The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast

Altai: of Gold and One-Eyed Folks 15.01.2026 16:23 ↓

Tales from the Altai Mountains. Support the show

Yu Yunwen, Hero of the Southern Song 08.01.2026 22:30 ↓

A lesser known figure who saved the Southern Song Dynasty in 1161. Support the show

Destruction of the Buddha During the Huichang Era 01.01.2026 19:04 ↓

The reason why so few Buddhist temples from before the mid-9th century survive in China. Support the show

Zhu Zaiyu: Prince, Musician, Mathematician 25.12.2025 20:44 ↓

The Ming Dynasty prince who worked out the modern musical scale. Support the show

Miscellaneous Morsels of Youyang and the Chinese Cinderella 18.12.2025 17:06 ↓

The Chinese version of the Cinderella story and the 9th century collection in which it appears. Support the show

Eight Immortals Cross the Sea 11.12.2025 18:35 ↓

The legend of the Eight Immortals, which gradually arose starting during the Tang Dynasty, particularly associated with the town of Penglai in Shandong. Support the show

Lady Shexiang 04.12.2025 18:38 ↓

The remarkable stateswoman of Ming Dynasty Guizhou. Support the show

The Nanjing-Wuhan Split 27.11.2025 20:55 ↓

In 1927, when Nanjing and Wuhan were both capitals of the ROC... Support the show

Southwest United University 20.11.2025 21:02 ↓

The triple university that continued the educational mission through WWII. Support the show

Fan Zhen: On the Annihilation of the Soul 13.11.2025 18:11 ↓

On the North and South Dynasties philosopher who argued against the immortality of the soul. Support the show

Jia Sidao: Hero, Villain, Entomologist 06.11.2025 19:56 ↓

The late-Song prime minister with a terrible reputation. Support the show

Zhengde, the Emperor with an Alter Ego 30.10.2025 22:21 ↓

Zhengde or Wuzong of Ming, a most perplexing ruler. Support the show

Hai Rui, Mad Mandarin 23.10.2025 20:57 ↓

The Ming mandarin who helped, 400 years later, to start the Cultural Revolution. Support the show

General Qi Jiguang of the Ming 16.10.2025 24:00 ↓

The most successful military commander of the mid-to-late-Ming Dynasty. Support the show

Zhang Zai, Philosopher 09.10.2025 19:13 ↓

The major Song Dynasty philosopher who began to formulate Neo-Confucianism. Support the show

Chen Tuan, the Sleeping Immortal 02.10.2025 20:35 ↓

The Daoist hermit who supposedly lived to 118 years old and profoundly influenced Confucian philosophy. Support the show

The Yellow River, Changing Course 25.09.2025 21:53 ↓

In recorded history, the Yellow River has flooded 1,593 times and changed course 26 times. Support the show

Di Qing: Soldier Out of Time 18.09.2025 23:34 ↓

One of the great heroes of the Song Dynasty, born into the wrong time. Support the show

Liu E and "The Travels of Lao Can" 11.09.2025 20:01 ↓

The late-Qing author and his famous novel. Support the show

Shen Gua, Scientist 04.09.2025 22:47 ↓

Shen Gua or Shen Kuo of the Song Dynasty is one of the most significant figures in the history of Chinese science. Support the show

Xie Jin of the Yongle Encyclopedia 28.08.2025 21:37 ↓

The early-Ming Dynasty mandarin and editor of one of the greatest literary undertakings ever performed. Support the show

"Discourse on the Lamas" and the Golden Urn 21.08.2025 22:04 ↓

In 1793, Emperor Qianlong of Qing decreed a new process by which to select future Tibetan spiritual leaders like the Dalai Lama. And he wrote an essay about it. Support the show

Wu Jingzi and "The Scholars" 14.08.2025 21:01 ↓

Regarding the great Qing Dynasty novel and its unfortunate author. Support the show

Rebellion of the Eight Princes 07.08.2025 21:12 ↓

The chaotic series of events from 290 to 306 A.D. that set the stage for the fall of the Western Jin Dynasty. Support the show

The Tragedy of the Parties and Shackles 31.07.2025 19:27 ↓

The Eastern Han Dynasty conflict between the eunuchs and the mandarins that set the stage for Three Kingdoms. Support the show