Experience Tasty Tea From Chinese Tea Leaves

By Rei Tuviera

Drinking tea had a long history in China. Chinese tea differs into four main categories, black, green, oolong and white varieties. There were more varieties that have been added such as red, compressed and scented teas. Somehow, researchers said that there could be more than 700 varieties of tea. Nonetheless, all these varieties came from the same tea plant - the Camilla plant.

The way of making Chinese tea is simple yet, is a delicate art. Tea leaves are placed into tea pots or cups and warm water or boiled water is poured over it. The leaves are soaked for several minutes in a tightly covered teapot. Hot water is also poured over the covered teapot thus retaining its heat. The leaves are then strained leaving the tea liquid behind to be served for drink.

For Chinese tea drinkers brewing is made usually by preparing utensils such as cups and teapots. Many people preferred to prepare tea in cups using instant tea or tea bag which is a lot easier. On the other hand, some preferred to brew tea using loose leaf which produce more desirable flavor than tea bags. Chinese tea like black, green, oolong and white are prepared or served differently from each other.

For Black tea, it could be brewed in either of the two ways using a Chinese tea cup or a teapot. In a cup or teapot pour the boiling water slowly over the leaves. Cover and steeped for about 3 to five minutes. This is the recommended time to steep for a perfect flavor. Anything more than that makes the tea bitter.

Conversely, brewing green tea among Chinese prefers the use of porcelain cups. In Chinese tea tradition using porcelain cups will help improve the tone of tea. During brewing, boiling water is not poured directly over the tea leaves unlike the black tea. The water is boiled first and then cooled for at most 3 minutes. Pour the water over the leaves and then infuse for about 2 to 3 minutes.

For oolong Chinese tea, it is prepared using the utensil set known as the "four treasures" that consist of kettles, teapots and cups. Tea is brewed by placing first tea leaves in teapots. Hot boiled water is then decanted over the leaves. Having the teapots tightly covered, hot water is then tipped over it to preserve the heat.

Now for white tea, pouring boiling water directly on the leaves could ruin the delicate flavor of tea. The water is boiled first and then let it sit for up to one minute. When the time is up, the water is then poured over the leaves. The recommended steeping time for most types of white tea is within 5 to 8 minutes.

Finally, brewing tea is all about the experience. Experiment and find the taste that you like best! - 30294

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Major Kinds of Chinese Tea

By Roselah Varde

Chinese tea bushes with a scientific name of Camelia Sinensis are mostly cultivated in the higlands of tropical and subtropical areas of China, where there is a perfect climate, humidy, enough sunshine and fertile soil.

Most Chinese teas are classified according to quality, processing method or locality where it is grown. The basic methods of processing Chinese tea leaves are fermentation, heating and or drying, and adding other ingredients like flowers, special herbs or fruits. Theses processes makes the unique flavor of the raw tea leaves.

Green Tea are fresh Chinese tea leaves that are not fermented. Green tea is naturally prepared through heating or drying in order to maintain its natural color and keep most of its potent substances like polyphenols and chlorophyll. Green tea is widely cultivated in almost all the regions of China and is the most well-loved in its kind. Green tea is known to contain the highest medicinal effects and the lowest caffeine.

Red Tea and Black Tea are types of Chinese tea that can be used interchangeably depending on the place of origin. Red Tea is Black tea by western classification. Red and Black Chinese teas are wholly fermented giving them the strong flavor and dark color. Compared to other Chinese teas, they have longer lasting flavors. They have the highest level of caffeine concentration. They are most commonly used in the west and northwest regions of China being known to be Weight-watchers' gospel. Black Chinese teas are known to clean up the digestive tract due to its emulsifying effect on fats and cholesterol.

Oolong Tea is green or black tea primarily because it is partially fermented. It taste more of the green tea but has smells like black tea. Oolong Chinese teas are thick to taste that's why it is a favorite among tea drinkers in southeast China and Taiwan. They are also the widely used for Kung Fu Cha. Interestingly, Oolong teas, similar to Black teas have natural substances that work great to loosen excess fats and lower cholesterol levels.

Pu-erh or Puer Teas are as Compressed Chinese teas. They are wholly fermented for several years such that they are compact, which gives compressed teas the unique earthly taste. Puer teas are compressed artistically, however it's shaped depends on the creativity of its maker. Puer Chinese tea are very common in the west and southwest regions of China. To allow continued fermentation, compressed Chinese teas should be stored openings for air at moderate temperature. Puer matures like wine, the longer are the years of fermentation, the higher is its value.

From the word, Flowered Tea, Scented teas are mainly Chinese teas added with flowers like grapefruit flower, sweet-scented osmanthus, rose, jasmine, gardenia and magnolia. Scented teas could be based with either black tea, green or oolong tea. But, there is strict rule of the levels or number of flower petals that will be included on each type of tea. As an example, green is not fermented, most of its substances are retained, oolong teas are partly fermented, such that it is good for breaking down proteins and fats, and red or black teas have been fully fermentation, so 90% of its natural elements has lost, but black tea has the highest caffeine. Jasmine is the most favorite Flower tea.

White Tea or Yellow Tea are chinese green teas which have been roasted, that's why it is colored white or yellow, depending on the roasting process. White teas have the lightest taste and aroma and it has the lowest caffeine content. Some of the favorite chinese white teas are Shou Mei, Bai Mu Dan and Yin Zhen Bai Hao. - 30294

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Himfr Reports Pork, Eggs Price Increases In China

By Christina Xia

Himfr reports that recently the prices of pork and eggs consecutive increases in the market but that would not trigger inflation.

Usually during the winter, as vegetable prices rise, consumers will increase demand for eggs, and egg prices will rise. In the current market, however, eggs prices are not rising as vegetable prices rise, which contributes to low volatility.

In mid-July, the price of eggs in the market began to rise; by August the price of eggs had risen from 156 RMB / case to 163 RMB / case, and then floated around this price range. By late August, egg prices had hit new heights: 156.5 RMB / case by August 24, 160 RMB / case by August 25, and even 170 RMB / case recently, a new high point. As of this week, egg prices had risen for five weeks, for a cumulative increase of 5.8%.

During the winter in China, North-South transport is subject to certain restrictions, which contributes to stagnant egg prices; with limited transport, farmer's will not go out of stock.

China's live hog price dropped 40 percent year on year to 9.56 RMB (1.41 U.S. dollars) per kilogram last June as a result of oversupply. The wholesale price of pork plummeted to 14 RMB per kilogram.

Due to various measures adopted by governments to combat declining price, the price picked up in the second half of 2009.

Live hog price rose to 12.36 RMB in the first week of 2010, up 29 percent compared with six months ago. The wholesale pork price grew 22 percent to 17 RMB.

Himfr predicted pork price would rise at a modest rate in recent days with the Spring Festival drawing near, which would drive up demand for pork.

But Himfr reminds consumers, in the most recent period, pork and egg price rises have happened too fast, and so egg and pork market are not stable and consumers should pay attention to observe and to avoid risks. - 30294

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The Meaning Behind New Year Activities In The East

By John Chan

You may find it complicated to calculate Chinese New Year but if you observe the traditional activities related to New Year carefully you will get to know when it is celebrated.

Most of the people have no idea as to when Chinese New Year is. For a starting it is important to know that Chinese New Year is not on January first. This occurs because Chinese follow the lunar calendar and therefore come up with a different date which is in accordance with the lunar calendar. To calculate the Chinese New Year keep your eyes open for the traditional activities that start off in China which has to do with the New Year celebrations.

It is quite amazing that Chinese have no fixed date for their New Year. In spite of such a tradition you can not overlook it as many ancient customs are revived at this time of the year. In fact the nation becomes busy with traditional activities which are there for centuries and there is a festive spirit in the air. All the activities done during this time of the year makes New Year an important festival in China and any outsider can make out that Chinese New Year has arrived.

The activity begins with the home, to be more precise, home cleaning is the first official New Year activity for all Chinese home owners. This cleaning includes a top to bottom makeover. Out with the old and in with the new. Families purchase new clothes for the celebration days and pay off any pending debts.

