From Apr 9 to 20, “A Kite That Follows Dreams: The Art and Culture Exhibition of Traditional Kites,” initiated and organized by Jiang Cheng Linkuan, was successfully held at the Art Gallery of the Canadian International School of Beijing (CISB). This student-led cultural event featuring independent curation, exhibition setup, and engaging presentations not only showcased the profound heritage of China’s millennia-old kite culture but also displayed large-scale kites from countries including Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the US, Switzerland, and Germany.

Festival-goers could purchase cultural merchandise, including traditional-style kites, fridge magnets, DIY kite-making kits, kite ornaments, souvenir gift boxes, and handcrafted gifts.

All proceeds from the event – totaling RMB 10,800 – were donated to the Beijing Tongxinyuan Charity Foundation’s “Zhi’ai” Special Fund to aid victims of the Myanmar earthquake. Through innovative approaches, the festival bridged cultural exchanges between China and the world, becoming a hot topic both on and off campus.

The event revolved around cultural exploration, blending knowledge with hands-on experience. Jiang Cheng Linkuan and his peers studied records of wooden kites in “Mozi·Lu Questions” and analyzed Cao Xueqin’s Feiyi Zhai Manuscripts and A Study of Southern Kites and Northern Kites, exploring kites’ evolution from folk art to military tools. CISB’s physics class was transformed into an aerodynamics lab, where students and teachers dissected the scientific principles behind kite flight. And in art class, Dunhuang flying apsaras patterns, traditional ink painting, and pop art styles merged in kite designs, showcasing a fusion of cross-cultural aesthetics.

At the opening ceremony, CISB headmaster James McCory delivered a keynote speech, praising the festival as an outstanding achievement. Secondary school principal David Bremner also emphasized the event’s significance and far-reaching impact. The festival allowed over 1,200 students and faculty from 50+ nationalities, as well as numerous parents, to experience China’s intangible cultural heritage and the global history of kites.

Jiang Cheng Linkuan, the festival’s organizer, shared his three-month journey of meticulous preparation, from researching historical texts on kite origins, styles, and applications in science, military, and the arts to three visits with Mr. Miao Bogang, the fourth-generation inheritor of Cao-style kites, to learn about Beijing’s “Swallow Kite” craftsmanship. He also traveled to Tianjin Yangliuqing Kite Co. to study soft-wing kite-making techniques and collaborated with Shandong Weifang Kite Co. to design kites representing participating nations.

Guo Hongli, a national intangible cultural heritage inheritor of Weifang kites, demonstrated traditional crafting techniques, emphasizing precision and unveiled a breathtaking 30-meter “Dragon Soaring” kite, the festival’s centerpiece.

On Apr 10, the students launched their DIY creations on the CISB lawn. As CISB teacher Charles Wu noted, “These kites carry Gen-Z’s reinterpretation of heritage.”

Aligned with the IB’s hands-on learning philosophy, the project integrated economics (charity sales), media (documentary filming), and literature (kite-themed poetry, e.g. “Reeling strings, we are all dream chasers”).

Mentor Liu Bing remarked, “Education transcends textbooks – this festival taught cultural stewardship and project leadership.” Plans are underway to adapt the event into a curriculum module, with future exhibitions at Beijing’s 798 Art Zone and CISB’s sister schools in Shenyang, Shenzhen, and Hefei.

As the sun began to set, the kites descended onto CISB’s lawn. Yet for these students, the journey of cultural innovation had just begun – their dreams, like the kites, now soaring to new heights.

Images: CISB Visual Arts Club

With the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival coming up, we’re happy to announce that lawyer-turned-author mom Eugenia Chu is back with a new book that will help introduce this unique Chinese holiday. “Celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival” is Chu’s latest release following her popular “Celebrating Chinese New Year” book. Jingkids chats with Chu to find out more about the book, and also what her family has been up to.

I’m Chinese, but it still never ceases to amaze me how varied the customs and traditions of Chinese people can be. I thought I knew what to expect when my husband’s employee invited our family to a provincial northern town to attend her wedding celebrations, but boy was I wrong!

