Social Media Digest

Bring history to life

Armed with prop swords and rifles, a group of young participants charges into a town under the command of their "commander".

This isn't a scene from a movie set — it's "Genzhe Tuanzhang Daxiancheng" (Follow the Commander to Liberate the Town), an immersive interactive experience that has become a major attraction in Yinan county, Shandong province, particularly during this year's May Day holiday.

According to People's Daily, the activity recreates a 1941 battle from the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45). Each session draws thousands of visitors who "enlist" and march toward the "enemy-occupied town", engaging in simulated combat. After "recapturing the town", participants celebrate with a victory event.

On the Chinese lifestyle-sharing platform Xiaohongshu (RedNote), the hashtag for the activity has garnered over 7 million views.

This year, the experience added a dramatic twist by featuring Chinese actor Yang Qingwen, known for portraying villains in war dramas, in a special guest role.

"This isn't just a game; it's an immersive experience that allows children to feel the realities of war, with the sounds of gunfire and explosions intensifying the atmosphere," one participant, who attended the event with her child, told People's Daily.

Worn but loved

If you search for "A Bei Bei" on Chinese social media, you're likely to come across images of worn-out, threadbare items — old pillowcases, faded towels, or battered stuffed animals that look ready for the trash.

What's surprising, though, is that these humble objects are often cherished keepsakes, offering comfort to their owners for over a decade.

The term "A Bei Bei" originated when a Chinese internet user shared how her baby son named his beloved security blanket. In psychology, these comfort items are known as "transitional objects", which help children cope with separation anxiety and build emotional stability.

While most people grow out of the need for such items as they get older, many young adults are now opening up online about their own A Bei Bei. From childhood stuffed animals to blankets that have lasted for years, users share captions like, "Help! I'm 28 and still can't let go of my A Bei Bei!"

The trend has resonated with many young people across China. On Xiaohongshu, the "A Bei Bei" hashtag has attracted over 670,000 posts, with users sharing stories of their longtime companions.

"These objects carry the scent of memory — just touching them brings a sense of calm," wrote one Xiaohongshu user.