Grief is an overwhelming emotional process, and everyone copes with it differently. For Chinese artist Zhou Yichen, that coping process involved creating a deeply personal and heartfelt video game to memorialize his late grandmother. Titled Grandma, the game is designed for the Game Boy, Nintendo’s retro handheld console first launched in Japan in 1989. Grandma blends nostalgia with closure in a creative and heart-tugging tribute.
In the game, players navigate a pixelated world inspired by Zhou’s childhood memories with his grandmother. The artist intentionally chose the Game Boy, a console from his youth, to enhance the sentimental tone. At different points of the game, players are immersed in poignant tasks Zhou shared with his grandmother, such as making dumplings or caring for plants.
Since its debut, the game has resonated with audiences worldwide, offering a space for players to reflect on loss and cherish memories in their own lives. Zhou said he made the game solely to commemorate his grandmother. “This game is not for entertainment or recreation, but to remember my grandma and record the time I spent with her, so I designed it completely based on real life.”
Beyond this project, Zhou’s portfolio is filled with other boundary-pushing works that explore memory, identity, and the human condition.
In his project Upstairs, Zhou examined the motivations for self-improvement and the journey that one takes to reach the apex of success, which is often riddled with perseverance and, at times, boredom.
Another standout project is Nothing Happen Today, a project conceived during the Covid-19 lockdowns and resulting social isolation. Zhou sought to capture the essence of daily life during this time when routines became monotonous and uneventful.
Browsing through his works, one can tell Zhou’s artistic vision is rooted in blending traditional themes with modern media, creating a dialogue between nostalgia and innovation. They consistently engage audiences on an emotional and human level, encouraging introspection and connection in the comings and goings of everyday life.
The reception to Grandma highlights the growing intersection between art and gaming, proving that video games can be powerful tools for storytelling and emotional expression. By transforming his grief into art, Zhou not only honors his grandmother’s memory, but also invites players to consider the beauty and fragility of human relationships.
In 2022, China’s largest food delivery platform introduced the pinhaofan service (拼好饭), roughly translating to “piece together a good meal.” Pinhaofan exploded in popularity in the latter half of 2024, and has been on the rise since. It allows customers located geographically close to each other to order the same food and place the order together as a group. Meals under this service range from 10 RMB (1.40 USD) cheaper than the original price to more than half off.
For regular orders, Meituan takes a percentage cut and the remaining is restaurant revenue. But for pinhaofan, Meituan sets a fixed revenue for each order type regardless of the order total.
A screenshot of pinhaofan in the Meituan food delivery app. Photo by the author.
After considering packing, labor costs, and utilities, restaurants make significantly less profit. Some restaurants will use cheaper or fewer ingredients to combat the profit lost. For instance, replacing fresh ingredients with pre-cooked items and putting less care into the grouped orders. As a result, portion size, taste, and hygiene all take a hit.
The delivery drivers also earn less delivering pinhaofan as compared to regular orders, since multiple delivery fees are combined into a few. In late November, a driver was fired for spitting in pinhaofan orders to protest unfair earnings.
The service has been ridiculed for its unstable quality and hygiene concerns. Netizens joked, “Food in the pot is for regular orders, food on the counter is for discounted orders, and food on the floor is for pinhaofan orders.” Good, fast, and cheap, you can’t have all three. But for some, there is no alternative to affordability.
A screenshot of pinhaofan in the Meituan food delivery app. Photo by the author.
Despite growing controversies, Meituan’s 2024 third-quarter operating profit margin grew by over 10% compared to the previous year. At the end of 2024, pinhaofan had spread to over 60 cities, including 29 first- and second-tier cities. It is predicted that the pinhaofan trend will continue to increase Meituan’s order volume in 2025.
Though netizens still make morbid jokes about getting poisoned by pinhaofan orders, there are still college students and lower-income individuals who rely on the cheap meals as consumption downgrades. Meituan must carefully balance the benefits for customers, shop owners, and delivery drivers. Seeing Meituan’s success, China’s second-largest food delivery platform Eleme (饿了么) has followed with their own version of a pinhaofan service. Despite the sometimes brutal mockery this cheaper group delivery service has received online, only time will tell whether pinhaofan remains a stable feature in China’s food delivery ecosystem.
As winter approaches, warm dishes have become an ever greater necessity for Chinese people. Among them, hotpot stands out as a favorite due to its wide variety of vegetable and meat options. But how much does a hotpot meal usually cost? 200 RMB? 100 RMB? Many young people are flocking to more economical restaurants to enjoy hotpot meals that are just as delicious as those from pricier establishments.
The trend began with spontaneous online sharing of affordable hotpot spots in different cities. One blogger shared her experience of having a self-service hotpot meal for just 30 RMB (approximately 4 USD). The price included a generous selection of meats and vegetables displayed buffet-style, along with the essential soup base.
A netizen from Taiwan expressed shock, commenting, “Don’t you charge tips or something? 30 RMB is unimaginably cheap!” A mainland netizen humorously replied, “No tips here, and yes, it’s that cheap—but so are our salaries!”