Picking up the bride: We call this “gatecrashing” in Singapore, and the practice sees the groomsmen arriving at the home of the bride to fetch her to the wedding ceremony. However, the bridesmaids stand in the way and must be appeased before they allow the bride to leave. Although it’s usually just red packets filled with money that wins the bridesmaids over, I’ve seen some overzealous ones demand the groomsmen complete challenges like singing and dancing, or worse – eating entire chilies!

Timing: When I saw that the wedding ceremony was at 10.58am I was perplexed, until a local told me that it was customary for northeastern Chinese (Dongbei) weddings to be over before noon. Unless it was a second wedding, in which case they would take place in the afternoon. I guess that means the third and subsequent weddings take place later and later in the day…? Also, in full traditional sexist glory, if two wedding ceremonies are required, then the one for the groom’s side of the family takes precedence and happens before the one for the bride’s side of the family.

Attire: This was probably the most shocking observation for me. Most of the guests were dressed in jeans and T-shirts, and I don’t just mean men! Women in sweat pants and sneakers walked by our table the whole time! I swear that only the bride and I wore dresses, while only the bride’s father, my husband, and my son had formal jackets on. I guess being comfortable is the number one priority for Dongbei people?

Red packets: It’s all about the money, money, money … How much is considered the appropriate amount to give? And when? Apparently, amounts that end in even numbers are considered much more lucky than amounts that end in odd numbers, the only exception being “9” in the context of it sounding like “long” as in “live long and prosper.” The minimum red packet amount for a wedding is approximately RMB 500, and red packet amounts can go up to RMB 3,000 depending on your relationship with the bride or groom, location of the wedding, and other considerations. As for the “when,” there is usually a dedicated red packet collection table right at the entrance, guarded by a bored second cousin or aunt, where you can drop off the red packet anonymously. But for a more personal touch, you can wait until the bride and groom go around the tables to greet the guests to personally hand the red packet to them.

Have you ever attended a Chinese wedding? Share your experience with us in the comments below!

Images: Unsplash

KEEP READING: What Can You Expect at a Chinese Wedding?

If you’ve experienced anything remotely close to a Chinese New Year celebration, chances are you’ve seen some form of lion dancing. Traditionally, lion dancing is done on the first day of the lunar new year and it’s meant to bring good luck and fortune. On other special occasions, it’s used to show respect and well wishes for the guests of honor.

These dances begin with the guest of honor painting the eyes of the lions to bring them to life. Then the performers do an impressive routine that usually involves feeding the lion lettuce, who promptly spits it back out. Why lettuce and why the spitting? Well, the Chinese word for lettuce sounds similar to the word for “wealth,” so when the lion eats the wealth and spits it at the audience, it’s effectively an offering of prosperity.

With all these lion dances, the performers will move around the establishment so it’s best to show up a bit earlier. The lions wait for no one!

So, where can you see some lion dancing this year and maybe get a bit of good luck from them for the coming year?

Feb 1

Hotel Jen Beijing

Hotel Jen’s lion dance will take place in their lobby starting at 8.18am. Be sure to get there earlier to snag a good spot.

Address:
1 Jianguomenwai Dajie
建国门外大街1号
Tel: 6505 2277

Fairmont Beijing Hotel

Gather in the lobby of the Fairmont hotel before 9.58 am and get yourself a good spot to see the lion dances.

Address:
8 Yong’an Dongli, Jianguomenwai Dajie
建国门外大街永安东里8号
Tel: 8511 7777

China World Summit Wing Hotel

This one gives you a few more hours to sleep in on Feb 1. Their lion dancing starts at 8.38am but they recommend that you get to the lobby by 8.10am if you’d like to watch the performance

Address:
1 Jianguomenwai Dajie
建国门外大街1号
Tel: 6505 2299

Universal Studios Beijing

Inside the park, they’ll be doing multiple dances throughout the day on Hollywood Blvd. Much like the parades, you’ll wanna post up along the boulevard to watch the performances at 11am, 3.30pm, and 4.45pm.

