Culture Connection
Map
East Asia
One of the highlights of all of East Asia, and China in particular, is the stunning blend of old and new, ancient and modern. This is also the case with the country’s music. Traditional music like Chinese opera continues to be popular, while contemporary music pumps through the air in urban shopping malls and city centers.
Music is heavily influenced by the government: because mainland China is still communist, the government bans performances and musicians that are considered controversial.
C-Pop, or Chinese-Pop, is the most popular music in China and a lot of East Asia. It sounds a lot like North American pop music, but the lyrics are in Chinese.
C-Pop Artists and Songs for You to Check Out:
- “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by F4
- “Beauty Up My Life” by S.H.E.
- “Niang Zi” by Jay Chou
- “Nature” by Lee Hom Wang
- “Love in the Dark” by Twins
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year
Dragon lantern
On the last night of Chinese New Year, everyone gets together for the Lantern Festival. Each person helps make lanterns out of bamboo, silk and paper and joins an outdoor parade. Their glowing creations light the night sky like bobbing fireflies.
A dragon made of bamboo and silk, sometimes up to 100 feet long, dances and weaves its way through the crowd, carried through the streets by many people. Festivals like these are common in the region, and everyone, young or old, comes out to join the party.
Learn the Lingo
Practice these phrases in Mandarin, the most common type of Chinese. Click on the words to hear how they are pronounced.
Hello / Ni hao
How are you? / Ni hao ma?
My name is / Wo de, ming zi
I love you / Wo ai ni
Will you be my friend? / Wo men, ke yi, zuo, peng you, ma?
How much is this? / Zhe ge, duo shao, qian?