A Thousand Whys
Episodes
Space Talk: The Neil Armstrongs of ancient China
18 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It would appear like people never tire of talking about space, the stars, and everything else over our heads. The ancients also had their own ambition...
Space Talk: A mouthwatering trail into space
11 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Food obviously plays an essential part in supporting life on space stations. What do people in space eat? Can they enjoy a decent meal, as we do he...
Space Talk: Tiangong, Tianhe, Tianwen... What do they mean?
04 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What was the inspiration behind exploring the universe, or more recently, the naming of China’s space station?
Curious Foodie: What a REAL Chinese breakfast is like
30 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ding! Check out a real Chinese breakfast menu!
Space Talk: Why are Chinese astronauts called taikonauts?
27 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We all love to daydream our way into space. But some people have already ventured there in real life. That’s right: astronauts. With China dispatchi...
Say hello to ‘Space Talk’
24 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As the Shenzhou-12 astronauts became the first Chinese to enter a space station, ‘A Thousand Whys’ is proud to launch a new series “Space Talk”...
Curious Foodie: And China’s most duck-obsessed city is…
23 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Peking duck obviously has made its name at home and abroad. Surprisingly however, the most duck-obsessed city in the country is not the Chinese cap...
Curious Foodie: Do century eggs take a century to make?
16 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The century egg is probably one of the most misunderstood foods in Chinese cuisine. What is it? Does it really take a century to make? Why do Chinese ...
Curious Foodie: What we eat for the Dragon Boat Festival?
09 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In a few days’ time, we will enjoy a delicious treat called “zongzi”, or “sticky rice dumplings”, for the Dragon Boat Festival. Have you eve...
Curious Foodie: Why do Chinese people love stinky tofu?
03 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Surströmming, blue cheese, durian… It seems like the love for stinky food is somewhat shared among all cultures. Well, in China, there’s also a s...
Curious Foodie: Why could hot pot solve everything?
26 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you randomly ask any young person on the street in China, no matter the city, what their favorite food is, the answer you are most likely to get is...
Unsolved mysteries of Sanxingdui
29 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Since the Sanxingdui site was first discovered almost a century ago, humans have never stopped exploration of this mysterious archaeological site. It ...
Did Sanxingdui really vanish?
29 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Where did the people who once lived in Sanxingdui eventually end up? Why did the once-prosperous civilization seem to vanish into thin air?
The obsession with gold
26 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The obsession with gold has been a human weakness since the moment our ancestors first glimpsed its luminous surface. Tune in to learn about the lates...
Aliens in ancient China?
24 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Was Sanxingdui built by an alien civilization? While this might unfortunately just be far-fetched thinking, let’s look at some of the mysterious clu...
Who discovered Sanxingdui?
22 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Everything you need to know about the discovery of Sanxingdui, one of the greatest and most mysterious archaeological findings in China.
Say hello to Sanxingdui
19 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Aliens, buried artifacts, worship of God, a mysterious ancient kingdom, and a lost civilization… Sanxingdui is a combination of all these.
Unearthing the Three-Star Piles
17 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When you binge watch dance and prank videos on TikTok or giggle at celebrity gossip news on Twitter, have you ever wondered what people did to kill ti...
The two sides of celebrating the Chinese New Year
11 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On the occasion of the Chinese New Year, some people are excited to meet their family, longing for New Year Eve's dinner, enjoy the festive environmen...
The past and present of temple fairs
11 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you want to experience a festive and traditional environment on the Spring Festival, a temple fair is probably your best bet. Whether you’re in t...
Chunwan - a feast of entertainment and performances
11 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When the Spring Festival arrives each year, people celebrate it with various traditions and folk customs, most of which have been handed down over gen...
What a meal of family reunion!
11 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
For every Chinese person, the dinner on Spring Festival Eve is probably the most important meal of the whole year. It is a tradition for people to ret...
Why do Chinese people love the color red?
10 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The color red is special to the Chinese people. We love to see it as much as possible on significant occasions such as during the Spring Festival or a...
What’s your Chinese zodiac sign?
10 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We have just ushered in the Chinese Lunar New Year. It is the Year of the Ox according to the Chinese zodiac. The ox is the second animal symbol of th...
Fun Chinese facts you should know about snow
07 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Snow is the buzzword at the start of December every year in China as it marks the arrival of Da Xue, or major snow, a solar term indicating midwinter....
