Cultural Treasures of China – Dough Figurines

There is no easy way to say ‘捏面 nie mian’ in English!  It literally means ‘pinch flour’ but in fact this folk-craft, which dates back to the Han dynasty, involves a lot more than just pinching!

The ‘clay’, actually dough, was traditionally made of glutinous rice and colourings made from different foods. The final product, beautiful though it was, could be eaten. Today, certain additives such as honey and paraffin might be added to improve the longevity of the final product, and they definitely can’t be eaten!

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Who was Master Wang Xizhi?

Calligraphy (书法 Shūfǎ) is now considered an art form, but perhaps you didn’t know that traditionally it was much more – a way to cultivate personal character. It was considered essential for any cultured person to be skilled in calligraphy, as well as the related skill, painting.  Find out more about calligraphy in our introduction to Chinese calligraphy (link).

Who could possibly be so famous that a reproduction of their work would sell for $48 million? The greatest Chinese calligrapher, Wang Xizhi!

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Cultural Treasures of China – Grass Weaving

 

Have you heard of traditional Chinese weaving? 

Several regions around China are famous for their woven products, including Shandong, Ningbo and Longshan. You’ve probably seen them at temple fairs or for sale on the street around tourist sites. But what do you know about this beautiful art form?

Read on to learn more, including how you can try this traditional craft for yourself!

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The Great Wall at Mutianyu – A CK ‘How-to-Go’ Guide

Chairman Mao said you’re not a hero until you’ve climbed the Great Wall. (That means some of us living in Beijing are heroes several times over!)

The Wall is an essential pilgrimage for both Chinese and overseas visitors, and one of the nicest parts to visit is Mutianyu.

But what makes Mutianyu so special, and how do you get there on public transportation?

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