Dear CCC Friends,

The traditional East Asian calendars divide a year into 24 solar terms; Li dong (literally: "start of winter") is the 19th solar term and formally begins when the sun reaches the celestial longitude of 225C and ends when it reaches the longitude of 240C. 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, Li dong signifies for us the beginning of our winter.

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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 Eearthen Round Buildings  & Xiamen City 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 26-31 consider traveling to Yuanyang, a relatively inaccessible part of Yunnan province which has escaped heavy development for tourism.  Experience the Hani Rice Terrace & Tropical Xishuangbanna - 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. 
 
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CCC redesigned regular day tours
for your visiting families and friends

Our weekly tours will be changed to "Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City and Opera Tours (every Tuesday) , Pedicab Hutong, Tian'anmen Square and Summer Palace (every Wednesday); and Great Wall Mutianyu & Ming Tombs (every Thursday)


New talks and hands-on classes

Talk: China's Rural-Urban Migrant Workers
Wednesday, Nov.10, 19:30-21:30
/Repeat: Thursday,Nov.25,13:00-15:00

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

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

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

Join us for our monthly book chat at CCC! We are going to talk on the book "Shadow of the Silk Road" by Colin Thurbon (Please note that the author will not be on hand at CCC for this book chat). >>> more

Herbal Medicine Course
Monday & Wednesday, Dec.6-15, 10:00-12:00

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

Talk: All About 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

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

Christmas Tree Ornaments with Chinese Design
Saturday, Nov.13,10:00-12:00
Tuesday, Nov.30, 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

Day Tours

Hiking highest Qin Great Wall of Beijing
Saturday, Nov.13, 08:30-18:00

The hike starts from an obscure village in a valley, where the stacks of hay in front of the old houses made of rocks. We will climb up the tallest Great Wall in Beijing in altitude, and pass peaceful woods two times, only birds and insects chirping. >>> more

Eunuch Tombs, Mural and Temple Tour
Saturday, Nov.13, 09:30-15:30

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, Nov.14, 08:00-19:00

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

 Upcoming Travel programs

Subtropical Hakka Round Buildings & City Xiamen
Nov 19-21 | Dec 25-27

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

Xi'an (Terrecotta Warriors) & Luoyang (Grottos & Shaolin Temple)
Nov 24 eve.-28 | Dec 3 eve.-5 | Dec 25 eve.-29

The 4-day tour explores some most important heritages and culture of imperial China in the two most ancient capitals of Xi'an and Luoyang. They are located by the Yellow River area, north central mainland of China, and are dubbed the cradle of Chines >>> more

Pingyao - Raise the red lanterns
Nov 26 eve.-28

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

Yunnan's Yuanyang (Hani Rice Terrace) & Tropical Xishuangbanna
Dec 25-31

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

Harbin - Ice Lantern Festival & Snow Sculpture Expo
Jan 1-2 /8-9/15-16 /22-23/29-30

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