Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchThe Mogao Caves of Dunhuang
Episode 68
If you ever get a chance, make sure to visit the Mogao Caves of Dunhuang.
In today's Gansu Province, the town of Dunhuang, situated on the historic Si…
3 years, 10 months ago
Li Qingzhao, Poetess
Episode 67
Quite likely the greatest female poet in Chinese history, Li Qingzhao might be deemed a Sappho of the East or the Emily Dickinson of China.
Living dur…
3 years, 10 months ago
The Authoritarianism of Emperor Yongzheng
Episode 66
Two of the longest-reigning emperors in Chinese history ruled during the Qing Dynasty: Kangxi, who sat on the throne from 1662 until 1722, and his gr…
3 years, 10 months ago
The Beauty of Xishi
Episode 65
A handful of women are remembered in Chinese history and popular imagination as the epitome of feminine beauty. One of them is Xishi.
Living in the 5t…
3 years, 10 months ago
Three Kingdoms, Three Friends
Episode 64
Sure, we've already done an episode on Three Kingdoms. But so many interesting characters and gripping tales come from that era, both as history and …
3 years, 10 months ago
Mr. Eastern Slope
Episode 63
Certain literary figures loom so large in Chinese culture that they substantial define the nature of that culture for all posterity, not to mention l…
3 years, 11 months ago
The 27-Day Emperor
Episode 62
He's known by several different titles: the Marquis of Haihun, the Prince of Changyi, and Emperor Feidi of the Han Dynasty.
Sadly for him, "Feidi" mea…
3 years, 11 months ago
Ten Days in Yangzhou
Episode 61
The time: May, 1645. The place: the city of Yangzhou, not far northeast of the capital of the surviving Southern Ming government, Nanjing.
A year ea…
3 years, 11 months ago
Hu Shih
Episode 60
One man spearheaded the effort in the early 20th century to modernize the Chinese language. One man revolutionized the study of Chinese literature an…
3 years, 11 months ago
Oracle Bones
Episode 59
With each example being over 3,000 years old, it's the oldest form of Chinese writing yet discovered. But the "oracle bones" bearing this script went…
4 years ago