The layout of Beijing formed in the 15th century.

古都北京的布局形成于十五世纪。

The imperial palace is the center of the city’s symmetrical layout.

以故宫为中心对称建造。

The 77-kilometer long axis is the symbol of Beijing.

全长 7.7 公里的中轴线是北京的中心标志。

There are grand examples of Chinese architecture,such as the Imperial Palace,the Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall.

北京有故宫、天坛、长城等宏大建筑。

Traditional folk arts,such as Peking Opera,and traditional foods,such as sugarcoated haws on a stick,and roast duck are famous worldwide.

同时也有京剧等丰富的传统民间艺术；糖葫芦、烤鸭等多样的饮食文化。

The Olympic Games was held here in 2008.

2008 年奥运会在这里成功举办。

While preserving its traditions,Beijing is becoming more and more open.

北京在保存传统的同时更加开放。

Welcome to Beijing!

北京欢迎您！

 … Read the rest

If you have the chance to go back to ancient China and ask an educated man what his biggest dream was.

如果你回到古代去问一个读书人，他最大的梦想是什么？

He would tell you that he wants to become a zhuang yuan,a title conferred on the scholar who came first in the highest imperial examination.

那他多半会告诉你，中状元。

In ancient China,it was not that easy to be an official.

在中国古代，想做官可不容易。

You have to take exams first. The exams are very difficult and have many procedures.

你要先参加考试，考试很难，要层层选拔。

The outcome has to be confirmed by the Emperor himself.

最后还要皇帝亲自确认。

The number one scholar with the best score in the imperial exam is called zhuang yuan.

最终成绩排在第一名的叫做状元。

Once you are selected as zhuang yuan you will be appreciated by the Emperor and appear in a parade downtown with a red robe and a tall,strong horse.

一旦考上状元可就风光啦，不仅会得到皇帝的赏识，还能穿红袍、骑大马在城里游行。

Zhuang yuan is referred to the elite scholars.

所以，状元都是读书人中的精英。

Now the imperial competitive examination has been cancelled for many years.

如今科举考试早就不存在了。

However,people still like to call the best person in their field a zhuang yuan.

但人们还是喜欢用状元来形容各行业的第一名。

An old saying goes that there are 360 trades and every trade has his master or zhuang yuan。

正如中国有句俗话：“三百六十行，行行出状元。”… Read the rest

Etiquette,li,comes from the fear and respect of the nature in China.

中国人对礼的认知首先来自于对大自然的敬畏。

We find all the forms of li from heaven,earth and nature.

天、地、自然万物，从中我们发现了秩序，也找到了礼的格式。

Li represents the authority of emperors who was given by heaven.

礼在官方，体现了皇权天授的威严。

Li also represents hierarchy. In social life,li means that people get along with each other harmoniously and respect the elderly.

礼也体现了等级。礼在民间，人们和谐相处，长幼有序。

Li comes from the heart of people,showing respect to heaven,the earth and people is important.

发自内心的礼，在规矩之上，是中国人对天、地、人的敬重。… Read the rest

Chrysanthemums bloom in the cold autumn air,representing elegance and courage in China. Chinese scholars speak highly of ju hua for their beauty and character.

在中国菊花代表高雅脱俗，因其在深秋不畏寒霜开放，深受中国古代文人的喜爱。

Ju hua also has another meaning.

菊花还有另一层意义。

They are also used to convey grief for loved ones who have passed away.

人们在纪念逝去的亲人时，通常会用菊花寄托哀思。

In addition,ju hua can be used as an ingredient for tea,wine and food.

另外，菊花还可做茶、酿酒、做各种食物。

Festivals for ju hua are held annually in China.

中国每年都有菊花盛会。

Ju hua blossoms remain open in late-autumn and winter when other flowers have withered.

秋冬时节，万花凋零，只有菊花绽放。

 … Read the rest

A matchmaker,often called hong niang in China,is a messenger of love.

在中国，红娘是爱情使者的代名词。

In a Chinese love story,a young man fell in love with a rich lady. The lady’s family strongly objected to this marriage.

