Dialects with a twist 方言玩出新花样 With punchlines, parody, and plenty of personality, young Chinese are making local dialects cool again — and sparking a nationwide language revival. 借助热梗、模仿和十足的个性，中国年轻人正让地方方言“潮”起来，引发全民语言复兴 " Has the grain been filled?" is a playful way of asking, "Have you eaten?" Similarly, "Your hands are like excavators, with the strength of bears, wolves, and leopards "means "You have a strong grip." These expressions, marked by grammatical quirks and vivid metaphors, are known as Nangyanwen or "Nan Chinese". “饭吃了没有（粮食装满了吗）？”是一种调侃式的说法，意思是“你吃了吗？”又如，“你的手像挖掘机，熊狼豹的劲儿都有”则是在夸“你手劲儿很大”。这些语法独特、比喻生动的表达方式，被称为“馕言文”，也就是“馕式中文”。 Nan , a type of baked flatbread, is a staple food for the Uygur, Kazakh, and some other ethnic groups in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. Recently, Nangyanwen has gone viral across major Chinese social media platforms, with many people eager to imitate and learn these distinctive expressions. “馕”是一种烤制的扁平面饼，是新疆维吾尔自治区维吾尔族、哈萨克族等民族的主食。近期，“馕言文”在中国主要社交媒体平台上迅速走红，许多人纷纷模仿、学习这些独具特色的表达方式。 One of the key figures promoting this trend is Mardanjan Ruzi, a vlogger from Xinjiang. Since February, he has released seven videos featuring the dialect, each garnering tens of millions of views. He explains that Nangyanwen is a "hybrid" of Mandarin and Uygur ways of thinking — when Mandarin fails to precisely convey a thought, speakers borrow key elements from Uygur sentence structures, creating uniquely inverted phrases and imaginative metaphors. 新疆视频博主马尔丹江·如孜是推动这一趋势的重要人物之一。今年2月以来，他已经发布了7条与“馕言文”相关的视频，每条视频都收获了数千万次观看。他解释说，馕言文是一种融合普通话和维吾尔语思维方式的“混合表达”——当普通话难以准确传达某个想法时，说话者便借用维吾尔语的句式结构，从而创造出语序倒装、比喻丰富的独特短语。 " Nangyanwen is lively because it's deeply rooted in the daily lives of Xinjiang people," Ruzi said, recalling his early videos from 2022, when he referred to this style as "Xinjiang talk", before the term Nangyanwen was coined. At the time, however, many people saw accented, locally flavored languages as "rustic" and felt embarrassed to speak them. “馕言文之所以生动，是因为它深深植根于新疆人的日常生活。”如孜说。他回忆称，早在2022年他就发布过类似风格的视频，当时他把这种表达方式称为“新疆普通话”，那时候“馕言文”这个名称还没有被提出来。然而，当时不少人认为带地方口音的表达“土气”，并不愿意开口使用。 " Thanks to this online trend, 'Xinjiang talk' is now seen as humorous and fun, and Xinjiang people as warm and friendly. It encourages everyone to connect with us and learn our way of speaking," he said. Ruzi believes that Nangyanwen has gained popularity across China because it's easy to pick up. “现在因为网络上的热度，‘新疆普通话’被视为幽默有趣，新疆人也被看作热情友好。这让更多人愿意接近我们、了解我们说话的方式。”如孜说。他认为，馕言文能在全国范围内流行，是因为它容易上手。 Unlike some dialects that require systematic study, Nangyanwen's appeal lies in having "a foundation in Mandarin with a regional twist". It mainly involves adjusting word order and adding distinctive vocabulary, making this form of "micro-innovation" more accessible to a wider audience. In Ruzi's view, Nangyanwen acts as a bridge between pure Xinjiang dialect and Mandarin. By connecting the two, it allows Xinjiang's language and culture to be better preserved and shared. 与某些需要系统学习的方言不同，馕言文的优势在于“以普通话为基础，加入地方特色”。它主要通过调整语序和加入有特色的词汇，使这种“微创新”的表达更容易为大众接受。如孜认为，馕言文像是一座桥梁，连接了新疆本地的语言与普通话，使得新疆的语言与文化能够更好地保护与传播。

Tradition and flavor unite 粽香中品味传统 From patriotic poet to delicious dumplings, the appeal of the Dragon Boat Festival endures 从爱国诗人到美味粽子，端午节的魅力经久不衰 The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Duanwu Festival, is a significant traditional Chinese celebration that falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. It is also the first Chinese festival to be included in the UNESCO world intangible cultural heritage list. One of the festival's enduring customs is eating zongzi — sweet or savory stuffed rice dumplings wrapped in plant leaves. 龙舟节，又称端午节，是中国重要的传统节日，逢阴历五月初五。这也是第一个被列入联合国教科文组织世界非物质文化遗产名录的中国节日。端午节传统习俗之一是吃粽子——由粽叶包裹糯米加入馅料制成，口味有甜有咸。 China 's zongzi culture has a very long and time-honored history, and stories that have been told about it for thousands of years are known to every household. 中国的粽子文化历史悠久，背后的故事流传千年、家喻户晓。 During the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), a patriotic poet from the State of Chu named Qu Yuan threw himself into a river after the state was conquered. The people of Chu were deeply saddened, and they went to the river to mourn him. In order to protect his body from being eaten by fish and shrimp, people threw rice dumplings into the river every year on the anniversary of his death. The dumplings became known as zongzi. 战国时期（公元前475-221年），楚国爱国诗人屈原在楚国被征服后投江自尽。楚人悲痛万分，纷纷到江边哀悼。为保护他的尸体不被鱼虾吃掉，人们每年都会在他忌日把米做的饭团扔进江里，也就是现在的粽子。 The ingredients used to make zongzi vary from region to region, so there are many differences in shape and taste. Most are made with plain white glutinous rice. The northern varieties are usually sweet, with ingredients such as sugar, red bean paste and jujubes. On the other hand, southern zongzi are more savory — especially those from Jiaxing in Zhejiang. 制作粽子的食材因地区而异，形状和口味因此也有很大差异。大多数粽子用白糯米做成。北方粽子通常是甜的，食材有糖、红豆沙和枣。而南方的粽子偏咸，尤其是浙江嘉兴粽子。 Jiaxing zongzi are a renowned specialty in China's Jiangnan (south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River) and have a rich history. The city, historically known as the "granary of the nation", has been a significant rice-growing area in Chinese history. Jiaxing's savory zongzi are filled with soy sauce, pork, water chestnuts and salted duck egg yolk. 嘉兴粽子是中国江南（长江下游以南）著名的特产，历史悠久。嘉兴市是中国历史上重要的水稻种植区，被誉为“中国粮仓”。嘉兴咸粽子食材包括酱油、猪肉、荸荠和咸鸭蛋黄。 During the Dragon Boat Festival, zongzi is not only enjoyed for its culinary appeal but also cherished for its cultural significance. Families and friends gather to make and share the delicious treat, strengthening bonds and fostering a sense of community. Eating zongzi during the festival is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits, making it an essential part of the celebrations. 端午节期间，粽子不仅带给人们美食享受，还因其文化意义被人们珍视。家人、朋友聚在一起，制作和分享美味粽子、增进感情、融洽邻里关系。人们相信节日期间吃粽子会带来好运、驱除恶灵，因此粽子是庆祝活动中必不可少的一部分。

