I’m originally from China, but if you travel 7,000 kilometers to the other side of the Asian continent, you’ll reach my current home: Israel. On the surface, Middle Eastern culture and Chinese culture are at complete opposite poles with nothing in common. Whether it’s music, religion, or language, little connection can be formed between the two. But with a closer look at the subject of food, you’ll uncover a number of surprising similarities.

Having been exposed to Chinese culture in my household, I’ve grown up eating homemade traditional dishes just like any other local Beijinger. However, the outside world bombarded me with the contrasting flavor of Israel, which took me almost a year to adapt to. Over time, the tastes of the two countries began to merge in my mind. Some may call their similarities a mere coincidence, but I’m inclined to believe it’s one of the many signs that nationality and ethnicity aside, we’re not so different after all.

Kebab vs. Chuan’r

Kebab is the umbrella term for all meats and vegetables grilled on a skewer in Middle Eastern food. The most popular in Israel are beef and lamb kebabs. My family prefers to buy frozen, uncooked ones because grilled kebabs sold in shops may be the tastiest, but definitely aren’t the most healthy. Common vegetables include mushrooms, eggplants, bell peppers, and onions, each adding a unique touch.

You may be thinking, isn’t this the same as the chuan’r (串儿 chuàn ér) on Beijing sidewalks we’re all familiar with? Well, that’s absolutely correct! Chinese chuan’r is most traditional in Xinjiang, where my dad’s side is from. Just like kebabs, it involves grilling on a skewer. However, the main difference is Chinese chuan’r are typically lamb or chicken cut up into significantly smaller pieces. The ingredients utilized, such as cumin for chuan’r, give them distinct flavors too.

Shakshuka vs. Tomato and Egg

Shakshuka derives from the Arabic word for “everything mixed up”. Of all Israeli egg dishes, this one by far takes the lead in popularity. Essentially, it’s poached eggs simmered in tomatoes and spices, commonly served in a metal pan. Personally, shakshuka isn’t one of my top picks, but the liquid-inside of the eggs and oozing juice of the tomatoes are beyond appealing to Israelis.

It’s not hard to guess which Chinese dish Shakshukas correspond with. It’s the popular tomato and egg (西红柿炒鸡蛋 xī hóng shì chaǒ jī dàn), more professionally known as stir-fried tomato and scrambled eggs.

Despite the completely dissimilar cooking processes, the ingredients and red-yellow color scheme have bound them together as one category. Both are considered main courses, with tomato and egg being viewed as more basic and simple while shakshukas are viewed as advanced.

Hummus vs. Sesame Sauce

To a non-Middle-Easterner, hummus is perhaps the most familiar food from this list. It’s a sauce or spread made from mashed chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice, tahini, and occasionally other spices too. Hummus can be served with almost anything in Israel; it’s practically the core of every meal. I remember years ago, the father of a boy in my class had won the Guinness World Record for the largest plate of hummus and proceeded to open one of the hottest restaurants in the area. From this, I realized the huge role hummus plays in Middle Eastern culture.

On the other side of the spectrum is China’s sesame sauce (麻酱 má jiàng). As the name suggests, it’s made of sesame. But believe it or not, it’s entirely identical to the tahini sauce composing hummus. It’s much easier to make than hummus, but appearance-wise, they can definitely be mistaken for one another. Chinese sesame sauce tends to be eaten with hotpot specifically, but hummus, on the other hand, isn’t just for dipping, but also for spreading across bread in thick layers.

Pita Sandwich vs. Roujiamo

The pita sandwich is a combination of many foods, including hummus, as mentioned before. A pita is a circular piece of bread consisting of two layers. It’s generally cut open on one side to insert falafels, other vegetables, and to apply hummus and tahini sauce, another popular sauce in the Mediterranean.

Roujiamo (肉夹馍 ròu jiā mó), on the other hand, originated from the Shaanxi province in northwest China and is sometimes called the Chinese burger. Although not as popular as pitas are with Israelis, it’s definitely a classic all across China. The overall concept is the same: stuffing a range of ingredients inside a circular bread. However, a major difference is that pita sandwiches are typically vegetarian, while the ‘rou (肉 ròu)’ character in ‘roujiamo’ gives away the fact that meat is a crucial part of the dish. On top of that, the bread’s also much thinner and softer for pitas.

