BEIJING CULTURE: AN EMBARRASSMENT OF RICHES
2 min readFor centuries Beijing has been a magnet for scholars, merchants and artists who have given it a cultural life unrivalled in China. Beijing culture is a fusion of indigenous and imported traditions since the populace has always included provincials and ethnic minorities. Another factor to consider is the impact of the city’s intellectuals on local culture. The capital has more colleges and universities than any other city in China, a reflection of its past as a center of Confucian scholarship in imperial times. This concentration of thinkers has created an enthusiastic audience for literature, painting an halls.
The Beijing National Stadium was the main track and field stadium for the 2008 Suamer olympics. (nisocho) Beijing’s culture comes in many forms, from food to music, and from architecture to handicrafts. Eat Peking Duck, visit the Temple of Heaven, meander in the old hutongs or check out a contemporary art show and you’ll discover unique milieu of new and old that is Beijing culture. ding rchitectur The new CCTV building practically subverts traditional concepts of architectural design. (yangshi dalou) Perhaps the most original expression of local culture is Peking opera (jingju ) A multidimensional art, Peking opera blends singing, music, dancing and acrobatics.
Performers wear elaborate costumes and makeup that identify thei emperor, and character traits from selfless to selfish. The singers are accompanied by orchestras made up of traditional Chinese instruments, including two-stringed fiddles, the erhu(erhu)andjinghu(erhu(erhandJngh《zngh,《1utes,drusandgongsP1ot1nesaebasedon.Plotlinesarebasedon famous myths, well-known stories and historical events.on can be hard for foreigners to follow some theaters now provide English subtitles during the shows and offer abridged versd reminiscent of Abbott and teahouses also stage scenes from famous operas interspersed with other traditional acts like magic shows, puppetry, and “cross-talk” ( comic dialogues reminiscent of Abbott and Costello). Viewing such performances over tea and snacks is a classic Beijing experience.
Many visitors likewise enjoy displays of Chinese martial arts and acrobatics, which are regularly held in local theaters. fairs. e held in temples, parks and streets during the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year). Dating back to the Liao dynasty, the fairs mix the spiritual and the temporal. families come in drove he carnival amsher not only to burn incense and pray for good fortune, but also for the carnival atmosphere and performance. The temple fairs are gathering spots for acrobats, singers and dancers. They also attract artisans and merchants who sell an assc assortment of handicrafts and goods. Some fairs also offer rides and games of chance for those to try their new year’s luck. For some visitors, the best reason to come is the myriad stalls serving up savory snacks from around China. Beijing’s most popular temple fairs are held in Temple of Earth(itan gongyuan), White Cloud Temple(baiyun guan), and Changdian(changdian) in the Liulichang antiques district.
