Drinking Gongfu Tea

is a Chinese custom to treat guests with tea. However, people in east Guangdong and south Fujian have a special way of preparing tea, called gongfu tea.
The tea sets from making gongfu tea are very small. The pottery teapot is as big as a fist and the white and transparent teacups are as small as tiny liqueur glasses. In addition they use a small charcoal stove, a small water kettle and a porcelain base for holding tea sets. Spring or well water is the best for making gongfu tea. Water is boiled with olive stones, which give out high flames and the delicate fragrance of olives. Before making tea, first the teapot is cleaned with boiled water to get rid of the remaining tea flavor in the pot and make better tea with a warm teapot. Then a big handful of tealeaves is put into the teapot till they almost reach its rim.
After the water is boiled, one must lift the kettle high to pour hot water into the teapot. The water is continually poured even when it overflows, so as to get rid of impure materials and foam, and to make mellow tea. After the lid is put on the teapot, boiling water is poured onto the teapot. In this way, the tea will swell in no time. A few minutes later, the tea can be poured into the cups, which are arranged in a circle. The way to pour tea is special. It is poured with a circular motion into each cup. In this way, the color and consistency of the tea in all the cups are the same. To avoid creating foam and scattering the fragrance of tea, the teapot should be held close to the teacups. When the tea is ready, the teacups are presented to guests and elders with both hands.
It is mentally refreshing to see the yellow and limpid tea and smell its delicate fragrance. The first sip seems slightly bitter, but a while later, the sweetness of the tea can be savored.
Wulong (black dragon) tea is the best variety for making gongfu tea. Half fermented, Wulong tea is as mellow as black tea and as refreshing and sweet as green tea, complete with lingeringaftertaste. According to research, Wulong tea helps prevent and cure illnesses, prolong life and prevent arteriosclerosis and cancer.
Guangdong's Wulong tea comes from Anxi in Fujian Province. Legend has it that the first cultivator of the tea as named Wu Liang. One day, Wu Liang went home after he had picked several pounds of mountain tea and caught a river deer. In the evening, he was busy with killing the river deer, and didn't have enough time to dry the green tea. The next day, he found the tea in the basket had fermented on the way back and after having been stored in the basket the whole night. He fried the tea at once. To his surprise, he found that the tea tasted very mellow, with no bitter and astringent taste. Soon Wu Liang taught his fellow villagers how to make the tea. Almost everyone in his village liked the fermented tea and they named it Wu Liang tea. In the south Fujian dialect, liang and long are two homophonic words. As time went by the tea was called Wulong tea by later generations.

China is great

China Memory

China's Tea Culture

People throughout China drink tea daily. Because of the geographic location and climate, different places grow various kinds of tea. In general, there are five kinds of tea classified according to different technique involved in the making of tea:

Green tea - Longjin
Wulong
Scented tea - Jasmine tea
Black tea
compressed tea.

In the past dynasties, people not only formed a special way of tea-drinking, but also developed an art form called tea-drinking. This art form comprises of many aspects. The most noticeable ones are the making of tea, the way of brewing, the drinking utensils such as tea pot. The art of making tea is called "Cha dao", which was soon accepted as one of the most important cultures that Japan learned from China.
In Hangzhou, there is a tea museum, the only national museum of its kind, in which there are detailed description of the historic development of tea culture in China.
China, the Homeland of Tea
China is the homeland of tea. Of the three major beverages of the world-- tea, coffee and cocoa-- tea is consumed by the largest number of people in the world.
China has tea-shrubs as early as five to six thousand years ago, and human cultivation of tea plants dates back two thousand years. Tea from China, along with her silk and porcelain, began to be known the world over more than a thousand years ago and has since always been an important Chinese export.
At present more than forty countries in the world grow tea with Asian countries producing 90% of the world's total output. All tea trees in other countries have their origin directly or indirectly in China. The word for tea leaves or tea as a drink in many countries are derivatives from the Chinese character "cha." The Russians call it "cha'i", which sounds like "chaye" (tea leaves) as it is pronounced in northern China, and the English word "tea" sounds similar to the pronunciation of its counterpart in Xiamen (Amoy). The Japanese character for tea is written exactly the same as it is in Chinese, though pronounced with a slight difference.
The habit of tea drinking spread to Japan in the 6th century, but it was not introduced to Europe and America till the 17th and 18th centuries. Now the number of tea drinkers in the world is legion and is still on the increase.

