Back in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), this opera was in danger of dying out. In 1954, Changde organized Gaoqiang Opera courses, and collected more than 20 traditional scripts and staged some of them. In recent years, with tremendous Continue Reading

 The earthly world cannot live without music and dance, neither can the nirvana. The Buddhism was introduced to China from India in the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD). Not only the civilians but also the emperors believe in the Buddhism. Temples were centers Continue Reading

   Qu Yuan’s sufferings had gained the sympathy of the people of Chu. In memory of him, every year on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, the day he drowned himself, dragon boat races, which Continue Reading

   Low platforms, which were used as honorific seats, were the earliest type of raised seating furniture to appear in China. Sitting platforms were called ta; the relatively longer chuang was used both for sitting and reclining. By the Tang Continue Reading

   With the deepening of social transformation and lifestyle changes, the traditional costumes of ethnic minorities continue to be assimilated by the outside world. In the meanwhile, the new generation fails to inherit this craftsmanship while many old cross-stitch artists Continue Reading

   With a history of over three hundred years, the art of Tantou New Year wood-block prints is still well recognized and appreciated by today’s people, with many copies collected by large museums in Britain, America, Japan, and other countries. Continue Reading

   The biggest bronze drum unearthed up to the time of writing saw the light in 1972 in Beiliu, Guangxi. It has a diameter of 1.65 metres, a height of 37.5 centimetres and a weight of 300 kilograms, and is Continue Reading

   The highest record was generated by Zhang’s 1947 “Lotus and Mandarin Ducks” (184.5cm × 95cm), which fetched US$24.57 million (including commission) at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong in 2011.    Zhang Daqian (1898-1983), born in Neijiang, Sichuan Province, was the Continue Reading

   His best result in 2012 was generated by his 1954 “Ode to the Motherland” (218cm × 72.5cm), which fetched a whopping US$12.42 million. The work fetched US$463,400 in 2006 and appreciated by nearly US$12 million in 6 years.    Continue Reading

   The performers should sit while playing. The canister is put on the left leg, with the left hand pressing the strings and a bow in the right hand plucking. In most cases, the performer uses his or her index finger Continue Reading