Oldest Sichuan pepper seeds unearthed 最古老的花椒种子出土 Discovery in Ziyang reveals love for spicy food during Paleolithic period 资阳考古发现揭示旧石器时代人类对辛辣食物的偏爱 Some 60,000-year-old wild Sichuan pepper seeds unearthed at the Mengxihe Site in Ziyang, Sichuan province, have helped shed light on Paleolithic human diets that included a spicy and numbing flavor. 四川省资阳市濛溪河遗址出土约6万年前的野生花椒种子，表明旧石器时代人类饮食中已经包含麻辣的味道。 As plants decay easily, finding plant seeds in archaeological sites is rare. Zheng Zhexuan, director of the Paleolithic Archaeology Institute at the Sichuan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, said researchers were excited when they confirmed in late 2024, after more than a year of meticulous analysis, that the tiny, near-round items are Sichuan pepper seeds. 由于植物容易腐烂，考古遗址中鲜少发现植物种子。四川省文物考古研究院旧石器考古研究所所长郑喆轩表示，经过一年多的细致分析，研究人员于2024年底确认这些微小、近似圆形的物体为花椒种子，这一发现令人兴奋。 " They are the oldest Sichuan pepper seeds unearthed at sites with human activity worldwide, an extremely rare discovery even at historical sites that are just a few hundred years old," Zheng said. "It suggests that tens of millennia ago, ancient humans in Sichuan may have already used it for flavoring. The love for spicy, numbing flavors might truly be etched in Sichuan people's DNA!" “这是目前全球范围内出土于有人类活动遗址中最古老的花椒种子，即便在仅有数百年历史的遗址中，这样的发现也极为罕见。”郑喆轩说，“这表明在数万年前，四川的古人类可能已经使用花椒调味。四川人对麻辣的偏爱，或许真的刻在了基因里！” The water-rich environment caused by floods resulting from climate change helped block oxygen and germs, significantly slowing degradation and preserving a large number of plant remains, he said. "The Sichuan pepper is possibly the earliest known evidence of humans using spices for flavoring, offering unprecedented insights into early humans' culinary sophistication." 他表示，气候变化引发的洪水使当地环境富含水分，阻隔了氧气和微生物，从而大大减缓了有机物的分解，留下了大量植物遗存。“这一花椒种子可能是迄今最早的人类使用香料调味的证据，为早期人类的烹饪先进程度提供了前所未有的见解。” Beyond possible seasoning, the site provides a vivid picture of ancient diets. More than 30 animal species, including extinct stegodons, bears, birds, cattle and fish, were identified from fossils bearing cut marks and signs of fire — evidence of hunting, butchering and barbecuing. Edible plant remains such as walnuts, grapes and acorns demonstrate the diversity of the foraging economy. Researchers also found a high proportion of elderberry and carpet bugle plants, which are commonly used for treating injuries and promoting blood circulation in traditional Chinese medicine. This suggests early usage of medicinal plants. 除了可能存在的调味品，该遗址还生动呈现了古代饮食结构。考古人员在带有切割痕迹和火烧痕迹的化石中，鉴定出包括已灭绝的剑齿象、熊、鸟、牛、鱼等30多种动物，显示出狩猎、屠宰及烧烤的证据。此外，还发现了核桃、葡萄、橡实等可食用植物遗存，证明了当时多样化的采集经济模式。研究人员还发现了大量接骨木果和匍筋骨草，这些植物在传统中医中常用于治疗损伤、活血化瘀，这表明早期人类可能已经使用药用植物。 The site has yielded more than 210,000 stone tools, animal fossils and related fragments, along with more than 60,000 plant seeds and spores. These discoveries provide the first material evidence verifying the existence of a foraging economy during the Middle Paleolithic period, making it the only site with abundant plant remains identified to date in the context of modern human evolutionary dispersal. 该遗址出土了超过21万件石制工具、动物化石及相关碎片，以及超过6万粒植物种子和孢子。这些发现首次提供了实物证据，证实了中旧石器时代的采集经济模式，该遗址成为目前在现代人类演化扩散背景下唯一一个发现丰富植物遗存的遗址。 " This site proves ancient humans here practiced broad-spectrum resource utilization much earlier than believed," Zheng said. "They weren't just surviving; they maintained local stone implement technologies while developing complex behaviors similar to modern people." It marks a major breakthrough in studying the origins and early cultural development of East Asia. “这一遗址证明，早期人类在这里远比我们想象中更早地开始了广谱资源利用。”郑喆轩表示，“他们不仅仅是在生存，而是在保持本地石器技术的同时，还发展出与现代人相似的复杂行为。”这一发现是研究东亚人类起源与早期文化发展的重大突破。

When real healing means pushing through the pain 当真正的疗愈意味着穿越疼痛 " There are ways, but the way is uncharted." I thought about these words, the first line of the first poem of the Tao Te Ching, as I lay facedown on a table carefully covered with fresh sheets, and the visually challenged masseur went to work. He began at the point where my neck meets my shoulders, pressing with his elbow. Pain. “道可道，非常道。”《道德经》第一章第一句萦绕在我脑海。干净的床单已经铺好，我趴在按摩床上，盲人按摩师开始了他的工作。他用肘部从我的肩颈交汇处按起。疼痛袭来。 He didn't feel around to map the shape of my body; each connection point was confident, intentional and forceful. He worked his way up my neck and then down my back, uncovering deeper pain in each new area. At my calves, he unlocked the ninth circle of Hell, and I yelped. "Do you want him to go easier?" My friend asked, but I would not acquiesce. I had signed up for this. 他没有摸索我的身体轮廓，每个触点都果断、明了、有力。他沿着我的颈部一路向上，又顺着背部向下，每到一个新的区域，都会触发一层更深的疼痛。当他按压我的小腿时，仿佛打开了地狱第九层，我忍不住叫出声。“要让他轻一点吗？”朋友问我。但我拒绝了。我是自愿来承受这一切的。 I think my torturer knew this. I squirmed and gasped several times throughout the process, and each time, he stayed in that spot and found new ways to attack. He approached me like a stern mother. His truth was greater than my misery; my body needed healing. I worried about my friend. She had brought me to this treatment as a gift, and I didn't want her to think I hated it. So I ground my teeth, clenched my fists and submitted to the suffering. 我想“施刑者”心里清楚这一点。在整个过程中，我几次扭动身体，气喘呻吟，而每次他都会留在那个痛点，换个方式继续按压。他像一位严厉的母亲，他的信念凌驾于我的痛苦之上——我的身体确实需要疗愈。我担心朋友的感受。她送我这次按摩作为礼物，我不想让她觉得我讨厌它。所以，我咬紧牙关，握紧拳头，默默忍受这场“折磨”。 The activity had a name — "blind massage" — but for each of us, the experience was unique. My friend wanted to treat me, the masseur wanted to fix me, and I wanted to escape. Somewhere between these intentions was an unnamed reality. "There are names, but not nature in words," the poem continues. We grasp for descriptions of our world, but its truth eludes us and that's the point. 这项按摩有个名字——“盲人按摩”，但对我们每个人而言，体验却各不相同。朋友想要犒劳我，按摩师想要治愈我，而我只想逃离。介于这些意图之间的，是一种无法名状的现实。“名可名，非常名。”《道德经》如是说。我们试图描述世界，但世界的真相总是捉摸不透，这才是问题的关键。 The lights in the massage parlor were hospital-bright. The design was Spartan, essentials only. I didn't have the silk robes or soothing piano music to which I am accustomed. For the masseur, these material things were irrelevant. His senses were unencumbered by light, so he could instead worry about inflammation in my back, and lactic acid in my calves. 按摩室的灯光明亮如医院，陈设极简，仅有必需品。我熟悉的丝质浴袍和舒缓的钢琴曲在这里都不复存在。对按摩师而言，这些外在之物无关紧要。他的感官不被光线干扰，因此能专注于我背部的炎症和小腿中的乳酸堆积。 After the massage was finished, my friend commented on the excruciating noises I'd produced. She was generously making space for me to be critical of the experience, which I wouldn't do — couldn't do. I struggled to find the words to describe it. I was grateful and disappointed, tense but somehow relaxed. I still don't know how to explain what happened. It was what it was. 按摩结束后，朋友提起我方才发出的痛苦呻吟。她特意留有余地，让我可以坦率地吐槽这次体验，但我不想也无法这么做。这次体验难以名状，我心怀感激，却又隐隐失落，身体紧绷，却又似乎放松。我仍然说不清这次体验如何，它就是一次体验。