Beijing's Top Ten Yunnan Restaurants

Yunnan is a beautiful Chinese name meaning "south of the clouds". Yunnan is not only famous for its beautiful scenery, it's also home to a richly varied cuisine using fresh and natural ingredients. In Beijing, Yunnan cuisine is becoming more and more popular, especially in spring when people like to eat fresh food to match the new season.

The most well known Yunnan dishes are 'Across the Bridge Rice Noodles' (Guo Qiao Mi Xian) and 'Steamed Pot Chicken' (Qi Guo Ji).

'Across the Bridge Rice Noodles' is made of soup, sliced meat, rice noodles and seasonings. A big china bowl filled with boiling soup and a layer of oil is served with a soup of boiled chicken and pork bones - the clearer the broth, the better.

'Steamed Pot Chicken' is sealed in a pot and steamed for several hours. Sometimes special medicinal herbs are added, making this tasty dish even more nutritious.
Now let's check out where you can find Yunnan cuisine in Beijing.

South Silk Road (Cha Ma Gu Dao)

One of the most famous Yunnan restaurants in Beijing, South Silk Road offers typical Yunnan specialties like smoked ham, wild mushrooms and homemade rice wine. Of course, you shouldn't miss its 'Across the Bridge Rice Noodles' and 'Steamed Pot Chicken". The second floor of this restaurant is made of glass. So ladies, if you're wearing a dress, you might prefer to sit on the first floor.

Location 1: No. 12-13 Tianhefang, Houhai, Xicheng District
Opening time: 10:30am-2pmTel: 010- 66155515
Tips: The Houhai restaurant has plenty of outdoor seating with a good view of the lake.

Location 2: 3/F, D Tower, SOHO, No.88 Jiangguo Road
Opening time: 10:30am-2pm
Tel: 85804286

Location 3: 2-3/F, No.4 Anhuili, Chaoyang District
Opening time: 10:30am-2pm
Tel: 010-85804286

Impression of Yunnan (Yunnan Yin Xiang)

The food here is quite good, but maybe not the best in Beijing. Customers appreciate the well-decorated interior and recommend the rice wine and mushrooms brought in from Yunnan.

Location: No.16 Dongsanhuan Beilu
Tel: 010-85951277

Hui Dao Lijiang
Prices are reasonable here compared to other Yunnan restaurants. Customer comments are stuck on the walls, both good and bad. 'Pineapple Rice' (Bo Luo Fan) a specialty, is made with brown rice cooked in a hollowed-out pineapple to absorb the pineapple's sweet juices.

Location: No.43 Beisanhuan Xilu, Haidian District
Tel: 010-62131899

Zhong Ba Lou
Hidden in a Sanlitun hutong, this restaurant can be hard for first timers to find, but it's worth the effort. Serving fresh vegetables from Yunnan, the specialty here is 'Egg Fried with Jasmine Blossoms'. After dinner, the restaurant transforms into a lively bar. Zhong Ba Lou is one of the most famous Yunnan restaurants in Beijing so reservations are necessary.

Colorful Yunnan (Qi Cai Yunnan)
Be warned - this place is very expensive! But everything is bang on from the food to the decoration. Pu'er tea, a Yunnan specialty is worth trying here. The longer this tea is stored, the better it tastes. At Colourful Yunnan the tea has been stored for more than five years.

Location: Henghua International Business Center, No.26 Yuetan Beijie, Xicheng District
Tel: 010-58566099


Butterfly Spring Hotel (Hu Die Quan Bin Guan)
The Butterfly Spring is a famous place in Dali City, Yunnan Province. Butterfly Spring Hotel, in the Dali People's Government Beijing Office, serves traditional Yunnan Cuisine. The restaurant has a good reputation among Yunnan people living in Beijing for its authentic taste - almost the same as the food in Yunnan. Unfortunately the hotel is hidden in a small hutong and difficult to find.

Location: No.55 Xixiejie, Xidanbei Dajie, Xicheng District
Tel: 010-66157755

Yunteng Hotel
This hotel is actually the Yunnan People's Government Beijing Office, which is why its said to offer the most authentic Yunnan dishes. The waiters are from Yunnan and despite its mediocre interior the restaurnant is always full.

