China Travel
![The Psychology of Strongmen](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/rou20200121-378tn.jpg)
The Psychology of Strongmen
We are seeing a global rise of strongmen leaders. We take a look at what make strongmen tick and why they gain followers.
![How Mountains Move](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/rou20220212-412tn.jpg)
How Mountains Move
Mountains grow, shrink and change shape both slowly and suddenly, and human behavior is changing them in alarming ways.
![The Style that Went Around the World](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Neo-Gothictn.jpg)
The Style that Went Around the World
Most Gothic architecture was built in the 19th and 20th centuries when the medieval style underwent a global revival. Now, Gothic is trending again.
![How To Archive Your Photos](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Photo-archiving-tn.jpg)
How To Archive Your Photos
Globally, we all take some 1.44 trillion photos annually. Far fewer get organized and archived. Here's how to organize yours.
![Elderly in China](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Elderly-107tn.jpg)
Elderly in China
An increase in the proportion of elderly in China because of a low fertility rate and longer life spans is threatening to short circuit prosperity.
![The Sustainable Culture of Yogurt Jars](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Yogurt-jars-12tn.jpg)
The Sustainable Culture of Yogurt Jars
Cute little glass and ceramic yogurt jars have become a DIY trend and recycling strategy.
![Comeback of the Courtyard House](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/IMG_3381tn.jpg)
Comeback of the Courtyard House
The pandemic, soaring cost of housing and environmental concerns are renewing interest in courtyard houses, albeit on a miniature scale.
![Tradition in a Teapot](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/IMG_3395tn.jpg)
Tradition in a Teapot
Unglazed clay Yixing teapots hold within them hundreds of years of tradition and craftsmanship.
![Confucius Conundrum](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Qufu-45tn.jpg)
Confucius Conundrum
Chinese-sponsored Confucius Institutes have taken an international hit because of broader controversial China policies.
![Traditional Asian Treats](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/rou20181106-169tn.jpg)
Traditional Asian Treats
Some of the best Southeast Asian treats are simple, traditional ones available at sidewalk restaurants and street stands.
![A Classical Chinese Garden](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/rou20180918-278tn.jpg)
A Classical Chinese Garden
Lan Su Chinese Garden in Portland, Ore., was built by artisans from the garden city of Suzhou, China, to demonstrate the basic elements of Chinese gardens.
![Qing Ming Painting Resonates Over Centuries](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Boattn.jpg)
Qing Ming Painting Resonates Over Centuries
China's most famous painting captured traditional life, the traces of which have survived into modern times.
![Making a Box for a Chinese Painting](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/rou20210217-003tn.jpg)
Making a Box for a Chinese Painting
We built a wooden box for a treasured hand-painted copy of China's most famous painting - Along the River During the Qingming Festival.
![Peace Village](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Peace-Village-171.jpg)
Peace Village
We take a look back at a remote Chinese village that is now a crowded tourist destination.
![Gift Wrapping](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/IMG_2467tn.jpg)
Gift Wrapping
Wrapping gifts beautifully can help take the edge off of social distancing during the holidays.
![China’s Stone Scriptures](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Stone-Scripture-16tn.jpg)
China’s Stone Scriptures
Thousands of Buddhist scriptures carved in stone and buried for centuries are among China's greatest cultural treasures.
![Inside a Chinese Painting](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/selects0038tn.jpg)
Inside a Chinese Painting
Take a quick break and enjoy spectacular scenery on a boat trip down the Li River near Guilin, China.
![Private Paradises Amid Adversity](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/japanese-roomtn.jpg)
Private Paradises Amid Adversity
Sheltering at home has been accompanied by an outpouring of creativity that can help us cope with adversity and shape our future.
![What does the future hold?](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/IMG_1596tn.jpg)
What does the future hold?
Dozens of experts’ analysis of long-term trends can help us identify the challenges and opportunities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
![Ancient Silk Road Meets High Tech](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/rou20200124-066tn.jpg)
Ancient Silk Road Meets High Tech
The International Dunhuang Project digitizes old documents, caves and artifacts to enable global study of Central Asian history.