How the Chinese pavilion got its allure
29 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In China, whether you are in the city or the countryside, it’s not unusual to see a uniquely-shaped traditional Chinese structure that’s wall-less...
A Rendezvous of Elegance
22 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What about going to a place where salons and parties are combined? It’s usually set in a natural environment, near a mountain, along the riverside, ...
Why guardian lions, not tigers?
15 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Lions, though not indigenous to China, have been an important part of Chinese culture. Stone lions have been guarding entrances of buildings silently ...
Winter - the ending and the beginning
08 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If winter comes, can spring be far behind? Well, before we talk about the verdant spring, we can't skip winter. With the solar term of the Beginning o...
What's the deal with drinking hot water?
01 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It seems that people believe drinking hot water can heal almost everything from colds, headaches, stomachaches, fatigue, stress, to even painful menst...
Why do we relish sweet Osmanthus?
25 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sweet Osmanthus is only in bloom for a short time each year. But the Chinese love it so much that they make sure its fragrance lasts the whole year.
The symbol of autumn – Chrysanthemum
18 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s a riddle for you: When autumn comes, as all flowers fall, and everything turns bleak, what blossoms brightly as the sun? I suppose you didn’...
Fishermen in the know
11 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Whenever a fisherman appears, wisdom or philosophy echoes. Confused yet? Click this.
What’s up with Chinese people using umbrellas in the sun?
27 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Promise me, if you run into a Chinese person holding an umbrella when the sun is big and bright in the sky, keep your cool. A Thousand Whys will tell ...
Mourning for autumn - a Chinese literary tradition
20 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What’s the key word in your mind for autumn? Harvest? Red leaves? Fun? But looking through traditional Chinese literature, you’ll probably find a ...
What do you know of the happiness of fish?
13 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Believe it or not, fish are regarded as ethereal in Chinese culture. It’s not only about abundance and success, it also guides people who want to ac...
Who is the Chinese god of love?
06 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In China, finding true love doesn’t necessarily involve a chubby, winged little boy with a bow and arrow. We have our own version of Cupid in Chines...
Flying eaves of traditional Chinese architectures
30 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When you pay a visit to a traditional Chinese structure, whether it’s a pavilion, platform, royal palace or a temple, have you ever noticed the uniq...
Lost love reunion, once a year
23 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The 7th day of the 7th month of the Chinese lunar calendar, is the reunion day in mythology of a parted couple, but only for once a year. It's also th...
Why facing the south matters
16 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Does the direction a house/apartment faces matter? To the Chinese, the answer is yes. Most Chinese would prefer south-facing homes. What does it mean ...
Where Chinese names come from
09 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
My name is Shen Ting. Can you tell which is my given name and which is my family name? How many surnames are there in China? Which are the most common...
The enchantment behind Chinese spacecrafts
02 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Some say that only people with Chinese cultural background can understand the romantic naming of China's spacecrafts. While by listening to this episo...
Who is “Lu Ban” and why does he matter?
26 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve all met craftsmen, carpenters or engineers who are very skillful, capable with their hands, and full of brilliant ideas. Complimenting these g...
Why do we love Jiangnan - south of the Yangtze River
19 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
For the Chinese, Jiangnan is not so much a geographical term as it is a cultural concept, though its literal meaning of "south of the Yangzte River" c...
Where does “bonsai” REALLY come from?
12 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Why is this cute little landscape in a container regarded as the highest level of art in China? Believe it or not, it represents your inner world.
Why we revere the mountains?
05 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Why are mountains such a big deal to the Chinese? Why do most legends involve a summit of some sort? What are the “Five Great Mountains” in Chines...
How many names does the Yangtze River have?
28 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It is the longest river in China. It claims different names for its different parts. It has nurtured a variety of local cultures with distinctive char...
On encountering sorrows
21 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We dedicate a festival to him and commemorate him every year on the lunar May 5. Get ready for a story about China's first romantic poet, a patriot, a...
What would your fan say about you?
14 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As many of us literally survive on electric fans and air conditioners to go through the hottest days of the year, there are still some Chinese keeping...
Why do we call the Yellow River our mother river?
07 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Many states around the world possess their own mother rivers. And for China, the Chinese people almost have a consensus to give this title to the Yell...
