Study Chinese - Beijing Zoo

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Beijing Zoo

( 2008-07-08 )

Situated in the Xicheng District, Beijing Zoo was the first of its kind to be opened in China. The zoo contains a diverse collection of animals, a number of exhibition halls and some sites of historical interest.

The zoo is home to around 900 different species and has a population of some 20,000 animals. Some of the most popular attractions among visitors are the wild and rare animals of China itself, such as the pandas, golden monkeys, milu deer and northeast tigers. However, the collection is far from
restricted to those species found only in the People's Republic of China; the polar bears, American bison, zebras, kangaroos, giraffes and elephants also draw large crowds.

The Beijing Zoo site is comprised of 16 different exhibition areas and halls. One of the most popular of these is the Panda Hall. Built in 1989 and covering an area of around 10,000 square meters (2.5 acres), it delivers an impressive aesthetic scene while also managing to account for the
practical considerations of housing such large and physical animals. The inside of the hall replicates the style of traditional Chinese gardens and is shaped in the pattern of a Tai Chi diagram.

Another of the zoo's famous halls, the Gorilla Hall, was constructed two years earlier in 1987. The building houses a series of artificial hillocks and wooden apparatus for the animals which sit against a backdrop of attractive gorilla murals. Facilities introduced for the gorillas include a
medical room, a mating room and a specialist feeding room. The hall itself is decorated by a series of rockeries and pools.

All of the zoo's halls and exhibition areas are constructed so as to ensure that the animals enjoy a both comfortable and healthy living environment.

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Chinese language - Five-Animal Exercises

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Five-Animal Exercises

( 2008-07-07 )

The Five-Animal Exercises created by Hua Tuo were a set of medical Qigong (breathing exercises) mainly characterized by imitating animals’ actions and expressions in order to prevent and cure illness and prolong life. Five-Animal Exercises in Chinese is “Wuqinxi”, in which the “Wuqin”
generally refers to all animals including birds and beasts; the “Xi” at that time referred to activities such as singing, dancing or acrobatics, and here it means special way of exercises. Hua Tuo was the person who actually systemized the exercises and promoted it to the public.

The Five-Animal Exercises is a qigong practice imitating animal movements and manners with disease prevention, medical treatment and vitality promotion as the major functions. Qin means beast and generally referred to animals in ancient times. Xi referred to activities such as acrobatics in
ancient times and refers hereby specifically to special movements. Wuqin Xi is also known as the Five-animal Exercise or Wuqin Qigong. The one who summed up and promoted Wuqin Xi was Hua Tuo.

Wuqin Xi is consisted of 5 groups of actions imitating the movement of the tiger, deer, bear, ape and bird. It is a bionic exercise. Regular exercising of Wuqin Xi can dredge the main and collateral channels, regulate Qi and blood, nourish the viscera and strengthen muscle and bones sooth joint
activities, and thus achieves the purpose of disease prevention and life prolonging.

Enjoying the fame of "Aesculapius", Hua Tuo (145 – 208 AD) is a famous highly-skilled doctor of the Eastern Han Dynasty in China. He was born in a common Shizu family in the late Eastern Han Period and lived in the same period with another renowned doctor Zhang Zhongjing. Based on his rich
experience in medical treatment, Hua Tuo compiled a medical book, which was regrettably not handed down. The existing Zhongzang Classic by Hua Tuo was compiled by people in the Song Dynasty, probably containing partial content of Hua Tuo's book remaining at that time.

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* 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 )

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* Concert by Macao Chinese Orchestra
* Kataklo Athletic Dance Theatre

Olympic on Beijing's Axis

　 Online Tour

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

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Chinese Tutor - Foreign Embassies and Consulates in Beijing

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Foreign Embassies and Consulates in Beijing

( 2008-06-27 )

Please refer to:

http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn/feature_2/EmbassyService/

　 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

Learn Chinese, Chinese language, 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

Learning Chinese - How to Bargain when shopping in Beijing

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How to Bargain when shopping in Beijing

( 2008-06-27 )

Q: How to bargain when shopping in Beijing

A: Bargaining is the rule here in Beijing, at least, this is the case at many markets and street-level clothes stalls. The tips here are Beijing specific but may help you anywhere in the world where bargaining is practiced.

