Chinese Folk Tales
China Plus
Immerse yourself in the enchanting narrative of Chinese Cinderella, the romantic tale of the cowherd and the fairy, and the heroic legend of the fearless female general, Mulan...... These mythical stories blur the lines of reality, featuring epic protagonists. Join us on a wondrous journey into a new world, imbued with tradition, mythology, and enduring wisdom. Subscribe and listen now.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 31, 2023 • 17min
S3E1: The Treasure Bird
This is a story all about greed and how taking more than you need could end up costing you everything.
May 23, 2023 • 2min
Season 3 Trailer
Revisiting ancient and beloved Chinese Folk Tales because all the best stories have something to teach, and when we hear old folk tales once again it's clear that the moral of the story is as true today as it ever was. Season 3 is coming in June!
Apr 24, 2021 • 10min
The Chinese Cinderella
Everyone knows the Cinderella story, but did you know that there was a Chinese Cinderella story, from over 1,500 years ago? Instead of a fairy god mother, it was a fish and an old man that helped the Chinese Cinderella get to her ball. Did she have crystal shoes too? Well, sort of but not quite.
Mar 14, 2021 • 8min
The boy Chen Xiang and the Lotus Lamp
The Hua Mountain in China is known for its steepness and legend has it that it was split open by a little boy named Chen Xiang. Why would he do that and how did he do that?
Mar 9, 2021 • 14min
The Tale of the White Snake Fairy
Once upon a time, a White Snake Fairy fell in love with a young man in the mortal world. Marriage followed and all was well until the Dragon Boat Festival came around. What happened during the festival and did the husband ever find out about her true identity?
Mar 1, 2021 • 9min
Lady Mengjiang weeping over the Great Wall
Have you been to the Great Wall in Beijing or the Pyramids in Egypt? Have you ever wondered how these were built, one stone on top of another, without any modern machinery? These wonders of the world are so awe-inspiring to look at, but on the other hand, they were also built with the lives of so many. Here is one sad legend about the Great Wall.
Feb 23, 2021 • 13min
Famous ancient Chinese weapons
If you feel like you've had enough of fairies, monsters and magical beasts, don't go away, because today's show will be about ancient weapons, some with magical powers of their own. Swords, daggers and tales of revenge!
Feb 18, 2021 • 11min
The Chinese Door Gods
If you have the opportunity to travel around the countryside in China, you might notice these fierce looking gods painted on red paper pasted onto the family gates. Who are these and what are they for?
Feb 4, 2021 • 16min
The Eight Immortals crossing the sea
Have you ever wished that you could live like a fairy or some sort of immortal? The immortals are known to live a carefree life in Chinese culture, but there was this really famous gang of Eight Immortals that actually got into a lot of trouble. What happened?
Feb 1, 2021 • 9min
The man who lived for 800 years
What would it be like to live for 800 years? As far as I know, only a few historical characters could know about that. A man named Peng Zu was among them. What was his secret?