Location: No.7 Building, Donghuashi Beili
Tel: 010-67113322 ext. 7105

An Yuan Wu Hao
On the second floor of an old building in Beijing's Asian Games Village, this quiet restaurant is nicely decorated. Although the food may not be completely authentic, it still tastes good. Reasonable prices make it a good option for a simple dinner. The 'Pineapple Rice' and rice noodles are recommended.

Location: 2/F, No.5 Anyuan Beili
Tel: 010-64979173

Baoqin Dai Ethnic Restaurant

Close to the Central University for Nationalities and surrounded by other universities, this smallish restaurant is a college students' favorite. The waiters are all ethnic Dai people and the food is so good that many Yunnan people working in Beijing visit frequently, making for a noisy atmosphere at peak times.

Location: No.16 Minzudaxue Beilu, Weigongcun, Haidian District
Tel: 010-68483189

Qiao Xiang Yuan Across Bridge Rice Noodle
The best 'Across Bidge Rice Noodles' in Beijing! This place is more like a snack bar with low prices. A 12 RMB bowl of rice noodles will fill many people. The soup is particularly delicious, with seasonings brought in from Yunnan.

Location 1: 1/F Lisheng Sports Department Store, No.201 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng DistrictTel: 010-65273216

Location 2: 1/F Huahai Building, No.34 Haidian Dajie, Haidian District
Tel: 010-85246224

Something Special: Yearning for Yunnan (China World Hotel)
From April 1 to 31, authentic Yunnan cuisine is being served at Beijing's Summer Palace restaurant at the China World Hotel. Highlights of the special menu include 'Herb Chicken Soup', 'Yunnan Seafood Noodle Soup', and 'Lemon Grass Grilled River Fish'.
For reservations, call the Summer Palace on 010-65052266 ext. 34

Location: No.1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District

water-splashing festival

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/home/2006-04/11/content_565541.htm

Chinese tourists and Dai people celebrate the traditional water-splashing festival in an ethnic garden in Southwest China's Yunnan Province Aprial 11, 2006. The annual Water-Splashing Festival is most important holiday of the Dai people. Held during the sixth month of the Dai calendar, the festival is usually falling in the middle of April and is also known as the Festival for Bathing the Buddha.

china dragon

Dragon occupies a very important postion in Chinese mythology. It shows up in arts, literature, poetry, architecture, songs, and many aspects of the Chinese conscience. The origin of Chinese dragons is unknown, but centainly pre-dates the written history.
The Chinese Dragon, or Lung , symbolizes power and excellence, valiancy and boldness, heroism and perseverance, nobility and divinity. A dragon overcomes obstacles until success is his. He is energetic, decisive, optimistic, intelligent and ambitious. Unlike the the negative energies associated with Western Dragons, most Eastern Dragons are beautiful, friendly, and wise. They are the angels of the Orient. Instead of being hated, they are loved and worshipped. Temples and shrines have been built to honor them, for they control the rain, rivers, lakes, and seas. Many Chinese cities have pagodas where people used to burn incense and pray to dragons. The Black Dragon Pool Chapel, near Peking, was reserved for the Empress and her court. Special worship services took place there on the first and fifteenth of every month. Dragon shrines and altars can still be seen in many parts of the Far East. They are usually along seashores and riverbanks, because most Eastern Dragons live in water. The Isle of the Temple, in Japan's Inland Sea, has become a famous stopover for pilgrims who meditate and pray to dragons. Both male and female dragons have mated with humans. Their descendants became great rulers. The Japanese Emperor Hirohito traced his ancestry back 125 generations to Princess Fruitful Jewel, daughter of a Dragon King of the Sea. Emperors in many Asian countries claimed to have dragon ancestors. This made them so proud, that everthing they used was decorated with dragons and described in terms of the dragon: dragon-throne, dragon-robe, dragon-bed, dragon-boat. Calling an emperor "dragon-face" was a supreme compliment. People believed that rulers could change themselves into dragons. For hundreds of years, Japanese emperors sat concealed behind bamboo curtains whenever visitors came. Anyone who dared to peek was condemned to death. Everything connected with Eastern Dragons is blessed. The Year of the Dragon which takes place ever twelve years, is lucky. Present-day Oriental astrologers claim that children born during Dragon Years enjoy health, wealth, and long life. (1964 and 1976 were Dragon Years.)

