QUES ANSWERS

1a China’s terrain descends from high altitudes in the west to sea-level flat land on eastern
seaboard. Among the long ranges on peaks in the southwest lies in the familiar record-
breaking tallest peak in the world. Mount Qomolangma which can be found on China’s
southwestern border. From the oceans and lakes to the green lowland areas, plateaus and
certain areas in the far southwest and northwest that are home to mountains snow-capped all
year round, all of which form the stage for the development of Chinese civilization.

1b
2a
2b
3a
3b
4a
4b Wuhan over the period has had inconsistent weather.
4c
5 It is called “Yellow River” because of the ochre-yellow color of the muddy water in the
lower course of the river. The river carries 1.6 billion tons of silt (loess) annually at the
point where it descends from the Loess Plateau, and deposits silt in its bed wherever it flows
slowly. The silt deposits are very fertile, and the area produces half of China’s cotton and
more than half of China’s wheat.

6a The Chinese often refer to the Yellow River as “Mother River” due to the large number of
remains of very early Chinese settlements in its lower reaches, the beginning of Chinese
culture.

6b
7a 一方水土养一方人 yīfāng shuǐtǔ yǎng yīfāng rén - Water and soil for one party

One party supports one person by water and soil.

"One party" refers to a certain area. "Water and soil" include geographical location and
phenological environment. "One person" refers to a person who has lived in this area for a
long time. People in different regions have different ideological concepts and cultural
characteristics due to different environments, different ways of living, and different
geography and climate.
The water and soil environment and human environment in each area are different. Human
character, life style, ideology, and human history will change accordingly. People who live
together will also have similar personalities. So, the people in a place are almost the
same. Just like everyone in Xinjiang can sing and dance, with long eyelashes and big eyes,
all the little girls in Shanghai can speak well. White people, yellow people, and black people
are also produced due to geographical environment, that is, the uniqueness of the region. It
is opposite to the nationality of the whole country.

7b 民以食为天 [mín yǐ shí wéi tiān] It is a Chinese idiom that people regard food as the sky,
and the pinyin is mín yǐ shí wéi tiān, which means that people depend on food for their own
lives. "Records of Health Lu Jia Li Biography": "King to China artificially days, and the
people to kind of god. The king regards the people as the sky, and the people regard the
food as the sky."

I think the most important point this metaphor depicts depends on survival. People depend
 on food for their own lives and as humans we cannot live without food.  The people depend
on food for their own lives, and expand into the resources that the masses need to produce
food and other necessities to maintain their survival.
8a
There are seven ancient capitals: Beijing, Xian, Hangzhou, Nanjin, Luoyang, Kaifeng and
Anyang are the most famous. And current reality shows Beijing, Xian and Nanjing are the
best three reflections of Chinese dynasties of past ages with the most cultural relics in
original look. There are traditionally four major historical capitals of China, collectively
referred to as the “Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. The four
are Beijing, Nanjing, Luoyang and Xi’an (Chang’an).

8b 北京 (Běijīng) Beijing, literally meaning “Northern Capital” is the capital of China today
and has been the most consistent seat of government for 600 years, even more if you look
back to the state of Yan (11th century BC – 222 BC) in the Spring and Autumn period,
when it was called 蓟 (Ji). Today, Beijing is one of the largest cities in the world and still
the capital of China. It is the place that many tourists begin from when visiting China, and
for good reason; you can visit the ancient “ 故 宫 (Gùgōng) Forbidden City” and more
modern “天安门广场 (Tiān’ānmén Guǎngchǎng) Tian’anmen Square”, one of the largest
squares in the world.

南 京 (Nánjīng) Nanjing, meaning “Southern Capital”, the current capital of Jiangsu

Province and just two hours by High-Speed Train from Shanghai, is today a large and
prosperous city, even though it is no longer the capital of China or any “dynasty”. Nanjing
began its status of being a capital around 200A.D. and remained the largest capital city in
China until the capital was moved to Beijing in the 1400s.

