1960s-70s: Calendar cards and posters

Calendar cards were very common in this period, especially during the "cultural revolution" (1966-76).

One side was printed with a calendar, while the other featured political slogans and imagery.

Rural dwellers liked the kind of calendar cards in which people could tear out the pages as the days passed.

1980s-90s: Wall calendars

The wall calendar appeared before 1980 but became very popular among common people only in the 1980s and 1990s. Most had a cover and 12 sheets, featuring different subjects. Celebrities were the most popular images. Many people gave wall calendars as Spring Festival gifts.

2000-10: Desk calendars

The diversification of options led to the decline in wall calendars' popularity after the turn of the millennium. Government agencies and enterprises began using desk calendars as promotional vehicles.

2010-present: Customized calendars

More personalized calendars have been appearing in the market, and online calendar computer software and smartphone applications are becoming popular.

(China Daily 01/03/2013 page7)