"Hanlu" or Cold Dew, the fifth solar term in autumn, marks a significant shift in the season. Falling on Tuesday, October 8 this year, it is the seventeenth in the twenty-four solar terms. This period stands as the turning point between cool and cold, and heralds the approach of winter.
During Cold Dew, temperatures drop far below the earlier White Dew, and surface dew starts condensing to frost, a harbinger of winter's impending arrival. During this period, Northeast China enters late autumn, while the Northwest ushers winter in.
Snow begins to fall on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, in the Northeast and in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region; meanwhile, daytime temperatures in South China gradually fall below 20 C and rarely exceed 30 C along the Yangtze River.
Ancient Chinese divided the 15 days of Cold Dew into three pentads. The first pentad welcomes the arrival of the geese that completed their migration in summer. The second pentad reflects the belief that sparrows transform into clams due to their similar stripes and colors. In the third pentad, yellow chrysanthemums bloom, and indeed the period of Cold Dew coincides with the ninth month of the lunar calendar, which is also known as the month of chrysanthemum.
Besides appreciating the beautiful flowers, during the cold days of Hanlu, people also enjoy drinking chrysanthemum tea and tasting chrysanthemum wine.
Cold Dew is a perfect time for hikes and enjoying the seasonal landscapes from the mountain peaks. Additionally, viewing colorful maple leaves is a popular pastime during this season.
This season also draws tourists to enjoy the vibrant autumn foliage, sip on chrysanthemum wine and taste flower cakes, all elements that are synonymous with the season.
Meanwhile, Cold Dew is a great time for fishing. Because the temperature drops so fast, sunlight cannot reach the deep waters, a natural occurrence that leads the fish swim toward shallower areas where the water temperature is still relatively high, making fishing easier.
Another seasonal tradition is drinking autumn tea, which is made from the tea leaves picked in the first three days and last four days of Cold Dew.
Beyond the pleasures of the fall, as the weather cools and the air becomes dry, people often experience dry throats and noses. To combat these effects, it's important to adjust one's diet to prevent dryness.
Cold Dew, with its cooler temperatures, vibrant foliage, and rich traditions, not only marks the seasonal transition from autumn to winter but also invites people to enjoy the beauty of nature and embrace cultural customs that nourish both the body and spirit.
Grammy Award-winning rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, performed a sold-out show in Haikou, South China's Hainan Province, on Sunday. Just one day later, an encore performance set for September 21 was announced by the Bureau of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television, and Sports of Haikou City, extending the festivities.
Prior to the show, Ye met with fans in Haikou restaurants. Before the show, he also shared on social media a childhood photo of himself in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu Province, with the caption: "BACK."
A 24-year-old Singaporean fan named Alex told the Global Times that he was surprised by "how good the overall effects of the show" were since he knew that the show had almost been canceled due to Typhoon Yagi.
He noted that the young "globally connected and open-minded" Chinese fans that he met made him want to visit China again and make some friends.
On the stage, Ye interacted with Chinese fans saying "I Love Haikou." Ye once lived in China at the age of 10. His mother was an English professor and worked as a visiting scholar at the Nanjing University in 1987.
Besides Ye, pop icon Mariah Carey, called "Niujie" (Awesome Sister) in China, also finished her two-day show The Celebration of Mimi in Beijing on Monday.
Carey journeyed to the Great Wall during her visit - and featuring her own style, she did it while wearing heels. Dressed in a chic black dress, black shades, immaculate makeup, and a blow-dried ponytail, she shared a picture of the hike on her X page.
"At the Great Wall of China!" she wrote. "Someone should've warned me about heels (not that I would've listened)."
Many netizens reported running into Ye in Haikou, while others spotted Carey, in high heels, during her climb up the Great Wall in Beijing.
Since the introduction of the 144-hour visa-free policy, the topic of "China Travel" has been trending.
"The 144-hour visa-free policy has not only attracted international tourists to come over to China but also encouraged international icons to consider performing here," Bruce Xu, a researcher and student mentor in the field of international relations at a US university, told the Global Times.
Xu said that the booming tourism market and increasing global appeal have significantly attracted international performers to perform and travel in China at the same time.
"The growing interest in China as both a tourist and entertainment hub has created unique opportunities for global artists to connect with local audiences and explore the country's diverse attractions. For many artists and performers, this presents a chance to expand their reach and tap into one of the world's largest and most dynamic markets," he noted.
Kathryn, a Mariah Carey fan from Shanghai, told the Global Times that she saw many foreign tourists attending the show.
