Dear CCC Friends,

Talk on Lao Zi & his "Tao Te Ching"

We would like to highlight a very special evening lecture (tonight: Wednesday, December 10) titled All About Tao & Laozi by Mr. Xu Kangsheng, one of the most famous living professors and experts on Tao (Dao) and Lao Zi from Peking University. Mr. Xu will explain precise details and key concepts from certain excerpts of the Taoism masterpiece, Dao De Jing by the philosopher-sage Lao Zi. Please join us for this very important occasion to have Mr. Xu teach us the key elements of this philosophy-religion that has been the cornerstone of Chinese thought for thousands of years and which still permeates much of Chinese life today.

On Friday evening enjoy CCC's two-hour workshop on Modern Meditation for the everyday, busy person in a comfortable and welcoming environment.  Under master teacher, Jean-Paul learn and practice two to three different techniques to experience the meditative state as a process to explore new ways of looking at yourself, and ultimately unlocking your inner potential. These meditation techniques can also be incorporated into your daily life after the workshop and are invaluable in decreasing stress and refocusing your energies.

Lastly, if you want to get away for the New Year Eve holidays or in January for the weekend, please be sure to book your trip to the popular Harbin, also known as “Little Moscow” in China’s most northern province – Heilongjiang.  Experience the world-famous Harbin Snow and Ice Lantern Festival -- a seasonal trip not to be missed!

Lecture: All about Laozi & Taoism Wednesday, Dec.10, 19:30-21:30 Come hear a talk on the core meaning of Tao and other key concepts from Taoism by Mr. Xu, one of the most famous living professors on Tao and Laozi and published many books. Mr. Xu is the doctoral student advisor from Peking University. >>> 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

Workshop: Modern Meditation Friday, Dec 12, 20:00-22:00 Under master teacher, Jean-Paul, learn, experience, and practice the meditative state through three techniques: dancing as meditation; body shaking; talking nonsense to break the pattern of continual verbalization of the mind. >>> more

	Cookery: hand-pulled noodles and dumplings Friday, Dec 12,10:30-13:00 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

Xuanwu Hutong & Courtyard Houses Pedicab Tour Friday, Dec.12,14:00-16:30 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

	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

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

	Backstreet Beijing Walking Tour: Tianning & Baiyun Temples Sunday, Dec.14, 14:00-17:30 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

	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 papercutting Wednesday, Dec 17, 10:00-12:00 Take up scissors and learn to cut traditional folk patterns and decorations from CCC's folk artist, then use them to ornament your home ! >>> more

	Day Tour: Rural Beijing Village By the Wall Wednesday, Dec.17, 09:30-16:00 This is a nice walk in rural Beijing to see an "authentic" village of China in the mountains near the Great Wall. The little village is located in a walled castle, where villagers still cut wood and branches in the mountain to build up fire. >>> more

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

	Xuanwu Hutong & Courtyard Houses Pedicab Tour Friday, Dec.19,14:00-16:30 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

Peking Opera Workshop Saturday, Dec 20, 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

	Xuanwu Hutong & Courtyard Houses Pedicab Tour Wednesday, Dec.24,09:00-11:30 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

Beijing Walk: Summer Palace Thursday, Dec.25, 13:00-16:30 The Summer Palace is an imperial garden mainly dominated by Longevity Hill and the Kunming Lake. Three quarters of the garden is water and rest are a variety of palaces, gardens, and other classical-style architectural structures. >>> more

	Ancient City Xi An (Terracotta Warriors) Dec 25 eve.-27 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

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

	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

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

	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

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

	Cookery: hand-pulled noodles and dumplings Saturday, Dec 27, 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

Great Wall Mutianyu & Ming Tombs Saturday, Dec.27,09:00-18:30 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: Chinese Knotting - Longevity Knots Sunday, Dec 28, 14:00-16:30 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

Walk: Temple of Heaven Sunday, Dec.28, 10:00-12:00 Temple of Heaven is the largest religious imperial complex in the old outer city of Beijing for worshipping and offering sacrifiaces to the god of heaven, and has been considered the supreme achievement of traditional Chinese architecture. >>> 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

Great Wall Mutianyu & Ming Tombs Monday, Dec.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

	Farmers' Wholesale Market & Flower Market Tour Tuesday, Dec.30, 09:00-13:00 Largest wholesale market in the city proper (within the fourth and fifth ring road), with a new set up modern market building on the spot, surrounded by the old style open-air market (a good contrast). It boosts to be the largest in China. >>> more

Cookery: hand-pulled noodles and dumplings Tuesday, Dec 30, 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

	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