Chapter 1 An Overview A Glimpse of Chinese Traditional Culture

Chapter 1Chapter 1

An OverviewAn Overview

A Glimpse of Chinese A Glimpse of Chinese

Traditional CultureTraditional Culture

The Brief Chronology of ChinesThe Brief Chronology of Chinese Historye History

(( 中国历史年代简表中国历史年代简表 ))Paleolithic Period(Paleolithic Period( 旧石器时代旧石器时代 )1,700,000-10,000 )1,700,000-10,000

years agoyears agoNeolithic Period(Neolithic Period( 新石器时代新石器时代 )10,000-4,000 years )10,000-4,000 years

agoagoXia Dynasty (Xia Dynasty ( 夏夏 ) 2070B.C.-1600B.C. ) 2070B.C.-1600B.C. Shang Dynasty (Shang Dynasty ( 商商 ) 1600B.C.-1046B.C.) 1600B.C.-1046B.C.Western Zhou Dynasty (Western Zhou Dynasty ( 西周西周 ) 1046B.C.-771B.C.) 1046B.C.-771B.C.Spring and Autumn Period (Spring and Autumn Period ( 春秋春秋 )770B.C.-476B.)770B.C.-476B.

C.C.Warring State Period(Warring State Period( 战国战国 ) 475BC-221BC) 475BC-221BC


(( 中国历史年代简表中国历史年代简表 ))Qin Dynasty(Qin Dynasty( 秦秦 ) 221BC-206BC) 221BC-206BCHan Dynasty (Western Han & Eastern Han)Han Dynasty (Western Han & Eastern Han)

(( 汉汉 ) 206BC-220AD) 206BC-220ADThree Kingdoms (Three Kingdoms ( 三国三国 ) 220-280AD) 220-280ADJin Dynasty (Western Jin & Eastern Jin)(Jin Dynasty (Western Jin & Eastern Jin)( 晋晋 ) 26) 26

5-4205-420Southern and Northern Dynasties(Southern and Northern Dynasties( 南北朝南北朝 ) 420-) 420-

589589Sui Dynasty (Sui Dynasty ( 隋隋 ) 581-618) 581-618Tang Dynasty (Tang Dynasty ( 唐唐 ) 618-907) 618-907


(( 中国历史年代简表中国历史年代简表 ))Five Dynasties (Five Dynasties ( 五代五代 ) 907-960) 907-960Liao Dynasty (Liao Dynasty ( 辽辽 ) 907-1125) 907-1125Song Dynasty (Northern Song & Southern Song Dynasty (Northern Song & Southern

Song) (Song) ( 宋宋 ) 960-1279) 960-1279Western Xia Dynasty(Western Xia Dynasty( 西夏西夏 )1038-1227)1038-1227Jin Dynasty (Jin Dynasty ( 金金 ) 1115-1234) 1115-1234Yuan Dynasty (Yuan Dynasty ( 元元 ) 1206-1368) 1206-1368


(( 中国历史年代简表中国历史年代简表 ))Ming Dynasty (Ming Dynasty ( 明明 ) 1368-1644) 1368-1644Qing Dynasty (Qing Dynasty ( 清清 ) 1616-1840 (Opium War)-) 1616-1840 (Opium War)-

19111911Republic of China(Republic of China( 中华民国中华民国 )1912-1949)1912-1949People’s Republic of China(People’s Republic of China( 中华人民共和中华人民共和

国国 )1949-)1949-

The historical development The historical development of the Chinese cultureof the Chinese culture

1. The Dawn of Chinese History: The Pre-Qin Period 1. The Dawn of Chinese History: The Pre-Qin Period Culture(Culture( 中国历史文化的开篇——先秦文化中国历史文化的开篇——先秦文化 ))

(1)The Earliest Human Beings in China: Yuanmou Ma(1)The Earliest Human Beings in China: Yuanmou Man (dated back to 1,700,000 years ago, the earliest humn (dated back to 1,700,000 years ago, the earliest human beings ever found in China)-Lantian Man (walk upan beings ever found in China)-Lantian Man (walk upright on 2 feet)-Peking Man (skilled at making fire, mright on 2 feet)-Peking Man (skilled at making fire, making and using stone tools)- Upper Cave Man (18000, aking and using stone tools)- Upper Cave Man (18000, resembled modern human beings in appearance )resembled modern human beings in appearance )

(2) The Great Myth of the Creation of Man in Ancient (2) The Great Myth of the Creation of Man in Ancient China China

(3) Ancestors of the Chinese Nation:4000 years ago, E(3) Ancestors of the Chinese Nation:4000 years ago, Emperor Yan and Empreror Huang defeated Chiyou.mperor Yan and Empreror Huang defeated Chiyou.


