10 Helpful Posts to Improve Your Chinese Posted by sasha on Aug 19, 2014
We’ve posted hundreds of articles and videos to the Chinese Language & Culture Blog over the years, and while we do our best to make sure content is easy to find, it can be a bit tricky digging through such a vast archive. As we cover different subjects – from Chinese cuisine, to holidays, to…
From Communist Factory to Art Haven – 798 Posted by sasha on Aug 16, 2014
If you love art, then you’d better get to Beijing to check out the 798 Art District (798艺术区 – qī jiǔ bā yì shù qū). Housed amongst old decommissioned military factories, the area has an interesting back story to say the least. Back in the early 1950s, the newly formed People’s Republic of China teamed…
100 Most Common Chinese Characters (41-60) Posted by sasha on Aug 12, 2014
We’re working our way through the 100 most common Chinese characters in short videos, and today we’re moving along with #s 41-60. Learn 20 more important Chinese characters in under two minutes by following along and practicing your pronunciation.
Great Ways to Learn Chinese – nciku Posted by sasha on Aug 10, 2014
Last month, we kicked off a new series here about “Great Ways to Learn Chinese,” focusing mostly on what’s available online. In the first post, we introduced the BBC’s excellent program “Real Chinese” – a video series that teaches plenty of useful Mandarin Chinese while at the same time providing insight into Chinese culture. Today…
Splendid China – Miniature Park Posted by sasha on Aug 4, 2014
See nearly 100 of China’s most famous landmarks and natural sights in miniature form at the amazing Splendid China park in Shenzhen. How else could you see the Great Wall, the West Lake, the Longmen Grottoes, and the Stone Forest in one day?
Meet the 56 Ethnic Groups of China Posted by sasha on Jul 31, 2014
Most people know that China is the world’s most populous country, with over 1.3 billion people. Not so many know that the huge population of China is actually composed of 56 ethnic groups (民族 – mín zú). In truth, not everyone who lives in China identifies themselves primarily as “Chinese.” It is a very culturally…
Splendid China – Folk Culture Village Posted by sasha on Jul 29, 2014
Did you know that China has 56 ethnic groups? You can learn about lots of them by visiting the Splendid China theme park in the southern city of Shenzhen. Take a short video tour to explore some of China’s ethnic minority culture. 蒙古族 – méng gǔ zú Mongols 黎族 – lí zú Li 海南 –…