2 . Certain Chinese cuisines, such as the well-known Roasted Duck from Beijing or the delicious Tianjin-style Pancakes, might appear commonplace to the Chinese, but they have gained global recognition. The appeal of these delicacies is deeply rooted in vast geographical diversity.

Stretching from the extremely cold northern plains to the southern rainforests, different regions have their unique ingredients and cooking techniques.     1    , commonly referred to as the Eight Major Cuisines of China. These include the rich and flavor-packed dishes of Sichuan, the delicate and varied tastes of Guangdong, the mouth-watering and hearty foods of Shandong, and the spicy and sour flavors of Hunan, among others.

Climate plays a crucial role in shaping regional cuisines. In Sichuan, for example, the hot and wet climate, coupled with the region’s mountainous physical geography, has led to a preference for spicy foods, like Stir-Fried Tofu in Hot Sauce or Spicy Chicken. The spicy flavors add appetite to dishes. In addition,     2    . The unique conditions of the Sichuan Basin, with its low-lying land and difficulty in losing heat through evaporation (蒸发), contribute to this preference.

One of the most noteworthy contrasts between southern and northern Chinese cuisines lies in the employment of ingredients. Southern dishes tend to be lighter and more delicate, featuring seafood, vegetables, and rice. In contrast,     3    . They have a wealth of wheat-based dishes like noodles and dumplings.

    4    , regardless of their differences. Dishes are attentively cooked to stimulate the senses and promote a sense of pleasure. The use of fresh, seasonal ingredients, along with the close attention to details in preparation and presentation, defines Chinese cuisine.

Another important aspect of Chinese dining culture is the significance of table manners. Meals are often shared among family and friends, with each person taking turns to serve and pour. Chopsticks, rather than forks or knives, are preferred, symbolizing closeness and familiarity. The act of eating together goes beyond food alone.     5    .

6 . Walking through his neighborhood supermarket in Australia, where packs of Chinese sauerkraut line the shelves, Huang Xiqing feels like he’s shopping in his hometown of Shenyang in Liaoning province.

Chinese sauerkraut, a pickle made of wombok, or Chinese cabbage, is a traditional specialty of the northeastern region and is now sold across the country and exported.

In the past, only a few fresh vegetables were available during the cold northeastern winters. Wombok, which was cheap and could be stored for a relatively long period of time, gained popularity with ordinary households.

In Shenyang, 70-year-old Wang Shuqing still maintains the habit of making Chinese sauerkraut every winter. After harvesting wombok from her garden, she puts the leaves into a big jar along with water and salt and two months later, it is ready to eat.

However, it is no longer the main course on her menu for Lunar New Year’s eve, which now includes braised prawn, fried beef and carp cooked with sweet-and-sour sauce. “Now that our livelihood has improved and the logistics have developed, we can find whatever we want to eat during the winter,” she says.

“Now people have more food to choose from, they don’t just want enough food to eat, but also to eat well,” says Zhang Sining, a research fellow from the Liaoning provincial academy of social sciences.

Chinese sauerkraut has become a signature northeastern dish, and restaurants there now serve sauerkraut burgers and sauerkraut pizzas to cater (满足…的需要) to the tastes of young people.

For Huang however, Chinese sauerkraut is largely about nostalgia (对往事的怀恋) and an enduring link to home.

“Now that I have tried delicacies (美味佳肴) from across the globe, Chinese sauerkraut is still one of my favorites, and reminds me of my hometown,” Huang says.

7 . The Fire Festival is celebrated in northern Ghana. It’s a holiday we had never heard of before we came to live in a village here as Peace Corps community volunteers. It’s unbelievably great.

On the Fire Festival — Bugim Chug u in the local language — drums beat a quick and regular rhythm that locals dance to in a circle of bodies, men and women, the old and young, holding torches of burning grass above their heads, which stands for the light and getting off negative energies.