洛阳 (Luòyáng) Luoyang, today a small city in Henan Province has a history that goes back
even further than Beijing and Nanjing. Luoyang was a capital of various Chinese dynasties
going all the way back to 500 B.C. Luoyang has not been a capital city since around
900A.D, but that looking back in history, Luoyang is just as important of an ancient capital
as Beijing, considering it’s long run in ancient times!

西 安 (Xī’ān) Xi’an (formerly Chang’an) is another large, prosperous city today and the
capital of Shaanxi Province in modern China. Xi’an has a history of over 3,000 years and
was a capital city for more than 1,000 years! There is an expression saying that “If you
haven’t been to Xi’an, you haven’t been to China” and in many ways this is very true. Xi’an
contains some of the most impressive historical locations in China, such as the “ 西安城墙
(Xī’ān chéngqiáng) City Wall of Xi’an” and the world-famous “ 兵 马 俑 (Bīngmăyŏng)
Terracotta Warriors and Horses”.

Beijing - Great Capital with the Most World Cultural Heritages

As the most celebrated capital with over 3000 years and history of more than 850 as ancient
capital, Beijing (previous name: Peking) is a world famous historical and cultural city and
one of the seven ancient Chinese capitals. Once was the political, economic and cultural
center for many ancient dynasties, therefor Beijing bred numerous historical heritages like
the Forbidden City - the most magnificent imperial palace in the world.
Study of history shows the earliest records dates back to the Later Yan Dynasty from 1045
BC when Beijing was titled Ji (蓟) and Yanjing (燕京). Then it served as one of the deputy
capitals from A.D 938 of Liao Dynasty and named as Nanjing ( 南 京 ) during that period.
Until Jin Dynasty, Beijing became a nationwide political center - the middle of the five
capitals and the official metropolis in the following Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasty. Modern
era of Beijing began in the 1949 when the People’s Republic of China was founded.
Looking back, major historical sites in Beijing were mainly generated from the Ming and
Qing Dynasties, for example the Tiananmen Square intimately built in Ming and
reconstructed in Qing, the majestic Forbidden City - royal palace for the two
kingdoms, Summer Palace of Qing, Badaling Great Wall and Ming Tombs of emperor
family wereerected in Ming Dynasty. Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian is another highlight
of history of Beijing, where displays the first complete cranium fossil of Sinanthropus
pekinensis – earthshaking finding on human development.

Xian - Most Renowned Hometown of Terrace Warriors & Horses

Xian (once called Chang-an) is one of the major birthplace of Chinese civilization and
Chinese nation, as well as a member of the Top Ten Ancient Capitals in the world listed as
the World Cultural and Historical City by UNESCO with ancient Rome, Athens, Babylon
and etc in 1981.
According to the long history, Xian is the longest ancient Chinese capital established
with the most dynasties and the easternmost origin of Silk Road in China, for there are 13
dynasties or regimes made Xian a capital for more than 1200 years.Therefore, abundant
cultural and historical legacies were produced in this most influential ancient capital. After
King Wu of Western Zhou Dynasty conquered Shang Dynasty, the authority took Xian to
be the capital city Fenghao( 丰 镐 ); hence Xian started the capital status from then on. As
time changes, Xian was later recognized as important capital repeatedly in Qin, Han, Sui
Dynasties and more. The well-known Terrace Warriors & Horse in Xian is the exquisite
masterpiece by the first emperor of Qin Dynasty. The last Tang Dynasty was the most
prosperous age for Xian, when the economy and culture were flourishing into the leading
position in the world, and Taoism and Buddhist gained unprecedented development at that
time.

