Digging Caterpillar Fungus | Tencent “Living”

on June 29, 2016

Every year between May and June, villagers in a Tibetan region in Sichuan province head into the mountains, at altitudes above 4,600 meters, in search of yarsagumba, or caterpillar fungus, a half-fungus, half-insect plant known in China for its health benefits. Because the plants are rare and difficulty to collect, its market price can rise to as high as U.S.$50,000 per pound. For many Tibetan families, yarsagumba is a major, and sometimes the only, source of income.

The River of Time | Tencent

on June 29, 2016

The Chengdu Photography Center’s current exhibition, “The River of Time,” features renowned Chinese photographer Li Zhensheng’s work spanning 60 years. Li’s collection of photographs, including the one above, depicting swimmers reading Mao Zedong’s The Little Red Book before taking a plunge in the river, provides a rare and nuanced glimpse of the Cultural Revolution.

Guys and Dolls: Lonely Hearts Seek Love Not Lust | Sixth Tone

on June 29, 2016

Xu Haifeng follows three silicone doll owners in China—men who keep the dolls as companions and, sometimes, as sex toys. Most doll owners keep their dolls a secret from their families and communities, choosing instead to share their stories in online forums. But a few men bring their dolls out in public, where they often receive a lot of attention and ridicule from passersby.

Tombs Covered in Poppies | Tencent

on June 29, 2016

Kokang, Myanmar is a region bordering Yunnan province where casinos and gambling are legal. It is a destination for many gamblers from China. Here, drugs are easily accessible because they are provided by the casinos and easy to obtain on the street. According to Tencent, thousands of Chinese gamblers have lost all their money in casinos, become addicted to drugs, and wound up stranded in Kokang over the past decade.

Islam in Taiwan | Tencent

on June 29, 2016

Taiwan’s Muslims make up only 0.23 percent of the island’s estimated 23 million population. Most are Chinese Muslims whose ancestors came from the mainland during two periods: first in the 17th century following Chinese marine commander Zheng Chenggong’s campaign of resistance against the Manchu conquest, and later in the mid-20th century following the Nationalist retreat after the Chinese Civil War.

Drag Queens | The Paper

on June 29, 2016

China’s urban population has slowly become more accepting of sexual and gender minorities, but drag queens are still among the most discriminated against. In this gallery, photographer Jia Yanan follows the difficulties and challenges of three drag queens. You can see the gallery on their English-language, partner website Sixth Tone.