If you want to know more about China before your trip to China the best (And most enjoyable) way to do it is reading some books. But if you really want to have a deep plunge in the Chinese culture the best challenge is to read all the Four Great Classical Novels before your China […]
If you want to know more about China before your trip to China the best (And most enjoyable) way to do it is reading some books. But if you really want to have a deep plunge in the Chinese culture the best challenge is to read all the Four Great Classical Novels before your China trip.
The four Great Classical Novels are four novels that have influenced all the ancient (and modern) Chinese literature, the first one dates from the 13th century and the last from the 18th.
They are among the world’s oldest and longest novels and have influenced lots of plays, games and movies throughout Asia.
This article don’t plan to explain all their glory but just to have a glimpse of their plot and story.
The first novel is called “Water Margin” it was written in the 13th Century and it is basically about a group of outlaws first leaded by Wang Jin but in the end leaded by Song Jiang they fight aganist some evil generals, first Gao Qiu and then Cai Jing, this novel also tells how they lived in that era so it’s an interesting reading.
The second novel it’s called “The Romance of the Three Kingdoms” and it was written a century later, this is the most complex of the fourn novels because it follows all the story of three kingdoms how they lived separatly they unificate and they separate again. It’s a historical novel.
The third novel is the most famous one “A Journey to the West” , written in the 16th century this novels narrates the adventures of Son Goku (or Sun Wokung) a monkey, and his companions, a pig (Zhu Baije) a river ogre (Sha Wujing) and a dragon (the third son of theDragon of the West Sea) in their way to a peregrination to India where they recieve the scriptures from Buddha.
The fourth is more actual, it’s written on the 18th Century and it’s called “dream of the red chamber” and it’s about a young man born with a magical stone of jade in his mouth that is in love with his cousin but he has to marry another cousin who he doesn’t love.
There is also said that a fifth novel sould be added, the Plum in the Golden Vase, but it’s told to be too erotic for it’s inclusion.
If you like books and you want to read something traditional before your China Trip try these novels!
I know that maybe you won’t have the chance to be really interested in Chinese songs on your China tour, but I’m sure that you have already heard some songs even if you didn’t pay attention to it. People who have never travelled to China may think that Chinese songs are like Japanese or Korean […]
I know that maybe you won’t have the chance to be really interested in Chinese songs on your China tour, but I’m sure that you have already heard some songs even if you didn’t pay attention to it. People who have never travelled to China may think that Chinese songs are like Japanese or Korean Pop, or like Beijing’s opera songs. Yet, even if they have traditional songs, they listen to all kind of music, but it’s true that they prefer ballads to rap or hard rock music. You will notice that techno music is widely displayed at the hair dresser’s, shops, malls, arcade game centers or to promote something.
Music is very present into their lives, but I think that they rather like singing than listening to songs. Yes, Chinese people like to sing songs. In my life I’ve never seen as many advertisements where people are singing on it to promote random products. Moreover all their shows have a musical part; a dance, a song, or an instrument. It’s common to hear people singing in the subway. They are not afraid or ashamed to show their vocal talents in front of a crowd with their headphones on their ears. And if you go to some parks, you will see that elderly people gather everyday together to practise taichi, play cards/majong, discuss, dance and sing. Karaoke is the symbol of their passion for singing. You can be sure that on every city of China you will be, you will find at least 1 KTV. In these last past years, Arcade game centers started to put karaoke cabins on service too.
Chinese National Anthem Jìnxíngqǔ
Qǐlái! Búyuàn zuò núlì de rénmen!
Bǎ wǒmen de xuèròu,
zhùchéng wǒmen xīn de chángchéng!
Zhōnghuá mínzú dàoliǎo zuì wēixiǎn de shíhòu.
Měi ge rén bèipòzhe fāchū zuìhòu de hǒushēng.
Qǐlái! Qǐlái! Qǐlái!
Wǒmen wànzhòngyìxīn,
Màozhe dírén de pàohuǒ, qiánjìn!
Màozhe dírén de pàohuǒ, qiánjìn!
Qiánjìn! Qiánjìn! Jìn!
