Beijing is the capital of the people's Republic of China. The municipality is under direct administration of China's Central Government. The city is the center of politics, culture, and international exchanges, as well as one of the largest metropolises of industry, finance and trade. Beijing is a world-famous city for its long history and splendid culture. Other cities in China include Shanghai, Yancheng, Huzhou, Hangzhoo and Nanjng.
China's climate varies from bitter cold in winter to unbearable heat in summer.
Transportation:
Bicyicles are a way of life in China. Only a few families own cars, so most people travel by bike. There are over 200 million bikes in China.
Attractions:
Great wall of china, emperor shi huangdi began building the great wall of china in about 221 b.c. to protect his land form the Xiongnu people of the north. It is the largest structure ever made by humans. The Great wall was rebuilt in 15th and 16th centuries. It follows the mountains for 6,350 km. Watchtowers and gateways were used for defense. Great wall is so large that it can be seen in pictures taken by satellites in space.
For 500 years, the Forbidden City in Beijing was home to Chinese emperors. Servants and administrators had to find there way around the hundreds of buildings that made up the vast walled city. Ordinary people and foreigners were forbidden from entering without permission. Five bridges crossed the stream called the River of Gold. There were 9,000 rooms for the emperors family. It was built facing the south to stay away from the Siberian winds and the evil spirits thought to have come from the north.
Other famous sights are: The Bund, Terra Cotta Warriors, Yellow Mountain, Potala Palace and the West lake.
Language:
China has eight major dialect groups: Putonghua (Mandarin), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan and Hakka. The language spoken in Beijing is usually Mandarin (Putongua). This means the “common language” and more than 70% of the population use it. Recently, the tourism to China has increased, so now, many people speak English, especially staff in Hotels.
Religion:
There are mainly five religions: Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism and other Christian religions. Generally, Buddhism in China can be categorized into Han Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism and Southern Buddhism.
Cuisine and Food:
Foods are given particular meanings, so that in certain occasions a type of food, can only be eaten by some specific individuals, or must be eaten in specific occasion. Usually, an honored guest will be served a snapper's head or shell to hail him and show warmly welcome in some districts. Long noodle is the symbol of longevity in China, so that youngsters or seniors all will have a bowl of Long Life Noodle in the expectation of a healthy life. In Central China, if a baby is born, his father will send Red Boiled Eggs to announce the news. An even number, usually six or eight Red Boiled Eggs with a black point dotted on one end will be delivered for a boy and an odd number, usually five or seven without black point for a girl. Fish is always served to symbolize accumulations of prosperity and wealth with the New Year's Eve meals.
Interesting facts:
The government made a 1 child policy to attempt to slow population growth.
China has the world’s oldest calendar. This lunar calendar originated in 2600 B.C. and has 12 zodiac signs. It takes 60 years to complete.i
Ice cream was invented in China around 2000BC when the Chinese packed a soft milk and rice mixture in the snow.
When a Chinese child loses a baby tooth, it doesn't get tucked under the pillow for the tooth fairy. If the child loses an upper tooth, the child's parents plant the tooth in the ground, so the new tooth will grow in straight and healthy. Parents toss a lost bottom tooth up to the rooftops, so that the new tooth will grow upwards , too.
It is considered good luck for the gate to a house to face south.
Red is considered a lucky color in China. At one time wedding dresses were red. New Year's banners, clothing, and lucky money envelopes are still red.
Long ago, silk making was a closely guarded secret. Anyone who gave the secret away could be killed.
Fourth graders are expected to know 2,000 of the over 40,000 written Chinese characters. By the time they leave college, they will know 4,000 or 5,000 characters. Each character is learned by looking at it and memorizing it.
