Near & Far Goes to China

2008-10-16T14:20:00.002-05:00

Some of Sara's Photos

And here are the rest:http://www.flickr.com/photos/8748600@N06/sets/72157608063906947/

2008-09-03T15:11:00.002-05:00

The First Emperor: The Man Who Made China (Part 1)
(an excellent 10 part series about the man who united China, started the building of the Great Wall and for whose tomb the Terra Cotta Warriors were built. )

With reenactments, expert commentary, and impressive graphic re-creations, Discovery Channel's The First Emperor: The Man who made China traces the rise of the young king, who, an ingenious and often brutal ruler, transformed seven warring states into a single, united empire ten times the size of the Egyptian pharaohs' domain.

You can watch the rest of the series on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYCM64KTRX8

2008-08-27T11:05:00.004-05:00

Tibetan artist Gonkar Gyatso will give a talk at the Spencer Museum of Art at 7 PM Thursday, August 28, tipping off three days of activities in the Lawrence and Kansas City area that will include visits to studios of local artists, talks with KU students and faculty, and a Saturday, August 30 lunchtime conversation at the Kansas City Art Institute’s H & R Block Artspace. The events at the Spencer and the Artspace are free and open to the public. Born in Lhasa in 1961, Gyatso’s artistic career charts the course of contemporary Tibetan history, documenting a creative engagement with what it means to be Tibetan in the 21st century.

More info: KCUR.org events calendar: http://events.publicbroadcasting.net/kcur/events.eventsmain?action=showEvent&eventID=778215

Spencer Museum of Art: http://www.spencerart.ku.edu/gyatso.shtml

2008-08-26T16:28:00.003-05:00

Beijing’s Silk Market is full of smooth talkers

Great article by Joe Posnanski in the Kansas City Star!

“You need underwear, yes, you do,” a second woman yelled at me as I wandered aimlessly from one booth to another, steadied only by the presence of my intrepid interpreter, Linjun Fan, who had two purposes: 1. She was here to prevent me from spending my life savings on an “authentic” Chinese fan; 2. She was here to take hilarious video of this clueless American getting fleeced at the Silk Market.

http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/758661.html

2008-08-23T13:58:00.003-05:00

Dear China Travelers,

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to watch as many of director Zhang Yimou's films as possible before our departure for China.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhang_Yimou

I'll send around a list of his films (by email) and where some of them can be found around town.

A couple of my personal favorites (I haven't seen them all yet) are Raise the Red Lantern and House of Flying Daggers. They are exquisite.

2008-08-23T12:39:00.002-05:00

From the BBC

An excellent country profile on contemporary China, specifically on leaders, the media, social unrest and human rights:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/country_profiles/1287798.stm

Also, a modern timeline with audio and video:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/country_profiles/1288392.stm

2008-07-28T10:31:00.003-05:00

"Up the Yangtze" movie

There is a very interesting movie that is playing at the Tivoli in Westport through July 31st.

In many ways, it is hard to watch. It follows the life of a teenager and her family who are very poor farmers and are displaced by the flooding of the river. The teenager gets a job on one of the big river boats and we get quite an inside look at the lives of the workers on these ships.

The ship that is featured is one of the Victoria line and is not like the ship which we will have for our 5 nights on the Yangtze. Ours is the Regal China Cruise line. There are no cheezy piano sing-a-longs or ballroom dancing. There is a nice quiet lounge and library at the front of the ship. Onboard edu-tainment consists of "classes" on oriental medicine, massage, tai chi, carving, etc..

The movie does show some of the beautiful scenery that we will see and also gives a glimpse as to the magnitude and scope of the Three Gorges Dam project and the resulting upheaval.

If you would like to help the family that is featured in the film, there is a special website set up for it:
http://www.givemeaning.com/project/yufam. Here you can also read updates about the family.

Here is a trailer for the film...

2008-07-24T16:12:00.003-05:00

Power, Politics and the Olympics
from America Abroad Radio

We go beyond the fun-and-games of the Summer Olympics to explore the politics, agendas, grandstanding and the debates involving China.

