Things to Know About Chinese Culture

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Things to Know About Chinese Culture

Chinese culture is one of the oldest cultures in the world, dating back thousands of years. The culture dominates a large geographic area in East Asia and is extremely diverse and variable, with customs and traditions varying greatly between provinces, cities, and even towns.

Chinese civilization is historically considered the dominant culture of East Asia. As one of the oldest civilizations in China, Chinese culture has had a profound influence on the philosophy, virtue, etiquette, and customs of the Asian continent.

It is recommended that people who will travel to China learn about Chinese culture before traveling to avoid culture shock and to avoid any disrespect for the cultural values ​​of the Chinese people. This article contains information about the culture and traditions of the People's Republic of China that you should know before going to China .

Most Famous Chinese Traditions

The most famous Chinese traditions are described below.

• Celebrating two birthdays: Due to the two common but inconsistent calendars in China, people celebrate birthdays according to both the lunar and Gregorian calendars.
• Eating dumplings on the winter solstice: Almost all big and small dumpling (jiaozi) restaurants in China are full during the winter solstice. It is said that if dumplings are not eaten on the winter solstice, the freezing cold wind will bite the ears.
• Drinking hot water: The Chinese generally prefer to drink hot, even boiling water, as they believe that hot water can cure and prevent illnesses.
• Finishing your drink after saying “ganbei”: In China, after saying “ganbei” (cheers) and clinking glasses, the entire drink is drunk and those who do not do so are seen as rude. Thanks to the tradition of “replace wine with tea”, those who do not drink alcohol also finish their tea in their glasses.
• Giving and receiving business cards with both hands: In Chinese business trips, people give their business cards to the other person by holding them with both hands; this is a sign of respect and politeness. Younger people especially present their cards to the elderly in this way.
• Giving change at the cash register: When paying at a Chinese grocery store, it is preferable to give the exact amount or to give enough change to get the exact change. Today, this tradition has been abandoned because there are different payment methods.
• Wearing red underwear: In China, it is believed that wearing red underwear all year round in the zodiac birth year of the 12 zodiac year cycle can ward off misfortune in the coming years.
• Sharing an apple or orange, but never a pear: This tradition has endured because the Chinese word for "split a pear" sounds similar to the Chinese word for "separate."
• Having superstitions about giving a watch as a gift: Not giving a watch as a gift to a Chinese person is because the expression "giving a watch" in Chinese is homonymous with the word meaning "to look after a dying person" or "to bury a person".

What is the clothing culture like in China?

Traditional Chinese clothing consists of long, loose, straight-cut jackets, trousers, and aprons, and reflects traditional Chinese aesthetics, philosophy, and social values ​​that have changed throughout history. Hanfu, Zhongshan (Mao clothing), Tang, and Cheongsam are the four most well-known traditional Chinese clothing styles in Chinese clothing culture.

Hanfu, known as Han clothing and the oldest traditional clothing of China, was worn by the ruling class until the Han Dynasty, but later became the national dress of the Han ethnic people. It also influenced neighboring Asian countries such as Korea, Japan and Vietnam.

Cheongsam is a long dress that originated in the Qing Dynasty and has diversified into Beijing styles, Shanghai styles, and Hong Kong styles with different patterns, materials, colors, and designs.

Tang suit is generally the clothing of the Tang Dynasty and also refers to a type of Chinese jacket. The Tang suit is a button-down Chinese-style jacket with a Mandarin collar (band collar) and frog buttons (buttons made of intricately knotted cord).

The Zhongshan suit, also known as the Mao suit, is a type of men's jacket. The design of the Zhongshan suit combines traditional Chinese and Western clothing styles. The suit has four large pockets on the front, two above and two below, evenly spaced on the left and right; there are five central buttons in the front and three smaller buttons on each sleeve. Zhongshan suits, which usually come in solid colors including black, white, blue, and gray, can be worn on both formal and casual occasions.

What is the Culinary Culture Like in China?

In China, food is considered a science, art and social activity, and Chinese people love to eat. Chinese food culture is quite different from other countries, and Chinese cuisine is considered the best cuisine in the world due to its rich food culture. Chinese food includes many different cooking styles depending on the region and generally uses natural agricultural products. Noodles, rice dishes and steamed products are the most well-known of China's famous dishes.

In Chinese cuisine, rice is served in a separate smaller bowl alongside other dishes, such as meat or vegetables, which are served in larger bowls. The dishes are often seasoned with products such as soy sauce, vinegar, and chili paste, and are eaten with chopsticks rather than cutlery.

