BellaOnline Forums Travel and Culture Chinese Culture Going to the Olympics in Beijing?

Is any one planning on going to Beijing for the Olympics this summer? I would love to go and give you guys first-hand coverage of the Games but going to China costs a pretty penny plus it would be difficult to put my life in the US on hold right now.

My boyfriend, Jun Quan, whos work and family are based in China, may be in China on business while the Olympics are taking place. Perhaps I could talk him into snapping some photos for us while he is over there.

I'll be watching China on TV - it should be fascinating.

Do you believe China will be honoring their rich heritage during the Olympics or focusing on modernization?

~Sharon

Sharon,
Sadly, the Chinese seem to be steering away from traditions in present day. There is a large demand for Western culture in China. But one thing that sticks out to be as being encouraging is the mascots. Beibei, JingJing, HuanHuan, YingYing, and NiNi are the 5 mascots of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. BeiBei is a fish, JingJing is a panda, HuanHuan is fire, YingYing is an antelope, and NiNi is a swallow. Antelopes, swallows, fish, and pandas are all traditional Chinese animals. All together, the mascots are said to represent the 5 Wu Xing (traditional Chinese elements) . This is encouraging!

Combined, the mascot's names form the phrase "Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni", which means "Beijing welcomes you" in Mandarin. I think that's adorable

As for everything else concerned with the Olympics, that seems to be the only "traditional" aspect to it. I guess we'll have to see what they have up their sleves. I am sure it will be spectacular no matter what.