The New Year activities make their beginning in Chinese homes. It starts with home cleaning and clearing out the things that have no use. The Chinese people also make it a point to buy new things at this time as well as clothe. This is a time when they prefer to clear off past debts.

The home cleaning is done in a big way by doing repair on the home and may be painting the house. The people spruce themselves up for the approach of New Year by getting a hair cut.

The thorough cleaning of the house is followed by a paint job of the doors and windows. They are painted bright red in the belief that the red color is the agent of good fortune and it helps to keep the evil elements away.

Another New Year activity is decorating the entrance of the house with spring couplets. The couplets are made of paper having curls and squares with engravings done on them. The engravings have meanings such as it could be words of blessings of good luck or could be wishing for spring etc.

During the Chinese New Year the traditional signs and traditions are given importance. They all hang paper lantern in their houses as a part of the tradition. The animal of the year must get prominence and as such should be seen throughout the house. Chinese also get beautiful flowers and plants for decoration, blessing and prosperity. Narcissus and quince are a few examples of the flowers they use. - 30294

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Know Usual Forms of Payment in the Region Before You Transfer Money to China

By Beth Williams

Many people have never been to Asia, but that shouldn't prevent anyone from learning how to transfer money to China to kin in need. Even if you live thousands of miles away, you can get an idea of your options before you send any money. After all, remitting currency that your relative cannot use or selecting a dangerous or time-consuming method can ruin your plans of helping them out. Just getting to know the common forms of payment in the area can help you make the right decision.

The actual cash of China is the Renminbi Yuan, made up of 100 fen. $1 USD equals about 6.82 Yuan, though the rate changes daily. Currency exchange is typically only available in China, so most travelers and residents returning to China cannot usually find local legal tender before they enter the nation. However, one of the greatest parts about the ability to transfer money to China is that your U.S. dollars will be changed automatically to Chinese currency in most cases, depending on the service you use.

If you both have an account at a bank that exists in both regions, or perhaps both have access to the same account, you can easily transmit capital to your relatives. If you have access to their account, it is free to transfer money to China using this option, but if you use separate banking institutions, the charge is typically anywhere from $10 to $45. You should find out from your financial institution what they charge for this ability. If you are lucky, your financial institution could permit you to send the money for free to a certain financial institution in China, but you usually have to be using a particular type of account that a could cost money in itself.

Credit cards are not quite as standard in China as they are in the United States. However, most banks there do provide debit cards, such as the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, and most branches of the Bank of China. This means that your relatives likely have decent access to ATM's. Macau, Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai are especially well-known for their abundance of cash machines. Take advantage if they live in such major areas by mailing them a prepaid debit card. This allows them to withdraw funds from ATM's for a charge of approximately 10 Yuan, or use it at merchants that accept debit cards. Of course, if your family members live in smaller cities, particularly those in rural areas, you should first make sure they have access to ATMs and nearby financial institutions before taking these routes.

These are the main ways that many people decide to transfer money to China. Trying to send funds before you find out the best way for your recipients could prove to be pointless. For example, sending a prepaid debit card might be the cheapest route in many cases, but it is useless if your relatives have very little access to ATM's or merchants that accept debit cards, and thus, no way to access their money. A little knowledge about the area where they dwell can go a long way. - 30294

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Beijing Hotels as seen from the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong

By Efrenn Larson

Since time immemorial, Beijing has been home to some of the country's most prominent figures, from heads of state to entertainers. These people have succeeded in turning this once rigid city into a more open and versatile metropolis that is always open to the changes that each year brings.

Most tourists when coming to the city realize that a number of Beijing hotels are situated near famous tourist spots and shopping havens.

Most of the tourists, however, come to Beijing to experience the local sights and sounds that the city can offer. One of the famous landmarks in the city is the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. He was the Chairman of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China from 1943 and the chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China from 1945 until his death.

Situated at the heart of Tiananmen Square and close to a number of fabulous hotels in Beijing, the Mausoleum replaced the Gate of China which was the Imperial City's southern gate during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The construction of the mausoleum was made right after Chairman Mao's death. Hua Guofeng, who supervised the mausoleum project, has his handwriting on the mausoleum's sign. According to an issue of China Pictorial, the Chinese people designed and built the mausoleum. In fact, materials from all over the mainland were used, including granite from Sichuan Province, porcelain plates from Guangdong Province, color pebbles from Nanjing, and even rock samples from Mount Everest. The sand and rocks were also taken from the Taiwan Strait, signifying China's dominance over the island. What's more, a mass of 700,000 people voluntarily helped to make the mausoleum.

The remains of the Great Helmsman, which Mao was famously known, are on display for public viewing. He can be seen inside a crystal coffin fitted with Xenon lamps using the latest in fiber-optic technology. With this, Mao's skin color appears closer to that of a living person and the wrinkles seem to disappear.

The locals and guests who are staying at various Beijing hotels line up for hundreds of meters for them to visit this prominent Chinese individual. Many locals pay tribute to him by offering flowers which can be rented at the north entrance. You can also buy souvenirs at the shop located at the south gate.

In death as in life, Mao Zedong still remains as an imposing figure to the Chinese people. By visiting this landmark, you will get to know more about the lives and culture of the Chinese. Since a number of hotels in Beijing can be located within a few minutes of the area, then transportation will never become a problem. That is why, we invite you with open arms to come and experience a glimpse of one of China's most revered leaders. - 30294

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Beijing Hotels on the Sidelines of the Summer Palace

By Efrenn Larson

Beijing, China's vibrant cosmopolitan and ancient capital has been home to some of the world's many wonders. You may have already heard of the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, but there are still more places to see and things to do when you're in town. What's more promising is that Beijing hotels are located within considerable walking and driving distances, making them more accessible to locals and tourists alike.

In the olden times, the emperor and his court stayed inside the Forbidden City. It was there where the emperors, called 'Sons of Heaven,' made their duties. Owing to the great task that they handled, they were thus subjected to many pressures. This prompted the emperors to build the Summer Palace as a respite from everyday problems of palace life.

Literally called the 'Gardens of Nurtured Harmony,' the area is primarily dominated by Longevity Hill and the Kunming Lake. It covers an area of 2.9 square kilometers, three-quarters of which are water. In the Summer Palace itself, you can find a variety of palaces, gardens, and other classical-style architectural structures. Getting to this place can be made easier by working with Beijing hotels which would gladly assist you in your itinerary.

One of the most important features of the complex, the Kunming Lake was created by extending a present body of water to imitate the West Lake in Hangzhou. The central lake was entirely man-made and the excavated soil was used to build Longevity Hill.

When emperor Wnyn Ling moved his capital to the Beijing area, he built a Gold Mountain Palace on the site of the hill. It was renamed from Gold Mountain to Jug Hill (Weng Shan) during the Yuan Dynasty. Finally, the Qianlong emperor of the Qing Dynasty gave the hill its present name.

Standing about 60 meters high, the hill holds several sequentially-positioned buildings. The front side is abundantly decorated with buildings and halls while the back is maintained in its natural beauty.

The Cloud-Dispelling Hall, the Temple of Buddhist Virtue, and the Sea of Wisdom Temple, all having religious and cultural significance, are some of the notable buildings in the hill's northern side.

The Summer Palace was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998, calling it "a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design." Today, it not only serves as a tourist destination but also as a recreational park.

Getting to this favorable destination is made less of a hassle since Beijing hotels are always ready to assist you in this journey. Whether you are to experience the homey rooms of the wonderful hotels in Beijing or marvel at the splendid quarters in the Summer Palace, you will definitely find this city worth remembering! - 30294

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Beijing Hotels and the Monument to the People's Heroes: Places to Honor Important People

By Efrenn Larson

As the seat of national cultural and political affairs, the city of Beijing has long become a silent observer to the changes of the times. She was born from thousands of years of mystery, risen from the flames of the past, continues to live with certainty and is looking forward to a seemingly greater and definable future.

The wonders of Beijing never fail to enthrall her visitors. This influx of tourists from every race and creed gave rise to numerous Beijing Hotels, which are spread across the metropolis. These various accommodations offer you many choices, from the simple and standard ones to those that define grandiosity and luxury. Wherever you are, you are sure to choose one that will fit your needs and liking.

