Colors of China

October 12, 2014

Colors of China: Spider-Man cleaner

With almost 20 years’ experience as a window cleaner, Zhang Shimin has witnessed the astounding urban growth of the Chinese capital. “There was nothing outside the Third Ring Road when I first came to Beijing,” he said, perched on the roof of a 31-story building […]

Read More...
October 9, 2014

Colors of China: Hostel Territory

Nestled in the heart of a mountain along the road from Lijiang to Shangri-La lies a quaint hostel that has been playing host to weary tourists for the past two decades. It was a curious set of circumstances that led Feng Defang to set up […]

Read More...
October 8, 2014

Haute China: Made in the fabulous

Rapid growth over the past 30 years in China has had a profound impact on people’s tastes, leading to the development of new lifestyle industries. Fashion was once the indulgence of the privileged. But nowadays, it is growing to become a matter of individual expression.

Read More...
October 6, 2014

Colors of China: The story of App TouTiao

The growth of the IT industry in China has created new opportunities for young entrepreneurs. That has meant a virtual revolution, with new ideas and products challenging traditional business models.

Read More...
October 6, 2014

Colors of China: Sail your way up

“The river used to wind and was too shallow for big ships” Captain Lin Jiaquan recalls, perched on the captain’s stool, looking over a large steering wheel. “But with the dredging and other improvements, the shipping lane has changed so that the ship’s carrying capacity […]

Read More...
October 6, 2014

Colors of China: A village doctor’s choice of life

People living in Cifu village say the place blesses people who come here. Embraced by mountains and endless farmland, the small village, nestled in the northeast of Bama county, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, makes for a peaceful life. Doctor Qin Zanchun came to the village in […]

Read More...
October 6, 2014

Colors of China: China’s real estate boom

“The balance of real estate supply and demand in China now, is not like years before. People keep buying houses as if from a plan.” Mr. Jin explains as he points to new homes he is currently selling. Property in China underwent a period transformation from […]

Read More...
October 6, 2014

Colors of China: One couple’s guarding of China

“The chief of the militia said that someone had to stay on the island and protect it. So I promised him I would stay and I’ve kept that promise”. Said Wang, who was just 29 years old when he set off to protect the island […]

Read More...
October 6, 2014

Colors of China: Dance Dance Revolution in China

“I belong to China’s second batch of DJs,” DJ Paulna told me as he dragged hard on a cigarette. “Up until 2005, DJs played techno and trance in the disco, after that we started playing hip-hop, R&B and funk in new bars that began opening […]

Read More...
Painter fights for wildlife
October 6, 2014

Colors of China: Painter thwarts poachers to protect wildlife

Li Li paints animals for a living. When not painting, he protects what inspires him, in the mountains around Beijing. “There is no conflict between nature and man,” he says with a conviction that indicates he is expecting some push back. “I think conflicts mainly […]

Read More...
Shenzhen
October 6, 2014

Colors of China: New cities

Why would a person spend half his life guarding a small island? When did China’s first generation of DJs begin to emerge? How can one man’s mobile application change the way people read?

Read More...