这种说法来源于中国古代一个爱情故事，一位书生爱上一位富家小姐，但是小姐的家人反对他们的爱情。

The family’s maid,named Hong Niang,persuaded the rich family to approve the marriage.

小姐有位聪明伶俐的侍女叫做红娘，她劝解小姐的母亲，最终促成小姐和书生的美好姻缘。

There are many other stories about hong niang in Chinese literature and drama.

中国的文学、戏曲中有很多表现红娘故事的作品。

Chinese are more than happy to be a hong niang because they believe those who bring happiness to others will be happy themselves.

生活中，也有很多人乐于当红娘，因为中国人相信给别人幸福，也会给自己带来幸福。

Now you understand that Hong Niang is the Chinese Cupid.

现在，你明白了吧。红娘就是中国的丘比特。… Read the rest

Chinese wedding,hun li,were held grandly and elegantly at sunset thousands of years ago.

在两三千年以前，中国的婚礼更多是在黄昏举行，整个仪式庄重、典雅。

Modern hun li are held more lively with more variation in style.

现在的婚礼形式更多，场面也更加热闹。

There are many traditions in this multi-ethnic country.

中国是个多民族的国家，民族多，婚礼的习俗也多。

Displaying the Chinese character ‘xi’ and throwing a feast are quite common at hun li.

现在，在民间婚礼大多要贴喜字、摆宴席。

The bride is her most beautiful on hun li.

婚礼的那天是新娘最漂亮的一天。

The tailored costumes range from cheongsam to Western-style gowns and veils.

新娘要穿上专门定制的几套衣服，从东方的旗袍到西式的婚礼。

The bride and bridegroom exchange rings with each other,which represent vows of love.

新郎与新娘还互戴上象征誓言的戒指。

They accomplish the most important ceremony in their life,hun li,with the blessing of family and friends.

在亲朋的祝福下完成一生最重要的仪式之一，婚礼。

 … Read the rest

People paste pictures of Door Gods on their doors to avoid bad luck and pray for safety.

人们用贴门神的方法来驱邪避鬼、祈求平安。

Legends say that an emperor was harassed by demons.

相传，古时有位皇帝被恶鬼骚扰。

Two generals drove out the demons so the emperor was able to fall asleep.

两位武将夜夜护驾，皇帝才得以安寝。

The emperor pasted pictures of these two generals on his door and the demons disappeared.

皇帝命画匠绘制二人的图像贴在门口，恶鬼从此消失。

People pray that these heroes will guard them from evil.

现在，人们贴门神已经变成贴年画，以求获得好运和吉祥。

Menshen signifies the beginning of a new year,they guard the home for Chinese.

门神预示着新年的开始，守卫着中国人的家园。

 … Read the rest

The performance that you just saw was the Lion Dance(wu shi),a Chinese traditional folk art.

“刚才我表演的是舞狮，这是中国的一项民间艺术。”

Lions are considered brave and auspicious in China.

在中国，狮子是勇猛和吉祥的象征。

People perform wu shi on festivals to ward off bad luck and pray for a happy life.

每逢喜庆节日，人们都会舞狮来赶走晦气，以求生活幸福安宁。

There are two dancers—one for the head and one for the rear.

舞狮者有两人，狮头一人，狮尾一人。

They cooperate with each other to make the different gestures of the lion.

他们相互配合，做出狮子的各种形态动作。

“I hold the head,and it is a tiring job. The performance is becoming more difficult”.

“啊，我拿的是狮子头，很累的，更难的还在后面呢！”

The dancers must have basic martial arts training,therefore they can accomplish difficult maneuvers.

舞狮者要具备一定的武术功底，只有技术高超的舞狮者才敢做出高难度的动作。

Now wu shi is not only popular in China but also in any place where Chinese live.

现在，舞狮不仅是在中国流行，凡是有华人的地方，几乎都有舞狮表演。

“If there’s a Lion Dance in your country,why not watch it?”

“如果你的国家有华人舞狮，不妨去看看吧。”… Read the rest