavenger" scholar. By day, he collected recyclables on the streets of Hangzhou. By night, he buried his head in books at the Hangzhou Library. Every single time before he touched a page, he would carefully wash his hands out of sheer respect for knowledge. When critics questioned why a scavenger was allowed inside, the library gave a beautiful reply: "We are a public institution. Knowledge belongs to everyone, without tiers or classes." The moving truth only unfolded after he tragically passed away in a car accident in 2015. Wei wasn’t just a scavenger—he was a retired school teacher who chose this humble life to quietly donate every penny he made to support underprivileged students. In 2018, the public crowdfunded this bronze statue inside the library to honor his memory.

Jia Qianqian贾浅浅, daughter of renowned Chinese writer Jia Pingwa贾平凹, had her master's degree revoked and was stripped of her associate professor title and teaching qualifications by China's Northwest University today, following findings of plagiarism in her thesis. Academia is not the entertainment industry—it's not a place for connections or clout. Applying the same standard to everyone is what gives a university its credibility.

Chinese actress Liu Xiaoqing and Japanese actress Komaki Kurihara at the Summer Palace in Beijing, 1980. This rare image captures a moment during the golden era of Sino-Japanese film exchange in the early 1980s. In the late 1970s, Japanese films such as Sandakan No. 8 and Manhunt became hugely popular in China, and Komaki Kurihara — one of the stars of Sandakan No. 8 — was among the most beloved Japanese actresses among Chinese audiences at the time. Around 1980, film delegations from China and Japan exchanged visits frequently. Liu Xiaoqing, then a rising young actress at the height of her fame, received the first-time Japanese visitor in her capacity as a representative of the Beijing Film Studio.

This is how the ruins of Daming Palace in Xi'an were restored. Daming Palace 大明宫was the grandest imperial palace complex of the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD) and the political center of the empire for over 220 years. Renowned as the "Palace of Great Brightness," it was roughly 4.5 times the size of the Forbidden City in Beijing. Today, the Daming Palace National Heritage Park utilizes innovative, non-destructive, and "blank-leaving" preservation methods—transparent acrylic wireframes and protective shelters—to showcase its magnificent original scale while fully respecting the authentic archaeological remains.

Chengdu’s subway stations just upgraded their free AC zones for the summer heat! Now with dedicated seating, locals are using the space to study, take online classes, or just hang out with their kids. 🚇👏

A 1990s Chinese studio gimmick: dress-up family photos. One portrait, half a modern epic — told through the clothes they wore. Can you tell which era each outfit belongs to?

A breathtaking tribute to Master Hongyi (1880–1942), modern China's iconic monk, artist, and poet. Sculpted by Tian Guoran (2022), the figure beautifully emerges from the raw tree itself—half carved, half untouched wood. 🪵✨

Visiting the birthplace of the Wuchang Uprising in Wuhan! This very spot—once the barracks of the 8th Engineering Battalion of the Hubei New Army—is where the first shot of the 1911 Revolution was fired on the night of October 10. That single gunshot sparked a nationwide revolution, ultimately toppling over 2,000 years of imperial rule in China. Erected by the Wuhan government in 1987, this monument is topped with a striking rifle sculpture, symbolizing the fierce courage that changed history forever.

Fuzhou Women's Headwear, 1900. The two women in front wear the classic “three hairpins” (三条簪) style — a simple daily headdress of three decorative pins favored by rural working women in early 20th-century Fuzhou. In contrast, the woman behind sports a neat round bun, the typical hairstyle of city women of some social standing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping poses for a selfie with then British Prime Minister David Cameron and Manchester City player Sergio Aguero, during his visit to Manchester City Football Club，Oct 23, 2015. Photo/Manchester City FC.

A Russian trader rides atop his purchases at the Ritan Park market，Beijing, Nov. 18, 1993. The bustling clothes market, once catering to tourists, then makes most of its profit from wholesale deals with Russians on week-long buying trips. 📸Robyn BECK