Heritage of Middle Kingdom, UNESCO, Contemporary Chinese Culture: News & Images

[AndrewJin]

Minor Cold is the 23rd solar term of the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms. It will last from Jan 6 to Jan 19, 2016. For most areas of China, it marks the start of the coldest days of the year. Many Chinese sayings use the weather and climate situation during Minor Cold to predict the weather in the following spring.

Still, bitter cold can't prevent people from enjoying their lives. Here are some things that help us stay warm during Minor Cold.

小寒（Minor Cold)

Stocking up for New Year
During Minor Cold, people always start stocking New Year goods, which include Spring Festival couplets, New Year pictures, paper-cuts for window decoration, fire crackers, incense and lanterns.

Mutton hot pot, chestnuts and baked sweet potato
Mutton hot pot, chestnuts and baked sweet potato are three recommended foods for Minor Cold. According to traditional Chinese medicine theories, people need to eat food that contains more yang energy to prevent cold from harming their organs. The yang energy in the three types of food is strengthened through their method of cooking: boiling, stir frying and baking.

Beef, sesame, walnuts, almonds and raisins are also good choices for Minor Cold.

Eating Laba porridge
Another important traditional food for Minor Cold is Laba porridge. It is made from more than 20 kinds of nuts, cereals and dried fruits. Local people in Beijing often cook Laba porridge on the night of the seventh day of the twelfth lunar month. After one night's slow simmering, all the ingredients melt into the porridge in the morning of the eighth day, becoming a warm delicacy to enjoy on cold days

Tasting Nanjing vegetable rice
People in Nanjing used to take Minor Cold quite seriously, and they still keep a custom of eating vegetable rice to celebrate this solar term. The rice is steamed with aijiaohuang (a kind of green vegetable), sausage and salted duck that are all the specialties in Nanjing.

Making Chinese traditional herbal medicine
Minor Cold is also the busiest time for doctors and pharmacies of traditional Chinese medicine. Many people need them to prepare new medicines, which will be consumed before the Lunar New Year.

 

[ahojunk]

The teapot building: Wuxi Wanda Cultural City's exhibition centre
More tea than China

An innovative building design has been constructed in China, in the shape of a huge traditional teapot.

A structure resembling a giant purple teapot has been created on the border of the Yangtze River and Taihu Lake in China, an exhibition centre designed to reference local customs.

The form is based on yixing clay objects, which originated from the Eastern province of Jiangsu during the 15th century. the structure itself is 38.8 metres high and nearly 50 metres in diameter – its main materials are aluminum sheets and differently sized panels of glazing, with stained glass used for the central curvature.

The round volume can rotate into different positions, as well as a micro roller coaster, ferris wheel, and water park.

Source:The teapot building: Wuxi Wanda Cultural City's exhibition centre | Buro 24/7

 

[TaiShang]

Huzhou calligraphy brush a national treasure

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The Huzhou calligraphy brush has always been known as an important element of the "four treasures in the study" along with Anhui ink, the Duan ink stone, and Xuan paper in Chinese culture. Produced in Shanlian Town, Huzhou City of Zhejiang Province, it is one of the most recognizable Chinese brushes used for calligraphy. [Photo by Wang Chuan/China.com.cn]

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A worker works on the Huzhou calligraphy brush production line in Shanlian Town, Huzhou City of Zhejiang Province. The calligraphy brushes produced in the area have been favored by calligraphers throughout China for their excellence in workmanship and variety of styles. [Photo by Wang Chuan/China.com.cn]

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A worker works on the Huzhou calligraphy brush production line in Shanlian Town, Huzhou City of Zhejiang Province. The calligraphy brushes produced in the area have been favored by calligraphers throughout China for their excellence in workmanship and variety of styles. [Photo by Wang Chuan/China.com.cn]

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A man works on the Huzhou calligraphy brush production line in Shanlian Town, Huzhou City of Zhejiang Province. The calligraphy brushes produced in the area have been favored by calligraphers throughout China for their excellence in workmanship and variety of styles. [Photo by Wang Chuan/China.com.cn]

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A worker carves characters on the handle of a brush at the Huzhou calligraphy brush production line in Shanlian Town, Huzhou City of Zhejiang Province. The calligraphy brushes produced in the area have been favored by calligraphers throughout China for their excellence in workmanship and variety of styles. [Photo by Wang Chuan/China.com.cn]

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A teacher uses the Huzhou writing brush to draw a "cinnabar dot" on the forehead of a student – a traditional grand ceremony in China, a rite of passage for every child beginning their calligraphy practice. [Photo by Wang Chuan/China.com.cn]

 

[oprih]

This is definitely a Chinese cultural tradition worth preserving...
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Inkstone carver passes on traditional skill
China.org.cn | December 29, 2015

Editor's notes: Inkstone carving is traditional Chinese craftsmanship playing an important role in the inheritance of an ancient civilization and traditional Chinese culture.

