China Links
Note: Most of these links focus on modern China (since 1900), although some references to
ancient Chinese history and culture are present.
GENERAL INFORMATION and TEACHING RESOURCES
(Geography, history, pivotal people, arts and culture)
BBC NEWS
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/asia_pacific/2004/china/default.stm
BBC News Guide to Modern China is an excellent place to begin. Health, lifestyle, culture,
governance, economy, and more are introduced with excellent graphics and links. Start with Guide to
Modern China http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/in_depth/china_modern/html/1.stm , and proceed
to current stories.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/in_depth/china_politics/key_people_events/html/1.stm
BBC News Guide to Modern China’s Background Information link has short passages introducing
important people and events of the last century.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/in_depth/china_politics/government/html/7.stm
BBC News site depicts Chinese government in a clear graphic and good description.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/asia_pac/05/china_japan/html/introduction.stm
BBC News site traces the tense relationship between China and Japan.
History Resource Center: World
http://www.galegroup.com Gale Group is available by subscription. The resource is an excellent one,
providing numerous overviews as well as detailed articles of historical and current importance from
periodicals and scholarly reviews. Primary sources and photographs are available as well. For
example: Gale group reference overview article on Chinese History from 1911-1996, contains short
paragraphs on each major event/regime.
WORLD BOOK
http://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Article?id=ar111400&st=China
World Book Article on China covers basics of geography, history, and culture. Note, the information
is of a general nature, a good overview, but lacking in many important specifics.
PBS
http://www.pbs.org/kcts/preciouschildren/china/cultural.html
“China’s History and Culture” is a brief, readable introduction written to accompany a PBS special,
“Precious Children” in the late 90s. Topics such as China’s failed economic policies under Mao, the
Cultural Revolution, the one-child policy, and current family structure are discussed.
Columbia University-Asia for Educators
http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/
Asia for Educators site from Columbia is a goldmine of information and useful multimedia sources
for students and educators. For example, click on the multimedia line of the box headed “View by file
type” and there are videos on Confucianism and poetry available via Real Player. There are maps and
timelines and background information pdfs. Two interesting aspects are comparison between Chinese
and European progress in the Modern World from 1500s to present, and a comparison between
Chinese and Japanese development.
http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/chinawh/
China and Europe are compared on the Asia for Educators website as they develop from 1500s to
present. “If world history had ended in 1820, most of it would have been about East Asia….”
http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/song/
Song Dynasty subsection of Asia for Educators website includes Chinese contributions to world
culture and an interactive scroll paining that students can explore, depicting life in Song Dynasty.
China Institute
http://www.chinainstitute.org/
China Institute’s Website has listings of programs at its New York City center, as well as links to
programs for educators and curriculum materials available as pdf documents.
Brooklyn College-Paul Halsall
http://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~phalsall/index.html
Paul Halsall’s Chinese Culture class website from Brooklyn College is a valuable resource. This link
leads to the following four links.
http://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~phalsall/texts.html
This incredible resource is a compilation of Chinese cultural texts including Confucian, Taoist, and
Buddhist listings. The source is a Brooklyn College course in Chinese Culture. There is an incredible
amount of information available here.
http://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~phalsall/other.html
Another link to links from the Brooklyn College course shows links to numerous sites on Chinese and
Asian culture.
http://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~phalsall/chinamap.html
A map activity for students, inviting them to identify countries surrounding China, major cities, and
population, area, and comparisons to USA.
http://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~phalsall/images.html
A final link to links from the Brooklyn College course page, showing types of images (maps,
paintings, people, scenes) accessible on the site.
42 Explore
http://www.42explore2.com/china.htm
This extensively linked website offers information and activities mainly on Ancient China, but
includes valuable background information on culture and traditions.
Index China
http://www.index-china.com/index-english/people-s.html
Index-China is a collection of short articles and links about various aspects of Chinese culture: history,
religion, people, food, art, education, etc. Articles are uneven, but it has good basic info and good
links to newspapers and other sites. Beware of marketing on site. Many words within articles are links
to other articles. (For example, within religion article, one can click Confucianism, Buddhism, etc.)
Asian Info
http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/countries_map/countries_map.htm
Asian Info.org site has maps and country profiles, as well as articles about specific Asian countries and
issues.
