Our weekly cultural post
Author: Alessandro Hu The four great inventions (papermaking, printing, gunpowder, and the compass) greatly promoted the development of politics, economy, and culture in ancient China: they represent ancient China’s outstanding scientific and technological contributions to world civilization. The compass (Warring States Period, 475 B.C. – 221 B.C.) The Sinan (predecessor Read more…
Author: Basile Theaud The term Four Great Inventions of Modern China stems back to the “Four Great Inventions” of Ancient China – papermaking, gunpowder, printing and the compass. The four great inventions of modern China (high-speed rail, mobile payments, bike-sharing and online shopping) are known for having created a new Read more…
Author: Ge Ge Hu In 1974, in Xi’an in central China, a group of farmers left their homes in an attempt to dig a well. During the process, they came across a life-sized human head made of clay. What they found was the first one of more than eight thousand Read more…
Authors: DianDian Jiang, Stella Hu Weddings are memorable occasions that celebrate love and new beginnings in many different cultures. This is especially true in Chinese culture where an individual’s wedding is one of the most important milestones in their young adult life. The “Three Letters and Six Etiquettes” One of Read more…
Authors: Silvia Gramegna, Valentino Zhao Fortress Besieged (围城) is a Chinese satirical novel. The title comes from the French proverb “Marriage is like a fortress besieged: those who are outside want to get in, and those who are inside want to get out”. Published in 1947, Fortress Besieged is the Read more…
Author: Yao Tong Tea drinking has always been a consistent part of Chinese culture. Its origins date back to a legend that tells the story of how Shennong, a humanoid mythical character known as the father of Chinese agriculture and traditional medicine, accidentally discovered tea. He was boiling water to Read more…
Author: Riccardo Hu The Great Wall of China, Wànlǐ Chángchéng (万里长城), consists of a series of fortifications built across the northern borders of China and it is one of the largest building projects ever undertaken in history. The total length of all sections adds up to 21,196 kilometers, with an Read more…
Author: Christine Yu In China, as in many other countries, giving gifts is a way to maintain good relationships between friends and relatives. From generation to generation, Chinese people have developed a culture that appreciates some gifts but rejects others. This is mainly due to the superstitions linked to them Read more…
Shaanxi (陕西, “Shǎnxī”) is a landlocked province with 37 million people. Its capital is Xi’an, the largest city in Northwest China and place of the former Chinese capitals: Fenghao and Chang’an. In fact, Xi’an is also one of the oldest cities in China. It is important not to confuse it Read more…
Jiangsu (江苏) is one of the smallest provinces of China but also one of the most populated. It has the highest GDP per capita and is important in finance, education, technology and tourism. The name comes from the union of the capital city’s original name “Jiāng Níng” and its largest Read more…