![Calendars - The Way We Keep Time](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Calendars-tn.jpg)
Calendars - The Way We Keep Time
Our calendar system evolved over thousands of years and is continuing to do so with electronic calendars and globalization.
![Tiananmen Square](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/selects0151tn.jpg)
Tiananmen Square
China's Oct. 1 celebration of 70 years of Communist rule centers on Tiananmen Square, one of the world’s most controversial places.
![Sustainable Clothing](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Clothingtn.jpg)
Sustainable Clothing
The trade war with China. Environment degradation. Household debt. To bring all of them into focus, we can look in our closets.
![Din Tai Fung Sightings](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/rou20170407-140tn.jpg)
Din Tai Fung Sightings
Din Tai Fung restaurants' delicious takes on common Taiwanese foods, especially steamed dumplings, have brought a devoted global following.
![Mountain Men and the Fur Trade](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/rou20170902-397tn.jpg)
Mountain Men and the Fur Trade
The colorful annual mountain men rendezvous at Fort Bridger, Wyoming, commemorates the 19th century global fur trade.
![The World is Flat (Bread)](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Focassiatn.jpg)
The World is Flat (Bread)
Flatbreads are oldest, easiest breads and the most modern - pizza and tortillas are among the most popular foods. See our recipes.
![Islam in China](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Religion-Islam-tn.jpg)
Islam in China
Muslims in China are a diverse religious and cultural group with a tumultuous history who take various sides in political disputes.
![China’s Export Porcelain](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Hongbowltn.jpg)
China’s Export Porcelain
Chinese porcelain is durable and branded with its history, so it is used to trace China’s trade and cultural ties with other nations.
![The Summer Palace](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Summer-Palace-140tn.jpg)
The Summer Palace
The Summer Palace, the most famous and heartbreaking of China's glorious imperial gardens, highlights dilemmas in the nation’s past.
![Thirty Years Since Tiananmen](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Tiananmen-tn.jpg)
Thirty Years Since Tiananmen
Thirty years ago, students staged pro-democracy protests on Tiananmen Square that shook China's Communist government.
![The Elephant Needs the Room](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/elephanttn.jpg)
The Elephant Needs the Room
Despite tough bans on ivory trade, Africa's elephants are declining in numbers because of poaching and trafficking of illegal ivory.
![Scaffolding the World](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Forbidden-City-scaffoldingtn.jpg)
Scaffolding the World
Finding a historical site shrouded in scaffolding is disappointing, but it is a valuable tool for preserving the world's heritage.
![Treasure Room and Two Palaces](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Incense-burnertn.jpg)
Treasure Room and Two Palaces
In the French palace at Fontainebleau is a treasure room of dazzling artifacts taken by the French army from a palace in Beijing.
![Sustainable Bamboo](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Bamboo-tn.jpg)
Sustainable Bamboo
Eat it, build a home or furniture with it, use it in the kitchen, use it for plumbing, wear it, make fences or containers with it.
![China’s Walled Cities](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Tiananmen-Square-135-tn.jpg)
China’s Walled Cities
Only scattered remnants survive of the many walled cities that once defined the Chinese empire.
![Traces of an Ancient Superpower](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Horyujitn.jpg)
Traces of an Ancient Superpower
Traces of an ancient Chinese superpower remain far away in Japan, the eastern end of the Silk Road.
![Chinese Moments Published](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Chinese-Moments-tn.jpg)
Chinese Moments Published
Chinese Moments, our photo book on China in the turbulent 1980s and 1990s, has been published as an ebook and paperback.
![The Round Door Arrives](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Round-door2-tn.jpg)
The Round Door Arrives
The Thoughtful House's round door has arrived and been installed. Our video and blog celebrate round architecture.
![Mortise-and-Tenon Timbers](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/rou20151029-071tn.jpg)
Mortise-and-Tenon Timbers
Mortise-and-tenon timber construction, one of the most ancient forms of construction, is today a specialty craft.