Light hiking the Dragon Gate Gorge
Saturday, August 25, 08:30-18:30

The Dragon Gate Gorge is a great place to avoid the heat of the summer. Located in the valley in the southwest of Beijing, the deep gorge provides natural springs, running streams and waterfalls reminding people of the start of the Yellow River. >>> more

Beijing Enamel Art (Cloisonne) Factory Visit
Saturday, Aug.25, 09:30-12:30

Come to see workshops of cloisonné or Jingtai Lan (the "blue of Jingtai"). It is so named because the blue was the dominant color adopted for enameling, and cloisonné became prevalent during the reign of Jingtai (1450--1456) in the Ming dynasty. >>> more

Cookery: hand-pulled noodles and dumplings
Saturday,Aug.25, 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

Hands-on: Making Traditional kites
Sunday,August.26,14:00-17:00

Learn to make traditional Chinese kites with a famous kite master Mr. Zhang. Various types of kites will be explained and appreciated, and then you have a chance to try your hand at one special Beijing style of "sand swallow", and painting >>> more

Chinese Bird-flower Painting Class
Every Saturday of September,10:00-12:00

Chinese ink & water painting is a thousand-year tradition, and the xieyi style (free-hand) is one of the most unique style of Chinese painting. The CCCC painting course is specially designed for expatriates. >>> more

Talk: Peering into the Mystery of I-Ching
Saturday, Sep.1, 14:30-16:30

The ancient Book of Changes is known by almost all, yet understood by few. Researcher Ma Ning will provide a basic introduction to the I Ching for a lay audience, with a talk a PPT show that will be conducted in Chinese with English interpretation. >>> more

Contemporary Chinese Art Lecture Series

Mondays & Wednesdays, Sep.10-24, 19:30-21:30

This is an in-depth five-session introduction to Chinese contemporary art, with about 1000 slides, covering 200 artists. The lectures will be conducted in English by Zhang Fang, who has been living in Songzhuang and Caochangdi artists villages for over ten years, and have close contacts with the artists and studied contemporary art and gives lectures for years. >>> more

Talk: The Truth about Eunuchs
Saturday, Sep.15, 14:30-16:00

The Truth about Eunuchs is an attempt to clear the air about many misconceptions that exists about Chinese eunuchs. Conducted in English, the talk will explain what a eunuch was (probably not what most people think), the effects of castration, what the emperors used them for and why, and where they came from. Researcher Tang from China History Archives will be on hand to answer questions. >>> more

Peking Opera Workshop
Sunday, Sep.16,14:30-16:30

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

Tuina Massage Course
Tuesday & Thursday, Sep.4-27, 19:30-21:30
Repeat: Tuesday & Thursday, Nov.6-29,10:00-12:00

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

Herbal Medicine Course
Mondays & Wednesdays, Oct.22-Nov.14, 13:00-15:00

This 8 session course covers the brief history of herbalism, different schools of thought;basics of diagnosis and formulas for gynecological problems, sleep problems. >>> more

Backstreet Beijing Walk - Legation Quarter
Friday, Aug.31, 10:00-13:00

Explore historical sites, hutongs and architecture around Dongdan, Taijichang and Zhengyi Lu, and then visit the Legation quarter area. You will old alleys and residents, churches and banks, and old European Embassy buildings. >>> more

New! Expert-guided Tour to Songzhuang Contemporary Artists Village
Sunday, Sep.2, 09:30-16:30

We will visit some various artists homes that we've never visited before. 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

Madame Soong's Residence and Soong Sisters
Wednesday, Sep.5, 10:00-12:00

A guided tour to the former residence (beautiful courtyard houses and garden) of Madame Soong Chinag-ling, wife of Republic of china founder Sun Yat-Sen and dubbed the Mother of the Nation; elder sister of Soong Mei-Ling & Chiang Kaishek. >>> more

Backstreet Beijing Walk - Mosque & Muslim Quarters
Saturday, Sep.1, 14:30-17:30

This CCC walk will head you to Niujie (Ox Street), a largely Muslim community in Beijing's Xuanwu District. This walk will give you a feel for the unique Muslim quarter with old Beijing hutong atmosphere. >>> more

Sleeping on the Great Wall Jinshanling
Sat.2pm - Sun.4pm, Sep.01-02

The hike between Jinshanling and Gubeikou Great Wall gives you a truly authentic wall experience and breathtaking views in relative isolation. Sleeping overnight on the Wall (camping or in the watchtower is the coolest experience ever ! >>> more

Hiking Great Wall Huanghuacheng & Fort Village
Sunday, Sep 2, 08:30-17:00

Enjoy a rugged but moderate hike on the Great Wall and then a leisurely hike down a mountain overlooking the scenic Little West Lake. The Wall is submerged under water in the Lake damage from aerial bombings that happened in World War II. >>> more

Tsinghua University Campus Walk
Saturday, Sep.8, 14:30-17:00

Tsinghua University is known throughout China for having one of the most beautiful campuses. It is located on the former site of Qing Dynasty royal gardens and retains Chinese-style landscaping as well as traditional buildings, but many of its buildings are also in the Western-style, reflecting the American influence in its history. Come and take a walk in the campus and learn the history of Tsinghua and of China for the last century, as well as China's educational and examinational System. >>> more

Two-day Tour to Datong (Grottoes & Hanging Monastery)
Aug 24 eve-26

Join this two-day tour to see the second-largest of the nearly 51,000 sandstone statues of Buddha in 53 Yungang grottoes. Buddhist cave art began here in Datong, 160 miles west of Beijing, in the fifth century, by Xianbei minority, which ruled North China for over 200 years. Then we check out the wooden Hanging Monastery was built about 1.400 years ago on extremely sheer cliffs of Hengshan Mountain. Bridges and corridors connect the different buildings of the monastery. >>> more

Yangtze River Cruise & Dazu Rock Carving
Sep 6-9

The Yangtze, China's longest river, originates on the Qinghai-Tibet-Plateau and flows eastwards. The rushing waters formed the dramatic scenery of the famous Three Gorges. Enjoy the spectacular mountainous landscape of the Yangtze River and its tribu >>> more

Pingyao Ancient Walled Town - Raise the Red Lantern
Sep.7 eve-9

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

Ancient City Xi An (Terracotta Army Site)
Sep7 eve.-9

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

Inner Mongolian Grasslands, Erguna Wetland & Russian Village
Sep 7-9

The Inner Mogolian Hulun Buir Grasslands are the most pristine and lushest in China. The Russian town features Russian descendants, Russian style wooden houses and filled windows and golden-silver birch forest. >>> more

Experience Ancient Village & Monk's Life in Bailin Monastery
Sep.8-9

The peaceful and secluded temple is an ideal retreat to experince life of monks and begin the journey to know one's self. Spend a weekend in the temple, join their busy daily routine and learn about "the art of life". Then visit a least touristy ancient village which is a best example of stone architecture. >>> more

Guilin, Yangshuo & Longsheng Rice Terraces
Sep 13-16

Guilin has China's most "Chinese' scenery - paddy fields, farmers wearing straw hats, etc., and the town of Yangshuo has limestone carst peaks along the Li River. Its natural scenery and laid back air, is a great escape from the big cities. Longsheng Rice Terraces' natural beauty and the colorful ethnic minorities cultures and customs attract people from all over the world. >>> more

North Xinjiang's Kanas Lake & Hemu Village
Sep 19-23

See the mysterious Kanas lake deep in the forests and mountains of Altay, near the border of Kirgistan, Mongolia and Sibiria. Then explore Hemu Village, voted 3rd most beautiful village in China and discover the Tuwa minority living at the lake. >>> more