Nanjing - Ancestor of the City Axisymmetric Construction

Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu Province and the only megacity in Yangtze River Delta, is the
ancient capital of six Dynasties for about 500 years. Though the city got established for
2600 or so, it was identified as capital Jianye ( 建 业 )in A.D. 229 by emperor of Wu
Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms Period, hereafter, more dynasties inherited this choice
and called it Jiankang (建康) during Six Dynasties. After renaming Moling to Jianye, King
Sun Quan built many irrigation systems, strove to develop metallurgy of copper and iron
and revered Buddhist around ancient Nanjing, Dabaoen Temple (the former Jianchu temple)
- the earliest temple of Jiangnan and Southern China and the second Buddhist temple after
White Horse Temple in Luoyang in China was built at that time.
In the Six Dynaties, ancient Nanjing was one of the largest cities in the world whose
population reached to 1 million first. And Nanjing initiated the precedent system of
axisymmetric layout, the architecture construction style and plan that had profound effect on
the later ages of China and countries in East Asia. Now the Nanjing Library and The
Oriental Metropolitan Museum both kept much more relics of ancient Nanjing during the
six dynasties. Still Nanjing in Ming Dynasty played essential political and cultural part,
therefore there are plenty of historical relics reserved from Ming e.g. Ming Tomb, Tai
Ancient City Wall.

Luoyang - First City to Culture Buddhist Temple and Grottoes

Luoyang is another ancient capital for 13 dynasties same as Xian. Situated in West Henan
Province and Middle reach of Yellow River, it is a main seminary of Chinese civilization
and hub of ancient Sui Tang Grand Canal. Until now, Luoyang owns 5 World Cultural
Heritage sites including Longmen Grottes, Hanwei Luoyang Ancient City Ruins, Dingding
Gate, Huiluo Cabin and Hanjia Granary of the Grand Canal of China.
Xia Dynasty of 21 century BC is the earliest country set capital in Luoyang, the most
abundant cultural relics - Erlitou Ruins from Middle and late Xia and early Shang Dynasty
are one of the remarkable ancient legacy of China. Shang Dynasty also left the
magnificent Luoyang Shang City Ruins built in 1600BC with rich pottery, copper wares and
jade articles. After moving capital to east Luoyang during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty ,
Luoyang lasted the political center for over 500 years. Later to the Tang Dynasty of
Emperor Gaozong who made Luoyang as the eastern capital with ancient Xian, then
Emperor Xuanzong ordered to repair the Taoist shrine on Mount Songshan - Zhongyue
Temple and granted name of Tizu Tower in Fengxue Temple, and changed Luoyang into
Dongjing. When in Wuzhou Dynasty, Empress Wuzetian expanded Luoyang and renamed it
to God Capital, excavated Longmen Grottes to a larger scale, renovated the White Horse
Temple and worshipped the Buddhism spread in China.

Kaifeng - Top Thriving Metropolis in Northern Song

Being the only ancient capital where the center axis of city planning keeps originally all the
time, Kaifeng used to be capitals for 8 reigns. Here is the inspiration of Riverside Scene at
Qingming Festival (one of China’s top ten painting handed down from ancient times) and a
rare city reserved stack of ancient cities overlaid others built in different dynasties.
Since King Sizhu of Xia Dynasty moved capital to Laoqiu (老丘-ancient Kaifeng), Kaifeng
went through about 200 years as political center in Xia. Then in 361 BC, King Hui of Wei
Dynasty moved capital back to Daliang ( 大 梁 -previous Kaifeng) from Anyi in Shanxi.
From 907 A.D. of Later Liang Dynasty, there is more six dynasties successively made
Kaifeng the capital for about 200 years, which includes two years in the first period of Later
Liang, ten years in Later Jin, four years of Later Han, ten years of Later Zhou and 168 years
as Dongjing ( 东 京 ) during the Northern Song Dynasty and 19 years as Bianjing ( 汴 京 -
ancient Kaifeng ) of late Jin Dynasty.
Present Kaifeng simply kept few cultural relics for the severely damage it suffered. The
most historic site Dragon Pavilion consisting of many ancient architecture communities was
the royal palace for the six dynasties. As for period of North Song, the 13-stored Iron
Pagoda with height of 55.88 was built, the then Buddhist center and the biggest temple
- Daxiangguo Temple got multiple expansion and Kaifeng Fu - government site was
preserved originally.

