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Beijing Typical Food (2)

Frontiers — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:15:03 +0000

Hot Pot

Beijing winters can get very cold so "hot pot" is a natural favorite with local people. In recent years, Cantonese and Sichuan flavor hot pots have have grown in popularity, overtaking the more typical Beijing tradition of boiling thin slices of mutton in a seasoned broth (otherwise known as Mongolian hot pot). The basic ingredients of a hot pot meal include thinly sliced beef and mutton with fresh vegetables.
In some styles, various types of sea food are added. Cantonese style hot pot has a relatively mild flavor in the broth used to boil the ingredients and in the condiments in which the meat and vegetables are dipped after having been cooked thoroughly. On the other hand, the Sichuan style hot pot is known for its wickedly hot, spicy flavor that may leave you with a slightly numb feeling on your tongue.
Another hot pot trend is that many places now offer "self-service" hot pot where you can select your own hot pot ingredients, broth seasonings and condiments in an "all you can eat" setting. Try Donglaishun Restaurant for traditional Beijing "Mongolian hot pot".

Beijing Typical Food (1)

Frontiers — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:15:03 +0000

Imperial Court Food

Imperial Court Food is a style of Chinese food that has its origins in the Imperial Palace. It is based on the foods that were served to Emperors and the court. Fang Shan in Beihai Park and Ting Li Guan in the Summer Palace are the best ones. 150 years ago you would never have been able to eat this stuff, so give it a shot. It is a little expensive, however.

Imperial Official Food

The most famous type of official food is Tan Family Food, which can be had in the Beijing Hotel. This is the preferred food of the Qing Dynasty official Tan Zonging, and was later introduced into restaurants.
Another type of food is that which is describe in the classic novel "Dream of Red Mansions". The author, Cao Xueqin, describe a number of dishes in the book and now there are several restaurants which serve this style of dish. The most famous place is the Beijing Grand View Garden Hotel. This hotel is right next of the Beijing’s Grand View Garden which is modeled after the garden described in the "Dream of Red Mansions

Hats With Meaning in China(1)

Frontiers — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:14:57 +0000

Roe fur clothes of E’lunchun people include roe robes, coats, trousers, boots, socks, gloves, aprons, waistcoats, and even satchels. These are all made of roe fun among these fur clothes, the most characteristic one is the roe head hat. A roe head hat is made by a piece of complete roe head fur. The traditional way is first to peel off the skin from the roe head and tile head fur was then coated with animal liver smashed into mushy paste or deadwood dregs mixed with water after being dried. Then the fur is rolled up and covered tightly for one or two days to soften and ferment tile adhesive materials like fat on the skin. The decayed stuff was then scraped off and the fur is kneaded repeatedly until the fur softens. Two black pieces of leather skin are sewed to the eye socket parts as eyes. Two ears were sliced off and replaced by two fake ears made by roe skin. In this way, a lifelike roe head hat is finished. Using fake ears for the roe head hat is to meet the needs of hunting – a roe head hat is the best camouflage for hunting. When a hunter hides in the forest with only roe head hat being exposed, wild roes often drop their guard because they consider him as their same kind. Hence it is easy for hunters to hunt for prey when they enter into their field of vision. If a roe head hat uses real ears, then other hunters will be confused, which may cause shots by accident.

Making boxwood carving

Frontiers — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:04:26 +0000

The main artistic feature of boxwood carving is that all the works are made based on their original shapes. maximizing the use of the wood. Though there are many methods. the most prominent and popular way is circular carving. The tools involved in woodcarving include a mud hammer. sculpting shelf. clay sculpture box. caliper (a kind of measurement tool). and scraper. as well as various kinds of knives. The tools used to shape the rough base include a saw. wood hammer and steel hammer. while the tools for carving are mainly chisels in various shapes like broad. flat and groove chisels.
The making process generally involves a couple of detailed procedures. First a sketch has to be made. Then the artist has to in succession sculpt the clay model. select fine wood. carve and then polish the wood. carve the grains. wax. and arrange the base. To produce boxwood carving of good quality. each of these complicated procedures has to be done very carefully.
Although usually more than one person creates the woodcarvings via a flow process. for some of the special works. only one artist completes them from the beginning to the end. Some adept artists do not need to sculpt the clay model. and rather can carve directly on the boxwood.

