1 . In China, jade (玉) serves as one of the nation’s oldest symbols of virtue and nobility (高贵). For years, jade carvers have produced beautiful artworks, because of their exquisite (精细的) skills and complicated techniques passed down from generation to generation. Among China’s wide-ranging styles of jade carving, Beijing’s is one of the most famous and recognized worldwide for its use of imperial elements.

Jade carving originated in the Yuan Dynasty. In the succeeding dynasty, the Ming, the court gathered skilled jade carvers from all over the nation to create the finest of products for the imperial family, lifting the art to new heights. During the Qing Dynasty, jade became especially popular in Beijing, and the carving skill reached its peak. After the Qing, the craft continued to flourish, with thousands of people pouring their creativity into the jade carving industry. In 2008, Beijing’s particular practices were listed as national intangible cultural heritage.

Zhang Tiecheng is a third-generation Beijing jade carving inheritor. In 1983, when the technical school attached to the Beijing Jade Factory began to enroll students, Zhang decided to try his luck. After four years of training, he graduated and started working at the factory. Through pure diligence and perseverance, he gradually became a master of the carving art.

The year 2008 was a significant one for Zhang. Chinese jade art was introduced internationally through the “Chinese Seal” Olympic symbol and the jade-carved medals. Zhang participated in the design of both. They combined white jade with gold, a light greenish jade with silver, and a gray shade of jade with bronze to make the medals present that perfect combination of truthfulness and virtue.

Following his Olympic work, Zhang was invited to restore the jade decorations in the Palace Museum. During this assignment, Zhang couldn’t help but feel sad as he realized how the once successful jade artistry was slowly disappearing from its once celebrated stage. As an inheritor of Beijing jade carving, Zhang has added modern artistic elements into this traditional skill. He now hopes more young people can take up the craftsmanship so it can continue to flourish for many years to come.

2 . At one time, the inheritance of traditional drama was difficult. People of insight screamed “save drama”. Many celebrities and big names put down their figures and went to the community to carry out public welfare performances of opera, and did everything possible to expand the coverage of drama. In recent years, traditional Chinese culture and art has gained a foothold on short video platforms and attracted a large number of young followers thanks to the explosive growth of the short video industry. Relaxing, emotional and fragmented, these video contents perfectly match the demands of the users. With the application of new technologies such as social communication and immersive experiencing, short video platforms are seeing more users, becoming a shining spot of new Internet media.

Recently, Huangmei Opera “ Female Consort Prince ” became a hit on short video platforms as a lot of young users covered the aria (咏叹调) in their own way and showed great artistic talents. The interactive platforms are expanding the charm of the traditional opera among young people.

Peking Opera was also well-received on short video platforms thanks to a series of augmented reality (AR) effects. Users love to film clips with a set of virtual facial makeup, headwear and costumes. Statistics indicate that these effects were applied by more than 18 million users, most of whom were young people.

In addition to Chinese operas, intangible cultural heritage items, such as embroidery, paper-cutting, printing and dyeing, shadow play works, oiled paper umbrella making, and bamboo weaving are also actively promoted on short video platforms. In a word, short video platforms are becoming an important channel to display China’s intangible cultural heritage.

Short video platforms, offering a fun, popular and easy way to explore the traditional art forms, are receiving a lot of positive feedbacks from China’s young generations. The seconds, or minutes long videos, along with unlimited possibilities as well as richness of styles, have produced remarkable achievements in promoting traditional Chinese culture.

6 . People like to celebrate when they move into a new home. Maybe it’ s the first flat someone has owned, a couple’ s first home since getting married or maybe a growing family has moved to a bigger house. For whatever reason, the home is new. It represents a change and an exciting new beginning, with walls to paint, rooms to decorate and neighbors to meet. And what better way to meet people than to throw a party?

Parties to celebrate moving into a new home are called “house-warming” or “flat-warming” parties. If you think about it, they are appropriate names because an empty house with no people or furniture in it is a cold shell of a place. A house full of people, on the other hand, often requires some open windows or air conditioning to keep from getting too hot.

So what are house-warming parties like? Usually, the hosts invite their new neighbors as well as their friends. They usually provide some food and drinks and guests usually bring house-warming gifts. The gift might be something for the house，like a plant, or something for the guests to share, like a bottle of wine. There may be a dress code or theme. For example, if it is a “Hat Party”, people will wear unusual or funny hats. This helps break the ice by making people laugh. This makes it easier to meet new people and creates a fun and cheerful atmosphere.

There’ s an old saying that home is where the heart is. When people throw a house-warming party,they’ re opening their hearts as well as their homes to the people around them. So if you’ re ever invited by new neighbors to a house-warming, go! Then invite them to your home another time. Your home might already be warm, but new friends are the surest way to warm your heart.

10 . The Chinese Spring Festival

The Chinese Spring Festival is regarded as the most significant festival of the year among the Chinese.     1    .

There are a number of things people usually do before the Chinese Spring Festival. One of these is cleaning the house for the Lunar New Year. Dust makes people think of old things.     2    . Another important custom is to decorate their doors with red couplets. The phrases on the couplets express hopes for a new year.

The most important custom of the Chinese Spring Festival is the big family dinner on the eve of the Lunar New Year. This is usually a big reunion of grandparents, parents, and children.     3    . That is why millions of Chinese people travel long distances to get home before the eve of the Lunar New Year.

When the New Year comes, there are many interesting festival activities such as “lucky money” in red envelopes or greetings with “Xinnian Hao” or “Gongxi Facai”. Another part of this custom of is to pay visits to relatives and bring them gifts.     4    . In addition, friends and family go out to enjoy loud and colourful fireworks, spend time at temple fairs, and watch exciting dragon and lion dances.

    5    . It is a special occasion to return home and reunite with family members. This deeply rooted tradition has been a necessary part of Chinese culture for a very long time, and will continue to live forever in the hearts of the Chinese people.