最炫民族风 zuì xuàn mín zú fēng
This is a very popular song in China, like the most trendy since a lot of videos on youkou and youtube are made with this cover. This song is the buzz of the year 2010, I’ve listened it few times, and now I keep singing this song in my head everyday. You can find it on copy the name of the song in chinese and watch funny videos and corporate flash mobs about this song.
cāng máng de tiān yá shì wǒ de ài
mián mián de qīng shān jiǎo xià huā zhèng kāi
shí me yàng de jié zòu shì zuì yā zuì yáo bǎi
shí me yàng de gē shēng cái shì zuì kāi huái
wān wān de hé shuǐ cóng tiān shàng lái
líu xiàng nà wàn zǐ qiān hóng yī piàn hǎi
huǒ là là de gē yáo shì wǒ men de qī dài
yī lù biān zǒu biān chàng cái shì zuì zì zài
wǒ men yào chàng jìu yào chàng dé zuì tòng kuài
Chorus:
nǐ shì wǒ tiān biān zuì měi de yún cǎi
ràng wǒ yòng xīn bǎ nǐ líu xià lái ( líu xià lái )
yōu yōu de chàng zhe zuì xuàn de mín zú fēng
ràng ài juàn zǒu suǒ yǒu de chén āi( wǒ zhī dào )
nǐ shì wǒ xīn zhōng zuì měi de yún cǎi
zhēn mǎn měi jǐu ràng nǐ líu xià lái ( líu xià lái )
yǒng yuǎn dōu chàng zhe zuì xuàn de mín zú fēng
shì zhěng piàn tiān kōng zuì měi de zī tài ( líu xià lái )
( yo lā lā hē lā bài )
( yī lā suo lā hē lā bài yā )
wǒ tīng jiàn nǐ xīn zhōng dòng rén de tiān lài
dēng shàng tiān wài yún xiāo de wǔ tái
cāng máng de tiān yá shì wǒ de ài
mián mián de qīng shān jiǎo xià huā zhèng kāi
shí me yàng de jié zòu shì zuì yā zuì yáo bǎi
shí me yàng de gē shēng cái shì zuì kāi huái
wān wān de hé shuǐ cóng tiān shàng lái
líu xiàng nà wàn zǐ qiān hóng yī piàn hǎi
huǒ là là de gē yáo shì wǒ men de qī dài
yī lù biān zǒu biān chàng cái shì zuì zì zài
wǒ men yào chàng jìu yào chàng dé zuì tòng kuài
Chorus x2
Songs are also a good way to create links and connect people. I’m sure that it would be easier to break the ice with Chinese people that you’ll meet during your trip. Here are some famous songs in pinyin to practice at home before flying to China.
When you travel to China you will see that everybody carry a little (or not so little) hard-plastic bottle and that normally it’s filled with tea, in fact if your Chinese Trip is quite long maybe it’s a good idea to buy one. Because one of the major influences from the Chinese culture to the […]
When you travel to China you will see that everybody carry a little (or not so little) hard-plastic bottle and that normally it’s filled with tea, in fact if your Chinese Trip is quite long maybe it’s a good idea to buy one.
Because one of the major influences from the Chinese culture to the world is tea.
Tea is just an aromatic beverage consistent in pouring hot water in some leaves of a plant called “Camelia sinensis” and it’s the second most drank beverage in the world after water.
This plant is original from China, in fact, there are sources that say that the first records of tea drinking are found in China the 10th century B.C, and it was a very common drink in the 3rd century B.C in China, during the Qin dynasty, during the following centuries it was expanded to Japan and Korea and it to Europe by the 16th century A.C.
Although there are some kinds of tea they are originally the same plant in different stages of different processes, sometimes with a touch of another plant but the base is always “Camelia sinensis”
The processes take part on the leaves, depending on them the tea can be;
– White (wilted and unoxidized, not allowed to dry)
– Yellow (the same as white but allowed to dry for a bit)
– Green (unwilted and unoxidized, that is the healthiest tea variety)
– Oolong (Wilted, bruised, and partially oxidized)
– Black tea (Wilted, sometimes crushed, and fully oxidized)
– Fermented teas (Green tea that has been allowed to ferment/compost)
Considering all this tea varieties it’s obvious that in China, as the place of they originated, has the largest traditions and culture around the tea, so it’s always worthy to get a little bit of information and try to find a traditional tea ceremony that will allow you to know the way the tea was intended to be drank in the beginning of its cultivation.
In China tea was considered one of the seven necessities, alongside with; rice, fire, soy sauce, oil, salt and vinegar.
