A Thousand Whys

The chrysanthemum flower is one of China's top ten most popular flowers, boasting a cultivation history of over 3,000 years. These flowers not only add vibrant colors to the autumn season but are also deeply tied to the Double Ninth Festival. In this episode, we'll explore the connection between chrysanthemum and this festival, as well as its special significance in Chinese culture.

As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, many places in China will be delighted with the enchanting scent of golden osmanthus. In this episode of "A Thousand Whys," we delve into the deep-rooted affection that Chinese people have for this flower and explore the rich symbolism it carries in Chinese culture.

A bull, a bronze tripod, a city gate latch—nothing was too heavy to lift! The awe for extraordinary strength dates back centuries. Curious about how ancient people in China practiced weightlifting? Tune in to find out!

(00:47) Travel back in time with Pierre de Coubertin to the scene of Unbeatable Strongman Challenge.

(03:30) Zhu Xianlin, a coach who has trained numerous national-level weightlifting athletes, explains the benefits of weightlifting.

(04:44) Explore weightlifting in the modern Olympics.

Have you ever thought about learning some wrestling movements and postures? Follow Pierre de Coubertin to travel back in time to an ancient Chinese wrestling arena. Discover the rich cultural significance and unique techniques that set Chinese wrestling apart from other styles across the globe.

(00:21) Step back in time with Monsieur de Coubertin as he experiences the vibrant world of traditional Chinese wrestling.

(04:04) Gain insights from a former coach of China's national wrestling team as he sheds light on the deep-rooted traditions of Chinese wrestling.

(05:39) Explore wrestling in the modern Olympics.

Imagine a diving competition where athletes leap not from a springboard on the ground, but from a swing that's suspended on a boat! In this episode, follow Pierre de Coubertin, father of the modern Olympics, on an exhilarating journey as he explores this unique ancient Chinese sport. Discover its fascinating techniques and see how its spirit resonates with sports in the modern era!

(00:52) A fun micro-radio drama of a special diving match.

(03:42) How ancient books describe water swing diving.

(04:25) Interview with Professor Cui Lequan about the similarities and differences between water swing diving and modern-day diving.

Ta-da! Get ready for a wild ride with our new mini-series Sports Fantasia!

We're time-traveling back to ancient China with none other than Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the modern Olympics, to uncover some seriously cool sports secrets.

Who comes to mind when thinking of a great archer — Eagle Eye, Oliver Queen (Green Arrow), Robin Hood, or maybe Cupid? In ancient China, archers didn't just aim for the bullseye; they shot in sync with musical rhythms! Why, you ask? In this episode, we explore the traditions of Chinese archery rituals and follow Monsieur Coubertin on his time-traveling adventure to see it all firsthand.

(01:00) Monsieur Coubertin's adventure; (04:40) Who comes to mind when thinking of a great archer? (06:09) What archery was called in ancient China and hear from Professor Cheng, a historian from Tsinghua University in Beijing, about ancient archery rituals.

Click to watch Monsieur Coubertin's adventure.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/R0KJxBAL7hM

Get ready for an exciting adventure with "Sports Fantasia"! Join us as we travel back to ancient China to experience traditional Chinese sports. With Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the modern Olympics, we'll explore a fascinating mix of historical sports and shared cultural values. Coming soon!

The lotus flower, known as "荷花" in Chinese, is one of the top ten most popular flowers in China. In this episode, we'll discover why the lotus plant holds such a special place in the hearts of Chinese people.

When it comes to Chinese folk songs, "茉莉花" (jasmine flower) is often the first that comes to mind. But did you know that its name is also meant to encourage selflessness? In this episode of "A Thousand Whys," we explore why this gentle white flower holds such a special place in the hearts of Chinese people.

Duanwu Festival, or the Dragon Boat Festival, is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month on the traditional Chinese calendar, which falls on June 10 this year. As a traditional Chinese festival, it is celebrated in various ways, one of which is hanging Chinese mugwort. But do you know where this custom comes from? In this episode, we will show you the story behind this custom!