Mid-summer is harvest time for the yellow straw (稻草) that grows in Xuhang Town. The straw, however, is not used to feed animals or to put up buildings. Instead, it is the material for a traditional craft.

Xuhang is known as the “Town of Straw Plaiting (编织)”. The craft has survived for more than 1,000 years.

It is said that there was once a young woman named Huang. She was about to get married. However, she was poor. She didn’t even have a new pair of shoes to wear. One day, the cows at her home carried some yellow straw in their mouths and placed it in front of her. Huang made the straw into a pair of shoes. She wore the shoes and got married happily. Surprisingly, her shoes became popular. Huang taught the villagers to make the straw shoes and she became known as the “fairy of straw plaiting”.

The modern “fairy of straw plaiting” is Wang Qin. She has been practicing the craft since childhood. After graduating from school, Wang first worked in a tailor’s shop and then in a shoe factory. The factory closed down in 1999. While staying at home, Wang looked for something to do. Her grandfather was the leader of the local straw plaiting group. Taking his advice, the woman carefully studied the ancient craft and chose it as her career. These days, visitors to her workshop are greeted by the pleasant smell of straw. On the first floor, there is an exhibition of Wang’s best artworks. There are handbags, slippers, clocks, vases and covers for tea sets.

Every summer, people in Xuhang Town harvest 2,000 kilograms of straw. After drying the straw, craftspeople select those of the best quality of them. The craft mainly uses the “skin” of the straw. The material is then colored and plaited with the help of a mold (模具).

Wang is now in her fifties. She is now trying to make the art form popular among young people. In this way, this local tradition will be alive forever.

Beijing Opera, the most important of all the operas in China, has a long history of nearly 200 years. In 1790, at the time of the Qing Dynasty (朝代), four big opera groups from Anhui came to Beijing and combined (联合) Kun Opera, Luantan, Yiyang Opera and Han Opera to create a new one. After over half a century (世纪) of combining and developing, there came Beijing Opera now we watch.

Before1919, foreigners knew little about Beijing Opera. But now it has spread to many other places. Mei Lanfang, one of the greatest artists, first performed Beijing Opera in Japan and America, which made it known by the world. After the year 1949, China sent opera groups out. It made Beijing Opera become famous and get popular with people all over the world. Nowadays you can see traveling groups of Beijing Opera players in many foreign cities and their local Chinatowns. Beijing Opera has become a bridge between China and the West.

In Beijing, the best place to enjoy Beijing Opera is Li Yuan Theater. Many artists often play there. Li Yuan means pear garden in Chinese. In the past, opera players trained in it.

Location: 1st Floor, Qianmen Jianguo Hotel, No. 175 Yong’an Road, Xuanwu District, Beijing.

Transportation: If you start from Beijing West Train Station, take Bus 57, 201 or 715 to Hufang Bridge Road East Stop. Then walk to the theatre. It is only 300 meters.

Time: 7: 30 pm—8: 50 pm daily year round

Booking: If you are interested in Beijing Opera. book one show for yourself on the website HYPERLINK “http: //www.li Yuan theatre. com.cn/”.

Chinese school uniforms have changed significantly over the past century. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the fascinating history of Chinese school uniforms!

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A. In the 1950s, when the People’s Republic of China was just newly founded, many schools did not have a fixed school uniform. But no matter what everyone’s clothing style was, students all proudly wore red scarves around their necks. B. Back to 1920, people liked the Zhongshan suit, a new and fashionable suit that soon became the talk of the country. At the same time, as schools began to welcome female students, young girls wearing shirts brought western fashions into the educational world. C. In the 1960s, wearing the military (军队的) clothing was a way to show respect and love for the country’s leader. Many students at the time wore green military suits, carrying bottles or bags with a Chairman Mao’s portrait (画像) as part of their school uniforms. D. Since the 1990s, Chinese school uniforms have focused more on practicality and comfort. The normal uniform has become a tracksuit (运动服)， allowing students to move around freely and with ease. E. School uniforms in the Qing dynasty include a round hat, a formal jacket and a flowing skirt. The suit looks like the government workers’ uniforms. It was made of silk and was baggy, hiding the body shape well. F. In the 1930s, schools also began to use the improved qipao as a school uniform for female students. This school dress not only made a fashion statement but also was a symbol of a very important time in China’s history.

【推荐2】Humans have been writing by hand for thousands of years. But as computers took over the job and the type-written (用打字机器打出的) word became more common, something was lost in the process, that is, the charm (魅力) and personal nature of a hand-written note or letter.

Now, letter writing is making a comeback in the form of AI robots. These AI robots can write notes for humans in their own handwriting. David Wachs is the head of Handwrytten. He said businesses use his company’s robots for handwritten letters and “thank-you” notes to create a strong and personal connection with those who receive them. Many non-profit (非盈利) organizations also use handwritten letters to keep donations (捐赠) coming.

Automated (自动化的) letter writing is not new. Thomas Jefferson, the third U. S. President, often used a polygraph (复写器), which he considered the greatest invention of his time. It let him make copies of his letters to keep for his own records. His guide, Charles Morrill, once said about the polygraph, “… Jefferson keeps buying machines and exchanges ones that are not quite perfect for the next one that’s a little bit better.” Using what he considered wonderful technology, historians say Jefferson went on to write almost 20,000 letters in his lifetime.

Handwriting technology has greatly changed since Jefferson’s time. Wachs says such technology now includes 3D printing and laser cutting. And if users need help thinking of exactly what to write in their notes, they can choose AI to help them create a better message.

Whether using the printing press or the polygraph, a computer or a robot, one thing is clear ... humans will use whatever tool they have to express themselves through the printed word.