"I saw four foreign fans just seated in a row in front of me, and many audiences members from different places went to visit Beijing while enjoy the show. I personally went to the Temple of Heaven with some of these fans," Kathryn told the Global Times.
China's Zheng Qinwen will kick off her China Open campaign with a clash against a qualifier in the second round, according to the tournament's women's singles draw held on Monday afternoon.
Meanwhile, China's men's singles players made history in domestic ATP tournaments, as the hosts of events are expected to fuel a wave of tennis enthusiasm across the country around the National Day holidays.
At the 2024 ATP Hangzhou Open in East China's Zhejiang Province, Zhang Zhizhen defeated compatriot Bu Yunchaokete 7-6 (3), 6-4 on Monday night in a historic first-ever all-Chinese semifinal at an ATP Tour event. Zhang will take on Croatian veteran Marin Cilic on Tuesday in the finals.
At the Chengdu Open in Southwest China's Sichuan Province, rising star Shang Juncheng booked a final spot by defeating Yannick Hanfmann of Germany in straight sets.
Bu secured his berth with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan, achieving his first ATP semifinal.
As China's top-ranked male player at world No.43, Zhang won his quarterfinal match against Roberto Carballes Baena of Spain in straight sets 6-3, 6-3.
This historic moment highlights the rapid rise of Chinese men's tennis, with Zhang, Bu and Shang all included in the ATP top 100 in the same week, a new milestone for Chinese men's tennis.
Competing on home courts might have given the Chinese players extra motivation, Liu Yu, a Beijing-based sports commentator, told the Global Times on Monday.
As more promising Chinese talents make their mark at international events, this is sure to inspire a new generation of young players and increase participation in tennis across the country, he said.
As the Olympic gold medalist is now the fifth seed in the China Open following the withdrawal of Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina, Zheng enjoyed a first-round bye and is expected to go further than her first-round exit in 2023.
She is placed in the same half of the draw as Aryna Sabalenka, who edged her to win the Australian Open in January.
The 21-year-old aims to secure maximum points to qualify for the WTA Finals scheduled to take place on November 2 to 9, when the world's top eight singles players and doubles pairs will fight for the year-end championship in Saudi Arabia.
Taking place in Beijing from Wednesday to October 6, the China Open awarded eight women's singles wildcards to Chinese players, emphasizing the emergence of a new cadre of local talent.
This year's tournament featured the largest number of Chinese players ever to compete in the singles, reflecting the country's rapid rise in the global tennis scene.
Notably, a cross-Straits pair will once again feature in the women's doubles.
Wang Xinyu and Hsieh Su-wei, who won the French Open and reached the semifinals of the US Open in 2023, will continue their strong partnership after receiving a wildcard entry into the main draw.
Wang will also compete in the singles event at the China Open.
Their victory at Roland Garros marked Hsieh's fifth Grand Slam doubles title, showcasing their complementary styles, with Wang excelling from the baseline and Hsieh adding her tactical finesse.
Wang admitted that winning the Olympic mixed doubles silver medal helped more fans learn about her and brought them closer to the sport of tennis.
She will face a tough challenge from US player Amanda Anisimova in the first round of the China Open.
"Every time I come to the China Open, I can feel the fans' passion," she told reporters on Monday.
At the Paris Olympics, Wang teamed up with Zhang Zhizhen at the last minute and eventually won the silver medal in mixed doubles. Wang described her Olympic experience as "dreamlike."
"I had already competed in the women's singles and doubles and thought my matches were over, but then came this unexpected joy. I'm very proud to have won an Olympic medal," Wang told reporters.
"It was my first time partnering with Zhang. We weren't familiar with each other before, but we ended up working well together. He's a very thoughtful player."
Wang said she hopes to improve her level and world ranking by competing in high-level tournaments.
"I've played in many big tournaments this year, including the Olympics, WTA 1000 events, and Grand Slam tournaments. Having so many opportunities to compete against top players is a great way to improve," she said.
China's 2024 National Day holidays box office, including previews and presales, exceeded 800 million yuan ($113.98 million) as of 14:48 on Wednesday, according to ticketing platform Maoyan. War epic The Volunteers: The Battle of Life and Death, science fiction adventure Bureau 749, and an action crime film Tiger Wolf Rabbit are leading the box office.
On the first day of the holidays, running from October 1 to 7, box office earnings reached 494 million yuan, marking the second time it has surpassed the 400-million mark on single day ever since May 1. It now ranks 4th in National Day holidays box office history, surpassing the 430 million yuan total from 2023, according to a report of China's state broadcaster CCTV.
A total of 464,000 screenings were held nationwide on Tuesday with 11.46 million viewers, setting a new record for National Day holiday screenings in Chinese film history.