Sunday at 6 pm on KCUR 89.3 fm
Listen online at www.kcur.org

2008-07-24T14:53:00.005-05:00

Probing China's Changing Character
Fresh Air from WHYY, July 23, 2008 · What happens when an entrenched culture suddenly opts for rapid change and the upheaval of centuries of cherished tradition? NPR Book Critic Maureen Corrigan finds some answers in two new works of nonfiction.

Learn more, listen to the story, and read excerpts from the books.

2008-07-23T10:54:00.003-05:00

Fourth Annual International Dragon Boat Festival
Saturday, July 26th

Thanks to China traveler Carol Perry for the reminder about this weekend’s Dragon Boat Festival on the Plaza. You can find the details here: http://www.chinagardensociety-kc.org/dragonBoat.htm

Here's a pdf of the flyer: http://www.chinagardensociety-kc.org/pdf/2008%20Dragon%20Boats%20Flyer-7.26.2008.pdf

2008-07-15T13:36:00.004-05:00

The Summer Palace in Beijing

I was completely enchanted by The Summer Palace. I can't wait to go back and spend more time there! I even bought a map of the grounds and have it posted in my office.

www.chinasummerpalace.com

2008-07-08T14:11:00.000-05:00

Thanks to China travelers Sue and Tim Scholl for this tip…..

On Thur, July 31 KCPT will have a Globe Trekker program on Beijing, a city guide., On Thur, Aug 21 they will show a program on central China. 10: PM- 11 :PM

The web site is www.globetrekker.com

2008-07-08T13:42:00.002-05:00

Thanks to China traveler Jennifer Randle for this tip....

Ted Koppel is hosting "Koppel: People's Republic of Capitalism," on the Discovery Channel (45 on Time-Warner) over four nights - Wednesday, July 9 through Saturday, July 12, at 9 p.m. each night. The series focuses on Chongqing where we are disembarking from our Yangtze cruise.

2008-07-02T12:11:00.002-05:00

Dear Travelers,

You are invited to join us for a one day seminar created especially for our travel group.

Date: August 2, 2008

Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (with a one hour break for lunch)

Location: The Mary Clark and E. Grey Dimond Scholars' Center (also known as The Diastole House)

Address: 2501 Holmes St., KCMO, 64108 (directions here: http://www.diastole.org/directions.asp)

**If you have not yet joined us for a Near & Far event at The Diastole House, you can learn about this wonderful center and view photos here: http://www.diastole.org/tour.asp

Seminar Details: Robert Gamer, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Political Science at UMKC, and editor of the book “Understanding Contemporary China” will lead us through a multimedia exploration of contemporary Chinese culture, politics, business and agriculture. He recently presented this seminar as part of the distinguished Carolyn Benton Cockefair Lecture Series at the University.

Fee: $45.00 (includes a lovely lunch at the new Bo Lings Restaurant in the nearby City Market area)

If you would like to attend this seminar, please send a check payable to Dr. Gamer, to the KCUR address below. Please put it to my attention. RSVP and payment are due by July 21.

KCUR Radio

4825 Troost Ave Ste. 202

Kansas City, MO 64110

(attn: Sara Jane Crane)

2008-06-25T14:33:00.004-05:00

Internet Helps Liberate Music in China

Morning Edition, June 25, 2008 - When America was rocking to the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix, the airwaves in China were dominated by songs with lyrics from Chairman Mao's Little Red Book.

It's more open today, but the Communist government still bans anything that mentions sex or violence, or that has "low class humor" — which bans an awful lot of American music. So the music most likely to come pouring out of the radio in China is syrupy ballads usually produced in Hong Kong or Taiwan.

But Chinese musicians and fans are finding a whole new universe of sound on the Internet. And it's helping to create and nourish a new generation of independent artists in China.