Jiang Lianggen, 42, a farmer from a village of Wuyuan County, Jiangxi Province, has been engaged in inkstone carving since 1990 when he graduated from high school. Through painstaking effort, he has made obvious progress in knowledge and skill, winning many awards including the title of a "National Intangible Cultural Successor."

The workshop Jiang built up in 1999 has now developed into an inkstone manufacturing base of some scale and he now has quite a lot of apprentices working under him.

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Jiang Lianggen works on inkstone carving at his workshop in Zhongping Village, Wuyuan County of Jiangxi Province, Dec. 27, 2015. The area has been selected as a State-level productive protection demonstration base for intangible cultural heritage.

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Jiang Lianggen works on inkstone carving at his workshop in Zhongping Village, Wuyuan County of Jiangxi Province, Dec. 27, 2015. The area has been selected as a State-level productive protection demonstration base for intangible cultural heritage.

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Jiang Lianggen works on inkstone carving at his workshop in Zhongping Village, Wuyuan County of Jiangxi Province, Dec. 27, 2015. The area has been selected as a State-level productive protection demonstration base for intangible cultural heritage.

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Tourists admire inkstone carving works made by Jiang Lianggen at his workshop in the productive protection demonstration base for intangible cultural heritage in Wuyuan County, Jiangxi Province, Dec. 27, 2015.

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Jiang Lianggen works on inkstone carving at his workshop in Zhongping Village, Wuyuan County of Jiangxi Province, Dec. 27, 2015.

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Jiang Lianggen passes inkstone carving skills on to his apprentices at his workshop in Zhongping Village, Wuyuan County of Jiangxi Province, Dec. 27, 2015.

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Close up of Jiang Lianggen working on inkstone carving at his workshop in Zhongping Village, Wuyuan County of Jiangxi Province, Dec. 27, 2015.

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Close up of Jiang Lianggen working on inkstone carving at his workshop in Zhongping Village, Wuyuan County of Jiangxi Province, Dec. 27, 2015.

The finished artworks in the pictures are stunning.

 

[ahojunk]

'A Bite Of China' Film Opens in China
2016-01-07 20:11:43 | CRIENGLISH.com | Web Editor: Huang Shan

A still photo from the documentary film 'A Bite of China: Celebrating the Chinese New Year'. [Photo: mtime.com]

The highly-anticipated documentary film 'A Bite of China: Celebrating the Chinese New Year' is fully opened in China today.

This full-length feature will enchant the audience with diverse and colorful Chinese cuisine made only during the Spring Festival, a time for family reunions.

Along with the film's grand opening, a promo video has been released on major Chinese online platforms, which is themed on celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Mouth-watering local dishes, jubilant dragon and lion dances, as well as catchy sacrifice proverbs are all revealed in the video.

Directed by Chen Lei, Deng Jie and Li Yong, the 85-minute film designs to display 43 dishes from 35 areas.

Director Chen Lei says though the film can evoke people's sentimentality and nostalgia, it's still carried out in a tone full of joy.

The third season of 'A Bite of China' has begun filming in countries like Canada, Italy and Peru, which aims to look at Chinese food culture from a global perspective.

The latest season is set to make its return on China Central TV around July.

 

[TaiShang]

'A Bite Of China' Film Opens in China
2016-01-07 20:11:43 | CRIENGLISH.com | Web Editor: Huang Shan

View attachment 286426
A still photo from the documentary film 'A Bite of China: Celebrating the Chinese New Year'. [Photo: mtime.com]

The highly-anticipated documentary film 'A Bite of China: Celebrating the Chinese New Year' is fully opened in China today.

This full-length feature will enchant the audience with diverse and colorful Chinese cuisine made only during the Spring Festival, a time for family reunions.

Along with the film's grand opening, a promo video has been released on major Chinese online platforms, which is themed on celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Mouth-watering local dishes, jubilant dragon and lion dances, as well as catchy sacrifice proverbs are all revealed in the video.

Directed by Chen Lei, Deng Jie and Li Yong, the 85-minute film designs to display 43 dishes from 35 areas.

Director Chen Lei says though the film can evoke people's sentimentality and nostalgia, it's still carried out in a tone full of joy.