(4) Confucius, the Great Educator(4) Confucius, the Great Educator(5) The “Hundred Schools of Thought” (5) The “Hundred Schools of Thought”

and their Exponents.and their Exponents. 诸子百家诸子百家(6) (6) The Art of WarThe Art of War: the world first treati: the world first treati

se on military sciencese on military science 世界上第一部兵法世界上第一部兵法——《孙子兵法》——《孙子兵法》


2. The period of Great Feudal Unity: The Qin a2. The period of Great Feudal Unity: The Qin and Han Dynastiesnd Han Dynasties 封建大一统时期——秦汉封建大一统时期——秦汉

(1)Qinshihuang, the First Emperor in Chinese (1)Qinshihuang, the First Emperor in Chinese HistoryHistory

(2)The Great Wall(2)The Great Wall(3)Sima Qian and his (3)Sima Qian and his Records of the HistorianRecords of the Historian(4) Zhang Heng, and his seismograph / seismos(4) Zhang Heng, and his seismograph / seismos

copecope(5) Zhang Zhongjing, the saint of medicine and (5) Zhang Zhongjing, the saint of medicine and

Hua Tuo, the founder of surgeryHua Tuo, the founder of surgery


3. The division of China once more and 3. The division of China once more and the intermingling of ethic groups: The Tthe intermingling of ethic groups: The Three Kingdoms, the two Jin Dynasties ahree Kingdoms, the two Jin Dynasties and the Southern and Northern Dynastiend the Southern and Northern Dynasties.s.

封建国家的分裂和民族大融合——三国、两封建国家的分裂和民族大融合——三国、两晋、南北朝晋、南北朝

Chao Cao, Zhuge LiangChao Cao, Zhuge LiangWang Xizhi, the saint of calligraphy Wang Xizhi, the saint of calligraphy


4. The heyday of Feudal Society: The S4. The heyday of Feudal Society: The Sui and Tang Dynastiesui and Tang Dynasties 封建社会的繁荣—封建社会的繁荣——隋唐—隋唐

(1) The Grand Canal of the Sui Dynasty(1) The Grand Canal of the Sui Dynasty(2) Xuanzang’s Journey to the West(2) Xuanzang’s Journey to the West(3) Jianzhen Crosses the Ocean to Japan (3) Jianzhen Crosses the Ocean to Japan


5. The continued development of Feudal Soci5. The continued development of Feudal Society and the coexistence of ethnic regimes:ety and the coexistence of ethnic regimes:

The Five Dynasties, and the Liao, Song, Xia, Jin The Five Dynasties, and the Liao, Song, Xia, Jin and Yuan Dynatiesand Yuan Dynaties

封建社会的继续发展和民族政权并立时期——五代、封建社会的继续发展和民族政权并立时期——五代、辽、宋、夏、金、元辽、宋、夏、金、元

(1)Yue Fei, Wen Tianxiang(1)Yue Fei, Wen Tianxiang(2)The Four Great Inventions(2)The Four Great Inventions(3)(3)Riversides scene on the Pure Brightness FestiRiversides scene on the Pure Brightness Festi

valval(4) Sima Guang and the (4) Sima Guang and the Comprehensive Mirror Comprehensive Mirror

for Aid in Government for Aid in Government 《资治通鉴》《资治通鉴》


6. The period of further development 6. The period of further development of the unitary multi-ethnic country anof the unitary multi-ethnic country and the decline of feudal society: The Mid the decline of feudal society: The Ming and Qing Dynasties (before the opiung and Qing Dynasties (before the opium war of 1840)m war of 1840) 统一的多民族国家进一步统一的多民族国家进一步发展和封建社会由盛而衰时期明清（鸦片发展和封建社会由盛而衰时期明清（鸦片战争以前）战争以前）

