Splendid
Chi Culture
In The Purple Hairpin (《紫釵記》), Li Yi (李益) is depicted as not only eloquent and charming, but was also deeply devoted in love. He was someone who was uninterested in fame and fortune and was deeply in love with Huo Xiaoyu (霍小玉) in the opera. According to historical accounts, however, Li was an overbearing man who imposed strict control over his wife and concubines.
「山中有一種獸，形狀如羊一般，有九條尾巴、四隻耳朵，眼睛長在背上……有一個羽民國，該國的人身上長滿羽毛。還有一個國家，名叫卵民國，國人都會生卵。」 這些描述，看似天方夜譚，不可思義，卻實實在在出現在一部重要古籍——《山海經》之內。這書包羅之廣，內容之奇詭，歷代書籍罕能匹敵，堪稱百科全書式的「天下奇書」。
Past Leaders
The Westernization Movement, also called the Self-Strengthening Movement, was championed by some Qing government officials from the early 1860s to the middle 1890s. Its aim was to introduce Western technology and modern industrial equipment. This nationwide movement failed because its advocates were unwilling to disturb the status quo of the ruling class.
Past Leaders
Su Shi (1037–1101), courtesy name Zizhan, art name Dongpo Jushi, born in Meishan, Meizhou (now Meishan County, Sichuan Province) was a famous Chinese statesman and litterateur who lived during the Northern Song Dynasty. His father was Su Xun, and his younger brother was Su Zhe.
People and their lives
Doors are the passages we go in and out of every day. These seemingly ordinary structures embody rich Chinese culture. In ancient China, doors carried meanings of social status, etiquette, and moral norms. In the Book of Rites (《禮記》), for instance, it is recorded that representatives from different tribes and groups had to stand outside the door during important ceremonies held by the Kings of the Zhou Dynasty (周朝) in the imperial hall. Doors were there to differentiate social classes.
Geography &
Customs
There are nearly two thousand museums in China. They may be divided into eight categories according to their focus: history, archaeological and historical sites, memorials, art, natural science, ethnography, comprehensive, and specialized. The categorization and research of museums is of great significance to their development. Of all the museums in China, the Palace Museum and the National Museum of China are the most famous.
Past Leaders
Ancient Chinese culture encompasses both prehistoric civilization and human society throughout the majority of the Xia (ca. 2100–ca. 1600 BCE), Shang (ca. 1600–ca. 1100 BCE), and Zhou (ca. 1100–256 BCE) dynasties.
Language and Literature
The Classic of Mountains and Seas is a paramount ancient Chinese text with a diverse range of unique and extraordinary content. Often hailed as a rare gem worldwide, it stands as a testament to ancient Chinese myths and geographical lore. There is ongoing debate about the period in which the Classic of Mountains and Seas was written and its authorship.
Language and Literature
Jiandu is one of the writing tools in ancient times. Jian is made of bamboo, while du is made of wood. Together, they refer to strips of wood or bamboo for writing characters. Due to their easy production and low cost, bamboo and wooden slips were widely popular in ancient times.
Art
Cantonese opera is recognized as an intangible cultural heritage. This form of theatrical art is believed to have originated in the early years of the Qing Dynasty and gained popularity in the Pearl River Delta region, where Cantonese is the main dialect spoken. At that time, with land transportation underdeveloped, troupes relied on waterways for travel.
Past Leaders
The term "feast (fan ju)" originated in the Song Dynasty and has a history of over a thousand years. "Ju" originated as a chess term, evolving to signify "situation" or "position". Over time, it extended to convey meanings such as "gambling", "gatherings", or "traps". In Chinese history, there have been numerous thrilling and intricate feasts, far from simple dining occasions.
People and their lives
Ancient artworks and documents serve as tangible records of historical life scenes. The murals and manuscripts discovered in the world-famous Dunhuang Caves are not only significant cultural heritage of China but also a historical treasure highly esteemed by the international academic community.
Past Leaders
Chinese opera is renowned not just for its exquisite language and melodious music, but also for its vivid depiction of historical stories with complex and captivating plots. Due to its great popularity among the people, Chinese opera has been widely spread and deeply ingrained in their hearts.
Language and Literature
China boasts a rich and long history, encompassing countless influential figures and significant events. China is renowned as a leading nation in the field of historiography possessing a wealth of historical classics spanning various dynasties.
