Archive for September 5th, 2008

Chinese Culture – Looking For the Capital of the Western Zhou Dynasty (4)

Friday, September 5th, 2008

On May 7th 2004, a large-scale graveyard was found in the Zhougong Temple ruin. Archeologists found 22 large-scale tombs, including 10 four-passage tombs, and 12 tombs with one, two, or three passages. The ten four-passage tombs were the first such tombs found in the process of looking for the Western Zhou capital. This finding shocked the archeological circle.

Four-passage Tomb

Problems with this claim:

Zhang Tian’en does not agree that the Zhougong Temple ruin is the location of the capital of the Western Zhou Dynasty. He argued that for a place to be considered the early Western Zhou capital, it must meet the following requirements. First, it must have relics of large-scale buildings and graveyard and a large quantity of bronze wares. Second, as the capital, it must have a large residential area. From the excavation of the Zhougong Temple ruin, it does not have either of these characteristics.

As for the problem that most of the bronze wares unearthed in Zhouyuan did not belong to those with the imperial surname, Yin Shengping claimed that this actually showed that Zhouyuan was the capital of the Western Zhou Dynasty. He argued that the aristocrats with the imperial surname were usually conferred a state to live and administer, but those whose surnames were not the imperial surname did not have their own states, so they usually lived in the capital.

Xu Gaoliang, a researcher in the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, agreed. He argued that the most important archeological findings of the Western Zhou Dynasty were unearthed in Zhouyuan and two vessels used by the kings were also unearthed in Zhouyuan, meaning that people could not exclude the possibility of Zhouyuan being the location of the Western Zhou capital.

Source: chinaculture.org

China Travel – Memorial Stele of Alliance between General Duan and 37 Troops

Friday, September 5th, 2008

 

The Memorial Stele of Alliance between General Duan and 37 Troops stands inside the No.1 Middle School of Qujing City, Yunnan Province.

 

The stele, also called “Stele of Stone City Alliance”, is 1.25 m high, 0.58 m wide, and 0.61 m thick. It is divided into two parts, the upper and the lower. In the upper part are 11 lines, and each line has 13 characters from right to left, in regular script. In the lower part, there are 8 lines of characters in cursive script, all being personal names. Most of the characters are in a simplified form or a variant form, without a title. The whole text contains 403 characters, in a cursive regular script. The handwriting is in an honest and strong style, which has won a very high opinion from chirographers of all times.

 

The stele was erected in the fourth year (971) of the Kaibao reign of the Northern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). The epigraph records such a story: General Duan (of the White Nationality) of the Dali Kingdom allied with 39 troops (of the Yi Nationality) in their fight against some tribes in eastern Yunnan and defeated them; then, they vowed to make an alliance at the Stone City (today’s Qujing City), and awarded the meritorious persons. Historical records have not mentioned such an event, so the stele has provided an important data for the research into the history of the Dali Kingdom, and the history of the ethnic minorities there at that time, especially for the study on the official system of the Dali Kingdom. Literature of the Ming Dynasty (1644-1911) already mentioned this stele, but later it was buried in earth. It was unearthed in the 18th year (1679) of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty in the old site of the Stone City, north of Qujing City, and was moved into the city in the 29th year (1849) of the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty for preservation.

(Source: chinaculture.org)

Learn Chinese Podcast – Happy China 257

Friday, September 5th, 2008

                                Click to Watch Video Podcast

韩佳: 快乐学汉语,万里海疆行!

    Learning Chinese the fun way and enjoying

    a happy journey along the coast!

    大家好,我是快乐的韩佳。

    Hello, I’m Merry Han Jia.

    王渊源:大家好,我是快乐的王渊源。

    Hi, I’m Happy Yuanyuan.

    韩佳: 我身旁呢就是香港地铁公司

    By my side is a train running

    along a special route

    为了方便人们去迪斯尼乐园,

    designed by Hong Kong

    MTR Corporation

    而专门设计的一条专线列车。

    to facilitate travels to Disneyland.

