Additional Resources

Looking for books, magazines, Web sites and other resources to find more information? Here are a few suggestions, sorted by the themes we’ve used on our site.

• Chinese Language, Art and Culture
• Religion in China
• Traditional Chinese Holidays
• Education
• Geography
• Connecting Minnesota and China
• Environment
• History
• Great Chinese Inventions
• Sports

Chinese Language, Art and Culture

Characters in the Chinese Language

Chinese Characters Dictionary. http://zhongwen.com/zi.htm

Chinese characters or Han characters are logograms used in the written forms of the Chinese language.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_character

A Brief Explanation of Chinese Characters by Roxanne Hsu Feldmen.
http://intranet.dalton.org/faculty/rhf/Chinese/

An “audio tutorial of survival Chinese.” Listen to phrases in Chinese. See phonetic spelling and hear pronunciations. Fun to listen to but hard to do. All ages.
www.wku.edu/~yuanh/AudioChinese/index.html

Listen to a story in English and Chinese. You may listen to and view one story. To hear others you must subscribe to their service. This site is aimed at children ages 2 – 12 who want to learn Chinese.
www.chinasprout.com/html/stories001c.html

A personal Web page with information about the Chinese language. The variety of links include some to Chinese language radio broadcasts.
www.webcom.com/~bamboo/chinese/

This site was constructed by a three-member team of students through the ThinkQuest project. See the section entitled “Eternity – a valuable and everlasting language. Includes a short tutorial.
http://library.thinkquest.org/20443/g_home.html

Listen to poetry readings in Chinese. Good for all ages, need RealPlayer.
www.chinapage.com/readpoem.html

Color Symbolism in China

The Significance of Numbers and Colors by Angi Ma Wong, Asian Connections 9/9/2001

Color Me Confused Beijing Scene, Volume 7, Issue 13, April 14-20 2001
www.beijingscene.com/cissue/comrade.html

Convert Arabic numbers into Chinese, and vice versa.
www.mandarintools.com/numbers.html

Chinese Color Theory - The Symbolism of Color in Traditional Chinese Culture.
www.colortheory.org/D_ColortheroryChineseColorTheory.htm

Culture and the Arts

Read about and visit the Minneapolis Institute of Art, which has an extensive China art collection in the museum and online.
www.artsmia.org/exhibitions/details.cfm?ev_id=1753

General Cultural Sites

About Chinese culture from ThinkQuest. Written for kids by kids.
http://library.thinkquest.org/20443/culture.html

Chinese Historical and Cultural Project.
www.chcp.org/index.html

The Chinese Culture Center.
www.c-c-c.org/chineseculture/index.html

The China Experience: China Culture Index.
www.chinavista.com/experience/

Arts of Asia is a growing online resource featuring objects from The Minneapolis Institute of Arts' permanent collection.
www.artsmia.org/arts-of-asia

About.com's list of sites on Chinese culture.
http://chineseculture.about.com/od/arts/

Arts and Crafts

Engraving occupies an important position in Chinese fine arts and has a unique charm. With a history of 1,000 odd years, this ancient art has formed a classical yet modern artistic style. www.chinavista.com/experience/engrave/engrave.html

Arts of Asia is a growing online resource featuring objects from The Minneapolis Institute of Arts' permanent collection.
www.artsmia.org/arts-of-asia

Theater

The Beijing Opera is world famous for its traditional Chinese music form.
www.chinapage.com/beijing-opera.html

Holidays and Celebrations

Descriptions of important festivals in the Chinese calender.
http://library.thinkquest.org/18802/chinhol.htm

Learn about the Chinese New Year, traditions, celebrations, fun and games, recipes and more. Suitable for older elementary and up.
www.chinaunique.com/newyear.htm

Dragons

Resources of dragon design, dragon stories and legend, dragon dancing and dragon boat racing festival.
http://chineseculture.about.com/cs/dragon/index.html

Pictures Of Chinese Dragons.
http://beifan.com/034dragon/34chinese.html

Links to dragon images in Chinese culture, art and literature. Suitable for all ages.
www.chinapage.com/dragon1.html

From the Minneapolis Art Institute. Background information, story and discussion questions on dragons and their role in Chinese history. Teachers may need to make adaptations for young students.
www.artsmia.org/world-myths/artbyculture/chinese.html