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Photos: pamperedchef.com, ltl-shanghai.com, foodnetwork.com, justapinch.com, thekitchengirl.com, aromasian.com, cookingclassy.com, thewoksoflife.com

If you thought declaring your major as a college freshman was a lot of pressure, try deciding your career path at just one year old! The adorable ceremony that I’m referring to is called Zhuazhou (抓週 zhuā zhōu), a tradition that’s been taking place in China since the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1911) and was mainly a tradition celebrated among noble families.

The whole family gathering around for the big reveal

The Zhuazhou ceremony is where various objects, each representing a different career path, are placed around either a large table or on the bed. Then like a turtle race, the crawling baby is set loose and close family and friends watch as the birthday boy or girl crawls toward all the various objects around him/her. Then based on what the baby selects first, it was believed that object was an indication of their future career path.

Click to watch this cutie pie’s Zhuazhou

Back in the ancient days, items like Chinese calligraphy brushes, ink, paper, sword, abacus, coins, jewelry, food, and toys were placed around the babies. For baby girls, they’d include items like spoons, scissors, and thread which represented the girl would become a good housewife in the future. It was also believed that in the olden days parents would sometimes put celery and shallots in the mix as well because these vegetables have Chinese names with positive homonyms. If the baby picks the celery (芹 qín) it meant that he or she will be hardworking and if they pick the shallots (葱 cōng) it meant that he or she will be smart.

Zhuazhou items in the olden days

Today, the tradition of Zhuazhou is still practiced around China, but it’s definitely not taken seriously anymore. This is more for entertainment at a first birthday, because, well, how else will adults stay entertained at a one year old’s birthday?

Nowadays, instead of items like abacus and gender specific items for girls, parents are replacing traditional Zhuazhou items with things like a syringe (representing a future as a doctor), calculator (entrepreneur), balls (athlete), pens (artist), ruler (lawyer), books (scholar), phones (tech guru), microphones (singers), or stamps (government official).

The tradition of Zhuazhou has lasted for generations, and even though it’s highly unlikely that new parents today are still superstitious enough to believe that their crawling baby will decide their future on their first birthday simply by choosing an item, the custom has been passed down through generations and still practiced today – but mostly just for entertainment.

KEEP READING: Pregnancy Diary: Why Gender Reveal Parties Aren’t a Thing in China

Photos: Yoyochinese.com, China Daily, douyin

With the easing of domestic travel restrictions in China, last week, I,  my parents, and a few family friends toured the city of Luoyang (洛阳) in central China, about 800 kilometers away from Beijing. Situated in Henan province, Luoyang is the second biggest city in Henan by land area and population, after the provincial capital, Zhengzhou. We soaked in history and culture, met the amazing locals, and took our minds off the gloom and doom that is the year 2020. We had an amazing time there, and it was an overall eye-opening experience. Below, I chronicle some major experiences in a little diary I kept throughout the trip.

Sunday, August 23

We departed from Beijing to Luoyang in the afternoon by high-speed train at exactly 3.43pm. The whole experience was very smooth and on-time; while I had to wear a mask throughout the whole day, I didn’t have to show my Health Kit or any health code, even while entering Beijing West. The train ride was very comfortable, as we sat back and cruised through the countryside at 300 km/hour. The train routed through neighboring Hebei province and stopped in a few cities like Baoding and the provincial capital, Shijiazhuang. We then crossed into Henan province, stopping in a few smaller cities before arriving at Zhengzhou, and finally, at around 8.10pm, Luoyang.

Full speed ahead; view from the window seat I was on for the ride

We had arranged our Luoyang exploration plans with China Highlights, a full-fledged tour company that offers tours across China. A driver was there to pick us up from the Luoyang Longmen Railway Station and drop us off at our hotel. I crashed into bed by 9.30pm, exhausted but excited to explore Luoyang in the days to come.

Monday, August 24

We meet with Lisa, our tour guide. From the outset, she strikes us to be a very knowledgeable guide, especially on Chinese dynasties and rulers. Lisa was born and brought up in Luoyang and has been doing Luoyang tours since 2002. She’s extremely professional and accomplished, along with our tour van driver, Mr. Fu.

Fun Fact: Luoyang is one of the four great ancient capitals in China, along with Beijing, Nanjing, and Xi’an. Though it may not be mentioned a whole lot in Chinese history and culture discussions, it was the capital for 13 dynasties, such as the (possibly mythical) Xia, Eastern Zhou, Han, and Tang dynasties.

