Located in the east of the Asian continent, on the western shore of the Pacific ocean, the PRC has a land area of about 9.6 million sq km, and is the third largest country in the world, next only to Russia and Canada.
National Emblem

Composed of patterns of the national flag, the Tian’anmen Rostrum [‘rɔstrəm]（城楼）, a wheel gear and ears of wheat, it symbolizes the New-Democratic Revolution of the Chinese people since the May 4th Movement in 1919 and the birth of New China.
National Day National Emblem ['embləm] 象征；徽章； 符号 National Anthem ['æ nθəm]赞美诗；圣歌 National Capital
National Day

Chinese celebrate October 1 as National Day in honor of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on October 1, 1949.

The relatively enclosed geographical surroundings provided exceptional natural advantages for the ancient Chinese culture to develop independently, for a fairly long period free from the impact of foreign cultures, especially those powerful ones. These facilitated the Chinese culture to evolve into a stable and independent system with distinctive regional features.





The descendants of Yan and Huang, the leaders of the two earliest tribes; Xia Dynasty (2070-1660 BC) began the slavery; three sage kings: Yao; Shun and Yu. Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC); The Western Zhou Dynasty (1046771 BC); The Spring and Autumn and the Warring States Periods (770-221 BC) The Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), the first feudal monarchy; Han Dynasty ( 220) The Three Kingdoms Period (AD 220-280) Jin Dynasty (AD 265-420); the Sixteen Kingdoms (AD304-439); the Southern and Northern Dynasties (AD 420-589); Sui Dynasty (AD 581-618) Tang Dynasty (AD618-907) Song Dynasty (AD 960-1279) Yuan Dynasty (AD 1271-1368); Ming Dynasty (1368-1644); Qing
A Glimpse of Chinese Culture
Chapter 1 An Overview
本章教学的目的

1. 中国标志的基本了解; 2. 中国地理、历史、人口、民族、政治体 制、经济的基本概况。
Brief introduction to Chinese Symbols


Anything about the Grand Canal?



The Grand Canal is also called Jinghang Canal (1,801 km) The canal was open to navigation over 1,000 years ago. It passes through one city, four provinces and links five major rivers.

中国是一个疆域辽阔、 人口众多的多民族的 统一国家。它的地理 环境对中国文化的形 成发展起到了至关重 要的作用。中国位于 东亚大陆，处于一个 相对隔绝封闭的地理 环境中。
enclosed, independent, free from impact, stable, regional features
National Capital


On September 27, 1949, BeiPing was renamed as Beijing and became capital of the PRC. Beijing is not only the nation’s political centre, but also serves as its economic, scientific and cultural heart.
The Geographical Surroundings


China is a unitary multinational country with a vast territory and a large population. The geographical surroundings play a vital role in the formation and development of the Chinese culture. Situated in the continent of East Asia, China is located in relatively enclosed geographical surroundings。
Climate

A warm climate and distinct seasons Continental monsoon [mɔn'su:n]（季候风） climate in China: 1) cold and dry winters; 2) warm and humid summers;
National Anthem


March of the Volunteers was written in 1935 and was officially adopted as the national anthem of the PRC on December 4, 1982. The lyrics of March of the Volunteers goes as follow: Arise, ye who refuse to be slaves; Let us amount our flesh and blood towards our new Great Wall! The Chinese nation faces its greatest peril, The thundering roar of our people will be heard! Arise! Arise! Arise! We are many, but our hearts beat as one! Selflessly braving the enemy’s gunfire, march on! Selflessly braving the enemy’s gunfire, march on! March on! March on! on!

这种相对封闭的地理环境 为中国古代文化相对独立 的发展提供了自然条件。 所以在相当长的一段时间 里，中国文化与外来文化 的武力冲撞较少。这对中 国文化形成一个历史悠久 又自成体系，具有鲜明的 地域特征且具有一定的稳 定性的文化系统，有着重 要的作用。
Rivers and Lakes
Βιβλιοθήκη 1)2)
3)
4)
Qinghai-Tibet Plateau（青藏高原） in Southwest China; (above 4000m) Inner Mongolia Plateau, the Loess Plateau, the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, the Tarim Basin, the Junggar Basin and Sichuan Basin; (1000m-2000m) The Northeast Plain, the North China Plain and the Middle-Lower Yangtze Plain; (500-1000m) The continental shelf
What’s your impression of the Yangtze River?



The Yangtze River is the longest river in China; (6,300km) It flows through 11 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. It is one of the main artery（动脉） of water transportation between eastern and western China.