Yan Fu: Architect of China’s Modern Enlightenment

Today, we’ll talk about the Qing Dynasty’s royal ice games which played an important role in military training and cultural celebration, generating lasting influence on China’s winter sports heritage.

Today, we’ll continue our discussion of Lin Zexu, whose legacy is defined by his advocacy for modernization and his pivotal role as an early champion of national sovereignty and reform in 19th-century China. 

In the first installment of what will be a two-part feature, we’ll talk about Lin Zexu, a visionary reformer and steadfast opponent of the opium trade, who played a pivotal role in defending China’s sovereignty and shaping its policies through his unwavering commitment to public health and national defense.

Today, we’ll continue to talk about Sun Yat-sen University, which has been at the forefront of higher education in China, playing a crucial role in the country’s academic development while nurturing leaders who would go on to shape the country’s history.

In the first installment of what will be a two-part feature, we’ll talk about Sun Yat-sen University, which stands as a testament to the seamless integration of traditional Chinese values and modern educational reforms, shaping the intellectual landscape of China through its commitment to academic excellence and cultural innovation.

Today, we’ll talk about Lin Yutang, a celebrated writer and lexicographer, who masterfully bridged Eastern and Western cultures through his literary works and his pioneering efforts in compiling a Chinese-English dictionary, leaving an enduring legacy as both a literary figure and a cultural ambassador.

Today, we’ll talk about Lu You, a renowned poet of the Southern Song Dynasty, who devoted his life to the restoration of China’s northern territories, channeling his unfulfilled ambitions into over 9,000 poems that express his deep patriotism and sorrow.

Today, we’ll talk about the pioneering geographer Xu Xiake whose story chronicles his extraordinary 17th-century expeditions across China, where his detailed maps and observations greatly contributed to the country’s geographical knowledge while revealing many of its hidden natural wonders.

Today, we’ll talk about the Fuxi and Nuwa paintings, popular in the burial customs of the ancient kingdom of Gaochang, which reflect the deep cultural and symbolic significance of these two mythological figures in Chinese history, representing creation, harmony, and the balance of Yin and Yang.

Today, we’ll talk about the Spring Festival, which has been inscribed onto UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognizing its rich cultural traditions, social significance, and contribution to family values.