The travel guide
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China: Between rituals and cultural traditions
China and its universe, as mysterious as it is legendary, one of the oldest civilizations in the history of the world. Between almost futuristic megalopolises like Hong-Kong and Shanghai; historic villages and countryside, or places in the heart of rice fields and natural landscapes like Yunnan. China is full of breathtaking places and places full of stories where rituals and cultural traditions mingle.
Traditional Chinese massages
He makes one of the five pillars of Chinese medicine. Traditional massage is called Tui na ("Tui" which means "to push" and "Na" which means "to grab"). True ritual, which brings together more than 300 skills used according to the needs of the body. This tradition offers benefits for the body but also for the mind : it helps to harmonize energies, stimulate the body's immune defenses, revitalize the body, but also improve sleep and calm the spirits.
Art in China: calligraphy, painting, ceramics, porcelain, music…
Art takes an important place in Chinese culture. For example, calligraphy is considered one of the four major artistic disciplines. Writing is much more than a means of communication, it is a painting, an art allowing to give one's ideas. Painting is also very related to calligraphy. Often Chinese paintings are created on silk or paper, and are not framed as with us in the West. Indeed, each art is often linked, calligraphy is linked to painting, painting with silk work: each art brings a new one, and that's the magic of Chinese culture.
Chinese martial arts
China is undoubtedly the country where the martial arts are the most present in the world. This art makes an integral part of Chinese culture. Kung-Fu or Tai-Chi-Chuan are real way of life, they are much more than a means of self-defense. This art is practiced both for health and helps to control the energies and the good circulation of Chi. It's a art of transmission and values, the perfect harmony between body and mind.
Meals in China, a moment of sharing and respect
Chinese dishes are full of tastes and flavors, each more different than the next: a real culinary richness. As in any other country, there is in China, conventions related to the way of eating. For example, it is frowned upon to plant your chopsticks vertically in your rice bowl, this is synonymous with death.
Also in the restaurants, we share the different dishes that are on the table, each is served in the dish he wants. China is full of culinary traditions, like for example, on his birthday the tradition is to eat hot noodles (symbols of longevity) and eggs (symbols of happiness).
The ritual of the tea ceremony
The tea ceremony existed for over 400 years in China, it is called "Gong Fu Cha", which means
"Take time for tea". This preparation ritual is practiced daily by the Chinese, but is also considered an art when practiced by tea masters. This ceremony consists in revealing all the aromas of the tea by preparing in a few moments a very concentrated tea. The instruments used take an important place in this ritual. Indeed, the teapot for example is extremely important; we prefer it in terracotta to keep the heat and all the aromas of the tea.
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