White goods exports log robust growth 中国白色家电出口稳健增长 Policy support, growing foothold in emerging markets boost performance 政策扶持与新兴市场拓展助力行业表现 In a strong demonstration of resilience and innovation, China's home appliance sector delivered a stellar export performance in 2024, with export value surpassing the $100 billion threshold for a fourth consecutive year, the latest report by an industry association showed. 中国家电行业展现出强劲的韧性与创新力，2024年出口业绩表现亮眼。最新行业报告显示，中国白色家电出口额连续第四年突破千亿美元大关。 According to the 2024 China Home Appliance (White Goods) Export Annual Report released by the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME) last week, the sector's export value for white goods — a category encompassing major household appliances — recorded a remarkable $128.64 billion, up 14.8 percent year-on-year, solidifying the nation's position as a global powerhouse in the industry. 根据中国机电产品进出口商会上周发布的《2024年中国家电（白色家电）出口年度报告》，2024年白色家电出口总额达1286.4亿美元，同比增长14.8%，进一步巩固了中国在全球家电产业的领先地位。 The stable growth momentum is largely attributed to China's robust policy support for promoting stable foreign trade growth, the country's growing foothold in emerging markets, the recovery seen in European and North American markets, and the accelerated global expansion of Chinese home appliance brands, said Zhou Nan, secretary-general of the CCCME's home appliances branch. 中国家电行业的稳定增长主要得益于国家政策对外贸稳定增长的有力支持、中国企业在新兴市场的不断拓展、欧洲和北美市场的复苏，以及中国家电品牌的加速全球布局，中国机电产品进出口商会家电分会秘书长周南表示。 " The growth did not come easily," said Zhou, adding that in the face of a complex international environment and the rising tide of trade protectionism, China's home appliance manufacturers upheld a globalized path, finding a way out and strengthening their competitiveness through independent innovation, brand building and overseas supply chain construction. “这一增长来之不易。”周南表示，在复杂的国际环境和贸易保护主义抬头的背景下，中国家电制造商始终坚持全球化发展路径，通过自主创新、品牌建设和海外供应链布局寻找突破口，不断提升自身竞争力。 Zhou said the industry has transformed from being a manufacturer of products designed by foreign clients to becoming a leader in design, innovation and production. In terms of individual overseas market performance, the CCCME report revealed significant growth in exports to emerging markets involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, particularly in Latin America, the Middle East and ASEAN member states. 周南指出，行业已从以往为国外客户代工生产的模式，发展为在设计、创新和生产领域均占据主导地位。在具体海外市场表现上，报告显示，中国家电在“一带一路”沿线国家的出口增势尤为明显，特别是在拉美、中东和东盟国家表现突出。 One of the key factors behind this growth is China's ability to swiftly adapt to shifting global demand trends, Zhou said. From the "stay-at-home economy" driving surges in demand for kitchen appliances and refrigeration equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic, to the European energy crisis fueling the need for heating devices, and the global warming trend propelling air conditioning demand, China's home appliance sector has been quick to introduce products that cater to evolving needs, consolidating its competitive edge worldwide, he said. 中国家电行业快速适应全球需求变化，也是出口增长的重要因素之一。周南表示，从疫情期间“居家经济”带动厨房电器和制冷设备需求，到欧洲能源危机刺激供暖设备热销，再到全球气候变暖推动空调需求增长，中国家电企业始终紧跟市场趋势，不断推出符合全球消费者需求的产品，巩固了其国际竞争优势。 Moreover , amid global uncertainties, Chinese home appliance companies are also ramping up efforts to strengthen their supply chain resilience, setting up production facilities and making strategic investments in overseas destinations such as Southeast Asia and the Middle East, Zhou added. 此外，在全球经济不确定性增加的背景下，中国家电企业正加快提升供应链韧性，在东南亚和中东等地布局生产基地并进行战略投资，周南表示。

Youngsters take a shine to gold phone stickers 年轻人热衷黄金手机贴 As gold prices rally, driven by market volatility and central bank purchases, younger Chinese consumers are finding a new way to get in on the action — through the purchase of trendy and low-cost gold phone stickers. These lightweight accessories, ranging from 0.01 to 0.2 grams in weight and priced anywhere from 40 yuan ($5.5) to over 100 yuan, come in a wide variety of auspicious designs and motifs, from depictions of the God of Wealth to emblems bearing lucky phrases such as "Peace and Happiness" and "Get Rich". 因市场波动和各国央行购金，金价持续上涨，中国年轻消费者正以一种全新的方式参与这股热潮——购买时尚且低成本的黄金手机贴。这类轻巧的配饰重量在0.01至0.2克之间，售价从40元（约5.5美元）到100元以上不等，设计多样，图案寓意吉祥，如财神画像以及“平安喜乐”“日进斗金”等祝福语。 " By simply peeling off the adhesive and affixing the charm to the back of their smartphones, young consumers can instantly transform their devices into portable talismans of wealth and success," said Wu Ming, a business owner in Shuibei, a gold jewelry manufacturing and trading hub in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. It's a small investment, but the impact is quite powerful, Wu said, adding that the charms allow young people to feel like they're partaking in the gold rush, while also serving as a daily reminder of their aspirations for prosperity. “只需撕开背胶，将饰物粘贴在手机背面，年轻人便能将手机变成随身携带的护身符，寓意财富和成功。”广东省深圳市黄金珠宝制造和交易集散地—水贝国际珠宝交易中心商家吴明（音译）表示。他表示这笔投资虽小，但影响却不容小觑，还补充道，这些黄金贴纸不仅让年轻消费者在心理上参与到“黄金热”中，也成为他们对财富向往的日常象征。 The gold phone sticker trend has taken on a strong social media dimension, with users actively engaging with and inspiring one another. This has created a powerful viral effect, attracting more people to participate in this fashion craze. A search for "gold phone stickers" on the popular social media platform Xiaohongshu, also known as Rednote, yielded over 5.98 million related posts, as of mid-February. “黄金手机贴”趋势在社交媒体上迅速走红，用户们积极参与分享，互相启发。这形成强大的传播效应，吸引更多人加入这一潮流。截至2月中旬，在社交平台小红书上搜索“黄金手机贴”，相关笔记已超过598万条。 While gold phone stickers have been around for years, it wasn't until the end of 2024 that they turned highly popular. The key driver behind this surge is advances in manufacturing that have allowed producers to create thinner, lighter charms with a wider array of stylish designs, Wu said. Collaborations with popular IP and the integration of viral social media catchphrases have proved to be highly effective strategies, Wu added. 事实上，黄金手机贴早已存在多年，但直到2024年底才真正爆火。吴明表示，推动其热销的关键因素在于制造工艺的提升，使贴纸更薄、更轻，设计更加时尚多样。此外，与热门IP联名合作以及融入社交媒体流行语，也是助推这一潮流的有效策略。 In the past, the primary driver for gold purchases was the metal's perceived ability to maintain and grow in value over time, but the trend of gold phone stickers has ushered in a new era where the aspirational appeal of these accessories has taken center stage, said Li Yang, an associate professor at Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business. It's no longer just about the intrinsic value of the gold, but the social currency and cultural cachet these accessories represent, Li said. 长江商学院副教授李洋指出，以往黄金消费的主要驱动力是其长期保值增值的特性，而黄金手机贴的流行则开启了一个新时代——饰品的寓意属性成为重点。如今，年轻人购买黄金手机贴，不仅是因为黄金的固有价值，更看重它所代表的社交属性和文化认同。

