Chinese culture: from the art of tea to martial arts
The Chinese didn't only invent paper, but also a form of writing that has a special place in the history of humanity. The characters are symbolic of the poetry of Chinese culture. You need to understand these elegant and refined small drawings, that are the basis of a whole country's way of thinking. Even though I would hesitate to recommend that you learn Chinese or Chinese calligraphy, which are very complex, try to learn as much as you can about them before you go there in order to understand the culture better.
Arts and technologies - from the past to the present
China's numerous inventions have formed part of a millennia long culture. The compass, gunpowder, and paper are only a few examples. All of them have made our everyday lives simpler.
Successful in every domain, the Chinese were also the first to develop theatrical skills. For example, the famous Peking Opera. It appeared at the end of the 18th century and combines music, acrobatic dance, theater, and flamboyant costumes. It describes Chinese history and folklore. If you have the chance to go during your trip to China don't miss it. In my opinion, it's essential if you want to understand the subtleties of Chinese culture better. The slow, controlled gestures of the characters on the stage are as fascinating as their make-up.
And it's true that the arts are important in Chinese tradition. Cinema also played a major role in China's development on the world cultural scene. Although Shanghai was its historic cradle in the '40s, the industry has more or less transferred to Hong Kong, which is the heart of Chinese cinema. It's there that one of the most famous directors of our century, Wong Kar-wai, is based. I advise you to watch a few Chinese films before you leave for your trip, it's an excellent foretaste of the Middle Kingdom!
Gastronomy and the art of tea...
Trying to explain Chinese culture is an endless task. For example, food - it would take months and months to get to know the specialties of all the different regions. With all this culinary complexity, people who love new culinary sensations won't be disappointed. You will also discover interesting things that are not just about the taste: their philosophy is also applied to food, which is closely associated with the benefits of medicine and society's needs. So, cooked food ("cai") is asosciated with cereals ("fan"). It is also combined with fruit and vegetables ("yin"), which are called "female foods", or with meat and spice based dishes ("yang"), or "male foods".
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The art of tea also plays a large part in the country's culture. The Chinese give it a lot of time and appreciate different teas. They prefer black in the morning and green in the afternoon. All drunk according to a very precise ritual, which you can see in famous tea shops like Ying Kee Tea House. Don't forget to make a stop there to have a 100% Chinese experience!