Beijing has experienced several rebellions throughout her history. Among these, a significant uprising led to the collapse of the Dynastic era and the eventual rise of the People's Republic. Some monuments have been made to remember the importance and the virtues of those people who fought for Chinese freedom. Undeniably, the Monument to the People's Heroes is one of the most visited since it can be found in a few minutes' walk from some of the hotels in Beijing. This obelisk stands ten-storeys high and was built in memory of the martyrs who offered their lives for the revolutionary struggles of the Chinese people during the 19th and 20th centuries.

The monument is strategically located at the southern edge of Tiananmen Square. Designed by architects Liang Sicheng and his wife, Lin Huiyin, it has a height of about 37.94 meters and covers an area of 32,000 square feet.

This 10,000 metric ton obelisk was made from 17,000 pieces of granite and marble, which were taken from the provinces of Qingdao and Shandong and from Fangshan District, just outside the city.

There are eight large bas relieves on the tablet's pedestal which depict scenes from the revolution and can be read clockwise from the east. Some of these include the burning of opium in the Opium War in 1840, the Jintian Village Uprising in the Taiping Revolution in 1851 and crossing the Yangtze River Campaign, or Successful Crossing of the Yangtze River in 1949.

On the front of the monument, you can readily see an inscription in Mao Zedong's handwriting, which reads "Eternal glory to the people's heroes!" On the back, there is a message which was drafted by Mao Zedong and written by Zhou Enlai, which also revered the efforts of the heroes of the past.

The Monument to the People's Heroes is truly a sight to behold, especially for tourists who are staying in different Beijing hotels. They should not miss this chance because the monument is a symbol of national pride for the Chinese. Traveling to this place from many Beijing hotels can be done within minutes since transportation is readily accessible. The best time to visit is in the morning so that you can truly explore this landmark because many people come in the afternoon. So what are you waiting for? This wonderful piece of history is ready to welcome you! - 30294

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Beijing Hotels and the Ming Dynasty Tombs: Spaces of Modernity and History

By Efrenn Larson

When you hear the name China, you would immediately relate this to the Great Wall, maybe to Confucianism or Buddhism, or even to the Peking Duck. Whatever you relate this name with, there is always a common denominator to each of them: they are borne out of a very spectacular history.

A part of this history is Imperialism and the emperor was of course, the ruler of the kingdom. China was ruled by several dynasties, from the earliest Qin to the last Qing Dynasty. One of the well-known of these was the the Ming Dynasty.

The emperors of the Ming Dynasty were visionaries. They extended the Great Wall and they also started the large manufacturing of porcelain wares. Out of respect for these lines of emperors, the Chinese honored them by building their tombs. The Ming Dynasty Tombs, the burial site of thirteen Ming emperors, are a part of the itinerary of some Beijing Hotels. For tourists who want to get out of the buzzing city, then this may be a perfect place for you to visit.

The site, which is located some 50 kilometers north of Beijing, was chosen by Emperor Yongle, the third Ming Dynasty emperor. He built many famous landmarks and monuments in Beijing, the country's new capital.

Following the principles of Feng Shui, the builders carefully chose the site of the tombs. From this, the 40-square kilometer area surrounded by mountains in a quiet valley and tranquil water was born.

A seven kilometer road, known as the "Spirit Way" (Shen dao) leads into the complex. Statues of guardian animals and officials, with a front gate consisting of three red arches, called the "Great Red Gate" can be seen. A gigantic stone memorial archway, which is considered to be one of the biggest in China, signals the beginning of the Spirit Way.

Further within, you can see the Shengong Shengde Stele Pavilion which houses a 50-ton tortoise shaped dragon-beast hauling a stone tablet. It was believed that the traditional designs guided the spirits of the deceased.

The road will lead you to 18 pairs of larger-than-life stone statues of mythical animals, which are all sculpted from blocks of stones. Finally you will arrive at a three-arched gate known as the Dragon and Phoenix Gate.

At present, only three tombs are open to the public: These are the Chang Ling, Ding Ling and Zhao Ling.

The tombs were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in August of 2003. Due to this positive development, Beijing hotels are experiencing increased occupancy rates throughout the years. The generous staff of the numerous Beijing hotels will never fail to help you plan your itinerary. Visit the Ming Dynasty Tombs now and experience the wonders of Imperial China! - 30294

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The Capital Museum: A Stone's Throw Away from Beijing Hotels

By Efrenn Larson

Beijing, an ancient city with 17 million inhabitants, is China's political capital and is second to Shanghai in terms of population. To facilitate the inflow and outflow of its citizens, visitors and the goods they produce, the city has several motorways, railways, seaports and a modern airport. Due to these improvements, the city has become more accessible to citizens from around the world.

This ancient city never fails to amaze the eyes of a traveler since many significant tourist attractions dot its landscape. One cannot help but be inspired by how old-world buildings coexist side-by-side with modern structures. What's even better is that many Beijing hotels can be found within walking distances from these landmarks, helping visitors save time by visiting a number of spots in a day.

Chinese life sits side-by-side with their culture. This is the reason why a number of museums have been dedicated to the preservation of this unique characteristic. The Capital Museum, which opened in 1981 and renovated in 2007, is one of the biggest and more interesting. It now houses over 200,000 relics in its collection.

The museum's frontage is based on human and cultural heritage and exemplifies the integration of the past and the present, art and modernism, history and nature. The gigantic roof and the slope at the entrance are derived from traditional Chinese architectural style, and the stone exterior reminds one of the walls of ancient China. Bronze, timber and stones are widely used throughout the museum to represent a deeper sense of historicity. Also, a glass curtain wall, which gives a grand and transparent effect, reflects a sense of modernity.

There are three permanent exhibitions in the museum. The first, entitled "Ancient Capital: Chapter on the History and Culture of Beijing" shows the intricacies of art, dance, architecture, trade, commerce and transportation of the early Chinese when ruled by the emperor.

The second exhibition, called "Ancient Capital: Urban Construction" highlights the transcendence of the old world and the embrace of new age policies and beliefs. This part highlights the urbanization of China and the adoption of new-age technologies which brought the nation to its present state.

The last exhibition, known as the "Stories of the Capital City - Old Beijing Folk-customs" portrays the importance of folklores and folkways in Chinese life. Also, the means to find and maintain luck and their relationship to a Supreme Being are also explained here.

The museum, aside from its exhibitions, also functions as a cultural heritage storehouse, conference and reception hall, and a digital movie hall where a super wide screen with the state-of-the-art technology are installed to display high-definition films. For visitors to enjoy the wonders of this site, they can earlier purchase their tickets in Beijing hotels or any travel agency to avoid the usual hustle and bustle. - 30294

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Chinese Tea: Yielding a Fine Harvest

By Rheim Sanczhes

The word tea leaves or tea is well-known in many countries as "cha" which is a Chinese character for tea or Chinese tea. Tea, Coffee and cocoa are the three most common drinks in the world. In general, among the three, tea is known to have the highest proportion of consumers. It is part in the way of life of China, Japan, and other Asian countries. And its refreshing powers to boost health have attracted lots of people to drink tea for their daily need. Generally, tea is a widely consumed drink in the world after water.

The demand of tea increased rapidly. In fact there has been a wide cultivation of Chinese tea plant in China, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka among others. Around forty countries in the world cultivated tea, and it is in the Asian region where tea production reached as high as 90% of the world's total output. Asian top producers of tea include China, India, and Sri Lanka.

In the history of tea planting and development, record shows that as early as five to six thousand years ago Chinese tea plants already existed. We can also assume, moreover, that all tea variants in other countries originated directly or indirectly from China.

The growing and harvesting of tea ca be easily correlated to the growing of grapes. Yes, it would take quite a number of years for one to be able to produce quality tea crop.

Chinese tea plantation must grow for five years before its leaves can be picked. If the tea yard is already in its 30 years, it will not be productive as before. To keep the tea yard producing quality crops, the trunks of the already old plant should be cut off so that new stem would grow out. With that, a tea yard is ready again to serve for about a hundred years.

