Category: Chinese customs

Most of your shopping will probably be done in hotel stores, department stores, or factory stores–or from vendors at attraction sites. Remember to keep a log of your purchases; this will make it easier to complete customs forms. Include in your log what you paid in Chinese currency along with the U.S. dollar equivalent.

First State Banquet in China

In 1949, October 1st, Chairman Mao declared the establishment of People’s Republic of China on the Tian’an men square. In the evening the first state banquet was held to celebrate the rebirth of China. The banquet was organized by the late Premier Zhou Enlai. Considering that the guests were from different areas, Premier Zhou Enlai determined to use the Huaiyang cuisine to host the people, which is moderate sweet and salty. There were nine chefs, taking them almost 3 months to prepare the banquet. The banquet began at 7:00pm on that night and lasted for two hours. Now let’s look at the Menu of First State Banquet:

Chinese culture: Dragon Dance

Tongliang County can be called the hometown of the dragon. Dinosaur fossils were unearthed from here. The dragon lanterns made in Tongliang County are known far and wide. There is a custom of doing dragon lantern dances during the Lantern Festival (15th of the first lunar month). When it gets dark various dragon dances are done on the streets with coulourful lights hanging from above. They look like dragons roaming in river of light. The dragon with red candle lights in each section is called a fire dragon and the one made of multi-coloured cloth is called a colourful dragon. There is another one called a bench dragon. A one-metre-long bench is divided into three parts, which are connected with iron rings and the dragon head and tail are put on each end. The giant vermes dragon is more than 20 metres long, and is made of 24 sections.

How to greet in China

To our friends who are about to embark on a journey to China and those who are already there, here is a warm welcome and sincere salute from a nation wiht 5,000 years of civilization and 1.2 billion people, a nation in the process of reform and opening to the rest of the world, and a nation which beckons to you with its magnificent landscape, splendid culture, richly variegated folkore, and a land pockmarked with numerous cultural artifacts, sites of storied and fabled associations, and new holiday destinations.

Flower Fair at Spring Festival

Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province, is a beautiful old city. Legend has it that in ancient times five immortals in colourful colthes once descended on to Guangzhou on five rams. On their departure, each of them left a rice ear, expressing the wish that Guangzhou would be forever free from famine. Hence Guangzhou is also known as the City of Rams and the City of Rice Ears. A stone sculpture of five rams on Yuexiu Hill in the centre of the city had become the emblem of the city.

Tea Guide in China

Chinese tea has made great contribution to the people’s health around the world. It is said that the ancestor of the tea is Shennong, the inventor of the agriculture and medicine. The Chinese tea has spread the world to improve people’s health, happiness as well as the physical and mental harmony. This adds the infinite charm for the concept of health and tea culture.

You Must Know Chinese Dining Etiquette

Chinese dining etiquette has developed for a long history. According to the records, dining etiquette has formed a well-established system during the Zhou Dynasty, and then it becomes the important aspect of showing Chinese culture, civilization and tradition. In this article, the writer will introduce some of the etiquette to you and help you blend in China more quickly.

Tajik People in China

The Tajik people mostly live in southwestern part of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and are closely related to the Uygur people of that area. They have their own spoken language, but no written language.

Zodiac Compatibility – Dragon

People born in the year of the dragon will have the most tacit understanding with people born in the year of the monkey. A "dragon" and a "mouse" can also form a reliable alliance, for the cunning mouse and strong dragon can achieve a great cause together. A "dragon" can have a happy marriage with a "snake," for the snake with his/her wisdom will prevent the dragon from acting wildly in defiance of the law or public opinion.

Chinese custom: Silkworm Raiser

Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces are prominent silkworm producers in China. In early May each year, every household begins preparing to breed silkworms when barley becomes yellow and the mulberry fields turn green.