This trend has been captured in the hashtag #花小钱吃大锅 (“Eat Big Pot with Little Money”). The growing preference for affordable hotpot reflects broader economic realities.
Young people are shedding extravagant lifestyles, embracing simpler, more economical choices. In Guizhou, for example, fish hotpot is a common street food. For just 20 to 30 RMB, diners can enjoy numerous slices of fresh fish cooked with traditional Guizhou spices. In Xiamen, hidden alleyway hotpot spots are gaining popularity among frugal customers.
A typical one-man self-service hotpot in China with a budget between 30 to 50 RMB, photo via Xiaohongshu
In megacities, however, low-cost hotpot options are less common. Urban residents often face a trade-off, spending more time searching for affordable meals. One blogger described his journey to enjoy hotpot in urban villages — a time-intensive but budget-friendly choice.
For young diners in China, restaurant decor is no longer a key factor. Acceptable taste and affordable prices take priority. While spending less on basic living has become a new philosophy, one thing is certain: a warm hotpot remains an irreplaceable winter delight.
Compared to Western cultures, beer is relatively new in China’s long history of alcohol production and consumption. For the most part, ancient Chinese brewing traditions focused on jiu (fermented grain beverages), such as huangjiu (yellow wine used mainly for cooking), and other rice- and sorghum-based liquors like the ubiquitous bai jiu. Beer was first introduced to China in the early 19th century by German settlers in Qingdao, a coastal city in Shandong province. This led to the establishment of the iconic Tsingtao Brewery in 1903, which remains a major player in the local and global beer industry.
Today, while Tsingtao and Snow––the top beer in China, though lacking the global presence its number two competitor commands––continue to supply the largest beer-consuming country in the world, Chinese craft beer labels are becoming increasingly popular thanks to adventurous tipplers who are looking for bolder and more exciting brews. Below, we toast to some notable craft breweries in China and Hong Kong that aren’t afraid of taking risks with bold concoctions and unconventional ingredients, bracing a beverage landscape dominated by commercial giants.
Founded in 2010, Great Leap Brewing is Beijing’s first microbrewery and a pioneer in the Chinese craft beer scene. Renowned for blending local Chinese ingredients into their brews, their flagship beer, Honey Ma Gold, features the distinctive, spicy notes of Sichuan peppercorns. Over the years, they’ve expanded their offerings to include beers inspired by regional flavors, like their Iron Buddha Blonde infused with oolong tea. Great Leap actively collaborates with other breweries worldwide, creating cross-cultural brews that bridge traditions. They’ve also become a hub for community, hosting beer-pairing dinners and educational sessions on the history of beer in China.
Also from Beijing, Jing-A Brewing Co. has gained a reputation for playful experimental batches, like red koji rice-infused brews reflecting Chinese alcohol history, and a beer flavored with hawthorn for a bold and refreshing twist. Besides its core collection, Jing-A’s seasonal offerings run the gamut from wild, yeast-fermented beers to brews containing watermelons from Daxing district. Those craving a taste of Jing-A’s beers in China will find them easily: they currently operate eight taprooms across Beijing in spots like CBD, Xingfucun, and Wangjing.
Wuhan No.18 Brewing, founded in 2013 by master brewer Wang Fan, is Wuhan’s first dedicated craft brewery, blending traditional brewing disciplines with local flavors. Known for innovative beers like Mandarin Blowand Peach’s Love, the microbrewery puts the spotlight on Chinese aromatics like mandarin, osmanthus, and pomelo. Despite challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, the brewery has revitalized Wuhan’s craft beer scene, symbolizing resilience and creativity while fostering a unique cultural and culinary identity in China’s beer landscape.
Boxing Cat Brewery, established in 2008 in Shanghai, is a pioneering craft brewery known for its American-style beers and Southern-inspired cuisine. Their flagship beers include the TKO IPA, an American IPA brewed with four different US hops, and the Sucker Punch Pale Ale, an American Pale Ale dry-hopped with Citra hops for additional aroma and flavor. Beyond their core offerings, Boxing Cat is known for seasonal collaborations, including experimental brews with local Chinese ingredients like goji berries and jasmine tea. Boxing Cat’s innovation hasn’t gone unnoticed: they’ve won awards at global beer competitions and have represented Chinese craft beer at festivals worldwide.
Hong Kong’s Moonzen Brewery draws inspiration from Chinese mythology, with each beer named after legendary figures and folk gods. This unique approach combines rich cultural heritage and storytelling with exceptional craft brewing. Moonzen has experimented with an ancient brewing technique based on a 5,000-year-old recipe, while incorporating ingredients like longan honey and Sichuan peppercorns into experimental batches. Their brewery tours double as storytelling sessions, offering visitors a deep dive into the myths behind each beer. Seasonal releases often celebrate traditional festivals, such as a smoked beer brewed to honor the Dragon Boat Festival.