Putting life in focus 对焦生命 Serious accident transforms photographer's outlook into a journey that takes her to the heart of nature and wildlife. 一场车祸改变了摄影师的观念，带她走上了与自然和野生动物深度接触的旅程。 A traffic accident put Zhou Donglin's rising real estate career on hold, changed her outlook, and sent her on a soul-searching journey into the heart of nature. 一场交通事故让周冬临原本蒸蒸日上的房地产事业按下暂停键，不仅改变了她的生活视角，还引发了她一段向内探索、深入自然的旅程。 The woman in her 30s from East China's Zhejiang province exudes a laid-back vibe that belies her thrilling experiences up hill and down dale, chasing the mind-boggling power of love and the lives of wild creatures. Zhou is traveling during Spring Festival in Uganda, attempting to capture precious images of mountain gorillas through her lens. 这位来自浙江省的三十多岁女性，尽管言谈举止透露出轻松自在的气质，却有着令人震撼的经历——她曾在险峻山路上跋涉，拍摄野生动物的壮丽瞬间，追随着它们爱与生命的力量。春节期间，她正在乌干达，试图用镜头捕捉那里的山地大猩猩，记录它们的珍贵影像。 Her interest in the subject was inspired by a meeting with internationally renowned British primatologist Jane Goodall, 90, at the China Wildlife Image and Video Competition in Beijing in December. So far, Zhou has hiked through the tropical rainforest with help from a hired guide and keeps close tabs on mountain gorillas with distinctive silver backs. 她对野生动物摄影的兴趣，源自去年12月在北京举办的中国野生生物影像年赛上的一次特别邂逅——她与90岁享誉国际的英国灵长类动物学家珍妮·古道尔的会面。周冬临目前雇佣了向导，在其帮助下深入热带雨林，密切跟踪具有标志性银背的山地大猩猩。 In December, Zhou's photography work highlighting an upland buzzard sacrificing itself to protect its chicks from a snow leopard on a precarious cliff stood out from the more than 37,600 nature-themed image and video submissions from across the world. The photo was shot in the Garze Tibetan autonomous prefecture in Southwest China's Sichuan province. 去年12月，她拍摄的一张照片，捕捉了一只大鵟为保护雏鸟而与雪豹在悬崖边殊死搏斗的动人场面，这张作品在全球37,600多件自然主题图片与视频作品中脱颖而出。这张照片拍摄于中国西南四川省的甘孜藏族自治州。 Zhou started contemplating the meaning of life when she was confined to bed for six months following a car crash in 2013. She realized she had been striving to be a straight-A student to please her parents and was trying to earn money, as was expected of her after graduation. "I was too busy to try to figure out what I want," she says. As she reflected on her past and looked to the future, her childhood dream of exploring every corner of the planet sprang to mind. 周冬临开始思考生命的意义是在2013年，那年一场车祸让她卧床六个月。她意识到自己一直在为了取悦父母而努力做一名优等生，毕业后也按照社会期待去赚钱。“我太忙了，根本没有时间去思考自己真正想要什么。”她说。回顾过去，展望未来，她小时候环游世界的梦想浮现于脑海。 For a female photographer, it's important to physically and mentally prepare for carrying heavy equipment and traversing rough conditions. Endurance is also key — being able to handle hunger, dirt and sometimes thirst, as certain places don't allow for easy access to clean water. As her skills developed, Zhou honed her style and principles. For instance, the scene being captured must be authentic and must be photographed in the animal's natural state. "If there is a conflict between capturing a shot and jeopardizing the animal's existence and safety, one must decisively abandon the shot," she says. 对于一位女性摄影师来说，她要做好身心准备，来搬运沉重设备，在艰苦环境中跋涉。耐力同样很关键——需要她能够应对饥饿、污垢，甚至是口渴，因为一些地方难以获得清洁水源。随着摄影技能的进步，周冬临逐渐打磨出了自己的风格，同时也建立自己的原则。例如，所拍摄的场景必须真实，并且要拍摄动物在自然状态下的表现。“如果拍摄会与动物的生存和安全发生冲突，就必须果断放弃拍摄。”她说道。 The years Zhou has spent capturing nature and wildlife have not just given rise to tens of thousands of valuable images but endeared her to the animals, prompting her to call attention to their protection. 多年来，周冬临在自然与野生动物世界中积累了数万张珍贵影像，同时也与这些生灵建立了深厚的情感联系，也促使她积极投身野生动物保护的呼吁之中。

He Lianshan became intrigued with Shaanbei storytelling when he was a teenager. He attended many performances in informal community settings, such as village gatherings, markets and temple fairs, which allowed him to engage directly with the performers. His favorite stories are from the classic novel Journey to the West. After watching a performance, he would imitate the performers and retell the stories at home. 贺连善从青少年起对陕北说书艺术怀有浓厚兴趣。他频繁参与各类民间演出活动，在村社集会、集市、庙会等非正式场合近距离接触说书艺人，尤其钟爱《西游记》这一经典故事题材。看完演出后，他常在家中模仿艺人表演，复述故事。 " They usually performed without a script, relying on memory and improvisational skills. It is not only a form of entertainment but also a way to preserve local history and mythology. It is deeply tied to the oral tradition of rural China, where literacy was historically limited, and stories were passed down through the spoken word," says He. 贺连善介绍道："说书艺人通常无需剧本，凭借记忆和即兴发挥进行表演。这不仅是一种娱乐形式，更是保存地方历史和神话传说的重要方式。说书和中国农村的口述传统紧密联系，由于历史上识字率较低，许多故事正是通过口耳相传得以延续。" Shaanbei storytelling is an important way for many blind people in Shaanxi province to make a living, especially in rural areas. Since it is oral, it is well-suited to individuals who cannot rely on sight. One of the best-known blind storytellers from Shaanxi was Han Qixiang (1915-89), who lost his sight at the age of 3 from smallpox and learned the art when he was 13. He is credited with creating more than 500 stories, especially heroic tales about Red Army soldiers. 陕北说书是陕西省许多盲人，尤其是农村地区盲人的重要谋生手段。作为一种口头艺术形式，它特别适合视觉障碍者从事。陕西最著名的盲人说书艺人韩起祥（1915-1989）就是其中的杰出代表。他3岁时因天花失明，13岁开始学习说书艺术，一生创作了500多个故事，其中以红军英雄事迹最为著名。 Qiao Yangwen, 45, is also a Shaanbei storyteller. Born in a small village in Yulin, Shaanxi province, he dropped out of school when he was 16 and became a storyteller. For Qiao, the appeal of Shaanbei storytelling isn't just in the stories but in the emotional connection with the audience. The rhythmic chanting, the way the storyteller's voice brings characters to life, and the spontaneity of oral performance make it feel like a shared experience. 45岁的乔仰文也是一位陕北说书艺人。他出生于陕西省榆林市的一个小村庄，16岁辍学后开始学习说书艺术。对乔仰文而言，陕北说书的魅力不仅在于故事本身，更在于与观众建立的情感联结。富有节奏的吟唱、说书人赋予角色生命力的嗓音，以及口头表演的即兴发挥，都使得说书表演成为一种独特的共享体验。 " It transcends the need for visuals. We are not just telling a story; we are living in it. The voice paints pictures in the audience's minds — there is laughter, anger and tragedy — all through the voice alone," he says. "这种艺术形式超越了视觉的局限。我们不仅仅是在讲述故事，更是身临其境地演绎着故事。通过声音，我们在听众脑海中描绘出画面——欢笑声、愤怒声、悲剧情节——所有这一切都仅通过声音来传达，"他说道。 However , like many traditional art forms, Shaanbei storytelling is struggling to find a place in today's fast-paced, screen-centric society. One of the biggest challenges artists face is the decline in young people taking up the craft. In fact, both He and Qiao have expressed deep concern over the lack of youth interested in learning storytelling. 然而，与许多传统艺术形式一样，陕北说书在当今这个快节奏、以电子屏幕为主导的社会中很难寻找一席之地。说书人面临的最大挑战之一，就是从事这门技艺的年轻人越来越少。事实上，年轻人对学习说书缺乏兴趣，贺连善和乔仰文对此都表示了深切担忧。 Despite the challenges, both men are dedicated to keeping the tradition alive. They have taken it to schools, giving students a glimpse of the ancient art and stoking their interest, though progress has been slow. "We create new stories relevant to the lives of the young. We also make the performances more interactive. We want to remind people of the enduring power of storytelling, a tradition that is never silent," Qiao says. 尽管面临诸多挑战，两位艺人都致力于传承这一传统艺术。他们走进校园，让学生们领略这门古老艺术的魅力，激发他们的兴趣，然而进展缓慢。"我们创作与年轻人生活相关的新故事，同时让表演更具互动性。我们想让大众领略说书艺术持久不衰的魅力，这是一门永远不会沉寂的传统艺术，"乔仰文说道。