It’s also used for different things, depending on how you serve it such as; a sign of respect, for a family gathering, to apologize, to express thanks to your elders on your wedding day, to connect large families in celebrations and lots of other little acts that have tea as an important part of it.
During your China Trip try to learn more about the tea culture and don’t hesitate to try the different teas that you’ll be able to find around. Hot water is also surprisingly easy to find and you can always ask it in your hotel, they will give you hot water even in the restaurants so if you wish you can bring your own tea leaves and make your own beverage there.
In many countries in Southeast Asia chopsticks are the most common utensil to eat food. For this reason most Asian restaurants in western countries offer their guests both chopsticks and silverware. So if you’re planning your China Tours and you can’t handle chopsticks yet it is about time that you learn how to use them. […]
In many countries in Southeast Asia chopsticks are the most common utensil to eat food. For this reason most Asian restaurants in western countries offer their guests both chopsticks and silverware. So if you’re planning your China Tours and you can’t handle chopsticks yet it is about time that you learn how to use them. So get yourself a pair of chopsticks and start preparing for your china travel adventure!
First of all it’s not always easy to get western silverware in Chinese restaurants and not having to look for a knife and a fork will save you time and energy. And more than that, with a history of several thousand years chopsticks are an important part of Asian eating culture, so you should try your best to adapt to this way of eating food. You can show that you’re open to the Chinese culture and win the local’s respect by using chopsticks like a pro.
Chopsticks are not only an eating utensil but are also used to prepare food, to pick it up, turn it in the pan, stir etc. Considering their long history it’s only natural that they come in all different materials and designs. The most common materials are wood, bamboo, plastic or metal. The more expensive materials such as silver, gold, bones, jade or ivory were more common among wealthy families in earlier times but they are still used until today.
How to hold your chopsticks
Pick up the first chopstick and place the broad end where your thumb and index finger connect. The narrow end should loosely rest between your ring and middle finger. This chopstick is the steady part. Then take the second chopstick and place the broad end above the first one and hold the narrow side with your thumb and index finger. The upper stick is the one you move towards the lower one. Try to hold both of them rather loose and make sure you don’t cross the ends. Once you got this right you can just start picking up the food, it will need some practice though.
What to avoid when using chopsticks
In western countries it is considered bad manners to play with the silverware, to point at people or objects, make noises, tab bowls and plates or dig in the food and these rules are just the same when you use chopsticks in China. Apart from that you should avoid in any case sticking them into a bowl of rice. This reminds of the ritual of incense-burning which are offerings to deceased family members. Moreover, try to avoid pointing the sticks towards other people sitting at the table when you put them down.
Also, try to avoid spearing your food with the chopsticks. Anything that is too difficult to be picked up this way is usually eaten with a spoon, e. g. small slippery foods or those with a round shape such as cherry tomatoes or fish balls. And please don’t hack your food into smaller pieces, just take several bites instead if the piece is too big.
Noodles which are usually served in a soup might come as a challenge. Even though they are long and slippery don’t roll them up with your chopsticks like spaghetti, just bring them to your mouth and then slurp them in. That’s how Chinese people do it and slurping is not considered to be bad manners at all. But don’t worry, there is also a lot of street food which you can eat without using chopsticks like skewered meat and seafood and lots of other tasty snacks. Have you already booked your China Flights? Then why don’t you go to your favorite Chinese restaurant to get ready for your trip?
Dated over 17,000 years, the ancient town of Zhujiajiao is a must-see attraction for those who travel to Shanghai. Known as ‘Shanghai’s Venice’ due to its waterways, the town serves as a top place to experience old China. For those wishing to go to the town, you can catch a bus from Puanlu Station (close […]
Dated over 17,000 years, the ancient town of Zhujiajiao is a must-see attraction for those who travel to Shanghai. Known as ‘Shanghai’s Venice’ due to its waterways, the town serves as a top place to experience old China. For those wishing to go to the town, you can catch a bus from Puanlu Station (close to People’s Square, Shanghai) with the hour-long journey generally costing about 12RMB. Moreover, Zhujiajiao’s great location means that you can experience a large portion of the day in the town and then have the advantage of staying in Shanghai hotels.