"The rich selection of films and the audience's enthusiasm have driven this year's National Day box office success," Sun Jiashan, an associate researcher at the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism Administration, told the Global Times on Wednesday.
Throughout the holidays, a selection of movies will be screened, featuring genres such as fantasy, action, animation, and patriotic films.
"Mainstream films undoubtedly play a significant role in the National Day holidays season," said Sun, who believes the market performance of the historical war film The Volunteers: The Battle of Life and Death tells everything.
Three days after its premiere on Monday, The Volunteers: The Battle of Life and Death, the second installment of Chinese renowned director Chen Kaige's “Volunteers” trilogy, was still holding onto top spot.
Set during the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53), the film combines epic war scenes with intricate character portrayals, highlighting the bravery and sacrifice of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army, and their steadfast commitment to peace in the face of adversity.
According to the audience feedback, the second installment offers a clearer narrative and more coherent story compared with the first, along with more nuanced and emotionally resonant character depictions.
The strong performance of China's film market also increased film insiders' confidence and the audiences' as well, Sun added.
A new book compiled by veteran photo editor Li Jian offers readers a vivid look into the founding year of the People's Republic of China (PRC) through more than 300 rare photographs.
Released on the 75th anniversary of the PRC's establishment, the book features 40 accompanying stories that provide context to the images, spanning national, social, and personal perspectives.
The collection captures significant historical moments and milestones, as well as iconic scenes that showcase the era's atmosphere. From major events to everyday life, the images reflect the sweeping changes of the time and offer insight into the evolving spirit of the Chinese people.
These images outline the grand narrative of social transformation surrounding the birth of the PRC in 1949, offering a panoramic view of the changes in the spirit and lives of the Chinese people across different regions, social classes, and groups.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has emphasized the importance of continuing the endeavors to promote ethnic unity from generation to generation.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in a reply letter to descendants of the representatives from diverse ethnic groups who erected a monument in 1951 in southwest China's Yunnan Province and made a solemn pledge to stay united and follow the Party.
Grammy Award-winning rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, performed a sold-out show for his album series "Vultures" in Haikou, South China's Hainan Province, on Sunday night, marking the start of the Mid-Autumn Festival holidays of the tropical island.
The "Vultures Listening Experience World Tour Listening Party - Haikou" marked Ye's first performance in the Chinese mainland since 2008, aligning with Hainan's efforts to position itself as a hub for world-class music events.
Sporting a T-shirt that featured Chinese characters "告诉过你" (I told you so), Ye brought out all his family members, including his four children, to the stage at the packed Wuyuan River Sports Stadium, where all 42,000 tickets, ranging from 680 yuan ($96) - 2,000 yuan, sold out in minutes as 96.5 percent of the tickets were purchased by people living outside the island. The cities with the highest number of buyers were Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Beijing and Chengdu, according to Hainan Daily. "Ye performed many of his classic songs, singing along with the audience. At one point of the party, he said, 'I love you, Haikou.' The live atmosphere was absolutely electrifying, especially since the show lasted for three hours. At one point, he even sang along with the crowd," a 20-year-old fan surnamed Li, who flew from Beijing to attend the show, told the Global Times on Monday.
Prior to the show, Ye shared on his social media account a childhood photo of himself in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu Province, with the caption: "BACK."
Ye lived in China for a year when he was about 10 years old. His mother was an English professor and worked as a visiting scholar at the Nanjing University in 1987.
As one of China's top tourist destinations, Hainan has been committed to boosting its tourism sector by promoting cultural events. Local authorities even offer financial incentives to attract international performers.
Since 2023, local authorities have been promoting large-scale concerts and music festivals in Hainan as part of a new "performance tourism" model, aimed at revitalizing the tourism industry, according to a statement released by the Hainan Provincial Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television, and Sports in February.
Introducing internationally renowned concerts or music festivals can enhance Hainan's image and international influence as a tourist destination while driving the "cultural and entertainment" transformation of the local tourism industry. This approach is expected to attract younger consumers, shifting Hainan's tourism focus from primarily older visitors to a more youthful demographic, Sun Xiaorong, a member of the national tourism reform and development advisory committee, told the China News Weekly.
In May, Hainan released several measures to further promote the integration of culture, sports, tourism, and exhibitions to expand consumption. The policy offers a one-time reward of 3 million yuan for events that meet specific criteria: featuring international or top-tier domestic acts, selling at least 100,000 tickets, generating over 50 million yuan in ticket revenue, and attracting more than 50 percent of the audience from outside the island.