Learn more and listen at NPR.org

Discover Chinese Indie Music Here

2008-06-23T16:05:00.003-05:00

Frontline Documentaries about China

Jesus in China ,Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 8 p.m. on KCPT
A wave of Christianity is sweeping across China and the country's Communist Party leadership is racing to control it. FRONTLINE/World travels from rural villages to urban centers to go deep inside this underground movement. http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/china_705/

Other Frontline Documentaries on China

I really enjoyed the documentary "Young and Restless in China" that aired last week on our local public tv stations. You can watch the entire program and explore much more related material at the Frontline website: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/youngchina/

Frontline also produced another much more indepth documentary in 2001 called "China in the Red" . It is also available online and explores topics like "Facing the State Sector's Crisis", "Scrambling to Survive", "Fear and Optimism in the Countryside", "The New Generation", "Corruption Crisis" and more. You can view it and learn more here: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/red/

Not familiar with Frontline?
Since 1983, FRONTLINE has served as American public television's flagship public affairs series. Hailed upon its debut on PBS as "the last best hope for broadcast documentaries," FRONTLINE's stature over 25 seasons is reaffirmed each week through incisive documentaries covering the scope and complexity of the human experience. Visit their website here: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/

As far as I am concerned, it's the only reason to watch TV.

2008-06-11T13:42:00.002-05:00

Sports, Culture and Politics at the Beijing Olympics

The 2008 Summer Olympics will take place from August 8-24 in Beijing, China, amid concerns about environmental issues and human rights violations. Join the IRC in a discussion about what happens when sports, culture, and politics intersect for the largest international sports competition.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008
7:00 p.m.
Kauffman Foundation
4801 Rockhill Road, KCMO

Mike Fannin, Editor of the Kansas City Star and former head of the the Sports and Features Departments, has recently completed a term as President of the Associated Press Sports Editors. He has also visited China in 2007 to work with Chinese sports journalists about covering the Olympics. Dr. John Kennedy, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas, has an ongoing relationship with Northwest University in Xian, China, and makes frequent research trips to that region. He will return from his most recent trip one week before the IRC program.

$10 members/$15 non-members

Learn more at The International Relations Council Website

http://www.irckc.org/

2008-06-10T10:47:00.006-05:00

LIVE from Shanghai, from WBUR in Boston

Broadcasting live from Shanghai, WBUR's On Point program, dove into the ideas, economics, people, culture, and politics that are driving China today. They talked with movers and shakers, party bosses and those who challenge them, with artists and activists, business moguls and visionaries — all describing what China is today and imagining what China will become, its life as a nation and its looming impact on the world.

Visit their website where you can listen to the program's audio, view slideshows, listen to some Shanghai music and explore their invaluable resources section for a multitude of other information about China.

http://www.onpointradio.org/china/index.php/about-the-china-series/

Don't you just love public radio?

2008-05-28T16:15:00.002-05:00

The 4th Kansas City Dragon Boat Festival (NEW DATE)

The fourth annual Kansas City International Dragon Boat Festival will be held on July 26th, 2008!

* Chinese cultural performances are scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15.
* The Wake the Dragon Ceremony will start at 1:00 p.m.
* Dragon Boat Races will start at 1:15.

The performance stage will be set up near the corner of Wyandotte Street and Ward Parkway. The races will be held on Brush Creek, adjacent to the Plaza.

Learn more here.

2008-05-09T12:00:00.004-05:00

On the Road in China

In a seven-part series that aired on Morning Edition, NPR's Rob Gifford set out on a 3,000 mile-14 day trek across China, and discovers just how far the world's most populous nation has to go to catch up with its potential.

Visit www.npr.org and search for "china" to learn much more and listen to excellent news coverage about China's climate, culture, and politics.

2008-05-06T14:58:00.002-05:00

Hello future China travelers!

Recently, I journeyed to China and experienced the itinerary for our upcoming September tour first hand. The tour company that we have chosen for our tours, Collette Vacations, was kind enough to send me out ahead of our group so that I could approve hotels, restaurants, timelines, etc.

