Like almost all types of art on the vast land of China, the style and texture (质地) of silk are also of great     1     (vary). Hangluo satin from Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, is well known for its airy and sheer texture. By comparison, Yunjin brocade from Nanjing, Jiangsu province, a luxurious fabric     2     is often used for royal garments,     3     (represent) China’s silk weaving technique at its prime (鼎盛时期).

Yunjin brocade is best made     4     hand on giant machines for weaving, in a complex procedure that includes more than a hundred steps. Even     5     most skilled artisans can only weave a few centimeters a day. Time, skill     6     patience all play significant roles on its heavenly beauty, or as its name suggests, its cloud-like splendor.

In the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC—AD 24), with the routes     7     (open) up by Zhang Qian to the western regions, silk reached countries in Central Asia, later     8     (extend) its reach to other parts of Eurasia and beyond. Fittingly, its name marked China’s major international trade routes, the ancient Silk Road and Maritime Silk Road.

In the hands of Chinese artists, the     9     (thin) threads can weave pictures of enormous possibilities, and the softest material can travel thousands of years. As one of the many marvels of ancient China, silk is not merely a type of textile.     10     is also a cultural icon, and an embodiment of elegance and grace.

China’s ancient civilisation has continued all the way through into modern times. It is     1     (wide) known that the reason for this bas been the Chinese writing system. At the beginning, written Chinese was a picture-based language,     2     dates back several thousand years to the use of longgu. Symbols     3     (carve) on animal bones and shells by ancient Chinese people. Over the years, there was     4     time when people were divided geographically, leading to many     5     (variety) of dialects and characters. Emperor Qinshihuang, who united the seven major states into one unified country made the Chinese writing system begin to develop in one direction. It was of great     6     (important) in uniting the Chinese people and culture. Even today, no matter where Chinese people live     7     what dialect they speak, they can all still communicate in writing. People in modern times can read the classic works     8     (write) by Chinese in ancient times. Nowadays, Chinese calligraphy has become an important part of Chinese culture. As China plays a greater role     9     global affairs, a large number of international students are beginning to appreciate China's culture and history through this     10     (amaze) language.

Counted among the “Ten Great Chinese Paintings”, the famous historical scroll painting “Emperor Taizong Receiving the Tibetan Envoy (使团)”, created by renowned painter Yan Liben (601—673),     1     (make) an appearance in an exhibition at the Palace Museum in Beijing on April 29, 2023. This painting     2     (faithful) displays a scene in the year 641 when Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty received the Tibetan team,     3     members came for Tang Princess Wencheng.

In the     4     (seven) century, Songtsen Gampo, the headman of the Tibetan Tubo Kingdom, sent an envoy to Chang’an to propose a marriage. Emperor Taizong agreed to give Princess Wencheng in marriage to him. In the spring of 641, the envoy sent by Songtsen Gampo arrived at the court     5     (guard) the princess back to Tubo.

Princess Wencheng brought not only Tang Dynasty customs and practices, but also a large group of     6     (craftsman), which had a stimulating effect     7     the Tubo tribal economy and culture. As a result, the Tang Empire and Tubo maintained a good relationship for a considerable period.

In addition to well-known artworks such as this painting, the exhibition also featured a large number of cultural relics     8     (display) to the public for the first time.

The exhibition showcased     9     total of 108 cultural relics, including 13 items from     10     (diversity) units of the Cultural Heritage Bureau of the Xizang Autonomous Region, as well as 95 items from the Palace Museum.

The famous historical scroll (卷轴) painting “Emperor Taizong Receiving the Tibetan Envoy,”     1     (creat) by famous painter Yan Liben (601—673), recently made an appearance in     2     exhibition at the Palace Museum in Beijing. This painting     3     (faithful) depicts (描绘) a scene in the year 641 when Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty (618—907) received the Tibetan envoy.

In the seventh century Songtsen Gampo, the chieftain of the Tibelan Tubo Kingdom (C. 618—842),     4     (send) an envoy to Chang’an (the capital of the Tang Dynasty, today known as Xian)     5     (propose) a marriage.

Emperor Taizong agreed with the proposal and agreed to give Princess Wencheng in marriage to him. In the spring of 641, the envoy sent by Songtsen Gampo arrived at the court to escort (护送) the princess back to Tubo,     6     she would become the queen.

Princess Wencheng brought not only Tang Dynasty customs and ritual practices,     7     a large of craftsmen, which had a stimulating effect     8     the Tubo tribal economy and culture. As a result, the Tang Empire and Tubo maintained a good relationship for a considerable period.

The exhibition showcases a total of 108 cultural relics,     9     (include)13 items from various units of the Cultural Heritage Bureau of the Xizang Autonomous Region and the management committee of the Sakya Monastery, as well as 95     10     (item)from the Palace Museum. It is on until July 30.

There is an instrument catching people’s heart with     1     (it) lasting sound, irregular rhythm and a carrier of gentle emotion. This is the musical language of guqin, a plucked(拨) seven string instrument     2     (create)in ancient China.

The earliest piece of guqin in China, unearthed in Hubei Province in 2016,     3     (date) back to the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC). The body of a guqin is made of lacquered wood and the strings of twisted silk. Unlike its seemingly simple appearance,     4     (make)a guqin is extremely challenging. An outstanding guqin,     5     can take two to several decades to craft, is a final product of art and time.

The guqin was favored by the literati (文人学士)in ancient China. Of all the guqin musicians, the     6     (famous)was Bo Ya in the Spring and Autumn(770-476 BC)and Warring States(475-221 BC) periods. As he played his guqin in the mountains, a woodcutter named Zhong Ziqi heard the music and understood     7    (exact) what Yu wanted to express. This deep understanding formed a strong relationship     8     them, and they became close friends. This is the famous tale behind the guqin masterpiece, Flowing Water, High Mountains.     9     piece has been passed down through generations and is considered one of the most famous and important     10     (composition)in Chinese guqin music. This graceful dialogue, flowing from brushed fingertips and travelling for thousands of years, is continuing to this day.