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Very Superstitious Posted by sasha on Feb 18, 2012
Every culture has its own unique superstitions (迷信 – mí xìn), and China is no different. Chinese culture is rich in beliefs, customs, and superstitions that vary greatly from those in the West. Let’s take a look at some of these, and how they will bring you either good luck or bad luck. Numbers In…
Yunnan (云南) Part Four – Kunming (昆明) Posted by sasha on Feb 16, 2012
After a few days of fun in Dali, we headed back to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province. While this city is developing quickly along with the rest of China, it’s still quite easy to get lost in the countryside. We hiked up the Long Insect Mountain and spent the day roaming around cabbage patches…
Real Chinese Food – Common Dishes Posted by sasha on Feb 5, 2012
If you hear the words “Chinese food” and think of General Tso’s chicken, crab rangoons, egg rolls, and fortune cookies, then you need to get out of the line at the all-you-can-eat Chinese lunch buffet in Small Town, USA, book yourself a plane ticket, and come to the Middle Kingdom to eat some of the…
Spring Festival Superstitions and Traditions Posted by sasha on Jan 21, 2012
When the Spring Festival rolls around, there’s a lot to be done. As this festival lasts for 15 days, there’s something different for each day, and preparations for the celebration begin weeks before the actual festival. Let’s learn about some of the superstitions and traditions associated with the most important Chinese holiday. Superstitions Leading up…
Beijing (北京) Posted by sasha on Jan 17, 2012
The capital city of China, Beijing has a history dating back thousands of years. Every day, hordes of tourists flock to this ancient city to visit its many landmarks. Take a short video tour of Beijing in this video. 北京是中国的首都 – běi jīng shì zhōng guó de shǒu dū Beijing is China’s capital 天安门广场 –…
Yunnan – Part Three Posted by sasha on Jan 14, 2012
For our last day in Dali, we took the cable car up to the top of Mt. Cangshan, where we hiked along the Cloud Traveler’s Path, admiring the beautiful scenery. Afterwards, we enjoyed a delicious vegetarian meal, and then we made our way back to Kunming. 大理古城 – dà lǐ gǔ chéng Dali Ancient City…
Yunnan – Part Two – Cycling and Swimming in Dali Posted by sasha on Jan 10, 2012
For our second day in the ancient city of Dali, we rented bicycles and went on a cruise of the countryside. We stopped to swim in the Er Hai Lake, rode by a famous temple with its three pagodas, and enjoyed a delicious lunch. In the evening, we strolled the streets and enjoyed some more…