A modern view of ancient China

Li Ziqi, 29 ， has more than 18 million followers on Sina Weibo, and more than six million subscribers on YouTube. These numbers make Li the second most    1     (influence) vlogger from China on international video-sharing     2     (platform).

    3     (inspire) by the self-sufficient lifestyle of ancient Chinese people, she started shooting short videos in 2016. As a young woman of the post-1990 generation, Li looks elegant with long braids in her hair, always dressed    4    traditional costumes. In her short videos, ripe cherries are picked to make jam and peaches     5     (harvest) to make sweet wine.

    6    most   viewers   find   wonderful   is   that   the   lifestyle   and   the   picturesque landscapes displayed in Li’s videos help them find inner peace    7    give them a psychological break from their stressful and busy urban routine.

Apart from showcasing how to cook, Li has even demonstrated other ancient skills, such as movable-type printing, dyeing cloth and making furniture. She    8     (impress) her viewers with the charm of China’s traditional handicrafts and techniques. She has been patient with her work. She once spent two years    9    (make) paper from tree bark, brushes out of rabbit hair, and other stationery with natural materials.

Li says: “As    10    increasingly popular vlogger, I hope I can show the world the wonderful cultural heritage of China.”

Henan Opera, known as Yuju Opera, is a traditional Chinese opera form that originated     1    Henan Province. With its rich history, unique musical style, and attractive performances, Henan Opera     2     (hold) a special place in Chinese cultural heritage.

Henan Opera evolved from local folk art forms, integrating     3     (element) of storytelling, singing and dancing. It gained popularity during the Qing Dynasty and became an important regional opera style in Henan. Today, it     4     (recognize) as one of the national intangible cultural heritage treasures of China.

Henan Opera is characterized by its pleasant vocal style    5    distinctive musical accompaniment. The performances contain various instruments like drums, flutes, and stringed (有弦的) instruments, creating a harmonious ensemble (乐团). The     6     (careful) prepared costumes and bright makeup improve the visual appeal, and the skilled performers’ gestures and movements convey emotions and narratives, captivating audiences.

Henan Opera,     7     often explores loyalty, love, justice, and family values, draws from historical events, folk tales, legends, and literary classics,     8     (show) a diverse range of themes. The stories are presented through poetic dialogues, intricate choreography(编舞), and symbolic gestures, engaging the audience with     9     (they) profound messages.

Efforts are being made     10     (preserve) and promote Henan Opera as part of Chinese cultural heritage. Modern adaptations and innovations help attract younger audiences while preserving its traditional essence.

Over the past decade, as the cradle (发源地) of Chinese civilization, Henan Province has been working hard     1    (promote) traditional Chinese culture, and years of painstaking work     2    (result) in great successes.

A successful example is Night Banquet in Tang Dynasty Palace, a show     3     was presented during last year’s Spring Festival holiday. Taking inspiration from the museum’s pottery figurines (陶俑), female performers dressed in Tang Dynasty costumes and wearing traditional makeup performed a series of dances. The show was part of Chinese Festivals, a television program series     4    (produce) by the Henan Broadcasting System.

The station also produced a related web series and variety show (综艺节目) to attract young viewers. “With     5    (create) content and cutting-edge technology, our programs satisfy the aesthetic (审美的) and emotional needs of Generation Z,” said one of the chief directors Xu Na. “When traditional culture becomes     6     hit, it means the younger generation need these kinds of cultural offerings. We present traditional culture     7     an innovative way that touches their hearts.”

Millennium City Park, which was styled on traditional architecture showed in the masterpiece Along the River During the Qingming Festival, puts on 70     8    (performance) a day showing daily life in the Song period, causing visitors to feel like they’ve traveled back in time to when the painting     9    (make). While preserving traditional Chinese culture, Henan is telling     10    (it) cultural story with great innovation.

Chinese pastries (糕点) have a rich and divers history that spans thousands of years. Traditional Chinese pastries are popular     1     their beautiful shapes, delicate flavors and cultural symbolism.

The origins of Chinese pastries can be traced back to ancient times when they were primarily made for     2     (religion) ceremonies and special occasions. Over centuries of evolution, Chinese pastries    3     (develop), combining various regional flavors and techniques.

During the Tang dynasty, Chinese pastries experienced a significant     4     (grow) in popularity. The Tang dynasty emperors were known for their love of desserts and pastries,     5     led to the development of numerous delicate and complicated pastry recipes.

It was during this time     6     many symbolic pastries were created, and the art of pastry-making reached new heights.

Mooncakes, closely     7     (associate) with the Mid-autumn Festival, are among the most famous Chinese pastries. Mooncakes have a history     8     (date) back over 1,000 years. They were    9     (original) used as an offering     10     (honour) the moon goddess during the harvest season. Mooncakes are often imprinted with amazing designs and symbols that represent good luck and prosperity.

       Each region in China has its own pastries with distinct flavors, ingredients and making methods. Chinese pastries are an essential part of Chinese cuisine and cultural traditions.