Music

Music of China appears to date back to the dawn of Chinese civilization, and documents and artifacts provide evidence of a well-developed musical culture as early as the Zhou Dynasty (1122 BC - 256 BC).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_music

Listen to music of China.
www3.sympatico.ca/philmultic/

Chinese Dance

About Chinese culture from ThinkQuest. Written for kids by kids.
http://library.thinkquest.org/20443/culture.html

Chinese Historical and Cultural Project.
www.chcp.org/index.html

The Chinese Culture Center.
www.c-c-c.org/chineseculture/index.html

The China Experience: China Culture Index.
www.chinavista.com/experience/

About.com's list of sites on Chinese culture.
http://chineseculture.about.com/

Arts of Asia is a growing online resource featuring objects from The Minneapolis Institute of Arts' permanent collection.
www.artsmia.org/arts-of-asia

Dance Theater

The Beijing Opera is world famous for its traditional Chinese music form.
www.chinapage.com/beijing-opera.html

Chinese Plucked Instruments

Traditional Chinese musical instruments comprise a wide range of string instruments (both bowed and plucked), wind instruments, and percussion instruments.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_Chinese_musical_instruments

Food

China has one of the richest culinary heritages on earth.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_cuisine

Find information about the Chinese New Year Celebration, its delicious treats and recipes for them all. This site will convert all recipes to metric. No pictures. Suitable for older elementary and up. Would need adult help to prepare these recipes.
http://search.allrecipes.com/recipe/quick.asp?q1=Chinese+holiday&lnkid=65&image1.x=10&image1.y=8

About.com's list of Chinese recipes.
http://chinesefood.about.com/od/chinesecookingbasics/a/chinese_recipes.htm

An About.Com set of links including an introductory article and links for recipes.
http://chineseculture.about.com/cs/foodrecipe/index.html

Food tour of the regions of China.
http://regenttour.com/china/food/index.htm

Chinese Teas - Types and Forms

Generation Tea store, offering a tea collection of unblended teas from China and Taiwan.
http://www.generationtea.com/

China, the Homeland of Tea.
http://www.chinavista.com/experience/tea/tea.html

Blafeld, John. The Chinese Art of Tea. Boston. Shambhala. 1997.

Chinese tea drinking is an art form focused on taste.
http://www.cnn.com/FOOD/news/9911/12/china.tea/

The varieties of Chinese Tea are extensive with many different types grown during the Chinese Dynasties.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_tea

Table Manners

The main difference between Chinese and western eating habits is that unlike the West, where everyone has their own plate of food, in China the dishes are placed on the table and everybody shares.
www.nychinatown.com/chinese_table_manners(1).htm

Traditional Chinese Medicine

The History of Acupuncture in China. Health World offers this excerpted history and development of Acupuncture. Features moxibustion, needles, points, and therapeutic successes.
www.healthy.net/asp/templates/article.asp?PageType=article&ID=1819

Briefly explains the history of acupuncture, its modern use, and how modern doctors suppose it works.
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761563193/Acupuncture.html

Jung Tao School of Chinese Studies was initially founded in Minnesota in 1976 by Sean C. Marshall, offering an apprenticeship style training in Chinese medicine and taijiquan.
www.acupuncturetoday.com/schools/jungtao.html

Acupuncture is a medical practice and a therapeutic technique intended to promote health and well-being. The technique involves the insertion of needles into "acupuncture points" on the body by trained practitioners.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acupuncture

Acupuncture Today periodical.
www.acupuncturetoday.com/

A portal to a variety of acupuncture sites.
www.medicalacupunture.org/

Acupressure is a traditional Chinese medicine bodywork technique that involves placing physical pressure, by hand, elbow, or with the aid of various devices, on different pressure points on the surface of the body.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acupressure

Easy to understand information on acupuncture history and philosophy and Chinese herbology and medicine.
www.acupuncturecare.com/acupunct.htm

Traditional Chinese medicine, also known simply as Chinese medicine, is the name commonly given to a range of traditional medical practices used in China that have developed over the course of several thousand years of history.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Medicine

Herb China 2000 Inc. Check out the About China Herb links.
www.herbchina2000.com/

An introduction to Traditional Chinese medicine.
www.chinesemedicinesampler.com/

American College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine.
www.acaom.edu/

Healing and the Mind by Bill Moyers, and from the magazine Sinorama, Vol. 23 No. 12 December 1998

