It is believed that Chinese knotting, also known as zhongguojie, originated for recording information and exchanging messages     1     writing was invented. Over the past thousands of years, knots     2     (play) an important part in the life of Chinese.    3     (initial), Chinese knots acted as good -luck charms to drive away evil spirits. Today, Chinese knots are widely used to decorate homes during festivities.

A major characteristic of Chinese knots is that they are often tied from a single continuous length of string. The knots are commonly named     4     the shape it takes. Chinese knots are created in a     5     (various) of colors such as gold, green, blue, or black, though the most commonly used color is red,    6     symbolizes good luck and prosperity.

Crafting the Chinese knot is a three-step process     7     (involve) tying knots, tightening them and adding the finishing touches. The knots     8     (pull) tightly together and are strong enough to be used for binding or wrapping, making them very practical.

Today, most of such knots are often mass manufactured in factories. Skilled knot artists weave complex knots that you might see     9     (sell) as souvenirs that you can take back with you. If you have time, why not try your hand at it? Perhaps these age-old charms can add     10     touch of good luck to your daily life?

A skywell, or “tian jing” in Chinese, is a typical feature of a traditional home in Southern and Eastern China. They are commonly seen in homes     1     (date) to the Ming and Qing dynasties, which     2     (design) to house different generations of relatives. Despite their varied sizes and designs, these skywells are typically square and located in     3     heart of the house. They serve to allow in light, enhance airflow, and harvest rainwater.

Since decades ago, the government     4     (advocate) green buildings, promoting environmentally-friendly practice. The increased interest towards traditional Chinese architecture is leading to the restoration of historic buildings with skywells     5     modern use. Architects are also looking towards the principles behind skywells while designing new buildings     6     (save) energy. The Dongguan TBA Tower in Guangdong Province, for example, brings natural airflows into every floor with internal “windpipes”    7     function in a similar way to skywells. The aim is to keep the building's temperature     8     (comfort) in all seasons, using only natural airflow.

The fact that skywells still exist today shows     9     clever ancient builders were in using nature's elements to create energy-sufficient and sustainable living spaces. These timeless architectural     10     (wonder) continue to inspire architects in their efforts to find green solutions for cooling homes and buildings.

Born into an ethnic Miao family in rural Guizhou Province, Zhang was exposed from a young age to the rich tradition of Miao embroidery (刺绣) —     1     cultural craft that has been passed down through generations. She spent countless hours as a child     2     (observe) her mother and grandmother stitching fancy patterns onto fabrics by hand. In 2003, hoping to modernize and share this heritage, she opened her first clothing shop in the provincial capital.

A decade later, Zhang     3    (establish) her own clothing brand focused on combining traditional Chinese-style qipao dresses with colorful customized embroidery patterns. “We have trained hundreds of local Miao women in the ancient needlework techniques,” Zhang     4     (proud) remarked. “The clothing line celebrates their breathtaking handiwork,     5     I hope advances my home village’s revitalization.”

Her     6     (commit) to cultural preservation and rural development was recognized in 2019, when the China women’s Handicraft Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition     7    (hold) and Zhang’s innovative design collection won top honors. In an interview afterwards, she reflected on both preserving traditional skills through new media,     8    expanding economic opportunities for artisans. We attach equal importance     9     cultural inheritance and market expansion,” Zhang stated. “In the future, we’ll continue innovating designs     10    (display) Miao embroidery’s beauty and diversity.”

Originating in southwest China, tea enriches and nourishes the life of Chinese people, and gives rise to a unique and profound tea culture.

Dating back to over 2000 years ago, tea has risen above differences in diets and cultures and enjoyed worldwide     1     (popular) with its unique fragrance. Since the Tang Dynasty, Chinese tea has made     2     way to the world, through the Ancient Tea Horse Road and the Ancient Silk Road,     3     (shape) different tea drinking customs and cultures along the way. After the 18th century, Chinese tea seeds     4     (introduce) to India, Sri Lanka and later other countries, and now more than 60 countries are growing tea.

Chinese tea falls into six categories,     5     (name) green tea, white tea, yellow tea, oolong tea, black tea and dark tea,     6     (base) on different production methods and fermentation (发酵) degrees.     7     the only country in the world capable of producing and processing sixteen categories, China     8     (develop) an automated and standardized way with great innovation. In 2016, China exported 271,000 tons of green tea,     9     quality has won world recognition.

In tea, we find art, prosperity and our journey ahead. Chinese tea culture values harmony and sincerity,     10     spirit that shares the same origin with the Silk Road.

2024 is the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese calendar and it is the first time that the Oxford English Dictionary (OED)    1     (include) the term “Chinese dragon” in its dictionary. The Chinese dragon has two definitions in the OED, with the first one about its physical image and the second one on its figurative and allusive (典故的) nature.

Emperors in ancient dynasties were dressed in a Dragon Robe, a traditional silk-woven costume with dragon designs,     2     (symbolize) imperial power and authority. Jade Seals (玉玺), often     3     (carve) with dragons, also symbolize the authority of the emperor.

