Dear CCC Friends,

The traditional East Asian calendars divide a year into 24 solar terms; Lì dōng (literally: "start of winter") is the 19th solar term and formally begins when the sun reaches the celestial longitude of 225° and ends when it reaches the longitude of 240°. In the Gregorian calendar, it usually begins around November 7 and ends around November 22. As such, in Chinese culture and in the rest of East Asian culture, Lì dōng signifies for us the beginning of our winter.

As our days get colder, the CCC has some wonderful upcoming cultural tours throughout China that allow the traveler to escape to the subtropics while experiencing the cultural diversity of southern China. In late November we offer the Hakka Earthen Round Building Tour:  A journey to experience the beautiful seaport town of Xiamen in Fujian province and a drive into the mountain villages to see the magical Chinese architecture of the Tu Lou, the earthen buildings of the Hakka people. From December 26-29 consider traveling to Yuanyang, a relatively inaccessible part of Yunnan province which has escaped heavy development for tourism.  Experience the Hani Rice Terrace - one of the largest rice terraces in the world - crafted out by bare hands by the Hani people one thousand years ago. It's peak season now when the terraces begin to be flooded in preparation for the rice planting.

Hani Rice Terrace, the largest in the world, crafted out by bare hands 1,000 years ago

Lastly, we are excited to present this Saturday, the author Helen Zhang's talk on her book: "Think like Chinese" which explains Chinese thought and business culture from the Chinese perspective. The following Wednesday, we will also host an interesting lecture on Chinese youth focusing on the family conflict and cultural difference resulted from the age gap, the cultural and knowledge background difference, and its consequence on the growth of the Chinese youth.

Upcoming cultural events and tours

	Talk: "Think Like Chinese" by the author Saturday, Nov.8, 14:00-16:00 The book "Think like Chinese" explains Chinese thought and business culture from the Chinese perspective. Helen Zhang and Baker combine their Chinese and Western perspectives to bring personal experience in business investment and management. >>> more

	Zen Weekend Retreat Nov. 7 (eve.) - Nov. 9, Friday evening-Sunday  Experience the calm and peace of life as practiced by Zen Buddhism in the seclusion of our temple courtyard retreat on Red Conch Mountain in the outskirts of Beijing. Our Zen master will show you how to dissolve stress from your life >>> more

Back-Street-Beijing Walking Tour - Dongsi Sunday, Nov.9, 10:00-13:00 Tour some authentic hutong and courtyards in Beijing that are not for tourists . Experts will introduce the architecture, history, and life in courtyard. >>> more

Cookery: hand-pulled noodles and dumplings Tuesday, Nov 11, 19:00-21:00 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

	Visit: Beijing Enamel Art Factory Wednesday, Nov.12, 09:30-12:30 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

	Hands-on: Patchwork Pictures (Buduihua) Wednesday, Nov 12, 9:30-12:30 Traditional patchwork picture(Buduihua), is made of rags with different colors cut, pasted, and embroidered with exquisite patterns. It is most popular in northern of Shaanxi, China. Come and stitch multi-colored fabrics into a nice Chinese picture. >>> more

Talk: China’s Current Youth Problems Wednesday, Nov 12, 19:30-21:30 Zong Cunshan, director of Beijing Youth law and Phychology Consultancy Center, will give a talk focusing on the family conflict resulted from the age gap, the cultural background difference, and its consequence on the growth of Chinese youth. >>> more

	Book Club: "Red China Blues" by Jan Wong Thursday, Nov.13, 10:30-12:00 Join our Monthly book chat on "Red China Blues" by Jan Won. You are also welcome even though you haven't read the book. >>> more

Lecture: Three religions of Daoism, Confucianism and Buddhism Friday, Nov 14,10:00-12:00 This lecture gives you an good opportunity to learn and get a deeper understanding of the three major thoughts and religions in one lecture. All Chinese scholars generally agree on that China and Chinese thoughts have been shaped by the three religio >>> more

	Peking Opera Workshop Saturday, Nov 15, 19:30-21:30 CCC will invite professional actors of Peking Opera to introduce you to the history, complexity and subtleties of this famous art form. Selected parts from Peking Operas will be performed to explain movements and gestures and voice adaption. >>> more

Beijing Amblers: Highland Meadow, Great Wall and Village Saturday, Nov.15, 09:00-18:00 We will head to Mentougou District to visit an old and anthentic village; take 3 hours hike (not very steep) up to the meadow 1,700 meters above sea level, and an old section of Great Wall with watchtowers and good view of remote mountains. >>> more

Tour: Eunuch Tombs, Mural and Temples Sunday, Nov.16,09:00-14:00 CCC takes you to explore two obscure and fascinating sites in the west suburb Beijing, the Eunuch temple with well-preserved 565 year-old mural by Ming court artists and largest eunuch graveyard with memorial and museum - obscure and pristine >>> more

Lecture: A Quarter Century of Beijing Urban Change Tuesday, Nov.18, 19:30-21:00 John M. Courtney, an urban planning advisor in China and was the senior urban planner for the World Bank for 20 years, will give a presentation which covers the area inside Beijing's Sixth Ring Road with a focus on the new economic centers >>> more

Back-Street-Beijing Walk: Xinjiekou & Huguosi Tuesday, Nov.18, 09:00-13:00 The walk gives an good opportunity to quickly learn the variety of local life and two famous artistic figures, a restaurant with most famous traditional Beijing snacks... >>> more

	Talk: China's Reform on State Owned Enterprises. Wednesday, Nov 19, 19:30-21:30 Mr. Zhou Fangsheng, vice director of China State Owned Enterprises Committee, and researcher of China Finance Ministry Research Institute, will share his stories on the reform State Owned Enterprises. >>> more

	Book Talk: "Socialism Is Great!" by Zhang Lijia Thursday, Nov.20, 10:00-11:40 "Socialism is Great" is a spirited memoir by a former Chinese factory worker and ended up an international journalist. The author Lijia Zhang is a contributor to international publications including South China Morning Post, Washington Times. >>> more

	Kun Opera Workshop Saturday, Nov 22, 19:30-21:30 This CCC two-hour workshop will be lead by Kun Opera expert and actor Zhang Weidong who along with his fellow actors will give a small performance, highlighting the authenticity of what is known as traditional Kunqu Opera. >>> more

Chinese Cloth Tiger Pillows Saturday, Nov 22, 14:00-17:00 In China, the tiger is a symbol of power and goodness associated with children. Hand made tiger pillows are thus a popular gift for parents to express love and wishes to their children, but we think they make great presents for all ages. >>> more

Beijing Amblers: Old Great Wall Ruins and Ancient Towns Sunday, Nov.23 Beijing Amblers takes you to Changyucheng Village in Changping, then climb up the mountain for a panorama view; then arrive a large meadow with yellow grass in winter and wild flowers in summer. The Great wall has its special round watchtowers. >>> more

Visit Erguotou Liquor Factory Wednesday, Nov.26, 13:00-16:30 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

Talk: Chinese Drama by Wu Xiaojiang, Famous Director Friday, Nov 28,10:00-12:00 Spoken drama (huaju), western-style theatre, has been imported into China for over 100 years. Wu Xiaojiang, will give an overview of the development of spoken drama in China, and the impact of economic development on the artists. >>> more

Sleeping on the Great Wall Jinshanling Sat. afternoon-Sunday, Nov.29-30, The hike between Jinshanling and Simatai Great Wall gives you a truly authentic wall experience and breathtaking views in relative isolation. Sleeping overnight on the Wall (camping or in the watchtower) is the coolest experience ever ! >>> more