"East and West" comparison and discussion

At the last Wednesday discussion on "East and West", CCC seems to hit "a nerve". From the meeting, it looks like the cultural barriers are still huge, even with the rapid modernization in China.

Laowai (foreigners) have a lot of feelings about living in China. They need a safe place to talk about it.  So CCC can play a bigger role in helping them to mediate the culture they are living in. 

CCC will explore future program ideas, and invite Chinese professionals and Chinese families to the meetings and a series of discussions  will be conducted in smaller groups so as to get into specific situations in greater depth, etc.

Over the next two weeks

Lecture: Improving your Reading Skills in Chinese Wednesday, January 24, 7:30pm This presentation will explore some of the unique hurdles faced by students of the Chinese written language, and will introduce two widely used electronic resources that can help learners overcome these challenges >>> more

	Walk: Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square Friday, January 26, 9:30am-1pm The 3.5-hour guided walk will provide informative and real explanation, covering not only the history, city planning, architectural details & symbols, fengshui of Tiananmen Square and the palace, but also the the life and fate of emperors and eunuchs >>> more

Shangyuan Established Artists Village Tour Saturday, January 27, 10am-4:30pm Shangyuan is non-tourist artists community in a peaceful village. These academic artists are relatively older and have established their fame in China and abroad. CCC makes appointments with some famous painters and sculptors and visit their homes. >>> more

	Chinese Chess Workshop Saturday, January 27, 2:30-4:30pm Learn this Chinese Xiangqi chess, then amaze and challenge the elders playing along the street or in the park. The game is similar to the international chess, but more fun with Chinese characters. >>> more

Hiking: Silver Mountain & Pagoda Forest Sunday, January 28, 9am-4:30pm The Silver Mountain will be really silver-looking with the recent fall of heavy snow onto Beijing ! Join our hiking group to see the snow-clad mountain and stupas. This hilly forest area is made up of black granite and is often topped >>> more

	Cookery Class: Chinese Soups Tuesday, January 30, 12-2pm Come to learn Chinese soup from preparing the broth of thin soups to the ingredients and stock for simmering thick soups. And get to know the knowledge of the tonic or invigorating functions of different soups in different seasons. >>> more

Buddhism Talk (1): Three Jewels & Four Seals & Noble Truths Tuesday, January 30, 11am-12:30pm For this talk of the series Buddhism Talks, the teacher will explain the key objects and thoughts of "Three Jewels, Four Dharma Seals and Four Noble Truths". The talk will be contacted in English in a relaxed setting with good tea. >>> more

Tour: China National Film Museum Thursday, February 1, 9:30am-12pm China National Film Museum, planned to open in 2005 to celebrate the centenary year for China's movie history, has been delayed. Before the official opening in the spring or summer 2007, CCC will bring you to have a first look of this museum. >>> more

Illustrated talk: World War II in Modern China Thursday, February 1, 7:30-9pm As international relationships have changed, so has the public understanding of the war changed, and new interpretations are emerging, competing at times with the old. This talk includes historical and modern photos and video footage. >>> more

	Temple of Heaven and Taichi class Friday, February 2, 9:30am-12pm Tour the Temple of Heaven with CCC expert and learn the significance of workshiping and offering sacrifaces to the God of Heaven, and the architectual symbols in this dignified imperial building. Then take taichi class with a professional master >>> more

Hutong & Courtyard Houses Pedicab Tour Friday, February 2, 2:30-4:30pm Go to the peaceful hutongs (alleys) and courtyard houses in Beijing Xuanwu District, learn the real life of Beijingers in the neighborhood , get into their homes for a chat, check out a kindergarden with lovely kids; see a old opera houses >>> more

	Dance in Tibetan Style Saturday, February 3, 4-5:30pm Ms. Ding, veteran dancer and teacher of China National Songs & Dance Troupe will teach the class. With the rhythm of Tibetan music and songs, dance in Tibetan style. Tibetan culture, religion and custom will be learned as well during the class. >>> more

Harbin--Snow World February 2 evening-4 Go by air or overnight train to Harbin to catch the famous Snow Sculpture Exhibition and Ice Lantern Festival; appreciate the old Russian style architecture; drive into the Siberian Tiger Safari Park; and dine in the Ice Bar and Russian Restaurant! >>> more

	Visit Erguotou Liquor Factory Saturday, February 3, 1:30-5pm Visit the famous Beijing Er Guo Tou Liquor Factory to see the entire traditional production skills such as distilling and fermentation in the gigantic wok; the wine cellar with half-century vintage, and hundred-woman packing line. >>> more

Tour/lesson: Paper-cut in a courtyard Sunday, February 4, 2:30-4:30pm Visit a special courtyard in a hutong where folk artist Liu Ren works on her paper cuts everyday. She published many books on the art, including a papercut textbook. The courtyard, walls, windows, doors are all decorated with beautiful paper cuts. >>> more

	Reflexology /Foot Massage Course Mondays & Wednesdays, February 5-14, 1-3pm 4-session Foot Massage & Reflexology course is instructed by licensed traditional Chinese massage therapist. English narration. Each class is small group with adequate practice. >>> more

Try hand-pulled noodles and making dumplings Tuesday, February 6, 12-2pm Try pulling dough into Beijing style thin longevity noodles in a minute! And then make dumpling (jiaozi) with two different fillings and flavours. CCC invites professional cook to instruct you for these two marvelous culinary skills. >>> more

Illustrated Talk: Lantern Festival In Yan An Wednesday, February 7, 7:30-9:30pm Hei Ming, a famous photographer, will share with us his experiences and pictures of farmers’ entertainments during the Chinese New Year and Lantern festival in Yan An and surrounding villages of Shaanxi Yellow River and Plateau regions. >>> more

Visit: Beijing Enamel Art Factory Thursday, February 8, 9:30a-12;30pm Come to see workshops of cloisonné or Jingtai Lan (the "blue of Jingtai"). It is so named because the blue was the dominant color adopted for enameling, and cloisonné became prevalent during the reign of Jingtai (1450--1456) in the Ming dynasty. >>> more

	Harbin--Snow World Feb.9 evening -11 Go by air or overnight train to Harbin to catch the famous Snow Sculpture Exhibition and Ice Lantern Festival; appreciate the old Russian style architecture; drive into the Siberian Tiger Safari Park; and dine in the Ice Bar and Russian Restaurant! >>> more