1、1 红包红包，又叫“压岁钱”，是用红色信封或纸包着钱的红纸包儿。红包， 通常是用于中国农历新年或喜庆时馈赠的礼金。派:“红包”,是中国人过年的一种重要习俗。中国人喜爱红色，因为红色象征吉祥与好运，所以, 红包总是用红色的信封或纸来包。派红包或给压岁钱，是长辈们给未成年的晚辈。据说，压岁钱可以袪邪压祟，因为“岁”与“祟”谐音， 晚辈得到压岁钱，就可以平平安安地度过一生。Hong-Bao or Red Packet is also known as “a packet of lucky money“, or simply “lucky money“. Hong-Bao usually refers
2、 to a gift of money offered during the Chinese Lunar New Year and other celebrations/Giving or offering a Hong-Bao has been a traditional custom during the Chinese lunar New Year. Chinese people love the colour red as it is seen to represent good luck. A Hong-Bao is therefore usually made of red pap
3、er. Hong-Baos are normally given by seniors to the younger generation. It is said that lucky money helps drive away evil, because year and evil spirit sound alike. This means youngsters can protect themselves through the year.2 北京北京是有着三千多年建城史和八百五十多年建都史的历史文化名城。 它荟萃伪(blend)由了元、明、清以来的中华文化，拥有众多名胜古迹和人文景观
4、， 是世界上拥有世界文化遗产(heritage sites)最多的城市。北京每年有超过一亿四千万的国内和国外旅客。北京城市面积为 1.64 万平方公里，常住人口 约2000 万。Beijing has a history of over three thousand years as a city, and over eight hundred and fifty years as a capital. It is a famous place that not only blends cultures of the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, but als
5、o boasts many historical, cultural and beautiful scenic places. In fact, Beijing now has more cultural heritage sites than any other city in the world. Each year, Beijing receives over 140 million visitors from China and abroad. Beijing covers some 16.4 thousand square kilometers and has a populatio
6、n of about 20 million.3 中国农历相传在 4000 多年俞的夏朝，即中国历史上第一个奴隶制王朝就幵始有了历法(calendar)，后人把当时中国古老的传统历法叫“夏历”。夏历是按月亮的运赶周期(rotating cycle)制定的，故又称作“阴历”。由于夏历中有一 年四季节气的变化和农事安排，所以后世又习惯称之为“农历”，字面上的意思是农事月相日历(moon calendar),也就是今天所说的“中国阴历”。According to legend, Chinas first slave dynasty in history the Xia Dynasty dating b
7、ack over 4000 years ago developed the first calendar. The ancient traditional Chinese calendar was later known as the “Xia Calendar“. Since it was based on the rotating cycle of the moon, it is also known as the “Lunar Calendar“. As the Xia revolves around farming arrangements based on the seasons,
8、it is commonly called “Nong Li“, literally the farming moon calendar, also known as the China Lunar Calendar.4 中国传统婚俗中国传统婚俗源于中国几千年的文化积淀。古时候结婚时，新郎先要把新娘接回家，然后举行结婚仪式，俗称“拜天地”。“拜天地”时，一要先拜天地，二拜高堂，然后夫妻对拜，最后喝交杯酒。中国传统婚礼总爱以明亮的大红色来烘托喜庆、吉祥、热烈的气氛。吉祥、祝福、孝敬因此成为婚礼的主旨。婚礼中的每一项礼仪都渗透着中国人浓浓的传统哲学思想.Traditional wedding cu
9、stoms originated from the Chinese traditions that go back thousands of years. In ancient times when a wedding ceremony was to be held, the groom would first go and bring the bride to his home before the marriage ceremony, colloquially known as “bowing to heaven and earth“. When the ceremony begins,
10、the couple is first supposed to bow to the heaven and earth, and then bow to their parents, and thirdly, they will bow to each other before they are supposed to drink the nuptial cup toast. The Chinese traditional weddings love to use bright red color to match the auspicious, warm and festive occasi
11、on. Blessing of good luck, happiness and filial piety have become the main theme of weddings. Every wedding tradition helps demonstrate the strong Chinese traditional philosophy.5 故宫故宫，也就是今天的中国故宫博物院(the National Palace Museum of China), 位于北京市中心，天安门以北,又称紫禁城，曾是明清两代皇宫。 故宫始建于明永乐四年，历经十八年建成。紫禁城曾是中国五个多世纪以来
12、的最高权力中心，它以园林景观（landscape)和容纳了家具及工艺品的 9000 个房间的庞大建筑群，成为明清时代中国文明无价的历史见证。紫禁城宫城周围环绕着高 10 米、长 3400 米的宫墙，南、东、西、北有四个宫门，宫墙外有 52 米宽的护城河(moat)，独成体系。Gu Gong, also the National Palace Museum of China today, is located in central Beijing. It is to the north of Tiananmen and also known as the Forbidden City. It w
