Tag Archives: Chinese culture
Terracotta Warriors Posted by sasha on May 22, 2017
There are many famous landmarks across China. One of the most impressive is without a doubt the Terracotta Warriors (兵马俑 – bīng mǎ yǒng) in Xi’an. This UNESCO World Heritage site is said to be the greatest archaeological discovery of the 20th century. Let’s take a closer look at this fascinating piece of Chinese history…
Kunming Bamboo Temple Posted by sasha on May 8, 2017
Kunming is home to many temples, some in the city and some a bit further afield. One of the better temples to visit on a day trip outside of the city is the Bamboo Temple (筇竹寺 – qióng zhú sì). This ancient Buddhist temple has a fascinating story behind it and is a beautiful place…
Temple Hopping in Kunming Posted by sasha on May 3, 2017
There’s lots to do in the Spring City of Kunming, from walking around the Green Lake, to perusing the Bird & Flower Market, to enjoying the city’s awesome nightlife. Getting out of the city a bit, you’ve also got plenty of great options for day trips. We’ve already covered the Western Hills and the Botanical Gardens…
The Chinese Flag Posted by sasha on Apr 24, 2017
There is no symbol of a country more recognizable or important than its flag (国旗 – guó qí). It’s flown in front of important buildings, used in government functions, and also a big part of international events like the Olympics. Chances are you’ve seen the Chinese flag, but do you know what the colors and…
History and Customs of Tomb Sweeping Day Posted by sasha on Apr 4, 2017
Today is the Qing Ming Festival (清明节 – qīng míng jié)) in China. More commonly referred to in English as Tomb Sweeping Day, it’s a day to honor the deceased by visiting and cleaning tombs as well as leaving offerings. As with most Chinese holidays, there’s an interesting story behind the Qing Ming Festival and…
Celebrating Spring Festival in a Village Posted by sasha on Jan 27, 2017
All around China, families are gathered together to celebrate the Spring Festival. There’s a massive feast, dragon dances, plenty of red envelopes, the CCTV New Year’s Gala, and more fireworks than you can imagine. While we were living in Kunming, we had the pleasure of ringing in the Chinese New Year in our friend’s village…
10 Things to Do for Chinese New Year Posted by sasha on Jan 19, 2017
The Spring Festival (春节 – chūn jié) – also known as Chinese New Year – is right around the corner. Millions upon millions of people in China are in the midst of the annual Spring Festival rush (春运 chūn yùn) trying to make it home in time for the New Year. As the holiday approaches…