The third season of 'A Bite of China' has begun filming in countries like Canada, Italy and Peru, which aims to look at Chinese food culture from a global perspective.

The latest season is set to make its return on China Central TV around July.

That's an amazing documentary and is shown in Taiwan on daily basis. One of the favorite shows in Taiwan -- second to 中国好声音, perhaps

 

[ahojunk]

Malay version of four Chinese classics coming out
English.news.cn 2016-01-05 13:20:30

The Chinese classic novels Water Margin, Romance of Three Kingdoms, Journey to the West and Dream of the Red Chamber.(Photo Source: Chinadaily)

Malaysia will soon have its own version of China’s Dream of the Red Chamber, by Cao Xueqin of the Qing Dynasty (1644 to 1912), following the recent publication of a Malay version of three other classics, -Water Margin, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and Journey to the West-- according to Wu Hengcan, the head of the Malaysian Han Culture Center, in the city of Kuala Lumpur.

Wu explained, "Dream of the Red Chamber was is the most difficult one to translate, with so many characters, poems, and songs with a rich, subtle meaning, but, 40 of the 120 chapters have been translated over the past five years and the whole thing is likely to be finished in three years."

The books that have been published have got a good reception in Malaysia, with its language and publication bureau, in commenting on Journey to the West, calling it a "trans-space, trans-national, trans-religious masterpiece filled with imagination".

Wu went on to say that he hopes the translated versions can help increase cultural exchanges and cooperation between Chinese Malaysians and the Malaysians themselves.

(Source:Chinadaily)

 

[ahojunk]

Villagers Making Lanterns ahead of Lunar New Year
2016-01-13 13:26:29 | CRIENGLISH.com | Web Editor: Li Bin

Villagers in Wuzhi county are busy making lanterns as their sales climb ahead of the Lunar New Year in China on Jan 12, 2016. Wuzhi county in central China's Henan province has a tradition of making lanterns which is also an important means of income for locals.

 

[ahojunk]

Tibetan and their costumes. Very colorful and full of culture.

This picture was taken in 1 Jan 2016 to celebrate the New Year.

Ok, a few more pictures.

 

[AndrewJin]

Villagers Making Lanterns ahead of Lunar New Year
2016-01-13 13:26:29 | CRIENGLISH.com | Web Editor: Li Bin

Villagers in Wuzhi county are busy making lanterns as their sales climb ahead of the Lunar New Year in China on Jan 12, 2016. Wuzhi county in central China's Henan province has a tradition of making lanterns which is also an important means of income for locals.

View attachment 286738

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I won't buy lantern but will hang some door gods pictures on the door.

 

[AndrewJin]

Monkey stamps may be investors' next gold mine

China's newly issued Lunar New Year monkey stamps are becoming a surprise hit for disappointed investors amid unstable gloomy markets such as stocks, the exchange rate and real estate.

The stamps, issued on Jan 5, are sold out soon after release and are experiencing a rocketing increase in value, china.com.cn reported.

The resale price increased from 420 yuan on the day of issue to 820 yuan within a week, 21 times its face value of 38.4 yuan.

A merchant in Changchun, Jilin province is surprised by the price surge of the monkey stamp market, saying: "I'm quite experienced in the stamp market but cannot understand the unreasonable price of the monkey stamps."

The crazy price does have its reasons.

The stamps are the first sign of the Chinese zodiac to be commemorated in the fourth series of China's zodiac stamp collection.

The monkey stamps contain two designs. One is a monkey holding a peach as a symbol of good luck; the other one is a female monkey carrying two babies, a hint of China's two-child policy. (@Bussard Ramjet )

The designer is 92-year-old Huang Yongyu who designed the first monkey stamps 36 years ago.

The price of stamps commemorating the 1980 Year of the Monkey has rocketed to a historical high.

As the first of its kind, the stamps are sought-after items, with a single stamp fetching 12,000 yuan ($1,820), considerably more than its original face value of 0.8 yuan. A complete set sells for 1.5 million yuan.

A complete set of monkey stamps issued in 1980, worth 1.5 million yuan

 

[TaiShang]

Prehistoric mat reveals ancient weaving techniques
Xinhua, January 14, 2016

Sleeping on a cool grass mat to evade the summer heat was a pleasure understood by Chinese people 7,000 years ago.

A team of scientists have identified a nearly 7,000-year-old reed mat discovered in east China, offering a rare glimpse into a very early stage of the civilization's textile making.

Objects such as baskets woven from plants are among the oldest human technologies. Their origin is believed to be related to the rise of agriculture, which fueled the need for grain and seed containers. Yet a lack of surviving items has long hampered studies.

