Archive for 'Culture'
2016 Year in Review – Culture and Travel Posted by sasha on Dec 29, 2016
If you’re a fan of Chinese language and culture, 2016 has been a good year. We’ve covered tons of topics this year, including plenty of posts heavy on new Chinese vocabulary and important grammar. This blog is about more than just learning new words, though – it’s also about diving into Chinese culture and exploring…
National Museum of China Posted by sasha on Dec 26, 2016
There are many impressive historical and cultural sights in Beijing, from the Forbidden City to the Great Wall. One place that doesn’t get nearly as much attention as it deserves is the National Museum of China. It’s totally free, and it’s full of fascinating artifacts from thousands of years of Chinese history. Take a short tour…
A Short Trip to Suzhou Posted by sasha on Dec 22, 2016
One of the most popular places to visit in Jiangsu province is the ancient city of Suzhou (苏州 – sū zhōu). Renowned for its classical gardens and its abundance of canals, the famous explorer Marco Polo once dubbed this the “Venice of the Orient.” Let’s see what you can do with a short trip to…
Chinese Breakfast (中式早餐) Posted by sasha on Dec 19, 2016
What do Chinese people eat for breakfast? Check out some common breakfast foods such as steamed stuffed buns and a tasty egg pancake known as jian bing in this short video. Video Vocabulary Here are the vocabulary words used in the video: 早餐 – zǎo cān breakfast 包子 – bāo zi steamed stuffed bun 卤蛋 –…
A Visit to Nanjing Posted by sasha on Dec 14, 2016
Those interested in diving into the long history and vibrant culture of China should definitely consider visiting all of the Four Great Ancient Capitals (四大古都 – sì dà gǔ dū). We’ve already explored Beijing, Luoyang, and Xi’an, so now we’re headed to the last ancient city on our list – Nanjing (南京 – nán jīng). Background Just…
Exploring Beijing’s Hutongs Posted by sasha on Dec 12, 2016
Beijing is an ancient city that’s also increasingly modern. Many of the city’s traditional neighborhoods have either been torn down or are on the chopping block. With each passing day, it’s getting harder and harder to find old Beijing (老北京 – lǎo běi jīng). One place to look is in the city’s traditional alleyways, or hutong…
Better Know a Province – Jiangsu Posted by sasha on Dec 7, 2016
Our long and winding journey around China continues as we explore the coastal province of Jiangsu (江苏 – jiāng sū). Read on to learn about the province’s fascinating history, its famed cuisine, and some of its most famous places. History What is now Jiangsu was once part of the ancient state of Wu (吳). In…