    王渊源:列车刚到,我们已经开始感受到

    Soon after the train’s arrival,

    we’ve already felt

    迪斯尼乐园的欢乐气氛了。

    the joyful atmosphere

    of Disneyland.

    韩佳: 没错儿。你看这辆车的设计呀

    Exactly. The designs of the train

    we take

    处处都充满了童趣。

    are full of appeal to children.

    王渊源:“童趣”就是指儿童的情调和趣味,对吧?

    ”Tongqu” refers to a child’s taste,

    or childlike interests, right?

    韩佳: 没错儿。“童趣”呢是一个名词,

    Right. “Tongqu” is a noun,

    就是指儿童的情调和趣味。

    which refers to a child’s taste,

    or childlike interests.

    王渊源:那我们上车吧。

    Let’s get aboard.

    您看,这车窗,还有这拉环,

    Look, the windows and those D-rings

    都设计成了米老鼠的头的形状啊。

    are all designed in the shape of

    Mickey’s head.

    而且里面的很多设施

    And many of the train’s furnishings

    都和迪斯尼的主题有关系。

    are related to the themes

    of Disneyland.

    我还听说这是全球惟一

    I also learned that this is

    the only

    专门为迪斯尼主题公园

    railway route in the world

    而设的铁路专线。

    opened specifically for travelers

    to Disneyland.

    韩佳: 没错儿。

    Absolutely.

    这条路线呢全程有3.5公里。

    This railway route totals 3.5

    kilometers in length.

    而它的全程行驶时间呢

    And the train’s running time

    也刚好是3.5分钟。

    along the route is also

    exactly 3.5 minutes.

    是从市区到迪斯尼乐园

    It is a very fast and convenient route

    非常方便快捷的一条线路。

    from downtown to Disneyland.

    王渊源:我发现,

    I found,

    这个站台也很不一样啊。

    the station is also very special.

    韩佳: 是啊。这个开放式的站台呢

    Yes. The open station

    是仿照十九世纪

    was built after models

    维多利亚时代风格而建造的。

    of the Victorian Era in

    the 19th century.

    王渊源:嗯。精心设计的站台,

    Yes. The meticulously designed station,

    还有迪斯尼风格的列车,

    the Victorian-style train

    再加上我这个高大的身影,

    and my tall figure

    还真是一个完美的组合。

    are a perfect combination.

    哎,韩佳,快。

    Hey, Han Jia, come on.

    你来给我照个相吧。

    Take a picture of me.

    韩佳: 嗬,你还真是不谦虚啊。

    Huh, you’re indeed not very modest.

    来到了香港迪斯尼,

    When visiting Hong Kong Disneyland,

    还有一件事情是不得不做的哦。

    there is one other thing visitors

    should do.

    王渊源:那就是在迪斯尼乐园内的

    That is to buy things at

    the various

    各家纪念品商店购物了。

    souvenir shops in Disneyland.

    韩佳: 哈,咱俩想到一块去了。

    Ha, we happen to think of

    the same thing.

    王渊源:其实,我一直很喜欢

    Actually, I always like

    收集各地的纪念品。

    collecting souvenirs from

    various places.

    说不定,在这儿可以买到

    Perhaps I can buy some souvenirs

    美国迪斯尼没有的纪念品呢。

    that I can’t buy at American

    Disneyland or Disney World.

    韩佳: 据说这里的商品大部分都是

    It’s said that most of

    the merchandise here

    香港迪斯尼乐园独家发售的哦。

    is sold by Hong Kong Disneyland

    exclusively.

    王渊源:“独家”就是指

    ”Dujia”

    只此一家、单独一家的意思,对吧?

    means exclusive or sole, right?

    韩佳: 没错儿。“独家”呢就是指

    Right. “Dujia” means

    只此一家、单独一家的意思。

    exclusive or sole.

    王渊源:比如说,我们经常说的

    For example, we often say

    独家新闻、独家赞助等等。

an exclusive news story,

    exclusive sponsorship.