We first head to the White Horse Temple (白马寺，báimǎsì). Constructed in 68 AD, it is considered by many to be a “cradle of Chinese Buddhism.” It’s a huge place, with many halls containing statues and busts of different buddhas. The experience is similar to the one you get at the Lama Temple in Beijing. The name of the temple comes from the two white horses that carried Indian monks Kasyapa Matanga (摄摩腾, shèmóténɡ) and Dharma Ratna (竺法兰，zhúfǎlán), Buddhist scriptures, relics, and statues from present-day Afghanistan to spread Buddhism in China. The temple also participates in international cooperative projects, most recently with India when a Sanchi Stupa was erected in 2008. Being from India, it was great to see our country interacting culturally with China in such spiritual and mystical ways.

Buddha statues at the White Horse Temple

After a scrumptious lunch, we made our way to the Luoyang Old Town (老城区，lǎochéngqū). We walked through streets full of vendors selling all kinds of arts and crafts, food, goods, and services. We buy a jigsaw puzzle, some colorful bags, and an interesting snack we reckon is some sort of peppermint.

The shops and stalls in the Luoyang Old Town, overlooking the Lijing Gate in the background

Our guide Lisa gets us hooked onto this local yogurt (coincidentally branded as Báimǎsì), which has a really balanced taste; it’s neither too sweet nor too plain. It’s a nice palette cleanser, and a good way to cool ourselves after a spicy meal on a hot summer day.

We have dinner at a Haidilao next to our hotel. Incidentally, it was the first time all of us had been to a Haidilao, and the proactive service by the waiting staff was a refreshing change of pace none of us expected. We went for the broth with green chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns. Eating lamb, fish, tofu, and veggies from that broth was an out-of-body experience: probably one of the spiciest meals I’ve ever had.

Tuesday, August 25

After brekkie at the hotel, we visit arguably the city’s most important landmark: the Longmen Grottoes (龙门石窟，lóngmén shíkū). These are many caves containing some of the finest Buddhist stone sculptures you will ever see. It houses many statues of Shakyamuni Buddhas and his disciples, and the caves that contain these sculptures were dug from a 1 km stretch of cliff running along the banks of the nearby Yi River. One of the caves Lisa took us to contained 15,000 sculptures alone. The whole scenic natural environment made for some excellent photo and video shooting opportunities.

The Longmen Grottoes, on the banks of the Yi River 

We head back into town in our van, this time to explore the Luoyang Museum. The museum has many exhibits of Luoyang’s rich cultural heritage, showcasing pottery, bronze, porcelain, jade, and stone items as well as ancient calligraphy works, paintings, and folk art objects from across dynasties. Interestingly, the museum also had a collection of Buddhist ritual and services items that were used in the Qing Dynasty royal court, when they ruled from the Forbidden City. Originally housed in Beijing’s Palace Museum, these items were transferred to the Luoyang Museum under the directive of Premier Zhou Enlai in 1973.

Exhibits and information displays at the Luoyang Museum

Wednesday, August 26

It’s our last day of exploring the sights of Luoyang, and we saved the best for last: the world-renowned Shaolin Temple (少林寺，shàolín sì). Now, truth be told, two days before we headed out to Luoyang, I didn’t even know the Shaolin Temple was even located in Henan province, let alone near Luoyang. But since a visit was included in our itinerary, I figured it was absolutely worth exploring this monastery that is a melting pot for Chinese martial arts.

The Shaolin Temple is in the Song mountains of Dengfeng county, a 55 km (a two to three hour drive) from Luoyang. The name of the temple comes from the mountain’s Shaoshi (少室, shǎoshì) woods where it is located.

The Song Mountains, overlooking the Shaolin Monastery complex

We began our tour watching an enthralling kung fu performance conducted by some of the students and monks studying at the nearby kung fu schools. Their physical prowess and kung fu demonstrations were on show and were a testament to the values of dedication, practice, and hard work.

Shaolin kung fu students strike a pose at the end of their performance

I notice that the halls inside the temple are similar to the White Horse Temple we visited on Monday. There are several statues and sculptures of different Buddhas, Buddha disciples, and Shaolin monks. Considering that the temple has been destroyed and rebuilt many times, the restoration work and the architecture of the buildings is quite marvelous.

