Pnyin - The Forbidden City

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The Forbidden City

( 2008-07-08 )

The Forbidden City, the core of the central line, was where the emperors lived. Located in the center of Beijing, it used to be the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Its construction started in 1406, and was completed in 1420. The rectangular palace covers an area of some 720,000 sq.
km -- 961 m in length and 760 m in width. It has a total of 9999.5 room spaces (an area enclosed by four poles).

The last Qing emperor Puyi was ousted from the palace complex in 1924. A year later, the Forbidden City was renamed the Palace Museum.

The Forbidden City is China's largest and most intact ancient building complex. It is laid out symmetrically along a north-south axial line. The well-designed palace appears magnificent, solemn and harmonious, representing the long cultural tradition of China and its outstanding architectural
accomplishments five centuries ago. It is a truly superb masterpiece in every sense.

The Forbidden City is encompassed by a wall 10 m high, and surrounded by a moat 5.2 m wide. The palace has four entrance gates: the main Meridian Gate (Wumen) to the south, the Eastern Flower Gate (Donghuamen), the Western Flower Gate (Xihuamen), and the Gate of Divine Prowess (Shenwumen) to the
South. One has to pass through seven gates to arrive at the Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqinggong), the emperors' living quarters. These seven gates, starting from the very southern gate of the imperial city, are: Zhengyangmen, Damingmen, Tiananmen, Duanmen, Wumen, Taihemen and Qianqingmen,
which symbolize the celestial Plough.

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* Dancing Beijing -- Beijing 2008 Olympic Emblem

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* Environmental Emblem of Beijing 2008 ( 07-10 )
* Emblem of the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay ( 07-10 )
* Emblem of the Beijing 2008 OYC ( 07-10 )
* Emblem of the Beijing Olympic Cultural Festival ( 07-10 )

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* Kataklo Athletic Dance Theatre
* UK Contemporary Exhibition
* The Russia Star Ballet

Olympic on Beijing's Axis

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Chinese Class - Polo

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Polo

( 2008-07-07 )

Polo, also called "jiju" in ancient times, was most popular in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). All the 16 monarchs from Emperor Zhongzong who took power in the year 705 to Emperor Zhaozong who ascended the throne in 889 were polo enthusiasts. Some of them were even highly skilled players. Many
high-ranking officials had luxurious polo fields in their own gardens. Measuring 1,000 paces long and 100 paces wide, the field was sprayed allover with oil to prevent the galloping horses from kicking up dust. There were also many polo lovers among scholar. According to historical records, a polo
match at the Moon-light Chamber was one of the gala events for celebrating success in the highest imperial examination. Being favored by emperors, nobles and scholars, polo became a fashion in those days.

Polo also served as a military exercise in the army. All prefectural governors had standard polo fields for training troops. The use of polo for military training lasted for many generations, and the game was always played in reviewing troops. It was not until the Oing Dynasty (1644-1911) that
polo gradually declined in popularity.

　 Emblems More

* Dancing Beijing -- Beijing 2008 Olympic Emblem

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* Beijing Paralympics Emblem ( 07-10 )
* Environmental Emblem of Beijing 2008 ( 07-10 )
* Emblem of the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay ( 07-10 )
* Emblem of the Beijing 2008 OYC ( 07-10 )
* Emblem of the Beijing Olympic Cultural Festival ( 07-10 )

News More

* Museums to exhibit 1,000 national treasures
* Creating new rituals, Beijing style
* Marine mural unveiled in capital
* Illustrated Olympic giant panda story comes out
* Ten recommended Beijing shopping streets

Meet in Beijing More

* Dance Along the River during the Qingming Festival
* Concert by Macao Chinese Orchestra
* Kataklo Athletic Dance Theatre
* UK Contemporary Exhibition
* The Russia Star Ballet

Olympic on Beijing's Axis

　 Online Tour

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Chinese Online Class - Currency and Payment Tips

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Currency and Payment Tips

( 2008-06-27 )

Renminbi

The currency of China is the Renminbi (RMB). RMB notes come in denominations of 100 yuan, 50 yuan, 20 yuan, 10 yuan, 5 yuan, 2 yuan, 1 yuan, 5 jiao, 2 jiao, and 1 jiao. A jiao is 1/10 of a yuan. Jiao are also available as 5 jiao coins and 1 jiao coins.

