This Sunday (December 7) is the seasonal marker of "da xue" (major snow), according to the Chinese agricultural calendar. It will be the major snow season of snowstorms in full swing. The da xue will be followed by below  jie qi (seasonal segments) :

December 22 dong zhi or winter solstice 
-- winter extreme (of sun's height)

January 6 xiao han or minor cold
-- cold starts to become unbearable

January 20 da han or major cold
-- coldest time of year

Upcoming Tours and Cultural Events

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 visit  Republican architecture campus of 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

	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

Contemporary Chinese History 5: Cultural Revolution Tuesday, Dec.9, 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

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: Christmas Tree Ornaments with Chinese Design Wednesday, Dec 10, 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

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

	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

Contemporary Chinese History: 30 Years of Reform Thursday, Dec.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

	Great Wall Mutianyu & Ming Tombs Thursday, Dec.11,09:00-18:30 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

Hands-on: Decorative House slippers(2) 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

	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

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

	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

	Xuanwu Hutong & Courtyard Houses Pedicab Tour Friday, Dec.26,14:00-16:30 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

Walk: Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square Friday, Dec.26, 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

	Tianjin Historical Architecture Tour Monday, Dec.29, 08:15-19:40 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 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

Harbin--Snow World Jan 1 eve.-Jan 3 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