Category: Chinese History

Posted on

Modern take on traditional deities now on display in Beijing

If you’ve been into the underpass at Beijing’s Guomao intersection (between the south-east corner under the bus station to exit C of the subway station) recently, you have probably noticed this massive mural on the wall at the western end. It’s entitled ‘The Gods go to Work’ and this explosion of colour is full of recognisable – and not so recognisable – homages to Chinese and specifically Beijing culture, both traditional and modern. But what does it all mean and why is it at Guomao? Read on to find out!

UPDATE AUGUST 2023: This mural has now been removed.  Continue reading “Modern take on traditional deities now on display in Beijing”

Posted on

What kind of activities can Cultural Keys offer you, your friends, students or staff?

We have all seen a lot of changes this year. While there have been a lot of difficulties, and a lot of challenges, we must still try our best to look towards the future, both as individuals, communities or as companies. With that in mind, we wanted to let you know what we as a company can offer you, through our events and activities, to help you start making plans and look forward to the coming weeks and months ahead!

Want to know more? Read on to find out what Cultural Keys can offer you, your friends, students or staff, no matter if you’ve just arrived or are looking for help getting back to some sense of normalcy and enjoying the cultural treasures of China!

Continue reading “What kind of activities can Cultural Keys offer you, your friends, students or staff?”

Posted on

Kick start your summer with a kung fu workshop from Cultural Keys!

Summer is officially here. But does that bring you joy, or dread? For too many of us, the past few months have been an extended hibernation period, as we have sheltered ourselves away in the safe, reassuring comfort of our homes and sofas. But that time is done. It’s now time to reawaken the mind and body and prepare for the path ahead.

And what better way to do that than on a Cultural Keys Warriors’ Workshop?
Continue reading “Kick start your summer with a kung fu workshop from Cultural Keys!”

Posted on

Noteworthy Dates in the Chinese Calendar: June 2020 Edition

As of the start of the Lixia solar term on May 5th , summer has officially started in China! Now we’re moving into June, there are several notable summer days to pay attention to. The best-known festival this month is the Dragon Boat Festival on the 25th, but what else does June have in store  for us?

Read on to find out!

Continue reading “Noteworthy Dates in the Chinese Calendar: June 2020 Edition”

Posted on

The Shaolin Temple 100 years later: Photo comparison

How wonderful is it when you stumble upon old photos of your grandparents or your hometown, and you can recognise details in them to connect them to your experiences and memories? The same thing happened in 1991 when Abbot Shi Yongxin of the Shaolin Temple paid a visit to Dharma Temple in Japan and discovered photos of the temple and the surrounding area taken in 1920!

Read on to see some of those pictures and see how the locations photographed look almost a century later!

Continue reading “The Shaolin Temple 100 years later: Photo comparison”