The fen is 1/10 of a jiao and is rarely used anymore. Fen comes as notes and coins, in denominations of 5, 2, and 1.

Exchanging money

In Beijing, you can exchange your national currency to RMB at the Bank of China. The exchange rate varies according to market conditions. The following exchange rates are just for reference (as of June 25, 2008):

100 USD = 686.34 CNY

100 EUR = 1075.36 CNY

100 JPY = 6.3568 CNY

100 HKD = 87.917 CNY

100 GBP = 1354.35 CNY

Credit card service

Credit cards can be used at large shopping malls and major restaurants in Beijing. However, cash is required at most other places. During the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games, a Visa Service Centre (VSC) will provide everyday assistance and multi-linguistic emergency services to card
holders. Automated Teller Machines (ATM) and Point-of-sale (POS) machines will be available within Olympic venues and non-competition venues, such as the International Press Centre, the International Broadcast Center and the Olympic Village, to facilitate payment and the withdrawal of RMB.

　 Emblems More

* Dancing Beijing -- Beijing 2008 Olympic Emblem

============================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================

* Beijing Paralympics Emblem ( 07-10 )
* Environmental Emblem of Beijing 2008 ( 07-10 )
* Emblem of the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay ( 07-10 )
* Emblem of the Beijing 2008 OYC ( 07-10 )
* Emblem of the Beijing Olympic Cultural Festival ( 07-10 )

News More

* Museums to exhibit 1,000 national treasures
* Creating new rituals, Beijing style
* Marine mural unveiled in capital
* Illustrated Olympic giant panda story comes out
* Ten recommended Beijing shopping streets

Meet in Beijing More

* Dance Along the River during the Qingming Festival
* Concert by Macao Chinese Orchestra
* Kataklo Athletic Dance Theatre
* UK Contemporary Exhibition
* The Russia Star Ballet

Olympic on Beijing's Axis

　 Online Tour

============================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================

| About us | E-mail | Contact |

Constructed by .cn
Copyright 2003 Ministry of Culture, P.R.China. All rights reserved

Learning Materials, Mandarin audio lessons, Chinese writing lessons, Chinese vocabulary lists, About chinese characters, News in Chinese, Go to China, Travel to China, Study in China, Teach in China, Dictionaries, Learn Chinese Painting, Your name in Chinese, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese songs, Chinese proverbs, Chinese poetry, Chinese tattoo, Beijing 2008 Olympics, Mandarin Phrasebook, Chinese editor, Pinyin editor, China Travel, Travel to Beijing, Travel to Tibet

Chinese Pinyin - Where do the Athletes Live

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Where do the Athletes Live

( 2008-06-27 )

Q: Where do the athletes live during the Olympic Games

A: During the Olympic fortnight, the athletes live in the Olympic Village. Here, the athletes find all the necessary commodities, shops, post offices, cinemas, cultural centers and, of course, restaurants. Food requirements are enormous. The menus are varied in order to correspond to the food
habits of athletes from five continents.

The Village has high security and only people with special accreditations have access.

　 Emblems More

* Dancing Beijing -- Beijing 2008 Olympic Emblem

============================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================

* Beijing Paralympics Emblem ( 07-10 )
* Environmental Emblem of Beijing 2008 ( 07-10 )
* Emblem of the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay ( 07-10 )
* Emblem of the Beijing 2008 OYC ( 07-10 )
* Emblem of the Beijing Olympic Cultural Festival ( 07-10 )

News More

* Museums to exhibit 1,000 national treasures
* Creating new rituals, Beijing style
* Marine mural unveiled in capital
* Illustrated Olympic giant panda story comes out
* Ten recommended Beijing shopping streets

Meet in Beijing More

* Dance Along the River during the Qingming Festival
* Concert by Macao Chinese Orchestra
* Kataklo Athletic Dance Theatre
* UK Contemporary Exhibition
* The Russia Star Ballet

Olympic on Beijing's Axis

　 Online Tour

============================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================

| About us | E-mail | Contact |

Constructed by .cn
Copyright 2003 Ministry of Culture, P.R.China. All rights reserved

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Chinese Speaking - Part 1

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Part 1

Nail-Decorated Jue

A liquor cup from the late Erlitou Culture Period (Erlitou Culture Period: approximately 2100 B.C. - 300 B.C.). It is 31.5cm wide and 22.5cm high. Unearthed in 1975 in Erlitou, Yanshi City, Henan Province, it is now in the collection of the Municipal Cultural Center of Yanshi City.

