This Chinese Cultural Reader has been written by writers from the Chinese as a Foreign Language Editorial Department, Curriculum and Teaching Materials Research Institute of the Ministry of Education, in the hope of meeting the needs of intermediate Chinese learners. The book provides an overview of Chinese historical civilization and culture as well as the lively daily life of contemporary China. It has eight chapters: an overview of China; the Chinese language and characters; folklore; scenic spots and historical sites; science and technology; traditional arts; literature; and international cultural exchanges. Each chapter contains three to five sections. Each section is composed of four elements, which include background knowledge, references, reading comprehension and exercises. The reading passages, cultural tips and references are coherent and well connected. We have also made the exercises interactive. The content is logically laid out and offers an interesting perspective. The illustrations are lively, attractive and beautifully printed.