The best conditions for growing Chinese tea are typically at high altitudes with a good amount of rainfall. In Sri Lanka however, the best condition is to grow and harvest tea at lower altitudes producing a different aroma and variety of tea. Too much sunlight will hinder the growth of the tea plant. The ideal climate for growing tea is to have cooler mornings with a light mist to help shield the plants from the sun.

Accordingly, an estimated three thousand tea leaves from a tea plant each year means a good harvest. At present, all tea is practically cultivated and harvested on plantations. - 30294

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Support an Endangered Species with Panda Checks

By Alan Plastin

Are you looking for a way to make your bank checks more interesting? Are you a fan of the Giant Panda, that mythical and arresting creature from the bambooed forests of China? If so, then you might want to consider carrying panda checks. Not only do they look great, but some of the check series even send proceeds to organizations that promote the conservation and protection of pandas and their environments.

The Giant Panda is definitely one of the most dearly loved beings on the planet. A mammal that is indigenous to central-western and south western China, while it is a carnivore, the greater part of its diet comes from bamboo.

Sadly, the Giant Panda is an endangered species. Due to the fact that farming and deforestation has pushed the Giant Panda out of its home, it mostly lives in the mountainous regions in central China. There are presently about 240 Giant Pandas in captivity in China, while another 27 live outside of the country. When it comes to pandas that are still living in the wild, reports differ, but the numbers could around 3,000.

Once upon a time, pandas were believed to be noble and extraordinary creatures. Indeed, the mother of Emperor Wen of Han even had a panda skull positioned in her vault when she was buried. Nowadays, they are still deemed mesmerizing creatures by the public and visitors flock to visit them in such places as the Atlanta and San Diego Zoo, two of the few places in the United States where pandas can be seen up close.

A few of the Giant Panda check series send a portion of their proceeds from their sales to conservation programs such as the San Diego Zoo where several pandas live. These checks also contain four rotating scenes of the first successful birth of a Giant Panda in the United States, Hua Mei. The San Diego Zoo is dedicated to serving endangered species and their habitats and places an importance on conservation and research. The checks are printed on recycled paper.

The World Wildlife Fund is another popular conservation organization that is also supported by panda checks. It is known around the world for its popular panda logo and helps more than 100 countries when it comes to conservation programs.

You can also purchase, in addition to the checks, matching address labels and a complementing checkbook cover to go with your checks as well.

If you wish to purchase panda checks, remember that by ordering them online from a safe site you can save as much as 50% off the price that you might have paid when getting them from your local bank. When buying online bear in mind that you will need your routing number and checking account number available so that they can be printed directly onto the checks. You should expect to receive them in about 3-5 days. - 30294

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New Year Greeting Form The Orient

By John Chan

In the following article you will get some information about wishing a happy and prosperous New Year in ancient and modern day China.

Are you receiving a lot of Guo Nian Hao from people as you near China in the beginning of the year? It simply means Happy New Year in Chinese language. You will also receive a number of New Year greetings in February in China as traditional Chinese New Year falls in the beginning of February which is absolutely different from western concept and comes as a surprise to many.

This is because the Chinese follow the lunar calendar which functions according to the cycles of the moon. So the 1st of January is not their New Year's Day rather it has to do with the cycle of the moon. The occasion of Chinese New Year is a joyous and momentous occasion when all sorts of ancient traditions are brought back to life so as to keep them ticking.

Since the beginning of the lunar year is an important occasion you will observe everybody to be greeting each other irrespective of whether they know the person or not. Go to any market place and you will have the entire staff wishing you Guo Nian Hao. In fact this is the voice of the nation during the festive season.

There is however a set time limit during which the use of this greeting prevails. The time limit is the first five days of the New Year. After that the use of this greeting is not considered to be part of the tradition. However Guo Nian Hao is not the only Chinese New Year greeting that surface during this time of the year.

As it is the beginning of a New Year people are generally hoping and praying for affluence in the year to come, both for themselves as well as others. You will often find people wishing each other congratulations and success which is something along the lines of Gonxi Facai; Hokkien Keong hee huat chye in Chinese.

As New Year represent everything good the Chinese people also pray for a good amount of crop harvest in the coming year and they use certain terms to wish abundant crops to everyone in future.

During Chinese New Year they use another form of wishing the best for the coming year with red envelop but it is not verbal greeting. This envelop contains money which is given to the children in hope of keeping the evil things away.

With the passing of time the Chinese people are using more and more of the novel ways of wishing New Year in their own way without keeping up with the traditions. Sending New Year card was never a part of the ancient culture which is now generally sent to each other for best wishes.

likewise with the arrivalof the internet you have people exchanging e-cards in order to greet each other a Happy Chinese New Year. The government too has its own way of greeting the public with a massive fireworks display. - 30294

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Getting To Know The Origin Of Mandarin New Year Zodiac

By John Chan

The zodiac signs in Chinese culture are depicted through animals. Find out how deeply embedded this concept is and how it's promoted during New Year celebrations.

The Chinese culture attaches much value to the science of the Zodiac. When you learn about the legendary origins of the Chinese zodiac it doesn't seem all that scientific. Nonetheless the comparisons made by Chinese thinkers between the behavior of the zodiac animals and the human nature seem interesting to a lot of people.

The original calendar of 12 years followed by the ancient Chinese was complex by nature. The normal people failed to follow it because of their complexities. Thus came the calendar with 12 animals which keep repeating themselves after every 12 years cycle and replaced the earlier system.

Each New Year is ascribed to an animal. The year of the same animal repeats back after every twelve years. People born in the year of a particular animal are believed to have the qualities of that animal. Keep in mind these character sketches have been drawn by Chinese thinkers which may or may not capture the essence of the animal's behavior or their connection with human behavior.

The animal which represents a particular year has a lot of meaning during New Year celebration. A number of activities are taken up to show it. They make it clear to the people that this is the year of say ox by making ox puppets for the parade or dressing up like the animal of the for live performance.

You will also be able to find a wide range of decoration objects taking up the animal of the year as the main theme. Such art work is widely accessible in every store and even on stalls on the streets. Many people wear the animal of the year on their T-shirts that feature the animal in some form of artistic expression. Similarly there are many other fashion accessories that revolve around the animal of the year and are very popular during the Chinese New Year season.

Ever since China has begun to observe an influx of tourists during the New Year season they have started to promote the Chinese New Year animals in a different way. Not only are foreigners intrigued with the notion rather they also want to seek more information about it including the origins. Many are even fascinated in finding out about the year of the animal in which they were born and then like to look at their characteristics and see if they match their personality.

Much of the western public does that for the sake of entertaining themselves. Other than the orthodox and old fashioned Chinese people, no on takes the character comparisons between the zodiac animals and themselves too seriously. It is just an ancient tradition that is looked upon in wonder and admiration being kept alive for the sake of maintaining their ancient identity.

When you become conscious of the factors on which the animal zodiac symbols are based you will have no doubt that they are completely mythical. These animal symbols have been the result of some ones fertile imagination and has remained a part of it for years till today. - 30294

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The Cantonese New Year Food Items And Their Meanings

By John Chan

Do you want to find out the menu that is arranged for the feasting during the New Year season's celebrations? Come let us get information on it.

The Chinese people are very concerned about their food. This seriousness grows manifolds when it comes to New Year's celebrations because food is an integral part of the entire festive season. Given that the Chinese attach so much importance to food the fact that food occupies a central place in New Year celebrations comes as no big surprise.

The food offered during the Chinese New Year season is no ordinary food. Rather it is considered to be lucky food which is served for the duration of the first two weeks of the New Year. The serving of the food is also known as the spring festival because that is around when the Chinese New Year falls according to the lunar calendar.

The cuisine set for the New Year celebrations comprises no ordinary food and has some sort of symbolical meaning taggedto it as Chinese people believe in symbolism. A full chicken that is eaten as a must during New Years feasts, represents togetherness of family. All items eaten during this time have some symbolism or the other and are considered to be lucky food.

There is no doubt that the New Year's season's feasting involves the serving of noodles which is a compulsory tradition in China. It is the symbol that promises a long life. The Chinese believe that noodles that are cut bring bad luck so they generally offer uncut noodles.