Chinese Foot Binding

Foot binding was a custom practiced in China on young females for more than one thousand years and finally discontinued in the early 20th century.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foot_binding

The reason for women binding their feet went deeper than fashion and reflected the role of women in Chinese society.
www.ccds.charlotte.nc.us/History/China/04/hutchins/hutchins.htm

Ancient China Foot-binding discussion at the History For Kids web site.
www.historyforkids.org/crafts/china/footbinding.htm

Article “Chinese Girl with Bound Feet” from the Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco.
www.sfmuseum.org/chin/foot.html#top

Religion in China

Confucianism literally "The School of the Scholars"; or, less accurately, "The Religion of Kong," is an East Asian ethical and philosophical system originally developed from the teachings of the early Chinese sage Confucius.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucianism

Confucianism.
www.friesian.com/confuci.htm

TAOISM (a.k.a. Daoism).
www.religioustolerance.org/taoism.htm

Taoism or the School of Tao refers to a set of philosophical teachings and religious practices rooted in a specific metaphysical understanding of the Chinese character Tao. For Taoists, Tao could be described as the continuity principle behind the whole process of the constantly changing universe.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoism

Frequently asked questions about Zen Buddhism.
www.ibiblio.org/zen/faq.html

"Buddhism is a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of the Buddha who lived between approximately 566 and 486 BC in India.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism

Buddhists in Minnesota
http://chingusangha.blogspot.com/2005/04/minnesota-buddhist-centers.html

Traditional Chinese Wedding Customs

Chinese Wedding Customs & Rituals
www.chinabridal.com/etiquette.htm

Chinese Wedding Customs
http://beifan.com/016wed/page01.html

Traditional Chinese Holidays

Article about the Chinese Calendar.
http://webexhibits.org/calendars/calendar-chinese.html

Chinese Lunar New Year

China Unique (a commercial site) page about Chinese New Years
www.chinaunique.com/newyear.htm

Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival is a traditional Chinese festival/holiday, which is celebrated by the Chinese in many countries. It is the first major festival after the Chinese New Year.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lantern_Festival

Chinese Moon Festival

Students learn about the Chinese Moon Festival and make 'moon cakes'.
www.newton.mec.edu/Angier/DimSum/china__dim_sum__moon_festi.html

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a popular Chinese celebration of abundance and togetherness, dating back over 3,000 years to China's Zhou Dynasty.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_Festival

The Harvest Moon Festival (also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival).
www.educ.uvic.ca/faculty/mroth/438/CHINA/moon.htm

The role of lanterns in the Harvest Moon Festival.
www.educ.uvic.ca/faculty/mroth/438/CHINA/lanterns.htm

Chinese Mid Autumn Festival or Moon Cake Festival.
www.regit.com/hongkong/festival/mooncake.htm

Dragon Boat Festival

Dragon Boat is a very long and narrow human powered boat used in the team paddling sport of dragon boat racing, also referred to as dragonboating.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Boat_Festival

Chinese Zodiac

Discover Hong Kong interactive horoscope.
www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/interactive/horoscope/index.jhtml

Chinese Culture Center's Zodiac Page.
www.c-c-c.org/chineseculture/zodiac/zodiac.html

The Lion Dance

Lion dance is a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture, in which performers mimic the lion's movements in a lion costume.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion_Dance  

The lion dance is a popular recreation for the Chinese during their new year season. However, the lion dances of Northern China and Southern China have great differences in that of their appearance and the art of demonstration.
www.visitsarawak.com/wushu/liondance.html

The history of the lion dance.
www.chinwoo.com/liondance/about.htm

Hong Bao a.k.a. Red Pocket

A red packet or hóng bao is a monetary gift which is given in Chinese society.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_bao

The Chinese Dragons

The Chinese Dragon symbolizes power and excellence, valiancy and boldness, heroism and perseverance, nobility and divinity.
www.crystalinks.com/chinadragons.html

The Chinese dragon is a mythical creature. Long a potent symbol of auspicious power in Chinese folklore and art, it is the embodiment of the concept of yang and associated with the weather and water as the bringer of rain.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_dragon

Chinese Handmade Fans

Fans acquired ceremonial significance. More than 3,000 years ago, fans were made with bird feathers and were an outstnading characteristic in imperial pomp.
www.chinavista.com/experience/fan/fan.html

Hand fans have a long history in China.
http://asianideas.com/sanhanfan.html

Education

Secondary Education For Chinese Students

Sinorama Magazine, Vol.25, No.5 May 2000, pages 82-86.