The temple buildings and pagodas at Shaolin

From the monastery, Mr. Fu drove us back to our hotel. That ticks off another major Chinese landmark we’ve visited and brought a fruitful end to our tour of Luoyang.

KEEP READING: I’ve Got Wanderlust: What Traveling Means to Me

Images: Pranav Sundararajan

At some point in our lives, we have probably all been criticized for the way we dress, or told that there is only one way that beauty should be expressed.

When I was in Grade 7, I felt very uncomfortable wearing crop tops and booty shorts in public because I felt like those weren’t clothes that people in Beijing would typically wear. I could feel people eyeing my body while walking down the street in these clothes, the kinds of clothes that people would call “too revealing”, or imply such messages through their judgmental glares.

Having lived in Beijing for 16 years now, I understand exactly why some young girls and women feel uncomfortable and judged whenever they go out wearing clothes that don’t seem to fit in with what everyone else is wearing. In China, women’s fashion has always been more conservative than that of western countries. You often find young Chinese girls and women wearing oversized t-shirts, baggy pants, and non-body-con shorts. Meanwhile, tank tops, tube tops, mini skirts, or anything that shows too much skin or accentuates one’s figure too much are historically frowned upon in this country.

While I do acknowledge that modest and conservative dressing is deeply rooted in China’s culture and tradition, I believe that being able to express ourselves through what we wear, and to portray an image we wish for the world to see is a choice we should be able to make. And I’m not the only one, many other teenage girls in Beijing feel the exact same way.

Delphine Q., a Singapore-born girl who’s lived in Beijing for quite a long time has experienced this first hand. “When I’m in Singapore, I tend to feel very safe, so I’m comfortable with whatever I wear. Beijing is a huge city, but I don’t think everyone in Beijing knows how to view fashion because they tend to have a very traditional mindset on what fashion is. Sometimes I can feel that there are people on the street looking at me like I’m a freak because of how I dress, but I don’t really care since it’s my own style and I like it.”

Emily S., a 16-year-old teenage girl who used to live in Beijing, but now attends a boarding school in North Carolina, US expresses how she views fashion in Beijing. “In many places in Beijing, especially where I live [Haidian], where traditional Chinese cultural heritage is more well preserved, it’s even harder to walk around wearing skimpy clothes because people really do stare a lot. For example, if I wanted to wear spaghetti straps, it’s just not possible around my area.”

But not all are examined under the same judgmental microscope; there seems to be a rigid fashion stigma targeted mainly towards women of Asian heritage. The older generation in Beijing tends to think it is completely fine for westerners to wear skimpy and body-hugging clothes in public, while Asian women are often criticized when doing the same thing.

This is perhaps why Chichi S., who is Zambian, and Mayank S, who is half Swiss and half Indian, both believe that Beijing is an inclusive city for fashion. “I feel like people in Beijing are pretty expressive with what they wear,” explains Chichi, “and that encourages me to be expressive with what I wear and my style because I don’t feel alone, and I don’t feel like an outcast.”

When describing her fashion experience in Beijing, Mayank says, “I feel comfortable presenting myself through my fashion in Beijing. Large cities, in general, are great for wearing what you like, not only can you really express yourself, you can also find inspirations in the personal style of everyone you cross in the street.

But it’s not just about the amount of skin you show. Another common fashion stereotype that is deeply embedded within the Asian fashion industry is the disparagement of plus-size models. Many Asian media still portrays skinny as the only form of beauty, but the truth is, beauty has no limits.

“Some people simply are just plus size because that’s how they are built. Some can’t change that no matter how hard they try because that it just how they are,” explains Chichi, “however, the fashion industry completely excludes them by hiring skinny models and not everyone can obtain that kind of body.

As I become older, my insecurities towards my fashion aesthetic have gradually ceased, because I believe that fashion is a very subjective matter and that each individual feels different about it. Although people still stare at me when I walk around in Beijing wearing skimpy clothes, I’m confident enough to realize that I am only presenting myself, and that when I am happy with what I’m wearing, other people’s opinions don’t matter.

Fashion should be something one uses to express themselves, not feel oppressed by. And cultures and traditions shouldn’t take away our rights to express ourselves as the people we want to appear to be. Perpetuating historical values is important, but preserving and understanding history while having an open mindset that tolerates different fashion aesthetics is what we should all aspire for the people living in Beijing, and every other part of the world.

