Chinese

Concrete construction is a very common practice in China. In many areas of the world timber-based frames are used for houses, but in China much of the construction uses concrete or brick instead of…

Cut open a Chinese gooseberry (Actinidia arguta), and you will find the deep, emerald flesh and tart, black seeds common to kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa). But Chinese gooseberry, also called hardy…

Chinese cookware can present many problems if you’re unfamiliar with its correct use and care, leading to ruined dishes, ruined cookware and a bad reputation for the products. At times, your…

Fencing is a sword fighting art that relies on a thin blade with a sharp point called the rapier. The rapier is lightweight and able to strike quickly with stabbing or whipping motions to the face or…

When the Martin Luther King memorial was unveiled in October 2011, it was made mostly of Chinese granite. China is, by far, the largest producer of granite. At the same time, China, in its three…

Since the fifth century BC, the Chinese have been using the sap from a native sumac tree to make a protective coating, called lacquer, for furniture and decorative items. Lacquer items were highly…

Chinese parchment paper, also known as rice paper in English, has been used by artists for literally thousands of years. According to the website Asia-Art, this practice began at the end of the first…

Standing at 40 to 80 feet with a spread of 25 to 30 feet, the northern Chinese red birch (Betula albosinensis var. septentrionalis) is a large tree with showy spring flowers. Certain animals, pests…

Even if you installed Skype in English, there is no need to always use this language. If you are trying to learn Chinese or are simply more comfortable reading Chinese than English, change Skype's…

Variegated Chinese privets, a variety of ligustrum, produce gray-green leaves with creamy white edges. The leaf variegations add a bright touch to the landscape, standing out against the darker green…

Chinese chestnut is the common name for Castanea mollissima, a deciduous species of tree native to temperate areas of northeastern China. It's sometimes cultivated as a shade tree for its broad,…

The Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum) is a tropical plant ideal for the home or office. It thrives in USDA zones 10B to 11 and is tolerant of low light, dry air and standard office temperatures.…

The Chinese elm is a fast-growing, adaptable tree that thrives best in loamy, well-drained soil. A tolerant tree, the Chinese elm responds well to all levels of sunlight, from full sun to partial…

Chinese forget-me-nots (Cynoglossum amabile) originate in the Far East and only superficially resemble the common forget-me-nots (genus Myosotis). Chinese forget-me-nots’ care requirements are…

Also called foo gwa, mo gwa, karela, pare, ampalaya, balsam pear or bitter gourd, Chinese bitter melon is a popular vegetable in tropical areas, used in a variety of ways. Botanically known as…

The Chinese ground orchid (Bletilla striata) offers stalks of elegant purple, pink or white flowers from spring to summer. It grows readily in containers and spreads if planted in the ground,…

Weed control is critical to the success of any gardening project. Invasive species can move into a growing area and threaten the health and lives of the plants you're trying to cultivate. Chinese…

Chinese handkerchiefs are very similar to any other type of handkerchief, with the main distinction being that they often have classic Chinese designs of dragons or flowers and that they are often…

Chinese swamp cypress (Glyptostrobus pensilis) is also known by the scientific names G. heterophyllus, G. lineatus and G. sinensis, as well as the common name Chinese water fir. Though once widely…

The Chinese polar bear lives in an arctic climate. These animals are known for their cute, cuddly appearance, but are not actually friendly and loving animals. Polar bears are strong, intelligent…

Learning characteristics of the Chinese fireworks industry takes you on a wild ride throughout history. From 457 B.C., according to Big Fireworks, early signs of the exploding atmospheric decorations…

The Chinese zodiac was introduced in 2637 B.C. Following the oldest lunar calendar in history, the zodiac consists of 12-year cycles, each represented by a corresponding animal. In China, the…

If you're looking for a tough shade tree that requires minimal maintenance, Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis) just might be that tree -- if it's a male. Females can get a bit messy, because if…

Throughout history, China has incorporated religion into daily life, family and survival. "Attempts to manipulate the forces which shape the human and natural worlds have been a key element in all…

Owning a designer dog is a pet trend that began in the late 20th century. Designer dogs are simply the breeding result of two purebred dogs. The miniature schnauzer and Chinese crested cross is an…

The Chinese have been known throughout history as global exporters of their ceramic art. One staple Chinese export is the typical teapot with ancient Chinese motifs. A few Chinese motifs are the…

Chinese Hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifia) is a large deciduous tree that reaches a final average height of 25 feet. Chinese Hawthorn is hearty and thrives up to U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness…

A woman's hairstyle is often considered her crowning glory. A treasured facet of her appearance which must be carefully maintained and cared for. The Chinese empresses of ancient time were religious…

Distinguished by their intricate gold detailing, Chinese lacquer desks add Oriental-style elegance to homes. Chinese desks are generally finished with black lacquer to provide a durable coating that…

The Chinese maple (Acer palmatum) is a woody plant native to China, Japan, Korea and southeast Russia. They are used in landscaping throughout U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7, 8…