National Ballet of China : Raise the Red Lantern

The pantomime of Raise the Red Lantern, based on the homonym movie directed by Zhang Yimou, was recreated by Zhang, Chen Qigang, honor of the 2000 government prize of Paris, Wang Xinpeng, a famous dance director ever studied in Germany and other excellent artists. The ballet has aroused worldwide concern for Zhang Yimou's participating and the reputation of NBC.

Raise The Red Lantern

Zhang Yimou’s Raise The Red Lantern is simply one of the most elegantly staged, perfectly lit and beautifully photographed films ever made. Every scene is meticulously framed and composed, with every single frame worthy of being hung in a picture gallery. But it is more than just a series of pretty pictures. Every image tells its own story, expressing mood, character and detail through the costumes, the set designs, the colours and the lighting. Even though the film, once past the introduction, doesn’t leave the enclosed confines of a single household, even the heat, rain and snow of the passing seasons each impress their own character onto the turbulent machinations and events that go on there.

Basketballer Wang Zhizhi returns from four-year exile

Chinese basketball player Wang Zhizhi returned home from the US on Monday after being expelled from the national team for four years.

Wang, the first Asian to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA) when he joined the Dallas Mavericks in 2001, was welcomed by the Chinese basketball top officials at the Beijing International Airport on Monday morning.

"I realized I had made a big mistake (for refusing to return). I want to say sorry to my fans and to the Bayi team which trained me and gave me the chance to play in the NBA," Wang said, according to a press release of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).

The Dallas Mavericks drafted Wang on the 36th in the second round in 1999, and signed him with a three-year rookie contract on March 29, 2001.

Wang played the Asian Championships and the World University Games after his first season in the NBA and returned to Dallas in November, 2002.

He never returned to China since then.
The 29-year-old center/forward refused to join the summer camp of the Chinese national team for the World Championships in 2002, and did not play in the WC in Indiannapolis, the United States in August.

As an army official of the Bayi Rockets military team, Wang failed to live up to his words with the Mavericks, the CBA and the Chinese military to play the major international competitions for China during the offseason of the NBA.

He was expelled from the Chinese national squad after he refused to come back for the Asian Games in Busan, South Korea, in October, 2002.

"I was too young to make the right decision. I hope I could make up my fault this time and win back my place in the national team," Wang said.

The 2001 Asian Best Basketball Player has met CBA vice president Li Yuanwei in the United States in Febuarary three times to discuss his reture.

"It's a crucial move for him to return in an answer to the motherland's call. He has enough time to re-unite with his parents and friends in China, and think about how to start a new future here," the CBA said in its statement.

It is not yet decided whether Wang could re-join the national team though he is badly needed to play in the World Championships in August in Japan and in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
"Wang is a great basketball player of NBA quality and has the willingness to play for China. It depends on his mental and physical conditions that whether he could be recruited into the national squad," the CBA said.

CHINESE OPERA

Chinese Operas were based on old tales of heroes and the supernatural. Today the stories often deal with heroes of the communist revolution or with great historical events of the recent past. The variety of Chinese Opera known as Beijing Opera is the most familiar in the west. It was developed in the 19th century as a synthesis of earlier provincial forms.
Beijing Opera, which is also known as Peking Opera, has existed for over 200 years. It is widely regarded as the highest expression of the Chinese culture. It is perhaps the most refined form of opera in the world. Although it is called Beijing Opera its origins are not in Beijing but in the provinces of Anhui and Hubei. It was originally staged for the royal family and was introduced to the public later. Beijing opera was regarded to as one of the rare forms of entertainment. There are thousands of opera pieces covering the entire history and literature of China.



The development of the art of painting faces is closely related to that of dramatic art, although the earliest painted faces, or their precursors appeared long before Chinese drama took shape.
As Chinese dramatic art developed, the drawbacks of wearing masks became increasingly evident, for masks prevented the actors from showing their facial expressions. A vividly painted face however enables audiences to see expressions clearly.
In the beginning only three sharply contrasting colours - red, white and black were generally used in facial make up. The earliest painted faces were simple and crude but within time the designs became more elaborate and ornamental.

