The uncertain fate of Shanxi’s ancient temples
Hello TWOC readers!
Our latest issue will be available after the weekend, and we're launching it in style. If you’re in Beijing, please consider joining us at the bar Timekeepers, located in the shadow of the Drum and Bell Tower, on Tuesday, 7 p.m., for a little party. It is a ticketed event, but 100 yuan gets you a free drink and, most importantly, our latest issue worth 89 yuan alone.
Gaming was a major theme—our cover story is about gaming literacy, our language column features the character for play, 玩 (wán), etc.—so it’s only fitting that we do a bit of playing at the party: Black Myth will be available on the bar's big screen, free for all to try. (We might even have some contests with prizes.)
Meanwhile, our work continues. TWOC staffers Tan Yunfei and Jiayu Zhang recently went to Shanxi to visit some of the province’s many temples, which tell a story of history and deep-rooted culture. Check out that story below, along with other highlights from the last two weeks.
Blessed by the Gods: A Tour of Shanxi's Ancient Temples
Shanxi province is home to a staggering number of temples and other cultural sites, with many in disrepair despite being key to local tourism campaigns. We visited several of them to learn about their history—and their uncertain future. Read more
Into the Eye: China’s Intrepid Storm Chasers
A small but growing group of people in China are choosing to drive into the heart of mayhem to capture stunning images from the center of typhoons, tornadoes, and hailstorms—providing invaluable insight for disaster research. Read more
Leveling the Playing Field: China’s Female Gamers Struggle for Recognition
Although women account for almost half of all gamers in China, sexism is still rampant in China’s gaming scene. Read more
What We’re Watching
Is Genshin Impact a Gambling Game? Uncovering the Hidden Costs of Low Gaming Literacy in China
Dr. Liu Mengfei, a game scholar at Beijing Normal University, speaks with us about the importance of “gaming literacy” for both social good and personal growth—and reflects on the dangers of gamification and freemium games such as the highly popular Genshin Impact. Click through to watch this video.
What We’re Reading
Short fiction “What Comes After the Pigs,” by Liang Hao (translated by Dylan Levi King), takes place over one day in a rural village over the Lunar New Year. It examines our value systems and how we judge a person’s worth. Have a read.