American Forum for Global Education
http://www.globaled.org/chinaproject/outerlimits/index.php
American Forum for Global Education 2003 Teacher Program details a visit to China’s western edges.
There are hundreds of photographs of places ranging from Tibet to Mongolia. Muslim presence in
China is documented, and lesson plans will be posted on site.
http://www.globaled.org/chinaproject/c_teaching.php
Numerous lesson plans easily adaptable to middle through upper grades are available here, created by
participants in American Forum for Global Education program on China. Especially useful are lessons
on Mao Zedong, Deng Xioping, The Little Ambassador, thematic current events journal, and many
more on arts, geography, marriage, and inventions. This is an excellent resource.
National Geographic Magazine
http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0403/feature4/
National Geographic’s pages about China’s growth and environmental issues are important resources
to consult. The site has wonderful pictures with informative captions, as well as links to environmental
organizations in China.
Indiana University
http://www.indiana.edu/~easc/resources/east_asian_boxes/china_box/chinabox.html
Indiana University’s China Box is available for loan to educators in Indiana, but can be perused online
by following links about education and daily life. Good photos on PDF pages, as well as finger
counting diagrams, etc.
http://www.indiana.edu/~easc/resources/brochure/chinaspeaks/intro.htm
Personal reflections on education, food, housing, family, highways, clothing, prices of everyday goods,
etc. are presented in short, readable passages.
http://www.indiana.edu/~easc/taa_seminar/lesson_plans/crosley_2003.htm#zheng_he
Lesson plans on several Asia topics, most notably “Did Zheng He discover America first?” Zheng He
is introduced to students via links to maps and other online resources. China celebrated the 600th
anniversary of the legendary explorer and navigator’s birth in 2005.
China Page
http://www.chinapage.com/china-rm.html
Main “room” of China the Beautiful website, with links to hear audio recitations of Chinese poetry, see
Chinese calligraphy of quotations, translated into English, maps, paintings, photographs, Chinese
names, Chinese language, Peking Opera excerpts (audio), and many other cultural aspects. Fun to
browse for the teacher or student.
http://www.chinapage.com/zhenghe.html
Short page with good links about Zheng He, Chinese explorer and navigator
China Choices
http://www.paulnoll.com/China/index.html
For a less formal and very accessible and personal approach, visit Paul and Beatrice Noll’s China
Choices website. Very much a mom and pop operation, this extensive site is full of pictures and
anecdotes as well as fact about various places the American couple lived and taught in China.
Information on travel, holidays, money, customs, history, etc.
China Today
http://www.chinatoday.com/culture/a.htm
China Today site has numerous links to culture and history pages, as well as good pictures and maps.
Artists’ sites, museums, traditional music, folk art, holidays and traditions are all featured via
numerous links. Although ads and pop-ups are annoying, they can be ignored to explore this richly
linked site. For example, the site below is an offering of China Today.
http://english.people.com.cn/china/home.html
China-at-a-glance pages feature articles and facts on topics ranging from geography to history, from
arts to education, the English version of the Chinese national anthem is here, too. Written with a
distinctly Chinese viewpoint, the articles do give a current perspective on Chinese policies and history.
http://www.chinatoday.com/culture/a.htm
This section features many links and pictures about Chinese art and culture.
http://www.globecartoon.com/china/
Another link from China Today, this features China in political cartoons drawn by Chappatte who
regularly contributes to the Herald Tribune and NewsweekOnline. Various topics and time periods are
featured, with humorous, and often highly critical cartoons tracing the history of Chinese economic
growth or human rights issues, for example.
PrimarySource.Org
http://www.primarysource.org/spotlight/summer05/chin_lit_watt.pdf
Primary Source.org has pdf documents from summer institutes. This one is about myths in Chinese
Literature.
Hometown China
http://www.hometownchina.com/anything.htm
While this site is geared to be a crafts-selling site, it also has an OUR TOWN section on which
information is available about typical holiday customs, crafts, legends, and ancient history. Graphics
are good. Not a site for a long visit, but good information on Beijing Opera, shadow puppets, and
calligraphy is here as well.