    韩佳: 再比如我刚才说的,

    Another example just as we said,

    Zhè li de dà bùfen shāngpǐn dōu shi dú jiā fāshòu de

    这 里 的 大 部分 商品 都 是 独 家 发售 的。

    Most of this merchandise is sold

    exclusively here.

    那在整个乐园里呢,

    In the entire park here,

    一共销售超过了四千种商品。

    a total of more than 4,000 kinds

    of merchandise are for sale.

    除了有毛绒玩具之外呢,

    Apart from plush toys,

    还有服饰啊、糖果啊、

    there are also clothes, candies

    纪念册等等好多。

    and commemorative brochures.

    哇,真开心啊!

    Wow, what a good time I had!

    买了这么多有特色的纪念品!

    I bought so many unique souvenirs!

    王渊源:东西买了不少。

    You bought quite a lot indeed.

    不过我这肚子开始有点儿饿了啊。

    But I’m a bit hungry now.

    韩佳: 哦,这个问题好解决啊。

    Oh, that’s a problem easy

    to solve.

    在香港迪斯尼乐园里呢,

    In Hong Kong Disneyland,

    有八间主题餐厅。

    there are eight theme restaurants.

    要找到自己想吃的东西很容易啊。

    It’s quite easy to find the food

    you want.

    王渊源:这儿不就有一间呢。

    There’s one right here.

    韩佳: 皇室宴会厅,

    The Royal Banquet Hall

    这里面有各种各样的中西餐。

    serves many kinds of Chinese

    and Western food.

    应该可以满足大家的口味了。

    It should satisfy everyone’s taste.

    王渊源:我发现这餐厅里面的布置

    I found the decorations of

    this restaurant

    也和这乐园的气氛配合得很好啊。

    are in perfect harmony with

    the park’s atmosphere.

    韩佳: 嗯。在这里啊,

    Yes. Dining here,

    用餐和购物一样,

    like shopping,

    是来迪斯尼必不可少的体验哦。

    is also an indispensable part

    of our visit to Disneyland.

    王渊源:一起去吧。

    Let’s go together.

    旁白: 在迪斯尼乐园里,

    The style of each restaurant

    每间餐厅的风格都不一样。

    in Disneyland is different.

    我想韩佳说得没错,

    I think Han Jia was right

    就是这些周到热情、

    when she said that it is

    the thoughtful, warm

    极具人性化的服务,

    and customer-oriented services here

    才会吸引着越来越多的人们

    that attracts an increasing number

    of visitors

    走进香港迪斯尼的童话世界。

to the fairytale world of

    Hong Kong Disneyland.

    王渊源:东西也买了,饭也吃了。

    We’ve bought the things we

    need and ate our meal.

    要是能再找个

    It would be

    舒服的地方休息一会儿,

    best if we could find a

    nice place

    我觉得那是最好的。

    for a rest.

    韩佳: 嗬,要求倒是不少啊。

    Huh, you ask for so many things.

    不过这个嘛也可以满足你。

    But this need of yours can

    be addressed.

    王渊源:你有什么好建议啊?

    What good suggestion do

    you have for me?

    韩佳: 前面啊,

    Right ahead,

    就是具有维多利亚风格的

    it is the Victorian-style

    迪斯尼乐园酒店了。

    Disneyland Hotel.

    据说呢,

    It is said to be

    那是一个非常与众不同的地方。

    a very distinctive place.

    它到底有多与众不同呢?

    How distinctive is it?

    我们去看看就知道了。

    We’ll know after we go

    there for a look.

    王渊源:哎,这不错。

    Oh, it’s a good idea.

    这里的确与众不同啊。

It is indeed very distinctive.

    既有欧式的浪漫情怀,

    It has both the European

    romantic style

    又有迪斯尼童话世界的味道。

    and the fairytale Disneyland

    atmosphere.

    韩佳: 对啊,这就是这家酒店

    Yes, that is the hotel’s

    最有特色的地方了。

    most salient feature.