It is long, sharp-tailed, wasp-waisted and flat-bottomed. Its three legs are thin and long. Two nails are cast on the mouth. Two raised lines are carved at one side and between the two lines are decorated horizontally with the pattern of five nails. The cup is quite thin.

A Bronze Human Head with Flat Crown

A head sculpture for sacrificial use from the middle Shang Dynasty (approximately 1700 BC - 1100 BC). It is 37.5cm high with a horizontal diameter of 16.5cm and a vertical diameter of 18cm. Unearthed in 1986 in Tomb No.1 of Sanxingdui Ruins, Guanghan City, Sichuan Province, it is now in the
collection of Sichuan Cultural Relic and Archeological Research Institute.

The top of the head is flat likely wearing a flat cap. It has wide eyebrow, pointed nose, closely sht big mouth, square ears, pieced earlobes and strong neck. Its ears are decorated with cloud-and-thunder pattern. A triangular shape was cast beneath the neck. Its hair is combed upward without the
lower part.

Square Ding with Human Mask Design

A cooking vessel from the late Shang Dynasty (approximately 1700 BC -1100 BC). The entire vessel is 38.5cm long. Its container is 29.8cm long and 23.7cm wide. Unearthed in 1959 in Huangcai, Ningxiang, Hunan Province, it is now in the collection of the Provincial Museum of Hunan.

The ding is rectangular with standing handles and cylindrical legs which are decorated with a gluttonous ogre mask or taotie design. Each of the four sides of the body is decorated with a human mask in relief with pointed nose, projecting cheekbone and closely shut big mouth. This vessel may be
related to the worship of sacred stone roller in the Shang Dynasty. Two characters of "Da He" were carved inside. It is of high artistic value.

Head Sculpture with Braids

A head sculpture for sacrificial use from the late Shang Dynasty (approximately 1700 BC - 1100 BC). It is 10cm wide and 13.5cm high. Unearthed in 1986 in Tomb No.2 of Sanxingdui Ruins, Guanghan City, Sichuan Province, it is now in the collection of Sichuan Cultural Relics and Archeological
Research Institute.

The top of the head is round with a braid-roped hoop. It has heavy eyebrows, big eyes, pointed nose, wide mouth, round ears and pierced earlobes. Its short neck was cast into a triangular shape.

This sculpture is of great value in studying the ancient Sichuan culture.

Shiji Jue

A liquor cup from the early Western Zhou Dynasty (approximately 1100 BC - 771 BC). It is 21.5cm high. Unearthed in 1966 in Zhou Tomb, Xihao, Qishan County, Shaanxi Province, it is now in the collection of Shaanxi Museum.

It has round bottom and three sharp legs. Kui dragon design is decorated on the cover and body with a banana leaf pattern beneath the edge. The characters carved on the back of the cover show that it was made by Shiji. Only a few pieces of copper Jue have been handed down from ancient times.

He Zun

A liquor container from the early Western Zhou Dynasty (approximately 1100 BC - 771 BC). It is 38.8cm high with a diameter of 28.8cm. Unearthed in 1965 in Jiacunyuan, Baoji City, Shaanxi Province, it is now in the collection of the Municipal Museum of Baoji City, Shaanxi Province.

The container has round mouth and oval-shaped body. The lower part of its body is decorated with patterns of animal face, banana leaf and silkworm. Four vertical ridges are cast on its body, presenting a strong three-dimensional effect. The inscription at the bottom of the container with 122
characters records King Zhoucheng's instructions for Zongzi and the event to construct Chengzhou City. It is a material object important for the study of the history of the early Zhou Dynasty.

Boge You

A liquor container in the early Western Zhou Dynasty (approximately 1100BC -771BC). It is 27.5cm high with a diameter of 10.7cm. Unearthed in 1980 in Tomb No.7 of Zhuyuangou, Baoji City, Shaanxi Province, it is now in the collection of the Municipal Museum of Baoji City, Shaanxi Province.