Anyang - Cradle of the Oldest Chinese Writing

Lies in the northernmost Henan Province, Anyang is known as one of the ten oldest cities of
China where the Oracle Bone Inscriptions were found and the Book of Changes ( 周 易 )
originated. Known as an ancient capital of seven dynasties, Anyang has two sites Yin Ruins
and Yongji Canal of the Grand Canal of China listed as World Cultural Heritages.
Capital Yin in later Shang Dynasty for 273 years counts as the earliest stage of Anyang and
it ended as Capital Ye (邺) in the Northern Qi Dynasty for 28 years. As a once prosperous
capital, Yin is rich in archeological ruins and cultural sites. The best-known one is Yin
Ruins made of emperor tombs, palaces and Huanbei Shang City from Shang Dynasty,
which is the first ancient capital can be traced in literatures and confirmed by archaeology
and the oldest Chinese character - Oracle Bone Inscriptions. Moreover, the Lingquan
Temple Grottes starting in Eastern Wei Dyansty is a grotto complex with pagoda
forest. Lane City (Youli City-羑里城) of Shang Dynasty has the earliest national prison and
is the cradle where Zhouyi Culture was born.

Hangzhou - Youngest Capital in the Paradise on Earth

Located in south-east coast region of China, Hangzhou is also one of the seven famous
ancient Chinese capitals, the Wuyue Kingdom from Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms
Period and the Southern Song Dynasty once set capital here. Though Hangzhou merely
has 210 years history of capital role for two regional Dynasties, the short periods, especially
the Southern Song Dynasty promoted growth of Hangzhou in all fields, including
population, upgraded status in politics, economy and culture, even the West Lake was fully
exploited and sharped. So the large number of cultural heritage and natural landscape in
Hangzhou gains it membership of famous ancient capitals of China.
During Wuyue Kingdom, the emperor facilitated transportation between Hangzhou and
coastland cities, made trade with ancient Japan and Korea. Besides, the kings built lots of
 Buddhist temples, stupas, and grottoes to breed Buddhism in China, such as
expanded Linyin Temple up to nine towers, eighteen pavilions and seventy-two halls with
lots of cliff inscriptions, Buddhist sculptures and stupas, erected Zhaoqing Temple and
Jingci Temple. The original Leifeng Pagoda stands on Lei Peak of Sunset Mountain by the
West Lake was constructed to celebrate the emperor's concubines get a baby by King of
Wuyue. And Tomb of King Qian from Wuyue is the only well-preserved emperor tomb in
Zhejiang Province.
Since 1138 of the Southern Song Dynasty, Hangzhou was officially pointed as an assistance
capital which was described as the most beautiful city in the world and its prosperity is
outstanding in the Travels of Marco Polo - a journey book by Venice travelers Marco Polo.
During this time, Liuhe Tower - one of the best reserved ancient towers of brick and wood
was rebuilt and an honorable story of national hero Yue Fei handed down.

9a Putonghua means the standard (spoken) language in China, which is usually called
Mandarin in English. It is the common language of the Han people and other ethnic groups
in modern China. Its phonology is based on the Beijing dialect. The vocabulary is largely
drawn from the dialect. The grammar is standardized to the body of literally works that
define written vernacular Chinese. The colloquial alternative to classical Chinese.

10a
China has eight major dialect groups:
a. Putonghua (Mandarin)
b. Yue (Cantonese)
c. Wu (Shanghainese)
d. Minbei (Fuzhou)
e. Minnan (Taiwanese)
f. Xiang
g. Gan
h. Hakka and many sub-dialects

10b
10c