Lesson 1.docx

China China is one of the four ancient civilizations. China's culture is diverse and unique. China has different traditions, festival, and beliefs. It is said that Chinese people still practice their traditions and beliefs up until the present. Chinese Chinese people, or the Chinese, are the lar...

China China is one of the four ancient civilizations. China's culture is diverse and unique. China has different traditions, festival, and beliefs. It is said that Chinese people still practice their traditions and beliefs up until the present. Chinese Chinese people, or the Chinese, are the largest ethnic group in the world, originating from China, a country with a rich history and diverse culture that spans over 5,000 years. They primarily speak Mandarin, though numerous other dialects and languages are also spoken across the vast country. Cities in China **Beijing** The capital of China, known for its historical landmarks like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and Tiananmen Square. **Shanghai** China's largest city and a global financial hub, famous for its modern skyline, including the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower and the historic Bund waterfront. **Guangzhou** A major port city in southern China, known for its vibrant trade markets, Cantonese cuisine, and the annual Canton Fair. **Shenzhen** A rapidly growing tech hub bordering Hong Kong, known for its innovation, skyscrapers, and as a global technology manufacturing center. Chengdu The capital of Sichuan Province, famous for its spicy cuisine, giant pandas, and a relaxed, leisurely lifestyle. Xi\'an An ancient city, known for the Terracotta Army and as the starting point of the Silk Road. Chongqing A major city in southwest China, known for its hilly terrain, hot pot cuisine, and as a manufacturing center. Wuhan A central Chinese city on the Yangtze River, known for its universities, historical sites, and as a major transportation hub. Hangzhou Famous for the picturesque West Lake and its rich history, it\'s also a tech and e-commerce center, home to Alibaba. Nanjing A city with a deep historical significance, once the capital of several Chinese dynasties, known for its Ming Dynasty-era city wall and mausoleums. Chinese Religion Buddhism Over, 2000 years ago Buddhism came from India to China. Based on the teachings of Siddharta Gautama or Buddha. The Buddhist communities are the largest religious communities in China. Confucianism The religion is based on the teachings of the Chinese Philosopher Confucius about moral, social, political, and philosophical religious thought. And had a great impact and influence to Chinese people. Taoism It is 1,700 years ago when Lao Tzu of Taoism religion established and spread of Taoism in China. Its doctrines are based on his writings and the Tao teaching of Humility, Calmness and Patience Great Wall of China The Great Wall of China is one of the most iconic and significant architectural feats in human history. It was built over several dynasties, primarily during the Ming Dynasty (1368--1644), to protect China from invasions by nomadic tribes from the north. The wall is not a single continuous structure but a series of walls and fortifications made from various materials like earth, wood, bricks, and stone. It winds through mountains, deserts, and plains, showcasing the engineering prowess and determination of the ancient Chinese. Today, the Great Wall is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world, symbolizing China\'s historical strength and resilience. The Forbidden City The Forbidden City, located in the heart of Beijing, China, is a vast imperial palace complex that served as the political and ceremonial center of Chinese emperors Ming Dynasty (1368--1644) to the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644--1912). The Forbidden City is the world\'s largest palace complex, encompassing over 980 buildings and covering 180 acres. It was named the \"Forbidden City\" because access to it was strictly limited, with commoners forbidden from entering. The complex is a masterpiece of traditional Chinese architecture, featuring elaborate wooden structures, intricately designed roofs, and beautiful courtyards, all aligned along a central axis. The Teracotta Warriors The Terracotta Warriors are a collection of thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, horses, and chariots buried near the tomb of China\'s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, in Xi\'an, Shaanxi Province. Discovered in 1974 by local farmers, these figures were created over 2,200 years ago to accompany and protect the emperor in the afterlife. Each warrior is uniquely crafted, with distinct facial expressions, hairstyles, and armor, reflecting the ranks and roles of the ancient Chinese army. The Terracotta Army is a remarkable testament to the power and resources of the Qin Dynasty and offers invaluable insights into ancient Chinese art, culture, and military history. The Potala Palace The Potala Palace, located in Lhasa, Tibet, is a majestic fortress-like structure that serves as a symbol of Tibetan Buddhism and the historical seat of the Dalai Lamas. Built in the 17th century by the 5th Dalai Lama on the site of an earlier palace, it stands at an