Actual entrance to the town is free, but if you want to experience the town from the water this, of course, costs. For cruises, prices range from 80RMB for nine scenic spots; 60RMB for eight, and 30RMB for four. The motion of the boats may be off-putting to some, but viewing the town from the water enhances the authenticity of the experience. With all this in mind, it is still enjoyable to watch the boats from the town’s spectacular kilometre-long North Street. Indeed, it is absolutely memorizing to see how the oarsmen ferry people between the tightest of spaces, navigate under bridges and skilfully meander around corners.
If you decide to purchase the complete admission package, then you can expect to visit; City God Temple, Imperial Academy Stele Museum, Kezhi Garden, Qing Dynasty Post Office, Shanghai Handwork Exhibition Hall, Tongtianhe Medicine Shop, Shanghai Quanhua Art Hall, Yanyi Hall and Yuanjin Meditation Room. Hence after reading this list, you can be assured that you will not get bored in Zhujiajiao. As a piece of advice, it might be best to arrive at the town in the morning to ensure you see everything you want especially as the crowds can pick-up later
in the afternoon.
Cities like Beijing and Shanghai have ancient buildings, but many are often regenerated or render a distinct purpose (such as a temple or palace). What makes Zhujiajiao especially alluring is the fact that it is a reflection of ancient daily life. Tourism is essential to the town’s income, however we should acknowledge that this is a place where people live and it is not merely an attraction for our amusement. Therefore, it is imperative that, as visitors, we remain respectful to the residents and only take photos where appropriate, for instance. The residents of Zhujiajiao are equally very friendly and welcome tourists to buy their goods such as pungent-smelling tofu, sweet bamboo juice and countless handicrafts.
Without doubt, it is wonderful to see the old working life being preserved with the sight of fish being caught and prepared by locals. The traditional architecture of the town is pleasant on the eye with much of the town’s style deriving from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. In particular, the five-storey ‘Moon View Pavilion’ in the KeZhi Garden and the Fangsheng Bridge constructed in 1571 are worth viewing. After seeing its waters glisten from a distance, it is understandable that Zhujiajiao is also fondly named the ‘Pearl Stream’ with the ancient town definately being a superb attraction on any Shanghai tours route.
When you travel to Beijing it won’t be long until you come across an outdoor gym. You can find them in parks, streets, along the rivers and in many other public places. It’s probably not even far away from many Beijing hotels. At certain times of the day they are well frequented, with many older residents […]
When you travel to Beijing it won’t be long until you come across an outdoor gym. You can find them in parks, streets, along the rivers and in many other public places. It’s probably not even far away from many Beijing hotels. At certain times of the day they are well frequented, with many older residents enjoying using these opportunities.
While many of us only know playgrounds for children China and other Asian countries offer a lot more than that. The outdoor fitness facilities seem a little like an adult version of those and even have a kind of similar purpose. They don’t only offer an opportunity to exercise; they are at the same time places for social activities, where neighbors, friends or just strangers meet.
These gyms are comparable to private indoor gyms, but they are in the open air and there is no entrance fee. There are different types of fitness machines, some for stretching and others to build up strength. Moreover, these places generally don’t need maintenance and the equipment uses the bodyweight of the user to create resistance instead of electricity. So it’s friendly to the environment as well as to the user. It is a great opportunity for everybody who doesn’t have access to a fitness club or can’t afford it and contributes to an active lifestyle and improves the physical condition.
Some of these outdoor gyms were built as part of a nationwide fitness campaign that started in 1998. The main purpose was to animate people to engage in more physical exercise by making these facilities enjoyable and easily accessible to the public across the country. Following this nationwide campaign the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 offered a great opportunity to launch another citywide campaign. About 4,000 outdoor gyms were built in the Beijing area and sport has become more popular than ever with the Olympic Games in Beijing.
The result of these campaigns is definitely convincing, especially in the Beijing area where now about two thirds of all residents indicate to participate in some kind of physical exercise compared to the nationwide average of one third. Following Beijing’s example London has now also launched a similar campaign in preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Of course, with this topic there’s always an economic aspect to it. Staying fit and healthy reduces the risk for many diseases and helps to keep a healthy weight. That way, medical costs can be reduced considerably on the long run.
Beijing is probably the best example but if you travel to Shanghai or another big city you might not find as many of these outdoor gyms as in Beijing but you’ll definitely find them. So try them out, it’s a nice relaxation or strengthening for the muscles, whatever you prefer, and suitable of all ages.