Since July 30, overseas travelers with regular passports from countries that have diplomatic relations with China can enjoy visa-free entry to Hainan for up to 144 hours. This is applicable after they have visited Hong Kong or Macao special administrative regions and joined a tour group of at least two people arranged by a legally registered travel agency in those regions.
The move is part of broader efforts to make Hainan a global tourism hub and increase its openness to international visitors.
Featuring multiple activities including forums, cultural exhibitions and artistic performances to showcase China's rich cultural heritage and promoting dialogue on global cultural cooperation, the seventh Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo is set to take place in Dunhuang, Northwest China's Gansu Province, on Saturday.
Taking the theme "practicing the Global Civilization Initiative, deepening cultural exchanges and mutual learning," the forums will cover diverse topics, such as new directions in Dunhuang Studies, the literary expressions of Dunhuang culture and innovative practices in the protection of intangible cultural heritage.
Other areas of focus include the development and modern dissemination of Dunhuang dance, international youth dialogue on mutual cultural appreciation, and discussions on China's collaboration with Central and South Asia under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The forums will also explore the continued development and preservation of Chinese national cultural identity, according to the organizers.
A total of over 300 domestic and international experts, scholars, and representatives are expected to attend the event.
First held in 2016, the expo is considered a key player in promoting cultural exchanges and economic cooperation and trade among countries and regions along the Belt and Road.
Dunhuang, a tourist city that is known for the ancient Mogao Caves, attracts large numbers of domestic and international visitors every year.
In the year 2024, Dunhuang's four major artistic performances have continued to be immensely popular, especially during the peak tourism season. High-profile immersive shows Encore Dunhuang and Ancient Sound of Dunhuang have added extra shows to meet the increasing demand of tourists.
According to local media, the four major performances in Dunhuang have staged a total of 1,225 shows, attracting 582,100 visitors and generating a revenue of 143 million yuan ($20.23 million) as of the end of July.
Digital technology is driving the diverse development of cultural performances.
The "Digital Dunhuang" project stands as an exemplary initiative by Gansu in the protection and preservation of cultural heritage.
Using advanced digital scanning, modeling, and virtual reality technology, it preserves the caves, murals, and sculptures in the Mogao Caves in a digital format, ensuring the permanent transmission of these invaluable cultural artifacts.
This summer, an immersive exhibition launched by the Dunhuang Academy is among the most popular experience project by the visitors. Another notable digital experience is the project Wonders of Dunhuang: Treasures and Sands, which recreates the ancient city of Shazhou from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) by applying cutting-edge, large-scale, and multi-user VR technology.
"Driven by the Expo, local cultural enterprises are making use of digital technology to enhance visitors' understanding of Dunhuang culture without damaging the heritage itself. This has elevated the quality of tourism and visitor experience," a local cultural official surnamed Zhao told the Global Times.
"The use of digital technology has facilitated the global dissemination of Chinese culture through the internet, attracting wider attention and expanding the market for Gansu's cultural tourism industry."
The discovery of the Malangxia Site in Yuyao, East China's Zhejiang Province has contributed to a more comprehensive understanding of the social development and way of life in the Yuyao region from the Shang-Zhou (c.1600BC-256BC) to the Ming-Qing (1368-1911) dynasties, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
The site has five distinct cultural strata, with each layer representing different historical periods: the Shang-Zhou dynasties, the Han-Northern and Southern Dynasties (206BC-589), the Tang-Five Dynasties (618-960), the Song-Yuan dynasties (960-1368), and the Ming-Qing dynasties. This rich archaeological record offers a comprehensive look into the social development and daily life of the people in the Yuyao region across over three millennia.
Local experts have emphasized the importance of the Malangxia Site, noting that it is the most extensive and well-preserved site found in Yuyao to date. The cultural significance and the clear historical timeline uncovered at the site make it a crucial reflection of the region's long-term social evolution.
Among the oldest finds are ash pits and a single tomb from the Shang-Zhou period containing stamped hard pottery and primitive celadon items. These artifacts, which include jars with patterns resembling rice sieves, hemp, and mats, are characteristic of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River.
The Han-Northern and Southern Dynasties layer reveals a wealth of relics, including house sites, ash pits, tombs, wells, roads, and ditches.
The Tang-Five Dynasties layer is relatively sparse, featuring only a single tomb with a few artifacts, primarily daily-use ceramics. The Song-Yuan dynasties layer is represented by a variety of relics, including ash pits, tombs, ditches, and postholes. These artifacts highlight the exchange of aesthetic styles between northern and southern kilns.
