Moon As My Heart

A classical part from the Romeo and Juliet, a confession of love on the balcony. In the view of Shakespeare, the moon is something lunatic, instant. Yet in China it is just the opposite. Today is the moon festival in China and this article is about the cultural meaning of moon in China.

Chinese Wedding

Does “Golden Week” sound familiar to you?  From 1. to 7. October it is the longest Chinese national holiday. Some people use this chance for a long journey. Other people, on the other hand, prefer stay at home to avoid the crowd. Many of newly engaged, have their wedding ceremony in the Golden Week. To have a perfect wedding, family members, who takes in charge, will be sitting together and discussing the details of everything related. It can take 6 months to settle down. 

Cows in Cháozhōu

I want to travel the world with my lovely friends and lover. Go to every interesting place and hear something new and have something different to eat, that is my most relaxing journey. Last weekend, I was landed in Chaozhou — a city which is located in the east of Guangdong Province and has history of more than thousand years.

Why Is Pandemic Control More Effective in Asia Than in Europe?

It looks like the COVID-19 is a system test. In dealing with the pandemic, Asia is obviously doing a better job than Europe. China, the first outbreak country, has largely controlled the situation so far. In the same time, progress in European countries is slow and difficult. European regions have become the focus now. With diagnosed cases growing exponentially, the spread of virus seems unable to be contained. What could be the reasons behind it?

For Whom the Siren Wails

10 a.m. in the morning on April 4, a siren wailed in the sky. The whole country seemed to be pressed “pause” button. Streams of vehicles stopped to whistle; passengers on subway stood up solemnly grieving over; at this moment, all Chinese people halted what they were doing at hands, to observe three-minutes silent mourning for the dead compatriots in the fight against the new coronavirus pneumonia. This year’s Qingming Festival is more depressing than usual without doubt. 

What Were Chinese Youth Doing Abroad 150 Years Ago?

Today is May 4th Youth Day (五四青年节 wǔ sì qīng nián jiē), not an international but a unique day to China, established in memory of the patriotic movement broke out in Beijing on May 4th, 1919. Nowadays, Youth Day has gradually been regarded as a cultural symbol for young people as the mainstay of a country: to shoulder the responsibility of developing China by solving social problems with passion and creativity. 

Chinese Mothers VS Western Mothers

Did you do anything to show your love to mum yesterday? As we know the second Sunday of May is defined as Mother’s Day when people express thanks to mothers by giving carnation, taking mum to a fancy restaurant or helping to do housework. It was originated from US but now seems becoming an international day as maternal love is universal. Even so there are quite a few distinctions between how Chinese mothers and western mothers show their love. Is your mum one of them? 

A New Way to Make a Living in China

Recently, bǎidìtān (摆地摊, street vending) has become the most searched word online as Chinese government have been trying to boost economy by encouraging self-employed or individual sellers back to streets. In order to release the vitality of street vending economy and make where we live more dynamic, in many cities temporary areas have been set up for mobile booths to provide convenience for the public. Sounds like a good option to start a new business, doesn’t it?

Things You Don’t Know about the Coming Dragon Boat Festival

This year’s Dragon Boat Festival (端午节 Duānwǔjié) falls on June 25, the 5th day of May in lunar calendar. Maybe you have some clues about it already: people start to eat rice dumplings wrapped in triangle shape; you know people do dragon boat racing on the day just because it is obviously in the name; if you are interested in Chinese culture enough, you know this day originated from a famous poet in ancient time…Yes, all of them are right but they are not all about the festival!

The Most Important Exam in China

Tomorrow it is the annual college entrance examination (高考gāo kǎo) again. Every year at this time, it influences many students and their parents. Gāokǎo could be the turning point of some’s life, of which the success can change their family. Imagining the sight of thousands of troops crossing the single bridge, my mind flies back to decade ago when I took it and experienced how tense this competition has been. Since the whole society is paying attention to the college entrance examination, what does gāokǎo mean for Chinese people?