A newly released TV drama has won viewers’ hearts, with many saying it’s quite “soul-healing” in this time full of anxiety and competition. It has not only improved the local tourism, but also presented the charm of some intangible cultural heritage (非物质文化遗产) items in Dali. Let’s take a look at a few.

Jianchuan wood carving

Jianchuan wood carving has a history of more than 1,000 years. It was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2011. The carvings usually include pictures like flowers, plants and so on, which are widely used in their architecture as well as arts and crafts for decoration. The TV show also points that the traditional craft of wood carving faces challenges. The show discusses how machines are taking place of handwork, because they are more effective and less costly.

Tie-dyeing

Tie-dyeing is a traditional staining(着色)technique among the folks. The tie-dyeing technique of the Bai ethnic (民族的) group had grown in popularity as early as in the Tang dynasty, and it was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2006. Now the tie-dyeing has mixed modern artistic elements, producing more products such as clothing, bags and tissue boxes.

Three-course tea

Three-course tea is a tea serving tradition of the Bai ethnic group. It was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2014. It has been an important tradition during special events such as weddings and festivals. What’s more, people usually drink this kind of tea during special occasions.

The Mogao Grottoes were a center of Buddhist life and some of the world’s great cultures for hundreds of years. However, by the late Qing Dynasty they had been abandoned and nearly forgotten and many of the caves had become damaged by the elements. Around 1900, with the discovery of a library of thousands of ancient documents, the caves received new interest from Chinese and foreign researchers. Unfortunately, this resulted in tens of thousands of items from the caves being taken to foreign museums

In the 1940s, many researchers and artists visited the area to study traditional Chinese art. Copies of some of the artwork painted by respected artists such as Zhang Daqian and GuanShanyue helped people all over the country learn about Dunhuang. These artists were also inspired by the artwork they saw in the caves and it began to influence their painting styles. Others staved in the desert for much longer, Chang Shuhong stayed for the rest of his life — struggling to record the cultural treasures and protect them from the weather. As a result of their efforts the Dunhuang Academy was formed to protect and study the Mogao Grottoes.

In 1987, the Mogao Grottoes were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the caves are open to the public, access is now limited in order to protect the artwork. However, the caves can be seen online in digital form so that people around the world can study and enjoy them.

Despite its remoteness, the Mogao Grottoes continue to draw visitors. And just as the sand and desert have survived largely unchanged through the centuries, this small art gallery in the desert has also survived largely unchanged providing an amazing look at a world long ago past.

Valle Helps to Save the Colosseum

Diego Della Valle, best known as the CEO of Tod’s, has given $33 million toward restoring the Colosseum, one of the most famous attractions. In doing so, he has shifted responsibility for Italy’s cultural protection from the gridlocked government that lacks funds to a private philanthropist (慈善家).

For the past few years, water has flowed gently and steadily over the ancient gritty stones of the Colosseum in Rome. Handled by the brushstrokes of teams of restorers, the coagulated crud (凝结的脏东西) has come off. Beneath that is the crud from Mussolini’s day, Garibaldi’s, Michelangelo’s, the Dark Ages’, and finally back to the early Christian era. And what has emerged is something not only just lighter and brighter than before — the shade of the newly cleansed travertine (凝灰石) has been variously described as ivory or oatmeal — but also, if possible, even more spectacular and breathtaking. Suddenly the Colosseum has given a different atmosphere.

In its long life as a ruin — going on 1,500 years, or three times as long as it was actually used — the Colosseum has suffered through many “restorations”. It has been struck by earthquakes, fires, vegetation, and various actions in which popes and noblemen removed its innards (内部结构) for pet projects, including St. Peter’s Basilica. But the latest repair job, funded by 25 million euros (then roughly $33 million) from Della Valle, the chairman of the luxury-goods manufacturer Tod’s, is clearly the most respectful. Since 2013, restorers have been fixing, buffing, manicuring, and weeding the place.