Information on various levels of schooling from China.org, the official China Internet Information Center
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Education_System

Articles about various levels of education in China.
www.china.org.cn/e-china/education/index.htm

Article on reform from China.org the official China Internet Information Center
www.china.org.cn/e-china/education/reform.htm

Geography

Comparing Populations and Provinces

Look for Shaanxi Province on this map.
www.chinatour.com/map/a.htm

A good outline description of Shaanxi Province.
www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/shaanxi/

Study the map of population distribution in Minnesota.
www.mnplan.state.mn.us/maps/

Use this database to find population information for the state of Minnesota or for your area.
www.mnplan.state.mn.us/

Census information on China's population.
http://yahooligans.yahoo.com/reference/factbook/ch/popula.html

U.S. Census Bureau FactFinder. You can search for data by state, county, or city.
http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/BasicFactsServlet

Minnesota Fun Facts (published for young people) from the U.S. Census Bureau
http://factfinder.census.gov/home/en/kids/funfacts/minnesota.html

Minnesota Datanet
www.mnplan.state.mn.us/datanetweb/

Terrain and Climate

Resource for elementary school classrooms includes lesson plans on Chinese geography, history and culture.
www.newton.mec.edu/Angier/DimSum/chinadimsumaconnection.html

Geography of China, from ThinkQuest.
http://library.thinkquest.org/20443/general_info.html?tqskip=1

Geography of China from Accomodating Asia. From a tourist's point of view.
www.accomasia.com/china.htm

Geography of China from geographic.org
www.geographic.org/

Describes the climate in China and appropriate clothing. Appropriate for older Elem. - Sr. Hi students.
www.chinatour.com/tips/tips.htm#climate

Gives statistical information about China. Topics include: Introduction, geography, people, government, economy, communication, transportation, military and transnational issues. There is also this information about every other country, so comparisons can be made. Appropriate for Jr./Sr. High students.
www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ch.html

Cities

Hong Kong has one of the world's most liberal economies and is a major international centre of finance and trade. A former British colony now administered by the PRC under the policy of "one country, two systems."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong

A site developed to help Internet users find Hong Kong web sites more conveniently.
www.timway.com/welcome.html

Sponsored by the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
www.discoverhongkong.com/usa/

Fun things to do with kids in Hong Kong.
www.travelforkids.com/Funtodo/HongKong/hongkong.htm

Search results for Hong kong from Encarta.
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/search.aspx?q=Hong+Kong&Submit2=Go

Travel guide for Hong Kong.
www.inm-asiaguides.com/hongkong/hkggen.htm

Lonely Planet tourist guide to Hong Kong.
www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/north_east_asia/hong_kong/

Beijing is China's second largest city in terms of population. It is a major transportation hub, with dozens of railways, roads and expressways entering and leaving it in all directions. It is also the focal point of many international flights to China. Beijing is recognized as the political, educational, and cultural center of China.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing

Street life in Beijing varies from the farmer's markets to the glittering joint-venture buildings which dot the landscape. Streets are filled with small kiosks and stalls selling everything from fruit and vegetables to shoelaces.
http://hua.umf.maine.edu/~mshea/China/beijing3.html

A travel site with links to Beijing tours.
http://china-window.com/beijing/nbjwe/wenhua/past/2.htm

Encarta information about Beijing.
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/search.aspx?q=Beijing&Submit2=Go

Beijing Trip provides extensive Beijing travel information on hotels, attractions, dining, shopping and Beijing tour packages.
www.beijingtrip.com/index.html

The Forbidden City was the place where the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties carried out their administration and lived. Now it is open to the public as a palace museum where people can see the great traditional palace architecture, enjoy the treasures kept in the palace, and learn of the legends and anecdotes about the imperial family and the court.
www.beijingtrip.com/attractions/forbidden/

Beijing tour from TravelChinaGuide.com
www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/beijing.htm

Basic information about Beijing and its attractions is suitable for older students.
www.chinatour.com/attraction/beijing.htm

Shanghai, situated on the banks of the Yangtze River Delta, is China's largest city. The city's development in the past few decades has made it one of the most important economic, commercial, financial and communications centers of China. Shanghai is also home to the world's busiest port.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai

