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PostMag Reporter

From Donald Trump’s bid to sell an overpriced yacht and an ancient Chinese version of Taylor Swift, to Hong Kong martial arts legend Sammo Hung and the untimely death of iconic singer Teresa Teng, here are our favourite, most-read online stories of the year from PostMag, formerly known as Post Magazine.
1. When Donald Trump tried to sell for US$115 million a yacht he bought for US$30 million from the Sultan of Brunei

In 1990, Donald Trump attempted to sell the Trump Princess yacht for US$115 million, despite purchasing it for US$30 million from the Sultan of Brunei. Hong Kong ship brokers doubted it would attract serious bids, considering the inflated price, reported the South China Morning Post at the time.
2. What the butler saw: Teresa Teng’s death in Chiang Mai in Thailand, and how she found love there

Teresa Teng, the iconic singer, died tragically in Chiang Mai, Thailand in 1995, sparking numerous conspiracy theories. Her untimely death at the height of her fame, aged just 42, could perhaps be compared to the deaths of Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe or Princess Diana. A former employee of the hotel where she died recalls that fateful day.
3. How Taylor Swift’s Singapore effect could only have been achieved in ancient China by one singer, who briefly soared before losing everything

Yongxin was a singer who rose to fame during the Tang dynasty, only to lose everything after a rebellion. The fate of the chanteuse, whose voice captivated an emperor until events led her to sing on the streets, demonstrates the ephemeral nature of fame and fortune. Taylor Swift beware!
4. Why, for some Chinese, ninth day of Lunar New Year is the most important: it’s the day they worship the Jade Emperor – and sugar cane is involved

The Jade Emperor, or Lord of Heaven, is the supreme god in the Chinese pantheon, and the ninth day of Lunar New Year is a day many in China worship the deity. Among offerings is sugar cane because, as the story goes, in the time of the Ming dynasty on the Lord’s feast day, villagers hid from Japanese pirates in sugar cane fields and were spared.
5. Hong Kong martial arts film icon Sammo Hung on his career, stars including Donnie Yen, Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan – and eating

Hong Kong actor, director and action choreographer Sammo Hung spoke to the South China Morning Post ahead of receiving the 2024 Hong Kong Film Awards’ Lifetime Achievement Award. He told of his extraordinary career spanning over 200 films and shared insights on fellow martial arts stars like Donnie Yen, Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan.


Hong Kong’s HK$690 million Central Library opens in Causeway Bay in 2001 – SCMP archive

Hong Kong’s iconic Bank of China Tower opens in 1990 – SCMP archive

In 2021, China becomes the third country to safely land a rover on Mars – SCMP archive

Cathay Pacific debuts on Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1986 – SCMP archive

From our archives

Our most-read PostMag stories of 2024, from Donald Trump’s yacht sale, to martial arts star Sammo Hung and the Taylor Swift of ancient China

Taylor Swift, here performing during her Eras Tour in Vancouver, British Columbia, in December, has been compared to famous ancient Chinese singer Yongxin in one of PostMag’s top five best-read stories of 2024. Photo: AP

The Trump Princess crossing Victoria Harbour in 1990, when future US president Donald Trump tried to sell the yacht in Hong Kong for US$115 million. He had paid the Sultan of Brunei US$30 million for the vessel three years earlier. Photo: Robert Ng

A picture of a young Teresa Teng in Bangkok from The Story of Teresa Teng by Billy. A former employee of the Chiang Mai hotel recalls the happiness she found there and what happened on the day she died in 1995. Photo: The Story of Teresa Teng by Billy

Taylor Swift performs at Singapore’s National Stadium, in March. Photo: Getty Images

A worshipper prays to the Jade Emperor or Lord of Heaven at a temple in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. People from China’s Fujian province and neighbouring regions, and their descendants in the Chinese diaspora, offer tributes to the deity on the ninth day of Lunar New Year, the Jade Emperor’s birthday. Photo: Getty Images

Sammo Hung at an interview with the Post in Hong Kong, in March. The martial arts film icon reflects on his glittering career, which he spent “guessing what would become successful”. Photo: Xiaomei Chen. Hair: Perry @ GHD Styling Team. Make-up: Guerlain Make-up Team