Under the auspices of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the narratives of cultural and educational exchanges between China and Africa have become increasingly captivating. Serving as a bridge for people-to-people interactions, these exchanges have not only fostered mutual understanding but also deepened the emotional bonds between the two regions. During the FOCAC, a reporter from the Global Times interviewed African and Chinese cultural messengers, exploring how education and cultural activities can build a bridge of hearts between China and Africa.
As Tungamirai Eric Mupona experienced rural areas in North China and Feng Xinxin kicked off her journey between China and Africa, they may not have noticed themselves taking on a new role - cultural envoys. Looking back, their endeavors have been valuable in people-to-people exchanges.
Favoring Chinese villages
The story of Tungamirai Eric Mupona, a young man from Zimbabwe, exemplifies the experiences of African students furthering their education in China.
Raised in a rural village in northeastern Zimbabwe, Mupona's first glimpse into the distant world of China came through the stories and documentaries he watched on television at his uncle's house.
"I watched Chinese movies and many documentaries about China, which sparked an endless longing for this Eastern country," he told the Global Times. After graduating from high school in 2017, Mupona decided to pursue his studies in China, where he is currently working toward a PhD at Zhejiang University.
"Upon arriving in China, I couldn't speak Chinese and faced numerous challenges, but the warmth and help from teachers and classmates helped me adapt quickly," says Mupona. He shared that both in and out of the classroom, he has found a rich and fulfilling life, participating in discussions, dragon boat racing, and volunteering with his peers. "China's educational environment and academic standards are attracting more international students," he notes.
Beyond his academic pursuits, Mupona has always sought opportunities for social practice, particularly in China's rural areas. With questions about China's success in poverty alleviation and rural revitalization, he has traveled extensively through provinces such as East China's Zhejiang Province, North China's Shanxi Province and South China's Guangdong Province, sometimes spending an entire month in a village to take part in learning experiences.
In 2019, Mupona founded the APL Public Social Service Platform, primarily focusing on international youth exchanges and volunteer and fieldwork activities. "The development of rural China is very worthy of studying," he stated.
Mupona believes that the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the development of characteristic industries according to local conditions, and the stimulation of the internal drive of the masses are the inexhaustible forces behind rural revitalization and China's modernization. He speaks with evident pride and knowledge about what he has observed in China's countryside.
"China's practices have proven to the world that modernization is not a simple copy and paste… China's modernization offers a new paradigm to the world, one that starts from its actual conditions, suits its national context, and aims to develop for the people and relies on the people. I hope to bring back the experiences and lessons I've learned in China to Zimbabwe," he said. Making connections
Tucked away in a cultural and creative park in northeast Beijing, there lies an African Cultural and Tourism Center. Here, visitors can savor authentic African coffee, peruse books about Africa, and admire African art, experiencing the charm and ambiance of Africa from all dimensions.
"Many people once harbored misconceptions about Africa. But through our efforts, they have changed their previous prejudices and are getting to know Africa anew," Feng Xinxin, the founder of the center, told the Global Times.Feng's journey with Africa began in 2008, shortly after her university graduation, with a desire to explore the world. She was struck by the vibrant energy and potential she found.
"At that time, Africa was much like China during the early stages of reform and opening-up, brimming with vitality and endless possibilities," she said. Feng recalled her first surprise while in Africa was the advanced 3G network that was supported by Huawei, a testament to the genuine assistance China has provided to the continent over the years, even surpassing the technology available in China where most people were still using 2G network at the time.
Feng's experience in Africa was transformative, leaving her with a deep appreciation for the continent's unique landscapes and relaxed pace of life. She was particularly captivated by the red deserts of Namibia, which offered a "serene escape from the world's troubles."
After a year working with a non-profit organization, Feng established a travel agency in Namibia, where she spent over a decade observing a fostering interest in African tourism among Chinese travelers.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought Feng back to China, where she noticed Chinese people's limited understanding about Africa.
This realization prompted her to open the cultural center in Beijing, aiming to create a platform for cultural display, experience, and exchange.
This year, Feng returned to Africa with her five-month-old child.
"When I got off the plane holding my child, I didn't expect the locals to recognize me. They looked at my child with great affection, and they treated my child as one of their own. This is the kindness and warmth of the African people, which is very similar to us Chinese," she said with a big smile. This return also allowed Feng to discover some big changes the local infrastructure construction in Namibia has undergone in the last few years.
"China has helped Namibia build highways, ports, and other infrastructure, aiding it in becoming a regional logistics hub in southern Africa, where the investment environment and geographical advantages are gradually emerging," she said, calling this as a "symbol of the Belt and Road Initiative's promise of opportunity and a win-win for the future."