Part brewery, part social enterprise, Breer addresses food waste by transforming surplus bread into craft beer in an effort to promote sustainability. Founded by two students at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Breer began by collecting unsold bread from bakeries and experimenting with brewing techniques. Their first product, a pale ale, launched commercially in 2021. Since then, they’ve partnered with local businesses to scale their bread collection efforts and further reduce waste. Their lineup now includes unique limited-edition brews inspired by traditional Hong Kong pastries like egg tarts and bolo buns (aka pineapple buns), a classic Hong Kong sweet bun layered with a crusty topping that looks like a pineapple.
A new product is gaining popularity among Chinese parents: tutoring tablets. These devices are designed to assist school-aged children with learning, offering exercises and mock exams across various subjects. Despite their high price — nearly 4,000 RMB, or $548 USD — parents continue to debate their effectiveness while showing strong interest in purchasing them.
One of the pioneers in the tutoring tablet market is Xueersi. Before 2021, the education sector in China was booming, with companies like Xueersi offering extracurricular courses. After regulatory changes in 2021 banned such tutoring services, many education companies shifted their focus to technological devices. For Xueersi, this transition was eased by its established reputation for delivering high-quality educational services to a loyal customer base.
Students experience Xueersi’s latest AI-driven learning tablet in Beijing 2024. Photo via chinadaily.
Another major player, Xiaoyuan, has leveraged its expertise in technology to compete in this growing market. Originally founded as a search engine, Xiaoyuan gained popularity for its accurate OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology, which allows students to scan exercises and receive detailed solutions. In 2024, Xiaoyuan launched its first black-and-white, paper-like screen tutoring tablet, which quickly sold over one million units. Building on user feedback from over 0.9 million reports, the company has since introduced a color-screen version to appeal to younger children.
Xiaoyuan showcased its diverse course content for different age groups on their latest version of colored screen tablets. Image via Xiaoyuan.
In addition to former education giants, tech companies are also entering the field. iFlyTek, for instance, has won support from parents with its versatile question banks and reliable question recognition and correction systems. The rise of EdTech reflects evolving trends in Chinese families’ educational investments. With education remaining a top priority, more families—now often with multiple children due to relaxed birth control policies—are opting for tools like tutoring tablets, which cater to children of different ages. Unlike one-time investments in extracurricular courses, these devices offer continued utility across siblings.
Tutoring tablets have already become an essential product for families with school-aged children. Ultimately, their effectiveness depends on the child’s own initiative and engagement. Nevertheless, learning through interactive tools like these tablets offers a promising alternative for education in the digital age.
Penang, the island famous for its vibrant food, heritage attractions, and photogenic buildings, is experiencing a significant increase in direct flights to and from China. Airlines are expanding their services to meet the growing demand for travel between these regions.
Shanghai Airlines, for instance, increased its direct flights from Shanghai to Penang from three times a week to daily flights starting December 19 last year, responding to positive feedback on the route. Additionally, Penang welcomed its maiden direct flight from Xi’an in December 2024, operated by Hangzhou-based Loong Air. The Xi’an-Penang route features two flights per week using an Airbus A320, with a capacity of 168 seats.
The 132-year-old Kek Lok Si Temple is one of Penang’s most prominent landmarks. Image via On Penang.
Malaysia’s leading low-cost carrier, AirAsia, has also launched four-time weekly direct flights between Penang and Shenzhen.
The strategic move to increase routes to Penang comes amidst the loosening of visa restrictions in China for visiting Malaysians. Currently, Malaysians can enter and remain in China without a visa for up to 30 days for business, travel, and transiting purposes.
The increased connectivity has led to a substantial rise in Chinese tourist arrivals. In the first half of 2024, the number of Chinese tourists flying directly to Penang surged by 244.21%, with 44,847 visitors, compared to 13,029 during the same period in 2023. This expansion reflects the rising interest among Chinese travelers in Penang’s unique offerings.
A quintessential plate of Penang char kuey teow. Image via Michelin.
Several factors contribute to Penang’s attractiveness to Chinese tourists. The island’s rich cultural heritage is exemplified by the UNESCO-listed capital city of George Town, a coastal enclave of age-old temples, pastel-painted alleyways, British colonial architecture, and Michelin-recognized food that ranges from local delicacies like nasi kandar (steamed rice with assorted curry gravies, proteins, and vegetables) to Chinese-inspired dishes such as char kuey teow (wok-fried flat noodles served with seasoned garnish).
Language accessibility also enhances the travel experience for Chinese travelers. With a significant Chinese-speaking population, communication is seamless and services such as guided tours in Mandarin are readily available, so that tourists from China can immerse themselves in the local culture without language barriers.
The surge in flight connectivity and tourist arrivals is poised to strengthen Penang’s tourism sector and foster deeper economic ties with China. Local stakeholders, including hoteliers and small businesses, are optimistic about the positive ripple effects on the local economy. As Penang charms growing numbers of Chinese travelers, the island continues to solidify its position as a must-visit destination in Southeast Asia.
