This is Beijing-Beijing English blog

For those who want to experience the localcustoms as well as the history and culture of Beijing, the hutong and Siheyuan (quadrangle) are indispensible parts of a visit as unique Beijing architectural structures. A hutong is an ancient city alley or lane typical in Beijing, where hutongs run into the several thousand. Surrounding the Forbidden City, many were built during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. In these dynasties the emperors planned the city and arranged the residential areas according to the etiquette systems. The center of the city of Beijing was the royal palace — the Forbidden City.  The word “hutong” came from the Mongolian language about 700 years ago. It originates from the word “hottog” in Mongolian meaning “water well.” Where there was a spring or well, there were residents. The word “hottog” became “hutong” after it was introduced into Beijing. Hutong means street, lane and alley, and is in fact the passage formed by lines of siheyuan (quadrangle) where most Beijing residents live. One hutong connects with another, and siheyuan connects with siheyuan, to form a block, and blocks join with blocks to form the whole city. In old China, there was a clear definition for a street or a lane. A 36-meter-wide road was called a big street. An 18-meter-wide one was called a small street. A 9-meter-wide lane was called a hutong. The shortest one is just 10 meters long, and the narrowest hutong is only about 40 centimeters wide. Some hutong have more than 20 turns. Most of the hutongs in Beijing are in east-west or south-north directions. That has resulted from the need for houses to face south so as to take in more sunshine.

For some visiters, liveing in hotel is a better way for short stay.But for long station in Beijing, it is more economic to rent a house. Then do you know how to rent a house in Beijing? The dialogua below will tell you something.

Qustion:Hello,I come from America and I’ll stay in China for several months. I want to lease a house, could you give me some suggestion?

Answer:A foreigner may find a house in Beijing himself or through a real estate intermediary. However, due to your special status as a foreigner, you need to obtain a written consent of relevant authorities in Beijing before signing the contract. Therefore, once you have found a suitable house or apartment, you must ascertain first whether the property management unit concerned has the Certificate for House Leasing issued by Beijing Municipal Housing and Land Administration Bureau with the Foreign-related stamp on it. You can ask a local broker for help.Go to www.askgrid.com for more

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The Olympic Park in Chaoyang District will be the heart of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. It is on the northern end of Beijing’s axis and covers 12.15 square kilometres (sq.km). To the north lies the Olympic Forest Park. To the south are: 14 stadiums, Olympic Village, Media Centre, International Radio and TV Centre, National Sports Museum, China International Exhibiton Centre and National Olympic Sports Centre.

After 2008, Olympic Park plans to become Beijing’s biggest multi-function community with trade centres, business centres, exhibition halls, large-scale stadiums and entertainment facilities. It will be the one of Beijing’s landmarks

Most traveller will do shopping when they are in other places. Do you want to come to Beijing in 2008 or some other time? Do you want to shopping in Beijing?Even if you have no plan to Beijing recently, the below information will help you to know better about Beijing.Beijing has more than a hundred large and middle-sized shopping complexes. Wangfujin Street, Qianmen Dashilan and Xidan Commercial Street are the traditional shopping centres; whereas Guomao Shopping Centre, Oriental Plaza and Zhongguancun Square are new commercial hubs developed recently. These shopping centres will give you the greatest joy of shopping.

If you have an interest in antiques, you might want to visit Liulichang or Panjiayuan Antique City. If you are looking for export clothing, then you must not miss Xiushui Street and Yaxiu Clothing Wholesale Market. Buying some special local product and souvenir will enhance the joy of traveling too. Jingtailan cloisonne, jade, silk embroidery etc are very ancient; and native handicrafts such as clay figurine, Peking opera mask, kites, paper-cuttings etc are inexpensive and make excellent gifts for family and friends.

On Feb 14th,2008, it is the traditional Chinses “Laba”, and on that day chinese people will take Laba rice porridge for celebration.

Laba is celebrated on the eighth day of the last lunar month, referring to the traditional start of celebrations for the Chinese New Year. “La” in Chinese means the 12th lunar month and “ba” means eight.

Legends about the origin of this festivity abound. One holds that over 3,000 years ago sacrificial rites called “La “were held in the twelfth lunar month when people offered their preys to the gods of heaven and earth. The Chinese characters for prey and the twelfth month were interchangeable then, and ever since “La” has been used to refer to both.

