(北京中轴线的历史痕迹) 4 min read Just inside the north side of Beijing’s former city wall stand the Drum Tower and the Bell Tower (opening image), both built in 1272 during the Yuan dynasty (元朝). Together, the two towers offer panoramic views of central Beijing. Looking directly south from the Drum Tower, the line of sight […]
Beijing’s Central Axis Read More »
(中国古代佛窟) 4 min read According to a national survey, China has 2,155 cave-temple sites, most of which are Buddhist, though some are Daoist. Buddhist cave art constitutes a major component of traditional Chinese sculpture and painting. The construction of these cave temples was not driven primarily by artistic self-expression, but by karma—the Buddhist belief
Ancient Cave Temples of China Read More »
(长治久安的西安) 5 min read Chang’an (长安, meaning “lasting peace”), today’s Xi’an (西安), has a glorious past as the capital of several ancient Chinese dynasties. The region’s fertile soil and proximity to the Wei River (渭河)—the largest tributary of the Yellow River (黄河)—enabled it to sustain a large population for several millennia. The area
Xi’an—the City of Lasting Peace Read More »
(清代的御花园) 5 min read Qing-dynasty (清朝, 1644–1912) imperial gardens—such as the Mountain Resort in Chengde (避暑山庄), Yuanmingyuan (圆明园), and Yiheyuan (颐和园, also known as the Summer Palace)—are culturally significant because they represent microcosms of the Qing Empire. They showcase Chinese aesthetic traditions while embodying the interaction of nature, human design, and geopolitics. Although each
Imperial Gardens of the Qing Dynasty Read More »
(苏州及岭南林园) 4 min read Classical Chinese garden design seeks to “recreate natural landscapes in miniature” (咫尺之内再造乾坤) by using four key elements—rocks, water, plants, and architecture—reflecting the profound importance of natural beauty in Chinese culture. Classical gardens are found primarily in southern China, especially in the historically rich regions of the Yangtze River Delta, particularly
Classical Gardens of Suzhou and Lingnan Read More »
(大同的佛教艺术与建筑) 4 min read Because of its long history, the city of Datong (大同), in Shanxi Province (山西省), is rich in remarkable historical sites. The city was formally established as Pingcheng (平城) during the Han Dynasty (c. 200 BCE) as a frontier outpost to defend against northern nomadic tribes. After the fall of the
Buddhist Art and Architectures of Datong Read More »
(传统住宅的建筑风格) 5 min read Shaped by China’s vast geography, varied climate, ethnic diversity, and long-standing cultural traditions, traditional Chinese homes exhibit remarkable architectural diversity. Six representative styles are highlighted below. From north to south, they are the siheyuan (四合院), yaodong (窑洞), Anhui style (徽派), Hakka tulou (客家土楼), Cantonese style (粤派), and qilou (骑楼) homes.
Architectural Styles of Traditional Homes Read More »
丝路行旅—从西安至敦煌) 7 min read The ancient Silk Road was not a single road, but a network of trade routes connecting China with Central Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, and Europe. Our Silk Road journey traced the Chinese section of this network, traveling westward from Xi’an (西安) through Lanzhou (兰州), Jiayuguan (嘉峪关), Dunhuang (敦煌), Ürümqi (乌鲁木齐), and
Modern Travelers on the Ancient Silk Road (1): From Xi’an to Dunhuang Read More »
(丝路上的美食) Reading Time: 5 minutes The ancient Silk Road—a network of routes that connected China to the Central Asia and finally Europe—started from Chang’an (长安), the modern-day Xi’an (西安). Through the Silk Road, merchants in camel and horse caravans from the west and south brought their musical instruments, rugs, horses, camels, and spices to China and
Flavors From the Silk Road Read More »
(通行南北的面条) 6 min read Food plays an outsized role in Chinese culture, and among different Chinese foods, noodles may be the most loved. The type of noodle consumed in China differs from region to region. People in wheat growing areas prefer wheat noodles, while those in rice growing areas favor rice noodles. Moreover, different
Chinese Noodles, from North to South Read More »