ANALYSIS of CHINA’s CHANGING PLACE AMONG WORLD POWERS
(Note: Articles on this topic appear daily in most newspapers, either in the news or business sections.)
NY TIMES
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/china.html
New York Times Learning Network-Daily Lesson Plan series of lessons on China and other Asian
nations. Articles are linked to this page, and lesson plans with pre-activities, questions for discussion
about news item, and post activities are included.
FCNL
http://www.fcnl.org/issues/issue.php?issue_id=103#
The Friends Center on National Legislation (FCNL) is a Quaker lobbying and educational
organization. An area of interest is China. These links lead to governmental efforts regarding China,
as well as FCNL recommendations for peaceful and positive engagement with China.
Business Week
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/toc/05_34/B3948chinaindia.htm
Business Week article from August 2005 compares China and India as up and coming world powers.
Business, education, and other topics are discussed. Site has interactive timeline comparing India’s
and Chinese development, and a good slide show on China’s environmental crises, plus photos, and
articles. Pop-ups and advertisements are present, however.
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_34/b3948531.htm
Article from Business Week Magazine summarizes results of survey of 70,000 Chinese ages 16-39
living in 30 big cities about their lifestyle goals, etc.
TRAVEL in CHINA
http://www.beijingpage.com/
Very much geared to the casual browser or potential traveler, rather than the academic, the Beijing
Page has numerous links to cultural sites in and around Beijing, as well as to explanations of various
art forms, old neighborhoods, and even driving laws in Beijing!
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/asia/china/see
LonelyPlanet.com’s Worldguide site provides tidbits and good photos of sites and scenes in China, as
well as map, money, and travel information.
CHINESE NEWSPAPERS, RADIO, TV, MOVIES, ARTS and web video
http://english.cctv.com/index.shtml
China’s premier ENGLISH TV service site includes breaking news stories in English as well as links
to various news and culture programs. Links are slow to open, but patience is rewarded with video and
photos as well as readable info on current events, culture, and history.
http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/
China Radio International broadcasts worldwide via the web in 43 languages. News, culture and
music are featured. This is a fun site to browse to listen to music, and read the news. Listen to a
Chinese radio show, playing music, and with announcements in Chinese and English, listen to a
“movie English” lesson, or take Mandarin lessons online with daily phrases.
http://www.cctv-4.com/2005/
CCTV-4 broadcasts live using Microsoft Media Player. Channel “buttons” are in Chinese, but 1 and 2
are news, 3 is “Show Biz”, 4 is “Music Video” (not necessarily), 5 is “China Fashion” (really a
Chinese “soap” set in ancient China), and 6 (below) is Sports!
http://www.cctv-4.com/2005/default.asp?videoName=sports&videoSpeed=300
Try this link for OLYMPICS footage, montages of athletes, promos, and actual events.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/home/news.html
China Daily, published in China in English, is “Committed to helping the world know more about
China and the country's integration with the international community, China Daily is regarded as one
of the country’s most authoritative English media outlets and an important source of information on
Chinese politics, economy, society and culture,” according to its website. Articles about world news
as well as numerous topics on Chinese news and culture can be found. A good introductory site, and
one to check daily.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-09/22/content_480007.htm
This link leads to an article on the complex relationship between China and the U.S. It is a good
introduction to issues facing the two countries.
http://english.people.com.cn/
The People’s Daily is a must-read to gain a Chinese perspective on world and national events.
http://www.asiasource.org/news/
From the Asia Society website, this link lists current news items from many Asian newspapers.
http://www.merechina.com/entertain/
Mere China site has top ten film recommendations and short summaries of Chinese films by Zhang
Yimou (To Live, Not One Less, Hero) and Ang Lee (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), etc.
http://www.apple.com/trailers/miramax/hero/small.html
View the exhilarating trailer of Zhang Yimou’s beautiful martial arts, historical myth movie, Hero.