Float like a butterfly
31 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
You may have heard of time juggling or dream in a dream in the movie Inception, but do you know the Taoist philosopher Zhuangzi (3rd century B.C.) al...
What to know about celebrating your birthday, the Chinese way?
25 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When some say “Happy birthday” on that special day, we say “May you enjoy health and longevity”. Yes, some Chinese traditions for celebrating ...
The Bell and Drum Towers - functioning for the city management of ancient China
17 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Standing at the end of the central axis of the ancient Beijing City are two tall buildings that have become landmarks in the capital. Such twin buildi...
“Catch” the buzzing bees
10 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
How come this incredible little insect became the symbol of "making the impossible possible"? In many cultures, bees represent the god of love. Many b...
Why is this flower the king of flowers?
03 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If you ask someone from China “what do you think is the king of all flowers”, different people would probably manage to agree on one candidate. Wh...
Book of Songs – the origin of China’s poetic tradition
26 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Many people start learning the Chinese culture from reciting some famous Chinese poems, since China boasts a rich tradition of poetry throughout its h...
Can't think of a unique gift for baby shower party?
19 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
For many Chinese people, tiger-head shoes are their first pair of shoes in life. Although it doesn't click together three times against the yellow bri...
Why do we love the Forbidden City?
09 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Forbidden City is one of the most missed places to visit during the spring season of hope and life. Sadly, the much-loved tourist attraction ha...
A mixture of remembering the deceased and celebrating the new life
02 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Qingming Festival, mostly known as the Tomb Sweeping Day, is one of the most important traditional festivals in China. Usually in early April, the fes...
Let’s celebrate the time of rebirth
26 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
According to the Five Elements of Chinese philosophy, spring is associated with the color green, the wood element, and the climate of wind. So we eat ...
Feeling bored? Try these traditional Chinese games
19 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Turn to ancient Chinese wisdom for fun games to play if you want to take a break from the digital world. Families with young kids in particular would ...
Peach Blossom Land – a utopia for the Chinese people
12 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Peach blossom is favored by the Chinese people not only because of its beauty, but also the cultural connotation it contains thanks to an article comp...
Have a sworn friend? Gift him an orchid, then
05 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Orchid, together with plum, chrysanthemum, and bamboo, are referred to as "The Noble Four" of plants, or the Four Gentlemen. Click to learn why orchid...
How do I love thee, magpies?
26 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Magpies don’t have the best of reputations, being known as the scavenger, predator, thief, attacker and even a sign of bad luck in some cultures. ...
Noodle or rice?
19 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
An order of noodle, or a bowl of rice? That's a question. But, maybe not to the Chinese people - well, at least in the traditional impression about ou...
Can needles and threads “paint”?
14 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Yes, of course! When Valentine's Day is around, a handkerchief with hand-embroidered mandarin ducks will make a perfect gift for love birds.
How do we greet each other during the Chinese New Year?
03 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
During the Spring Festival holidays, the Chinese people pay visits or give New Year’s greetings to each other, which are not done as you wish but in...
Chinese Lunar New Year wouldn’t be complete without this
24 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What’s a holiday without the right food? Tender, juicy and plump, the Chinese dumpling—Jiaozi is considered by many a must-have for celebrating th...
So who are we scaring today?
20 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
There is always one thing to conquer another. The men-eating Nian, or the Year monster is no exception. What is he afraid of on earth?
Jianghu is more than the rivers and lakes
15 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If you find it hard to understand Chinese martial arts novels, get to know about JIANGHU first. Where there are people, there is Jianghu.
Plum blossom - another "Friend of the Winter"
09 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Still remember the "Three Friends of the Winter" favored by the Chinese? We've talked about the first two - the bamboo and the pine tree, and now let'...
What’s it like using the Chinese lunar calendar?
02 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Apart from the Gregorian calendar, the Chinese also observe our own lunar calendar. How does it work and what does it mean to the Chinese?
Why do we love jade more than diamond?
26 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
“A Diamond is Forever.” But it can never replace Chinese people’s love of jade, a special kind of stone symbolizing the values of ethics and ho...
Why do we love pine and cypress?
19 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Pine and cypress are not simply two kinds of trees in minds of the Chinese people. They have been personified in literature, paintings and other artis...
