This is Beijing-Beijing English blog

The National Aquatic Center has a beautiful nickname — the “Water Cube.” This is an architectural building that literally embodies the water theme. The blue “bubbles” made by the ETFE membrane fully showcase the grace and sensitivity of water.The design feature of the “Water Cube” is the “bubbles.” The membrane structure of the “Water Cube,” which is composed of more than 3000 pneumatic die cushion with a coverage area of 110, 000 square meters, is the largest in the world. The “Water Cube” is also the only public building that is fully made of a membrane structure.

The advantages of the ETFE membrane are numerous:

Each of the 3000 bubbles can resist the weight of a car.

The outer wall of the “Water Cube” is composed of 3000 irregular “bubbles,” which make up the ETFE membrane structure. The ETFE membrane has good ductility and crushing resistance. After aeration, every piece of membrane can resist the weight of a car. It also has good resistance against fire and intense heat.

The “Water Cube” can breath

Eight fans which discharge the air naturally are set on the roof and the body of the “Water Cube.” After fresh air enters the building, it can be discharged through the cavum in the roof. This is how the heating within the building is released.

The “Water Cube” can “wash its face” by itself

The ETFE membrane is self-cleaning in nature. Since the friction coefficient of the material is small, dust does not easily attach onto the structure. Even if dust does collect on it, as long as it rains, the surface is washed by rain water.

How to buy a Beijing subway ticket? It is very useful when you visit Beijing. Traffic jam here is very terrible especially in rush-hour. No matter what you take ,bus or taxi, you will meet the traffic jam in Beijing. Take subway is a good choice. Let’s know the subway system first. In Beijing Traveling via the subway is quick and clean. There are 5 subway Lines in Beijing now. They are Line 1, Line 2, Line 5, Line 13 and Line Batong . Line 1 is the horizontal line and “2″ is the loop line that follows the inner ring road. Line 13 is a semicircular line runs the north of Beijing from Xizhimen to Dongzhimen (both are also stations on the loop Line 2). Line Batong is a extesional line from Line 1 extending eastward from Sihui to Tuqiao in Tongzhou District. Line 5 has opened at 2:00 PM on Sunday, Oct 07,2007 . It runs through the heart of the city from north to south,first north-south underground line. It Big news for those people who work in North but live in South. Now, I will tell you how to buy a Beijing subway ticket. In Beijing subway stations, somewhere you will find a counter which is selling tickets. Nowadays it conveniently states “Tickets” along with the Chinese. Since October 7th,2007, it only cost you 2 RMB to buy a ticket. In the past,3 RMB only take you anywhere on the main two subway lines(1&2),but now 2 RMB take you anywhere on 5 Lines. After buying your ticket you then proceed down the stairs to the platforms. Some officials will ask you for your ticket at this point. There is a bus Most people in Beijing give them the whole ticket, as no-one will ever ask you for it beyond this point. Outsiders may feel uncomfortable without half of this ticket so if you insist, they will rip it in half for you allowing you to proceed with your proof. Once you’re on the platform you then have the joy of figuring out where you are and where you’re going. You usually only have two directions to choose from and there will only ever be a 2 line transfer station, so you shouldn’t have too many difficulties from thereon.

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The number of males in China at marriage age is 18 million more than that of females due to a long period of high sex birth ratio since the 1980s, according to the country’s family planning authorities.

The sex ratio at birth in rural areas is 122.85:100, higher than the national average of 119.58:100, as compared with the normal sex ratio of 103 to 107:100, according to Zhang Weiqing, National Population and Family Planning Commission director.
By 2020, males aged between 20 and 45 are forecast to be 30 million more than females in the country, he said at a rural population and family planning conference in the Henan Province capital.

Rural families still have a preference for boys as agricultural production currently relies mainly on laborers, according to Zhang.

China will continue to crack down on illegal prenatal sex selection and will try to help people discard traditional ideas of a preference for boys, the official said.

