Cecily Huang
Catch A Tiger By The Tale
When it comes to New Year celebrations, China’s party is longer and more festive than the West’s one-day holiday. Rather than toasting at the stroke of midnight and then immediately embarking on a self-improvement regimen, you can embrace Spring Festival (春节 Chūnjié) by enjoying a seven-day marathon of fireworks, dumpling-eating and colorful traditions that have endured for millennia.
The Year of the Tiger
According to myth, the first emperor held a race for 12 animals, each symbolizing a birth year. The Ox was the fastest animal in the race, but the Rat jumped on the Ox’s back at the last moment and so won the race – relegating the Ox to the second spot in the zodiac lineup. The Tiger followed shortly after, exhausted from swimming across the river.
The Skiing Season
Rather than concede defeat to frigid temperatures and hide indoors, take advantage of the cold weather – hit the slopes for exercise, fresh air and a family getaway. Although Beijing sits on a plain, the city is surrounded by mountains and is located near the Xishan and Yanshan mountain ranges, providing several choices for skiing and snowboarding excursions. There’s a resort to satisfy every type of snow sport enthusiast – indoor slopes at Qiaobo Snow Dome, ideal snowboarding in Nanshan Ski Village, Shijinglong for beginners and Huaibei for beautiful mountaintop views.
Fruit, Rice and Everything Nice
In praise of porridge
It seems like almost every Chinese festival is related to food – dumplings for Spring Festival, moon cakes for the Mid-Autumn Festival and zongzi (sticky rice wrapped in leaves) for the Dragon Boat Festival. Taking place each December 8, Laba is a Han Chinese festival where tradition calls for rice porridge.
In ancient China, people celebrated the harvest and made sacrifices to the gods and their ancestors for good luck in the following year. Some parts of China regard Laba as the beginning of Spring Festival. The twelfth month in the lunar calendar is called “là” (腊), and eight is “Bā” (八) in Chinese, which is how the name Laba was derived.
To make Laba rice porridge, glutinous rice is boiled for hours with various beans, millet, Chinese sorghum, dates, peas, dried lotus seeds, walnuts and almonds. Adding meat yields a savory flavor, while sugar sweetens the porridge.
Nanluogu Xiang
No one knows who opened the first store on Nanluogu Xiang, but the area has a little-known history as the nabe of the rich, from princes and generals to the last empress, Wan Rong, and Chiang Kai-shek. Today, the mix of culture, business and art in the historic area has turned this long street into one of Beijing’s most popular neighborhoods. The xiang, or alley, stretches nearly a kilometer long. Sixteen hutongs branch off from the main street, which explains the area’s other name in Chinese, 蜈蚣街 (Wúgōng Jiē), or Centipede Street – the walkways resemble the insect when seen from above. Day or night, the street bustles with activity as both locals and tourists frequent the many toy stores, cozy cafes and funky boutiques along this street. When hunger strikes, take the kids for a snack of British chips or chow down on authentic Indian curry.
Local Lingo
自相矛盾
Zì Xiāng Máo Dùn
Meaning: To be a hypocrite
During the Warring States Period (453-221BC), there lived a man who sold spears and shields in the markets of Chu kingdom. To attract the attention of passersby, he would raise a shield and shout, “Attention, gentlemen! Behold the shield in my hand. It’s made of the best iron, and is extremely durable and solid. It can protect against any sharp spear.”
His shouting attracted the attention of several bystanders. He then grabbed a spear and bragged,“Look at this mighty spear! It is the most wonderful spear made with the latest technology. It is sharp enough to break any shield.”
A man stood up and shouted, “What will happen if I try to pierce your strongest shield with your sharpest spear?” The man could not answer this question. His face was flushed with embarrassment. He collected his things and disappeared into the crowd.
The Art of Mothering
Muralist Jiang Zhuqing on creating art and family
On a recent Tuesday, painter Jiang Zhuqing had yet to put the finishing touches on work that would soon be on public display. As part of Common Ground, a digital art festival that takes place at the Huan Tie Art Museum from November 9 to 19, Jiang plans to show an abstract creation that use cassette tape ribbon and black hair clips to embroider a human shape.
Titled Li Yue (礼 乐), or “Etiquette, Music,” these works are part of a series Jiang calls Tian Ren He Yi (天人合一), or “The Combining of Humans and Nature.” She says she hopes to make people think about the important relationship between human beings and the world.
In a few weeks time, more than 40 artists from around the world will present works on the theme of the environment. Jiang, an associate professor at Tsinghua University’s Academy of Art and Design, decided to take part in Common Ground after she saw how innovative the other artists’ works were.
Playin' Around
A guide to Chinese kids games
A long, long time ago, playing a game didn’t mean plugging in a PlayStation or turning on the computer. In fact, in Chinese society, traditional games were a great way to form intimate friendships, get some exercise and have a great time with your peers. Here’s an introduction to a few Chinese children’s games from the era before fancy video games and high-tech gadgets. If you want to play these old-school games, you’ll probably have to find a Chinese partner who was born no later than in the 1980s.
I Want to be a Fashion Designer
From kung fu to couture, Han Wenyan has designed for a roster of celebrities in her eight years in the fashion industry. Han, 30, recently spoke with students at the International Academy of Beijing about her current gig as a women’s couture fashion designer. Although the Shandong native studied at the Art Academy at Tsinghua University and in Milan for two years, this fashionista doesn’t wear her own creations exclusively; since she spends her time cutting cloth for others, she really enjoys shopping. Her style icons? Kate Moss and, believe it or not, Paris Hilton.
Gala Marin, 9, ChileanWhat kinds of clothes do you make?
Couture. I also design clothes for famous stars like the Hong Kong kung fu movie star Zhao Wenzhuo.
Tidbits
Chit Chat
After adventuring in London and Paris and city-hopping in Australia, expat mom Tania McCartney came to Beijing in 2004 and proceeded to find inspiration everywhere in the Chinese capital. When she isn’t busy chasing her children, Riley, 5, and Ella, 8, or contributing to beijingkids, the native Australian taps into her passion for writing. McCartney’s forthcoming book, Riley and the Sleeping Dragon, an illustrated story for kids up to 7 years old, grew from her observations about life in Beijing. The author sat down with us to discuss the release of her first book for children. Jessica Pan
Let's Get Cookin'
Young Cooks Fire Up the Woks
Want to whet your children’s appetite? Are your young ones budding chefs? Do you want to be off kitchen duty for good? Let young cooks touch, feel, smell and discover more about the food they’re eating at the kids’ cooking classes at The Hutong, located in Jiudaowan Zhongxiang hutong near Beixinqiao subway stop.
