China Travel Guide

The Chinese zodiac signs refer to the twelve animals that match the twelve earthly branches. They originated from animal worship in ancient times. According to the Qin dynasty bamboo slips excavated in Yunmeng Shuihudi of Hubei and Fangmatan of Gansu, a relatively complete zodiac system existed in pre-Qin ages (earlier to 221B.C). However, the oldest record identical to the modern 12 zodiac signs is from the book Lun Heng by Wang Chong from the Eastern Han dynasty. How did Chinese zodiac signs come into being?  Origin of Chinese Zodiacs There is no unanimous conclusion regarding how were Chinese zodiacs come into being, but there are some theories for reference. Chinese Zodiac Was Introduced By Xiongnu The history chronicles reveal that the Chinese zodiac was developed at least in the Eastern Han Dynasty. In old China, there were multiple ways to count years, but the best recognized chronological method was using the heavenly stems and earthly branches, which involve twelve earthly...

Chinese red is the most beautiful and classic Chinese element . It reflects the active and enthusiastic national character of Chinese people. Chinese people love the red color so much that you can find proof everywhere, like the red walls of the majestic Forbidden City , the Chinese knot, the red couplets, paper-cutting pasted on panes, the traditional headcover for the bride, etc. Chinese people never stopped loving red. In 1672, Newton revealed the scientific nature of red in his thesis by explaining that the sunlight could be separated into seven colors when being refracted through the prism and red color was the spectral color with the longest wavelength. However, for the Chinese, red is like a cultural totem to the thousands of years of Chinese civilization . But why do the Chinese love the red color? The Red Wall of the Forbidden City History of Chinese Red The origin of Chinese red can be traced back to the pro-redness of the primitive people in their nature worship. Red was t...

The use of herbs can be traced way back to Chinese history , and over the thousands of years, the Chinese have figured out so many herbs that are conducive to human beings. Here are the ten most common herbs and spices you can find to keep healthy. You can even make a delicious meal out of these herbs . 1.Cinnamon Cinnamon is ubiquitous in our lives. It's one of the key spices in stewed meat in Chinese restaurants. While westerns often put it into coffee or tea to improve the taste.  Benefits of Cinnamon I. Nourishing Cinnamon is good for both men and women. It can alleviate the intolerance of cold and soreness of the loins caused by the weak kidney. For women, cinnamon has a particular regulating effect on symptoms like infertility, dysmenorrhea, and amenorrhea. II. Preventing Cardopvascular Disease Cinnamon can increase coronary blood flow, protect the myocardium, and improve myocardial function. III. Improve Flavor Cinnamon is a natural spice; it can make the food fresh and frag...

Chinese people are very concerned about face-saving. But what is "face"? Of all the idiosyncrasies, the concept of "Face" in China is perhaps the most difficult to comprehend. In the context of Chinese culture, the concept of "Face" is rich and subtle. It could be dignity, honor, prestige, authority, or personal connections. It's more subjective and personal. "Face" is most emphasized in front of acquaintances (family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, etc.). Chinese people won't give too much about the "Face" problem in a completely unfamiliar environment. However, if a Chinese is surrounded by acquaintances, he or she will be extra concerned about saving face.  How to Define “Face”? Over a hundred years ago, an American named Arthur Henderson Smith traveled to China as a missionary. He lived in China for 54 years and authored the book "Chinese Characteristics," which summarized more than 20 aspects of Chinese culture. ...

Why do Chinese prefer drinking hot water? To answer that, we have to go back to 20000 years ago~ Therefore, drinking hot water was only a habit formed in last century.