To most foreigners, the Chinese language is overwhelming; there is no doubt about it.  “The Chinese language is impossible!” “Every word sounds the same!” “How can anyone understand it?”  Through traveling with students from the US, I have found phrases like this to be quite common.

Even if you have given up on learning how to speak such a drastically different language, it can be extremely helpful, and even considerate to learn some of the basics.  Here are ten of the most helpful Chinese phrases:

1.        Ni hao: pronounced, “nee how.”  This is the most common way to say Hello in China, and is typically understood regardless of your pronunciation.  This is also a good phrase to begin more complex Chinese conversation, as it preps the listener to hear Chinese rather than the expected English, etc.

2.        Xie xie: pronounced, “shay shay.”  Thank you.  In my opinion, this is the number one phrase to know.  You cannot be thankful enough for the many waiters/waitresses, cab drivers, and citizens for helping you get the things you want without knowing the language they speak.  This phrase typically raises a smile, as it is greatly appreciated, and often unexpected.

3.        Bu yao: pronounced, “boo yow” Literally translates to “no want.”  This phrase is especially useful in the major tourist areas in cities like Beijing and Shanghai, where countless vendors are continuously trying to make a sale.

4.        Wo yao yi ping shui: pronounced, “whoa yow ee peeng shway” Translates into “I would like a bottle of water.”  A little lengthier, but just as useful, as water taken directly from the tap is not drinkable in China.  I have never been to a restaurant or hotel that did not provide bottled water.

5.        Cesuo zai nar: pronounced, “tsuh-swhoh zi (rhyming with eye) nahr” “Where is the restroom?” This phrase is rather self-explanatory.  Even if the person being asked responds in more Chinese than you can handle, they will at least point you in the right direction.

6.        Wo e le: pronounced, “whoa uh luh” This phrase translates into “I am hungry” and is probably the most basic way to get someone to help you find food.

7.        Zai jian: pronounced, “zi jee-ann” The most common way to say “good bye.”

8.        Duo shao qian: pronounced, “dwoh shaow chee-ann.” Here you are asking how much something costs, a phrase especially helpful in the many markets around town.

9.        Wo bu shuo zhongwen: pronounced, “woh boo shwoh jong-wun,” and meaning “I don’t speak Chinese.”

10. The last thing to know are the numbers, one through ten, broken down as follows:
a.        Yi (ee) – 1
b.        Er (ar)        – 2
c.        San (sahn) – 3
d.        Si (suh) – 4
e.        Wu (woo) – 5
f.        Liu (lee-oh) – 6
g.        Qi (chee) – 7
h.        Ba (bah) – 8
i.        Jiu (jee-oh) – 9
j.        Shi (shr) – 10

Although these ten phrases may seem tough to master, it is a good idea to at least try.  From my experience, most Chinese truly appreciate your effort, even if your pronunciation is nearly unintelligible, and often will help you to improve!

 What will you arrange your schedule if you have less than a week to travel to Beijing. Below is the tradition Beijing tour arrangement. You can take reference for your visit.

DAY01 Arrive in Beijing. Check in. have a short rest. Quanjude Roast Duck established in the 1860’s will be arranged as dinner.

DAY02 Visit the largest square in the word Tian’anmen Square. And then enjoy the Forbidden City which is historically and artistically one of the most comprehensive Chinese museums. Lunch is imperial dishes. In the afternoon, you will be arranged in a rickshaw and visiting old Beijing Hutongs (including pay a short visit at traditional Beijing Quadrangle). After dinner enjoy the Beijing Opera.

DAY03 Pick you up from your hotel in the morning by the English guide and driver, and then depart to the Badaling Great Wall. After walking along the Great Wall, you will be served a Chinese lunch. In the afternoon visit the Ming Tombs (Emperor Wangli’s Tomb) Return to the downtown.

DAY04 In the morning visit the famous imperial park, the Summer Palace. Drive you to Gaobeidian the nearest villager form Tian’anmen Square. Visit the traditional furniture street. Learning how to make Chinese dumplings in the villager house. And enjoy folk shows of the villager in the evening (stilt dancing). Their stilt dancing is very famous and sometimes they are a busy schedule. So if you want see the stilt dancing please make a reservation in advance.