13、as the imperial palace for both the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The palace began to be built in the 4th year of Yongle period of Ming Dynasty and was completed after 18 years. The Forbidden City has been Chinas center of power for more than five centuries. With its landscape and massive architecture th
14、at includes its furniture and crafts and over 9,000 rooms, it is historical evidence of the priceless civilization of Ming and Qing Dynasties of China. Around the Forbidden City, there is a 10 meters tall and 3400 meters long palace wall, which opens on its south, east, west and north sides with fou
15、r gates. Also surrounding the wall is a 52 meters wide moat that is an independent water system.6 文房四宝文房四宝，是中国书画的主要工具和材料，它们是笔、墨、纸、砚， 人们通常称它们为“文房四宝”，是说它们是文人书房中必备的四件宝贝。 中国古代文人基本上都能书善画，是离不开笔墨纸砚这四件宝贝的。“文房” 之名，起于我国历史上的南北朝时期，专指文人书房而言，以笔、墨、纸、 砚为文房最常用。文房用具除四宝以外，还有笔筒、笔架、墨盒、笔洗、印泥、 印章、印盒等等，也都是书房中的必备之品。The Four
16、 Treasures of Chinese Study, i.e. brush, ink, rice paper and ink stone, are unique tools of Chinese painting and calligraphy. People refer them as “four treasures“ because they are the four most cherished and very often used items in the study of Chinese scholars. Ancient Chinese scholars were basic
17、ally all good at calligraphy and painting and that is why the tools were inseparable to them. The word “Chinese Study“ first originated from the Northern and Southern Dynasties, which specifically meant to refer to a scholar study where the four tools were the most often used items. In addition to t
18、hese four major items, other necessary tools for the Chinese study also include the brush barrel, brush holder, ink case, brush wash, inkpad, stamps, seal boxes and so on.8 中国四大名园“北京的颐和园、河北省承德的避暑山庄、江苏省苏州市的拙政园(the Humble Adiministrators Garden)和留园（the Garden to Linger In)”并称“中 国四大名园”。前两座是北方皇家园林的代表，后两
19、座是中国南方水乡私宅园林的典型代表。中国园林独特的艺术风格表现主要有三：一是追求艺术性地体现大自然，即“虽由人作，宛自天开”；二是注重体现人的意趣和精神追求;三是造园手法富于艺术美。Chinas four famous gardens refer to the Beijing Summer Palace, the Mountain Resort of Chengde in Hebei province, the Humble Administrators Garden and the Garden to Linger In, in Suzhou of Jiangsu province. The
20、former two are representative of the imperial gardens in north China, while the latter two are typical private landscape residences in water towns of southern China. The unique artistic styles of Chinese gardens lies in three aspects: First, a pursuit for an artistic reproduction of great nature, th
21、at is, “Gardens should look natural although made by man“. Second, focus on a pursuit of human flavors and spiritual tastes. Third, the importance of a beautiful work of art should be attached to the way of building gardens.9. 京剧京剧(Beijing Opera)是中国的国粹。作为一门古老的艺术，京剧的服装(costume) 脸谱(facial mask)更易被人喜爱。
22、不同的服装类型反映不同的人物身份特征。富贵者的服装缀满精美的刺绣；穷困者的服装则简单朴素，少有装饰(elemental)。脸谱是京剧中塑造人物形象的重要手段，它是用不同的颜色在脸上勾画出来的。脸谱的颜色让人一看便知角色的善恶。比如白色代表奸诈(treachery)，黑色代表正直不阿，黄色是骁勇，蓝、 绿色多用于绿林好汉(rebellious fighters)，金、银色多用于神佛(divinity and Buddhism)等. Beijing Opera is the cream of the Chinese culture. As a traditional art form, its c
23、ostumes and facial mask are more popular with people. Different styles of costumes are used to reflect the status of different characters. There are more embroideries in the costumes of nobles, while those of the poor tend to be simple and less elemental. Facial masks using different colors are impo
24、rtant ways to portray a character. People can tell a hero from a villain by the colors of the masks. In general, white usually represents treachery, black represents righteousness, yellow represents bravery, blue and green represent rebellious fighters, while gold and silver represent divinity and B
25、uddhism.9.茶马古道茶马古道(Tea-horse Ancient Road)两边，生活着 20 多个少数民族。不同的地方有着各自美丽而神奇的自然风景和传统文化，比如：大理古城、丽江古城、香格里拉(Shangrila)、雅鲁藏布大峡谷和布达拉宫(Potala Palace)。 古道的两旁有庙宇、岩石壁画、驿站(post house)、古桥和木板路。这里是很多少数民族的家园，也是他们的民族舞蹈和民族服装(folk costume)的发源地。时至今天，虽然这条古道的踪迹都消失了，但它的文化和历史价值仍然存在。Along the Tea-horse Ancient Road lived mor