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Photos: Unsplash

This article appeared in the beijingkids 2020 August issue

Whatever part of the world you’re from, there is certainly some street food that is iconic to your city. Street food is a great way of experiencing local culture, as it is the raw representation of local cuisine which hasn’t been glossed over by fancy venues or high prices. Here in Beijing, as the capital of such a large country, many of the city’s iconic street foods originated from other diverse parts of China. Whether you’re just coming to Beijing, or have been here for years, I certainly recommend stepping away from the familiar and trying new street foods.

Chuan’r (串儿 chuàn er)

This is for all of the meat lovers out there, although it can also be made with vegetables. Chuan’r is most often made with, but not limited to beef, lamb, chicken, or even tofu and various vegetables like sweet potatoes and corn. Chuan’r originated in Xinjiang and was made primarily with lamb. Every chuan’r stand will have their own secret blend of seasoning but in general, they tend to taste heavily of cumin.

Jianbing (煎饼 jiānbing)

Jianbing is one street food that has a lot of variety in terms of flavor and is basically a savory fried crepe typically made with delicious fillings like hoisin sauce, fried egg, a crispy wafer, cilantro, cumin and chili powder. When at a jianbing stand, the chef often has multiple batters and ingredients for you to choose from. Then, as the customer, you can make some requests, such as asking for your jianbing to not be spicy or add in additional eggs or sausages. It’s one of the most iconic Beijing street foods that can easily be found all over the city.

Today, in the spirit of QiXi, also known as ‘Chinese Valentine’s Day’, we’re sharing some practical love advice.

You’ve traveled far and wide and made a life for yourself in Beijing. You’ve gotten to know the city and as fortune would have it, you’ve met the love of your life here – a local Beijinger. You can’t wait to spend the rest of your lives together and you’ve popped the big question.

But first things first, how do you go about tying the knot?

Your Chinese partner needs to fill out the proper paperwork wherever his or her hukou is registered. If they’re a Beijing local, great, a simple trip across town would do. If they’re from a different part of China then they’d need to return to their hometown to complete the paperwork. Along with their hukou they’d also need to be able to present their birth certificate and a health certificate that they obtain in a local nearby hospital.

Before moving onto the next step, you and your partner need to obtain a certificate of marriageability. While it has a funny name, the certificate serves to prove that you’re not married to anyone else in any other country. For foreigners, this is usually obtained at your embassy after you fill out an affidavit. If this isn’t the first time down the aisle for one or both of your, you’d also need to be able to present your original divorce certificate in order to tie the knot. If yours isn’t in Chinese, you’ll need to find a translation service that’ll be able to provide you with an official translated copy.

Then, you’ll need to have headshots ready. Like passport photos, these can be taken at any photo studio in the city and will need to be done in front of a red backdrop. When you go to get these done, tell the photographer when you’re getting them for and if they offer to give you some minor Photoshop touchups, well, why not? These are the photos going on your marriage certificate that’ll last for the rest of your lives.

Now with all your documents ready, you’re off to an unromantic registration. Don’t expect a gorgeous white hall with flowers. The Civil Affairs Bureau (民政局) is the same place where they process both divorces and marriages. While you and your partner might be giddy with excitement, the couple next to you could be there for the exact opposite reason.

You’re ushered into a small office and after presenting all your documents, the foreigner partner is likely to be asked the awkward question “are you entering into this marriage willingly?” along with the more mundane questions of verifying the information on the documents you’ve just submitted. Take it from me, this isn’t the time to be funny! Just answer the question you’re asked, and save your jokes for later.

After the brief interview and all your paperwork has been processed, you’ll be presented with your newly minted marriage certificates (one for each partner) and be ushered to a backdrop to take your official first photos as a legally married couple. Congratulations!

In fact, the paperwork for becoming a legally married couple in China is relatively simple. It’s the cultural clashes of everyday life that come after that are the real challenges. Back in 2012, the beijinger writer Scott Kronick shared 10 handy tips for a cross-cultural marriage in China, tips he’d painstakingly accumulated after more than 10 years of married bliss. We’re republishing his words of wisdom below.

Enjoy!