Other exciting and symbolic items on the Chinese New Year menu are clams and spring rolls. These treats are meant to tantalize your taste buds while they stand as a symbol of wealth. The clams get this symbolism from its bouillon like shape whereas the spring rolls carry resemblance with bars of gold.

Another approach to choose the right kind of food is to concentrate on the phonetics the word. Take the word 'lettuce', when said in the Chinese language it sounds like the fortune is increasing. The Chinese people use lettuce to wrap fortune food items to be served on the occasion of the New Year.

Some fruits are also designated as fortunate food served during the New Year spring season and its available in abundance at this time of the year. The most important ones are oranges and tangerines. When they are pronounced in Chinese they have the sound of wealth and luck and hence that explains why they are selected. Another fruit type that is selected is the grapefruit as it signifies abundance and is the classic fruit symbol of the New Year.

Fish is amongst one of the primary items on the New Year menu just because it sounds like wish and is believed to represent abundance. The evening meal on New Year's Eve will always end with fish as per tradition. The fish is served as a whole so as to symbolize togetherness.

Sweets and steamed cakes like sticky rice cakes are also served during the New Year time and message that it shares is that people can seek for good things to come with the advancement of a New Year. - 30294

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Legendary Stories Behind The Asian New Year Lantern Festival

By John Chan

Discover the historical origins of the lantern festival that is celebrated during the Chinese New Year.

Yuan Xiao is the Chinese lantern festival that is celebrated during the season of the New Year. Lantern is a significant symbol linked with the Chinese New Year. Yuan word is derived from the year's first month and word Xiao comes from the word night as referred to, by the Chinese people.

The exact timing of the celebration of the lantern festival is after the fifteenth day of entering into the New Year when the full moon is observed for the first time. The environment becomes happy as the full moon gleams in the blue sky and huge groups of Chinese people aggregate at the festival location and hold up colorful lanterns, completely lighting up the entire area.

There are many complexities involve with Chinese lanterns. These are no ordinary lanterns rather they can be an extremely engaging item once you begin to indulge in the puzzles that are often featured on the lanterns. The eating of glutinous rice balls also goes along with the lantern celebrations which are shared amongst friends and families.

The origins of the lantern tradition

As is the case with many other traditional practices of China you will find a number of mythologies concerning the lantern New Year tradition. The most popular legend is associated with the worship of a God known as Taiyi who was supposedly the ruler over the heavens in ancient times.

The fortune of the human race was believed to be under the power of Taiyi, the lord of heaven. He had the power of inflicting natural disasters or medical epidemics to impose any penance on the humans. This tradition was initiated by the emperor Qinshihuang who held this ceremony of the lantern festival to pacifythe lord. This was done solely so that he wouldn't create any natural calamities.

With time the ceremony gained money and was highly sponsored during the Han dynasty. In fact it was during the rule of the emperor Wudi that the event became one of the most important ceremonies in China which would go on for the entire night.

The story behind the lantern festival however had a different explanation too that said the Taoists influenced these celebrations. The fortune of the Chinese people was in the hands of the Taoist lord Tianguan, apparently, and he seemed to have taste for Chinese entertainment. Hence, the Chinese took to satisfying him by, celebrating on the streets and executing various performances to keep him happy.

There was another edge to this old legend that said that the ceremony of lantern lighting was discovered by the emperor Mingdi. He was influenced by Buddhist preaching and also he had a dream that made him select the fifteenth day after the New Year date as the day of lantern lighting.

There might have been various sides to the historical story behind the reason to celebrate the lantern festival but nonetheless this event is a major celebration of the New Year season. The lanterns are specially decorated with traditional designs on them. - 30294

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Chinese Tea Sets: A Look Into the Dragon's Drew

By Sammia Cheng

China has fondly been referred by many books as 'the Dragon' due to its reverberating culture that is known the world over. The creativity of the early and modern Chinese always helps them to redefine themselves. An important part of their culture is art and one of the best examples of this is the use of Chinese tea sets.

Chinese tea sets trace its history about 220 - 206 B.C., during the rule of the Han Dynasty. In this time, tea ware mainly consisted of two styles: white porcelain from the north and blue porcelain from the south.

In a manuscript written about the third century A.D., tea leaves were flattened and mixed with a variety of spices which included onions, orange, and flower petals. It was known that tea was mainly used for medicinal purposes and not a drink for pleasure's sake during this time.

Historians believe that the teapot was developed during the reign of the Song Dynasty. An archaeological dig revealed that remnants of a Yixing teapot were found in an ancient kiln.

They are named after a city in the Jiangsu Province, where a precise compound of iron ore resulted in the exceptional coloration of these teapots. Since the clay is porous, the teapot would gradually be heated by using it for brewing one kind of tea. Through this, artisans created fanciful pots displaying animal shapes.

The Song Dynasty also finished a number of outstanding ceramic tea pots and bowls ranging from blue, brown and black.

The Chinese tea sets used to serve the guests consisted of the following materials: a Yixing teapot, a tray to trap the wasted tea/water and cups to drink the tea. Additional items included a tea tool kit which enclosed the following: digger, funnel, needle, shuffle, tongs and vase. There was also a brush to wipe the wasted tea all over the tray to create an even tea stain and a sieve to help filter out the free bits during pouring. Finally, one or two clay animals were used for display and for luck by numerous Chinese drinkers.

Tea drinking is a tradition that is indeed very important for the Chinese. The use of Chinese tea sets by many families up to now indicates its role in their culture. True to its essence, the Chinese tea sets in a way give us a sip of the country's amazing culture. - 30294

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Learn All About Oriental New Year For Kids

By John Chan

Kids have a special place in the New Year celebrations in China. lets see how the kids have fun during New Year.

Although the Chinese New Year is a time when men, women and children of all ages go all out in terms of enjoying themselves by engaging in all sorts of traditional activities it is the youngest lot that gets to reap the utmost benefits.

Younger kids has the maximum fun as they are not old enough to take the duty of supervising and managing the things that requires to be done for the New Year celebrations. Therefore they are given the freedom of simply celebrating the Chinese New Year except sometimes helping the elders in the household activities.

New Year is one time in China when the entire nation is busy enjoying themselves to the maximum. The New Year in China is celebrated with the renewal of the old customs. The children while sharing the fun and festivities of the occasion also learn about the history andorigin of each event.

Such an educative process that permits them to have fun while they are being taught serves great benefits in terms of teaching them a history lesson that they will never forget or fear all their lives. Rather New Year celebrations for kids are amongst the most memorable things that the youngsters will never forget all their lives.

The richness of Chinese tradition is apparent during the New Year when it manifests through various activities. The China in its true colors is presented to the children in such a style that the kids easily understand them. The fun begins with the permission of staying awake till late at night and taking part in all sorts of activities.

The various games that are organized for the night revolve around historic traditions of the country hence serving as a lesson in history while providing them with entertainment. Creating patterns with dominoes is one of the main activities for kids who get to learn about the origins of the sport which are from China and date back to a thousand years ago.

Another ancient tradition for kids to engage in is the 8th century discovery of playing cards. These are generally drawn up by parents who then instruct their children to write a story based on the visual on the card. The ancient jianzi is another game that brings them closer to the Chinese culture. This game is quite like the modern day hacky sack game that children play.

The greatest happiness is the red envelop which the children receive which contains money given by the elders. Hong Bao as the tradition is known as is the best part of Chinese New Year tradition for the kids as they get pocket money to spend on all the nice things that are offered as well as it brings them good luck.

The New Year festival offers a great deal of lessons to the kids as well as real fun and merry making. They come to enjoy traditional parades like lantern festival and dragon dance which is held over a period of time. - 30294

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Beijing Hotels: A Delightful Beijing Adventure

By E. Larson

Do you know that millions of people around the world choose Beijing for a memorable and well spent vacation? Truly, it is renowned for being one of the most sought after tourist spots in the world. It showcased the picturesque and magnificent work of arts in China at the same time brings together the classic and modern scenic views. Year after year, Beijing Hotels accommodates varied visitors from different countries.