26、e than 20 minorities. Concentrations of beautiful and mysterious natural landscapes and traditional cultures developed in various sites, including Dali old city, Lijiang old city, Shangrila, Yarlung Zangbo River Grand Canyon and Potala Palace. The road features temples, rock paintings, post houses,
27、ancient bridges and plank roads. It is also home to many national minorities and their dances and folk costumes. Today, although the traces of the ancient road are fading away, its cultural and historic values remain.10. 四合院四合院(Siheyuan)的是从明代的北京延续下来的古典建筑风格的住宅。四合院之间的狭窄的街道被称为“胡同”(Hutong). 一个四合院有园林包围（s
28、orround)着的四个房子，有高高的围墙保护。四合院与胡同 都是人们常见到的,有 700 多年的历史, 但是由于现在的城市改造 (urban renovation) 和中国经济的发展，四合院慢慢地从北京消失。Siheyuan is a classical architecture style of residential housing of Beijing citizens dated from the Ming Dynasty. The narrow streets between die siheyuan are called “Hutong“, A siheyuan comprise
29、s of garden surrounded by four houses and protected by high walls. Siheyuan and Hutong which have been very familiar to people, having a history of more than 700 years now because of the urban renovation and economic development of China, they are slowly disappearing from Beijing.11.少林功夫少林功夫(Shaolin
30、 Kungfu)是河南登封少林寺信奉佛教文化的和尚们练习的一种武术(martial arts).少林寺，建于北魏(the Northern Wei Dynasty)太和(Taihe Period)十九年，是少林功夫发展的文化空间。少林功夫最初是佛教僧侣练习的，他的职责是保护寺庙。现在经过 1500 多年鲜发展，少林功夫已逐步发展成为一种完美技术和丰富含义相融合的艺术，在全世界 享有声誉。Shaolin Kungfu is a kind of martial arts practiced by monks under the special Buddhist culture of the Sha
31、olin Temple in Dengfeng City, Henan Province. The Shaolin Temple, built in the Nineteenth year of Taihe Period during the Northern Wei Dynasty, is a cultural space for the development of the Shaolin Kungfu. The Shaolin Kungfu, which is originally practiced by the Buddhist monks whose duties were to
32、protect the temple, has been gradually developed into an art of perfect technology, abundant meanings and high reputation in the whole world after more than 1500 years of development.12.筷子(chopsticks)说到筷子的起源，中国是世界上第一个使用筷子的国家， 用筷子吃饭已经有至少 3000 年的历史了。筷子看起来很简单，只有两根小细棒(thin stick)，但它有很多功能，比如祧选，移动，夹(nip)，
33、搅拌和挖。 此外，它便于使用，价格便宜。而且筷子也是世界上独有的餐具(tableware)。 使用筷子的人，无论是中国人还是外国人，都无不铁佩筷子的发明者。As the origin of chopsticks, China is the first country in the world to use chopsticks and has a history of at least 3,000 years to have meals with chopsticks. Chopsticks seems quite simple with only two small and thin sti
34、cks, but it is in possession of many functions, such as picking, moving, nipping, mixing and digging; moreover, it is convenient for use and cheap in price. Besides, chopsticks are also unique tableware in the world. Anyone using chopsticks, no matter Chinese or foreigners, would without exception a
35、dmire the inventor of chopsticks.13.中国瓷都景德镇，中国瓷都(ceramic metropolis)，是世界瓷器艺术花园的耀眼明珠。它位于长江南部，是江南一个有活力的(powerful)城镇。它制造瓷器 (porcelain)的历史有 1700 多年，已经形成了丰富的瓷器文化传统。稀有的 瓷器文物(ceramic relics)，一流的瓷器工艺，独特的瓷器习俗，瓷乐器的优雅表演，以及优美的田园风光(rural scenery)组成了景德镇特别的旅游文化, 而且让景德镇成为中国唯一一个以瓷器文化为特色的旅游城市。Jingdezhen known as the
36、ceramic metropolis of China is a brilliant pearl in the worlds art garden of ceramics. It is located on the south of the Yangtze River as a powerful town on the south of the Yangtze River. It has a history of over 1700 years, which has been crystallized into its rich cultural tradition of porcelain
37、making ceramics. Rare ceramic relics, superb ceramic craftsmanship, unique ceramic customs, graceful performance of ceramic musical instruments and beautiful rural scenery make up the peculiar tourist culture of Jingdezhen and hence make Jingdezhen the only Chinese tourist city featuring ceramic cul
38、ture.14.孙大圣孙大圣是中国古典文学名著西游记(Journey to the West)中的一个重要人物。他是唐僧(Tang Monk)的第一个徒弟。其实在中国，他最受欢迎的名字不是“孙大圣”，而是“孙悟空”，这是教他 72 变(the 72 supernormal abilities)的第一个师傅给他起的名字。“悟”的意思是“觉悟“。“空”的意思是“无”，这是佛学(Buddhism)中最重要的一个认识。在佛学中，人必须放弃欲望和所有对财离、名声的渴望，以培养自己为佛。Monkey King is one of the main characters in Chinese classic
