Chinese Culture in SichuanLearn about Chinese culture. Even a little knowledge will help you understand what you see in China. There is so much culture to sample in China. You can immerse yourself in it or just skim the surface - it depends on you. However, you cannot avoid it.The following is a brief overview. It is up to you how much you get into it. LiteratureKnown Chinese writing has been found from the Zhou Dynasty (1122 BC - 256 BC).Among the best known are writings from Confucius (551 BC - 479 BC), the great Chinese philosopher. Another important surviving ancient Chinese writing is I Ching (Book of Changes). Many texts - historical, philosophical and fictional have been written since early times. Classic novels still available include:
Chinese writing has flourished throughout China’s history. There are many Chinese writers to this day whose work you can read and enjoy. If you want to have an in depth understanding of China, it is worth reading some of these books. Poetry is another form of literature that has flourished and is still available. Shi Jing (Book of Songs about 1000 BC) and Songs of Chu are still available. There have been many great Chinese poets.
Chinese ArtThere are many forms of Chinese art that have varied throughout China's long history. The deep tradition of art can be seen everywhere. Wood carving is an ancient tradition that has been carried on for many years.You will find a lot of Chinese wood carvings in museums and special places of interest like Du Fu's cottage. You will also see a lot for sale in tourist areas like Jinli Street in Chengdu. Though not antique, they look good and are a good reminder of Chinese wood scultures.  Chinese furniture, both old and new, is often meticulously and artistically crafted.Furniture such as tables, chairs, beds, doors, window frames and partitions often have a unique artistic chinese style of detailed carvings. Sometimes the artistry is for beauty, such as the partition in shown in the picture. Other times the carvings on walls and doors tell a story. A fine example of this is the wooden wall murals at the Drum Tower in Xian.  Silk painting is an ancient Chinese art that is still practised today.Remains of silk paintings have been found from over two thousand years ago. Paintings were done on silk before paper was invented. Gradually paper replaced silk as the medium for art. However, today silk paintings are popular for tourists to purchase. Chinese MusicChinese music has been around a long time - from about 1000 BC. Much of the Chinese music and instruments have survived throughout the years. The Chinese girl in the picture is playing the Gu Zheng string instrument at an outdoor restaurant in Jinli Street Chengdu.This is a traditional string instrument that has been used in China for about 2,000 years. It is still one of the most popular Chinese musical instruments. Some young Chinese are still learning to play it today. Chinese opera is worth seeing - even if you are not an opera fan. It is an important part of Chinese culture. See it at least once - for the grandeur of the production, the costumes, the colour and the extravaganza. And if you like it, you can go again. The opera goes by various names depending on the region - for example Beijing opera, Sichuan opera. A good tip is to learn the words of a few popular Western songs or songs from your country. Even if your singing is terrible, the Chinese do not seem to mind. Having a go will gain you much respect. Absorb some of the Chinese culture in Sichuan. Your visit will be so much more rewarding as you understand more.
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He is still revered in China as this statue of him at a Chinese school in 
Du Fu (712 - 770) is thought by many to be the greatest.
The Sichuan Opera uses a variety of face masks.