In Chinese and American pop culture, kung fu occupies a special place – especially as one of the defining elements of Chinese culture outside of the country. BON's Tony Zhou reports on the actual state of one style of fighting in mainland China…

Traditional Chinese culture has a lot of differences from western culture, so personally I don’t think gay marriage can be permitted by our law. Maybe Americans can accept gay marriage, but we Chinese have quite a solid traditional culture which tells us men and women are very different. I can’t even imagine what would happen if gay marriage were permitted in China. It might be permitted by Chinese law in the future, but there would be a lot of controversy.

As the first stable capital in Chinese history, Anyang holds some of China's most precious and historic artifacts from the Stone Age - revealing the Xiaonanhai culture.  Our host, Rob, shares the interesting history behind the significance of Anyang as well as how to get there and where to stay.  This is a trip you don't want to miss where you can travel the sites that signify the beginning of Chinese culture.

We're right in the middle of holiday season with Christmas and New Year behind us, but Chinese New Year fast approaching. This year, the lunar New Year coincides with Valentine's Day, another western festival that is often also celebrated in China.

With the increasing prevalence of western festivals marked in China, we asked ordinary Chinese residents want they first thought of when they think of Chinese culture. Here's what they had to say in today's edition of Straight from the Street.

Whether it's the fiery heat of a Sichuan dish, the subtle flavors of Shandong or the hearty simplicity of the northeast - China is famed the world over for its cuisine. And for thousands of years, food has been at the very heart of Chinese culture and traditions.

But in today's fast moving China, that food culture - particularly in the big cities – is often reduced to filling the table, and stomach, as cheaply and quickly as possible. And that means little emphasis on how, where, and by whom food is produced. But now two Americans – with Chinese roots -are hoping to change all that – with a concept developed in Italy.

Respect for one's elders and ancestors is an integral part of Chinese culture – so much so that 'tomb sweeping day' is a national holiday.

But in one province of eastern China, people are being encouraged to break with one tradition in pursuit of the greater good.