Chinese Pinyin - Liulichang Antiques Street

| 繁体 | 简体 | English |

|Home|News Center|Cultural Olympics|City of Beijing|Sports Tradition|China Impression|

Liulichang Antiques Street

( 2008-07-08 )

Liulichang is known for its ancient books, calligraphy, paintings, rubbings, ink stones and ink. The street, which is only 750 meters long, is located south of Hepingmen (Peace) Gate within walking distance of the Hepingmen Quanjude Peking Duck Restaurant.

During the time of Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), a colored glaze factory (Liuli Chang in Chinese) was in production there, which made glazed tiles for the palaces, temples and residences of the officials, hence the name “Liulichang.”

In the Ming and Qing (1644-1911) times, Liulichang was a favorite haunt for scholars, painters and calligraphers that gathered there to write, compile and purchase books, as well as to paint and compose poetry. By the Kangxi period (1661-1722), Liulichang had become a flourishing cultural center
and was described as having "homes and buildings lined up like fish scales." During the Qianlong period (1736-1796), the street was even more prosperous. When Emperor Qianlong decided to revise the Complete Library of the Four Branches of Literature, he ordered scholars from the project, and
Liulichang became a center for research in textual criticism.

In 1927, when Hepingmen (Peace) Gate was opened up in the city wall, the bridge was demolished and Nanxinhua Road was built, dividing Liulichang into eastern and western sections. The east became known as a center for antiques and curious, while the west was famous for its books. Shanghai
Commercial Press, China Publishing House and Youzheng Press, which published books of Chinese calligraphy, all established branches here.

In 1950, the Government passed laws to prohibit the export of valuable antiques and books. The Palace Museum and the Museum of Chinese History bought up all important historical artifacts, paintings, calligraphy and other works of art that had been scattered among Liulichang's shops.

In the 1980s, the street was renovated and various specialized shops were rebuilt. With brightly painted doors and eaves and gracefully curved black-tile-roofs buildings, a little of old Beijing's lifestyle retained here.

1 2

　 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

Chinese School - Dancing in the Light of Yin and Yang

Subscribe to free Email Newsletter

Exchange>Exhibition

Dancing in the Light of Yin and Yang

A shining steel ball caught in the cracks of a crag reflects the sun; a tender, fresh flower, immersed in crystal water, glows with a mysterious, purple light; a blooming rosebud catches fire from above.

Alwin van der Linde, a Dutch-born Spanish artist, impresses viewers with his poetic photographic works, oil paintings and thought-provoking remarks.

The versatile artist, who crosses over many art genres, is holding a joint art show with Shao Hua, chairperson of Chinese Photographers Association, at the Beijing World Art Museum. On show are some 90 works of photography and oil paintings created by the two artists. In her works, Shao has
successfully created images that allude to oil paintings, lithographs, relief works and even traditional paper cuttings.

Linde says Shao's innovative photographic works, featuring both Chinese and Western stage shows, "share so much with my works that try to break the boundaries of art genres".

Visitors marveled at his innovative creation of illusory beauty.

"Linde's pictorial rendering and personal interpretation of the images maintain a magic and artistic vibration that touch me deeply," says Yun Fei, an art critic in Beijing.

Some works, such as the Burning Rose Bud, puzzle the Chinese viewers. However, Linde declines to pinpoint the meaning of his paintings. "For me, art is more to raise questions than to give answers," he explains. "Our world is a mystery; our life is a mystery; art is a mystery; and my art is my way
to explore the mysteries."

"Art helps bring together people from different backgrounds. The juxtaposition and interaction of works by Linde and Shao shows us how art transcends time, space, and cultural differences and wins the hearts of viewers," said Sun Jiazheng, head of All China Federation of the Arts and Literary
Circles, at the opening ceremony last week.

Now living and working in Madrid and Montanchez (Extremadura) of Spain, Linde is working on the development of a foundation for the figurative arts and experimental music.

It is the first time Linde staged an art exhibition in China.

Born in The Hague in 1957, the artist first carved out his name in Paris in the early 1970s. His works range from oils, murals, sculptures and photographs to electronic music, video, installations and experimental theater.

1 2

1 2

Email to Friends
Print
Save

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

Chinese Character - Sheng (male)

Subscribe to free Email Newsletter

Exchange>Exhibition

Sheng (male)

Dong Ge

Dong Ge was the son of Chen Shimei of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). He accompanied his mother Qin Xianglian to the capital, looking for the faithless father who was at that time Emperor's son-in-law. Chen Shimei not only refused to accept his original wife but went further to have the
mother and son assassinated. At last, his father received due punishment by being beheaded.

Repertoire:Qin Xianglian

Chun Mei

Chun Mei was the daughter of Chen Shimei of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). She went to the capital with her mother, Qin Xianglian, to look for her faithless father who was at that time Emperor's son-in-law. Chen Shimei not only refused to accept his first wife but went further to have the
mother and daughter assassinated. As the saying goes: sow the wind and reap the whirlwind. Chen Shimei was sentenced to be beheaded by Bao Zheng, the upright minister.

Repertoire:Qin Xianglian

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Email to Friends
Print
Save

Learn Chinese, Learning Mandarin, 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 Character - Broadway Flavor The Sound of Music

Subscribe to free Email Newsletter

Exchange>Stage

Broadway Flavor The Sound of Music

Chongqing’s audiences will have chance to appreciate the Broadway Classic The Sound of Music between April 10 and 14. The music drama staged at the Chongqing People's Mansion is the first to be performed in Chongqing.