Shanghai has a fascinating history, startling growth, fast pace, sparkling nightlife, incredible shopping and a unique air that lends itself to its reputation as an exotic destination for opportunity seekers and travel buffs.
www.shanghai-shanghai.net/

Encarta information about Shanghai.
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/search.aspx?q=Shanghai&Submit2=Go

Basic information about Shanghai and its attractions. All text, suitable for older students.
www.chinatour.com/attraction/shanghai.htm

Encarta information about Xi'an.
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/search.aspx?q=xian&Submit2=Go

Basic information about Xi’an and its attractions. All text, suitable for older students.
www.chinatour.com/attraction/xian.htm

Xi'an is the capital of Shaanxi province in China. One of the most important cities in Chinese history, Xi'an was one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. The city has more than 3,100 years of history. Xi'an is the largest and most developed city in the northwestern part of China and is ranked among the 10 largest cities in China.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xian

Connecting Minnesota and China

Economy

Topics on Chinese agriculture and other export information from the U.S. Embassy in China.
www.usembassy-china.org.cn/fas/

Field, Catherine; Nations of the World: China; Raintree Steck-Vaughn Publishers, New York; 2000.

Dramer, Kim; People’s Republic of China: Enchantment of the World; Children’s Press, New York; 1999.

Charley,Catherine; Country Fact Files; China; Raintree Steck-Vaughn Publishers, Austin, TX; 1995.

Agriculture

Soybeans are a high-protein legume grown as food for both humans and livestock.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soy_beans

Minnesota Foods Go to China

Minnesota Trade Office
www.exportminnesota.com/

Just Bean Recipes - Soy Bean Recipes.
www.justbeanrecipes.com/inxsoy.html

Environment

Mt. Everest

Excellent site about the explorers and the Mountain.
www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/everest/

Mount Everest is the highest mountain on earth above mean sea level. Its summit ridge marks the border between Nepal and China.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mt_Everest

About Mt. Everest from Encarta.
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/search.aspx?q=Mt+Everest&Submit2=Go

The Yellow River

The Yellow River is, at 5,463 km, the second longest river in China, after the Yangtze.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_River

Yellow River: Cradle of the Chinese civilization.
www.cis.umassd.edu/~gleung/

China's Three Gorges Dam

National Geographic Magazine vol.192,No3 September 1997 "China's Three Gorges"

PBS video : "Great Wall Over the Yangtze"

The Three Gorges Dam spans the Yangtze River (the third longest river in the world). Construction began in 1994. It will be the largest hydroelectric dam in the world when completed in 2009.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Gorges_Dam

Panda Bears

Easily recognizable through its large, distinctive black patches on the eyes, ears and on its rotund body, the Giant Panda is one of the most endangered animals in the world.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_Panda

The giant panda is a small black and white bear with an infantile appearance brought about by its shortened muzzle and large black fur eye patches. Most of its torso and head are white with a black saddle across its back, black fore and hind limbs and black ears. It can weigh up to 275 pounds.
www.bearden.org/panda.html

Black Bears

The black bear occurs throughout much of North America from northern Canada and Alaska south into Mexico Atlantic to the Pacific.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Bear

The American black bear is a medium size bear, weighing between 130 and 660 pounds with a total body length of 50 to 75 inches.
www.bearden.org/blkbear.html

Includes updated pictures of the new Panda cub at the National Zoo.
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/GiantPandas/

Where the Pandas Still Roam.
www.slack.net/~rd/wanglang/panda_facts.htm

The Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary (VSWS) near Orr, MN, is a place of wonder. Learn about black bears by observing them in their natural habitat! Includes a teacher section and a kids section.
www.americanbear.org/

History

General History – Modern and Dynasties

Ancient Chinese history from the aboriginal people through the history of the dynasties. Also includes Chinese mythology, from the Global History Consortium.
http://loki.stockton.edu/~gilmorew/consorti/1beasia.htm

About republican China and China under Communism, from the Global History Consortium.
http://loki.stockton.edu/~gilmorew/consorti/1peasia.htm

Information about the Republic of China (Taiwan).
/www.gio.gov.tw/

A timeline of the history of China, from North Park University.
http://campus.northpark.edu/history/WebChron/China/China.html

Simple, easy to read summaries of each dynasty.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_China

Gives a timeline of Chinese Dynasties. Many of the dynasties are linked to an explanation. See the Chinese characters for each emperor. Good background information for older elementary age students and up.
www-chaos.umd.edu/history/time_line.html

Gives statistical information about China. Topics include: Introduction, geography, people, government, economy, communication, transportation, military and transnational issues. There is also this information about every other country, so comparisons can be made. Appropriate for Jr./Sr. High students.
www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ch.html

Gives a timeline of Chinese Dynasties through when the Communist Party took over in 1949. Many of the dynasties are linked to an explanation. Good background information for older elementary age students and up.
www-chaos.umd.edu/history/time_line.html

Field, Catherine; Nations of the World: China; Raintree Steck-Vaughn Publishers, New York; 2000.