Beijing hotel is just around the corner for travelers to either just walk or take a short ride to the place they want to visit. Among the list of the most visited attraction in Beijing includes: the famous Forbidden City, the magnificent Great Wall of China, the ancient Temple of Heaven, the renowned Tiananmen Square, and the classical Yue Tan Park.

The prominent Forbidden City has around 9,000 quarters and spread over 250 acres of space. It is an intricate artistry that was built between the years 1406 and 1420.

The enormous Great Wall is situated in the northern part of Beijing. It extends to about 600 kilometers long or around 373 miles. The Wall has been well preserved since the time of the Ming Dynasty.

The ancient Temple of Heaven is located in the southern part of Beijing and is considered to be one of the most holy places in China. Used as a complex of sacrificial buildings for the Ming and Qing emperors, it is one of the largest temples in Beijing.

The grand Tiananmen Square is located right at the heart of the city, and one of the largest squares in the world. It is surrounded by the Gate of Heaven Peace on its north, the Great Hall of the People toward its east, the National Museum on the west; and the Monument to the People's Heroes and Chairman Mao's Mausoleum on the south.

The Yue Tan Park, a classical and fine garden in Beijing extends to about 120 hectares. It is indeed a noticeable conventional garden exhibiting the well preserved distinct and various ancient architectures of old Beijing.

For a satisfying and worthwhile vacation visit Beijing and see more tourist attractions as there are hundreds of it. Beijing hotels offer unique types of themes that show the cultures, traditions and wonders of Beijing through the aspect of visual arts and music. Staying in one of Beijing hotels will certainly satisfy your need of comfort and convenience while traveling. Experience Beijing and the people at its finest with Beijing hotels! - 30294

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Flowers For Eastern New Year Decorations

By John Chan

Explore how the Chinese people decorate their homes and streets on the New Year with unique art work and crafts.

The Chinese New Year is a very special day in the lunar calendar of this age old civilization. One can see Chinese families decorating their homes with many different Chinese New Year decorations prepared especially for the occasion. From the insides of people's homes to the city streets China is glittering in color throughout this season.

Few of the New Year decorations seen are pretty flowers to platters of food and some other variety of decorations that arekept for the festival. There are specific decorative items that have become signs to mark this time of the year. The collection of decorating items is wide and colorful.

Natural blossoms are a very significant part of the Chinese New Year decorations. Moreover, as a matter of fact, their love for the nature is pretty evident. At this time of the year, local households are decorated with different flowers and plants that represent growth and prosperity for the coming year.

The most frequently used plants and flowers used for decoration purposes during this time of the year are plum blossoms. This is because they are just beginning to blossom around this time. They are specially bound together with bamboo and pine springs. This unique combination actually symbolizes the grouping of friends and families at the event.

The two symbolic values the plum blossoms are supposed to represent are reliability and perseverance. The compatibility factor is represented by the bamboo due to its flexible nature and the evergreen nature of pine is a traditional mark of longevity. Other flowers used also are azalea, water lily, narcissus, and peony.

Fruits too have a part in New Year decoration and are usually found in Chinese households during the season. Oranges and tangerines are taken to be most popular and are often brought by friends who come over for a visit. Tangerines symbolize maintenance of a long relationship and joy.

The best partof the Chinese New Year is perhaps the candy tray; at least this is true as far as the kids are concerned. The candy tray is a specially designed decoration item for this time of the year. This sweet treat is also known as the tray of togetherness and consists of an interesting variety of some of the most delicious candies.

This candy tray also has another ritual following it up where an adult takes a candy and replaces it by keeping a red envelope in the tray that consists of some kind of good luck icon for the peopleoffering it. Generally the candy tray consists of candied melon of different variety like lychee nut, peanuts, coconut, and cumquat etc. all of which have special meanings.

A large amount of the New Year decorations are centered around the particular animal which represents the year. This has been the tradition for many years and is still practiced on New Years Day today. - 30294

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Beijing Hotels and Zhoukoudian: From Caves to Buildings

By Efrenn Larson

Ever heard of the Peking Man? Well if you have probably heard of it, you will definitely find this site alluring. Zhoukoudian or Choukoutien is a system of caves in Beijing where many archaeological findings were unearthed, including the most notable: the Peking Man. It was one of the first specimens of Homo erectus, which was believed to be the oldest species of human beings who lived in the area about 200,000 to 750,000 years ago.

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is a huge draw for tourists staying in nearby Beijing hotels. Most of the hotels have included this spot in their itinerary. However, if you want to add this site to your trip, you can approach any of the generous staff of different Beijing hotels so that they can very well include this in your tour stops.

In 1921, a Swedish geologist named Johan Gunnar Andersson together with the American paleontologist Walter W. Granger were led to an area called Dragon Bone Hill by local quarry men. There, Johan immediately realized that this is a good place to search for human remains.

Since 1926, the cave was constantly excavated, uncovering about 200 human fossils from forty individuals identified as Homo erectus. In addition, more than 10,000 pieces of stoneware, cinder layers and animal fossils from 200 various varieties were found. Zhoukoudian was considered as one of the most important sites which yielded evidences from the Middle Pleistocene Era.

At present, an exhibition hall with seven rooms is located at Zhoukoudian's Dragon Bone Hill. The fossil remains of the Peking man and his external appearance, stone tools, general living conditions and evidence of his use of fire are shown in the first room. We recommended that you book your tickets in advance or visit any of the Beijing hotels where you can be assisted with your touring needs.

The Hilltop Cavemen and animal fossils, stone tools, bone needles and decorative objects can be found in the second room.

Fossils of men found in various parts of China, such as the Dingcun Man, Hetao Man and other fossil copies of the ancient jungle and southern ancient apes, Java, Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon Man are located in the third room.

The fourth room shows the geological history of the residence of the Peking Man. It also displays the course of human and animal evolution through different periods of history.

The fifth and sixth rooms exhibit fossils of vertebrates and fishes discovered in other locations around Zhoukoudian.

The seventh room contains the fossils of some of the animals hunted by the Peking man, which included the tiger and the bear. Also discovered at the site were elephant and rhinoceros fossils, which give us a clue of the changing climate before.

It is interesting to note that this attraction gives us a glimpse of the simplicity of human life thousands of years ago. Now, in the age of modernity, allow the different hotels in Beijing to pamper you with the comfort you deserve after a day of travel and work. - 30294

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Oriental New Year Crafts And Their Meanings

By John Chan

Discover how the Chinese unleash their creativity with the arrival of their New Year in the form of arts and craft items.

The Chinese have been making use of the lunar calendar for centuries. There are many important days in the Chinese calendar but maybe there is no event more popular and important for the Chinese as is the Chinese New Year.

Just to make it obvious the Chinese New Year does not begin on the first of January. Their New Year is dependent upon the cycles of the moon so it falls on a totally different date than the Gregorian solar calendar.

The festival of the Chinese New year is a time of celebration for the Chinese. The festive spirit is on high during the season and there is lots of activity going on in the streets of China. Over the years the Chinese have developed many traditions associated with the coming of the New Year and amongst them is a vast collection of Chinese New Year crafts.

Amongst the various celebrations with feasts and firecrackers there is also Chinese New Year crafts which are certainly a colorful addition to this festivity. They are a ideal example of the creativity and talent of the Chinese people.

The New Year displays a whole lot of varied events such as firework show, the exchange of gifts and the festival of lantern. Everyday has its own range of Chinese objects which are meant to signify the event of the day. These Chinese crafts sell out easily during the New Year season.

All New Years in China is represented by an animal sign, naturally the Chinese New Year crafts too represent the animal in all their crafts. This practice has some useful purposes in Chinese society.

First and foremost, this is a way of keeping the ancient Chinese culture alive. Besides, there are a lot of artists and craftsmen who get a chance to reveal their skill and also get a good market to make their works commercially viable and do a lot of business during the festival.

The most useful quality of the Chinese New Years craft is that they make fabulous New Year presents which the Chinese give to each other. Another great purpose that they serve is the animal crafts which are gifted to the people who were born in the present animal year.

It is not true that the New Year crafts only cater to the animal symbols. In fact there is a broad spectrum of crafts that are specially made around this time and there is an interesting and wonderful set of fireworks that also belong to the New Year crafts collection.