At this moment, this festival is being held at the beginning of the lunar year. The locals are all so involved in the celebration that they don’t pay as much attention to us as they normally will. When they find us getting involved as they are, they dance more vigorously and scream with joy.

Danielle, a friend of mine in the Peace Corps, says, “That we join in the celebration is significant because foreigners here are typically seen as the representatives of other organizations, not as people who are willing to join in the Fire Festival rituals (仪式). But in fact, we are dancing and celebrating as one.”

Our two-year Peace Corps service will finish up in mid-November. We can think of no better way to say goodbye than by celebrating the Fire Festival with the villagers we’ve come to know. The festival lets us see a different side of them — and lets them see a different side of us. The neighbors who sell rice are now the women who urge us to run faster and dance harder at the Fire Festival. And rather than view us as low-key (低调的) volunteers, they see us as the ones who have crazy dance steps with wild screams.

8 . Boxing Day is an institution in the British calendar, but there is no common consensus as to how it got its name. According to some, it can be traced back to the Victorian era when churches often displayed a box into which their parishioners (教区居民) put donations.

However, according to historian Dr Neil Armstrong, the naming of Boxing Day dates back to the 17th century. This was the day, he said, when apprentices would have a box for their employers to tip them a coin or two. While the boxes may have disappeared, the custom of tipping has remained.

In the Victorian age, the custom evolved. On Boxing Day, most tradespeople would give their clients a gift to ensure their custom. There were concerns, said Dr Armstrong, that this was a form of bribery (行贿). This custom declined in the 20th century as fewer people had relationships with their local businesses and shops following the rise of supermarkets and shopping centres.

“It may not be the reason why Boxing Day got its name, but charitable giving was closely associated with Boxing Day in the Victorian era, "said Dr Armstrong. "In the mid-19th century there began to be indiscriminate (随意的) charitable giving. This would often be begging, and children were usually sent out to do this job.” Nevertheless, the habit of generous charitable giving has continued to be associated with the festive period up to the present day.

Boxing Day continued, however, to be a normal working day until 1871, when it was finally classed as a public holiday. "They would often be working until very late on Christmas Eve, so they wanted a break on Boxing Day, "Dr Armstrong said. Then it became known as a day of leisure. Organised sporting events such as football matches became popular—a tradition which has carried on until today.

Boxing Day is observed in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and some other Commonwealth nations. In America, December 26 is known as the Day after Christmas Day, and is observed as a holiday in only a few states.

10 . Walt Disney: A Legacy of Dreams

The name “Disney” evokes a rush of images: from the enchanted kingdom of Disneyland to the heartwarming tales of Bambi and Simba. For almost a century, Disney, initiated by Walt Disney himself, has been synonymous with storytelling, imagination, and dreams-come-true. But what’s the journey behind this global empire of happiness?

Founded in 1923 by Walt and Roy O. Disney, the company started as a small animation studio in the back of a real estate office in Los Angeles.     1     The creation of the beloved Mickey Mouse in 1928 marked the beginning of Disney’s ascent to fame. This iconic character not only helped the company regain its footing after a business setback but also paved the way for the world of animation as we know it.

Disney’s first full-length animated feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, premiered in 1937.     2     Its success proved that storytelling combined with animation had the power to touch the hearts of audiences worldwide, setting the foundation for a series of masterpieces that followed.

Disneyland, opened in 1955, was Walt’s most ambitious venture (经营项目).     3     Termed as “The Happiest Place on Earth”, this theme park was built upon a narrative, each attraction telling its own story, making it a pioneering effort in the world of amusement parks. It wasn’t just about rides, but an experience of stories coming to life.

With Walt’s death in 1966, there were doubts about the future of the company.     4     Today, Disney is not just about animation or theme parks. With its acquisition of entities like Marvel and Lucasfilm, it’s a major player in global entertainment.

Walt Disney once said, “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”     5     Disney remains a testament to the power of dreams, imagination, and pursuit, lighting up lives across generations and geographies.