Grain Rain marks a significant period in the traditional Chinese calendar. As the
Grain Rain symbolizes the end of spring and marks the time
Grain Rain is a period rich with festivals, cultural events and communal gatherings. Communities often celebrate with various festivities,
Grain Rain not only highlights the practical aspects of agricultural planning but also embodies a deeper connection to the cycles of nature and the community’s cultural practices. It is a
As the source of all life, water plays a vital role in Chinese culture, influencing both Chinese civilization and philosophy. Many Chinese legends reflect the
Xiangsheng, or crosstalk, is arguably the most popular comic performance in China, appealing to people of all ages.
Xiangsheng first appeared in China during the Ming Dynasty. But it was not until the middle and late Qing Dynasty
Performed mainly in Beijing or Tianjin dialect, xiangsheng is
As the
But most of the time, xiangsheng is performed by two actors,
In the early years, xiangsheng performers typically came from a humble background,
4 . It felt as if we had been climbing for hours. I stopped to catch my breath as a wave of dizziness swept over me in the thin mountain air. I was on an amazing trip with my family to experience the festival of Qoyllur Riti, which takes place at 4,300 meters high in the southern Andes of Peru.
As I looked back down the trail we had climbed, and up towards where we had to go, the colorful sight struck me a lot. Entire families wearing local costumes were travelling to this unique festival from all over Peru. Among them were old men, mothers with small babies and children all following the same route. Many of them had horses and donkeys carry their food, blankets, cooking pots and tents. Others had made their way on foot through the mountains for days to attend this remarkable event.
We continued climbing upward for another hour and a half before reaching the Sinakara Valley. Right across this flat piece of ground people were putting up shelters and tents to protect themselves from the freezing mist and rain. It was clear, however, from the sound of the drums and singing rising from the campsite that the weather was not going to weaken the festival spirit. The air of excitement, even from our place more than a mile away, was palpable.
After dinner, we went to bed fully clothed inside our sleeping bags. We were up early the next morning, the main day of the festival, despite having slept badly on the frozen ground. The ukukus, men wearing black masks and costumes, had left the campsite in the early hours to climb the nearest mountain by the light of the full moon.
From time to time during the procession, they stopped to dance on the glaciers, believing this would bring luck to their villages for the year to come. In the dawn light, we watched them winding their way back down like a large black snake. As they descended, they were joined by groups of dancers in bright traditional costumes. They performed wherever there was space. Although there did not seem to be anyone organizing them or any timetable, the whole festival had become a huge harmonious celebration.
1. What do we know about family’s climb up and down the trail?A.They were too tired to enjoy the sight. |
B.They regretted extremely taking the trip. |
C.They were fascinated by the scenes there. |
D.They were greeted warmly by local people. |
A.suitable | B.endurable | C.noticeable | D.understandable |
A.They were all dressed in plain clothes. |
B.They were determined to reach the festival. |
C.They only continued their journey during daylight hours. |
D.They performed dances to demonstrate their traditional costumes. |
A.A health report. | B.A sports newspaper. |
C.A fashion forum. | D.A culture magazine. |
5 . The horse-face skirt, or mamianqun in Chinese, is receiving renewed attention on the fashion stage.
Far from being photoshoot prop, wearing the horse-face skirt has become almost trend among many Chinese celebrities and influencers for various international social occasions. On Douyin, China’s TikTok, individuals who sport the horse-face skirt on city streets in Paris and other international cities can easily gain millions of likes. A popular blogger on Xiaohongshu appeared on a British television program to discuss the development of the English Premier League in China while wearing a horse-face skirt.
From its first appearance during the Song Dynasty to becoming a standout representation of Chinese clothing, mamianqun has crossed nearly a millennium of history. In the current trend of traditional Chinese clothing reconstruction, how has the horse-face skirt stood out to become the most famous clothing?
Mao Zhaoxi, who is a hanfu enthusiast, told the Global Times that Hanfu is the external demonstration of culture, integrating the life philosophies, values, and aesthetic (美学) views formed and inherited (继承) by the Chinese people generation after generation. She said, “Many young people believe that the horse-face skirt is not just a fashion item, but also a cultural symbol. This shows the awakening of traditional aesthetic genes among the younger generations, indicating that the confidence in our own culture is constantly increasing.”
Moreover, Hu Xiao, one of the founders of the ancient Chinese costumes restoration team, analyzed one main reason of this phenomenon lies in the fact that the horse-face skirt has managed to remain relevant, never falling out of fashion. “Many people thought the horse-face skirt had disappeared for a while, but in fact, Chinese brides can always be seen in the costume of mamianqun.” The horse-face skirt possesses a strong sense of inheritance while also possessing fashionable features. This perhaps is the cultural DNA that enables it to become a fashion item.
The momentum (潮流) of Chinese-style clothing has begun, and how to lead the trend of Chinese-style clothing through design and how to stay at the forefront of the national trend is an issue that will not disappear in a short time.
1. What does the underlined word “sport” mean in paragraph 2?A.Compete. | B.Display. | C.Exercise. | D.Decorate. |
A.Horse-face skirts are Chinese clothing with a long history. |
B.Horse-face skirts had become fashionable in Song Dynasty. |
C.Horse-face skirts have been the main clothing for a millennium. |
D.Horse-face skirts are leading the clothing design around the world. |
A.It develops everyone’s aesthetic and philosophy view. |
B.It represents the ancient Chinese costumes and life. |
C.It wakens the young to love their own traditional culture. |
D.It demonstrates the importance of Chinese-style clothing. |
A.Good beginning and it will lead the world fashion. |
B.Good beginning and it will fall into the disfavors. |
C.Good beginning and it will own fashionable DNA. |
D.Good beginning and it will have a long way to go. |
Dunhuang, an oasis (绿洲) in the Taklamakan Desert, used to be a major stop along the Silk Road, but is now mainly a fascinating tourist destination.
Those who have
Also, there are few things as special as walking across the desert oasis at sunrise.
No trip to Dunhuang is complete without visiting the Dunhuang Museum,
Shortly after the silk and feather umbrellas became popular in China, their manufacturers managed
In addition to providing protection from sun and limited protection from rain, oil-paper umbrellas
The beauty of the Chinese paper umbrellas had
The Spring Festival Gala (Chunwan) is an annual television show broadcast on China Central Television (CCTV) on the eve of the Chinese New Year. The Gala is a four-hour TV show featuring
The Gala
The Gala is
The Spring Festival Gala is
On September 17, 2023, the Cultural Landscape of Old Tea Forests of the Jingmai Mountain in Pu’er gained World Heritage Site status,
Every Lunar New Year, China introduces a zodiac(生肖) sign from a cycle of 12 lucky animals. This year, it’s the Year of the Dragon, or more
The Western
Therefore, some culture experts have been calling for a switch to ”loong”