The Context Podcast
1) Houguan Culture: Grounds for Genius
Today, we’ll talk about how a tradition of learning and openness in an ancient county in Fuzhou helped to shape the ideas of key figures in the development of education in modern China.
2) Xiao Qian: Across Frontlines and Cultures
Today, we’ll talk about the life of Xiao Qian, a Chinese writer, war correspondent, translator and cultural ambassador whose words bridged China and the world across wars, revolutions, and a century o...Show More
3) Empire in Exile: Rediscovering Southern Song Burials
Today, we’ll talk about one of the most intriguing archaeological discoveries in recent Chinese history – the long-lost imperial tombs of the Southern Song dynasty, hidden for centuries beneath quiet ...Show More
4) Zhaozhou Bridge: China’s Timeless Stone Miracle
Today, we’ll talk about the Zhaozhou Bridge, a 1,400-year-old stone arch masterpiece that revolutionized global bridge engineering and withstood floods, earthquakes, and wars to remain a timeless symb...Show More
5) Empress Dowager Feng: The Woman Who Shaped a Dynasty
Today, we’ll talk about Empress Dowager Feng, a formidable woman whose intelligence, political acumen, and unwavering determination allowed her to guide her empire through turbulent times, leaving a l...Show More
6) King Gesar: Dreaming Legends
Today, we’ll talk about King Gesar, the world’s longest epic that has been passed down orally among Tibetans for over a thousand years, and these days, the story has been recognized for its invaluable...Show More
7) Museum Reveals Austronesian Roots in China
Today, we’ll talk about a new museum in Fujian Province that shines a spotlight on major discoveries linking the roots of Austronesian people to the Chinese mainland.
8) The Timeless Genius of Dujiangyan: Taming a River Without a Dam
Today, we’ll talk about the Dujiangyan irrigation system, a 2,200-year-old Chinese marvel of engineering that tamed a violent river using nature’s own forces, transforming a flood-ravaged plain into a...Show More
9) The Eagle-shaped Ding: China’s 6,000-year-old Cultural Ambassador
Today, we’ll talk about the Eagle-shaped Pottery Ding, a prehistoric vessel that reveals the advanced artistry, spiritual beliefs, and enduring cultural legacy of ancient Chinese civilization.
10) From Heaven to Hell: The Cultural Evolution of Owls in Ancient China
Today, we’ll talk about a pair of owl-shaped wine vessels unearthed in the tomb of Fu Hao, China’s first female general, as well as the cultural significance of owls throughout Chinese history.