This is the one I must forword even it's writen in chinese. I am so pride of our PM!

温家宝会见澳大利亚华侨华人，部长为华侨让座
http://www.people.com.cn/

“在座的哪位是70岁以上的？”“有哪些是65岁以上的？”中国国务院总理温家宝3日问周围300多名华侨华人、留学生和中资机构的代表。　　有一些人举了手。温家宝走上前去搀起一位老华人，扶到自己的座位旁让老人家坐下。　　他对随同访问的6位政府部长、副部长说，“部长们都起立，把座位让给老人们吧”。于是，全场除了老人们坐在一排用来合影留念的座位上外，人们都在站着听温家宝讲话。　　全场响起掌声，为了来自有敬老传统国度的总理。　

　在随后的讲话中，温家宝向人们通报了他对澳大利亚访问的成果，介绍了中国国内的发展情况。他谈的都是澳大利亚华侨华人普遍关心的话题。　　他说，他对澳大利亚的访问是成功的，两国领导人明确了两国互利共赢的全面合作关系；两国将继续全面发展双边经贸合作；加强文化体育交流；两国领导人在许多地区和国际事务问题上取得共识，并将在有关事务中加强合作。温家宝一五一十地向人们通报两国关系取得的新进展，周围的听众显得越来越兴奋。　

　中国近30年的发展速度之快，在世界上都是少见的。那么这速度到底能不能进行下去？温家宝用平稳而坚定的声音说，“会有一定困难，但我们可以做到！”他的声音，立即为爆发的长时间掌声淹没。　　

温家宝说，他出国几天就有些想家了。他随口诵出了《游子吟》，四周许多人随着他高声吟诵。温家宝深情地说：“也许离开家乡太久的人，才觉得对祖国母亲太值得想念！”又是长时间的毫不犹豫的掌声。　　

在40分钟的讲话中，温家宝被长时间的掌声打断7次。　　“温总理的讲话太吸引人了”；“真是感人”；“很有深度”。讲话结束后，许多人不等记者采访，就主动说出他们对温家宝讲话的感受。　　

被接见的华侨华人和留学生代表来自澳大利亚的各个州，到堪培拉的距离从数百公里到数千公里不等。　　澳大利亚中国和平统一促进会会长邱维廉对记者说，在澳大利亚华侨华人最大的居住地悉尼，人们早就盼着温总理能够到那里去访问，但是可惜的是只有一些侨领们能有幸到堪培拉亲自聆听总理的讲话。
　　全澳华人专家学者联合会秘书长周雪荣说，总理有关体谅和帮助中国农民和弱势群体的讲话充分体现了中国政府的亲民政策。同时，听到总理关于中国经济前景的讲话，感到非常鼓舞。　　

堪培拉华联社主席颜种旺说，当今中国在新的领导集体的领导下，经济社会取得令人瞩目的发展，令海外华人由衷高兴。他祝愿中国成为真正的世界强国。

Celebrated two weeks after the vernal equinox, Tomb Sweeping Day is one of the few traditional Chinese holidays that follows the solar calendar-- typically falling on April 4, 5, or 6. Its Chinese name "Qing Ming" literally means "Clear Brightness," hinting at its importance as a celebration of Spring. Similar to the spring festivals of other cultures, Tomb Sweeping Day celebrates the rebirth of nature, while marking the beginning of the planting season and other outdoor activities.
Qing Ming Jie in Ancient Times In ancient times, people celebrated Qing Ming Jie with dancing, singing, picnics, and kite flying. Colored boiled eggs would be broken to symbolize the opening of life. In the capital, the Emperor would plant trees on the palace grounds to celebrate the renewing nature of spring. In the villages, young men and women would court each other.
The Tomb Sweeping Day as Celebrated Today With the passing of time, this celebration of life became a day to the honor past ancestors. Following folk religion, the Chinese believed that the spirits of deceased ancestors looked after the family. Sacrifices of food and spirit money could keep them happy, and the family would prosper through good harvests and more children.
Today, Chinese visit their family graves to tend to any underbrush that has grown. Weeds are pulled, and dirt swept away, and the family will set out offerings of food and spirit money. Unlike the sacrifices at a family's home altar, the offerings at the tomb usually consist of dry, bland food. One theory is that since any number of ghosts rome around a grave area, the less appealing food will be consumed by the ancestors, and not be plundered by strangers.
Honoring AncestorsHonoring ancestors begins with proper positioning of a gravesite and coffin. Experts in feng shui, or geomancy, determine the quality of land by the surrounding aspects of streams, rivers, trees, hills, and so forth. An area that faces south, with groves of pine trees creates the best flow of cosmic energy required to keep ancestors happy. Unfortunately, nowadays, with China's burgeoning population, public cemetaries have quickly surplanted private gravesites. Family elders will visit the gravesite at least once a year to tend to the tombs.
While bland food is placed by the tombs on Qing Ming Jie, the Chinese regularly provide scrumptious offerings to their ancestors at altar tables in their homes. The food usually consists of chicken, eggs, or other dishes a deceased ancestor was fond of. Accompanied by rice, the dishes and eating utensils are carefully arranged so as to bring good luck. Sometimes, a family will put burning incense with the offering so as to expedite the transfer of nutritious elements to the ancestors. In some parts of China, the food is then eaten by the entire family.
KitesBesides the traditions of honoring the dead, people also often fly kits on Tomb Sweeping Day. Kites can come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and colors. Designs could include frogs, dragonflies, butterflies, crabs, bats, and storks.

