Learning Chinese calligraphy     1     (list) as one of the must-do things when I came to China. Now, I’m in the course of learning this unique art,     2     value is considered very high in China, even across East Asia today. It is not only     3     ancient artistic form of human language, but it also reflects Chinese traditions.

As someone who paints, draws, and loves all     4     (create) things, at first, I assumed I would be rather good at Chinese calligraphy. I was     5     (total ) wrong. Using thick brush tips to produce awkward brush strokes (笔画)     6     (be) very difficult for a beginner. I have no idea about the different types of calligraphy and the meanings     7     ( hide) behind each one. Also, I have to hold the paintbrush     8     a very specific way; unlike a pen or pencil, the paintbrush is held upright in the hand. I need to be extra careful when changing the angle or     9     (direct) of the brush, especially if I press too hard on the paper.

After taking the lesson, I now understand the difficulty of calligraphy and that it will take efforts and commitment     10     (master) this art form. Yet, I am grateful to learn such a special Chinese tradition.

Restoring the Old Book

Song Jing, who is a 34-year-old “book doctor”,     1     (make) her way to the ancient books division after graduating from Beijing University in 2015. She has been working in the restoration division for ancient books at the National Library of China in Beijing for eight years.

At the moment, Song and her colleagues are working on restoring a copy of Yongle Dadian, an encyclopedia     2     (create) in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). After receiving the challenge, it took Song and her colleagues six months to research and decide on     3     to restore the books. To restore them to their     4     (origin) form, they need to gather information from various sources, such as images and texts, before they can figure out their binding (装订) style and repair them accordingly.

In the past, restorers had to rely on their experience to determine the materials appropriate     5     (use). As technology develops, they are able to use a new method to finish the task through microscopes.     6    , ancient-book restoration still requires essential manual skills, including cutting and brushing paper and binding. Apart from this,     7     restoration process also requires strong control. Unless the pressure of touching books     8     (control) in a proper way during the brushing process, the paper will tear; if the touch is too light, the paper won’t stick.

“    9     (hopeful), I can be of some help in inspiring more young people to find their lifelong passion     10     cultural heritage preservation,” said Song.

Hainan, meaning “south of the sea”, is     1     southernmost province in China and contains a number of islands. The island is attractive throughout the year     2     a tourist destination and welcomes tourists with many flocking to the island’s sandy shores to enjoy its beaches, in particular those of Sanya. And though there is much to be said about a trip to Sanya,     3     (undeniable) the most popular destination on Hainan, there is a strong case to be made for another city on this picturesque tropical island.

Sitting on the northern coast of the island is the provincial capital of Haikou, also known as the “coconut city”, which offers a unique snapshot of Chinese culture and the history of its inhabitants, many of     4     are returnees from overseas. As is often the case, every element of a city — its architecture, cuisine, lifestyle and customs —     5     (reflect) its inhabitants. This can be seen across the whole of Haikou, but most prominently in the city’s old town, which was built by those who returned from overseas. Enjoying abundant Portuguese, French and Southeast Asian influences is also responsible for the style of the houses and shops in Haikou.

Many of the buildings have not been touched since their     6     (construct) in the early 20th century.     7     (explorer) the narrow streets with their mix of Western and Chinese stores and you will immerse yourself in the everyday lives of the local people, who are particularly welcome to inquisitive travelers. With its     8     (fascinate) history, cultures and customs     9     (bring) back to the island by overseas Chinese, the atmosphere of Haikou is more than worth     10     (experience).

Do you know Dunhuang? Dunhuang is home to the Mogao Grottoes,     1     UNESCO World Heritage Site, elements of which are     2     display in an ongoing exhibition at the National Base for International Cultural Trade in Beijing. Painted sculptures and other splendid items of cultural heritage have been reproduced, while the caves     3     are now closed have been reproduced in digital form.

The exhibition area,     4     (cover) some 1,600 square meters, features the results of research on nearly 50 sets of cultural relics from the Dunhuang Academy.     5     the real grotto in Dunhuang is no longer open to the public, the digitally     6     (restore) grotto can be preserved forever in the digital space.

Opening in July, the exhibition will last for three years. It is the first time that the Dunhuang Academy     7     (hold) such a long exhibition in Beijing. By the end of 2021, the “digital Dunhuang project” had completed the digital    8     (collect)of 268 grottoes. Such projects have provided a means of preserving China’s splendid cultural heritage for future generations, while making it more     9     (wide) available both at home and abroad. It is hoped that the “digital Dunhuang” will not only allow more audiences to experience the artistic charm of Dunhuang,     10     also promote exchanges between cultures along the Belt and Road under new historical conditions.

Hiking the Longii Rice Terraces(梯田)in southern China is something I would recommend for everyone to add to their bucket list. The name     1     (literal) means “Dragon’s Backbone” due to the fact that the rice terraces look just like a dragon’s scales, while the mountain’s summit resembles the backbone.

During my visit to Guilin, I decided     2     (set) out on a three-day hike through the famous Longji Rice Terraces. Known as the “Dragon’s Backbone”, the terraces were a spectacular sight as they stretched across the green hills in complicated patterns     3     (look) like ripples of water.

The hike took me through small villages set     4     the beautiful landscape. Local farmers were busy tending to the terraced rice fields that     5     (farm) for over 1, 000 years. Along the paths, I passed orange groves and met friendly locals     6     offered me fresh lychees.

At night, I stayed in simple home-stays run by farming families. Over multicourse meals- featuring local specialties like sticky rice, I learned     7     (much) about the terraces and village life. The feeling of community spirit and connection to the natural environment was unique.

Reaching the hike’s end after three full days, I felt a profound     8     (appreciate) for these ancient agricultural wonders carefully     9     (build) into the landscape by generations of families. The Dragon’s Backbone terraces provided me with unforgettable mountain views     10     cultural insights into rural China.

In the course of economic development, there comes a time     1     the old must give way to the new.     2     (keep) balance between progress and the protection of cultural sites can be a great challenge. In the 1950s, the Egyptian government wanted     3     (build) a dam. However, the project led     4     protests, because the water from the dam would likely damage a number of cultural relics. So the government turned to the UN for help. A committee     5     (establish) to deal with the challenge and the experts investigated the issue, conducted tests and made a     6     (propose) to save the cultural relics.

    7     (final), the work began in1960. The temples and other cultural sites were taken down piece by piece and then moved and put back together again in a new place. Over the next 20 years,     8     (thousand) of engineers and workers rescued countless cultural relics. In 1980, the project ended,     9     was considered a great success. It shows that if a problem seems too difficult for a single nation, the global community can sometimes provide a     10     (solve).