Dramer, Kim; People’s Republic of China: Enchantment of the World; Children’s Press, New York; 1999.

Charley,Catherine; Country Fact Files; China; Raintree Steck-Vaughn Publishers, Austin, TX; 1995.

Chinese Immigration to Minnesota

They Chose Minnesota-A Survey of the State’s Ethnic Groups; June Drenning Holmquist; MN Historical Society Press, St. Paul; c 1981 .

Minnesota History Magazine, Winter 2000-2001. Features story about Moy Hee a Chinese immigrant to Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Minnesota Historical Society.
www.mnhs.org/

The Minnesota Chapter of the Association of Chinese Scientists, Engineers and Professionals.
www.imcgp.com/acse/

Friendship Association of Chinese Students and Scholars
www.tc.umn.edu/~facss/

Map showing the distribution of Chinese people in Minnesota (1990 census data).
www-map.lib.umn.edu/bessie/minnesota/county/chinese.html

Census
www.census.gov/c2ss/www/Products/Profiles/2000/index.htm

The Great Wall of China

A virtual tour of the Great Wall. Includes pictures and maps.
www.chinavista.com/travel/greatwall/greatwall.html

A description and history of the Great Wall of China.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Wall_of_China

All about the Great Wall from ThinkQuest. Written by students for students.
http://library.thinkquest.org/20443/greatwall.html

The Forbidden City

A virtual tour of the Forbidden City.
www.chinavista.com/beijing/gugong/!start.html

Secret World of the Forbidden City Splendors from China's Imperial Palace, an exhibition at the California Museum of Art. Includes descriptions of the areas of the palace with photographs of artifacts from the palace.
www.museumca.org/exhibit/exhib_forbiddencity.html

A history of the Forbidden City with a description of all of the parts. Lots of text, no pictures. From Warrior Tours.
www.warriortours.com/cityguides/beijing/forbidden.htm

A short description and links from Encarta Online.
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/search.aspx?q=Forbidden+City&Submit2=Go

Photos of the Forbidden City. Also the Summer Palace and the Ming Tombs.
http://paulmcohen.com/Forbiddn.htm

Photos of the Forbidden City.
www.stuebegreen.com/wonderland/index.html

About.com's description of the Forbidden City. Contains Overall View, Outer Court, Inner Court, Eastern Palaces plus photos.
http://chineseculture.about.com/library/weekly/aa121297.htm?once=true&terms=forbidden+city

Terracotta Warriors

A brief description and picture of the warriors. Good for any age.
www.chinavista.com/travel/terracotta/warrior01.html

The Museum of Qin Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses, a very helpful site with descriptions and lots of close-up pictures. Related links.
www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/shaanxi/xian/terra_cotta_army/

Jade Suits

Jade funerary suits were used exclusively for the highest ranking nobles and were sewn with gold, silver, or bronze wire according to rank.
http://depts.washington.edu/chinaciv/archae/2liujade.htm

From Claybone, Anna & Young, Caroline. Treasure Hunting. Usborne Publishing, Spain, Copyright 1998.

The Silk Route (or Road)

The Silk Route by John S. Major, Illustrated by Stephen Fieser; Harper Collins Publishers; c 1995.