I will start by telling you that we all have quite an educational, fantastical, jaw-dropping excursion ahead of us. From the eerily beautiful Yangtze river to the unreal Beijing, Chongqing and Shanghai super-megapolises, every moment of this tour will surprise and challenge any preconception that you may have about this huge country.

The hotels are all very beautiful and new.

Shanghai Marriott Hongqiao, Shanghai

Guilin Bravo Hotel, Guilin (my favorite! It is located across the street from a wonderful, magical park)

Grand New World Hotel, Xian

Loong Palace Hotel & Resort, Beijing

The food choices were incredibly varied. My favorite meals were the 18 course dumpling dinner in Xian (yummy monkey-face dumplings!) and the home-cooked family meal in the Beijing hutong.

I am making some changes to the itinerary, but they will not affect any air schedules or hotels. I felt that the tour was too rushed and did not allow enough time at some of the locations where it seemed important to immerse ourselves more fully.

ABOUT THE RIVER BOAT: An important topic that I want to fully disclose to you is the reality of the Yangtze river boat. Collette is using one of the most highly rated cruise lines operating on the Yangtze, “China Regal Cruises”. You can visit their website here: http://www.chinaregalcruises.com/. The staff was wonderful, charming and helpful. The meals were all served buffet style and featured a choice of several entrees, rice, noodles, salads, fruits and desserts. The chef did make some attempts at “western” entrees, but for some reason they all still ended up tasting like Chinese food! There is a wonderful lounge area and library area at the front of the boat which provide comfortable seating and beautiful views.

I do want you to know that the cabins are quite small and have a toilet/shower combo. The beds also seemed to me to be a bit smaller (and harder) than we are used to. However, after a short period of adjustment I found that I was comfortable enough and did enjoy the experience quite a bit. They are all outside cabins and have very large picture windows. There is also a TV (with CNN and Fox news in English)and a phone in each cabin. There are intermittent internet connections available but you should not count on trying to work while on the boat and/or try to read or write emails every day.

If you have cruised on one of the European five star river boats, then I would like for you to know that this is not quite up to that standard. Several seasoned travelers onboard told me that the China cruise ships are very similar to the quality of a Russian River cruise ship. (if that information helps you at all!)

Our Collette Tour Director was wonderful and I am trying to get her assigned to our tour in September. We had one or two local guides with us at all times. Their English was perfect and they were all very knowledgeable about each location.

There is so much more information that I will share with you at one of our pre-departure get-togethers. I don’t have those scheduled yet, but will get those in place soon.

Please know that you are welcome to call or email me if you would like any more specific information about the tour.

2008-02-28T09:47:00.004-06:00

Offsite your carbon emissions!

Concerned about offsetting those carbon emissions from your travel flights? You can reduce your impact on global warming. Visit this site or many others, use their emission calculator and then make a donation to one of several environmentally friendly projects.

Group Pleads: Bring Your Own Chopsticks to China

2008-02-26T13:01:00.004-06:00

All Things Considered, February 20, 2008 · Environmentalists in China have a message to Olympic-goers in Beijing: Bring your own chopsticks.

Some environmentalists say that disposable wooden chopsticks are contributing to deforestation. China's government has recently slapped a tax on disposable chopsticks and urged restaurants not to use them.

more

The Painted Veil

2008-01-28T10:31:00.001-06:00

Starring Edward Norton and Naomi Watts, The Painted Veil is based on the novel by W. Somerset Maugham. It is a love story set in the 1920s that tells the story of a young English couple, Walter (Edward Norton), a middle class doctor and Kitty (Naomi Watts), an upper-class woman, who get married for the wrong reasons and relocate to Shanghai, where she falls in love with someone else. When he uncovers her infidelity, in an act of vengeance, he accepts a job in a remote village in China ravaged by a deadly cholera epidemic, and takes her along.

This movie was filmed in the area around Guilin. Our tour will be spending Days 8, 9 and 10 in this unique and art-inspiring area.

I highly recommend this 2007 movie. It is now released on DVD. I rented it from the KCMO public library.

