Old Wisdom, New Insights

In the traditional Chinese philosophy of governance, the people are considered the foundation of the country. Only when the people prosper can the country prosper. This is classic Chinese wisdom and has become part of the governance philosophy of the Chinese government in modern times. Miyun, a northeastern suburb of Beijing, has over 300 years of beekeeping history, and modern techniques are taki...

This saying captures the logic behind China's political system today and explains why the country can accomplish megaprojects like the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. In this bonus episode, CGTN host Liu Xin and former Belgian Ambassador to China Patrick Nijs visit the middle route of the project and meet Liang Yu, secretary of the Party committee, Qushou Branch Company, China South-to-Nor...

Surprise! One more episode! In this show, Niuniu talks with Professor Steve Roddy from University of San Francisco about all of the five historical figures of this season. Join the conversation now!

What do you think are the most important qualities of a good government official? Competence? Foresight? Integrity? As for the star of this show, he has the title of being "the most incorruptible official" in Qing Dynasty! Check out Zhang Boxing's stories now!

In this episode, Niuniu continues her conversation with Professor Steve Roddy from University of San Francisco about Feng Menglong. Did you know that besides being an accomplished novelist, he was also a historian? As if that was not enough, he also collected folk songs. He even had a lot of loyal readers overseas! Listen to the conversation for more interesting details!

What do you consider as the most decisive factor for success? Ability? Timing? Resources? Or outside support? All of the above are certainly important, but in Chinese, there's a saying that "事在人为," which means "human effort is the decisive factor." Listen to the show to find out a cool story about Feng Menglong that can be used to interpret "事在人为."

Feng Menglong from the late Ming Dynasty was all of the following: a famous historian, an exceptional novelist and poet. His Sanyan trilogy of vernacular Chinese short story collections have been compared to Italian writer Boccaccio's Decameron and the stories of A Thousand and One Nights. So what to make of it when this successful 61-year-old novelist "abandoned" his comfortable life to take up a...

How would you define success? Become rich? Famous? Or powerful? For our ancient friend Wang Anshi, none of these counted. How did he define success? Listen to the show to find out why so many Chinese young people still remember him and celebrate his birthday online a thousand years later!

We all know there are different facets to everyone's personality. Someone could be extremely intelligent, funny, ambitious and totally warmhearted and upright, but at the same time, stubborn, arrogant, sarcastic and socially awkward! The man all these words can be used to describe is Wang Anshi. Let's meet this controversial ancient Chinese now!

A special episode just for you! In this show, Niuniu talks to Professor Steve Roddy from University of San Francisco. As someone who has been studying Chinese culture since the 1970s, he has a lot to share about the brilliant and eccentric Chinese artist - Zheng Banqiao!

In this episode, Zheng Banqiao's story continues. On top of being a great artist, the man was also a diligent official, the kind that would use his own money to help the people. Speaking of the people, why would the rustling sound of bamboo plants remind him of the wellbeing of the people? Listen to this episode to find out.

What would a rustling and beautiful bamboo forest remind you of? Adorable pandas? Or the Oscar-winning martial arts epic Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon? For many Chinese people, bamboo plants remind them of the perfect Confucian gentlemen and of course China's top bamboo painting artist - Zheng Banqiao. Discover this incredible soul with his stories now!

What is your understanding of inner peace? In Chinese, there is a saying "不以物喜, 不以己悲," which means "not to be affected emotionally by the material world, and not to be overly gladdened or saddened by personal gains or losses." Check out this episode to learn more about this ideal state of mind!

One of Fan Zhongyan's most famous sayings is "先天下之忧而忧，后天下之乐而乐, which means "to be the first to bear the world's hardship, and the last to enjoy its comforts." As someone who was not only able to write it but also live by it throughout his entire life, Fan Zhongyan was an exceptional person ever since he was young. Listen to the show for more fascinating stories of Fan Zhongyan.

What makes an influencer truly influential? Different people might have different answers. But one thing is for sure - if someone's article can turn a place into a popular tourist destination for some one thousand years, the writer is definitely a real KOL. In this episode, let's meet Fan Zhongyan, a top KOL from the Northern Song Dynasty!

Same podcast, same high quality of content! This season, we'll bring to you cool Chinese sayings, thought-provoking old wisdom and sharp new insights! A new voice will join the show and explain the sentences in Chinese word by word, so that you'll know how to use them.

What makes a good parent? Showing loving care? Being patient? Playing an exemplary role? Or all the above and much more? It is impressive enough to raise one successful child, let alone NINE in his case! Liang Qichao's story continues in this episode and we'll get to know him as a super dad, a great educator, and a man who’s made of the element - "interest."

In your culture, what is the most well-known metaphor for youth? The one in Chinese would be a rising sun. For instance, "the red rising sun will light up the road ahead" describes a marvelous sunrise and symbolizes that youth shoulders the responsibility for creating a bright future. In this episode, let's meet Liang Qichao, the creator of the sentence, and also one of the most celebrated and ren...

Have you ever played in a dragon boat race? Or have you tried sticky rice dumplings? Both of these can be experienced during China's Dragon Boat Festival or Duanwu Festival. It is also a day when people commemorate patriotic poet Qu Yuan! In this episode, we continue to unravel the myths about him.

Qu Yuan's story continues in this episode. Why was he considered the first poet ever? Why was his patriotism especially rare and valuable at the time? What were the most signature expressions he created? For all the above and more, Niuniu invites Qu Yuan into the studio!

Do you have a dream that you'd be willing to do anything to realize or a goal that you’d pursue regardless of the immense challenges and obstacles? If so, maybe you'll identify with this traditional saying "路漫漫其修远兮, 吾将上下而求索". Learn to use it in your daily conversation to show that you are truly determined!

Qu Yuan was a famous patriotic poet in ancient China. If you enjoy dragon boat racing or have a good appetite for sticky rice dumplings, you have this man to thank for. But who exactly was Qu Yuan? What's so impressive about him? How come there’s a national holiday commemorating him? Let's enjoy Qu Yuan's life story in this episode.

Now let's switch gear from fantasy to reality! There are many sayings about the role of laws and regulations in a society. Author Austin O'Malley said, "Law is the rudder of the ship of state." Aristotle said, "Law is order, and good law is good order." During China's Song Dynasty, our friend Bao Zheng also had a famous saying, which suggested that the law is there to help the government serve its...

To most Chinese people, Bao Zheng is no doubt the best detective in Chinese history. The man stars many legends and is widely favored by fiction writers from different generations. If you are a fan of crime stories, this is an episode that you should not miss!

China has had a "people-centered philosophy" for a very long time. In prehistorical times, it was believed that a huge man named Pangu created the universe. It was also believed that a woman named Nvwa created humans. Later, different generations have expressed the idea that "people are the foundation of a country." For example, there's a saying "国以民为本，社稷亦为民而立," written by our friend...