From History to Fantasy: The Chinese Web Novel Writers Who Shaped a New Era of Storytelling
Meet 11 of China’s most prominent writers of historical and fantasy fiction, discover the cultural and culinary significance of the humble egg, and explore our special TWOC exhibition
Hello TWOC readers!
Web novels are now considered one of China’s three biggest cultural exports to the world, along with online games and web series. Globally well-known titles range from the Lovecraftian-inspired fantasy Lord of the Mysteries on WebNovel.com to Wuxiaworld’s classic Chinese fantasies, such as Coiling Dragon and I Shall Seal the Heavens. These ultra-long series often go for hundreds or thousands of chapters but are fairly easy to consume. They captivate casual readers with feel-good plots, character level-ups, and world expansion. Among them, the fantasy and historical genres bring a distinctive Chinese flavor, drawing on Chinese philosophical and fantasy concepts, such as qi, cultivation (xiulian), and tribulation (jie), while transporting readers into a world of Chinese demons, immortals, heavenly palaces, and magical beasts.
The rise of online literature coincided with China’s decades-long economic boom, with its stories reflecting the hopes and anxieties of the era. Through these fantasy worlds, ordinary people’s pursuit of success, belief in perseverance, and fascination with traditional culture became woven into the fabric of a changing society.
This golden age of online literature also created a new generation of wealthy authors, whose success was further propelled by the rise of the IP economy, with their works adapted into films, TV series, animations, and games. Many have also reached overseas audiences through translations published by international platforms and publishers. Here are some of the most prominent web fiction writers worth reading.
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From History to Fantasy: Five Chinese Writers Who Shaped a New Era of Storytelling
Pioneering cultivation fantasy and reinventing historical fiction, these five writers helped define the golden age of Chinese online literature. Read More
Six More Historical and Fantasy Writers You Need to Know
Whether it is a female coroner detective story or a sci-fi tale of survival on Mars, Chinese web novels are finding ways to resonate with readers beyond language barriers. Read more
Portrait of the Egg in China: More Than Just Food
From ancient creation myths to everyday meals, the humble egg has long been woven into Chinese culture and cuisine. Read more
20 Years of Stories from China | Exhibition
For two decades, The World of Chinese magazine has sought to tell stories of China that are richer and more nuanced than the stereotypes that so often define it. As a globally minded, English-language publication dedicated to original storytelling, we have invited writers, scholars, and observers from around the world to document a layered, ever-evolving China in their own words.
On our 20th anniversary, we have put together an exhibition that brings together iconic pages and design highlights from over a hundred past issues. From neighborhood flavors to societal shifts, from the visual dialogue between Chinese aesthetics and Latin typography to voices of readers across time zones—this is more than a retrospective of editorial design. It’s a journey shaped by writers, artists, and readers around the world. We invite you to slow down, flip through these ink-scented pages, read China, and revisit the moments that have defined the past two decades.
We’ve also set up a booth here where you’ll find magazines, books, merchandise, and more! Stop by to check out our exhibition and enjoy special on-site discounts!
“The World of Chinese Magazine: 20 Years of Original Stories from China” runs now through August 24.
📍Location: 112 Gulou West Street, Xicheng District
西城区鼓楼西大街112号 非遗文化雅集“时兮十二序”
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China’s humanoid robotics industry is growing fast. As the world’s largest robot producer, the country has seen these machines explode in popularity over the past two years, becoming ubiquitous at events, from live concerts to marathon races, and drawing crowds with their flashy moves. Yet many wonder why they remain largely confined to the stage rather than performing real work in factories and homes. In this issue, we speak with industry insiders to examine their current applications and what still stands in the way of their use in practical, everyday tasks. Support on-the-ground reporting from China—get your copy today!