Things you should know to survive a Chinese winter
05 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Winter can be brutal in some parts of China, especially in the north, where blizzards and icy roads are not uncommon. If you want to survive the worst...
Bamboo - more than a plant to the Chinese
27 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We love panda. Panda loves bamboo. We love bamboo. Come on! The love of the Chinese people toward bamboo can't be explained in such a simple mode. Bam...
Ancient musicians' favorite five notes
20 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Chinese people have pursued harmony since ancient times, and the same is true for moderation to music, without emphasizing sharp semitones. The five m...
What do fish and birds have to do with beautiful girls?
14 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Angelic, divine, sublime…there are so many words to describe beauty that they make the word beautiful just a bit too common. Here in China, there is...
Have you eaten yet?
06 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
"How's it going?" "Are you all right?" These are how Americans and British people greet each other on a daily basis. Chinese people greet each other, ...
Acupuncture - the Qi Stimulator and Balancer
29 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
What?! By inserting hair-thin needles to specific acupuncture points, the acupuncturists can restore the flow of “qi”, balance the body’s energy...
What happened to the first person who ate a cab?
22 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Crabs aren’t the most attractive-looking creatures. But the taste of their meat can be irresistible. Have you ever wondered: who was the first perso...
Let's have a cup of tea!
14 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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...
What is the most auspicious day in a year?
11 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
To answer that, we might as well first talk about something in the ancient Book of Changes. Numbers from 1 to 10 have either yin or yang characteristi...
Who invented silk and how?
01 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Smooth and shiny, soft yet strong, silk is considered a symbol of luxury for thousands of years. It frequents runways of fashion weeks, and is the pop...
Why do some Chinese people tend to have more meat upon the arrival of autumn
22 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Autumn is here! As nature will soon cast its magic on mountains and woods by adding various charming colors, the weather is also getting colder and co...
You’ve got a date with the moon
11 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every year when the summer heat is gone, and the moon is full and bright, it’s time to celebrate. On what the Chinese call the Mid-Autumn Festival o...
The charm and magic behind the Chinese calligraphy
02 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In modern days, people are writing less and less with pens. Instead, the computer and smart phone have taken place to function as the method of convey...
Cicadas - the spiritual insects
25 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Cicadas have a rather short life, but they signify rebirth and immortality in Chinese folklore and art. They’re known for their noisiness, but usefu...
Are all Chinese people kung fu masters?
18 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Chinese people are considered to be good at martial arts, or Kung Fu. There is Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li to name just a few of the masters the...
Lotus - the favorite summer flower of the Chinese people
11 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Ask any Chinese people about his or her favorite flower in summer, you would probably get the same answer - the lotus. It is beautiful, it is fragrant...
50 shades of qing
04 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
50 Shades of Qing... greenish blue, blueish black, blackish green...
Why wood, not stone?
28 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you lived in ancient times and wanted to build a house, what materials would you use for the framework? In China, the answer was wood. Why?
Why did Sichuan food stand out among all other cuisines in China?
21 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
For a Chinese person, Sichuan Cuisine means something that can really bring out your great appetites, no matter whether you are a lover of spicy food ...
Why are there glass animals on the eaves?
14 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Playing with fire, standing for justice, fighting for peace... mythical animals can do a lot that humans are not able to. These glass animals are ofte...
Why Is 8 THE luckiest number?
07 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The world of numbers is fascinating. While designers are obsessed with the golden ratio 1.618, and mathematicians with Pi 3.1415926, the Chinese peopl...
Why chopsticks, not fork and knife?
30 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Why do the Chinese people love using chopsticks, which look so hard to master for many westerners? Why do they not throw these two sticks away and tur...
Why is scented sachet lifesaving in ancient China?
23 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Shirley shares the secret about the one accessory that's also a lifesaver in ancient China.
Why do you see patterns of blue and white on many China wares?
16 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve a chance to go to a museum and take a look at the section of the Chinese relics, you’ll be sure find many exhibits of China wares. But h...
Why are phoenix eyes noble?
10 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
You may say this kind of eyes is slanted eyes. We don’t. We say it’s phoenix eyes, and it's considered noble in ancient China. While doctors may s...
Why do we love dragons?
04 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The stories of the dragon are told in many cultures in the world. Some dread it. Others adore the legendary creature so much that there is popular say...