I interviewed Dan Wang, a writer and analyst whose annual letters from China have become a first draft of modern Chinese history. We talked about how he blends personal observation with deep analysis, how to skip the cliches and write with texture instead, and how classical music and literature have shaped his writing style.
What’s unique about Dan is that he built a name for himself by writing one essay per year (in an age where writers are encouraged to publish consistently). We also talked about his approach to travel writing, the difference between living in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, how AI is changing the way he thinks (but not how he writes), and why China’s influencer culture is his least favorite thing about the country.
00:1:04 Why Dan writes Annual Letters
00:07:53 Dan’s favorite novel
00:15:01 Dan’s method for writing
00:26:02 Why most travel writing stinks
00:30:44 How to travel through China
00:33:05 The regions of China, explained
00:44:47 Trade books vs. academic books
00:53:46 The problem with history books
01:01:42 Did Dan write his book with AI?
01:10:50 Dan’s least favorite part about China
1:15:42 A critique of American elites
1:33:08 Dan’s website got blocked in China
1:39:52 What China mocks about America
1:54:49 A simple way to improve your writing
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