It is oblate with shanting shoulder and high loop handle. Two ox heads and big sheep heads are shown in relief. Decorations include the patterns of taotie, kui dragons and small animal mask. The whole piece embodies outstanding casting technology and it is the cream of bronze wares of the early
Western Zhou Dynasty.

Zhe Gong

A liquor container in the early Western Zhou Dynasty (approximately 1100BC -771BC). It is 38cm long and 28.7cm high. Unearthed in 1976 in Zhuangbai Village, Fufeng County, Shaanxi Province, it is now in the collection of Zhouyuan Museum of Shaanxi Province.

It has a square body with a cover. The top of the cover is shaped like a beast head. Its body is decorated with beast head pattern and ridges. Relieves on the handle include patterns of beast head, bird and elephant nose. It was cast in the period of King Zhouzhao. The whole piece is
well-proportioned and elegant. It is a rare work of art.

Qiangbo Tapir-shaped Zun

A liquor container in the early Western Zhou Dynasty (approximately 1100BC -771BC). It is 34cm long and 20.1cm high. Unearthed in 1975 in Tomb No.2 of Rujiazhuang, Baoji City, Shaanxi Province, it is now in the collection of the Municipal Museum of Baoji City, Shaanxi Province.

It is shaped like a stout tapir with big and round rears, two widely open eyes, long stretched-out lips, slightly lowered belly and four short legs. The lid on its back is shaped like a standing tiger. The decorations include the pattern of beast body on its ear, shoulder and buttock. The
inscription on the cover records that the piece was made for Lady Jing by Qiangbo. Tapir-shaped zun is very rare and it is cream of the bird-shaped zun.

Bird-shaped Zun of Three Legs

A liquor container in the early Western Zhou Dynasty (approximately 1100BC -771BC). It is 30cm long and 23cm high. Unearthed in 1975 in Rujiazhuang, Baoji City, Shaanxi Province, it is now in the collection of the Municipal Museum of Baoji City, Shaanxi Province.

The bird is plumpy and vivid, holding its head high and looking into the distance. Its three legs stand firmly. Its tail is rectangular-shaped and decorated with plumage pattern like chains. Its whole body is decorated with feather pattern like fish scales. It was well designed with unique image
and is of high value for artistic and mythological study.

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Chinese Speaking - Dan (female)

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Dan (female)

Dan is a general term in Peking Opera for all female roles. According to the character's age, status, personality and acting style, the Dan role is further divided into the Zhengdan (also called Qingyi, always clothed in a black costume), Huadan (a maiden or a young woman who is either vivacious
or shrewish with a frank and open personality), Daomadan, Wudan, Laodan and Caidan.

Sun Shangxiang

Happy Union Between Dragon and Phoenix

Paying Homage by the River

Sun Shangxiang was the younger sister of Sun Quan, king of the State of Wu, and wife of Liu Bei, king of the State of Shu, in the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280). In the trick planned by Sun Quan to reclaim Jingzhou by seducing Liu Bei to the marriage with his sister, Sun Shangxiang became the
innocent victim serving as the bait to lure Liu to the State of Wu. With approval of Sun's mother, she was married to Liu Bei on the contrary to the intention of the trick. Their marriage was praised as the "Happy Union Between Dragon and Phoenix".

Not long after her marriage with Liu Bei, Sun Shangxiang was called back by her brother Sun Quan with invented reason and was held custody in the State of Wu. Upon hearing the sad news of Liu Bei's death, she went to the riverside and drowned herself after paying homage to Liu Bei.

Repertoire: Happy Union Between Dragon and Phoenix, Paying Homage by the River

Diao Chan

Diao Chan was a girl singer in the residence of Wang Yun, loyal minister of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). To help Wang Yun implement his plan of wiping out Dong Zhuo, the evil minister, Diao Chan offered to help by seducing Lu Bu and Dong Zhuo one by one with her beauty. The two men were
brought into fierce rivalry by the increasing misunderstanding deliberately provoked by Diao. With Diao's further effort in distancing the two men, Lu Bu finally killed Dong Zhuo.

Repertoire: Lu Bu and Diao Chan

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Chinese Studies - Pop up Stands Series Sketch Map

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Pop up Stands Series Sketch Map

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