Zhu Yuanzhang, Zheng He, Qi JiguangZhu Yuanzhang, Zheng He, Qi JiguangLi Shizhen and Li Shizhen and Bencao Gangmu (CompeBencao Gangmu (Compe

ndium of Materia Medica)ndium of Materia Medica)


7. Modern Period7. Modern Period 近代中国近代中国(1) Lin Zexu and the Destruction of Opiu(1) Lin Zexu and the Destruction of Opiu

m at Humenm at Humen(2) The first Opium War(2) The first Opium War(3) The May 4th Movement(3) The May 4th Movement


8. Contemporary Period8. Contemporary Period 现代中国现代中国

Brief introduction to Brief introduction to Chinese SymbolsChinese Symbols

National DayNational Day National Emblem National Emblem National Anthem National Anthem National Capital National Capital

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

National DayNational Day

National FlagNational Flag

The red color of the flag symbolizes The red color of the flag symbolizes revolution and the yellow color of the stars revolution and the yellow color of the stars the golden brilliant rays radiating from the the golden brilliant rays radiating from the vast red land.vast red land.

The design of the four smaller stars The design of the four smaller stars surrounding a bigger one signifies the unity surrounding a bigger one signifies the unity of the Chinese people under the leadership of the Chinese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.of the Communist Party of China.

National EmblemNational Emblem

Composed of patternComposed of patterns of the national flag, s of the national flag, the Tian’anmen Rothe Tian’anmen Rostrum, a wheel gear strum, a wheel gear and ears of wheat, it and ears of wheat, it symbolizes the New-symbolizes the New-Democratic RevolutiDemocratic Revolution of the Chinese peon of the Chinese people since the May 4tople since the May 4th Movement in 1919 h Movement in 1919 and the birth of New and the birth of New China.China.

National AnthemNational Anthem

March of the VolunteersMarch of the Volunteers was written in 1935 and was was written in 1935 and was officially adopted as the national anthem of the PRC on officially adopted as the national anthem of the PRC on December 4, 1982.December 4, 1982.

The lyrics of The lyrics of March of the VolunteersMarch of the Volunteers goes as follow: goes as follow:

Arise, ye who refuse to be slaves;Arise, ye who refuse to be slaves; Let us amount our flesh and blood towards our new Let us amount our flesh and blood towards our new Great Wall!Great Wall! The Chinese nation faces its greatest peril, The Chinese nation faces its greatest peril, The thundering roar of our people will be heard! The thundering roar of our people will be heard!

Arise! Arise! Arise!Arise! Arise! Arise! We are many, but our hearts beat as one!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! Selflessly braving the enemy’s gunfire, march on! Selflessly braving the enemy’s gunfire, march on! March on! March on! on! March on! March on! on!

National CapitalNational Capital

On September 27, 1On September 27, 1949, BeiPing was re949, BeiPing was renamed as Beijing annamed as Beijing and became capital of d became capital of the PRC.the PRC.

Beijing is not only tBeijing is not only the nation’s politiche nation’s political centre, but also sal centre, but also serves as its economierves as its economic, scientific and cultc, scientific and cultural heart.ural heart.

GeographyGeography

Location and BoundaryLocation and Boundary TopographyTopography Rivers and LakesRivers and Lakes Climate Climate

Location and BoundaryLocation and Boundary

What’s the location of What’s the location of China in the Map?China in the Map?

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

TopographyTopography

What are the features of What are the features of Chinese topography?Chinese topography?

China is a country of varied China is a country of varied topographical features with topographical features with highlands in the west and plains highlands in the west and plains in the east.in the east.

