One of the most famous Chinese folk tales is the “Legend of the White Snake.” Although early versions of the myth date back to the Tang dynasty (618–907), the modern origins of the story can be found ...

“It’s a symbol of China. All Chinese people want to see it in person,” said a visitor who traveled 800 miles (1,300 kilometers) to Chengdu and lined up at 6 a.m. to see the pandas. But the ...