Address:
Li Yuan Zhen, Tongzhou District
梨园镇北京环球度假区

Feb 4

Peninsula Hotel Beijing

I love how festive the Peninsula gets for every holiday. Their lion dancing is a few days later than everyone else’s and it lets you sleep in a few extra hours to boot. On Feb 4, the lions start their show in the lobby at 11am. Be sure to arrive early to get a good spot!

Address:
8 Jinyu Hutong
金鱼胡同8号王府半岛酒店
Tel: 8516 2888

KEEP READING: Where to Celebrate CNY With the Family

Images: Pexels, giphy, Fairmont Beijing, Mina Yan

As we head into the new year I used my totally made-up powers of clairvoyance to take a look at your completely accurate but fully fabricated Chinese zodiac forecast for the Year of the Tiger in Beijing… you’re welcome! Check these out just for a good laugh.

Rats in the Year of the Tiger

Birth years: 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020

You trickster you…we know you love a good prank but the aggressive and in-your-face Year of the Tiger might leave you asking “Who Moved My Cheese?” Be on your best behavior and when the urge to outwit the world strikes, remember the words of Sandra Bullock: “I am in a dress, I have gel in my hair, I haven’t slept all night, I’m starved, and I’m armed! Don’t mess with me!”…Also, avoid the Forbidden City in August…don’t ask.

Ox in the Year of the Tiger

Birth years: 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021

Recharge your Starbucks card cause your slow and steady m.o. is not going to work for the fast-paced tiger. If you can keep up however, you, much like Cardi B, might have “Bruno singin’ to ya while you do your money dance!” Invest in a vegan 餃子 jiǎozi dumpling stand outside the Forbidden City. Just trust me, I know things.

Tiger in the Year of the Tiger

Birth years: 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022

Ok, I think your year should be lucky but I have it on good authority from my Chinese friends and spirit guides that your own year requires special precautions, lest you attract evil spirits. These include wearing red underwear and avoiding interactions with any noncompatible signs – basically all of them except pigs. I don’t know about you but there have been enough evil spirits over the past two years in the form of a global pandemic, closed borders, and a slowly warming planet. Take no chances, tattoo red undies on your body, and hide under the bed for the next 12 months!

Rabbits in the Year of the Tiger

Birth years: 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023

Y’all supposedly have a high level of sophistication, as well as expensive taste and the cash to afford it! This year you will feel guilty about it but that won’t stop you from rolling around in your money like Scrooge McDuck. Good for you! Hang out at Top Tapas where you will meet an alluring snake…marry them immediately because this is the one.

Dragons in the Year of the Tiger

Birth years: 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024

Your famously short tempers are going to be on full display this year because your kids are once again doing online learning. There is hope in the form of an entrepreneurial dog however. In the meantime leave the poor tigers alone. Instead, go yell at the rabbits, they are too busy swan diving into their mountains of money to care!

Snakes in the Year of the Tiger

Birth years: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025

You will be at your peek of charm and beauty! Seriously, enjoy it cause it’s all down hill from here so use the time wisely to snag a rich rabbit (they are at Top Tapas) or entrepreneurial ox (pretend to be vegan), and don’t sign a prenup!

Horses in the Year of the Tiger

Birth years: 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026

“You want to break free…” and party. Your playlists this year will be epic. In fact, songwriters will pen tunes about your ability to balance the classic stylings of Queen with the cool indie band you discovered at an underground Beijing bar called Blue Note. Do yourself a favor and force them to sign you on as their manager. You don’t actually need to do anything but you’ll get paid when they become famous.

Goats in the Year of the Tiger

Birth years: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027

This is it! The year you meet the love of your life. But they are a snake and are busy trapping a wealthy rabbit in a loveless marriage with no prenup. So be patient until the divorce goes through and you two can shack up using the settlement. In the meantime make money helping the tigers distract their kids.

Monkeys in the Year of the Tiger

Birth years: 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028

Find a horse native and a camera cause the next 10 years are gonna be rough if you don’t make money blackmailing a bunch of people who partied too hard at Blue Note. Also, hang out with your camera near the Forbidden City in August because the rats are not going to listen to me and those pictures will be priceless! If you play your cards right this year could make you the Perez Hilton of Beijing!

