Dear CCC Friends,

As we approach the beginning of December, the holiday season for many of our international friends is upon us! For many, this time is filled with family gatherings, festive parties and meals, gift exchanges, and an opportunity to explore Beijing in more depth or to travel to new places in China.

In time for the fast-approaching holiday season, CCC is offering many interesting, cultural travel tours to various parts of China.  If you would like to get away for the weekend in the near future, CCC offers our popular “Pingyao: Raise the Red Lantern Tour” from December 5-7.  Experience one of China’s most significant Ming Dynasty walled cities, with over a 2,700-year history brimming with a wealth of Chinese traditional buildings, over 3,000 well-preserved, historic shops and perhaps China’s most famous courtyard complex, “Wang’s Great Courtyard” also known informally as the “Forbidden City of Shanxi.”

If you prefer to stay closer to home, CCC offers a diversity of classes, lectures, and local tours in and around Beijing this next week that offers something interesting for all different types of interests. In particular, CCC would like to highlight our Book Talk:  “Socialism is Great!” by the author Zhang Lijia this Saturday.  Zhang’s spirited memoir details her life as a former Chinese rocket-factory worker in Nanjing and how she rose to become an international journalist.  On Wednesday, join our CCC Ambler's hiking day tour to a scenic natural park and remote and wild section of the Great Wall in the countryside while sampling the local cuisine specialty – barbeque and sashimi trout.  Lastly, and just in time for the holiday gift-giving season, join CCC and Master Teacher Wang and create your own Christmas tree ornament in Chinese style!  A great addition to your Christmas tree this year or a unique gift to that special friend, neighbor, or work colleague.

We look forward to welcoming you!

	Book Talk: "Socialism Is Great!" by Zhang Lijia Saturday, Nov.29, 14:30-16:00 "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

Cookery: hand-pulled noodles and dumplings Saturday, Nov 29, 16:00-18:30 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

	Backstreet Beijing Walking Tour - Beiheyan & Nanchizi Sunday, Nov.30, 13:30-16:30 This tour explores the hutongs and historical sites on the east of the Forbidden City, from Beiheyan to Nanchizi Street, including famous writer Laoshe's house, imperial city wall ruins park, imperial History Archieves and an art museum. >>> more

Contemporary Chinese History 3: Japanese and Civil War Tuesday, Dec.2 & Thursday Dec.4, 19:30-21:30 Contemporary Chinese History deals with China's transformation since 1840 and emphasis is placed upon political development and social changes but also the civilization and cultural aspects in six sessions. The lectures will be in English. >>> more

	Hands-on: Chinese Knotting - Longevity Knots Wednesday, Dec 3, 10:00-12:00 Learn to make the auspicious knots from CCC folk artists Ms Wang, 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

Beijing Amblers: Shentangyu Natural Park and Great Wall Wednesday,Dec.3, 08:30-17:00 Join our CCC Ambler's hiking tour to a scenic natural park and remote section of the Great Wall two hours outside of Beijing. CCC's Amblers Tours are CCC's signature hiking tour series for the leisurely, moderate hiker. >>> more

Hands-on: Christmas Tree Ornaments with Chinese Design Thursday, Dec.4, 10:00-12:00 Come join CCC and create your own Christmas tree ornament in Chinese style! Utilizing the red, green, and gold color schemes known in foreign countries as colors associated with Christmas, these colors also bring the Chinese design to life! >>> more

Pingyao--Raise the red lanterns Dec 5 eve.-7 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

	Hands-on: Chinese musical instruments Saturday, Dec.6, 10:00-12:00 CCC offers Chinese musical instrument course in small groups (2-3 people per class). Professional musicians teach with English interpretation. The musical intruments classes include Erhu, Pipa and Guqin (ancient intellectual zither) >>> more

Talk: China's Cadastre and Hutong demolition by speaker Hua Xinmin Saturday, Dec.6, 14:30-16:30 Hua Xinmin, a well-known French expert, will talk about Beijing residents’ Cadastre, which have been neglected and ignored by Beijing People and how these can help protect the hutongs and courtyards they love; and hutong policy in Beijing. >>> more

	Beijing Amblers: Ya Ji Mountain & Temple Saturday, Dec.06, 09:00-17:00 Go with Beijing Amblers to hike Mountain Ya Ji Shan in Pinggu, north of Beijing. We will visit climb the mountain and visit three temples there. We will have a moderate walk and hike the hill and then have lunch in a local restaurant. >>> more

A Day of Meditation for Modern People Sunday, December 7, 09:30-18:30 Jean-Paul traveled extensively in India, China and Europe to study mediation, yoga and spirituality over the past ten years. In the one day course, you will learn a few meditation techniques. Some are designed especially for modern people. >>> more

	Back-Street-Beijing Walking Tour: Xuanwumen North Sunday, Dec.7, 14:00-17:00 CCC guides you to north Xuanwumen area, meandering along New Culture Street and passing by Writer Lu Xun School; Prince Kele's Mansion; Cathedral of Saviour. Then vanish ourselves in the winding hutongs to find more fascinating people and spots. >>> more