The art of painting pictures with words 陕北说书：绘声绘 色的艺术 Recent boost by popular video game takes Shaanbei storytelling tradition to young audiences 热门电子游戏助力传统陕北说书走入年轻人群体 " I will ask everyone to sit still, and let me tell you a story about the fierce wind in my hometown," says He Lianshan, sitting in the center of the stage, holding his sanxian, a long-necked, plucked string instrument. With a deep breath, He clears his throat and begins. “我们请大家都坐稳！说一个段段刮大风！”舞台中央，贺连善端坐其间，怀抱一把三弦，长颈拨弦乐器。他深吸一口气，清了清嗓子，开始说书。 " In the spring, the wind blows warm and gentle. In the summer, the wind blows hot and dry. In the autumn, the wind blows cool and crisp. In the winter, the wind blows cold enough to freeze you solid," he sings, his face constantly shifting between playful and dramatic, capturing the character and intensity of the wind. His voice, rich, hoarse, and powerful, rises and falls in a rhythmic cadence, each word carefully shaped to evoke the wind in the city of Zichang, Shaanxi province. “春天里刮风暖融融，夏天里刮风热烘烘，秋天里刮风凉飕飕，冬天里刮风冷死人。”他一边吟唱，面部表情时而诙谐，时而戏剧化，生动诠释着风的特点与强弱。他的嗓音沙哑浑厚，抑扬顿挫，富有节奏感，每个字都像被精心雕琢，唤起观众对陕西省子长市大风的无限遐想。 Besides plucking the strings of his instrument, his hands move in the air as if he is painting pictures of the scenes described in his lyrics. The audience is captivated, hanging on his every word and note, laughing at his humorous portrayal. 他的手边弹拨三弦，边在空中挥舞，仿佛用唱段描绘出一幅幅图景，令观众沉浸于每一个词句和音符，因其幽默诠释笑声不断。 Every week, the seasoned 58-year-old artist performs Shaanbei (northern Shaanxi) Shuoshu, a traditional form of oral performance art from Shaanxi province. The term shuoshu means storytelling, and this art form has deep roots in folk culture, particularly in rural northwestern China. This ancient tradition requires neither stage nor props — just the raw energy of the storyteller's voice and the imagination of the audience. 每周，这位58岁的资深艺人都会表演陕北说书，这是源自陕西省的一种传统口头表演艺术。"说书"即讲故事之意，这种艺术形式深深植根于民俗文化之中，尤其在中国西北农村地区广为流传。这一古老传统无需舞台或道具，仅凭说书人声音的原始力量与听众的想象力即可完成。 He is a famous storyteller in Shaanxi who now lives in Yan'an, an important former revolutionary base in the province. One of his disciples, Xiong Zhuying, went viral on social media for performing Shaanbei storytelling during the opening of the second chapter of the Chinese video game Black Myth: Wukong, which became a global hit. Since then, He's schedule has become busier. He performs all over the country to introduce the art form to a wider audience. 贺连善是陕西著名的说书艺人，目前居住在陕西省的重要革命旧址——延安。他的徒弟熊竹英在国产游戏《黑神话：悟空》第二章开场时表演陕北说书，迅速在社交媒体上走红。该游戏后来成为全球热门，贺连善此后的演出安排变得更加密集，他走遍全国各地，致力于将这一艺术形式介绍给更多观众。 According to Huyan Qiang, director of the theater, Shaanbei storytelling dates back to the Western Zhou Dynasty (c. 11th century-771 BC). The major characteristics of the art form include its dialect, instruments and techniques. As they pluck the strings of the sanxian or pipa, it produces sounds to draw the audience's attention. "The performers tell stories in a dramatic, highly expressive manner, using different vocal techniques, gestures, and sometimes physical props to engage the audience. The stories focus on historical figures or popular folklore, ranging from tales of everyday life to major events," says Huyan. 剧场负责人呼延强表示，陕北说书可追溯至西周时期（约公元前11世纪至公元前771年）。这一艺术形式的主要特点包括其方言、乐器和技巧。说书人拨动三弦或琵琶的琴弦，发出的声音引人入胜。呼延强说：“表演者以戏剧化、富有表现力的方式讲述故事，运用不同的声线技巧、肢体动作，有时还会使用道具来吸引观众。故事内容通常聚焦于历史人物或民间传说，从日常生活的小故事到重大历史事件都有。”

Star athletes fighting 'fandom culture' gain attention 中国体育明星抵制“饭圈文化”引发关注 A growing movement among Chinese athletes has seen numerous sports stars take action against the disruptive influence of "fandom culture." Prominent sports figures, including badminton players Wang Chang and Liang Weikeng, and gymnast Zhang Boheng, have disbanded their fan groups on Weibo in a stand against the invasive behavior of some supporters. Their actions quickly gained attention online, with Paris Olympic table tennis champion Wang Chuqin's fan club dissolving its fan group on Sina Weibo becoming a trending topic on social media, amassing over 34 million views. 越来越多中国运动员抵制“饭圈文化”乱象。羽毛球选手王昶、梁伟铿和体操运动员张博恒等多位体育明星，纷纷在微博上解散粉丝群，以抵制部分粉丝的侵扰行为。运动员此举迅速引发关注，巴黎奥运会乒乓球冠军王楚钦的粉丝群也在微博上宣布解散，相关话题迅速登上社交媒体热搜，阅读量超过3400万次。 The growing backlash against fandom culture has caught the attention of China's sports authorities. On Tuesday, the General Administration of Sport of China held a special meeting to address the issue. Gao Zhidan, head of the administration, stressed the importance of stronger regulations, public awareness campaigns and better risk prevention measures to safeguard athletes' rights and ensure the future development of sports in China. 对“饭圈文化”的集体抵制引了起中国体育主管部门重视。周二，国家体育总局召开专题会议讨论该问题。体育总局局长高志丹强调，要加强管理措施，开展公众宣传活动，并提升风险防范能力，以保护运动员权益，推动中国体育事业健康发展。 The rise of fandom culture has raised concerns about its impact on athletes' mental and physical well-being, their performance and the long-term sustainability of their careers. In the world of table tennis, one of China's most beloved sports, athletes like Wang Chuqin and Fan Zhendong have become particularly affected by this trend. “饭圈文化”兴起不仅对运动员心理和身体健康构成威胁，还可能影响他们的竞技表现和职业生涯的可持续发展。在中国备受喜爱的乒乓球项目中，王楚钦和樊振东等运动员已深受其害。 In December, Wang Chuqin was surrounded by a crowd of fans at Beijing Capital International Airport, causing him visible frustration. Fellow table tennis star Fan Zhendong has experienced similar disruptions, including chaotic airport scenes and overeager fans entering his hotel room. He has repeatedly called for a halt to invasive fandom practices. 去年12月，王楚钦在北京首都国际机场被粉丝围堵，给其造成明显困扰。樊振东也经历了类似困扰，包括机场混乱场景和过激粉丝闯入其酒店房间。他多次公开呼吁停止侵扰性粉丝行为。 