Real Chinese - Asking for directions - Videos
A selection of clips from Programme 7 of Real Chinese.
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Tiananmen Square
The city of Beijing is planned on a north-south grid, with Tiananmen Square - the political heart of the country - at its very centre. Tiananmen, or the Gate of Heavenly Peace, is where Chairman Mao proclaimed the founding of the People’s Republic on the 1st October, 1949. Just north of it, lies the Imperial Palace (Gugong), also known as the Forbidden City, as it was the private dwelling of the Ming and Qing emperors, their huge families and 70 thousand eunuchs. This clip shows how to ask where things are (hotels, palaces), if there is a restaurant nearby and vocabulary for simple directions.
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Daoism
Daoism is China's indigenous religion. Taught by Laozi who lived around 500 BC, it advocates living in harmony with nature and following 'The Way'. Confucius, one of Laozi's greatest adherents, went on to develop his own philosophy along Daoist principles. He believed in social harmony, hierarchy and universal education - beliefs which have shaped Chinese life and thought to this day. This clip includes saying you're going to the Confucus museum, directions on how to get there and distance.
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Ming Emperors
The Ming Emperors found a superb site for their burial ground amongst green hills just north of Beijing. Leading up to the site is 'The Spirit Way', lined on each side by magnificent statues of soldiers and animals standing guard over the tombs. Extensive renovation work is being carried out to restore these tombs to their former splendour and tourism helps in raising the necessary funds. But how does one get there? This clip covers distances in 'li', asking if you're going the right way and more on directions.
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