Discover Thai gems, from Bourdain food favourites to spirit houses

Insiders’ guide to Chiang Mai: try local delicacy khao soi and enjoy the lively markets and nightlife of Thailand’s second city. Photo: Getty Images


A display depicting an opium smoker at the House of Opium, in the Thai part of the Golden Triangle. The region’s drug-producing past is remembered here through museums, tours and memorials. Photo: David Frazier

Hong Kong’s hidden past reveals a tragic death, gay love and spies

A US sailor sits in a sedan chair in Hong Kong in the 1930s. Such rides were recommended to tourists in the Chinese Nationalist government’s publication ‘Tourists Guide: The Colony of Hong Kong and Vicinity’ from the era. Photo: Getty Images


The relationship between German scholar Magnus Hirschfeld and his partner Li Shiu-tong was accepted in 1930s Hong Kong. Photo: Handout.

Insiders’ guide to Tainan, Taiwan – where history, art and cuisine come alive

Tainan’s old and narrow streets make it an attractive city to explore on foot. Photo: Thomas Bird



Fort Anping, then known as Fort Zeelandia, was a built in the 17th century by the Dutch East India Company. Photo: Antony Dickson

American translator Joshua Dyer works as the editor-in-chief of Books From Taiwan — a government-funded initiative that promotes Taiwanese authors to publishers overseas. Photo: Thomas Bird

Fort Anping, in Tainan. Photo: Antony Dickson

The Hayashi Department Store, in Tainan. Photo: Antony Dickson

The department store was originally opened on December 5, 1932. Photo: Antony Dickson

Tainan Art Museum Building 2 features a pentagon-shaped roof and five storeys of galleries. Photo: Thomas Bird

Visual artist Yang Chia-shin at a solo exhibition in May. Photo: Thomas Bird

Tainan Art Museum is a must-see for Yang Chia-shin. Photo: Thomas Bird

Bookseller Tsai Hsin says visitors must try beef noodle soup, a Taiwanese favourite. Photo: Shutterstock

The visitors’ centre at Taijiang National Park. Photo: Shutterstock

The South Korean artist making lamps out of McDonald’s bags

Korean artist Gyuhan Lee in front of an artwork as part of his solo exhibition, “Pop Craft Structure”, at WOAW Gallery in Hong Kong. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

Artist Gyuhan Lee’s background is in furniture design, which shows through in his work. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

Gyuhan Lee’s work, Kitty Paper Trunk. Photo: courtesy of WOAW Gallery

McDonald’s Paper Bag Lighting by Gyuhan Lee. Photo: courtesy of WOAW Gallery

Gyuhan Lee’s solo exhibition “Pop Craft Structure” is on view at WOAW Gallery, Hong Kong. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

Gyuhan Lee’s Day & Night – Hermes Paper Architecture. Photo: courtesy of WOAW Gallery

The show is on view at WOAW Gallery, Hong Kong, till December 16. Photo: courtesy of WOAW Gallery

The hottest travel destinations for your holidays in 2025

During the traditional festival of Loy Krathong in Chiang Mai, Thai people release sky floating lanterns or lamp to worship Buddha’s relics with reflection. Photo: Getty Images

In the summer, the sun doesn’t set in Ilimanaq, Greenland. Photo: AFP

The Sunday Walking Street night market in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Photo: Getty Images

The Cappadocia region, formed by volcanic eruptions, is one of the most popular tourist sites in Turkey. Photo: Shutterstock

San Domenico Palace Hotel offers panoramic views of the snow-capped Mount Etna. Photo: Shutterstock

Sadhus take part in a holy bath and offer prayers on the occasion of Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, which happens once every 12 years. Photo: Shutterstock

Torshavn Harbour in the Faroe Islands, a self-governing archipelago that is part of Denmark. Photo: Tim Pile

The Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi, Georgia. Photo: Tim Pile

Raja Ampat’s Blue Lagoon. Photo: Penny Watson

PostMag

Culture

What were the most popular stories with our online readers this year? Donald Trump was the winner, as a look back at his attempt to sell his yacht in Hong Kong was No 1 on our charts …


What were the most popular stories with our online readers this year? Donald Trump was the winner, as a look back at his attempt to sell his yacht in Hong Kong was No 1 on our charts ….