The history of the Silk Route.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk_Road

Information and links for the Silk Road, an ancient trade route between China & Central Asia. Goods and ideas were traded over this route. High school level.
www.chinapage.com/silkroad.html

Description of the Silk Route with pictures. Written by students for students.
http://library.thinkquest.org/20443/silkroad.html

The story of one of the world's oldest and most historically important trade routes and its influences on the culture of China, Central Asia, and the West. Very helpful, but mostly text and very long.
http://sunsite.nus.edu.sg/mw/iss04/silk.html

Pictures of the Silk Road.
http://www.ess.uci.edu/~oliver/silk2.html

Hmong History in China

Chinese Odyssey: Summer program offers students rare opportunity to learn Hmong history in China. By Yuepheng L. Xiong. August 1, 2001.
www.hmongnet.org/hmong-au/chmong.htm

Hmongnet.org, history, current events and news for Hmong-Americans.
www.hmongnet.org/

A site on Hmong history. Includes a history of the Hmong in China, and recommended readings.
www.hmonguniverse.com/

Confucius

A compilation of information about Confucius.
www.confucius.org/maine.htm

The Opium War

Schurmann and Schell: The China Reader: Imperial China. Random House Inc. Clinton Masssachusetts, 1967

Elliot, Clarance: The Trade War: A History Schubert and Schubert Publishing, New York, New York, 1995

There were two Opium Wars between Britain and China.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opium_War

Great Chinese Inventions

Silk

History of silk.
www.silk-road.com/artl/silkhistory.shtml

Sericulture (the culture of the silkworm) and the weaving of silk have been practiced in China from a remote period.
www.encyclopedia.com/html/section/silk_history.asp

The history of silk.
www.silk.org.uk/history.htm

Kites

History of Kites.
www.geocities.com/Colosseum/4569/history.htm

History and making of Chinese kites.
www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/arts/kites.htm

Fireworks

Chinese firecracker art.
www.c-c-c.org/ex/fire.html

History of fireworks.
http://park.org/Japan/Hitachi/nippon/hanabi/e/ghrj0100.htm

The history of fireworks, from ThinkQuest.
http://library.thinkquest.org/5717/history.htm

Pasta

History of pasta.
http://inventors.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.lapiazzaonline.com/pasta.htm

Printing and Paper

Chinese Graphic Art & Printing Technology.
www.chinapage.com/print1.html

Acupuncture and Other Chinese Medicines

Easy to understand information on acupuncture history and philosophy and Chinese herbology and medicine.
www.acupuncturecare.com/acupunct.htm

The History of Acupuncture in China. Health World offers this excerpted history and development of Acupuncture. Features moxibustion, needles, points, and therapeutic successes.
www.healthy.net/asp/templates/article.asp?PageType=article&ID=1819

Briefly explains the history of acupuncture, its modern use, and how modern doctors suppose it works.
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/search.aspx?q=acupuncture&Submit2=Go

Jung Tao School of Chinese Studies was initially founded in Minnesota in 1976 by Sean C. Marshall, offering apprenticeship style training in Chinese medicine and taijiquan.
www.acupuncturetoday.com/schools/jungtao.html

Information on traditional Chinese medicine.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Medicine

Hacky Sack

The co-operative kicking sport Hacky Sack has ancient origins from China, Thailand, Native America and nearly every country.
http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blhackysack.htm

Similar games had been played for centuries in Asia and North America.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacky_Sack#History_of_footbag

More About Inventions in China

You can use this chart to learn about when all these inventions happened in Chinese history.
www.hyperhistory.com/online_n2/connections_n2/chinese_inventions.html

About.com's list of Chinese inventions.
http://inventors.about.com/cs/chineseinventors/

A history of Chinese inventions, from ThinkQuest. In addition to the above inventions, read about porcelain, embroidery and the compass.
http://library.thinkquest.org/15618/?tqskip

Political Systems - Democracy and Communism

About.com's list of Chinese government sites.
http://chineseculture.about.com/cs/government/index.htm

The Chinese Cultural Revolution under Mao Tse Tung.
http://chineseculture.about.com/cs/culturerevolution/index.htm

Details the organization and roles of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the National People's Congress (NPC), and the State Council. The Chinese government is a labyrinthine organization with a presence in virtually every formative aspect of Chinese life.
www.chinesesoftwareguide.com/china/government.htm

Government Organizations of the People's Republic of China.
www.cbw.com/govern/index.html

It was only a few years ago that Mainland China was seen as a mystery to most people outside of China. Today, Chinese business, Chinese culture, Chinese food, Chinese herbs, Chinese movies are being appreciated in every corner of the earth.
www.chinese-culture.net/

Gives statistical information about China. Topics include: Introduction, geography, people, government, economy, communication, transportation, military and transnational issues. Appropriate for Jr./Sr. High students.
www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ch.html

Web pages about the U.S. federal government for youth.
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/kids/

Minnesota Legislature's links for youth.
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/kids/

Minnesota Legislature's links for teachers.
http://www.leg.state.mn.us/LEG/youth/index.asp#Teachers

National League of Women Voters.
http://www.lwv.org/

Minnesota League of Women Voters.
http://www.lwvmn.org/index.html

Field, Catherine; Nations of the World: China; Raintree Steck-Vaughn Publishers, New York; 2000.