The backlash against fandom culture has also led to increased scrutiny of online discussions, with some social media users spreading false information, insulting athletes and coaches, or inciting conflict among fan groups. In response, major platforms such as Weibo, Douyin, Xiaohongshu, Baidu, Tencent and Bilibili have removed thousands of posts containing such content. Weibo reported that it had deleted over 7,600 posts and penalized more than 700 accounts for inciting conflict, making insults or engaging in malicious sensationalism. 针对“饭圈文化”带来的负面影响，社交媒体平台的讨论也受到了更严格的监管。一些网民在社交平台上散布虚假信息、侮辱运动员及教练，或煽动粉丝群体之间的冲突。对此，微博、抖音、小红书、百度、腾讯和哔哩哔哩等大型平台已清理数千条相关内容。其中，微博宣布删除了7600多条不当帖子，并处罚了700多个涉事账号，涉及到煽动冲突、侮辱或者参与恶意炒作等行为。 Efforts to combat the negative effects of fandom culture have gained traction. During the Paris Olympics in August, the Ministry of Public Security revealed it had handled four major cases involving illegal activities in sports fan circles, three of which concerned table tennis. "The internet is not beyond the reach of the law," the ministry said, urging users to avoid spreading misinformation and engaging in personal attacks. 治理“饭圈文化”的负面效应已成为社会关注的焦点。去年8月巴黎奥运会期间，公安部通报了四起涉及体育粉丝圈违法活动的重大案件，其中三起与乒乓球项目有关。公安部明确表示，“网络不是法外之地”，呼吁网民不要散布虚假信息或进行人身攻击。

Appeal of North, South poles keeps luring scientist back 极地魅力让科学家“流连忘返” Over the past 15 years, Chinese scientist Peng Fang has gone on scientific expeditions at the North and South poles 13 times. Though she is not a fan of outdoor activities, she said the charm of the polar regions is irresistible, compelling her to return again and again. 过去15年里，中国科学家彭方已13次参与南北极的科学考察。尽管她并不热衷户外活动，但她表示极地地区的魅力难以抵挡，令她一次次回到这里。 In Antarctica, Peng's primary task is to search for and collect new species of microorganisms in order to study their survival strategies and evolutionary patterns in extreme environments. Research on the characteristics of those microorganisms, including their tolerance of cold, drought, radiation, polar days and inadequate nutrition, could be beneficial to human society in the future, the scientist said. "These tiny bacteria have so many strategies, which I find very intriguing. Interest is crucial for learning and research, and polar expeditions help me maintain a long-term interest in my field." 彭方在南极洲的主要任务是寻找和收集新的微生物物种，研究它们在极端环境中的生存策略和进化模式。她表示，这些微生物能耐受寒冷、干旱、辐射、极昼以及营养不足等极端条件，研究这些特点对人类的社会未来大有裨益。“这些微小的细菌有着多种生存策略，这让我非常着迷。兴趣是学习和研究的关键，极地考察帮助我保持对该领域的长期兴趣。” As time has passed, Peng has discovered numerous new microorganisms, and Wuhan University's microbiology research team, which Peng is a part of, is responsible for the most polar bacteria species discoveries in the world. 随着时间推移，彭方发现了许多新微生物，她所在的武汉大学微生物学研究团队发现了全世界最多的极地细菌物种。 Her frequent journeys with the team have enabled Peng to really get to know her fellow researchers. "Instead of direct interactions, people back home would communicate more through computers and phones. However, in the polar regions, especially on polar research vessels where there is no internet, everyone lives together in cramped cabins for several months or even half a year, leading to a lot of conversations," Peng said. She jokingly added, "By the time we disembark, we all know each other's ancestors up to the eighth generation." 在频繁考察中，彭方与队员们建立了深厚的联系。她表示：“在国内的时候，大加用电脑和电话沟通，缺少面对面联系。在极地，特别是在没有互联网的极地考察船上，大家要在狭小的舱室里一起生活几个月甚至半年，会更多地交谈。”她开玩笑说：“等到我们下船时，彼此都知道对方祖宗八辈了。” That being said, close interpersonal relationships are a necessity when team members perform outdoor tasks. "In polar scientific expeditions, men and women working together can make the work a lot smoother," Peng said. "When heading out for tasks, men may be more careless, forgetting to apply sunscreen or take a head covering. Women would remind them and are usually more meticulous in tasks such as map reading, site design, food and water preparation, anticipating phenomena on the way and preparing backup supplies. "Men, on the other hand, may take the initiative to carry some shared equipment, which helps in the overall progress of the team's scientific work." 话虽如此，在执行户外考察任务时，团队成员之间的密切合作是必要的。彭方表示，在极地科考中，男女队员合作有助于工作的顺利进行。她解释道：“在执行任务时，男队员可能比较粗心，容易忘记涂防晒霜或戴头部防护装备。女队员则会提醒他们，而且在地图阅读、场地设计、食物和水的准备等方面，通常更为细致，她们沿途中预测各种现象，准备备用补给。而男性会主动帮忙搬运一些公用设备，有助于团队工作的整体推进。” She further explained that in polar scientific expeditions, where time is scarce and weather is erratic, each team member must fulfill their duties promptly. Delays not only hinder individual tasks but can also impede the progress of other team members. "I support gender equality, which doesn't entail women needing special assistance from men or being singled out for discussion. Instead, everyone should bear their own responsibilities, regardless of gender roles." 她进一步解释道，在极地科考中，由于时间紧迫、天气多变，每个队员都必须按时完成自己的任务。延误不仅会影响个人任务的完成，还可能影响到其他队员的工作进度。彭方表示：“我支持性别平等，女性不需要男性的特别帮助，也不需要被特殊讨论。每个人都应该承担起自己的责任，无论何种性别。”

In the narrow lanes, life teaches lessons worth learning for drama of today 胡同人生是戏剧的“第二课堂” In 2009, Yang Yue was just a boy wandering the narrow hutong alleys of Beijing, a place where time seemed to slow down, with his father. One day, he passed the old, unassuming gates of the Central Academy of Drama, nestled deep within the maze of gray-brick lanes in Nanluoguxiang. 2009年，孩童时期的杨越（音译）常与父亲一起漫步于北京狭窄的胡同巷道，那里的时光仿佛缓缓流淌。一天，他经过南锣鼓巷附近的中央戏剧学院，隐匿于南锣鼓巷迷宫般的灰砖巷道深处，大门古朴而低调。 At the time, young Yang didn't know that he would return years later — not as an outsider peering through the gates, but as a student walking through them. Steeped in tradition and artistry, the school has become his second home, a place where his theatrical dreams are given space to grow. Now in his final year of university, where he is majoring in directing, 22-year-old Yang has spent nearly five years living and training under its roof. 年幼的他并未料到，数年后，他会再次走进这座校园——不再是门外张望的过客，而是身在其中的学子。这所学校有浓郁的传统与艺术氛围，已成为他的第二个家，一个让他戏剧梦想得以生长的地方。22岁的杨悦现在是中央戏剧学院导演专业的大五学生，已经在这里生活和学习了五年。 Surrounded by hutong walls, he has discovered not only a mastery of his craft, but also the legacy of the countless artists who have gone before him. The narrow alleys he had once wandered aimlessly have become sources of inspiration, seemingly symbolizing his journey: winding, full of unknowns, yet always leading somewhere meaningful. 在胡同墙壁环绕的大学校园中，他不仅精通了自己的专业技艺，还感悟到无数前辈艺术家的精神传承。曾漫无目的穿行的巷道，如今成了他灵感的源泉，象征着他的人生旅程：曲折蜿蜒、充满未知，但始终通向意义之地。 