It is Japan who don;t have sincerity to meet!

'No positive response' from Japan on summit

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2006-04/05/content_560043.htm

Japan has failed to respond positively to a proposal for a top-level meeting, the Foreign Ministry said yesterday.

President Hu Jintao last Friday told a Japanese delegation on a goodwill visit that he is ready to hold a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi if he stops his visits to the Yasukuni Shrine that honours war criminals of World War II.

Hu last met Koizumi in April last year on the sidelines of a regional conference in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Japanese political figures including Foreign Minister Taro Aso and Shinzo Abe, top spokesman in the cabinet and the frontrunner to be the next prime minister rejected Hu's offer, saying that China's "method is beyond comprehension."

"China has made unswerving efforts to make a summit meeting possible, but regretfully, China fails to see a positive response from Japan," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said yesterday.

China's relations with Japan have been chilly in the past year mainly because of Japanese leaders' repeated visits to the war shrine, a symbol of Japan's past militarism.

China attaches great importance to mending the bitterness in Sino-Japanese ties, Liu said, and urged Japan to correct its attitude on historical issues.

Liu reiterated at yesterday's twice-weekly briefing that the responsibility does not lie with the Chinese side or the Japanese people; he blamed Japanese leaders for their insistence on visiting the shrine.

"The visits hurt the feelings of the two peoples and undermine the political basis for bilateral relations," Liu said.

Liu said Sino-Japanese ties face a difficult period, adding that Tokyo needs to be sincere about major historical issues if it wants ties to return to normal and develop further.

CHINESE CHEONGSAM (QIPAO)

The cheongsam is a female dress with distinctive Chinese features and enjoys a growing popularity in the international world of high fashion.
The name "cheongsam," meaning simply "long dress," entered the English vocabulary from the dialect of China's Guangdong Province (Cantonese). In other parts of the country including Beijing, however, it is known as "qipao", which has a history behind it.

When the early Manchu rulers came to China proper, they organized certain people, mainly Manchus, into "banners" (qi) and called them "banner people" (qiren), which then became loosely the name of all Manchus. The Manchu women wore normally a one-piece dress which, likewise, came to be called "qipao" or "banner dress." Although the 1911 Revolution toppled the rule of the Qing (Manchu) Dynasty, the female dress survived the political change and, with later improvements, has become the traditional dress for Chinese women.

Easy to slip on and comfortable to wear, the cheongsam fits well the female Chinese figure. Its neck is high, collar closed, and its sleeves may be either short, medium or full length, depending on season and taste. The dress is buttoned on the right side, with a loose chest, a fitting waist, and slits up from the sides, all of which combine to set off the beauty of the female shape.

The cheongsam is not too complicated to make. Nor does it call for too much material, for there are no accessories like belts, scarves, sashes or frills to go with it.

Another beauty of the cheongsam is that, made of different materials and to varying lengths, they can be worn either on casual or formal occasions. In either case, it creates an impression of simple and quiet charm, elegance and neatness. No wonder it is so much liked by women not only of China but of foreign countries as well.