Then rent the movie and watch it at least twice!
http://www.empirepicturesusa.com/ep/show_movie.asp?title=10029&subselect=1
To get a sense of rural life during the Cultural Revolution, view Xiao Cai Feng (Balzac and the Little
Chinese Seamstress) a 2002 film by Sijie Dai. Two intellectual city boys are “sent down” to the
country for “rehabilitation” but share the novels of French writer Balzac with a local girl. (No trailer at
this site, but information is useful.)
http://www.d3mediagroup.com/index.html
D3media website gives access to interesting photo galleries and ordering information for their highly
produced and beautifully shot videos about China (shown on many PBS stations). Series they have
done include Riding Rails in China, Sketching the Silk Road, Tibet Diary, Inside China, and more.
Series tend to feature Westerners encountering Chinese land and culture for the first time.
http://www.d3mediagroup.com/land_of_the_dragon.htm
This link from D3media allows one to view a 60 second introduction to the Land of the Dragon series.
This short clip is a good conversation starter, inviting viewers to notice new and old, same and
different in the vivid cultural images.
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/watchVideos.asp?program=Theatre
Shaanxi Folk Art Theatre of rod and shadow puppets combines forces with Seattle Reparatory Theatre
under the directorship of Ping Chong to create Cathay. This link takes a few seconds to load, but it
contains a wonderful 6 minute segment with interviews and theatrical action combining rod and
shadow puppetry as well as computer animated shadow play. Themes of folk art and history are
mixed. Well worth viewing. The collaboration played at Kennedy Center Festival of China (October
2005) then inNew York on Broadway’s New Victory Theatre. (If link does not work, scroll down, or
search site for Seattle Repertory Theatre's CATHAY: 3 Tales of China.) Check it out!
www.yuweidance.org
Yu Wei Chinese Solo Dance Collection is “drawn from Chinese traditional, classical, folk, Western
ballet, and modern dance… The dance collection also includes short interval films, poetry, and live
Chinese music…” Yu Wei performs dances reflecting both folk tradition and current modes, and the
films depict her life and training in China. Any age group would appreciate a performance by this
dynamic dancer. Photos and short videos are on the site.
http://webcast.berkeley.edu/events/details.php?webcastid=14200
Webcast of U. Cal Berkeley lecture by Jung Chang and Jon Halliday, authors of Mao the Unknown
Story: a highly critical history of Mao’s backing by Stalin, crimes against Chinese people, and
continuing legacy in China today. Early sections (first 23 minutes) with good background on Cultural
Revolution, Nixon and Mao, and myth of Mao inside China.
MANDARIN LESSONS:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/chinese/real_chinese/
This fantastic site from the BBC has great graphics, good sound, and terrific videos. It is an excellent
introduction to the Mandarin language (official language of China). Lessons on tonality, vocabulary,
customs, etc. are followed by options to play short review games or watch videos of Chinese street
scenes. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
http://www.chinawestexchange.com/Mandarin/index.htm
Good selection of audio files make this a good site to begin Mandarin study. Individual vocabulary is
fun to learn, along with elementary phrases. Be careful: Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language. The
same syllables for teacher, mispronounced, sound like mouse!
http://www.askasia.org/VISIBLE_TRACES/curriculum/pdf/CIAlesson1.pdf
A lesson on Chinese characters, their evolution and formation is available at this site, part of the Asia
Society’s vast web offerings.
http://www.merechina.com/language/default.asp
Mere China’s offerings of language instruction, while limited, are clear and humorous.
EDUCATION SYSTEM in CHINA:
David Surowski
http://www.math.ksu.edu/~dbski/publication/history.html
History of Chinese education systems, readable and brief, from dynasties to post Mao era, by David
Surowski (Univ of Kansas, emeritus, and Shanghai American School)
ICP
http://www.icponline.org/feature_articles/f3_00.htm
Summary of 2002 visit to Beijing key school and speech by education minister in China by two
Australian educators. Clear summary of Chinese education system and current problems.
Index China
http://www.index-china.com/index-english/education-s.htm
Short summary of Chinese education system with good photos. Site includes short articles on a variety
of Chinese cultural topics, but beware, it also includes links to papers for sale.
Indiana University
http://www.indiana.edu/~easc/resources/brochure/chinaspeaks/education_part2.htm
Personal reflections on changes in the Chinese education system since the 1980s by an adult.
Introduction of gifted classes, impact of one-child policy, and changes in university are discussed.
http://www.indiana.edu/~easc/resources/brochure/chinaspeaks/education.htm
Personal reflection: A Chinese-born teacher in the US reflects on her student on Teacher Day,
September 10.
