Beijing and Central

In this first episode of Tales from Modern China, the team journey to the very heart of Central China, uncovering the cultural crossroads in the nation's capital to explore how the old and the new live side by side. Jason Lai joins the high-rollers at the country's biggest auction and experiences the thrill of the win. Cameron Andersen feels the speed on the fastest rail network on earth and investigates how the ancient art of Chinese handwriting is being kept alive in a world of ever advancing technology. Jing Lusi goes back in time in search of some classic design and sees how the quintessential Chinese dress - the qipao - is being embraced by the new generation.