Roosters in the Year of the Tiger

Birth years: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029

This is the year to do something truly noble. Your destiny is to find homes for all the lost puppies of Beijing. You will go bankrupt in the process, receive no credit for your work, and probably lose the love of your life to a snake but hey, we all make sacrifices.

Dogs in the Year of the Tiger

Birth years: 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030

You will have the most amazing year ever! And not just because the writer of this article is a dog. You will single-handedly not develop the solution to making online learning effective. Instead, you will create a tasty herbal gummy chew that ensures both teachers and parents don’t care! You will be introduced to a charming and attractive single-parent dragon, who is so grateful for your soothing invention that they will help you take it global. You will become a jet-setting, financial power couple.

Pigs in the Year of the Tiger

Birth years: 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031

Any year is a good year for you in Beijing because you love luxury and entertainment, but this year try and be a fly on the wall and don’t get caught up in the drama unfolding at Blue Note or Top Tapas. Instead, try and find a lonely tiger who has been avoiding everyone else. They won’t leave their house but you might be able to coax them out from under the bed with some aloe gel to sooth their tattoo. Order from Meituan and watch the second season of Squid Game. Love will bloom. ‘Cause nothing says romance like Larry The Bird Mac and Cheese and watching people get shot in the head for failing to play children’s games correctly.

That’s it, don’t say I didn’t warn you!

KEEP READING:  Helping Your Tiger Baby Roar!

Images: Canva

It’s no secret that Beijing is the historical and cultural heart of the vast nation of China, so it’s little wonder that there are so many live performances and shows happening all the time! Of course, unless you’re fluent in the native tongue, many of those performances may be rather confusing. Luckily, there are a number of worthwhile shows that are subtitled, or simply need little translation to be thoroughly enjoyed by the whole family.

1. Golden Mask Dynasty Show 金面王朝

Sporting a large ensemble of dancing and stunt-performing cast members, birds of paradise, real aquatic special effects, and costumes up the wazoo, the Golden Mask Dynasty show was a spectacular extravaganza. With subtitles displayed on the screens next to the stage, you’ll be able to get more than a rough understanding of the legendary tale. Truth be told, I hardly remember the story, but I remember my son and me being on the edge of our seats the whole time. One show reviewer wrote, “If I could give this show more than 5 stars I would, it is definitely a once-in-lifetime-must-watch-show, very captivating, once it starts, it just gets better and better till the end, you would not want to miss any minute of it!” 

One show is available daily from 4-5pm at the OCT Theatre outside Happy Valley, Chaoyang District

2. Flying Acrobat Show at Chaoyang Theatre 杂技飞翔

You can’t possibly leave China without having watched a live acrobatic performance, so why not watch one of the best acrobatic shows in town? The Chaoyang Theatre Acrobatic Show features tumblers, gymnasts, contortionists, and acrobats performing jaw-dropping feats of skill and finesse. Aside from stunts such as the Flying Trident, Giant Wheel of Death, and Human Pyramid on a bicycle, there’s even the Motorbike Globe featuring a – wait for it – motorcycle in a globe! This is a thrill ride for the whole family you don’t want to miss.

One show is available daily from 4-5pm at the Chaoyang Theatre

3. Flyover Experience 飞越中国

Tired of the travel restrictions and afraid you won’t see the rest of China while you’re here? Then Flyover China is the ride for you. The ride utilizes state-of-the-art technology to give you the ultimate feeling of flight. You’ll be whisked away on an exhilarating journey across China as you hang suspended, feet dangling, before a 25-meter spherical screen. Special effects recreate the wind-in-your-hair sensation and even your olfactory senses will be tickled! The ride may only be 11 minutes long, but you’ll feel like you just went around the whole of China in that time. As a bonus, the theatre is right next to the Shijingshan Amusement Park, which is one of Beijing’s larger theme parks (before Universal Studios opened) that’s worth a day trip while you’re there!