Taking a bird’s-eye view of Taking a bird’s-eye view of China, the terrain descends from China, the terrain descends from the west to east like a four-the west to east like a four-staircase:staircase:

1)1) Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in Southwest ChinQinghai-Tibet Plateau in Southwest China; (above 4000m)a; (above 4000m)

2)2) Inner Mongolia Plateau, the Loess PlateaInner Mongolia Plateau, the Loess Plateau, the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, the Tariu, the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, the Tarim Basin, the Junggar Basin and Sichuan m Basin, the Junggar Basin and Sichuan Basin; (1000m-2000m)Basin; (1000m-2000m)

3)3) The Northeast Plain, the North China PlaThe Northeast Plain, the North China Plain and the Middle-Lower Yangtze Plain; in and the Middle-Lower Yangtze Plain; (500-1000m)(500-1000m)

4)4) The continental shelfThe continental shelf

Rivers and LakesRivers and Lakes

More than 1,500 rivers each drain More than 1,500 rivers each drain 1,000 sq km or larger areas1,000 sq km or larger areas

Rich in water-power resourcesRich in water-power resources Exterior and interior river systemsExterior and interior river systems The Yangtze River and the Yellow The Yangtze River and the Yellow

RiverRiver 24,800 natural lakes24,800 natural lakes The Grand CanalThe Grand Canal

What’s your impression of What’s your impression of the Yangtze River?the Yangtze River?

The Yangtze River The Yangtze River is the longest river is the longest river in China; (6,300km)in China; (6,300km)

It flows through 11 It flows through 11 provinces, provinces, autonomous regions autonomous regions and municipalities.and municipalities.

It is one of the main It is one of the main artery of water artery of water transportation transportation between eastern and between eastern and western China.western China.

What’s your impression of What’s your impression of the Yellow River?the Yellow River?

The Yellow River is The Yellow River is China’s second China’s second longest river; longest river; (5,464 km)(5,464 km)

The most heavily The most heavily silt-laden river in silt-laden river in the world.the world.

The Yellow river The Yellow river catchment area is catchment area is an important base an important base for grains in China.for grains in China.

Anything about the Anything about the Grand Canal?Grand Canal?

The Grand Canal is The Grand Canal is also called Jinghanalso called Jinghang Canal (1,801 km)g Canal (1,801 km)

The canal was opeThe canal was open to navigation oven to navigation over 1,000 years ago.r 1,000 years ago.

It passes through oIt passes through one city, four provinne city, four provinces and links five ces and links five major rivers.major rivers.

ClimateClimate

A warm climate and distinct A warm climate and distinct seasonsseasons

Continental monsoon climate in Continental monsoon climate in China:China:

1) cold and dry winters;1) cold and dry winters;

2) warm and humid summers;2) warm and humid summers;

An outline history (10 An outline history (10 minutes)minutes)

Yuanmou Man and Peking ManYuanmou Man and Peking Man The Ancient PeriodThe Ancient Period The Modern TimesThe Modern Times

Yuanmou Man and Peking ManYuanmou Man and Peking Man

The first primitive maThe first primitive man known to have existn known to have existed in China is Yuanmoed in China is Yuanmou Man, who lived 1.7 u Man, who lived 1.7 million years ago.million years ago.

Peking Man, who existPeking Man, who existed more than 400,000 ed more than 400,000 years ago, could walk years ago, could walk upright, make and use upright, make and use simple tools, and maksimple tools, and make use of fire.e use of fire.

The Ancient PeriodThe Ancient Period

Why are we called “the descendants oWhy are we called “the descendants of Yan and Huang (f Yan and Huang ( 炎黄子孙炎黄子孙 )”?)”?

Chinese history began with two legendChinese history began with two legendary figures—Emperor Huang and Empary figures—Emperor Huang and Emperor Yan, who, together with their triberor Yan, who, together with their tribes, inhabited the drainage area along tes, inhabited the drainage area along the middle reaches of the Yellow River. he middle reaches of the Yellow River. By the time of Xia Dynasty, after centuBy the time of Xia Dynasty, after centuries of living side by side, these two triries of living side by side, these two tribes had gradually merged into one. Cobes had gradually merged into one. Consequently, the Chinese people usuallnsequently, the Chinese people usually themselves “the descendants of Yan y themselves “the descendants of Yan and Huang”.and Huang”.

Yu conquering the floodYu conquering the flood

Yu inspired people to dig ditches to Yu inspired people to dig ditches to divert water instead of building dams. He divert water instead of building dams. He worked ceaselessly for 13 years and worked ceaselessly for 13 years and succeeded in controlling the floods.succeeded in controlling the floods.