China Red, the Color of China

Frontiers — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 01:14:56 +0000

From among a world of colors, red stands out the most. The color red is fresh and pure, and in China we call it China Red. Chinese people are fascinated by the color red not only because of its intoxicating vibrancy, but also because of its rich meaning in Chinese culture and history.
It is believed that no country in the world has ever adopted a color in such a thoroughgoing way as China, where red is a symbol that gives color to the soul of the nation. In the past, red stood for dignity and mystery. Even now, we adore the color much more than we love it. It is can be said that ‘China Red’ is an eternal theme for China, and an essential color for the Chinese people. “China Red” has become a quite popular word, attracting the world’s attention.
Shooting red-colored things in China is an easy task, as its powerful presence can be found every-where. All traditional red things have been playing special roles in China: the walls of ancient palaces, the national flag, Chinese knot, lantern, couplet, clothes, traditional paper-cuts for window decorations, and even red tanghulu (sugar-coated haws on a stick). Red is the color of the auspicious, signifying reunion, health, happiness, harmony, peace and prosperity. Only real things and events can fully display and explain its beauty. Only in its relation with people can the color be alive and meaningful. Here we will reveal the cultural significance of China red.

Tibetan Milk Tea (sweet)

Frontiers — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 01:15:16 +0000

In Lhasa,there are many stories about the origin of Tibetan Milk Tea. Some people said it came from the British, but others insisted this method of making tea was brought from India or Nepal. No matter where it is from this Milk Tea certainly seems linked to British Milk Tea. It has been popular on the plateau for almost one hundred years.

Method

Boil a brick of tea.

Add milk and sugar while continuing boiling and stirring.

The milk tea is now ready to enjoy!

The color of Tibet milk tea is similar to butter tea but it appears to have less oil on the tea compared to butter tea.

Masala Tea

Masala Tea is originally from India. It is popular in new-style Tibetan restaurants and western restaurants in Lhasa now and also popular with tourists. The taste and smell of Masala Tea is different from normal tea but is regarded as something more special than other kinds of tea.

Method

Use the same method as milk tea but just add masala spices at the end of the process.

Masala contains a mix of spices including fennel, cinnamon, cloves and black pepper.

Little Things, Big Etiquette

Frontiers — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 01:15:13 +0000

There is no denying that proper manners and speech of its citizens makes for a country’s good image. China, a "kingdom of etiquettes," as it boasts, however, is faced with image problems.
As the capital city Beijing is determined to present the world with one of the most impressive Olympic Games ever held, the organizers, among other things, are troubled with the "uncivilized" behaviors of citizens, which draws more attention than new architectural wonders like the "Bird’s Nest" (the National Olympic Stadium), the "Water Cube" (the National Aquatics Centre), and the "Giant Oval egg" (the National Grand Theatre).
In September of last year, the National Tourist Bureau unveiled a list of the "uncivilized" behaviors of outbound travelers and urged the whole country to avoid such notorious acts like littering, spitting, public nose picking, not flushing after using the toilet, and never getting in line for things.
In addition, the municipal government has launched a "Queuing Day" campaign on the 11th of each month as part of a campaign for residents to exhibit "civilized behavior" ahead of the 2008 Olympics. The 11th was picked because the two numbers 1-1 resemble two people lining up.

