The Chinese Culture Company
How did the swallow go from mythical progenitor of the Shang Dynasty to the symbol of Fujian? Ilina Tatiana traces its journey.
Edited by Nic Doering
Continue reading “CULTURE: The Swallow – Journey to the South”
A girl from a fishing village who became a goddess has travelled all over China and the world. Her devotees live in more than 20 countries and millions make pilgrimages to her temples. Who is she and why is she so revered?
By Ilina Tatiana (edited by Nic Doering)
Continue reading “CULTURE: The little girl who grew up to be a goddess”
June 21st was the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, and in the Chinese calendar, the beginning of the solar term 夏至 Xiàzhì. On the evening of the solstice, Beijing Overseas Cultural Exchange Center hosted an elegant event at Fragrant Hills Park for members of Beijing’s diplomatic and cultural communities, where attendees got to experience performances, arts and crafts and food with a summer solstice theme.
Read on to see photos from the event and learn more about it!
Continue reading “Celebrating Summer Solstice at Fragrant Hills Park in Beijing!”
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!
Continue reading “REVIEW: The ‘Ancient China’ Exhibit at the National Museum of China”
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!”