Shows available from Tuesday to Sunday, 9am-4.30pm at Flyover the World Theatre, Shijingshan Amusement Park, Shijingshan District

4. Laoshe Tea House 老舍茶馆京味综艺演出

Looking for some authentic Chinese flavor? The Laoshe Tea House itself is a beautiful piece of living history and a testament to 1930s Chinese architecture and style. But there’s more – within these walls awaits a variety of traditional folk performances including Peking opera, hand shadow play, face changing, acrobatics, magic tricks, and even Chinese martial arts. Due to covid restrictions, the tea and pastries that are included in your ticket price cannot be consumed on the premises but can be brought home to enjoy after the show.

One show is available daily from 7.30-8.40pm during winter at Laoshe Teahouse, No.3, Qianmen West Street, Xicheng District.

To purchase tickets to these shows at a discount even compared to Dianping, contact May Zhang from Show Beijing.

Jingkids is happy to announce that we struck a deal with May to give away a pair of tickets to one of these four fantastic shows of your choice*! All you have to do is share this article on your moments with a comment about which show you want to watch and we’ll pick a lucky winner by Friday, Jan 28.

*subject to availability

KEEP READING: Your Beijing Guide to Indoor Skiing

Images: Show Beijing

A friend of mine recently had a baby shower and because her due date is actually on Chinese New Year, she received a lot of tiger-themed baby clothes. The cute little ears and whiskers stitched onto swaddling blankets and baby shoes got me thinking though: What characteristics are attributed to children born during this lunar year by traditional Chinese astrology? And what can we expect from all these little tiger babies?

A quick internet search revealed that those born in the year of the tiger are thought to have qualities such as strength and leadership. What’s more, they are viewed as intelligent, talkative, and playful but are also known for quick and aggressive tempers. They are considered honest, to a fault, and are often accused of being a little too frank with their opinions. Nevertheless, their strong sense of justice combined with confidence, generosity, and a big personality win them lots of friends and admirers.

Tigers are also seen as one of the most ambitious and hardworking of the Eastern signs, and one of the supposed dangers for this zodiac inhabitant is stress and self-imposed perfectionism. The upside to these traits? Tigers tend to make a good living. Especially in legal, leadership, and economic fields as they are big on fairness and good with their coin.

It turns out being a tiger is only half the story, the other half being their element. Wood, fire, earth, gold (metal), and water are the five elements that complement the zodiac signs. Each of the 12 signs has a fixed element, the tiger’s being wood, which is associated with creativity and playfulness. But, to further complicate matters, 2022 itself is marked by the water element which rules responsiveness, persuasion, and flexibility. This means that children born in February of this year will be known as Water Tigers – the last water tiger year was 1962! – and the flexibility of the water element may help curb their perfectionist tendencies while persuading others to see their creative vision. Not a terrible combination. In fact, Kate Spade, Tom Cruise, and Jon Stewart are all water tigers and all three are known for being detail-oriented, globally-minded, interested in social justice, and passionate, inspiring people.

But wait, there’s more! Traditional Chinese medicine has rules for each person’s sign and element as well. Because tigers are so active and strong, they are seen as having few medical issues. And yet, their high-stress levels can result in liver problems that are traditionally said to be linked with this sign, as well as injuries from participation in sporting events which are believed to be more common because of how competitive tigers can be and how hard they push themselves.

As with Western astrology, this is meant to be interesting and fun. You should take all of it with a heavy dose of salt as it is rooted in tradition, not science. Every little one is a unique individual with their own gifts and challenges. Enjoy your little tiger baby for the perfectly imperfect human they are!

KEEP READING: CNY Gift Sets and Toys for the Family To Learn and Play Together

Images: Canva

This year’s Chinese New Year doesn’t have to be just another school holiday where you’re busting your brain trying to keep the kids occupied within Beijing’s city limits. It could be a great opportunity for some family fun and learning as you put together a cool CNY-themed building set, play Chinese board games, or make your own lion dance costume for a little performance at home! 

LOZ Spring Festival building blocks

Don’t mistake these for LEGO! LOZ is a German company with a factory in Guangdong, the toy-production capital of the world. They are responsible for the Brickheadz Marvel Avengers collection as well as your favorite Disney and anime characters.