“Four Famous Embroideries of China

Frontiers — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 01:15:11 +0000

Xiang Embroidery
Xiang embroidery is well known for its time-honored history, excellent craftsmanship and unique style. The earliest piece of Xiang embroidery was unearthed at the No 1 Tomb of Mawangdui, Changsha City of the Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220). The weaving technique was almost the same as the one used in modern times, which demonstrated that embroidery had already existed in the Han Dynasty. In its later development, Xiang Embroidery absorbed the characteristics of traditional Chinese paintings and formed its own unique characteristics. Xiang embroidery experienced its heyday at the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and in the early Republic of China (early 20th century), even surpassing Su embroidery. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Xiang embroidery was further improved and developed to a new level.
Xiang embroidery uses pure silk, hard satin, soft satin and nylon as its material, which is connected with colorful silk threads. Absorbing the spirit of Chinese paintings, the embroidery reaches a high artistic level. Xiang embroidery crafts include valuable works of art, as well as materials for daily use.

Ancient Chinese Clothing

Frontiers — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 01:04:16 +0000

A clatter and crash of drums and gongs sound at a theater of Chinese Opera in Taipei as a young warrior appears on stage in traditional Chinese costume. From his head ascend two tall plumes, tracing in the air each movement and gesture he makes. Some might think these plumes are simply ornamental, but in fact they originate in the battle wear of the Warring States period (475-221 B.C.). Two feathers of a ho bird (a kind of pheasant good at fighting) were inserted into the headwear of warriors of this period to symbolize a bold and warlike spirit, that that of the ho. An outstanding characteristic of traditional Chinese clothing is not only an external expression of elegance, but also an inter symbolism. Each and every piece of traditional clothing communicates a vitality of its own. This combination of external form with internal symbolism is clearly exemplified in the pair of fighting pheasant feathers used in headwear.
Objects found in archaeological remains of China’s Shantingtung culture, which flourished over 18,000 years ago, such as bone sewing needles, and stone beads and shells with holes bored in them, attest to the existence of the concept of ornamentation and the craft of sewing already in that age. Variety and system in clothing were roughly established by the era of the Yellow Emperor and the Emperors Yao and Shaun (about 4,500 years ago). Remains of woven silk and help articles and ancient ceramic figures further demonstrate the sophistication and refinement of clothing in the Shang dynasty (16th to 11th century B.C.).

Hats With Meaning in China(2)

Frontiers — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:14:57 +0000

Daur people who live in the northeast of China also love to use animal fur to make fur hats. Besides roe heads, they also use fox and wolf fur to make hats. Ewenke people who have been living in rich forest, grassland and valley south of the Erguna River m northeast China for generations also wear beast head hats. Besides using roe heads, they also use the fur of Mongolian dog and deer. The style is rugged and lifelike. Using real animal heads to make animal head hats could be considered a typical costume feature among northeast nomadic nationalities, which is closely related with their commercial activity.

Occupying the highest position in general costume image, hats that well display the costume culture are paid particular attention. Some hats record the origin of their nationalities; some display the intelligence of their people; some concern the local weathers; and some signify the social position or commercial conditions of their wearers. Generally speaking, people exert great artistic talent on the design of hats. Whatever it displays, beauty is never neglected.

A Yugur felt hat is like an inverted horn. The horn opening extents outward to form a circle of round hat brim decorated with two rings of black silk ribbons. The horn mouth forms the hat crown. The crown is decorated with all kinds of patterns and unique Ted tassels. It is said that this type of hat is to commemorate a female hero in Yugur minority’s history. For the happiness of their people, she fought to the last blood against the devils. Red tassels in Yugur’s hats signify her flesh blood.

Yi girls who inhabit in the Red River area in Yunnan all have their cherished cockscomb hats. It is said that a loving couple fought against devils holding torches high, in order to seek for happiness and brightness and save country fellow from darkness. But unfortunately they tell into devil’s bands. Later, the girl escaped cleverly with the help of an old man. The old man taught her to make a cock to crow ill order to call the sun out. The devils were then drive away. The girl saved her boyfriend and their country fellow also saw the brightness. In order to show their gratitude for the cock that saved their life, Yi people started to make cockscomb and put them on girls’ heads because they believe that cock could bring luckiness, brightness, safety and happiness to the world. Besides Yi minority, Hani minority and Bai Minority girls in Yunnan also like to wear cockscombs of similar shapes and styles.