DAY05 Check out. And depart for the airport. See off.

Night life was unknown to many people in Beijing 20 years ago, and the word wasn’t even used. But nowadays it is very common, especially for young people, to go out in the evenings and spend their time at cinemas, theatres, nightclubs, song and dance halls, Karaoke clubs, restaurants or bars. Compared to people in south China, Beijing people are more conservative. Most of them, married people in particular, like to stay at home watching TV or chatting with friends, which is why the streets are quite deserted after nine o’clock at night, when most of the shops are closed.

Don’t despair, you can find places to spend your evenings if you are not tired after the day’s sightseeing. Almost every four- or five-star hotel has facilities for entertainment. Apart from hotels, night life venues are mostly in the city centre. You can see the Peking Opera, acrobatics, dramas, local ballad singing, song and dance performances, or attend a music concert, or drop in at a roadside disco. It’s best to stick to places which have been recommended by other tourists or Chinese friends, and beware if prices of drinks are not displayed.

Now the city has witnessed a mushrooming of foreign theme pubs, new exotic bars and locally-run techno-clubs. Foreign pubs, bars, cafes and disco clubs attract foreign residents and tourists as well as young Chinese. The admission fee is usually about 50-80 yuan and beer is 15-20 yuan.

Edison Chen is a Hongkong move actor, single, idol, and the founder and CEO of CLOT INC, Clot Media Division Limited. In early 2008, during the Chinese Spring Festival, lots of racy sexual acts photographs, between Edison Chen and some famous actresses Bobo Chan, Candice Chan Si-Wai, Edison Chen, Gillian Chung ,Cecilia Cheung, Rachel Ngan, Mandy Chen Yu-Ju, Candice Chan Si-Wai, was distributed on the internet. It is said that these photos were taken by Edison Chen himself or the actresses involved photographically resembled to him and other actresses.

Edison Chen is not my idol, actually, so i didn’t pay much attention, until I saw The Blemish, and CNN, and even an entry called Edison Chen photo scandal on Wikipedia reported this affair, although I have seen many bloggers in the Chinese Mainland mentioned this. I searched on the Internet just now, 1300 photos, 6 female stars involved, you can easily download these indecent photos, it is said that these photograph were released when Edison Chen repair his PowerBook.

This photo scandal is a big event in the Hongkong media, and even Mainland China and Taiwan,  and it was dominated the Hongkong news headlines for a week, some people have been arrested in connection with the distribution of these photos, but the spread of these photos didn’t stop.

One person died and 434 were treated in hospital for injuries from fireworks-related accidents in Beijing during the week-long Spring Festival holiday, local authorities said.
One person died and 434 were treated in hospital for injuries from fireworks-related accidents in Beijing during the week-long Spring Festival holiday, local authorities said.

In the period from the Lunar New Year’s eve until the sixth day of the holiday, hospitals across the city treated fireworks injuries on people aged from three to 78, according to the Health Bureau of Beijing.

A young man surnamed Zhang, who had reportedly been drinking, died in Pinggu District as he mishandled homemade fireworks early on Thursday, the first day of the Chinese Year of Rat.

The deafening blasts of firecrackers are an essential element of China’s most important traditional festival of the Lunar New Year.

Police said fireworks had triggered 143 fires in the six days beginning the Lunar New Year’s eve, down 46 percent against the same period of last year.

From Feb. 22, the 16th day of the lunar year, fireworks will be forbidden within the Fifth Ring Road. Those violating the regulation would be arrested, warned the city’s fireworks supervision office.

It suggested that people set off all their fireworks before the deadline or give them to police for detonation.

Nearly 250,000 fireworks packages were sold before and during the Spring Festival, a slight increase against last year, the office said.

The authorities cordoned off 102 streets in 106 residential compounds for people to enjoy fireworks displays. But they are forbidden in or near Olympic Games venues, cultural relics, military zones, kindergartens and gas stations.