DO NOT say how much you want to pay for an item unless nearing the end of the process. Always try and drop the seller's offering price as much as possible before opening your mouth with a price. DO throw out really low prices like 10 RMB as long as you have a big smile. DO keep smiling throughout,
the seller is much more likely to continue bargaining with a happy smiling face. Getting angry rarely gets you the price you want.

BE AWARE that the initial price offered by the seller is usually at least 40% over the general price acceptable and can be up to 500% over. DO have an idea of what the item is worth. You can ask Chinese friends, hotel staff, etc. DO walk away once you've given them your final price, even before.
If you get called back, you know you are close. If you do not get called back, go to a similar stall and try again with a slightly higher price.

　 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

Learn Chinese, Free Chinese Lesson, 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

Learning Chinese - Part 2

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Exchange>Exhibition

Part 2

Ding with Flat Cover and Decorated with Animal Mask Pattern

A cooking vessel from the early Western Zhou Dynasty (approximately 1100BC -771BC). It is 40.2cm high with a diameter of 32cm. Unearthed in 1981 in Tomb No.1 of Zhifangtou, Baoji City, Shaanxi Province, it is now in the collection of the Municipal Museum of Baoji City, Shaanxi Province.

It is a flat cover, round body, standing handle and hoof-shaped legs. There is a button at the center of the cover around which are found three dragon-shaped buttons. The cover is decorated with patterns of animal mask of curved horns and patterns of animal body shaped like banana leaf. Its neck
is decorated with a pattern of animal mask while accentuating an angular spiral pattern known as leiwen on the background. The ends of its three legs are decorated with patterns of animal mask and string patterns. Thick ashes were found under the bottom, indicating that this vessel had been used
for a long time.

Ding with flat cover is seldom seen. This piece is finely cast with simplicity and beauty. It is a treasure among copper dings.

Zhe Jia

A liquor warmer from the early Western Zhou Dynasty (approximately 1100BC -771BC). It is 34.1cm high with a diameter of 18.6cm. Unearthed in 1976 in Zhuangbai Village, Fufeng County, Shaanxi Province, it is now in the collection of Zhouyuan Museum, Shaanxi Province.

It is high collar, large mouth, pillar-shaped legs and two umbrella-shaped columns. On the cover is a semi-round handle shaped like a double-headed snake. The decorations include a string pattern on the body, a gluttonous ogre mask design known as taotie pattern on the shoulder and an angular
spiral pattern known as leiwen on the cover. The same inscription is carved both on the cover and the interior of the jia.

Zhe Square Ding

A liquor container in the early Western Zhou Dynasty (approximately 1100BC -771BC). It is 40.7cm high with its mouth being 24cm long. Unearthed in 1976 in Zhuangbai Village, Fufeng County, Shaanxi Province, it is now in the collection of Zhouyuan Museum, Shaanxi Province.

It has a swelling body and a roof-shaped cover with a handle. It is decorated with three layers of patterns. The first layer is a gluttonous ogre mask or taotie motifs and the second layer is kui-dragon pattern and on the bottom is found the cloud-and-thunder pattern. This square ding is well cast
and designed. It is a masterpiece of bronze wares.

Gu Decorated with Bird Pattern

A liquor cup for ancient senior nobles from the early Western Zhou Dynasty (approximately 1100BC -771BC). It is 22.2cm high with a diameter of 10.2 cm. Unearthed in 1976 in Zhuangbai Village, Fufeng County, Shaanxi Province, it is now in the collection of Zhouyuan Museum, Shaanxi Province.

It has a large mouth and high flared stand. The neck is decorated with a pattern of four pairs of banana leaves. Four ridges are ornamented with a bird motif on a thunder pattern background. The bird is standing with a falling crest and long wings.

Dou in the Shape of Animal Mask

A liquor or water ladle from the early Western Zhou Dynasty (approximately 1100BC -771BC). It is 20.6cm long while the handle is 17.8cm long. Unearthed in 1976 in Zhuangbai Village, Fufeng County, Shaanxi Province, it is now in the collection of Zhouyuan Museum, Shaanxi Province.

The ladle is oval-bottomed and the handle is flat and curved like a sparrow tail. The connection of the ladle and the handle is decorated with an animal mask pattern. The end of the handle is decorated with symmetrical knife pattern and the angular spiral pattern known as leiwen on the background.

