Chinese people are rushing to buy 1996 calendars, because this year is also a leap calendar, similar to 2024. This coincidence has aroused memories of the 1990s, many units “launched” the calendar on the market. The calendars have a vintage feel, priced from 5 yuan to more than 1,000 yuan ($140) on China’s leading second-hand trading app, Xianyu.
According to information from Economic View, in the past week, the number of searches for the 1996 calendar on Xianyu increased by 600%, reaching the highest transaction level ever. “Since the beginning of the new year, daily trading volume and inventory of vintage 1996 calendars have increased, peaking on January 9 when more than 400 people searched for ‘1996 calendar’ at the same time,” said an employee. shared by Xianyu.
Why do Chinese people hunt for the 1996 calendar?
What’s special is that these calendars have become hot items, selling for up to 200 USD (4.9 million VND) on eBay.
Many 1996 calendars have become hot items, selling for up to 200 USD (4.9 million VND) on eBay. Photo: SCMP.
Even many 1996 calendars are decorated with traditional Chinese motifs. In addition, there are calendars featuring foreign cultural icons such as Hong Kong stars and American and Japanese cartoon characters, such as Mickey Mouse, Ultraman and Cardcaptor. Considered legacies of an era when Beijing embraced foreign influence in its economy, culture and fashion.
Additionally, there are other vintage calendars sold with modern Chinese elements, from images of Mao Zedong to state newspaper pages to images of the Beijing Football Club. Although the solar calendar years 1996 and 2024 are completely identical, the traditional Chinese lunar calendar date of 2024 is different from 1996.
Nostalgia for the 1990s is spreading strongly through Chinese social networks, especially after the appearance of the debut television series titled “Blossoms Shanghai”, directed by top Hong Kong director Wang Gia Ve directed. This film depicts life in Shanghai in the 1990s, a period when Western investment capital and culture began to pour into the Chinese metropolis.
Social media users posted thousands of personal photos of beautiful scenes of major Chinese cities in the 1990s, from Shanghai to Shenzhen and Beijing. Some people recall joyful memories, bright neon lights on the streets, vibrant seafood restaurants and dazzling fireworks on New Year’s Eve.