Dramer, Kim; People’s Republic of China: Enchantment of the World; Children’s Press, New York; 1999.

Charley,Catherine; Country Fact Files; China; Raintree Steck-Vaughn Publishers, Austin, TX; 1995.

Mao Tse Tung ( Mao Zedong)

Mao's vision united a fractured people and inspired revolutions far beyond China's borders.
www.time.com/time/time100/leaders/profile/mao.html

Mao Zedong (1893-1976), foremost Chinese Communist leader of the 20th century and the principal founder of the People’s Republic of China; from Encarta.
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/search.aspx?q=Mao+Tse+Tung&Submit2=Go

A brief history of one of the most influential leaders of the 20th Century.
www.allsands.com/History/People/maotsetung_wxm_gn.htm

Who is Mao Tse Tung? He was intent on intensifying the class struggles and he thrived on violence, yet he was still one of the most respected Chinese leaders of his time.
http://ma.essortment.com/maotsetung_rrbu.htm

Mao Tse-tung was the chairman of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China from 1943 and the chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China from 1945 until his death. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mao_Tse_Tung

Sports

Chinese Morning Exercises

Qigong is an increasingly popular aspect of Chinese medicine involving the coordination of different breathing patterns with various physical postures and motions of the body.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qigong

About.com article on Qigong.
http://chineseculture.about.com/library/weekly/aa040898.htm?terms=Qi+Gong

T'ai Chi is well known as one of the slow motion routines that groups of people practice every morning in hundreds of parks across China and, recently, other parts of the world.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tai_Chi http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gong_fu

Kung Fu Wu Shu

The Chinese Kung-Fu Wu-Su Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the teaching and preservation of the traditional Chinese martial arts.
www.kungfu-wusu.com

Find out more information about Kung Fu Wu Shu.
www.shaolinwushu.com/

Chinese Internal martial Arts
www.nardis.com/~twchan/martial.html

Baguazhang is a Chinese martial art that increases energy through simultaneous circle walking, forms practice, and breath control.
www.beijingbagua.com/

Kung fu is a well-known Chinese term used in the West to designate Chinese martial arts. Its original meaning is somewhat different, referring to one's expertise in any skill, not necessarily martial.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kung_fu

Sports in China

A reference site for various professional and amateur sports events involving Chinese athletes.
www.chinasite.com/Sports/Sports.html

Read about the latest Sports News from China.
www.yutopian.com/sports/

Sports in Chinese Schools

Badminton information from CSC Sports.
http://cbc.ca/olympics/02_sports/03_badmington/index_badmington.html

Rubber Band Jumping.
www.topics-mag.com/edition11/games-jump-rope.htm

History of the shuttlecock -- fun Web site.
www.chineseparade.com/history/fun/shuttlecock.asp

Origin of Badminton.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badminton

Jianzi is a game that bears a large resemblance to badminton, except that jianzi is played without rackets. Instead, various parts of the body, but not the hands, are used to keep the shuttlecock from touching the ground. It is primarily balanced and propelled upwards using parts of the leg, especially the feet.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jianzi

Acrobats

About Chinese acrobats from ThinkQuest. This is a very thorough and helpful site. Written by students.
http://library.thinkquest.org/20443/acrobatics.html

The Great China Acrobats come from Suining SiChuan Province of China.
http://chinaacrobats.com/

Soccer

Football (soccer) in China.
www.sinosoc.com/

2008 Olympics

Beijing has been chosen to host the 2008 Summer Olympics. Read about the decision and what it means to the people of China, as well as the people of the world.

The environmental symbol of Beijing Olympics—“Green Olympics”—was officially released to the public in Beijing Youth Palace.
http://en.beijing-2008.org/

Selection process for the 2008 Olympics, including links to the presentations of the various cities that bid to be the host.
www.moscow2001.olympic.org/en/2008/index.asp

Presentation and promotion site for Beijing's 2008 Olympics bid.
www.moscow2001.olympic.org/en/2008/presentation_beijing.html

Olympics Museum.
www.museum.olympic.org/index.html

Official Olympics Site.
http://olympics.org