Movie website with trailers

China's Three Gorges: Assessing the Impact

2008-01-09T15:07:00.001-06:00

A Three Part Series from NPR....

Next year, the reservoir behind the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River will be filled to capacity and the project will be declared complete. Just at this critical moment, some are expressing concerns that the dam could cause major ecological disasters unless preventive measures are taken.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17785161

A Must Read

2008-01-02T15:27:00.000-06:00

China Road, by NPR's Rob Gifford

National Public Radio China correspondent Gifford journeyed for six weeks on China's Mother Road, Route 312, from its beginning in Shanghai for nearly 3,000 miles to a tiny town in what used to be known as Turkestan. The route picks up the old Silk Road, which runs through the Gobi Desert to Central Asia to Persia and on to Europe. Along the way, Gifford meets entrepreneurs hoping to cash in on China's growing economy, citizens angry and frustrated with government corruption, older people alarmed at changes in Chinese culture and morality, and young people uncertain and excited about the future. Gifford profiles ordinary Chinese people coping with tumultuous change as development and commerce shrink a vast geography, bringing teeming cities and tiny towns into closer commercial and cultural proximity; the lure of wealth is changing the Chinese character and sense of shared experience, even if it was common poverty.

NPR's Shanghai Series, Part 2

2007-12-17T10:47:00.000-06:00

Part 4: Cinematic Ode to a Vanishing World

December 14, 2006 · Shanghai has a population of almost 18 million, but only 632 protected historic sites. Its distinctive traditional architecture is rapidly disappearing, and along with it, a way of life. A local filmmaker has produced an ode to these vanishing neighborhoods.

Part 5: Shanghai Writers -- Dream World to Cosmopolis

December 15, 2006 · Shanghai is changing at breakneck speed. That transformation, along with the hope, fear, greed and nostalgia that it engenders, is the stuff of novels. Three authors talk about the inspiration that China's most exciting city provides them. Web Extra: Hear, Read Excerpts

Shanghai Series on NPR, part 1

2007-12-17T10:35:00.000-06:00

In a week long series in 2006, NPR's Louisa Lim looked at Shanghai's unprecedented building boom and how the city is preparing for its future, as a meta-city or a mega-metropolis.

Overview: Architecture Reflects City's Many Faces

Part 2: China Gets a Slice of English Countryside

Part 3: Evictions, The Dark Side of Shanghai Growth

Yellow River: A Journey Through China

2007-12-13T12:02:00.000-06:00

The Yellow River has long reflected the glories and the problems of China's past. Today, China's rapid industrialization is taking its toll on the environment surrounding the country's mother river. In this five-part series, NPR travels along the river to see the threats and challenges that lie ahead.

Here is the link to the entire series: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17101893

There is a beautiful audio slide show on this page: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17098207

A New Five Part Series on China from NPR

2007-12-05T11:01:00.000-06:00

The Yellow River: A Journey Through China
NPR's Rob Gifford returns to China for another series about the changes taking place in the country. This time, he focuses on the Yellow River -- a bed of cultural development for thousands of years, the river now faces environmental, political, and social challenges.

Tune in during All Things Considered (4-6:30 p.m. M-F on KCUR) every day, starting Dec. 10th.

Rob Gifford was NPR's correspondent in Beijing for six years. His book, CHINA ROAD: A Journey into the Future of a Rising Power was published in 2007 by Random House. CHINA ROAD tells of his 3,000 mile odyssey across China, following the country's equivalent of the US Route 66 –- called Route 312 — all the way from Shanghai to the Kazakh border. The book is based upon a seven-part radio series that Gifford filed for Morning Edition.

Multimedia Timeline of Modern China History

2007-11-27T09:33:00.000-06:00

MSNBC.Com has an interesting online historical slideshow about modern Chinese history.