    王渊源:哎,韩佳,你看,

    Eh, Han Jia, look,

    这行李车上都有米奇的形象啊。

    even the luggage cart bears

    Mickey’s image.

    韩佳: 据说啊,

    It is said that

    在客房里也都是米奇的装饰。

    the hotel rooms are also decorated

    with Mickey’s image.

    那其实除了米奇之外呢,

    In addition to Mickey’s image,

    迪斯尼人物的其他形象啊

    the images of other Disney characters

    在这里呢也都可以找得到。

    can also be found here.

    可以说迪斯尼人物的图案,

    It can be said that images

    of Disney

    在这里随处可见。

    characters can be seen everywhere.

    王渊源:“随处可见”

    ”Suichu ke jian” means

    就是指到处都能看见,对吧?

    that something can be seen everywhere

    or all over the place, right?

    韩佳: 没错儿。“随处”呢就是指到处,

    Right. “Suichu” means everywhere

    无论什么地方。

    or anyplace.

    “随处可见”呢

    ”Suichu ke jian”

    就是指到处都能看见。

    means that something can be

    seen everywhere.

    Dísīní rénwù de túàn zài zhè li suíchùkějiàn

    迪斯尼 人物 的 图案,在 这 里 随处可见。

    Images of Disney characters can be

    seen everywhere here.

    这里的设计灵感呢

    The inspirations for designing

    都是来源于迪斯尼。

    all came from Disney.

    酒店的各个宴会厅啊、会议室呢,

    The banquet halls and conference rooms

    就是以迪斯尼人物的名字来命名的。

    are all named after Disney characters.

    王渊源:不如我们就带着大家

    How about taking our audience

    在这里四处看看,

    to see around the hotel

    来一个非同寻常的体验吧?

    for an unusual experience?

    韩佳: 好主意。

    It’s a good idea.

    赏心悦目:

    迪斯尼作为多元化的主题乐园

    As a multi-theme park, Hong Kong Disneyland

    设施齐备 服务周到

    has all the necessary facilities and

    good service.

地铁专线处处充满童趣

    The special subway train is full of appeal

    to children.

    各式精美的迪斯尼纪念品

    There is a good variety of

    琳琅满目 造型奇特

    unique Disney souvenirs.

    独特的迪斯尼酒店

    Hotels at Disneyland

    既有欧式的浪漫情调

    display both European romanticism

    又有迪斯尼童话世界的风貌

    and Disney fairy tale characteristics.

    王渊源:在香港迪斯尼乐园,

    In addition to that hotel

    除了刚才那家酒店之外,

    in Disneyland,

    还有这一家好莱坞酒店。

    there is also the Hollywood Hotel.

    韩佳: 是啊。

    Yes.

    不知道你刚才注意到没有,

    I’m wondering if you have

    noticed that

    这电梯内的报楼层的声音啊

    the voice that told us which floor

    we were in the elevator

    还是米奇的声音呢。

    was exactly Mickey’s.

    王渊源:这么有特色的酒店

    This unique hotel

    让我印象深刻。

    impressed me deeply.

    韩佳: 是啊。

    Sure.

    不知道电视机前的观众朋友们,

    We wonder, while you were

    在跟我们体验迪斯尼

    experiencing the wonderful world

    奇妙世界之旅的同时呢,

    of Disneyland with us,

    有没有把我们今天教的内容记住呢。

    if you have memorized what we’ve

    learned today.

    王渊源:那我们就在这里

    Here we’d like

    给大家出今天的有奖问答题吧。

    to set today’s award-winning question.

    韩佳: 嗯。您听好了。

    Yes. Listen carefully.

    今天的题目是这样的。

    Here’s today question.

    (问题部分略)

    节目的最后,

    At the end of the program,

    还是要提醒您口号不能忘。

    we still want to remind you

    of our slogan.

    合: 学说中国话,朋友遍天下!

    Learn Chinese and make friends everywhere!

    韩佳: 明天见。

    See you tomorrow.

(Source: cctv.com)