The English adventurer Thomas Stevens (1854–1935) became world-famous as the first person to travel around the world by bicycle. In this article, I highlight Stevens’s experiences in China.

In 1659, a Flemish priest arrived in China, where he would spend the next thirty years impressing the imperial court with his astronomical and mathematical knowledge. This article offers an introduction to the Jesuit mission in China and the life of Verbiest.

China’s most important philosopher ever still exerts influence in East Asia and overseas Chinese communities through his aphorisms. In this article, I look at the role the philosopher plays in Taiwan’s current cultural and political life.

China’s greatest philosopher continues to exert influence through his aphorisms across East Asia and overseas Chinese communities. This article explores Confucius and the controversial ideas of Jiang Qing.

In the fifth century AD, the Nestorians, originating from Central Asia, established communities along the Silk Road. The influence of these Christians remained limited, but their presence in China is nonetheless fascinating.

Using the example of the Tianyige Library in Ningbo, this article explores private collectors and private libraries in ancient China. Books conferred social and moral prestige upon their owners, yet most collectors guarded their holdings anxiously behind closed doors.

Daoism still holds great appeal in China and Taiwan today. How has this popular religion managed to take root so deeply? A quick dive into the background of Daoism in China and Taiwan.

The indigenous people of Taiwan lived on the margins for a long time, but in recent years, there is more attention for their existence.

Johan Jutten, a Dutch teacher between 1965 and 1966 in China, witnessed the beginning of the Cultural Revolution. He returns 50 years later.

A description of the fraudster George Psalmanazar, a self-claimed resident of Formosa, and the confusion surrounding the Formosan Alphabet.

The Writer, Philosopher and Inventor Dr. Lin Yutang, was one of the most prolific thinkers of the Twentieth century, however now mostly forgotten. This part covers the second half of his life.

An introduction to Writer, Philosopher and Inventor Dr. Lin Yutang, covering the first half of his life. One of the most prolific thinkers of the twentieth century, however now mostly forgotten.