On the day I visited in December, work on the facade (外立面) was nearly complete and the scaffolding that had gradually rotated around the circumference was all but gone with only a final chunk by the main entrance remaining to be cleaned. The water-powered cleaning process had stopped altogether in case visitors end up as wet as the marble.

Keeping the Colosseum open during restoration has not been easy. The first phase of the process was finished in July, 2014, when Della Valle and his team officially handed it back to the Italian people. However, at that point, the job was still only half finished — next came the restoration of the hypogeum (地下建筑) at its center where gladiators and wild animals awaited their turns on stage. After that, a new tourist center will be built next to the Arch (拱门) of Constantine, and the Colosseum’s inner galleries — even more blackened than the exterior — will be renovated.

According to current projections, getting the Colosseum into shape will take about as long as it took to build, and even that may be optimistic. Still, by taking up the mission, Della Valle, 62 now, may have made himself the most important man at the Colosseum since the emperors Vespasian who began erecting it around 72 AD, and his son Titus who finished it up eight years later.

During my trip to Europe, I had the opportunity to visit Stonehenge, which is considered one of the most famous prehistoric sites in the world. As I approached the area, it became clear to me that it was a circle of huge stones.

The stones were huge. Our tour guide said that the square stones weigh nearly five tons each, stand eighteen feet high, and are three feet thick. It was amazing to see them up close. Something that I really asked myself was how the ancient people could have been wise enough to arrange the stones as upright pillars(柱子), then connect the stones overhead, and place them altogether to form a circle. It was a great feeling to admire the magnificent stones up close.

I tried to imagine the figures of the ancient people moving the heavy stones, but it was hard to imagine how they could achieve such incredible work. As I admired the stones up close, I almost imagined myself back in time, standing there, watching the people move the stones.

It was really strange. As I walked around the stones, I noticed how segregated they were: there was nothing else standing around them, no community or anything. Were they also disconnected in ancient times? If so, why had the ancient people constructed them that way? And why did they place them far away from any community? If only I could really travel back in time and find out!

My thoughts were interrupted by our tour guide’s voice. He was explaining that nobody knew about the exact origin of the stones, but most scientists agreed that it dates from the time of the Druids, the first people in England. He said that there were many different theories about why Stonehenge was created. Some people believe that Stonehenge was an astronomical calendar because it was built in a circular design; they think it might represent the passing of time.

I left that awesome place with the feeling that many people had been here before me, each with a different understanding of the place, each wondering about something great and unknown that took place there a long time ago in the past. It was an unforgettable experience.

Culture shock is the experience that often accompanies moving to an unfamiliar place. It could be marked by feeling lost, anxious or hesitant.     1     You’ll become accustomed to the same things that initially “shocked” you! Read on for tips for overcoming culture shock in a short time.

When deciding to visit an entirely new place, don’t expect the traditions and cultures followed by your current home to be followed by the new land.     2     So keep your expectations low.

Even though it is an unfamiliar environment hosting different cultures and traditions from the one you’re used to, it’s vital to broaden your mind and be willing to try new things. Don’t be quick to form discriminatory judgments just because it is “odd”. Have a go at something different, like a food or clothing — different isn’t necessarily bad.     3    

Social psychologists claim that lack of information is the biggest contributor to prejudices. Talk to the local population and ask them about how their culture works instead of assuming the worst.     4     Plus, you’ll make some friends who can ease your transformation.

Keep yourself open-minded, await new experiences and familiarize yourself with the conduct of the people.     5     Go out there and have fun!

Straw Weaving (草编)

What’s the first thing that pops into your mind when you think of wheat straw?    1    , However, Wu Cui, an intangible cultural inheritor, can turn the straw left over from harvested wheat into beautiful and eye-catching functional artworks.

·The Origin of Straw Weaving

    2     The Book of Rites, one of the classical works of Confucianism, also records that there were already mats made of cattail grass and professional straw-weaving craftsmen during the Zhou Dynasty (c. 11th century—256 BC).

