Today is the Frost Descent

Dear CCC friends,

We have just arrived at the seasonal marker of October 23, called shuangjiang or "the descent of frost" as noted by the Chinese solar-based agricultural calendar. This date marks the first appearance of frost on the local crops, the hibernation of insects and the blossoming of the famed Chinese chrysanthemum. As we transition from the autumn to winter seasons in Beijing, we too at CCC find ourselves in good transition. We are constantly working to improve our existing cultural programs and tours while also introducing new and exciting cultural programs that are always educational, relevant, and innovative.

Cultural readings
* No.117: Zen Biking & No. 118: Zen Glory
--- Our master's Zen thoughts (from the Live Zen Center)
* Calligraphy & painting newsletter -- Issue One

Help us select your favorite CCC tour leader
Please give us one minute of your time and help us select your favorite tour leader of out-of-town trips (city day trips are not included). Follow this LINK HERE to select. Choose two or even four if you are simply unable to decide which one is your absolute favorite.
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This weekend Tours and Events

Meandering Mandarin - Massage
Saturday, October 23, 13:30-16:30

The Meandering Mandarin course is an eight-week language program with most common ten, real-life situations that people always encounter in their daily life and pairs this excursion trip with a formal two-hour language lesson. >>> more

Songzhuang Contemporary Artists Village Tour
Saturday, Oct.23, 09:00-16:00

Songzhuang Village is China's largest contemporary artist community. It is different with 798 Art Zone crowded with galleries. CCC makes appointments with a handful of artists who will allow you into their farmer's homes or rental studios. >>> more

Day Tour: Rural Beijing Village By the Wall
Sunday, Oct.24, 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

Talk: All about Laozi and Philosophical Taoism
Monday, October 25, 19:30-21:30

No book other than the Bible has been translated and read more than the Tao Te Ching. Come hear a talk on the core meaning of Tao and other key concepts from the Taoist masterpiece "Tao Te Ching" by the philosopher-sage Lao Zi. >>> more

Feng Shui Course - Xuan Kong Flying Star
Mon. & Wed., Nov.15-Dec.8, 10:00-12:00

Alvin Ang, Singapore practitioner and trainer, gives Xuan Kong Flying Star Feng Shui course on how to plot, read and interpret a chart of any house in any period; how to activate Wealth and people luck; and practical audit. >>> more

Chinese Medicine Course
Monday & Wednesday, November 1-24, 10:30-12:00

This 8 session course covers the basic philosophy and cosmology underlying Chinese medicine, the varying schools of thought in history, the acupuncture channels and their relationship to illness, the four diagnostic methods, Chinese herbalism. >>> more

Herbal Medicine Course
Monday & Wednesday, Nov.15-24, 13:00-15:00

This 4 session course covers the brief history of herbalism, different schools of thought;basics of diagnosis and formulas for gynecological problems, sleep problems. >>> more

Tuina Massage Course
Monday & Wednesday, Nov.1-Nov.24, 10:00-12:00

The 8-session traditional tuina massage course introduce basic Chinese medicine theory, manipulation techniques on relaxing the muscle and vein, and pressing corresponding acupoints; and treatments on common diseases. >>> more

Tuina Massage Course
Tuesday & Thursday, November 2-25, 19:30-21:30

The 8-session traditional tuina massage course introduce basic Chinese medicine theory, manipulation techniques on relaxing the muscle and vein, and pressing corresponding acupoints; and treatments on common diseases. >>> more

Chinese Painting Intermediate Level Course
Friday, Nov.5-26,10:00-12:00

This intermediate level course will go into the detailed brush stroke techniques, instruct you to complete a complex work of Bird-Flower Type, and learn related Chinese art history, theory and artistic values. >>> more

Calligraphy Beginner's Course
Monday, November 8-29, 19:30-21:00

Conducted in English, the class teaches everything, from meaning and evolution of the characters, stroke techniques to related culture. You don't have to be able to write Chinese already, just have to be enthusiastic and be willing to hold a brush. >>> more

Basic Knots Series Course
Monday, November 8-29, 13:00-15:00

Learn to make the auspicious knots from a CCC Chinese knot artist, and work out your own knots as lovely home decorations or accessories on your neck or your handbag. >>> more

Calligraphy Intermediate Class
Tuesday, Nov.9-30,10:00-11:30

For the students who have attend 2-3 sessions (8-12 lessons), are recommended to join the intermediate class for further study and enjoy deeper about art of calligraphy. >>> more

Sunshine Bus Tour Of Beijing
Tuesday, Oct.26, 10:00-15:00

Our CCC guide will take you on a 4-5 hours bus tour of the 4 corners of Beijing - you' ll see an overview of the new Beijing and the old -- new buildings and old neighborhood and courtyard houses, willow parks and snack shop and temple. >>> more

Eunuch Tombs, Mural and Temple Tour
Thursday, Oct.28, 09:00-15:00

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

Daytrip: Colonial Architecture Exploration of Tianjin
Sunday, Oct.31, 08:20-19:00

This is an expert guided tour exploring the old colonial districts and areas where the western and classic Chinese villas still exist. The beautiful renovated Haihe river, the traditional lanes, neighborhood and market will also be visited. >>> more

Zen Immersion Practice & Retreat in Temple
November 5eve.-7

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

Backstreet Beijing Walk: Tongzhou District
Saturday, Nov.6, 09:30-13:30

Get an overview of Tongzhou District east of Beijing ! Drive along the canal to the tallest and oldest pagoda in the city proper. Then check out the mosque and Tongzhou Museum and a church school with old western architecture. >>> more