This CNY, they have several ancient Chinese-style building sets that depict CNY celebrations in traditional homes! There are three sets in total that come together to form a CNY festival scene complete with fireworks and spring blossom trees. Suitable for ages 8 and up, but younger kids should be fine handling the blocks under adult supervision. Prices start from RMB 49 to RMB 269 in the Mini-Program below.

Spring Festival gift boxes

A comprehensive way to introduce and celebrate CNY, these gift boxes typically contain puzzles, games, red envelopes, stickers, and some crafts like paper lanterns.

In this RMB 149 gift box developed by the Dunhuang Research Institute and Shanghai Art & Film Company, there are three boxes of puzzles, each suited to a different difficulty level so kids of all ages can get involved.

Much like the LOZ sets, all three come together to form one long Chinese scroll depicting a traditional story about the Lunar New Year. The paper lantern in this set is also another pretty piece, showing the sacred deer on one side and the Monkey King on the other as several layers are assembled together.

The gift box itself is cleverly designed to function as the board for the board games included in the set. There are rules and instructions but the games look relatively straightforward. Otherwise, get creative and come up with your own gameplay!

Scan the QR code below to purchase!

DIY Lion Dancing kit

Love it or hate it, lion dance is an inescapable part of CNY celebrations. But you don’t have to sit by as a mere spectator this year, you can actively take part by making your very own lion dance prop!

This kit from Taobao will let you create your own environmentally-friendly cardboard lion dance head with a few folds here, plus a nip and a tuck there… Then the kids can put on a lion dance show for the family in the living room – heck, fire up that FaceTime and get your friends and family from abroad involved – sans the ear-bursting drums which were always my least favorite part of the performance.

They also make super cute wall or ceiling decorations for this festive Chinese New Year season!

KEEP READING: Kids Camps for CNY Holiday Fun!

Images: Pexels, Courtesy of the vendors

For those of us who grew up in the West, vampires, witches, and zombies are all a part of the Halloween fun. But China has its own unique scary tales. Here are a few Chinese twists on Western mythology.

You say zombie I say 僵尸 (jiangshi): Also known as a Chinese Hopping Vampire, these reanimated corpses don’t want to eat your brains, they want to absorb your 其 (qi). You will know them as soon as you see them because they have a real sense of retro style and generally wear official government robes from the Qing Dynasty.

You say witch I say 巫 (wu): No pointy hats or evil spells to beguile naive princesses. The Chinese wu were an important part of history and practiced Wuism, dating back to the Shang Dynasty. These early shamans were both men and women who served their communities as an intermediary between the spirit and the physical world. They were the earliest practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, as it was believed that evil spirits caused disease. Because of this, they are sometimes referred to as 巫婆 (wuyi) or shaman physicians.

You say ghost I say 地缚灵 (di fu ling), or 哦跪 (e gui), or 怒跪 (nu gui)… you’re going to need to be more specific: That’s because I found no fewer than 20 different categories of ghost. Some specific to the way they died like the 水鬼 (shui gui), the spirits of those who drowned. However, the most famous is the 游魂野鬼 (you hun ye gui), who roam the earth during China’s Ghost festival during the 7^th lunar month.

You say jack-o-lantern I say 八卦 (bagua) mirror: Jack-o-lanterns are a fun craft but were originally used to ward off evil, and actually used to be carved from turnips (Western mythology is strange!). But in the Chinese feng shui 风水tradition, you use a 八卦 (bagua) mirror to reflect bad energy away from you. It’s even suggested that these octagonal mirrors will ward off the aforementioned 僵尸 ( jiangshi) as they cannot stand to see their own negative 其 (qi ) reflected back at them.

Bats, harbinger of evil or good luck? It depends on which half of the globe you were born on. The West views these flying rodents as a dark and mysterious force but in the East, bats are believed to bring blessings. In fact, bat in Chinese is 蝠 (fu) , which literally means good luck. Bats are often featured in Chinese art, pottery, and even on some ancient royal brocade.

KEEP READING: Beijing’s Haunted History: A Not So Spooky Subway Ride

Images: Unsplash, jingkids International