Contrary     4     the Western dragon, the image of the Chinese dragon, despite undergoing constant changes, has represented various’ positive     5     (quality) including prosperity, authority, strength and good fortune.

In ancient Chinese belief, dragons     6     (associate) with the control of the weather, particularly rain. The dragon’s ability to bring rain was seen as crucial for agriculture, which made it     7     positive symbol for the fertility of the land.

With the rising China Chic trend and the country’s booming cultural creative industry, the Chinese dragon in folktale is now     8     (common) seen in creative products such as tear-off calendars, dolls, dragon-themed jewelry as well as the “dragon blind boxes”     9     appeal to young consumers.

Whether it is through the hands of a national-level intangible (非物质) cultural heritage inheritor     10     the hands of a Generation Z “blind box” designer, the Chinese dragon carries forward the Chinese cultural spirit.

In September, UNESCO Director-General Audrey visited Zhoukoudian in Beijing. She was full of praise     1     a special structure which     2     (successful) protected Yuanrendong Cave from an unusual rainstorm in July. The karst cave     3     (reveal) the fossilized remains of 40 individuals so far.

The structure protects the site from the extreme weather, secretary-general Qin Changwei said at the 2nd World Cultural and Natural Heritage Forum. “    4     provides a reference for the protection of cultural relics, and suggests     5     (measure) for helping heritage sites respond to the influence of climate change.”

Organized by various organizations,     6     forum brought together some 50 professionals to discuss the protection and     7     (sustain) development of heritage sites.

“Climate change has been the subject of in-depth discussion by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. Questions like how to balance humans and nature, how to respond to natural disasters     8     what new challenges this brings to World Heritage Sites are worth     9     (consider),” says Qin.

“Addressing the issue requires multi-sectoral and interdisciplinary cooperation, making full use of cutting-edge technology and jointly     10     (develop) risk prevention and response plans,” he adds.

In the gentle winter sunlight, Gulangyu Island lies like a pearl in the ocean, quietly revealing     1     (it) unique charm. This small island is a witness     2     history. Every brick seems to tell stories of the past.     3     (original) named “Yuanshazhou” and also known as “Yuanzhouzi”, it     4     (refer) to as “Wulongyu” during the Southern Song Dynasty. Later, due to the sound resembling a drum, it was renamed “Gulangyu.” Famous for its natural landscapes and cultural heritage, Gulangyu boasts     5     (attraction) such as Sunlight Rock, Shuzhuang Garden, and more. Figures like Ba Jin and Lin Yutang found inspiration here,     6     (enrich) the island’s intellectual heritage.

During the winter, life here seems to slow down. In the early morning, it’s preferable to walk through the alleys     7     (surround) by European-style buildings. Breathing in the air filled with the smell of the sea     8     (bring) an extraordinary sense of freshness and joy.     9     walk to Sunlight Rock on the island offers a view of the entire city of Xiamen. In the afternoon, one can enjoy a rich cup of coffee in a café by the sea,     10     feels like being in a moving painting with the occasional fishing boat passing by. As the sun sets, the entire island is enveloped in a golden sunset. At this moment, Gulangyu becomes even more gentle and romantic.

A museum showcasing the culture of the Grand Canal is expected to open in Beijing next week. Some 6,000 items or sets of exhibits     1     (close) related to Beijing and the ancient canal are to be displayed.

“The Grand Canal Museum of Beijing, also called the Capital Museum East Branch,     2     (locate) in the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and has     3     total floor area of 99,700 square meters,” said Feng Hao, who is     4     charge of museum collections at the Capital Museum.

With a daily capacity of 6,000 visitors, the new museum is designed     5     (combine) boats, sailing and water elements, showcasing the culture of the Grand Canal.

The exhibition area consists of basic,     6     (theme), open, and temporary exhibition     7     (section). “Visitors can enjoy an interactive experience     8     (reflect) the themes of Beijing and the Grand Canal in the open exhibition section through     9     (digit) technology,” Feng said.

With a history of more than 2,500 years, the Grand Canal connects Beijing and Hangzhou in East China’s Zhejiang Province,     10     served as a significant transportation route in ancient China.

Every morning, millions of people in China do Tai Chi. It is popular    1    women and men. Tai Chi is    2     good kind of exercise for old people. It is good for the body and the mind. It is healthy and    3     (relax). Tai Chi    4    ( arise) from China. It is    5     (hundred) of years old. Tai Chi is a “soft” martial art (武术),    6     means it is slow and calm.

There are also “hard” martial arts. Shaolin Kung Fu, for example, which has a history of over 1, 500 years, is a “hard” martial art. It is fast and    7    (danger). You have to be very fit and strong    8    (do) “hard” martial arts.

In Beijing, Master Li Yu    9     (teach) Shaolin Kung Fu to thirty young students now, three of whom come from abroad. “Shaolin Kung Fu is    10     (extraordinary) difficult,” said Li Yu. “You must practise every move many times. ”

Sports like football and basketball are also popular in China. But martial arts like Tai Chi and Shaolin Kung Fu are part of Chinese culture and history.