Chinese Board Game - Go (wei qi) Workshop (1) Sunday, Dec.7, 10:30-12:00 The Chinese board game of go (wei qi), using white and black pieces, is regarded as a high level game filled with profound cultural meanings and wisdom, played by intellectuals throughout thousand-year Chinese history >>> more

	Contemporary Chinese History 5: Cultural Revolution Tuesday, Dec.9 & Thursday 11, 19:30-21:30 Contemporary Chinese History deals with China's transformation since 1840 and emphasis is placed upon political development and social changes but also the civilization and cultural aspects in six sessions. The lectures will be in English. >>> more

Hands-on: Decorative House slippers(1) Tuesday, Dec.9, 09:30-12:00 Learn how to make and sew your own traditional house slippers in this two-part, hands-on workshop. You and your friends will enjoy wearing these slippers in your home. The lightweight slippers are designed with indigo-dyed, Chinese cloth pattern. >>> more

	Hands-on: Chinese musical instruments Tuesday, Dec.9, 10:00-12:00 CCC offers Chinese musical instrument course in small groups (2-3 people per class). Professional musicians teach with English interpretation. The musical intruments classes include Erhu, Pipa and Guqin (ancient intellectual zither) >>> more

Backstreet Beijing Walking Tour: Tianning & Baiyun Temples Wednesday, Dec.10, 10:00-13:00 Go to visit Pagoda of Tianning Si Temple, a beautiful Buddhist pagoda with wonderful relief sculptures adorn the four sides of the first storey), then White Cloud Taoist Temple and the local market and neighborhood nearby. >>> more

	Lecture: All about Laozi & Taoism Wednesday, Dec.10, 19:30-21:30 Come hear a talk on the core meaning of Tao, while sipping various famous brands of Chinese tea. Mr. Xu, famous professor of Taoism and doctoral student advisor from Peking University, will explain the precise details of excerpts from the Taoism m >>> more

Hands-on: Decorative House slippers Thursday, Dec 11, 09:30-12:00 Learn how to make and sew your own traditional house slippers in this two-part, hands-on workshop. You and your friends will enjoy wearing these slippers in your home. The lightweight slippers are designed with indigo-dyed, Chinese cloth pattern. >>> more

Book Club: "Socialism Is Great!" by Zhang Lijia Thursday, Dec 11, 10:30-12:00 CCC book club will discuss the book "Socialist is Great!" by Zhang Lijia, which is a spirited memoir by a former Chinese factory worker who grew up in Nanjing, former rocket-factory worker, and ended up an international journalist. >>> more

Visit Erguotou Liquor Factory Saturday, Dec.13, 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

	Hands-on: Chinese musical instruments Saturday, Dec.13, 10:00-12:00 CCC offers Chinese musical instrument course in small groups (2-3 people per class). Professional musicians teach with English interpretation. The musical intruments classes include Erhu, Pipa and Guqin (ancient intellectual zither) >>> more

Backstreet Beijing Walking Tour: Tianning & Baiyun Temples Sunday, Dec.14, 14:00-17:00 Go to visit Pagoda of Tianning Si Temple, a beautiful Buddhist pagoda with wonderful relief sculptures adorn the four sides of the first storey), then White Cloud Taoist Temple and the local market and neighborhood nearby. >>> more

	Chinese Board Game - Go (wei qi) Workshop (2) Sunday, Dec.14, 10:30-12:30 The Chinese board game of go (wei qi), using white and black pieces, is regarded as a high level game filled with profound cultural meanings and wisdom, played by intellectuals throughout thousand-year Chinese history >>> more

Mahjong Workshop Sunday, December 14, 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

	Cookery: hand-pulled noodles and dumplings Tuesday, Dec 16, 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

Hands-on: Chinese musical instruments Tuesday, Dec.16, 10:00-12:00 CCC offers Chinese musical instrument course in small groups (2-3 people per class). Professional musicians teach with English interpretation. The musical intruments classes include Erhu, Pipa and Guqin (ancient intellectual zither) >>> more

6 Days Yunnan: Xishuangbanna & Lijiang Dec.26-31 The 6-day Yunnan tour will explore the subtropical Xishuangbanna (known for various ethnic minority peoples and villages) in the south of Yunnan and Lijiang Ancient Town in the north, and its surrounding Jade Snow Mountain & Tiger Leaping Gorge >>> more

	Hakka Earthen Round Buildings Dec.26-28 Get to know Fujian province, the southeastern end of China's mainland facing Taiwan across the strait. Xiamen, beautiful seaport city with Gulangyu Island; then dirve into the villages in the mountains south and west of Fujian for the magical earthen >>> more

Yunnan's Yuanyang (Hani Rice Terrace), Jianshui Dec.26-29 Yuanyang, southeast of Yunnan, is renowned for its rice terraces crafted out by bare hands by the Hani people since one thousand years ago and even today, the world largest nature wonder. Luoping is famous for its blossoming of rapeseed flowers. >>> more

	Tianjin Historical Architecture Tour Monday, Dec.29, 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

Harbin--Snow World Dec 31 eve.-Jan 2 ; Jan 1 eve.-Jan 3; Jan 10-11 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 Park; and dine in the Ice Bar and Russian Restaurant! >>> more