China Orders Lust Removed from Movie

2007-11-15T10:53:00.000-06:00

From NPR

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16315156

Morning Edition, November 15, 2007 · It's not surprising that China's censors insisted the lust be cut out of Ang Lee's steamy new movie Lust Caution. What is surprising is that a disappointed movie-goer sued. Graduate student Dong Yanbin says that the removal of most of the on-screen sex infringed on his consumer rights. As he explained to the Beijing Times, "the incomplete structure makes it hard to appreciate the movie's art."

James Fallows: 'China Makes, The World Takes'

2007-10-30T14:53:00.000-05:00

Fresh Air from WHYY, October 30, 2007 · Journalist James Fallows, a 25-year veteran of The Atlantic Monthly, is living in China and writing about it. He joins Dave Davies to discuss his recent article "China Makes, The World Takes" — and the booming Chinese factories that are its subject.

"I was prepared for the skyline of Shanghai and its 240-mph Maglev train to the airport," he writes in the introductory paragraphs of that article, "and for the nonstop construction, dust, and bustle of Beijing. Every account of modern China mentions them.

"But I had no concept of the sweep of what has become the world's manufacturing center: the Pearl River Delta of Guangdong province (the old Canton region), just north of Hong Kong. That one province might have a manufacturing workforce larger than America's."

Young China series

2007-10-23T14:57:00.000-05:00

From PRI's The World

China’s young generation is like none that has come before in the People's Republic. It’s grown up riding the wave of China’s growing prosperity, of hi-tech advances and of globalization. And this generation includes more “only children” than anyplace else on earth, probably anytime in human history. About 100 million of them have been born since the Communist government enacted a one-child policy, 27 years ago. That’s compared to compared to about 20 million only children, of all ages, in the United States. This new generation is starting to come of age – and as it does, it’s changing China. The World’s Mary Kay Magistad reports on this new generation in a seven-part series.

Listen here

The World airs each weeknight at 7 p.m. on KCUR

China's Question: Who Will Follow Hu?

2007-10-15T11:10:00.000-05:00

Morning Edition, October 15, 2007 · China's ruling Communist Party on Monday begins a national congress that is expected to give President Hu Jintao a final, five-year term.

The question facing the congress is who will follow Hu? For the first time since the communists came to power, China's leader has no heir apparent.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15276525

Rising Dragon: Ancient Treasures from China

2007-09-24T10:46:00.000-05:00

New Exhibit Opening at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

October 6, 2007—February 10, 2008

Reaching across the rich heritage of China’s ancient dynasties, this exhibition features never before seen new acquisitions from the Nelson-Atkins extraordinary Chinese collection. Each object tells a story of the culture, the people and their beliefs that have endured for centuries. Among the finest surviving examples, from nearly seven centuries of China’s past, these works exhibit master craftsmanship in bronze, stoneware, jade and more. A royal palace dragon stands guard, just as it did nearly five hundred years ago, beckoning visitors to discover the treasures of ancient China.

This exhibition will be ticketed.

Wowed by China's Net

2007-09-23T07:44:00.000-05:00

The Chinese commitment to the Net is also apparent in the broadband statistics. Government figures show that 162 million people in China have Internet access and 122 million have broadband. That is way more than in the U.S. Even small villages in China now typically have broadband.

Read the article here

China tinkers with smog repair

2007-09-17T12:52:00.000-05:00

From Marketplace..
The IOC has warned Beijing that it needs to do something about its pollution problem or risk losing some events during the 2008 Olympics. So the Chinese government forced some 1.3 million cars off the roads in a four-day experiment to clean up the air.

Songs of the Old Days at Chinese Park

2007-09-17T11:39:00.000-05:00

by Anthony Kuhn

All Things Considered, September 12, 2007 · At Beijing's Coal Hill Park, older residents gather to sing Mao-era songs and gripe about current day discontents. The Sunday get-togethers are a sort of living oldies radio channel.

Learn more about Coal Hill Park: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/beijing/jingshan.htm

Join us on Sunday, September 9th

2007-09-05T12:16:00.000-05:00

Please join us for a Near & Far Travel Club reunion, Get-Together, Presentation and Party!