At first glance, Nanluoguxiang might seem like another tourist area filled with cafes, boutiques and art galleries, but for those who live and work here, the essence of the neighborhood lies in its people — the elderly residents sitting outside their courtyard houses, market vendors calling out to passersby, and young families navigating the complexities of life in Beijing's rapidly evolving urban landscape. 初看南锣鼓巷，或许觉得这只是一个布满咖啡馆、精品店与画廊的游客聚集地，但对在此生活和工作的人来说，这片街区的本质在于生活在这里的人——坐在四合院门前的老人、向路人吆喝的市场小贩，以及在北京飞速发展的城市中努力生活的年轻家庭。 The hutong is a microcosm of human emotion, struggle, joy and connection — everything that theater seeks to portray, and for those studying and teaching at the Central Academy of Drama, its everyday stories are invaluable resources for coming up with characters and plays, and developing performances. 胡同是人类情感的缩影，展现着生活的挣扎、喜悦与联系——这些正是戏剧所要表达的。而对于在中央戏剧学院学习和教学的人来说，胡同中的日常故事是塑造角色、创作剧本以及提升表演能力的宝贵资源。 Located in Dongmianhua Hutong, a short walk from Nanluoguxiang, the school dates back to 1938. It has produced some of China's most prominent theater artists, directors, actors and actresses. Its proximity to Nanluoguxiang has created a unique synergy between the artistic world of theater and the cultural history of the area, influencing both the neighborhood's development and the trajectory of Chinese performing arts. 中央戏剧学院坐落于东棉花胡同，步行即可到达南锣鼓巷。这所成立于1938年的学校，培养了众多中国著名的戏剧艺术家、导演及演员。它与南锣鼓巷想毗邻，形成了一种独特的共生效应——戏剧艺术的世界与胡同文化历史相互交融，既影响了街区的发展，也推动了中国表演艺术的进步。 " These narrow alleys, filled with history and an enduring sense of community, are more than just pathways — they are living, breathing spaces that influence and inspire the next generation of artists," says Lin Weiran, who enrolled in the Central Academy of Drama's department of dramatic literature in 1996, and now teaches at the school. " Surrounded by the echoes of history and the rhythms of everyday life, aspiring performers find both artistic challenges and creative fuel." “这些充满历史和社区感的狭窄巷道不仅是通路，更是鲜活的生命空间，启迪并影响着新一代艺术家。”1996年考入中央戏剧学院戏剧文学系、现任该校教师的林蔚然表示，“在巷子的历史回响与日常生活的节奏中，怀抱梦想的表演者既提升艺术追求，也汲取创作灵感。”

Toying with an idea of companionship 手边的毛绒“陪伴” Young adults turn to fake furry friends to bolster their spirits 年轻人向“毛绒朋友”寻求陪伴和慰藉 Internet operation officer Gao Qingmeng, 24, from an internet enterprise in Shanghai, was in a reflective mood while working overtime from home one weekend. To tackle her ennui, she scrolled through social media platforms, and suddenly came across a post from Jellycat, a UK-headquartered soft-toy company, and was instantly smitten by it. 24岁的上海互联网运营职员高庆萌（音译）在一个周末居家加班时心思沉重。为打发无聊，她刷起了社交媒体，偶然看到一家英国毛绒玩具公司Jellycat的帖子，被其产品深深吸引。 She immediately felt an urge to buy one. Without hesitation, she left home and took an hourlong subway ride to purchase one — a Bartholomew Bear, a popular product from the company. This was just the beginning. One toy led to another, and one by one, her legion expanded into a large collection. 她立刻产生了购买的冲动。她毫不犹豫地搭乘一个多小时的地铁，去线下门店购买了一只Jellycat的热门产品“巴塞洛缪熊”（Bartholomew Bear）。从此她踏上了“不归路”，收藏的毛绒玩具数量越来越多，毛绒“军团”越来越壮大。 On various social media platforms, many young people are showing off their plush toy collections. There has been an increasing demand for plush toys in the Chinese market, not merely from their targeted customers — children — but also including young adults. Consumers of the post-2000 generation account for 43 percent of the market, followed by 36 percent by those of the post-1990 generation. 各大社交媒体平台上，许多年轻人在展示自己的毛绒玩具藏品。毛绒玩具在中国市场的需求呈现上升趋势，不仅包括目标群体儿童，也包括成年消费者，据统计，00后消费者占市场份额的43%，90后紧随其后，占36%。 This trend is attracting attention and some experts, such as psychologists or psychotherapists like Zhang Chun, who works for Pencil Psychology, a company based in Xiamen, Fujian province, have begun to use such toys for the comfort of clients who come to their offices for counseling. 这一现象引起了广泛关注，一些心理学家和心理治疗师也开始尝试将毛绒玩具引入心理咨询环节，帮助缓解客户的压力，其中就包括来自福建厦门“铅笔心理”的心理治疗师张春。 Zhang describes them as "hyperlinks" to evoke imagination. Touching these toys, according to psychological hypothesis based on studies, such as the US psychologist Harry Harlow's monkey experiment during the 1930s, is "like clicking a hyperlink". "Generally, they can connect people instantly to their favorite works or characters," says the psychotherapist. 张春把毛绒玩具描述为一种“超级链接”来激发想象力。根据心理学研究假说（如美国心理学家哈里·哈洛于20世纪30年代进行的猴子实验），触摸毛绒玩具“就像点击一个超链接”。“这能迅速唤起人们与自己喜欢的作品或角色的情感联结，”张春表示。 Qiu Jiangyi, 30, a Hangzhou-based human resources worker from the jewelry industry, also loves collecting plush toys. In order to obtain her favorite toys, once she finds there are stocks of them online, she would often click quickly to snap them up, or even pay more money, say several times the original price, to secure her purchase. Qiu dresses her toys, takes them on outings and even seeks out craft enthusiasts on social media to customize toys' faces — a process referred to as "face reshaping", which involves tailoring techniques to make the plush toys look cuter. 30岁的杭州珠宝行业人力资源从业者邱江怡（音译）同样喜欢收集毛绒玩具。每当她发现自己喜欢的玩具有库存时，都会迅速下单，甚至愿意花几倍于原价的价格购买。邱江怡还为自己的毛绒玩具“打扮”、带它们出游，甚至通过社交媒体找到手工爱好者为其定制玩具的脸部表情——这一过程被称为“换脸”，通过定制工艺让玩具显得更加可爱。 While these activities resemble parenting, to Qiu, her actions don't carry any deeper meaning. "They're just toys to me — visually appealing and providing aesthetic satisfaction, but I don't attach deeper emotions to them," she says, "My relationship with them is more of friendship, and I'd feel better when these toys of mine accompany me during many moments." 虽然这些行为看似有“养娃”的意味，但在邱江怡看来，这些行为没有其他深刻的含义。“对我来说，它们只是玩具，满足了我的视觉和审美需求，我并未赋予它们更深的情感意义，”她说道，“它们更像是我的朋友，在很多时刻陪伴着我，让我感到安心。”

Growth of 'academic bars' quenches thirst for knowledge “学术酒吧”兴起，满足人们对知识的渴求 Lectures at pubs attract audiences eager to relax, expand understanding 酒吧讲座吸引观众来放松心情、拓宽视野 Dubbed "academic bars", drinking holes that quench an intellectual thirst for enlightening lectures and lively exchanges are mushrooming across China's big cities. On lifestyle platform Xiaohongshu, topics related to academic bars have garnered millions of views, with their popularity in Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou, Guangdong province, accelerating over the summer. Typically lasting one hour, the lectures are generally free of charge or can be listened to for the price of a drink. 近年来，所谓的“学术酒吧”在中国大城市如雨后春笋般涌现，成为人们在轻松氛围中聆听知识讲座和参与互动的新去处。随着“学术酒吧”在上海、北京和广州等地的热度在今夏不断攀升，该现象已经成为社交平台小红书上的热门话题，相关内容浏览量已经突破数百万。大多数讲座时长约为一小时，参与者通常只需购买一杯饮品，也可以免费聆听。 "Bars or pubs, which provide an informal setting, naturally bridge the psychological distance between the general public and serious academic content," said Bai Anke, a 27-year-old manager of Bunker, a popular academic pub in Shanghai. "We've noticed that there is a large group of young people in Shanghai who have received higher or overseas education and still pursue serious knowledge after leaving campus. 上海一家热门学术酒吧“街垒”的27岁主理人白安可表示：“酒吧提供了非正式环境，这种氛围自然能够缩短大众与严肃学术内容之间的心理距离。我们发现，上海有一大批年轻人曾接受过高等教育或海外教育，尽管已经离开校园，他们仍然渴望拓宽自己的知识视野。” Academic bars have gained in popularity through word-of-mouth and the algorithms of social media platforms such as Xiaohongshu and Douyin. Working with a venue in Jing'an district, Xiaohongshu launched a pop-up academic bar in Shanghai on Sept 7 and 8, featuring more than 10 lectures on topics including philosophy, reading, critical thinking, life experiences, anti-aging technology, and language learning. The free drinks offered at the partner bar were tailored to echo the lecture themes. Light alcohol was offered to help audiences relax and feel freer to interact. 学术酒吧的流行，得益于口口相传与小红书、抖音等社交媒体平台算法的助推。9月7日至8日，小红书与上海静安区的一家酒吧场地合作，推出了一场学术酒吧快闪活动，期间举办了超过10场讲座，内容涵盖哲学、阅读、批判性思维、生活经验、抗衰老技术、语言学习等多个主题。酒吧还提供了与讲座主题相呼应的特制免费饮品，轻度酒精饮品帮助观众放松心情，鼓励他们更自在地参与互动。 The booming trend is also injecting new vitality into the hospitality industry. Many people have a negative impression of bars and pubs, but the academic lectures are changing the stereotype. More patrons, especially those who don't drink, are stepping into bars for the very first time. 这一蓬勃趋势还为酒店业注入了新的活力。虽然人们对酒吧一直以来有负面印象，但学术酒吧的出现正在改变这一刻板印象。越来越多的顾客，特别是那些不喝酒的人，开始第一次走进酒吧。 However , debate on the worth of academic bars has also accompanied the boom. Some critics have questioned the value of such lectures and the seeming contradiction of "serious" academic issues being discussed in a commercial bar. Many wonder whether audiences can really learn something in one hour, or just regard it as a way of showing off as being part of an "elite". 然而，随着学术酒吧的兴起，对其价值的争议也随之而来。有评论认为，在商业酒吧中讨论“严肃”学术问题存在一定矛盾，是否有价值也待商榷。很多人怀疑观众是否能在短短一小时内真正学到东西，还是把它当作炫耀自己“精英”身份的一种方式。 Organizers , lecturers, audiences and bar staff were unperturbed by the controversy, and view it as a way to publicize the trend. Sun Qiyao, head of the Xiaohongshu project, said it is normal for a new trend to gradually find the right direction to head in. Liu Qingge, a frequenter of the lectures, said academic bars are part of new business forms that represent change, development and fresh opportunities in society. Instead of being overly criticized, they should be encouraged, even though they may be viewed as a marketing gimmick, she said. 尽管如此，学术酒吧组织者、讲座人、观众以及酒吧工作人员对这些争议不以为意，反而认为这些争议有助于推动这一趋势的发展。 （音译）表示，任何新兴趋势的出现，都会经历一定的磨合过程，最终找到适合的发展方向。经常参加学术酒吧活动的刘青戈（音译）表示，学术酒吧作为新型商业形态，代表了社会变革、发展和新机会，尽管有时可能被视为一种营销手段，应当得到鼓励而不是过度批评。

Back in the autumn of 2002, Liang, an expert on the team preparing the area's application for inclusion on the list, received two experts from UNESCO who were sent to investigate the region. 2002年秋，三江并流申遗专家组成员梁永宁接待了两位前来考察的联合国教科文组织专家。 Two decades ago, the area was one of the most impoverished in China. It was blocked by unscalable mountains and rushing rivers. Roads were carved into escarpments and some bridges were merely cables which people used to get across roaring torrents together with their animals. "We thought it would take one month to complete the expedition because we needed to cross the three rivers, as well as the divides and watersheds in between, to see all of them. At that time there was no highway connecting the rivers," he says. 二十年前，这个区域曾是中国最贫困的地区之一。高耸的大山和汹涌的河水将它与世隔绝。人们在悬崖峭壁上凿开道路。桥梁有时仅是一条钢索，人们和动物一起滑索过河，身下河水激流咆哮。“我们当时想，这次考察得一个月才能完成，要跨越三条大河以及它们之间的分水岭，才能看全整个区域。那个时候三江之间也没通高速，”他说。 However , no matter how big the sites are, UNESCO allows, at most, two-week investigations. With the help of local people, they planned an east-west route that started from the Jinsha River and ended west of the Gaoligong Mountains located on the west bank of the Nujiang River. "We tried everything. If there was a highway, we took off-road vehicles. If there was no highway, we rode horses, and if even horses couldn't go on, we went on foot," he says. 然而，无论遗产地面积多大，联合国教科文组织允许的考察时间最多为两周。在当地人的帮助下，他们规划了一条东西向的路线，从金沙江出发，最终抵达怒江西岸的高黎贡山西部。“我们尽可能利用一切方式。有公路时使用越野车，没有公路时骑马，而连马都无法通行时，我们就徒步前进，”梁教授说。 It was a hard expedition. In the area, a world of sierras, stand 118 glaciated peaks of more than 5,000 meters above sea level. The highest is Kawagebo Peak (6,740 meters) in Dechen county of Dechen Tibet autonomous prefecture, in the Lancang River Grand Canyon. This protected area is inhabited by the endangered Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys. 考察艰苦异常。三江并流境内，巨齿状的山脉连绵不绝，共有118座海拔超5000米的雪山。最高峰卡瓦格博峰，高达6740米，位于德钦藏族自治州的德钦县内，地处澜沧江大峡谷。澜沧江大峡谷是濒危物种滇金丝猴的栖息地。 Liang remembers how the weather kept changing when they climbed over the Biluo Snow Mountains located in the Lancang-Nujiang divide. Biluo's snowcapped range extends 142 km with 15 glaciated peaks measuring over 4,000 meters above sea level. The 4,500-meter-high Laowo Mountain stands out as the most beautiful. Elevation drops 3,200 meters before reaching the Lancang River. "At some points, we very cautiously rode horses along narrow roads on the cliffs. Actually, when we prepared for the expedition, several people were injured while trying the dangerous roads," he says. 梁永宁记得，当他们翻越澜沧江与怒江之间的碧罗雪山时，天气变化无常。碧罗雪山的雪峰绵延142公里，海拔超过4000米的冰川峰多达15座。其中最壮美的一座是老窝雪山，高4500米。碧罗雪山与澜沧江之间的高度落差达3200米。 “在一些段落，我们骑着马，就在悬崖边走，很小心。实际上，我们准备考察路线的时候，这条路太险，有好几个人都受了伤，”他说。 The expedition lasted 12 days. When the experts departed, one of them, Canadian Jim Thorsell, gifted Liang a book. It was a copy of an excerpt from The Mystery Rivers of Tibet by British botanist and explorer Francis Kingdon-Ward, who traveled across the three parallel rivers and the watersheds in 1913 to collect plant species for British horticulture businesses and scientific research. 专家组共考察了12日。在回程之际，加拿大专家吉姆·桑瑟尔送给梁教授一本书做礼物。书是英国植物学家、探险家弗朗西斯·金敦--沃德所作《神秘的滇藏河流》的一部分。1913年，沃德穿越并流的三江及其分水岭，为英国的园艺市场和科研采集植物。 Liang found their route overlapped in many respects with the one Ward traveled nearly 90 years prior. "Thorsell read the book and told me the natural conditions of the area had not changed much over the years," Liang says. Ward devoted the whole fifth chapter to the sacred mountain of Kawagebo. It was also a waypoint on the UNESCO expedition. 梁教授发现他们的考察路线在很多地方都与90年前沃德的路线重合。“桑瑟尔读了这本书，告诉我这么多年过去了，这里的自然环境没有太多变化，”梁教授说。《神秘的滇藏河流》第五章全部用来讲述神山卡瓦博格峰。这也是此次联合国教科文组织的一个考察点。