China Education and Research Network
http://www.edu.cn/20041125/3122184.shtml
Article on outlook for Chinese education and obstacles to overcome.
http://www.edu.cn/HomePage/english/education/index.shtml
China Education and Research Network pages on Education system in China contains numerous
articles on primary, secondary, and higher education system in China.
Asian Info
http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/issues/teaching_in_beijing.htm
Dated (1995) but interesting personal narrative of a 24-year-old American college grad who taught
English in Beijing at a language school for adult learners. Includes her realization that the Chinese
knew more about her language than she did, as well as her experiences traveling around Beijing and to
Guilin/Yangshuo.
Ohio State University-ENCO
http://www.enc.org/print/features/focus/archive/china/
ENCOnline (Ohio State University’ online journal of math and science education) has an excellent
series of articles, including a video clip of a model high school in Beijing.
World Book
http://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Article?id=ar129220&st=Confucianism
Confucianism article from World Book Encyclopedia explains history of the great sage, Confucius,
and his influential teachings, including, “Do not do to others what you would not have them do to
you.”
PHELEX
http://www.phelex.org/
Phelex Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Massachusetts. The organization funds
sustainable tuition raising projects in poor rural areas of China. Click on “programs” button to see
projects at numerous rural schools. Projects are environmentally sensitive, promote democratic
participation by family groups, and fund tuition for numerous financially or socially disadvantaged
children in rural schools. Pictures in these schools contrast sharply with those taken in so-called “key”
schools in wealthy districts. Data on family income, tuition, and teacher to student ration is especially
interesting. Partnering with the Phelex Foundation would be a good service learning component to
China study for students in all grades.
PBS
http://www.pbs.org/kcts/preciouschildren/earlyed/read_east.html
“Look to the East” article by a South Carolina University professor on early education in China
following her visit to schools in China in the late 90’s. Comparisons of Eastern and Western priorities
and methods are interesting.
http://www.pbs.org/kcts/preciouschildren/earlyed/read_vaughan.html
“Early Childhood Education in China” article by Stephens College (Missouri) professor written in
early 90’s following several months of her teaching in China and visiting model schools.
JSEIE
http://tefl.jseie.org/
Jiangsu Education Services for International Exchange: Introduction to the Summer Teaching Project
of 2004 and 2005 conducted in collaboration with California State University at Fullerton. Photos,
rationales, maps, and participants are linked on this site.
http://tefl.jseie.org/confer/welcom.files/frame.htm
PowerPoint of the welcoming information to teachers of English visiting from the United States to
instruct Jiangsu teachers, from above site.
Resources for Educators: Professional Development, Travel, Curriculum
Asia Society
http://www.asiasociety.org/
Follow this link to numerous other web offerings for educators. The Asia Society “is an international
organization dedicated to strengthening relationships and deepening understanding among the peoples
of Asia and the United States.” Links to current events, country comparisons, arts and culture, as well
as links to following site.
http://www.internationaled.org/
This site provides a forum for international educators. Links to current events and study opportunities.
http://www.eastwestcenter.org/
The East West Center provides educational Forums, links to current articles, and events for educators.
http://www.ed.gov/programs/iegpssap/elsecseminars.html
Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program funds travel and learning experiences for educators selected
in a competitive application process. Check website for available travel to China and other locations.
http://www.ncuscr.org/index.htm
National Committee on U.S. China Relations was established in 1966 to promote exchange and
positive relations between the two countries. Links to seminars and text of speeches as well as
exchange opportunities are on this site.
Contact Susan Cannon: cannon@ea1785.org with your new ideas for teaching about modern
China and favorite Internet sites or resources. I have checked each of the sites linked to these pages,
both for content and availability. Please use your discretion before using these links yourself. I am an
American educator with over 24 years of classroom experience in elementary and middle school. My
special fields of interest are moral, global, and peace education: developing teaching methods to help
children to think, care, and act honorably and globally. I teach history and English, as well as debate
and other elective courses at a college preparatory independent school in the Philadelphia area in the
United States. I have also taught middle school students and teachers in China, in Yangzhou and in
Rugao, Jiangsu Province.