Overview on Chinese Culture Spring 2026

Welcome to Overview on Chinese Culture 中國文化概要 (Spring Semester 2026)\n\nCourse Code: 09230030.01 | Credits: 3 | Level: BA24\n\nInstructor: Prof. Martin Woesler\n\nSchedule: Thursday 16:30-18:10\n\nLocation: Tenglong Building Room 409\n\nCourse Website: Click here for the interactive course page (topic selection, quizzes, file upload)\n\n=Session 1 - Thu Mar 05 16:30-18:10 Room 409 - Organizational Issues=\n\n==What we learn==\n* Overview of the course structure\n* Introduction to Chinese culture studies\n* How to choose presentation topics (each student picks 2 topics)\n* Semester paper guidelines\n\n==Textbook==\n* Overview of Chinese Culture (中国文化概要)\n\n==Homework before Session 2==\n* Choose 2 presentation topics from the list below (via course website)\n* Read Chapter 1 of the textbook\n\n=Presentation Topics (choose 2)=\n\nEach student must select 2 presentation topics and prepare a 5-minute PowerPoint presentation for each.\n\nPlease use the interactive course page to select your topics. Below is the complete list organized by category.\n\n==Geography==\n# Geographic Nature as a Basis for Cultural Development (p.17)\n# Great Wall (长城) (p.17)\n# Grand Canal (京杭大运河) (p.17)\n\n==Aesthetic Ideals==\n# Standards of Beauty in Ancient China (p.25)\n# Foot Binding (缠足) (p.25)\n# Chinese Aesthetics in Modern Fashion (p.25)\n\n==Animals==\n# Dragon (龙) and Phoenix (凤) Symbolism (p.27)\n# Panda as National Symbol (p.27)\n# Animals in Chinese Mythology (p.27)\n# Chinese Zodiac Animals (十二生肖) (p.27)\n\n==Architecture==\n# The Forbidden City (故宫) (p.32)\n# Traditional Courtyard Houses (四合院) (p.32)\n# Chinese Pagodas (塔) (p.32)\n# Temple Architecture (寺庙建筑) (p.32)\n# Modern Chinese Architecture (p.32)\n# Tulou (Hakka Earth Buildings) (土楼) (p.32)\n# Chinese Bridges (桥) (p.32)\n\n==Army/Weapons==\n# Terracotta Army (兵马俑) (p.40)\n# Ancient Chinese Weapons (p.40)\n# Sun Tzu's Art of War (孙子兵法) (p.40)\n\n==Astrology==\n# Chinese Zodiac (生肖) (p.44)\n# Chinese Calendar System (农历) (p.44)\n# Feng Shui (风水) (p.44)\n# I Ching / Book of Changes (易经) (p.44)\n\n==Beverages==\n# Tea Culture (茶文化) (p.48)\n# Chinese Tea Ceremony (p.48)\n# Types of Chinese Tea (绿茶/红茶/乌龙茶) (p.48)\n# Chinese Wine Culture (酒文化) (p.48)\n# Baijiu (白酒) (p.48)\n\n==Body Movement==\n# Tai Chi (太极拳) (p.55)\n# Qigong (气功) (p.55)\n# Chinese Dance Traditions (p.55)\n\n==Chinese Writing==\n# Chinese Calligraphy (书法) (p.60)\n# Evolution of Chinese Characters (p.60)\n# Seal Carving (篆刻) (p.60)\n# Four Treasures of the Study (文房四宝) (p.60)\n\n==Clothing==\n# Hanfu (汉服) (p.65)\n# Qipao/Cheongsam (旗袍) (p.65)\n# Traditional Chinese Clothing through Dynasties (p.65)\n# Chinese Silk and Embroidery (p.65)\n\n==Confucianism==\n# Confucius and His Teachings (p.72)\n# The Analerta (论语) (p.72)\n# Neo-Confucianism (p.72)\n# Confucianism in Modern Chinese Society (p.72)\n# Confucian Education System (p.72)\n# Five Relationships (五伦) (p.72)\n\n==Economy==\n# Silk Road and Ancient Trade (p.80)\n# Modern Chinese Economic Development (p.80)\n# Chinese E-Commerce (电商) (p.80)\n\n==Education==\n# Imperial Examination System (科举) (p.85)\n# Chinese Education Today (p.85)\n# Gaokao (高考) (p.85)\n# Chinese Study Abroad Culture (p.85)\n\n==Facial Make-up==\n# Beijing Opera Face Painting (脸谱) (p.90)\n\n==Fine Arts==\n# Chinese Painting (国画) (p.92)\n# Chinese Landscape Painting (山水画) (p.92)\n# Ink Wash Painting (水墨画) (p.92)\n# Chinese Paper Cutting (剪纸) (p.92)\n# Chinese Porcelain Art (p.92)\n# Chinese Jade Carving (玉雕) (p.92)\n\n==Games==\n# Mahjong (麻将) (p.100)\n# Chinese Chess (象棋) (p.100)\n# Go/Weiqi (围棋) (p.100)\n# Kite Flying (风筝) (p.100)\n\n==Garden Culture==\n# Classical Chinese Gardens (古典园林) (p.105)\n# Suzhou Gardens (苏州园林) (p.105)\n# Bonsai/Penjing (盆景) (p.105)\n\n==Gender/History==\n# Women in Chinese History (p.110)\n# Famous Chinese Empresses (p.110)\n# Gender Roles in Traditional China (p.110)\n\n==Heritage Sites==\n# UNESCO World Heritage Sites in China (p.115)\n# Dunhuang Mogao Caves (莫高窟) (p.115)\n# The Summer Palace (颐和园) (p.115)\n# Mount Tai (泰山) (p.115)\n\n==Interieur==\n# Chinese Furniture Design (p.120)\n# Chinese Ceramics and Porcelain (陶瓷) (p.120)\n# Traditional Chinese Interior Design (p.120)\n\n==Landscapes/Tourism==\n# Guilin Landscape (桂林山水) (p.125)\n# Zhangjiajie (张家界) (p.125)\n# Yellow Mountains (黄山) (p.125)\n# West Lake (西湖) (p.125)\n# Li River (漓江) (p.125)\n# Jiuzhaigou Valley (九寨沟) (p.125)\n# Yangtze Three Gorges (长江三峡) (p.125)\n\n==Language==\n# Chinese Language: Tones and Characters (p.132)\n# Chinese Dialects (方言) (p.132)\n# Chinese Idioms and Proverbs (成语) (p.132)\n# Chinese Internet Slang (网络用语) (p.132)\n\n==Literature==\n# Four Great Classical Novels (四大名著) (p.138)\n# Dream of the Red Chamber (红楼梦) (p.138)\n# Journey to the West (西游记) (p.138)\n# Three Kingdoms (三国演义) (p.138)\n# Chinese Poetry: Tang Poetry (唐诗) (p.138)\n# Lu Xun and Modern Literature (p.138)\n# Chinese Science Fiction (三体) (p.138)\n\n==Martial Arts==\n# Chinese Kung Fu (功夫) (p.148)\n# Shaolin Temple (少林寺) (p.148)\n# Wudang (武当) (p.148)\n# Wing Chun (咏春) (p.148)\n# Martial Arts in Chinese Cinema (p.148)\n\n==Medicine/TCM==\n# Traditional Chinese Medicine (中医) (p.155)\n# Acupuncture (针灸) (p.155)\n# Chinese Herbal Medicine (中草药) (p.155)\n# Yin and Yang in Medicine (p.155)\n\n==Minority Cultures==\n# China's 56 Ethnic Groups (p.160)\n# Tibetan Culture (藏族文化) (p.160)\n# Uyghur Culture (维吾尔族文化) (p.160)\n# Miao/Hmong Culture (苗族文化) (p.160)\n# Mongolian Culture (蒙古族文化) (p.160)\n# Zhuang Culture (壮族文化) (p.160)\n# Dai Culture (傣族文化) (p.160)\n\n==Modern Culture==\n# Chinese Social Media (WeChat, Weibo, Douyin) (p.168)\n# Chinese Film Industry (p.168)\n# C-Pop and K-Pop in China (p.168)\n# Chinese Animation (动漫) (p.168)\n# Chinese Gaming Culture (p.168)\n\n==Money Culture==\n# Chinese Currency History (p.175)\n# Red Envelopes (红包) (p.175)\n# Chinese Business Culture (p.175)\n\n==Music/Instruments==\n# Traditional Chinese Music (p.180)\n# Guqin (古琴) (p.180)\n# Erhu (二胡) (p.180)\n# Pipa (琵琶) (p.180)\n# Chinese Opera Music (p.180)\n\n==Mythology==\n# Chinese Creation Myths (p.188)\n# Journey to the West Characters (p.188)\n# Chinese Dragons (p.188)\n# Moon Goddess Chang'e (嫦娥) (p.188)\n# Nezha (哪吒) (p.188)\n\n==National Symbols==\n# Chinese Flag and Emblem (p.195)\n# National Anthem (义勇军进行曲) (p.195)\n# Giant Panda as Symbol (p.195)\n\n==Opera==\n# Beijing Opera (京剧) (p.200)\n# Kunqu Opera (昆曲) (p.200)\n# Cantonese Opera (粤剧) (p.200)\n# Sichuan Opera Face Changing (变脸) (p.200)\n\n==Philosophical Schools==\n# Daoism/Taoism (道家) (p.205)\n# Legalism (法家) (p.205)\n# Mohism (墨家) (p.205)\n# Buddhism in China (佛教) (p.205)\n# Hundred Schools of Thought (百家争鸣) (p.205)\n\n==Religion==\n# Buddhism in China (p.212)\n# Chinese Folk Religion (民间信仰) (p.212)\n# Daoism as Religion (p.212)\n# Christianity in China (p.212)\n# Islam in China (p.212)\n\n==Science/Technology==\n# Four Great Inventions (四大发明) (p.220)\n# Ancient Chinese Astronomy (p.220)\n# Chinese Mathematics History (p.220)\n# Modern Chinese Technology (高铁/5G) (p.220)\n\n==Silk/Porcelain==\n# Chinese Silk Production (p.228)\n# Jingdezhen Porcelain (景德镇瓷器) (p.228)\n# Chinese Lacquerware (漆器) (p.228)\n\n==Silk Road==\n# Ancient Silk Road (丝绸之路) (p.232)\n# Maritime Silk Road (海上丝绸之路) (p.232)\n# Belt and Road Initiative (一带一路) (p.232)\n\n==Social==\n# Chinese Family Values (p.237)\n# Filial Piety (孝) (p.237)\n# Chinese Naming Culture (p.237)\n# Chinese Wedding Customs (p.237)\n# Guanxi (关系) (p.237)\n\n==Sports==\n# Table Tennis in China (p.245)\n# Chinese Martial Arts as Sport (p.245)\n# 2008/2022 Olympics (p.245)\n\n==Stage Entertainment==\n# Chinese Acrobatics (杂技) (p.250)\n# Shadow Puppetry (皮影戏) (p.250)\n# Chinese Magic/Variety Shows (p.250)\n\n==Traditional Crafts==\n# Chinese Knotting (中国结) (p.255)\n# Cloisonné (景泰蓝) (p.255)\n# Chinese Embroidery (刺绣) (p.255)\n# Chinese Woodblock Printing (p.255)\n# Sugar Painting (糖画) (p.255)\n# Dough Figurines (面塑) (p.255)\n\n==Traditional Cuisine==\n# Eight Great Cuisines (八大菜系) (p.262)\n# Sichuan Cuisine (川菜) (p.262)\n# Cantonese Dim Sum (广式点心) (p.262)\n# Peking Duck (北京烤鸭) (p.262)\n# Chinese Hot Pot (火锅) (p.262)\n# Chinese Dumplings (饺子) (p.262)\n# Chinese Street Food (小吃) (p.262)\n\n==Traditional Festivals==\n# Spring Festival / Chinese New Year (春节) (p.272)\n# Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节) (p.272)\n# Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) (p.272)\n# Lantern Festival (元宵节) (p.272)\n# Qingming Festival (清明节) (p.272)\n# Double Ninth Festival (重阳节) (p.272)\n\n==Westernization==\n# Western Influence on Modern China (p.280)\n# Chinese Students Abroad (p.280)\n# East Meets West in Chinese Culture (p.280)\n\n==Worship==\n# Ancestor Worship (祖先崇拜) (p.285)\n# Chinese Temple Culture (p.285)\n# Incense and Worship Traditions (p.285)\n\n=Semester Paper Topics (choose 1)=\n\nEach student writes one semester paper (~3000 words). You may choose from the reference topics below or propose your own topic.\n\nBelow are topics from previous students for inspiration:\n\n==Food & Beverages==\n* Anhua Dark Green Tea（安化黑茶）\n* Braised Pork Meatballs in Brown Sauce（红烧狮子头）\n* Camellia Oil（茶油）\n* Changshou Rice Noodles（长寿米粉）\n* DUO Jiao Yu Tou（剁椒鱼头）\n* Daokou Braised Chicken（道口烧鸡）\n* Honghu Lotus Root（洪湖莲藕）\n* Hulatang（胡辣汤）\n* Jingzhou Fish Cake（荆州鱼糕）\n* Jining Bengrou Rice（济宁甏肉干饭）\n* Knife-cut Noodles（刀削面）\n* Lei Cha（擂茶）\n* Luo Yang Water Banquet（洛阳水席）\n* Nanchang Rice Noodles and Clay Pot Soup（南昌米粉和瓦罐汤）\n* Qifengdu Fish Rice Noodles（栖枫渡鱼粉）\n* Shanxi Aged Vinegar（山西醋）\n* Shaoyang Rice Noodles\n* Sichuan Noodles\n* Snack: Malatang（麻辣烫）\n* Sour Fish Soup with Litsea Cubeba（木姜子酸汤鱼）\n* Sour Plum Drink（酸梅汤）\n* Tsingtao Beer（青岛啤酒）\n* West Lake Longjing Tea（西湖龙井）\n* Wugang Braised Food（武冈卤菜）\n* Xiamen Tusun Dong（厦门土笋冻）\n* Yanji Cold Noodle（延吉冷面）\n* Yellow Tea — Junshan Yinzhen（君山银针）\n* Yunan Flower Cake（云南鲜花饼）\n\n==Performance & Music==\n* Baishou Dance（摆手舞）\n* Huagu Opera（花鼓戏）\n* Korean Janggu Dance（朝鲜族长鼓舞）\n* Miao Golden Pheasant Dance（苗族锦鸡舞）\n* Nanyin Music（南音）\n* Ningxiang Shadow Puppets（宁乡皮影戏）\n* Nuo Opera（傩戏）\n* Qidong Yuguxi（祁东渔鼓戏）\n* Shaoyang Glove Puppetry（邵阳布袋木偶戏）\n* Xinhua Folk Songs（新化山歌）\n\n==Traditional Crafts & Arts==\n* Bai Tie-Dye（白族扎染）\n* Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage – Round Silk Fan（团扇）\n* Chinese Paper Offering Art（纸扎艺术）\n* Chinese Sugar Painting（中国糖画）\n* Chinese traditional instruments Konghou（箜篌）\n* Fine Arts: Born of Gautama Buddha（《送子天王图》）\n* Ru Porcelain（汝瓷）\n* Tahu Paper Cuts（踏虎凿花）\n* Three Carvings of Huizhou（徽州三雕）\n* Underglaze Five-Color Porcelain（釉下五彩瓷）\n* Wuhu Iron Painting（芜湖铁画）\n* Xiang Embroidery（湘绣）\n* Yi Embroidery（彝绣）\n\n==Heritage Sites & Landmarks==\n* Emperor Shun's Mausoleum in Jiuyi Mountain（九嶷山舜帝陵）\n* Fengdu Ghost City（丰都鬼城）\n* Fenghuang Ancient Town（凤凰古城）\n* Leshan