In Chinese cuisine, it is recommended to try different flavors such as roast duck, yellow pea cake, fried liver. Deep-fried and steamed pastries are preferred in the morning. Many different types of noodles such as steamed cold noodles and buckwheat noodles should be tried. Meals that start with cold dishes are continued with hot main dishes and the basic food, rice.

According to Chinese food culture, meals are a long ritual and are important. Each region's cuisine and food culture are different. Chinese people generally like to eat in noisy places and think that restaurants with delicious food will be crowded.

Chinese Local Foods

Local Chinese dishes are listed below.

• Fried rice
• Peking duck
• Tofu
• Chow mein
• Congee
• Chinese hamburger
• Kung pao chicken
• Char siu
• Wonton soup
• Dumplings Soup
• Chinese hot pot
• Chinese sticky rice
• Jiaozi
• Spring rolls

What is the Entertainment Culture Like in China?

Traditional Chinese entertainment is colourful, lively and captivating. China places great emphasis on the performing arts, with a rich cultural heritage influenced by ancient traditions that have inspired countless forms of entertainment.

The lion dance is one of the oldest forms of Chinese entertainment, and over time the lion figure has become an iconic Chinese symbol. The lion dance features two dancers dressed in brightly colored lion costumes, one in front and one behind, leading the costume. In Chinese folk culture, the lion dance symbolizes power, wisdom, and good fortune. It is a popular entertainment option, especially on special occasions such as Chinese New Year celebrations and wedding ceremonies, and is also used to honor special guests at corporate and national events.

The dragon dance is a lively and engaging performance full of color and energy, a favorite of Chinese celebrations. Unlike the lion dance, it involves a dragon costume that can extend up to 70 meters and requires the performance of 2 to 50 dancers. The costume is made of colorful cloth and imitates the movements of a dragon, accompanied by the sounds of drums, cymbals and gongs.

Chinese drums are a form of traditional Chinese entertainment used in many celebratory events. They are performed by several musicians dressed in colorful costumes playing decorated drums, and often include a dance routine. Chinese drummers have been associated with power and luck, as they set the tone for celebrations, boost army morale, and instill fear in battle. Today, Chinese drums are used in weddings, Chinese New Year celebrations, national celebrations, and corporate events.

Face swapping, or bian lian, is a traditional Chinese performing art associated with Sichuan opera. It involves a rapid transformation action, energetic backing music, and a brightly colored illusionist. With the flick of a fan or wave of the hand, the performer instantly changes from one colorful mask to another. By the end of the show, the performer has changed up to 20 times. According to Chinese legend, it developed from a survival technique in which people drew colorful patterns on their faces to scare off wild animals, and the faces have been passed down from generation to generation for years.

Chinese Festivals

China has more than 5000 years of traditional history, many Chinese traditional festivals have been created. Chinese festivals are divided into three categories according to the region: agricultural, religious and social festivals. China has several traditional festivals celebrated throughout the country, and the most important festival in China is the Chinese New Year, which is celebrated from the 15th to the 25th of January. The Dragon Boat Festival is the oldest festival in China.

China also has many important festivals for the Chinese people, such as the Lantern Festival, Qingming Festival, Double Seventh Festival, Double Ninth Festival, Winter Solstice, Laba Festival, and Chinese Moon Festival.

Nightlife in China

China's nightlife has become more diverse and colorful since the reform and opening-up policy. There are many different venues in China, such as karaoke, nightclubs, night shows, acrobatics, concerts. Most bars stay open until 4 a.m. The most popular entertainment areas where East and West meet are Sanlitun and Hou Hai in Beijing and Xintiandi, Hengshan Road and the Bund in Shanghai.

Nightclubs are frequently preferred in Chinese nightlife, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. Nightclubs in China, which offer colorful and fascinating shows, usually charge an entrance fee.

Alternatively, you can take a night trip to enjoy the illuminated scenery at night in China, visit local night markets, and watch Kung fu in Beijing and acrobatic shows in Shanghai.

What are the Important Places That Reflect Chinese Culture?

Important and historical places reflecting Chinese culture are given below.

• Great Wall of China
• Forbidden City
• Clay Soldiers
• Potala Palace
• Summer Palace
• Mogao Caves
• Confucius Temple
• Shanghai Museum
• Hong Kong National Museum
• Macau Museum

It is possible for foreign nationals who want to visit the places listed above to travel by obtaining a Chinese tourist visa .