Since the festival was held on the eighth day of the Last month, people later appended the number eight (“ba” in Chinese), giving us the current Laba .

The majority Han Chinese have long followed the tradition of eating Laba rice porridge on the Laba Festival. The date usually falls in mid-January.

Legend

Laba rice porridge was first introduced to China in the Song Dynasty about 900 years ago.

Buddhism was well accepted in the areas inhabited by the Han Chinese, who believed that Sakyamuni, the first Buddha and founder of the religion, attained enlightenment on the eighth day of the twelfth month. Sutras were chanted in the temples and rice porridge with beans, nuts and dried fruit was prepared for the Buddha. With the passing of time the custom extended, especially in rural areas where peasants would pray for a plentiful harvest in this way.

There is, however, another touching story: When Sakyamuni was on his way into the high mountains in his quest for understanding and enlightenment, he grew tired and hungry. Exhausted from days of walking, he fainted away by a river in India. A shepherdess found him there and fed him her lunch — porridge made with beans and rice. Sakyamuni was thus able to continue his journey.

After six years of strict discipline, he finally realized his dream of full enlightenment on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. Ever since, monks have prepared rice porridge on the eve and held a ceremony the following day, during which they chant sutras and offer porridge to Buddha. Thus, the tradition of eating Laba porridge was based in religion, though with the passing of time the food itself became a popular winter dish especially in cold northern China.

According to written records, large Buddhist temples would offer Laba rice porridge to the poor to show their faith to Buddha. In the Ming Dynasty about 500 years ago, it became such a holy food that emperors would offer it to their officials during festivals. As it gained favor in the feudal upper class, it also quickly became popular throughout the country.

Laba Rice Porridge

Laba rice porridge contains glutinous rice , red beans, millet, Chinese sorghum, peas, dried lotus seeds, red beans and some other ingredients, such as dried dates, chestnut meat, walnut meat, almond, peanut, etc. Actually eight ingredients are used, cooked with sugar to make the porridge tasty.

Northerners prefer to use glutinous rice, red beans, dates, lotus seeds, dried pulp, walnuts , pine nuts and other dried fruits in their porridge; southerners like a salty porridge prepared with rice, soybeans, peanuts, broad beans, taro, water chestnuts, walnuts, vegetables and diced meat. In the north, it is a dessert with sugar added; in the south, salt is put in. Some people like to add cinnamon and other condiments to add flavor.

Controlling the heat is of great importance in making Laba porridge. At the start, the flame must be high, but the fire is then turned down to let the porridge simmer until it begins to emit a very delicious smell. The process is time-consuming but not complicated.

Laba porridge is not only easy to prepare, but also a nutritious winter food because it contains amino acids, protein, vitamins and other nutrition people need. Cooked nuts and dried fruit are good for soothing nerves, nourishing one’s heart and vitality, and strengthening the spleen. Perhaps that is why it is also called babao (Eight Treasure) porridge.

This is an promotion of KFC, and the activity is the Chinese Yangge. It is very interesing. So what do you think about “localization”?

Born in 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019…

You are a splendid companion, an intellectual with a very strong need to set difficult goals and carry them out. You are sincere, tolerant, and honest but by expecting the same from others, you are incredibly naive. Your quest for material goods could be your downfall. The Pig would be best in the arts as an entertainer, or possible a lawyer.

Born in 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018…

The Dog will never let you down. Born under this sign you are honest, and faithful to those you love. You are plagued by constant worry, a sharp tongue, and a tendency to be a fault finder, however. You would make an excellent businessman, activist, teacher, or secret agent.

Born in 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017…

The Rooster is a hard worker; shrewd and definite in decision making often speaking his mind. Because of this, you tend to seem boastful to others. You are a dreamer, flashy dresser, and extravagant to an extreme. Born under this sign you should be happy as a restaurant owner, publicist, soldier or world traveler.

Born in 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016…

You are a vary intelligent and a very clever wit. Because of your extraordinary nature and magnetic personality, you are always well-liked. The Monkey, however, must guard against being an opportunist and distrustful of other people. Your sign promises success in any field you try.