In the last decade, Chinese catfish have become one of the most popular types of catfish to be consumed around the world. Due to the demand, more and more fish farmers are switching over from other…

Most western keys -- those in Europe or America -- are designed "flat," with no part of the key spreading out along the horizontal axis. A Chinese cross key, by contrast, has both a horizontal…

One of the major differences between American rice and Chinese rice is the length of the grain. American cooking often involves the use of long grain rice, while Asian recipes typically call for…

Native speakers of Chinese rarely discuss their language in the terms that we commonly use in English grammar. Thus, finding a definitive guide to converting so-called Chinese nouns into so-called…

One of the few deciduous trees to display vibrant red autumn foliage color in the deserts of the American Southwest, the Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis) is also called the Chinese mastic or…

The Chinese yo-yo, often called a yo-yo diabolo, consists of spinning discs held together by an axle. These discs connect to two sticks with pieces of string and the discs move around on the string…

In the language of culinary Chinese, there is a family of vine produce that is commonly referred to as "gua." The most common English translation for "gua" is "melon." Although the English-language…

Throughout China's history, bookbinders have employed a number of methods to create books. Many of these techniques, such as stab binding, stitched bindings and wrapped bindings, spread across Asia…

Chinese culture has a long and proud history of acrobatics, dating back to 200 years BC. Chinese acrobats focus less on high-flying stunts than those which require balance, strength and focus.…

Chinese chops are carved with unique symbols designed to act as the personal signature of their owner. Some designs can be very ornate based on the fact that are are meant to look different than those…

China has a long and varied history and ancient monuments abound. The Great Wall of China is probably one of the greatest ancient wonders of the world, cutting across grasslands, deserts and…

Someone who is proficient in Chinese is able to earn a living in teaching Chinese. Many places hire Chinese teachers, such as public schools, private schools or language institutes --- a common place…

The Chinese astrological tradition dates back thousands of years. Ancient Chinese scholars believed personality traits were determined by the year of a person's birth. They named years for animals, in…

China is not only one of the largest countries in the world, but it is also one of the oldest, with a documented history that dates to approximately 2000 B.C. Spanning an area that crosses four…

Although swords may seem archaic in modern times, many people are interested in swords for a variety of reasons, including display and practice. Chinese swords can be used in many martial art forms.…

Homeowners in some areas of the country blame Chinese plasterboard, also known as drywall, for impairing their health, damaging their houses and releasing noxious odors. The Chinese plasterboard…

Whether you are traveling or simply researching countries, you must understand the cultures of where you come from and where you are going. The differences in culture between China and America are…

The complexity of Chinese characters, as well as the vast differences between this form of writing and Western alphabets, can be off-putting to someone wanting to learn Chinese. However, once students…

Panda bears are found in the central Chinese provinces of Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu. Their natural habitat includes mountainous areas covered by broadleaf and coniferous forests. Only 1,600 pandas…

The People’s Republic of China requires all United States citizens to obtain a visa. You must apply in person at a Chinese Consulate and wait approximately four days for them to process your…

Ni Hui Shuo PuTong Hua Ma? (knee hway shwo poo toeng hwa ma?) Do you speak Chinese? While Mandarin Chinese might certainly seem like a hodge-podge of various inflections and a thousand…

There is more than one way to write "China" in Chinese. One way that this word is written is the same way that "among," "in," "middle" and "center" are written in Chinese. There is also another way to…

China, whose civilization is thousands of years old, is filled with ancient monuments. UNESCO has added 38 sites in China, including sacred mountains, to its World Heritage List. China has old temples…

China requires all U.S. citizens to acquire an entry visa. The process typically involves applying in person at your local Chinese Consulate and then waiting about 4 days for your visa application to…

In the People's Republic of China, the circulating currency is called Renminbi (RMB, translated "people's currency"), and the basic unit is the yuan. The yuan is divided into 10 jiao, and the jiao is…

In Chinese culture, the dragon is an important creature. It made an appearance in the earliest Chinese religion. It is called "Loong" and is considered to be powerful but gentle. According to legend,…

Malacca is a historical state in Malaysia, located in the southern part of the country on the Straits of Malacca. The state has been influenced by a number of different groups, including the British,…

Opening a bank account in China is a fairly simple process. There are a few things that each ex-pat or foreigner must remember, but generally, the process can be handled in an afternoon. Remember,…

Learn Chinese character strokes with tips on writing and pronouncing Chinese characters from a Chinese language teacher in this free video on Chinese words and phrases.

Learn to write Chinese characters today! Master Chinese calligraphy with this free video on the summary of proper stroke order for Chinese.

Tired of giving your nieces sweatshirts from the airport? You can find fun and unusual souvenirs for kids nearly anyplace you go. Here are some ideas on shopping for great gifts that any kids will…

Firstly - ensure it is appropriate! Small stores and markets (especially street markets) are all about negotiating! Try it in a franchise or large department, and you won't be received favorably...