One of my earliest memories of classical dance was watching Mikhail Baryshnikov in White Nights brazenly win a bet with 11 consecutive pirouettes. The raw beauty and heroism of the moment stayed with me. But nothing compared to what I witnessed in New York for my first glimpse of classical Chinese dance.

Tales of noble kings, daring robberies, and talking trees. 

A glimpse into Mademoiselle Chanel’s iconic Rue Cambon apartment, the things she loved, and the power of symbols that inspired a world of couture.

We take a look at polo’s majestic past and present.

Bearing the inscription “Revere Heavenand Serve thy People”, the Seal of the Mandate of Heaven is the largest and most powerful ever carved for the Kangxi Emperor.

Chinese history is full of inspiring stories about businessmen and bankers who amass great fortunes by maintaining Confucian ethics of righteousness, credibility, and putting profit as the lowest priority.

Though Yue Fei of the Song Dynasty failed to restore his kingdom to greatness, the example of loyalty and conduct he left behind was great enough to inspire generations of Chinese.

Li Jing, a renowned general, helped establish the Tang Dynasty through decades of military exploits, mastering the arts of surprise, timing, and seizing opportunity.

The story of how a military genius Sun Bing, nearly destroyed by his sworn brother Pang Juan, passed his secrets of battle strategy to the world.

Guo Ziyi, a general and leader during the renowned Tang Dynasty, had the rare distinction of actually living out what ancient books said Chinese officials should be like.

The ancient Chinese advisor Yan Shu led no army and solved no crisis, but his firm hand and benevolent presence nurtured a generation of talent in the Song Dynasty.

The talented Zhang Jiuling suffered setbacks while creating lasting works of governance, civil engineering and poetry but he never suffered fools.

One of the most forthright of China’s top royal advisors was likened to a mirror reflecting the mistakes of the court.

Among all of China’s dynasty’s, the most influential and grand is said to be the Tang dynasty. Its founding father was Emperor Taizong; the woman by his side, Empress Zhangsun. 

The third daughter of the famous Han dynasty General Ma Yuan was only 13 years old at the time of her father’s death and her mother’s mental instability but she bravely stepped forward to take care of the entire family. ...