Yao Popo, or the Medicine Woman of Xingyi
Two generations of the Lin family: the curse of a legend
New discoveries in Xinjiang, the world's biggest prison
On the road, interlude 1: interview with a north-western taxi driver
Pioneers of China's oil: a distinguished husband and wife
Acrobat: from counter-revolutionary's daughter to national medal winner
On the road, interlude 2: talking to a Chinese colleague about Tibet, folk customs, tiger stoves and the Chinese Jews
Tea houses and news singers: three thousand years of anecdotes and wonders
Carrying on a craft tradition: the Qin Huai lantern-makers
Across mountain and grassland: a witness to the Long March
Savouring her blessings after trials and tribulations: the woman general born in America
Interlude 3: love letters
On the road, interlude 4: reflections between the lines
The policeman: a cop who entered the police force as the People's Republic was founded
The shoe-mender mother: 28 years spent out in all weathers
On the road, interlude 5: a squall at the 4 May memorial
Afterword: images of my motherland.