Checkpoints have been set up at entrances to every major highway into Beijing to prevent the inflow of illegal fireworks.

The city lifted a 12-year ban on fireworks in 2006. Since then, two deaths, more than 1,500 injuries and 2,400 fires caused by mishandled firecrackers have been reported.

China accounts for about 75 percent of the world’s total annual firecracker production.

Source: Xinhua

In the period from the Lunar New Year’s eve until the sixth day of the holiday, hospitals across the city treated fireworks injuries on people aged from three to 78, according to the Health Bureau of Beijing.

A young man surnamed Zhang, who had reportedly been drinking, died in Pinggu District as he mishandled homemade fireworks early on Thursday, the first day of the Chinese Year of Rat.

The deafening blasts of firecrackers are an essential element of China’s most important traditional festival of the Lunar New Year.

Police said fireworks had triggered 143 fires in the six days beginning the Lunar New Year’s eve, down 46 percent against the same period of last year.

From Feb. 22, the 16th day of the lunar year, fireworks will be forbidden within the Fifth Ring Road. Those violating the regulation would be arrested, warned the city’s fireworks supervision office.

It suggested that people set off all their fireworks before the deadline or give them to police for detonation.

Nearly 250,000 fireworks packages were sold before and during the Spring Festival, a slight increase against last year, the office said.

The authorities cordoned off 102 streets in 106 residential compounds for people to enjoy fireworks displays. But they are forbidden in or near Olympic Games venues, cultural relics, military zones, kindergartens and gas stations.

Checkpoints have been set up at entrances to every major highway into Beijing to prevent the inflow of illegal fireworks.

The city lifted a 12-year ban on fireworks in 2006. Since then, two deaths, more than 1,500 injuries and 2,400 fires caused by mishandled firecrackers have been reported.

China accounts for about 75 percent of the world’s total annual firecracker production.

Source: Xinhua

The Lantern Festival falls on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month, usually in February or March in the Gregorian calendar. As early as the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 25), it had become a festival with great significance.

This day’s important activity is watching lanterns. Throughout the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), Buddhism flourished in China. One emperor heard that Buddhist monks would watch sarira, or remains from the cremation of Buddha’s body, and light lanterns to worship Buddha on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month, so he ordered to light lanterns in the imperial palace and temples to show respect to Buddha on this day. Later, the Buddhist rite developed into a grand festival among common people and its influence expanded from the Central Plains to the whole of China

Till today, the lantern festival is still held each year around the country. Lanterns of various shapes and sizes are hung in the streets, attracting countless visitors. Children will hold self-made or bought lanterns to stroll with on the streets, extremely excited.

“Guessing lantern riddles”is an essential part of the Festival. Lantern owners write riddles on a piece of paper and post them on the lanterns. If visitors have solutions to the riddles, they can pull the paper out and go to the lantern owners to check their answer. If they are right, they will get a little gift. The activity emerged during people’s enjoyment of lanterns in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). As riddle guessing is interesting and full of wisdom, it has become popular among all social strata.

People will eat yuanxiao, or rice dumplings, on this day, so it is also called the “Yuanxiao Festival.”Yuanxiao also has another name, tangyuan. It is small dumpling balls made of glutinous rice flour with rose petals, sesame, bean paste, jujube paste, walnut meat, dried fruit, sugar and edible oil as filling. Tangyuan can be boiled, fried or steamed. It tastes sweet and delicious. What’s more, tangyuan in Chinese has a similar pronunciation with “tuanyuan”, meaning reunion. So people eat them to denote union, harmony and happiness for the family.

In the daytime of the Festival, performances such as a dragon lantern dance, a lion dance, a land boat dance, a yangge dance, walking on stilts and beating drums while dancing will be staged. On the night, except for magnificent lanterns, fireworks form a beautiful scene. Most families spare some fireworks from the Spring Festival and let them off in the Lantern Festival. Some local governments will even organize a fireworks party. On the night when the first full moon enters the New Year, people become really intoxicated by the imposing fireworks and bright moon in the sky.