Tip #1: When you decide to marry and are told you must pay a dowry to her family, do not complain, especially if the expense is less than the cost of a high-quality pig. Years ago, the traditional dowry consisted of sewing machines, bicycles, and other varied gifts, so if you are asked to just hand over cash, don’t think twice. Also, don’t try to negotiate. That is not a good way to begin a marriage. In fact, if you really want to get off on the right foot, offer to double down.

Tip #2: During preparations for the wedding, don’t complain about the day that you spend taking pictures. Be thankful that you only have to change costumes ten times instead of 20. Get some rest because you may have to pose chasing your future wife up a grassy hill, hair flowing in the wind. Enjoy this exercise. You will appreciate the experience 18 years later when you look lovingly at your wife, who, by the way, has not aged nearly half as much as your sorry self.

Tip #3: Don’t complain about the “six gold gifts” that you must present upon your engagement. The gourmet candy and cookies that are shared with relatives, friends, and colleagues represent the appreciation you have for your soon-to-be bride. This candy/cookie tradition goes back generations, underlining the importance of the announcement that a daughter would be married, and back then there were few divorces. The sharing of sweets is a symbol for the future of your relationship. I suggest you avoid giving candy such as Sour Patch Kids or sour balls.

Tip #4: When discussing plans for having children, go beyond common questions such as “How many kids do you want?” If you don’t ask about basic beliefs about childrearing – such as when the children will “touch earth” after being carried around for their first two years of life, or rocking your child and patting their back vs. letting them cry themselves to sleep – they could become topics of contention once the baby arrives. As for the Chinese tradition of zuo yuezi (literally translated as “sitting out a month”), the month-long period of recuperation after your wife delivers, don’t zuo yuezi along with her. Your weight won’t go away as fast as your wife’s.

Tip #5: Don’t argue unnecessarily about right and wrong or whose culture is better than the other. There are too many gray areas in life, and most of these arguments don’t lead to any positive result. Don’t have a math contest. Don’t try to count money faster than your spouse. If your wife is a black belt in judo or any other form of martial arts, don’t ask her to prove it to you.

Tip #6: When going to a movie and snacking on popcorn, don’t comment about the dried fish your wife chooses to eat. If your wife desires to eat stinky tofu or durian fruit, smile. Don’t plug your nose or make some snide comment about how horrible they smell. Just politely decline to take part in their consumption.

Tip #7: If you are overweight and your wife is in great shape, don’t argue about health-related issues. Don’t be sarcastic when she talks about “hot” and “cold” foods, and don’t comment when she refuses to let you drink cold water. And if she tells you to walk around after you eat dinner instead of plopping down on the couch, walk! Don’t walk to the couch and count the steps. That doesn’t work.

Tip #8: Don’t joke about ghosts. There are hotels throughout China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan that are home to many ghosts. If you make fun of them, you could put yourself in harm’s way.

Tip #9: If your kid has a sniffle and your wife wants to take him or her to the hospital, just do it. It is easier than arguing and will save you a lifetime of guilt if something else really is wrong. If the doctor looks like he or she is older than your grandparents, they probably are. In China, this means that they are very experienced and have seen many patients in their day.

Tip #10: For true marital bliss, if you are asked for your opinion or point of view, be sure you consider all angles before responding. Sometimes it is best to respond to such a question with this: ”What do you think?” And then agree. That will save you a lot of arguments. Think about the following statement, which my wife shared with me early in our marriage to avoid all confrontation: “If a tree falls in the woods, and no one hears it, let’s just be clear … it’s your fault.”

KEEP READING: Casanova in Beijing – The Affair That Ended my Marriage

Photos: Pexels, Unsplash 

Names are interesting things. We’re each given one at birth. They’re personalized, yet reflect entire cultures and histories. They’re embodiments of our parents’ hopes and aspirations. But what if all this is altered, or even discarded? That’s what many Chinese students experience as they enter the Western world.

Westernising one’s name is extremely common in China. In local schools, most students are randomly assigned a Western name by their English teacher. They’re often very simple, common names to assist with learning a new language. The same occurs for Chinese classes in foreign countries. Occasionally, parents also base their child’s Chinese name off a Western name, merging the two cultures together.

When these kids transfer to international schools or move abroad, they tend to stick with their Western names, only using their Chinese names on school applications, certificates, or other important documents. In international schools, the changing or modifying of one’s English name is rather popular. Off the top of my head, I can count at least five friends who’ve done so. Some decided their English name was too childish, some realized it had a negative connotation, and others wanted a fresh start in a new academic year or at a new school.

