Dear CCC friends,

A major earthquake has hit  Sichuan province, which also affects the Woolong Panda Reserve. At the moment, the communications with Woolong has been disconnected. Under the circumstance, and out of respect for the recovery efforts in Sichuan, CCC has decided to postpone the panda tour (June 7-9).

This is the second time this year that we have had to postpone the Panda tour. The first tour in March this year was hindered by the unrest in Tibet. Woolong in Sichuan is ethnically one of the Tibetan regions. In addition the date lifting the travel ban for foreigners to visit Tibet is still uncertain.

As a result we now offer two other alternative trips for you during the June Duanwu Festival (June 7-9):

1. Ningxia Sand Dune, Alashan Desert and Moon Lake Tour
2. Fujian's Hakka Round Houses and Xiamen

Another one more added tour in June is:
Hunan Zhangjiajie & Wulingyuan and Phoenix Town (Feng Huang) (June 25-29)


What's on this week

Lecture: Style analyses Wednesday, May 14, 19:30 Ms. Geraldine Wijsbeek is a visiting Image Consultant from the Netherlands. She is a Master of the Federation of Image Consultants in London. She teaches you on: Figure analyses; Style and fashion; Style for your characteristics; Trends and style. >>> more

	Zen Talk & Meditation Thursday, May 15, 19:30-21:30 Join us each week for an insight into the teachings and practices of Zen Buddhism. We'll be guided on our journey of self-discovery by a Buddhist layman and learn about Zen through its music, its stories, its art, its rituals & martial arts. >>> more

Lecture: Color analyses Thursday, May 15, 10:00 Geraldine is an expert on Color. She will talk about the history of color; The meaning of color; expressivity in color; colour in 2008; the power of color; symbolism of colors; make-up in your colors; the quality of colors and their characteristics >>> more

	Great Wall Mutianyu & Ming Tombs Thursday,May 15,09:00-18:30 Mutianyu is a famous section of the Great Wall, and it is not so commercialized but also a moderate section (not so physically demanding). Ming Tombs is the largest and well preserved imperial tomb complex with over 500 years >>> more

Walk: Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square Friday, May 16,09:00-12:30 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

	Southern Water Towns: Suzhou, Wuzhen, Hangzhou May 15 eve-18 Chinese ancient Water Towns in South China are well known for their ancient houses, bridges and the rivers running through them. Explore with CCC Hangzhou and Suzhou, and one peaceful ancient town Wuzhen. >>> more

Xuanwu Hutong & Courtyard Houses Pedicab Tour Friday, May 16,14:00-16:30 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 an old opera houses >>> more

	Chengde Imperial Mountain Resort May 17-18 Take CCC's comfortable bus to Chende, Hebei Province to see the Summer Mountain Resort (Bishushanzhuang) and its Outlying Temples. The size of Chengde Summer resort is as big as the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace combined. It is surround >>> more

Royal Canal Boat Tour to the Summer Palace Saturday, May 17, 09:00-15:30 Cruise along the imperial canal in a motorized canopy boat past the Beijing Zoo, the Beijing Aquarium and the Purple Bamboo Garden; appreciate the great views en route, and stroll in the garden to join the passionate amateurs of the community singing >>> more

	Lecture: Fashion Fengshui Saturday, May.17,14:00 CCC invites Ms. Geraldine Wijsbeek, an Image Consultant from the Netherlands, to give a presentation on how to applies Fengshui philosophy and principles to personal appearance, as clothing is considered your body's most intimate environment >>> more

Mahjong Workshop Saturday, May 17, 14:30-16:30 Come learn or practise this most popular games in China and rest of Asia. CCC boasts to let you grasp this game skills and immediately begin to play independently within one hour. If you are not a beginner >>> more

	Free Chinese Language Demo Class Saturday, May 17, 10:00-10:40 CCC is offering three sessions of free demo language classes on April 24(Thu) 10:00-10:40; May 7 (Wed) 19:30-20:10; and May 17(Sat)10:00-10:40. Come and see our teaching style and ask questions! >>> more

Tour: Eunuch Tombs, Mural and Temples Saturday, May 17,09:00-14:00 CCC takes you to explore two obscure and fascinating sites. Tucked away in the mountains in the west suburb, the Eunuch tombs and temple complex remain authentic and peaceful. >>> more

	Tour: Contemporary Artists at Songzhuang Village Sunday, May 18,14:00-18:30 Songzhuang Village is China's largest contemporary artist community. CCC makes appointments with a handful of artists who will allow you into their farmer's homes & studios >>> more

