zhou-pinglang

The Last Days of Old Hongkou

Visual stories that get up close and personal with contemporary China. A mix of short videos, documentaries, photography, and data visualization.

MULTIMEDIA

Shanghai is redeveloping swaths of traditional “shikumen” housing in one of its most historic districts. For local residents, it’s the end of an era.

Hidden Metropolis: My Year Riding the Shanghai Metro

Unable to travel due to COVID-19, photojournalist Zhou Pinglang spent months exploring Shanghai’s lesser-known districts by rail — an experience that transformed his view of the Chinese megacity.

Politics and Fraud Level Town’s Flood Defenses

Articles that cut to the core of contemporary China. In-depth, informed, and carefully crafted, every piece is carried by the voices of the story’s participants.

FEATURES

Through the decades, flood-fund mismanagement and political pressures kept Yangtze river town on the edge of destruction.

Corruption Runs Through Flood-Ravaged Yangtze Village

An unprecedented deluge almost two decades ago led to a land grab, the consequences of which are still being felt today.

How Flooding Turned a Bustling Town into a Backwater

Once a thriving port town on the Yangtze River, Paizhouwan has become a pawn in the politics of flood prevention.

Marriage Counselors Go Undercover to Get Rid of Mistresses

Timely reports on issues and events from across China. Drawing on a vast range of sources, these succinct articles provide insights into the significance of each issue in a wider context.

NEWS

For a steep fee, one company persuades women to give up their affairs.

Children of Coal: Life After the Collapse

China’s mining colleges once promised graduates security and prosperity, but the experiences of four alumni tell a different story.

The Race Against Thalassemia, a Hereditary Blood Disease

Prevalent in South China, ‘Mediterranean anemia’ is now making inroads around the country.

New Law Shatters Migrants’ Electric Dreams

Shenzhen crackdown on illegal electric bicycles delivers blow to couriers.