Dong Square Ding

A drinking and cooking vessel from the middle period of the Western Zhou Dynasty (approximately 1100BC -771BC). It is 22.5cm high. Unearthed in 1975 in Zhuangbai Village, Fufeng County, Shaanxi Province, it is now in the collection of Shaanxi Fufeng Museum.

It has handles, pillar-shaped legs and stretching-out body. Corolla pattern decorates wits neck. Its interior inscription with 115 characters records the event that the Emperor Zhou ordered Dong to resist Huaiyi.

Female Figurine with Crown

A burial from the early Western Zhou Dynasty (approximately 1100BC -771BC). It is 18cm 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 a half-length figure of a junior dancer with round face and sharp jaw. The dress is in Chinese style with loose sleeves and tight cuff. The figure is dancing with something in her hands.

Bronze Male Figurine

A burial object from the middle Western Zhou Dynasty (approximately 1100BC -771BC). It is 11.6cm high. Unearthed in 1975 in Tomb No.1 of Rujiazhuang, Baoji City, Shaanxi Province, it is now in the collection of the Municipal Museum of Baoji City, Shaanxi Province.

The figure is bald with sharp jaw, projecting cheekbone, big eyes, thin eyebrows, wide and high-bridged nose and two big ears. His long gown touches his ankles. The gown has high collar and tight sleeves. A wide belt is fastened around the waist. His two arms are raised with two hands holding
rings.

Shi Qiang Bronze Pan

A washing basin from the middle Western Zhou Dynasty (approximately 1100BC -771BC). It is 16.2cm high with a diameter of 47.3cm. Unearthed in 1976 in Yaozhang, Zhuangbai Village, Fufeng County, Shaanxi Province. It is now in the collection of Zhouyuan Museum, Shaanxi Province.

It is round with handles. Its body is decorated with bird motifs. Its inscription has two parts. The first part praises the main achievements of the past kings and the present king of Zhou Dynasty. The latter part records the history of the owner's family, praising their ancestors and praying for
happiness. The whole inscription is historical material of extremely high value. Its decoration is exquisite with elegant style.

Zhen Yi

A water-pouring vessel from the middle Western Zhou Dynasty (approximately 1100BC -771BC). It is 20.5cm high and 31.5cm long. Unearthed in 1975 in Tomb No.1 of Dongjia Village, Qishan County, Shaanxi Province, it is now in the collection of Qishan Museum, Shaanxi Province.

It has straight mouth. Its cover is flat and shaped like tiger head while its four legs are shaped like sheep hooves. Its edge is decorated with delicate and pretty patterns of curves and strings. Its inscription presents a court verdict recording the lawsuit between Muniu and his superior
regarding five slaves. It is precious in studying Chinese law history.

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Learn Mandarin online - Ancient Coins 2

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Exchange>Exhibition

Ancient Coins 2

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Learn Mandarin online - Realism, Surrealism in Contemporary Art

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Realism, Surrealism in Contemporary Art

The exhibition shows three of the most prominent representatives of this modern "converted realism."

Realistic depictions are commonly found throughout the history of Chinese art. Still, each era has its own perspective. The interpretations and transformations of reality, reveal social and political changes in China over time.

During the 1980's, one group of burgeoning artists became among the first to meld artistic influences from the West, with their own artistic roots. These artists were seeking an escape from the formalism of a tradition which they believed had gone stale. The results of their experiments are
presented in a new exhibition. "Facing Reality: Selections of Chinese Contemporary Art", opened at the National Museum of Fine Arts, Tuesday afternoon.

The exhibition shows three of the most prominent representatives of this modern "converted realism." A more sober form of social reality, is emphasized, in the tension that exists between the individual and the collective. Social liberty and political power are mirrored among the grinning faces of
bald heads. These are self images revealed in a series of paintings by Fang Lijun. Similar, repetitive images may be seen in a couple of oils from Yue Minjun. The heads and faces bear a grotesque, satirical mien - as if the artist is poking fun at himself.

Zhang Xiaogang's family portraits

Zhang Xiaogang's family portraits -black and white oils with occasional flashes of color - are based on his family photos. Surreal elements and metaphorical turns are affected, through small blotches of color and the through the evident similarity of the faces.

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