Tag: History

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REVIEW: The ‘Ancient China’ Exhibit at the National Museum of China

Set in the imposing building on the east side of Tian’anmen Square, you might not find the National Museum of China very appealing at first glance. But step inside and you’ll be greeted by the amazing spectacle of not only the building itself but the objects it contains: priceless relics representing many thousands of years of history. The museum hosts lots of exhibitions year-round, some permanent, some temporary. One of the most popular is the ‘Ancient China’ exhibit, a look at some of the most famous finds ever made in Chinese archaeology. Read on to find out more about our visit and what we thought!

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CULTURE: The dog in ancient Chinese burials

It might be the Year of the Rabbit but at Cultural Keys we’ve been inspired by our rescue dogs, Teddy, Mr. Percy and the wheelie bin puppies, to look in more detail at the dog in Chinese history, art and legend. In this article series, we’ll look at different aspects of the dog in traditional Chinese culture as well as introduce you to a few special pups who need your help!

In this article, we’ll look at dogs that have been found in tombs. Continue reading “CULTURE: The dog in ancient Chinese burials”

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TRAVEL: Jimingyi, a walled town near Beijing that we bet you’ve never heard of!

Just thirty minutes away from Beijing by high-speed railway, Huailai (怀来) is a small town halfway between the capital and Zhangjiakou. The local government is promoting the numerous vineyards in the area, but there is also a still-hidden gem to be discovered: Jimingyi (鸡鸣驿), a walled former post station. Its name means ‘rooster’s crow post station’ and its main claim to fame is that Emperor Guangxu and his aunt Cixi sheltered there for a night as they fled the Eight Nation Alliance during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. It makes a nice day out from Beijing, especially if you want to see an ancient town that hasn’t become a tourist trap. 

Read on to find out more!

Continue reading “TRAVEL: Jimingyi, a walled town near Beijing that we bet you’ve never heard of!”