As a child, I lived in London for several years. Adopting a Western name hadn’t crossed my family’s mind until months after we moved. We realized that my name “Qinglan” is especially difficult for foreigners to pronounce in contrast to other Chinese names, and teachers struggled on a daily basis. Hence, my parents temporarily named me “Alice”, because England felt like a Wonderland to us.

After moving to Israel three years ago, I initially went with “Alice”, which to my surprise, confused a lot of people. They mentioned it wasn’t a name that matched my looks and asked for my “real” name. This was a situation I never encountered in China. I told them “Qinglan” and they were persistent in nailing the pronunciation. Most times, foreigners were fascinated by the meaning behind my name. One Israeli friend in particular refused to call me anything other than my Chinese name, claiming it’s my real identity and I shouldn’t try to hide it. At first, it felt strange and uncomfortable, but over time, I came to realize he was right.

Adopting a Western name comes with a list of pros. Teachers and peers can easily pronounce and spell it, the tiresome process of correcting others can be avoided, and you won’t feel offended when it’s severely mispronounced or misspelled. There have been multiple cases of mocking Asian names for resembling English curse words or the stereotypical “ching chang chong” sounds, which happened with me due to the “Qing” in my name. This can all be conveniently dodged by simply westernizing one’s name.

On the other hand, there’s a lengthy cons list too. In international schools all across the world, it tends to mainly be Chinese students who westernize their names. Other ethnicities generally stick with their birth names no matter how complex or mockable they are. At most, they might shorten or simplify it, but never remove it. In this case, why must we be the ones to change ourselves? I’ve witnessed classmates at my international school in Beijing come to this conclusion and abolish their Western names, going by their Chinese names instead. Second, Chinese students who embark on journeys through Western environments typically end up pursuing an English-speaking career and living a relatively westernized life. Unfortunately, many subconsciously abandon their culture and forget their roots. Sticking to their traditional Chinese names serves as the ultimate reminder of who they are, where they came from, and why their ethnicity is something to be proud of.

Names are indeed interesting things. On the surface, they’re just a few syllables for addressing someone, but in the eyes of countless Chinese students, they’re a major identity crisis. So choose wisely and look for a healthy balance between your heritage and the Western world.

Qinglan Du is a 16-year-old student from Beijing City International School. She’s originally from Beijing but is currently living in Jerusalem with her mother due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Aside from her passion for writing, she enjoys singing, spending time with friends and family, and experiencing new cultures.

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Photos: Unsplash

Beijingkids has been an essential family resource for Beijing international families since 2006. And just as kids grow up in the blink of an eye, Beijing has grown and changed almost beyond recognition in that time. In Throwback Thursday we jump in the time machine, traveling through our 14 year-strong blog archives to dig out the most entertaining, fascinating, and thought-provoking stories for your reading pleasure. Ready? Let’s go…

With Beijing getting its groove back after months of COVID-19 related restrictions, one of the city’s most popular night markets amongst locals is back and in full swing again! The Daliushu Ghost Market is located by the East Fourth Ring Road and only takes place on Tuesday events after 5.30pm.

Visitors can browse through stall after stall of antiques, childhood memorabilia from the 80s, DVDs and books, food, and basically all kinds of odd knick-knacks that you didn’t think you needed in your life.

As the Beijinger’s writer Huang Chenkuang covered back in 2018, the market has been taking place in Beijing for over 40 years. If you want to venture over to explore Daliushu Ghost Market for yourself, be sure to bring a flashlight to check out the goods because there won’t be much street light after the sun goes down, and more importantly, don’t be afraid to haggle with the sellers. The unofficial first rule when visiting night markets anywhere in China is to never accept the opening offer!

How to get there: Take subway Line 7 to Nanlou Zizhuang. Exit from exit C, turn east and walk straight around 200 meters.

Daliushu Ghost Market 
3am-3pm every Wed. 150 meters East to the crossroad of Daliushu Road and Xiaowuji Road, Chaoyang District
大柳树夜市，朝阳区大柳树路与小武基路交叉口西150米

KEEP READING: Browse Beijing’s Last Ghost Market Before it Becomes an Apparition

Photos: Pixabay, Sina, Huang Chenkuang