Have you ever had this kind of childhood memory: a family sits together casually during a holiday, drinking and tasting tea after lunch or dinner? This has been a     1     (day) activity for Chinese people throughout the history.

After being spread to different parts of the world, tea has received top-level global recognition     2     a shared cultural treasure of mankind. “The     3     (practice) of greeting guests with tea are shared among multiple ethnic groups. They provide     4     sense of identity and continuity for communities, groups and individuals     5     (concern),” states a document from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to UNESCO.

This explanation can be fully manifested by weilu zhucha, which     6     (mean) boiling tea at a stove, a social tea activity going viral among the young generation of Chinese people. By the end of November, 2022, videos recording or introducing this activity     7     (play) 1.14 billion times, and related posts had attracted 11.58 million views on social media platforms, reported CCTV.

Weilu zhucha might be a replacement in the cold seasons for the camping craze.     8     (sit) around with friends and families with a stove, some tea, fruit and refreshments on the table, people may chat, view the surrounding scenery,     9     be immersed in traditional Chinese culture by boiling tea together in person. “    10     appeals to me most is its warm atmosphere when boiling tea.” an Internet user commented on Sina Weibo.

Tai Chi, also noted as Taijiquan, is a traditional Chinese martial art that has evolved into a popular form of exercise and meditation.     1     (originate) from China's Fujian Province, Tai Chi has a history of over 1,000 years and is deeply rooted in Chinese philosophy and culture. It     2     (characterize) by slow, flowing movements that promote balance,     3     (flexible), and relaxation.

In recent years, Tai Chi     4     (gain) worldwide recognition for its health benefits. Studies have shown that practicing Tai Chi can also be helpful for people     5     (reduce) the risk of falls in older adults.

Tai Chi is often practised in groups or classes,     6     students learn from a qualified instructor. There are many different styles of Tai Chi, each     7     its own unique set of movements and techniques. Beginners are encouraged to start with the most basic movements and     8     (gradual) build up their skills and knowledge over time.

    9     you are looking for a low-impact exercise, a way to reduce stress, or a close connection to Chinese culture, Tai Chi offers something for everyone. With regular practice, you can experience the transformative power of this ancient art form and discover     10     deeper sense of balance and harmony in your life.

Huishan clay figurines (泥人) are produced in the western suburb of Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, and are one of China’s most famous folk arts, having a history     1    (stretch) back over a thousand years.

The craft originated in the Southern Dynasties and reached     2    (it) peak in the Qing Dynasty. During the Qing, an artist made five clay figurines for Emperor Qianlong(1711~1799) and     3    (reward) with high praise from the royal family.

Huishan figurines differ from those of other localities in that they are always small and always feature a big head. They divide into two types - mold-pressed and hand-crafted. The     4    (cheap), molded figures often serve as children’s toys while the hand-crafted pieces are more refined and original.

The characters depicted (描绘) come     5    (large) from legends and Chinese opera plots. Da A Fu, a plump(微胖的) boy holding a fish, is the most popular figure in Huishan clay art. The legend     6    (go) that long, long ago, a god, disguised as a boy, beat a fierce lion     7     saved the children in Huishan.

    8    (express) appreciation, local people started to make clay figures of their boy savior Da A Fu. One-third of the overall figure is taken up by Da A Fu’s large head,     9     a face round as a full moon and big ears reaching down to his shoulders. It is     10     image implying happiness and good fortune.

Ancient books from the Song (960 — 1279) and Yuan (1271 — 1368) dynasties are now     1     show at a new exhibition at the Shanghai Museum and about half of the exhibits     2    (list) as “treasured ancient books” in China.

Pages Through the Ages: A Selection of the Song and Yuan Rare Books of the Shanghai Museum is set to run through Aug 13,     3    (feature) 66 precious books from the 10th to the 14th centuries. It is the first large showcase of ancient books from the     4    (collect) of the museum.

There is a saying among the archaeological circles in China     5     goes, “A page from a book of the Song Dynasty is worth a tael of gold”, which refers to the importance     6     high value of these ancient books.

The Song and Yuan dynasties saw     7     peak in the development of Chinese culture, and this coincided with the     8    (gold) age of ancient books in China, says Chu Xiaobo, director of the Shanghai Museum.

This period also saw vast improvements     9    (make) to paper-making, ink manufacturing and block printing techniques, and their rapid development     10    (lead) to the creation of diversified binding formats that ranged from scrolls to butterfly to concertina and wrapped-back bindings.

About 800 meters above sea level and next to the picturesque Taiping Lake, Houkeng village in Huangshan, a region in the south of Anhui province, seems     1    (bless) by nature and is home to the handmade tea variety Taiping Kowkui.

Every spring     2     foggy days moisten the emerald hillsides, villagers know their harvest will come. “    3     any of three key factors—proper location, plant variety, or processing technique—the perfect Kowkui will not be born,” Fang Jifan, the fifth-generation tea farmer says. “It’s     4     signature of our home.”

Kowkui’s exceptionally large leaves often lead to its     5    (mistake) for “vegetable” by first-time viewers, but this “king” of green tea in Fang’s eyes beats other     6    (variety) at more than just size. “Its     7    (fragrant) and flavor also stand out, thanks to the time- consuming work to process them.” Fang says.

Last November, traditional tea processing techniques and associated social practices in China     8    (add) to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. “The tea culture not only reflects a refined taste in life, it also shows the beauty of craftsmanship     9     people’s creativity,” says Zheng Yi, deputy head of Anhui Tea Culture Research Society. “For centuries, the scent of tea leaves     10    (offer) nutrition to this land. This intangible cultural heritage of tea processing techniques is deeply rooted in people’s everyday life.”

Terracotta Warriors exhibition opens in Spain

The Archaeological Museum of Alicante opened on Tuesday     1     unique exhibition of China’s renowned Terracotta Warriors, known as the “    2     (eight) Wonder of the World.”

The exhibition     3     (title) “The Legend of China’s Qin and Han Dynasties” and open to public between Wednesday and January 28, 2024, showcases more than 120pieces from nine Chinese museums.

The exhibition is divided into three galleries     4     showcase the history of the unification of China by Emperor Qin Shi Huang, his tomb, and the     5     (mystery) Terracotta Warriors. The museum uses advanced technology to create an immersive exhibition space     6     (use) light, music, and scent.

Curator of the exhibition Marcos Martinon-Torres, an archaeologist and professor at the University of Cambridge, said the exhibition would provide an “unforgettable experience” for thousands of visitors.

The exhibition is part of a series of activities intended     7     the China-Spain Year of Culture and Tourism. Apart from the 10 life-size Terracotta Warriors and horses, it also features gold and silver, bronze, pottery, and jade cultural relics.

At the opening ceremony on Tuesday, Carlos Mazon, president of Alicante provincial council, called the exhibition “a     8     (history) moment.” He said his province “will become a cultural center in Europe in the next ten months,     9     it is the first time that the Chinese Terracotta Warriors     10     (exhibit) abroad since the (COVID-19)pandemic.”