Lantern crafts of various kinds are another special New Year variety. The Chinese are into the habit of fortune telling and various such crafts telling you about the fortune that is to come your way in the coming year can all be seen being sold in the market. There are a bundle of craft items especially catering to the kids as well during this time of the year. - 30294

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Cantonese New Year Animals And Their Origin

By John Chan

Let us fin out what animal we are and the ancient history that led to the origins of the Chinese New Year animals.

The occasion of Chinese New Year is without a doubt considered to be the most prominent event in the Chinese lunar calendar. The traditional celebrations have been going on for years and the festive spirit is pretty much alive even today. The unique characteristic of the Chinese New Year is however the twelve year cycle that associates the coming of the year with an animal symbol.

The Chinese New Year animal reappearsevery twelve years. According to their current standing the next year should be the year of the Ox. The ancient philosophers of China studied the behavior of the animals in the calendar and drew a semblance with their personality traits and human nature.

You may believe the fact that the Chinese feel the person born on a particular animal year will have parallel characteristics of the animal. If you are born in the year of ox then you will have good skill for organizing while loyalty and dependability will be your big assets. Ox is also known to be strong and patient.

The concept behind the twelve year cycle with these beasts symbolizing each year was taken from the Buddhist dharma. Ancient history records that it was Buddha himself who summoned all these animals before he himself descended to Earth. Then a race was held amongst these animals where the victorious one would be responsible for the first year.

When the race began, the competition was tough. The act of betrayal was seen in the rat who made a deal with the cat but eventually didn't keep his word. All along the race it looked like the ox would win as he wadedthrough the crowd but little did he know that the rat was riding on his back all through the race and just when the ox was about to finish the race first, the rat jumped off his back and claimed the first position.

The first year of the twelve year cycle as a consequenceof the race was the year of the rat as he managed to end the race in first position. This year is followed by the year of the ox as the rightly deserving animal came second unfortunately. Then the ox is followed by the remaining of the animals on the basis of the position they finished the race in. the Last in the race was the pig!

If you are in a doubt as to why just twelve animals came to Buddha and why only these specific animals came, then do not look for any answers to such questions. As a matter of fact, this is nothing but an ancient culture which has been just made alive up till now and is strongly believed. As a token of honor and appreciation for their coming, Buddha assigned a year each to the animals. - 30294

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Chinese Tea House: A Getaway for Relaxation and Socialization

By Zasha Tecson

The evolution of Tea House is closely related with the Chinese tea culture. A tea-house has become a form of cultural life among the Chinese people. Just an ancient Chinese proverb saying goes, better to be deprived of food for three days, than tea for one, signifies the importance of it in people's lives. Chinese tea is top listed among their basic needs.

The teahouse is a social place that played an important role in Chinese History. Teahouses historically have been, and currently are common throughout China. In ancient times, the teahouse was the only non-religious place for public communication, recreation, and social activities. Teahouses were also used as centers of non-government organizations and clubs, as well as for transacting business. A teahouse is a much loved place for the Chinese to socialize and enjoy a cup of their Chinese tea.

Chinese Tea house has many different Chinese names. In Yangtze River area it is called Chaguan. In provinces like Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan it is commonly called Chalou. A Chating in Beijing and Tianjin of north China means a tea pavilion. Chatan is a tea booth and Chaliao is a small Chinese tea house. Some other names for tea house include Chafang, Chasi, Chashe, Chayuan, Chawu and Chashi. The names may vary but the forms and contents are basically the same.

The tradition of tea drinking among Chinese people has been widely spread among Asians and as well as among Americans and Europeans. In these present times, Chinese teahouses designs and concepts are introduced in some regions of America and Europe and other parts of the world. The history and culture of the Chinese people, and drinking Chinese tea are well served in teahouses.

Yes, you walk along the streets of China and you can definitely find teahouses in almost every corner. Every busy person knows just where to find a perfect place to stay, chat, relax, and take a sip of the most valued Chinese tea. Other leisure activities that go along while drinking Chinese tea include writing or simply reading. Teahouses also held theatrical performances such as story-telling and plays to entertain their customers. - 30294

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Chinese Tea Drinking: The Values Behind the Traditions

By Roselah Varde

Throughout the world Chinese tea has gained its renown because of its medical use. Tea was said to originate from the ancient China. Dating back from 2737 BC story told about Legendary Emperor Shen Nong who for hygienic purposes always had its drinking water boiled.

According to the legend, when Emperor Shen Nong was on a long way journey he stopped by to rest. While his servants boiled water for Him and for them to drink, dried leaves from a nearby bush fell into the container of boiled water. The emperor as a known herbalist and a scientist of his time tasted the water and discovered it was good and delightful to the taste. Since then Chinese tea drinking has been a culture among the Chinese people.

Chinese Tea has been used as a medical beverage only ever since that day. It was not until 300 A.D., when it became a daily drink habit. Today, tea is known to purge toxins out from the body. Interestingly, tea discharges nicotine from the body fast, which benefits smokers. Also, the reason for Chinese people to drink tea after their meals, is that it helps in digestion. Drinking tea has a refreshing and tonic effect to the body.

Not only for its health benefits, Chinese Tea, being a significant part of the Chinese Culture, serves as an avenue for Chinese people to cultivate their family values. By serving a cup of Chinese tea, and by inviting and paying for their drinking tea, younger generations show respect to the elderly.

A son or a daughter serves tea to their parents at home to sincerely apologize whenever they grieved their parents. In restaurants, tea drinking with the whole family is an important family gathering because it shows a wonderful picture of the family values of Chinese.

Tea drinking also imparts an important social value shown during wedding ceremonies. The groom and the bride shall serve a tea in front of their parents as a way of manifesting their gratitude. The parents then express their response by drinking a minute portion of the served tea. The couple would also served tea to all family members both from the groom's relatives and bride's relatives. The Chinese tea ceremony during the wedding will serve as an avenue for both parties to meet. If there be anyone who refuses to drink it signifies that he does not approve the wedding.

From the small unit, the family and to the large community in the society, drinking Chinese Tea has been a treasured tradition that shows a remarkable social values of the Chinese families from the ancient days until today. - 30294

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The Role You Know About The Lion Dance

By Davion Wong

Are you attention-grabbing in knowing about the Lion Dance? This text will tell you all that you wish to know. Well, it is a terribly ancient half of Chinese culture, and therefore the dance essentially mimics the movements of a lion, someone doing it during a lion costume. The lions that are depicted in Chinese culture are Asiatic lions, which are found in India. In fact, the Lion Dance truly originated in India, a rustic where the lion is considered a creature of guardianship.

Nowadays, the Lion Dance has many variations in different Asian cultures like Hong Kong, China, Macau, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, Korea, Okinawa, Malaysia, etc. as well as Sydney - and therefore the dance varies from region to region, in the shape of distinct styles and movements. For example, in Japanese culture, the Lion Dance is practiced as Shishimai, a observe that meant dancing around symbols of other animals like deer.

The Chinese Lion Dance can be of 2 main sorts - Northern and Southern. The former was used as a type of entertainment for the imperial court, and the northern lion is red, orange and yellow, sometimes the female lion is depicted as having green fur. The lion additionally has a shaggy look, and contains a golden head. The northern Lion Dance itself is highly acrobatic in nature, and is sometimes performed for the aim of entertainment. Dangerous stunts are sometimes performed by them.

The Southern Lion Dance, on the opposite hand, is a lot of symbolic in nature. The aim of its performance is sometimes to exorcise evil spirits, and to bring in fortune and sensible luck. The southern lion will have a wide selection of colors, and the animal itself contains a distinctive head with big eyes, there is a mirror on the forehead, and on the center of the head is a single horn. Don't ever confuse the Lion Dance with the Chinese Dragon Dance, which is totally different. The latter is completed with a team of ten or additional folks, whereas the Lion Dance typically is made up of just 2 dancers. The Lion Dance is closely related to the practice of Kung Fu, and also the individuals who dance it might be members of the native Kung Fu Club. Some rigorous training is required so as to master the Lion Dance.