Tying Chinese Knots: necklace Sunday, May.18,14:00-17:00 Learn to tie the auspicious Chinese knots from a CCC folk artist, and work out your own knots (knots, butterfly or lily shoes, and other patterns of crafts), and hang them up on your neck or your handbag >>> more

Tour: Jiaozhuanghu War Tunnels and Simulated War Game Sunday, May 18,09:00-17:00 We first visit Jiaozhuanghu Underground Tunnel Labyrinth, which was digged up by local farmers to fight against Japanese invaders. Then we will head to a beautiful mountain area to put on army fatigue and hold a real size machine gun for military mis >>> more

Calligraphy Class Monday, May 19, 19:30-21:00 Conducted in English, the class teaches everything, from meaning and evolution of the characters, culture to related history and music. You don't have to be able to write Chinese already, just have to be enthusiastic and be willing to hold a brush >>> more

	Taichi (taijiquan) class Tuesday, May 20, 10:00-11:30 The class are instructed by master who speak excelent English and have experience in teaching Westerners. ground by the lake of Chaoyang Park near the western gate. >>> more

Back-Street-Beijing Walking Tour(3)-Fuchengmennei Tuesday, May 20, 09:30-13:30 CCC's serial "Back-Street-Beijing" Walking Tour will take you to Shrines of Emperors of all Dynasties; Yuan-Dynasty White Dagopa (Kublai Khan's period), Writer Lu Xun's Museum >>> more

	Ink & Wash Painting Class Tuesday, May 20, 10:00-12:00 Chinese ink & water painting is a thousand-year tradition, and the xieyi style (free-hand) is one of the most unique style of Chinese painting. The CCCC painting course is specially designed for expatriates. >>> more

Book Club: Cries in the Drizzle Wednesday, May.21, 10:30-12:00 Yu Hua's beautiful, heartbreaking novel Cries in the Drizzle follows a young Chinese boy throughout his childhood and adolescence during the Mao era. A stunning addition to the wide-ranging work of one of China's most distinguished contemporary write >>> more

	Lecture: China’s Land Policy & Rural Politics Wednesday, May 21, 19:30-21:30 Mr. Li Changping has spent many years studying the rural issues of China and advocating for the livelihood of the 800 million Chinese citizens. He will share his assessment of the land policies and rural policies of the latest developments. >>> more

Zen Talk & Meditation Thursday, May 22, 19:30-21:30 Join us each week for an insight into the teachings and practices of Zen Buddhism. We'll be guided on our journey of self-discovery by a Buddhist layman and learn about Zen through its music, its stories, its art, its rituals & martial arts. >>> more

	Hike: Great Wall Simatai and Jinshanling Thursday, May 22, 08:30-18:30 Simatai section of Great Wall in Miyun County, Beijing, remains one of the best options for those who want more of a challenge from the Great Wall, harrowing, steep and unrestored. It connects to another section, Jin Shan Ling, in Hebei. >>> more

Walk: Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square Friday, May 23,09:00-12:30 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

	Xuanwu Hutong & Courtyard Houses Pedicab Tour Friday, May 23,14:00-16:30 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 an old opera houses >>> more

Royal Canal Boat Tour to the Summer Palace Saturday, May 24,09:00-15:30 Cruise along the imperial canal in a motorized canopy boat past the Beijing Zoo, the Beijing Aquarium and the Purple Bamboo Garden; appreciate the great views en route, and stroll in the garden to join the passionate amateurs of the community singing >>> more

	Ancient City Xi An (Terracotta Warriors) May 23 eve.-25 Take 2 days trip to visit the famous Terracotta Warrior Site; Ancient City Wall, Shaanxi Museum; Great Mosque and Muslim Street; Wild Goose Pagoda, etc. >>> more

Tianjin Historical Architecture Tour Saturday, May 24, 07:30-18:00 This is a unique cultural tour guided by curator from Tianjin Historical Architecture Museum, exploring the old colonial districts and areas of six European countries >>> more

	Pingyao--Raise the red lanterns May 23 eve.-25 Listed as UNESCO Heritage Site, this exotic ancient city and city walls bring you back to the history and the atmosphere and environment like the Europeans back to the Middle Age Europe, and the awesome walls and carvings of the Wang Family Residence >>> more

Peking Opera Workshop (2) Saturday, May 24, 19:30-21:30 >>> more

	Chinese Food From Market to Table (2): the Spicy Sichuan Sunday, May 25, 10:00-13:00 The class will start with guided-tour of local farmer’s market (optional), followed by cooking demo featuring spicy Sichuan cuisine. The stir-fried dishes include: Gong Bao Chicken; Dry-fried Green Beans; Sour & Spicy Shredded Potato >>> more

