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In China, the Dongbei region's cultural renaissance is a nationwide phenomenon

NPR | By Emily Feng,

Diantha Parker, Hannah Bloch

Published June 27, 2026 at 6:40 AM CDT

In China, the northeast Dongbei region looms large. Once a gritty, industrial hub, now this rust belt area is the source of music, literature, comedy and culture that have gained wide popularity.

Emily Feng

Emily Feng is NPR's Beijing correspondent.

Diantha Parker

Hannah Bloch

Hannah Bloch is lead digital editor on NPR's international desk, overseeing the work of NPR correspondents and freelance journalists around the world.