The northern Lion Dance has the dancers showing in pairs, and during their performance, the lions sometimes resemble Pekingese or Fu Dogs, the movements are realistic and life-like. They perform stunts like balancing on a big ball, or doing lifts. It is quite common for the northern lions to appear as a family, there are typically 2 giant adult lions, and a combine of small young lions. On the opposite hand, the homeland of the southern style of the Lion Dance is Guangdong, and therefore the southern Cantonese style can be additional sub-divided into Hok Shan (Crane Mountain), Fat Shan (Buddha Mountain), Fat Hok (this can be a mix of the previous two), Jow Ga, and the Green Lion (that is very popular with the Taiwanese). - 30294

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The Capital Museum: A Stone's Throw Away from Beijing Hotels

By Efrenn Larson

The City of Beijing, previously known as Peking, is China's political capital. With more than 17 million people in its jurisdiction, Beijing is the second largest city in China after Shanghai. To facilitate the movement of its citizens, visitors and the goods they produce, the city is built with dozens of railways, motorways, seaports and a modern airport. This fact makes travelling to this great city a lot easier.

The visitor will be inspired by how old-world buildings coexist with modern structures. In times past, it has been proven that the city exceeds the expectations of the traveler. Good news is that Beijing hotels are just walking distances from these memorable sites, making it less difficult for tourists who want to visit many spots.

Culture has always been important for the Chinese. To preserve this unique aspect, several museums have been opened. One of the biggest and worthwhile of these destinations is the Capital Museum which houses over 200,000 relics in its collection. It debuted in 1981 and was renovated in 2007.

The faade of the museum is based on human and cultural heritage and underlines the harmonious integration of the past and the present, history and nature, art and modernism. The immense roof and the slope at the entrance are derived from traditional Chinese architectural style, and the stone exterior represents the city walls of ancient China. A large number of bronze, timber and stones are dispersed throughout the museum to represent a deeper sense of historicity. Also, a glass curtain wall, which gives a grand and transparent effect, reflects a sense of modernity.

The museum holds three stable exhibitions. The first, named "Ancient Capital: Chapter on the History and Culture of Beijing," depicts imperial rule and the intricacies of art, dance, architecture, trade, commerce and transportation of the early Chinese.

The second exhibition, entitled "Ancient Capital: Urban Construction," stresses the embrace of the new world order by the Chinese, highlights their urbanization and the adoption of new-age technologies which brought the nation to its present state.

The last exhibition, called "Stories of the Capital City - Old Beijing Folk-customs," shows the belief of the Chinese in a Supreme Being, their perception on luck and on how folkways and folklores were vital in their early lives.

The museum, aside from its exhibitions, also functions as a cultural heritage storehouse, conference and reception hall, and a digital movie hall where a super wide screen with the state-of-the-art technology are installed to display high-definition films. For visitors to enjoy the wonders of this site, they can earlier purchase their tickets in Beijing hotels or any travel agency to avoid the usual hustle and bustle. - 30294

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The History Dim Sum Plus The Ways To Prepare It

By Sean R Mize

Dim Sum that finds its source in Southern China is currently famous international. Dim Sum literally which means 'to bit your heart' could be a staple of Chinese dining society. Dim Sum is served in tiny parts and might accommodates vegetable, numerous seafood and meat. Steamer baskets are perfect to serve Dim sum.

In older days, Dim Sum was served along with tea to rural farmers once an exhausting day of work. In China, as a practice, Dim sum is made on big day like Chinese New Year, family get along, evening with friends. Dim Sums are a widespread food item with restaurants as well. Dim Sums are served in the morning hours and restaurants are open as early as 5 in the morning to sell hot and steaming Dim Sums. These are also sold day long as remove and is fashionable with college and school going students and also office goers.

Dim Sums are created of rice flour cakes filled with vegetables, seafood, shrimps, chicken or meat. These can either be fried or steamed. Every has its own unique taste. Health acutely aware people like steamed Dim Sums along with a hot cup of jasmine tea. Dim Sums will be served as desert additionally, known as sweet Dim Sums.

These are stuffed with condensed milk and oatmeal and garnished with fried peanuts. It additionally ranges from barbecued meat dishes to buns and to pastry items as well. In a very nutshell, Dim Sum that was common in rural China as a road facet snack has found its place in virtually every part of the world. Restaurants in China have these little carts in that they display and sell totally different varieties of Dim Sums. The advantages of these roaming carts are that you can select and choose Dim Sums as per your taste.

Har Kaw and Sui Mai are the foremost famous Cantonese Dim Sums. Dim Sums, if created perfectly are great in taste; even the straightforward of vegetable like cabbage makes nice Dim Sum. One want to master the talent of making the fundamental Dim Sum initial and then can attempt hands with various stuffing.

Below is a very basic recipe of Dim sum that is terribly simple to understand and make:

Shrimps Dim Sum

Ingredients for the wrapper:

Plain Flour - One cup Eggs - 2 Baking soda - ? tablespoon For the stuffing Shrimp, shelled and deveined - 700 gms Cooked pork fat - one hundred gms Bamboo shoots, shredded - one hundred gms Lard - 1 tablespoon Sesame oil - one teaspoon Pepper - ? teaspoon Sugar - one ? teaspoon Salt - two teaspoon

Steps:

1. Put all the ingredients for the stuffing in a bowl. Combine it well until sticky and keep it to the side. 2. In a very bowl mix all the ingredients for the wrapper, add boiling water and oil and mix it well. Knead the blend well to create soft dough. The dough should not be sticky however terribly smooth. 3. Separate the dough into equal portion of spherical balls each. 4. To create round wrapper, the ball would like to be pressed arduous with a help of a rolling pin and flattened more to create a pleasant thin round disc. 5. Cowl the wrappers with food grade plastic sheet. 6. Take one wrapper and place one teaspoon of the stuffing within the centre of it. 7. Fold the wrapper carefully with the help of each hands and seal it gently. Create ruffles along the prime of the dumplings. 8. Steam the Dim Sums on terribly high heat for eight to 10 minutes. 9. Serve it hot. - 30294

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Powers of the Eastern New Year Dragon

By John Chan

Find out about the most revered Chinese symbol and its connection to the important events of the Chinese New Year.

Two things that have immense significance in Chinese culture are the images of the dragon and the event of the Chinese New Year. These things have been part of Chinese heritage for thousands of years and continue to have their presence up till today. Furthermore the two things have a deep interconnection between them.

The dragon is an integral part of Chinese culture. The westerners only happened to know about it through their explorations into martial art movies and Chinese art work. Whereas, for the Chinese, this dragon image stands for a immensely revered mythical creature that is prized for its beauty, uniqueness and spiritual abilities.

With due respect to the Chinese custom, firstly we must recognize the fact that the Chinese New Year does not coincide with the Western celebrations of the New Year. The cause behind this is that the western world follows the Gregorian solar calendar and the Chinese have always followed the lunar calendar. Thereby, the cycle of the moon decides the date on which Chinese New Year event is celebrated and this is completely on a different day from the Western New Year.

The New Year event is a magnificent time to be in China. People are high on festivity and enjoyment. As the ancient Chinese culture goes, these people associate animal symbols with the change of time and year. There are twelve animal signs in total which keep repeating after every twelfth year. So the sign of dragon comes into full force and fresh spirituality after the end of every twelfth year.

The dragon sign is supposed to be a symbolism of immense power. Moreover, the image of a dragon is mostly considered as a symbol of mystical power and anger. The anger of a dragon is always mysteriously justified and hence it signifies the correction of any mistake. So in this case, the angry dragon image is not evil but it plays a role of inspiration.

They say the streets have rights upon you. If you hang around on the streets and see some evil you then it is upon you to block it with your hands if you have the might. If you don't then at least make an attempt to stop it with your tongue. And if you cannot even do that then at least in your heart know that the act is evil and this is a very low level of trust.

The image of the fuming dragon seeks to repress the wrong doers. It does not represent wrong doing. Rather quite the opposite. The best of deeds is to avoid evil and discourage it while engaging in good deeds and encouraging them. Hence the Chinese New Year of the Dragon is all about bringing about a revolution through peaceful and festive means. - 30294

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