A representative from the tour company will show a presentation on our China tour and our upcoming Portugal tour.

Anyone interested in joining Near & Far on a 2008 tour is also invited to attend. Help spread the word to your friends and family!

Sunday, September 9, 2007, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
The Diastole House (directions )
(The Mary Clark and E.Grey Dimond Scholar's Center)
2501 Holmes Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64108

Schedule:
2 p.m. - Meet and Greet, Sample Dim Sum from Bo Lings Restaurant
3 p.m. - Presentation of "A Public Radio Tour to China" and the "Fado, Food and Festivals of Portugal" tour.

RSVP by September 7^th at noon please!

sarajane@kcur.org
816.235.2884

Chinese Menus, Lost in Translation

2007-09-05T12:00:00.000-05:00

Morning Edition, September 3, 2007 · Before hosting the 2008 Olympics, China is trying to clean up English translations on the city's menus. Tourism officials discovered one menu with a dish listed as "steamed crap." Oops. That was supposed to be "steamed carp."

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14136217

Learn Chinese

2007-08-30T10:28:00.001-05:00

Fall 2007 Chinese Language Classes
The Confucius Institute

September- December 2007
KU Edwards Campus

Information and Enrollment: For class information and to enroll early and take advantage of the discount, when available, download the online form at http://www.confucius.ku.edu/language_classes.shtml.and mail the completed form, with a check made out to the University of Kansas Confucius Institute (see address below), by September 1. To reserve a place and pay the full fee on the first day of class, fill out the online form at http://www.confucius.ku.edu/language_classes.shtml.

Lecture Series: China - The Latest View

2007-08-21T16:10:00.000-05:00

Part of the Carolyn Benton Cockefair Lecture Series, Continuing Education, UMKC
Four lectures by Robert Gamer, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Political Science
Tuesdays, Sept. 11, 18, 25 and Oct. 2
10:30 a.m. - noon
UMKC Administrative Center, Brookside Room
Cost: $45

Professor Gamer has been traveling in parts of China seldom seen by Americans - old capitols, ancient cities and oases along the Silk Road, monasteries and festivals in Tibet, and a 42 hour ride on the new sky train from Lhasa to Beijing. Gamer will share his impressions of China's diverse population, its dynamic growth and it's social and environmental challenges as it moves to overtake the U.S. in the emission of greenhouse gases, economic output and much more.

There are only a few seats left in this class. Call 816-235-2736 to register.

China Road: A Journey into the Future of a Rising Power

2007-08-21T16:05:00.000-05:00

In this utterly surprising and deeply personal book, acclaimed NPR correspondent Rob Gifford, a fluent Mandarin speaker, takes the dramatic journey along Route 312 from its start in the boomtown of Shanghai to its end on the border with Kazakhstan.

Buy it from NPR's Shop

A Great Place to Learn about Chinese Music

2007-08-16T10:53:00.000-05:00

I really love the World Music section of National Geographic online. You can read about traditional music styles and listen to samples here.

Welcome Travelers!

2007-08-01T11:09:00.000-05:00

你好 (Hello!)

If you are viewing this page, then you must be one of the very smart and lucky public radio listeners that will be joining us on a two week tour of China next September!

Near & Far is a public radio travel club that was started by KCUR 89.3 FM (out of Kansas City, MO) in 2002. Earlier tours have included a Smithsonian Journey to Costa Rica, The Kingdom of Thailand, Washington D.C. (including a tour of NPR headquarters), Christmas on the Danube, and Mystical Peru. Near & Far is now partnering with other public radio stations in the creation of tours specifically for the public radio audience. Public radio listeners are wonderful people with which to travel. They are intelligent, adventurous, caring, friendly and a lot of fun!

Check back to this blog regularly for added information about this tour. We also encourage you to submit your own comments with your suggestions for related reading, etc. If you are looking for a roommate or would just like to chat with other Near & Far travellers, then this is the place for you.

Yours in travel and adventure,

Sara Jane Crane
Near & Far Group Manager
sarajane@kcur.org