According to an article published in the journal Scientific Reports, Zhang Jianping and his colleagues dated the remains of a woven mat unearthed at a Neolithic settlement site in Tianluoshan, Zhejiang Province, and put its age between 6,645 and 6,775 years, the oldest woven object to be discovered and dated in China.

It is more than 2,000 years older than silk textiles from Qianshanyang in Zhejiang Province and 1,000 years older than the Kudzu fabric from Caoxieshan in Jiangsu Province, the article said.

The yellow textile piece is 50 cm long, 20-40 cm wide with a thickness of 0.2 cm. Judging from its flat shape and a lack of grain residue detected on it, it was more likely used as a mat, rather than a food container, Zhang, with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, told Xinhua.

"Our guess is that our ancestors used it as a cover or bedding," Zhang said in an email interview. "Its exact use is open to discussion."

By examining its phytoliths (a microscopic structure found in rotten plants), Zhang's team concluded the mat was made of reeds, rather than bamboo or bulrush, all commonly used in mats in ancient and modern-day China.

Items made of plants are prone to decay after being buried, which explains why many ancient weaves were only identified by their imprints on other items, but Zhang said the mat was luckily placed in an oxygen-free environment filled with underground water that helped it survive.

The study could shed light on how reeds and other plants were woven into the daily life of Chinese predecessors 7,000 years ago, while offering a new approach for identifying ancient weaving, Zhang said.

 

[ahojunk]

China's Tusi sites listed as world heritage
Updated: 2015-07-04 16:58:58

These ruins in the Tangya chieftain city are in Hubei province. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's chieftain heritage sites, mainly concentrated in the mountainous areas of Hunan, Hubei and Guizhou in southeast China, was inscribed in the World Heritage List on Saturday.

Up to now, China ranks 2nd in the world when it comes to cultural heritage sites, behind only Italy, with 48 World Heritage sites on UNESCO's list.

Chieftains, also known as Tusi, were tribal leaders recognized as imperial officials by the government of the Yuan (1271-1368), Ming (1368-1644), and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties. The central governments back then made arrangements with local chieftains in order to rule the northwest and southwest frontiers and it proved a successful strategy.

"The chieftain could preserve their own military and rule accordingly, so long as they submit and pay tribute to the central government," said Wang Wei, head of the Institute of Archeology in the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

According to Wang, the system helped the central government rule parts of the country that were very different from the central land though it later resulted in fights between the chieftains and had to be revised.

Liu Qingzhu, director of the history department of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that the chieftain system serves as a historical reference for us to unite the people and rule the country in a multinational context.

The stone archway in Tangya chieftain city relics in Hubei province. [Photo/Xinhua]

Tourists visit a chieftain's grave in Tangya chieftain city in Hubei province. [Photo/Xinhua]

 

[ahojunk]

Shangri-la Town; Dukezong, Reopens after Disastrous Fire
2016-01-01 18:34:42 | Xinhua | Web Editor: Chu Yiming

An ancient Tibetan town reopened to visitors on Friday, January 1, 2016 after authorities restored parts of the city destroyed in a devastating fire in 2014. The fire burnt nearly a fifth of the ancient town's core preservation area.

A total of 343 houses were burned down in Dukezong in Shangri-la County, Yunnan Province, in January 2014. Dukezong was established 1,300 years ago and is famous for its well-preserved Tibetan style architecture.

The town has so far completed restoration of 95 damaged houses, some of which have opened for business, though many more are still being rebuilt, said Kang Jianhua, one leading official of the city.

Officials said they respected local cultures during reconstruction and tried to restore the town to its original appearance.

Dukezong, meaning town of the moon in Tibetan, is a major tourist resort whose fame was boosted by British writer James Hilton's 1933 novel "Lost Horizon."

After the blaze, which was caused by an electric heater, destroyed about one third of the town's buildings, concerns were raised over the fire risk of the largely wooden architectures.

The reconstruction features the use of fire-proof materials and renovation of fire control facilities, Kang said.

March 10, 2014. Two months after the fire, the ancient town of Dukezong, in Shangri-la County, Yunnan.

The following pictures were dated Oct. 12, 2015, show the situation in ancient town of Dukezong. Life is getting back to normal, though more restoration work is still required.

 

[ahojunk]

Lunar New Year Celebrated in Singapore's Chinatown

The following are pictures of Lunar New Year celebrations in Singapore's Chinatown on Jan. 16, 2016. The Chinese Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, falls on Feb. 8 this year. [Photo: Xinhua]