Category: Chinese Culture

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Visit Songzhuang Art District – A very Different Day Out in Beijing! Part 1

798 too touristy for you? Nanluoguxiang too commercialised?  Want to get out of the city and actually see something different? Then perhaps it’s time to check out Songzhuang Art District (宋庄画家村) for a fresher art experience!

Read on, and find out what treasures are waiting to be discovered in this fascinating little enclave!

Updated December 31st 2022 – Please note many of these bars and restaurants are now closed. Always confirm ahead of your trip to make sure the place you want to visit is still open.

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Happy Lunar New Year from Cultural Keys!

The Year of the Dog was a long year of familiar patterns set to a frenetic pace, perfectly encapsulating the energy of the Dog. And that applied to the progress of Cultural Keys as much as it did the rest of the world.

As we are now halfway through this years’ Spring Festival celebrations, we wanted to take a quick look at some of the successes of the past year and what CK got up to while giving thanks to everyone who joined us for each of those important moments!

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The history and traditions of the Lantern Festival

In 2019, the Lantern Festival (Yuánxiāo jié 元宵节）falls on February 19th, the fifteenth and final day of Spring Festival. Although it’s not a public holiday, it is still widely celebrated, especially in southern China and amongst the diaspora. What’s this holiday all about and how can you celebrate it?

Read on to find out!

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What to expect in the Year of the Pig

In China, the new year is calculated according to the lunar calendar (农历; Nónglì). Although the Gregorian calendar is standard, the lunar calendar dictates the dates of traditional Chinese holidays and helps people choose auspicious days for important life changes such as weddings, funerals, moving house or starting a business.

But there is a lot more to Chinese astrology than just the animals! Read on to find out what kind of energy the Pig will be bringing this year, and what you should definitely be aware of this year!

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