But every-once-in-a-while, especially when I am crammed into a bus like a sardine or I look up at the sky and see nothing but poisonous haze, I begin to long for fresh air. This week, I had the chance to spend a day in a place where time seems to stand still. Although electricity, cars, and even the Internet are slowly creeping into the Chinese countryside, it is still a  special place where one can get a glimpse of ancient China and experience a simple life that is centered around survival. I hope you enjoy these photos.

Please click on an individual photo to view its description

These photos are property of the China Teaching Web. You may use any of them freely for educational purposes as long as you give credit to TeachAbroadChina.com.

I am taking this week off to enjoy the wonderful Chinese New Year festivities and I hope that you have the chance to do the same. This is a magical time of the year when one can experience Chinese culture, both ancient and modern, in a very special way. I always look forward to this time of the year.

Do you have a question you want to see answered in an upcoming edition of Ask Jean about China? Click here to ask me right now!

Sincerely,

Jean

Ask Jean about China is a weekly feature on TeachAbroadChina.com. We welcome any questions related to living and working in China. Feel free to submit your questions by clicking here. We look forward to hearing from you.

2. On your way home, your taxi driver seems to have a bad habit of stopping to pick people up, charging them the full amount for their segment, and then charging you the full amount when you finally get to your destination…two hours later.

3. You book a train ticket well in advance and all you can come up with is a standing room only ticket in an already very crowded train car.

4. You look around and realize that there are actually children in China! They are just usually locked up in school (or some sort of training center) all day.

5. You turn on your TV and see Hu JinTao and his other Communist buddies actually cracking a smile as they celebrate the new year festivities…

All kidding aside, Spring Festival is a special time in China. For a few days at least, the Chinese people are able to cast aside the struggles and heartaches in their daily lives and find warmth and comfort in a tradition that has been in existence for more than 4,000 years.

While many ex-pats migrate to the warm beaches of Thailand or return for a visit to their homelands during this time, I think that if you do not have at least one chance to experience Spring Festival here, you are missing out. From the New Year’s Dinner to the Dragon dancing and exchanging of red envelopes, this holiday is both colorful and fascinating.

If you happen to find yourself in China during these festive days, why not ask a friend if you can tag along and experience the Chinese New Year celebration? It will be an experience that you will always remember.

Do not forget to taste some famous Chinese dumplings and if you are up for it, you can even celebrate with a glass of Chinese Baijiu (Chinese white wine). Happy Spring festival from all us here at TeachAbroadChina.com.

But first, here are most popular stories on TeachAbroadChina.com in 2008:

- Why Chinese Patriotism is to be Respected and Feared

- Dating and Sex in China

- Why China is No Longer a Communist Country

- The Chinese Stare

And many more…

Here are the big news stories of 2008

- The Edison Sex Scandal Phenomenon

- CNN is Crap — We Get it Already

- Will the Meeting with the Dalai’s Rep in Beijing be Meaningless?

- Why the Olympic Torch is Good for North Korea

- Why the Train Collision in Shandong is not Big News

- Hainan Island or Hainan Military Base

- What the Torch on Mount Everest Means for the Tibetan People

- Spitting and Singing at Carrefour Bring the Police

- Will Kids be Banned from the Olympic Games?

- China Earthquake Aftermath: the Waiting Game 

- Superstitions about China Earthquake Worry Some (12)

- How State Council Decree 492 Affects the Earthquake Aftermath 

- Were Officials Warned in Advance about the Earthquake in China?

- Why the No Plastic Bag Policy is Working in China

- Beijing Orders Higher Construction Standards in Sichuan

- China Declares War on an Old Nemesis

- Why Bush Should Attend the 2008 Olympics in China

- 7 Gunned Down in Darfur as Sudan Government Visits China

- Why China is No Longer a Communist Country

- Beijing’s Perfect Night

- China Still in Denial Over Olympic Gymnastics Age Scandal

- Questions Linger After 2008 Olympic Games Finish in Beijing Tonight

- What Chinese People Will Not Understand About Sarah Palin

- China Helps North Korea Celebrate 60 Years of Oppression

- China Promises to Build Schools for the Disabled

- Why Some Underground Churches in China Are Registering With the Government

- Bad Milk in China Is Just the Tip of the Iceberg

- Why Chinese People Are Shaking Their Heads at the U.S. Financial Crisis

- Why Learning English in China is No Longer Just Important

- Fighting Web Addiction in China

- Will There Be Jobs For Newly Graduated Students In China?

- Understanding the Bush Legacy in China

Happy New Year from the China Teaching Web!

My Chinese girlfriend (of 5 months) is asking me to go to her hometown for the Spring Festival. At first I thought it was a great idea but now I am not so sure. My best Chinese friend here tells me that going home with a girl during Spring Festival could send the wrong message to my girlfriend and her parents. I do love her but I don’t think that our relationship is that serious. Please give me some advice. I am afraid that if I don’t go, I may hurt her feelings.

Best Holiday Wishes,

Neil

Jean answers Neil’s question

Dear Neil,

You should probably take your friend’s advice. Many (not all) families in China would take your presence at Spring Festival as a sign of a serious relationship. Do not forget that not only would you be seeing your girlfriend’s parents but you would also be meeting her extended family as well. Spring Festival in China is a very special time for the ‘family’ so if you go back with your girlfriend, you will probably be treated as one of the family.

Do not worry about hurting her feelings. If you simply explain to her why you do not want to go, she should be able to understand you perfectly. She should know (certainly better than you do) what the significance is of having you go to her hometown during this important holiday. It also may be a good time to talk about your relationship and make sure that you both are on the ’same page’ when it comes to where you think it is headed.

Find something else to do during Spring Festival. I always like to do a little ‘exploring’ during the holidays. Don’t be afraid to hop on a train and check out the province next door.

Hope that helps you and good luck.

Sincerely,

Jean

Ask Jean about China is a weekly feature on TeachAbroadChina.com. We welcome any questions related to living and working in China. Feel free to submit your questions by clicking here. We look forward to hearing from you.