Archive for March 10th, 2010

China Travel – Helan Mountain

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

Helan Mountain lies in the middle part between the Yinchuan Plain and the Inner Mongolia Prairie. There are forests of age-old and rare spruces, pines and aspens. Pine spindrift and snow in the sun are spectacular views there.

In the Ningxia Helan Mountain Nature Reserve, there are about 150,000 mu (1 mu = 1/15 hectare) of spruces, which is very rare in Northwest China. Songmo (pine mushroom) is a special local product in the reserve, and is tasty and nutritious. Besides, a deer-raising field is located deep in the forest, covering an area of over 30 hectares.

(Source: chinaculture.org)

Chinese Culture – The Magic of Butterfly Wings(1)

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

Butterfly pictures are images made from carefully pieced-together butterfly wings to create beautiful, silky-smooth, lustrous and natural patterns. The pictures emphasize the original shape and patterns of butterfly wings, highlighting the texture and metallic luster of different kinds of butterflies.

To make a butterfly picture, the craftsperson chooses butterfly wings of different shapes to be pieced together, harmonizing the relationship between texture and color. During the process, the artist has to pay close attention to the thickness and density of the wings used.

A good butterfly picture usually displays its creator’s hyper imagination, sophisticated painting skills and rich knowledge of butterflies. When placed in a bright area, the work will shimmer.

Generally speaking, subjects for butterfly pictures mainly include human figures, water and mountain landscapes, and flowers and birds. Some of the best examples include “Twelve Beauties of Jinling City,” “Scenery of Xishuangbana,” and “Return of Hundreds of Butterflies.”

At the 19th International Congress of Entomology held in Beijing in June 1992, China showcased beautiful butterfly pictures to the world as “one unique Chinese work”, winning much praise from event participants.

Source: chinaculture.org

Learn Chinese Podcast – Combination of Shredded Meat

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
Combination of Shredded Meat
Combination of Shredded Meat

Features: Light-seasoned, the dish is refreshing and soothing to the mouth.

Taste: Salty and delicious.

Ingredients:

125 grams (0.27 lb) pork tender loin

125 grams (0.27 lb) chicken breast

125 grams (0.27 lb Mandarin fish

1 green pepper

30 grams (1 oz) carrot

1 egg

5 grams (1 tsp) cooking wine

3 grams (1/2 tsp) salt

15 grams (1 tbsp) sesame oil

10 grams (1 1/2 tbsp) dry cornstarch

5 grams (1 tsp) scallions and peppery wine (made by soaking a small number of scallion and Chinese prickly ash in cooking wine for 10 minutes

5 grams (1/6 oz) sliced ginger

Directions:

1. Cut the three kinds of meat into thin shreds 5 cm (2 inches) long and marinate the shredded meat with the egg white, cooking wine, 1 1/2 g (1/4 tsp) salt and dry cornstarch. Wash clean and cut the green pepper and carrot into thin shreds.

2. Boil the shredded meat separately, each for 5 minutes. Boil the shredded green pepper and carrot for 1 minute. Take out and drain off the water.

3. Put the shredded meat on a plate, add the scallions and peppery wine and mix well. Get rid of the sauce that results from the mixing. Add the sesame oil and 1/ 1/2 g (1/4 tsp) salt and mix well. Put the shredded ginger in a small plate to go with the dish.

(Source: culture.chinese.cn)