altitude of 3,700 meters (12,100 feet) and rises 13 stories high, with over 1,000 rooms, including chapels, shrines, tombs of past Dalai Lamas, and living quarters. The palace is renowned for its stunning architecture, vibrant murals, and sacred artifacts. It is both a religious and political hub, embodying the spiritual heart of Tibet. Major Languages in China Mandarin Official Status: Mandarin is the official language of China and the most widely spoken language in the world. Speakers: It is spoken by over 70% of the population, approximately 1 billion people. Geographical Distribution: Mandarin is spoken throughout China, but its use is especially prevalent in the northern and southwestern regions. Standard Mandarin: The standardized form of Mandarin is based on the Beijing dialect and is the language of government, media, and education. Cantonese (Yue) Speakers: Cantonese has around 60-70 million speakers. Geographical Distribution: It is predominantly spoken in Guangdong Province, Hong Kong, Macau, and among overseas Chinese communities. Cultural Significance: Cantonese is a major language in Hong Kong cinema, pop culture, and music. Shanghainese (Wu) Speakers: Shanghainese has about 80 million speakers. Geographical Distribution: It is spoken mainly in the city of Shanghai and the surrounding areas of Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. Characteristics: Wu dialects, including Shanghainese, are known for their tonal complexity and differences from Mandarin. Hokkien (Minnan) Speakers: Hokkien is spoken by around 30-40 million people. Geographical Distribution: This language is widely spoken in Fujian Province, Taiwan, and among overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia (especially in Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines). Variants: It has several variants, including Taiwanese Hokkien. Hakka (Kejia) Speakers: Hakka has approximately 30-45 million speakers. Geographical Distribution: It is spoken in various parts of southern China, including Guangdong, Jiangxi, and Fujian, as well as in Taiwan and among Hakka communities abroad. Cultural Role: The Hakka people have a distinct cultural identity, and the language reflects their migratory history. Gan Speakers: Gan is spoken by about 20 million people. Geographical Distribution: It is primarily spoken in Jiangxi Province and neighboring regions. Relation to Mandarin: Gan shares some similarities with Mandarin but is distinct enough to be considered a separate language. Xiang (Hunanese) Speakers: Xiang has approximately 36 million speakers. Geographical Distribution: It is mainly spoken in Hunan Province. Characteristics: Xiang has both Old Xiang, which is more conservative, and New Xiang, which has been influenced by Mandarin. Tibetan Speakers: Tibetan is spoken by around 6 million people. Geographical Distribution: It is predominantly spoken in the Tibet Autonomous Region and in parts of Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu, and Yunnan provinces. Language Family: Tibetan belongs to the Tibeto-Burman language family and has several dialects, with Standard Tibetan being based on the Lhasa dialect. Uyghur Speakers: Uyghur is spoken by about 10-12 million people. Geographical Distribution: It is the predominant language of the Uyghur ethnic group in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Language Family: Uyghur belongs to the Turkic language family and uses a modified Arabic script. Mongolian Speakers: Mongolian is spoken by around 6 million people. Geographical Distribution: It is primarily spoken in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and among Mongolian communities. Language Family: Mongolian belongs to the Mongolic language family and uses a script based on the traditional Mongolian alphabet. Zhuang Speakers: Zhuang has approximately 16-18 million speakers. Geographical Distribution: It is spoken by the Zhuang ethnic group, mainly in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Language Family: Zhuang belongs to the Tai-Kadai language family and has similarities to Thai and Lao. Manchu Speakers: Manchu has very few fluent speakers left, mostly elderly people in northeastern China. Geographical Distribution: Historically spoken in Manchuria (northeastern China), it is now nearly extinct. Historical Significance: Manchu was the language of the Qing dynasty rulers, but it has largely been replaced by Mandarin. Korean Speakers: Korean is spoken by around 2 million people in China. Geographical Distribution: It is primarily spoken by the Korean ethnic minority in the northeastern provinces of Jilin, Liaoning, and Heilongjiang. Language Family: Korean is part of the Koreanic language family and uses the Hangul script. Dai Speakers: Dai has about 1.2 million speakers. Geographical Distribution: It is spoken by the Dai people in Yunnan Province, close to the borders with Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand. Language Family: Dai belongs to the Tai-Kadai language family. Khmer Speakers: A small Khmer-speaking population exists in southern China. Geographical Distribution: Khmer is spoken by the Khmer Krom people in Yunnan Province, near the border with Cambodia and Vietnam. Language Family: Khmer belongs to the Austroasiatic language family.