The First Emperor of QinThe First Emperor of Qin He unified the Language, the measurement He unified the Language, the measurement

system and the currency, set up the prefectsystem and the currency, set up the prefectures and counties system, constructed the fures and counties system, constructed the famous Great Wall and built extravagant palamous Great Wall and built extravagant palaces and mausoleums.aces and mausoleums.

Administrative Divisions (5 Administrative Divisions (5 minutes)minutes)

Three-tier system (Three-tier system ( 三级建制三级建制 ), dividin), dividing the nation into provinces, counties g the nation into provinces, counties and townshipsand townships ；；

At present China has 23 provinces, 5 At present China has 23 provinces, 5 autonomous regions, 4 municipalitieautonomous regions, 4 municipalities and two special administrative regis and two special administrative regions (SARons (SAR ：特别行政区：特别行政区 ))

Population (5 minutes)Population (5 minutes)

More recent data using sampling by More recent data using sampling by the National Bureau of Statistics the National Bureau of Statistics announced that at the end of 2005, announced that at the end of 2005, the population of China was 1,307.56 the population of China was 1,307.56 million.million.

What is “one child policy”?What is “one child policy”?

It is a policy of family planning, It is a policy of family planning, hoping to control the population hoping to control the population increase, improve population quality. increase, improve population quality.

Distribution of the Ethnic Distribution of the Ethnic groups groups

(10 minutes)(10 minutes) 56 ethnic groups (Han, 91.59%)56 ethnic groups (Han, 91.59%) According to the fifth national census According to the fifth national census

conducted in 2000, the population of all conducted in 2000, the population of all the 55 minority ethnic groups totaled the 55 minority ethnic groups totaled 106,43 million, accounting for 8.41 106,43 million, accounting for 8.41 percent of the total population of China.percent of the total population of China.

What is the ethnic policy in China?What is the ethnic policy in China? Equality, unity, mutual assistance and Equality, unity, mutual assistance and

common prosperity are the basic common prosperity are the basic principles of the Chinese government in principles of the Chinese government in handling the relations between ethnic handling the relations between ethnic groups.groups.

Guess what ethnic Guess what ethnic group are they from?group are they from?

DongDong

YiYi

TujiaTujia

LiLi

MiaoMiao

The Political System (5 The Political System (5 minutes)minutes)

The Constitution of the People’s Republic of The Constitution of the People’s Republic of China is the fundamental law of the state.China is the fundamental law of the state.

The NPC is the highest organ of state power.The NPC is the highest organ of state power. The Communist Party is the sole party in The Communist Party is the sole party in

power in China. Apart from it, there are eight power in China. Apart from it, there are eight democratic parties in China.democratic parties in China.

The State Council, or the Central People’s The State Council, or the Central People’s Government, of the People’s Republic of Government, of the People’s Republic of China is the executive body of the highest China is the executive body of the highest organ of state power and the highest organ of organ of state power and the highest organ of state administration.state administration.

Economic Development and Economic Development and ReformReform

What is GDP?What is GDP? Gross domestic product, the total Gross domestic product, the total

market value of all the goods and market value of all the goods and services produced in a country in services produced in a country in a specific period. (13,687.59 a specific period. (13,687.59 billion RMB in 2004)billion RMB in 2004)

Economic reformEconomic reform and and opening-up opening-up are the two fundamental State are the two fundamental State policies of China. policies of China.

Students’ PresentationStudents’ Presentation(20 minutes) (20 minutes)

Please do brief introduction to Please do brief introduction to your hometownyour hometown ，， including the including the details about the location, details about the location, population, climate, the main population, climate, the main scenesscenes ，， etc.etc.

First in pairs and to the whole First in pairs and to the whole class.class.

ExercisesExercises

Please prepare for next class’ Please prepare for next class’ presentation.presentation.

Divide the whole class into groups. Divide the whole class into groups. Each group will present their PPT to Each group will present their PPT to the whole class.the whole class.

Time : 10 minutes (Followed by 5-Time : 10 minutes (Followed by 5-minute’s comments from other minute’s comments from other students)students)

Topic: any topic in Chinese cultureTopic: any topic in Chinese culture Arrangement: two groups each timeArrangement: two groups each time

Documents

Chapter 1 An Overview A Glimpse of Chinese Traditional Culture