·The Process of Straw Weaving

Straw weaving is a method of manufacturing daily items or artworks. Wu explains the process of straw weaving: selection of materials is the first step of a complicated, time-consuming and labor-intensive process that can take weeks, or even months, to complete. You need to sketch (素描) the piece on paper, which requires drawing skills.     3    Even by finishing that process, it does not mean that you will always create a good piece of work, and the hardest part is to make it lifelike.

·The Current Situation of Straw Weaving

    4     But due to the impact of industrialization, manufactured goods have replaced such products, which yield low profits, and there are only about 100 individuals engaging in the work across the country. “The world has changed, and craftsmen need to transcend practicality and pursue the beauty and artistry of straw culture to help the craft survive and thrive,” Wu says.

·The Future of Straw Weaving

From her perspective, straw weaving should respond to people’s needs and preferences, while still drawing inspiration from traditional culture.     5    she says. When asked about her plans, Wu says she wants to dig deeper into local traditional culture and create cultural creative products by developing the straw-weaving technique.

In early February, an old stove with rich vivid images (zaotou painting) took center stage at a village Spring Festival gala in Haiyan county, Zhejiang province.     1     . They feature historical and legendary figures, animals and flowers, which are painted in bright colors and have a way of drawing attention from admiring viewers. Zaotou is a part of a kitchen stove in the shape of a square or rectangle, on which are some images showing the beauty of nature and humanity.

    2    . In ancient time, villagers would hire bricklayers (瓦工) to build a mud stove in their new home and then painted pictures on a day of good fortune.     3    . They whitewashed (粉刷) the mud-made stove with lime-water, sketched out the patterns based on the shape of the stove, applied the final coat of paint and even created a three-dimensional effect.

At first, simple tools had been used to produce such art, including a selection of brushes, rulers, and paint. With people’s aesthetic appreciation growing, watercolors were used, mostly red, yellow and blue, the three auspicious (吉祥的) ones to the Chinese people.     4    . No matter what material is available, the stove painting is always symbolic and harbors good wishes for the owners.

Now many people are devoted to the inheritance and popularization of zaotou painting and more and more support has been received from various sides including local authorities.     5     .

Cultural heritage is an essential part of our identity, history and traditions. It includes buildings, monuments, artworks, books, music and other artefacts.    1    . However, the preservation of cultural heritage is not always guaranteed, and many valuable pieces have been lost or destroyed over time.

So, what can we do to protect our cultural heritage? The first step is to raise awareness about its importance. People need to understand that cultural heritage is not just a collection of old things.     2    . We should appreciate and respect it, and encourage others to do so as well.

Another way to protect cultural heritage is through legislation.     3    . They can also provide funding for restoration and maintenance projects, and impose penalties on those who damage or destroy cultural heritage.

Education plays a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage. Schools and universities can teach students about the value of cultural heritage and how to care for it     4    .

Technology can be a useful tool in protecting cultural heritage. Digitization allows us to preserve and share cultural artefacts with a wider audience, while also reducing the risk of damage or loss. Virtual reality can also be used to recreate historical sites and buildings, allowing people to experience them in a new and immersive way.

    5    . By raising awareness, establishing laws, educating people and using technology, we can ensure that our cultural heritage is preserved for future generations to enjoy and appreciate.

The Mogao Caves form a system of 492 temples 25 km southeast of the center of Dunhuang, which is located at the religious and cultural crossroads on the Silk Road, in Gansu province. Known as Buddhist (佛教) caves, the caves contain some of the finest examples of Buddhist art, lasting a period of 1,000 years.     1    

The Mogao Caves are especially famous for the colored sculptures and murals (壁画), or wall paintings.     2     Rich and varied in forms, they typically have a healthy body, dignified appearance and simple style. The background color is dark red, plus other fresh colors. The color tone is strong and open, and the lines soft and comfortable, which shows the features of western Buddhism.     3    

The painted murals in the Mogao Caves tell stories about Buddhist scriptures (经文), scenery, open halls and scenes about production or flower patterns, reflecting society and civilization in ancient China.