Tour: Antique Furniture in Rural Beijing Sunday, May 25, 14:00-18:00 Wish to see thousands of pieces of finely refurbished antique Chinese furniture, from opium beds to scholar' s writing tables, in a 5,000 square metres warehouse and furniture studio and gallery beside 12,000 square metres lotus pond? >>> more

	Hands-on: Chinese Tie-Dye Sunday, May.25,14:00-16:00 Learn two fabric craftsmanship at Chinese Culture Club: tie-dye (zha ran) and batik (la ran), which represent typical minority Chinese folk art: simple colour and texture, and unique patterns. >>> more

Calligraphy Class Monday, May 26, 19:30-21:00 Conducted in English, the class teaches everything, from meaning and evolution of the characters, culture to related history and music. You don't have to be able to write Chinese already, just have to be enthusiastic and be willing to hold a brush >>> more

	Ink & Wash Painting Class Tuesday, May 27, 10:00-12:00 Chinese ink & water painting is a thousand-year tradition, and the xieyi style (free-hand) is one of the most unique style of Chinese painting. The CCCC painting course is specially designed for expatriates. >>> more

Taichi (taijiquan) class Tuesdays, May.27, 10:00-11:30 The class are instructed by master who speak excelent English and have experience in teaching Westerners. ground by the lake of Chaoyang Park near the western gate. >>> more

	Tour: China National Film Museum Tuesday, May 27, 2-4:30pm A display of Chinese cinema of all times, a host for expos on film technology, and a medium for research and intellectual exchanges on film and cinema culture, are all possible at this wonderful 63 acre China Film Museum devoted to film. >>> more

Biking Hutong, Making Dumplings and Boating Houhai Lake Tuesday, May 27,16:00-20:30 Ride bike leisurely in the alleyways and along the bank of the beautiful houhai lake area, visit courtyard houses and families, Drum Tower... make and share meal with one family and in the evening take little wooden boat ride on the lake >>> more

	Royal Canal Boat Tour to the Summer Palace Wednesday, May 28,09:00-15:30 Cruise along the imperial canal in a motorized canopy boat past the Beijing Zoo, the Beijing Aquarium and the Purple Bamboo Garden; appreciate the great views en route, and stroll in the garden to join the passionate amateurs of the community singing >>> more

Chinese Cloth Tiger Pillows Wednesday, May.28, 09:30-12:30 Hand made tiger pillows are cute toy and pillow for children. It is sewed in detailes with a big tiger's head, paws, and tail. In china, the tiger is the numen for child. It is symbol of power and goodness. >>> more

	Contemporary Chinese Painting History 1: Shanghai School Wednesday, May 28, 19:30-21:30 CCC invites different professors, artists and critics to give lectures on Chinese art history. This Contemporary Chinese Painting Series includes: Haipai (Shanghai School) paintings, including artists Ren Bonian, Wu Changshuo, etc. >>> more

Zen Talk & Meditation Thursday, May 29, 19:30-21:30 Join us each week for an insight into the teachings and practices of Zen Buddhism. We'll be guided on our journey of self-discovery by a Buddhist layman and learn about Zen through its music, its stories, its art, its rituals & martial arts. >>> more

	Great Wall Mutianyu & Ming Tombs Thursday,May 29, 09:00-18:30 Mutianyu is a famous section of the Great Wall, and it is not so commercialized but also a moderate section (not so physically demanding). Ming Tombs is the largest and well preserved imperial tomb complex with over 500 years >>> more

Walk: Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square Friday, May 30,09:00-12:30 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

	Xuanwu Hutong & Courtyard Houses Pedicab Tour Friday, May 30, 14:00-16:30 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 an old opera houses >>> more

2 Days Qingdao (beach, beer and old buildings) May 30 eve.-Jun.1 Joining the August Qingdao Beer Festival has been proven to be unwise by our CCC friends because of the extreme crowding; the festival is just like a Karaoke site and the hotel fees for all of August are tripled. Take Friday night train with CCC >>> more

	Royal Canal Boat Tour to the Summer Palace Saturday, May 31,09:00-15:30 Cruise along the imperial canal in a motorized canopy boat past the Beijing Zoo, the Beijing Aquarium and the Purple Bamboo Garden; appreciate the great views en route, and stroll in the garden to join the passionate amateurs of the community singing >>> more

Qianxi's Qingshanguan Pass & Tangshan's Bone Chinawares Saturday-Sunday, May31- June1 Take coach to Tangshan, famous bone chinaware city, and then stay overnight at courtyard houses in an obscure village next to the Great Wall at the Green Mountain Pass >>> more