39、 literature masterpiece “Journey to the West“. He is the first disciple of Tang Monk. Actually in China, his most popular name is not “Monkey King“ but “Sun Wukong“, which was given by his first master who taught him the 72 supernormal abilities. “Wu“ means enlightening. “Kong“ means emptiness, whic
40、h is one of the most important understandings in Buddhism. In Buddhism, one has to give up every human desire and all attachments to wealth and fame etc, in order to cultivate oneself into a Buddha.15.中医中医(traditional Chinese medicine是世界医学的遗产(heritage)。中医有比西方医学更好的治病方法。因为其独特的医治方式和良好的效果，现在中医在世界上越来越流行了
41、。中医起源于(originate from)古代，已经发展了很长一段时间，它收集了治疗不同疾病的各种方法。传统中医讲究(pay attention to)人们身体系统的平衡。这就是说，一旦人的身体系统平衡，疾病就会消失。身体系统的损害是疾病的根源(source)。Traditional Chinese medicine is a heritage of world medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine has a power to heal people better than the western ones Traditional Chinese m
42、edicine now is more and more popular in the world due to its good effect and its unique way to heal people. Originated from the ancient time, the Chinese medicine has developed in a long time and it has collected various ways to treat different illness. The traditional traditional Chinese medicine p
43、ays attention to the balance of the body system of people I his means that once the body system of people is in balance, the illness will disappear. The damage of the body system is the source of disease.16.独生子女政策中画政府的教生子女政策（One Child Police）是在 1978 年才实施(be put into effect)的。相对而言，时间是比较近的。因此，1978 年前出
44、生的人很 可能有一个或更多的兄弟姐妹(siblings)。该政策并不意味着对每个人都平等.对城市居民的意义更大。农民和中国少数民族(ethnic minorities)是允许生多个孩子的，尤其是如果第一胎是女孩。所以如果你到农村或中国偏远地区(remote region)旅行，你会发现有的家庭不止一个孩子。The Chinese Governments One Child Policy was put into effect only in 1978. Thats relatively recent. So, anyone born before 1978 very likely has on
45、e or more siblings. The policy is not intended to cover everyone equally and is meant more for the urban population. Farmers and Chinas ethnic minorities are allowed more than one child, especially if the first child is a girl. So if you travel to the countryside or into remote regions of China, you
46、ll find some families with more than one child.17.元宵节元宵节(Lantern Festival)是在阴历的（lunar）一月十五曰。早在西汉时期，它已经成为具有重要意义的节曰。猜灯笼“谜语”（riddle)。灯笼的主入会将谜语写在一张纸条上并贴在灯笼上。 如果游客想到了谜语的答案，他们就将纸条拿下来去灯笼的主人那里査看答案。如果他们答对”，就会得到一份小礼物。这项活动最早出现在宋代。 因为猜谜集趣味和智慧手一身、它在社会各阶层(all social levels)之间都很流行。The Lantern Festival falls on the
47、 15th day of the 1st lunar month. As early as the Western Han Dynasty, it had become a festival with great significance. Guessing lantern “riddles“ is an essential part of the Festival. Lantern owners write riddles on a piece of paper and post them on the lanterns. If visitors have solutions to the
48、riddles, they can pull the paper out and go to the lantern owners to check their answers. If they are right, they will get a small gift. The activity emerged in the Song Dynasty. As riddle guessing is interesting and full of wisdom, it has become popular among all social levels.18. 七夕节七夕节(Double Sev
49、enth Festival)，阴历七月七曰，是一个充满浪漫的传统节曰。这个节曰是在盛夏(mid-summer),正当天气暖和，草和树郁郁葱葱(luxurious green)。晚上，当天空点缀着(dot)星星的时候，人们可以看到银河系从北跨越到南。在银河的两边各有一颗明亮的星星遥遥相望。他们就是牛郎(Cowherd)和织女(Weaver Maid)，关于他们,有一个美丽的爱情故事代代相传。The Double Seventh Festival, on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, is a traditional festival full of romance. This festival is in mid-summer when the weather is warm and the grass and trees reveal their luxurious greens. At night when the sky is dotted with stars, and people can see the Milky Way spanning from the north to the south. On each bank of it is a bright star, which see each