    4     They are the goddesses serving Buddhas, flying in the universe. The artists used the special lines and harmonious interest and charm to show the graceful dream world. The gorgeous color, and lively lines reflect the artists’ passion for the dream world.

In lots of painted murals, the art features of other countries such as India, Iran and Greece can be easily seen.     5     The artistic charm of the painted murals contributes to glorious history of art in China.

Chen Lei is a professional in restoring ancient buildings. Years ago, he received a _______, requiring him to establish a committee and _______ the repair work of an ancient temple. After investigation, they found it _______ preserved, leading to its roof losing balance. The dragon carved on the wall nearly _______.

However, challenges were waiting for them. They _______ many ways to restore the dragon but failed. A(n) _______ arose whether they should continue. Chen refused to give up. He _______ professionals overseas for help. They made a(n) _______ that he download an application to analyze the high-quality digital images. With its help, they finally _______ the clue from a former photo. Completing half of the project, they were told about the ____________ shortage.

So they asked for contributions from government departments and overseas Chinese. Luckily, people all over the world actively ____________ nearly $ 80 million to the project. To prevent further ____________, they worked day and night to make sure the project could be finished within the ____________ time.

With their project completed, not only did many people rush to the old temple to appreciate it, but also thought it ____________ to restore it. Meanwhile, they agreed with Chen Lei’s quotation that protecting historic buildings helps ____________ people’s interest in Chinas ancient traditions and makes future generations appreciate traditional culture better.

Fan Jinshi, known as the “Daughter of Dunhuang”, has made protecting and researching Mogao Grottoes her lifelong passion.

In July 1963, shortly after graduating from Peking University, Fan made her way to Dunhuang without ______ to serve the nation. The living conditions there were extremely ______ with no fresh water or electricity, only oil lamps and earthen beds. Besides, she felt ______ as the newspapers were probably a month ago. The thought of leaving ______ through her mind, but seeing the ______ view in the caves, she took roots there.

To protect the treasure, Fan and her colleagues put doors on the caves, planted trees and started monitoring temperature in the caves. Mogao Grottoes took on a new look ______ their efforts.

In 1979, Mogao Grottoes were ______ opened to tourists. Since 2000, visits to Dunhuang have ______ for the extended holidays, causing some murals (壁画) to become seriously damaged or even disappear. Faced ______ this, Fan decided to take responsibility for the caves, striking a balance between heritage protection and ______ .She ______ the idea of digitizing Dunhuang to permanently preserve the murals, painted cultures and historical data. In 2016 Digital Dunhuang was ______ online, enabling people around the world to enjoy clear images of the caves. ______ , Fan actively promoted international exchanges and partnerships for the popularization of Mogao Grottoes.

In December 2018, Fan was awarded the ______ “Reform Pioneer” by the nation. This May, Fan donated 10 million yuan to Peking University to promote the study of Dunhuang. Now the 85-year-old Fan Jinshi is as busy as ______ , still toiling (辛苦) to conserve and manage the caves.

Looking for Crafts(《寻找手艺》 ) is a documentary about the story of 199 Chinese craftsmen (手艺人). _________it wasn’t broadcast on television, you can only watch it online. Although it doesn’t show beautiful pictures or exciting scenes, it _________tells the story of traditional Chinese craftsmanship and their techniques (技术). After watching the film, the warmth and faith of the _________ culture may deeply touch you.

Zhang Jin, the _________ of the documentary is from the countryside of Hunan. After living in a modern and busy _________ for many years, he became nostalgic ( 怀旧的) for the traditional crafts of his hometown, _________ he made up his mind to record them. He sold his flat and invited two friends to join him and travelled all over China. The film was made without professional filming equipment (装备) or a lot of_________ . However, its accented narration (带有口音的旁白) made people feel at home.