Giant Buddha\n* Longmen Grottoes（龙门石窟）\n* Loulan Ancient City（楼兰古城）\n* Sanqing Mountain（三清山）\n* The Foremost Cliff Inscriptions Site — WuXi Forest of Steles（浯溪碑林）\n* Wuyi Mountain（武夷山）\n* Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village（西江千户苗寨）\n\n==Festivals & Customs==\n* Guangxi's Zhuang March 3rd Festival（广西壮族三月三）\n* Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival（哈尔滨国际冰雪节）\n* Lantern Riddles（灯谜）\n* Public Memorial Ceremony at the Emperor Yan Mausoleum（炎帝陵公祭）\n* Temple Fair（庙会）\n* The Modern Value of Yi People's Torch Festival（彝族火把节的当代价值）\n* Water-Splashing Festival（泼水节）\n* Zhuang Ethnic Minority Third Day of the Third Lunar Month（壮族三月三）\n\n==Ethnic Minorities==\n* Dish-Serving Dance of Yi Ethnic Group in Nanjian（南涧彝族跳菜）\n* The Black Rice of the Miao Ethnic Group（苗族黑米饭）\n* The Li Ethnic Group: Tiao Niang Dance（黎族跳娘舞）\n* The Mosuo People（摩梭人）\n* Tibetan Culture（藏族文化）\n* Xilankapu: Traditional Tujia Brocade from Enshi（湖北恩施土家族西兰卡普织锦）\n\n==Games & Popular Culture==\n* Blind Box（盲盒）\n* Chinese Cultivation Games（中国修仙游戏）\n* Chinese Style Game: Jiangnan Peekaboo（江南百景图）\n* Culture-Loaded Words in Black Myth: Wukong（黑神话：悟空中的文化词）\n* Hunan Tongguan Studio Short Drama Film and Television City（湖南铜官竖店短剧影视城）\n* Myers-Briggs Type Indicator（迈尔斯-布里格斯类型指标）\n* Study on the Cultural Connotation and Modern Value of the Chinese Zodiac（十二生肖的文化内涵及现代价值研究）\n\n==Language & Clothing==\n* Changsha Dialect（长沙方言）\n* Chinese Sachets（中国香囊）\n* Clothing: Chinese Hanfu（汉服）\n* Quanzhou Zanhua (Hairpin Flower Adornment)（泉州簪花）\n\n==Science, Technology & Martial Arts==\n* Chinese intangible cultural heritage - Liuyang Fireworks\n* Datiehua (Iron Fireworks)（打铁花）\n* Irrigation System: Dujiangyan in Cheng Du（成都都江堰）\n* Rucheng Incense Dragon（汝城香火龙）\n* Shaolin Kongfu（少林功夫）\n* TCM Health Preservation - Dietary Therapy（中医养生——食疗）\n\n==Literature & Scholarship==\n* Jujube Cake（酸枣糕）\n* Redology: the study of Dream of the Red Chamber（红学）\n* Seven Sages of Bamboo Grove（竹林七贤）\n* The Four Treasures of the Study\n* The Presumably Earliest City in China - Chengtoushan（中国最早的城市-城头山）\n* The Quest for Love of Lao Lee（老舍《离婚》）\n* Yongle Encyclopedia（《永乐大典》）\n\n==Architecture==\n* Huizhou Architecture（徽派建筑）\n\n==Cultural Symbols & Traditions==\n* Symbols of Traditional Chinese Culture: Loong and Fenghuang（龙和凤）\n* The Disappearing Chongqing "Bang Bang"\n* The Eight Oddities of Shaanxi（陕西八大怪）\n* The Nuo Culture of Jiangxi（赣傩文化）\n* The Peach Blossom Spring (Taohuayuan): From Literary Utopia to Cultural Symbol of Changde（常德桃花源）\n* Traditional Chinese Cultural Symbol: Liuchi Alley（六尺巷）\n* Yueyang Tianshi Dance（岳阳天狮舞）\n* Yulin Invitation（玉麟相邀/衡阳土头碗）\n* Yuanling Shailan Meat（沅陵晒兰肉）\n* Yongzhou Blood Duck（永州血鸭）\n\n\n