“Discover China", our newly established column, covers various Chinese-related topics, including traditional festivals, music, art, films, books, food, and sports. These living expressions form part of Modern China’s intangible cultural heritage, as well as its considerable social and economic development. Thus, in the spirit of deepening the relationship between China and South Africa, the column aims to offer you a valuable opportunity to get to know China and its people. We hope you may be enriched both personally and professionally. Come and Discover China with us!
Chopsticks are an indispensable tool in nearly every Chinese household. From stir-fried dishes to soups and cold appetizers, meals wouldn’t be the same without the use of chopsticks. Click this link to enjoy an interesting clip about the role of chopsticks in everyday Chinese life. Chopsticks, known as “kuàizi” in Chinese, have been used for […]
Jianzi, also known as shuttlecock kicking, is a traditional Chinese sport that requires skill, concentration, and agility. With its emphasis on precise footwork and body coordination, Jianzi promotes physical fitness, flexibility, and mental focus. In our modern, fast-paced lives, the practice of Jianzi provides a fun and engaging way to stay active and relieve stress. […]
Sichuan Opera face-changing, or “Bian Lian,” is a unique and mesmerizing performance art within the rich tradition of Sichuan Opera. It is a Chinese cultural treasure that showcases the rapid and seamless changing of masks to depict different emotions and characters. Click the following link to catch a glimpse of this astounding art, Sichuan Opera […]
The Classic of Poetry, known as Shijing in Chinese, holds a myriad of translations, ranging from “Book of Songs” and “Book of Odes” to the more simple terms “Odes” or “Poetry”. This distinguished compilation stands as the oldest surviving repository of Chinese poetic artistry, encompassing 305 compositions spanning from the 11th to the 7th centuries […]
Sanxingdui is an ancient archaeological site located in the Sichuan Basin of China, approximately 40 km north of Chengdu. It is an important discovery that challenges the traditional narrative of Chinese civilization. Before the year 316 BCE, the Sichuan Basin was considered to be isolated from the Bronze Age civilization centered in the Yellow River […]
Chinese hot pot is indeed a warm, comforting, and social meal that brings family and friends together. The rich diversity of spices and condiments used in traditional Chinese hot pot reflects the culinary heritage of the country. Research indicates that there are approximately 67 different spices and condiments commonly used, sourced from 82 plant species […]
Located in the southwest province of Sichuan, China, Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries, home to more than 30% of the world’s pandas which are classed as highly endangered, covers 924,500 square kilometers with seven nature reserves and nine scenic parks in the Qionglai and Jiajin Mountains. The sanctuaries constitute the largest remaining contiguous habitat of the […]
High Mountain and Flowing Water is one of the top ten famous traditional Chinese music pieces. It has a high aesthetic and musical value which reminds people of a spring of fresh water merrily flowing down a mountain, and the waves playfully rising. It is full of the harmony between man and nature, and exudes […]
The Dragon Boat Festival falls on Thursday 22 June this year, which is the fifth day of the fifth month on the Chinese lunar calendar. There are many legends about the 2,000-year-old festival, but the most famous one is commemorating the death of QU Yuan, a patriotic poet from the State of Chu during the […]
Confucius Institute at Stellenbosch University is jointly established by Stellenbosch University and Xiamen University. Here we’d like to give you a brief introduction to the city of Xiamen, a sub-provincial city in southeastern Fujian, China, beside the Taiwan Strait. Xiamen covers an area of 1,700.61 square kilometers (656.61 sq mi) with a population of 5,163,970 as of […]