Cooperating with Broadway Asia Entertainment (“BAE”) and Troika Entertainment, Sound of Music features famous Broadway stars and wonderful stage designs to attract audiences, and especially white collar citizens.

The Sound of Music is known by most Chinese audiences by its film edition. But the musical edition is quite different from the film. In the music drama you can enjoy music you have never heard the film edition and interact with actors on the spot.

The Sound of Drama has been performed more than 2000 times since 1960 and this is the second time in China. It will proceed to its performance tour in Wuhan, Beijing, Shanghai and Macao after finished in Chongqing

Sound of Music

The Sound of Music is a musical with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. It is based on the memoirs of Maria von Trapp, The Story of the Trapp Family Singers. Songs from the musical that have become standards include "The Sound
of Music," "Edelweiss," "My Favorite Things," "Climb Ev'ry Mountain," and "Do-Re-Mi."

The original Broadway production opened in November 1959, and the show has enjoyed numerous productions and revivals since then. It has also been made into an Academy Award-winning 1965 movie musical. The Sound of Music was the final musical written by Rodgers and Hammerstein; Hammerstein died of
cancer nine months after the premiere.

1 2

1 2

Email to Friends
Print
Save

Learn Chinese, Chinese Mandarin, 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

Pnyin - Photos on Beijing Olympics Exhibited in Jordan

Subscribe to free Email Newsletter

Exchange>Exhibition

Photos on Beijing Olympics Exhibited in Jordan

"I totally agree with Mr. Rogge, because Beijing had changed so much in recent years, not only in the environment improvement, but also in economic development," said Mohamed, a Jordanian lawyer, who had lived in Beijing for more than two years since 1999.

"I could hardly recognize it when I visited it last month," he said.

Pointing a picture of Chinese people celebrating the moment when Beijing was declared to win the right of hosting the 29thOlympic Games on July 13, 2001, Mohamed said, "I was in China then and I am so proud that I witnessed the very moment."

"I can still remember the cheers and thrill of the Beijingers. Chinese people realized a long-held dream, and I wish the Beijing Olympics a great success," he added.

Editor:Wang Nan

1 2

1 2

Email to Friends
Print
Save

Learn Chinese, Chinese Mandarin, 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

Learn Chinese online - Stories Behind Architectural Charm

Subscribe to free Email Newsletter

Chinese Way>Custom

Stories Behind Architectural Charm

Summer palace

Auspicious structure

Seen high from Wanshou Hill (Longevity Hill), the Kunming Lake in the Summer Palace is shaped like a peach and the structures on the sides of the Tower of Buddhist Incense shaped like wings of bat. Peach is a Chinese symbol of longevity, and bats indicate happiness.

Was it simply a coincidence or a deliberate arrangement No historical accurate historical records have been found. But the legend goes like this.

To celebrate the 40th birthday of Empress Cixi, Emperor Tongzhi (reign 1862-1874) had the Qingyi Garden rebuilt and renamed it the Summer Palace, in 1873.

Lei Tingchang, of the seventh generation of the Lei family, was the chief architect for the reconstruction. He was asked to incorporate the themes of ‘happiness, fortune and longevity, or fu lu shou in Chinese, into garden’s design to please Empress Cixi.

Lei Tingchang had people dig a lake at the foot of Wanshou Hill. Seen high up from the top of Wanshou Hill, the lake, now known as Kunming Lake, looks just like a peach. Spanning over the lake was a 17-arch bridge. Lei Tingchang had some islands built along the bridge in the shape of a turtle,
also symbolizing longevity. What’s more, he had structures on the sides of the Tower of Buddhist Incense on Wanshou Hill shaped like wings of a bat. The Chinese word for bat, fu, means happiness. It was common practice in ancient Chinese architecture to incorporate auspicious meanings into the
overall planning of a structure.

Bronze ox to tame flood

A bronze ox stands on the bank of Kunming Lake. It was built during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1735-1796) to tame the flood. As one of the Chinese traditional customs, the practice is said to have existed ever since the Xia Dynasty (22nd-17th century B.C.). Whenever and wherever Yu, the
official responsible for flood control, finished taming a flood he would sink a very big iron ox in the river, assuming that the flood could in this way be subdued. Towards the Tang Dynasty (618-907) the iron ox was no longer sunk into the river but instead to be laid somewhere on the river bank.
When Emperor Qianlong finished dredging the Kunming Lake and built a causeway he couldn’t do otherwise but lay a gilded brass ox here in order to tame the flood, and to memorialize it a “Golden Ox Inscription” was done on the ox’s back.

1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5

Email to Friends
Print
Save

Learn Chinese, Learn mandarin, 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,

Chinese Tutor - Chinese Performing Troupe to Tour Canada

Subscribe to free Email Newsletter

Exchange>Stage

Chinese Performing Troupe to Tour Canada

The China Broadcasting Performing-Arts Troupe started its performance tour today around six Canadian cities from February 14 through February 28.

The 24-member performing troupe will tour Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and Edmonton and present performances in each city. The performing artists lineup includes the famous Chinese singer Wang Jieshi and the folk instrumental players Jiang Kemei and Zhang Gaoxiang.

This performance tour is designed to greet local Chinese residents and promote Chinese culture and achievements since the reform and opening-up policy was implemented 30 years ago.

The highlights of the performance will offer Canadian people and Chinese alike classic folk music, song, dance, acrobatics and magic tricks, all well selected and prepared by the troupe members. Zhang Xi, the vice director of the troupe, leads the performers.

1 2

1 2

Email to Friends
Print
Save

Learn Chinese, Chinese Online Class, 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