In the film you can see an 80-year-old man who makes paper _________ with bamboo for the Dai people. Making umbrellas is a(n) _________ process that includes six steps, but he has insisted on continuing with his hobby for more than 60 __________. After watching the film, many people wanted to buy such an umbrella, but the old man was dead.

It’s __________to notice that the hands of these craftsmen are full of wrinkles (皱纹)-these craftsmen are using their lives to __________ our cultural heritage (遗产). From making a piece of pottery (陶瓷) to creating a musical instrument, these crafts are __________work.

However, true artists give up their own comfort to __________what’s in their heart, which is believed to be the real meaning and purpose of making this documentary. The film __________people of the importance of craftsmanship and has attracted a lot of attention.

I hope these ancient and wonderful skills will still be alive forever.

The impressive collection of literature in the Library Cave at the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, Northwest China’s Gansu province, ______ one of the most inclusive, advanced and open _______ of the ancient Chinese, says Dunhuang specialist Zhao Xiaoxing.

______ in the Hexi Corridor, the main line of the ancient Silk Road, the caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, have been promoting goods and cultural ______between the East and the West for more than 1,600 years.

While the Dunhuang wall paintings have recorded the glories of the past ______ , the more than 60,000 items of literature______ in the Library Cave, or Cave 17, dating from the 4th to the 11th centuries, have kept the ______ original quality through the written word, according to Dunhuang Academy.

The value of the ______ was thoroughly demonstrated during the launch of the Digital Library Cave, a gamelike program ______ enables users to virtually witness, and participate in, the_________ and fall of the Library Cave on the website Digital Dunhuang or via the WeChat miniprogram, Cloud Museum of Dunhuang Caves.

The Library Cave ______ in the mid-9th century and later______ unopened for almost 1,000 years ____ being accidentally discovered by Taoist priest Wang Yuanlu in 1900.The majority of its cultural relics, consisting of Buddhist manuscripts, ______ and economic documents and other delicate and ______items, are now kept in foreign museums.

Escape from the British Museum

A video series named Escape from the British Museum     1    (release) on Wednesday with its trailer (预告片)     2    (spark) a lot of discussion in China’s social media.

    3    (direct) by two Chinese vloggers, the three episode series tells the story of     4     a Chinese cultural relic escapes from the British Museum and finds     5    (it) way back to China.

In the video series, a female vlogger plays the role of an ancient Chinese jade teapot     6     her male partner is a journalist who helps the artifact return to China. They went to the UK in June and spent three months     7    (shoot) the video. They said the story is based on historic facts and aims to draw attention to the Chinese cultural relics held abroad.

Currently, the museum has a total of 23,000 Chinese relics, while about 2,000 Chinese relics are     8     long-term display. The Chinese objects,     9    (stretch) from the Neolithic age to the present, include paintings, prints, jade and ceramics.

“Eventually, there will be a day     10     the items come home in a dignified way,” a user commented on Weibo. The series release has come as the British Museum faces intense pressure over the thefts.

The time-consuming process of carving a stone, while keeping its natural and unique beauty, can be compared     1     an education that helps each individual pupil achieve their full potential. As the place     2     the “four treasures of the study”, namely — the brush, ink stick, paper and ink stone — originated, Anhui has had a tradition of pushing education to the forefront since ancient times.

The ink stones     3    (produce) in Anhui’s Shexian county are well-known for their ability to keep the ink wet for a long time and their     4    (amazing) detailed patterns. Making a quality ink stone requires close attention to detail, great skill and passion for traditional culture. These are all characteristics that Hu Qiusheng,     5     ink stone carver and engraver (雕刻师) in Shexian,     6    (pursue) and passed down in his family all the time.

    7     four decades of handwork has deformed (变形) his fingers, Hu has won many awards in the field of crafts and fine arts. His own company, one of the country’s     8    (lead) ink stone producers, has also sponsored     9     (competition) that encourage younger generations of ink stone makers     10     (display) their skills and further develop the craft.