Erguotou Liquor Factory Tour
Tuesday, Nov.9, 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

Daytrip: Colonial Architecture Exploration of Tianjin
Sunday, Nov.14, 08:20-19:00

This is an expert guided tour exploring the old colonial districts and areas where the western and classic Chinese villas still exist. The beautiful renovated Haihe river, the traditional lanes, neighborhood and market will also be visited. >>> more

Farmers' Wholesale Market & Flower Garden Tour
Tuesday, Nov.16, 09:00-14:00

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 boasts to be the largest in Beijing. >>> more

Talk: Chinese Goldfish Culture
Wed, Oct.27, 10:00-12:00

Goldfish was first domesticated in China more than a thousand years ago. The talk will introduce varieties of domesticated goldfish in China, classification, feeding and behavior, as well as goldfish culture, symbols, goldfish bowl and fengshui. >>> more

Talk: Understanding Chinese Cuisine
Wednesday, October 27, 19:30-21:30

Foods plays a central part in Chinese culture. This lecture reveals a tantalizing wide range of foods and flavors in China, philosophy, history, local culture and geography’s impact on food, usages of materials and condiments and cooking varieties >>> more

Talk: The Zen Path & Three Ways of Meditation
Thursday, Oct.28, 19:30-21:30

Our Buddhist layman will teach three ways of Zen meditation, from its origins in India to localized Chinese Chan, and the Tibetan way. You will also experience Zen for yourself, through guided meditations, to achieve a more balanced mind and life. >>> more

Talk: Buddhism & Social Healing
Friday, Oct.29, 10:00-12:00

Our Buddhist layman will take us into Buddha's the core values, principles of action and its interface with social roles. They have the power to help us maintain a better balance with others, and contribute to a more tranquil society. >>> more

Talk: Chinese foot-binding
Sunday, Oct.31, 14:30-16:30

Nicknamed Gold Lilies, bound feet is symbolic erotic fantasy for men. Foot-binding resulted in lifelong disabilities for most of its victims. The talk explores the history, detailed process of binding feet, and the custom and appeal. >>> more

Talk: China's Household Register, Social Security & Personal Data Files
Wednesday, Nov.3, 19:30-21:30

Come hear an expert's talk on China's three fundamental constraints every Chinese people live under either at work or in their everyday life. They still restrict one's housing, job application, welfare and children' s schooling. >>> more

Talk: An Overview of Chinese Tea
Wednesday, Nov.9, 10:00-12:00

The lecture will tell almost everything about Chinese tea, from plant variety, production distribution, tea leaves processing, to major types of tea and differentiation of quality, way of steeping and drinking, tea cups and water. >>> more

Talk: China's Rural-Urban Migrant Workers
Wednesday, Nov.10, 19:30-21:30 / Friday, Nov.19,10:00-12:00

CCC invites speaker to share with you history of migrant workers, the plight (living and working conditions, discrimination, social securities, and their kids education, etc.) and way out based on gradual change of governmental regulations. >>> more

Talk: Understanding Buddha & Spiritual Healing
Friday, Nov.12, 10:00-12:00

If you want to enrich your knowledge of Buddhism you must first understand its origin. Who was the Buddha? What was his early life like and why did it change his way of thinking? Join us for the insight into the Buddha by a Buddhist layman >>> more

Talk: Chinese foot-binding
Tuesday, Nov.16,13:00-15:00

Nicknamed Gold Lilies, bound feet is symbolic erotic fantasy for men. Foot-binding resulted in lifelong disabilities for most of its victims. The talk explores the history, detailed process of binding feet, and the custom and appeal. >>> more

Zen & Tea Talk
Thursday, November 18, 19:30-21:30

This is an in-depth talk on the relation between Zen sect Buddhism and tea, and the importance of the three key elements: candle, bell, water, cup and pots, and tea leaves. Zen ritual will be performed, tea will be tasted, meditation will be practis >>> more

Book Club "Shadow of the Silk Road"
Tuesday, Nov.16, 10:30-12:00
Our monthly book club meeting will discuss "Shadow of the Silk Road. You are also welcome even if you haven't read it.
>>> more

Cookery: hand-pulled noodles and dumplings
Sunday, October 24, 18:30-20:30

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

Tying Bracelet Knots -- Kingkong knot (Malian Stack Knot)
Tuesday, October 26, 10:00-12:00

Learn to make the auspicious knots from CCC folk artists Ms Wang, and work out your own knots (knots, necklace, bracelet, butterfly or lily shoes, and other patterns of crafts), and hang them up on your neck or your handbag. >>> more

Mahjong Workshop
Saturday, Oct.30, 14:00-16:00

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

Tying Chinese Knots: necklace
Sunday, Oct.31, 09:30-12:00

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

Chinese Landscape Painting Beginner's Course
Thursday, Nov. 11- Dec.2, 10:00-12:00

Meet different styles of CCC guest artists, pick up the brush and try on rice paper the traditional Chinese Ink & Water Painting! >>> more

Christmas Tree Ornaments with Chinese Design
Saturday, Nov.13,10:00-12:00

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

Cookery: hand-pulled noodles and dumplings
Sunday, November 14, 18:00-20:00

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

Cookery Class: Longevity Peach Pastry
Thursday, Nov.18, 10:00-12:00

Shoutao ( peach style longevity pastry) and other colorful breads of various shapes are usually made at the Chinese New Year or for the elderly's birthday. Come and learn them with CCC chef. >>> more