Some residents of rural Human still believe in old-style Spring Festival celebrations but fear that traditions may be lost{#blank#}1{#/blank#}they're protected,Liu Xiangrui reports.

    Spring Festival,{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(celebrate)from the first to the 15th day of the first lunar month,is undoubtedly the most{#blank#}3{#/blank#} (significance)cultural event in a year for Chinese.

    Like in other parts of the country,preparations for the festival start early every year,with food{#blank#}4{#/blank#}(play)a key role.In rural Yueyang,for instance,such delicacies as tofu and smoked pork are prepared a month or two {#blank#}5{#/blank#} advance. Then,there are specific days for certain activities.People offer prayers to the Kitchen God on the 23rd of the last lunar month,so that he puts in a good word about the host family when he{#blank#}6{#/blank#}return)to heaven to file an"annual report"the next day.

    The festival is celebrated by putting up{#blank#}7{#/blank#}decorate)in house,lighting firecrackers,worshipping ancestors and staying up late on the eve of the Chinese New Year.

    The night before the year begins is the highlight of the festival{#blank#}8{#/blank#}those working in faraway cities try to rush home{#blank#}9{#/blank#}catch)the family reunion dinner.Some families have unique menus for this special meal Fish,which symbolizes prosperity in Chinese culture,is{#blank#}10{#/blank#}must

China's Tea Villages

    In most Chinese tea villages, March is the time of year in which locals start to pick and process tea. The{#blank#}1{#/blank#} (usual) quiet villages suddenly become busy centers of activity, as people take out special tools and prepare{#blank#}2{#/blank#}tea processing. In some villages, local residents hold traditional ceremonies,{#blank#}3{#/blank#}(thank) heaven for its blessing. The price of tea{#blank#}4{#/blank#}(pick) in March is extremely high because{#blank#}5{#/blank#}is fresh, tender and contains multiple trace elements.

    China{#blank#}6{#/blank#} (be) famous for tea production since ancient times. Of the goods transported and traded along {#blank#}7{#/blank#} Old Silk Road linking China to the Middle East and Europe, the importance of tea was matched only by silk. China produces Oolong, black, green, white, yellow{#blank#}8{#/blank#} dark (post-fermented) tea. The Oolong, green and black{#blank#}9{#/blank#} (vary) are most notable for their high quality.

Most of China s tea villages are found in remote mountainous areas in the country's south and southwest,{#blank#}10{#/blank#}the beautiful scenery is often hidden under clouds.

    Beijing was once a city of bikes, known as the Bicycle Kingdom{#blank#}1{#/blank#} cars were reserved for official business and the politically powerful. However, decades of economic {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (grow) led to a huge flowing of cars in the city. Owning one became not just a marker of reaching the middle class but also a requirement for marriage. As the economy developed, autos pushed bikes off the roads{#blank#}3{#/blank#}(create) heavy pollution and miserable traffic.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (fortunate), now Beijing may be returning to its roots. Thanks to about 20 technology companies, brightly colored shared bikes {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (flood) into Beijing in the last two years. Many local residents welcome the shared bikes {#blank#}6{#/blank#}the flexibility and freedom they offer. They pick up the bikes and then ride and drop{#blank#}7{#/blank#} off anywhere they like, locking the back wheel, with no need to find a fixed place.

    Analyses in China say it is three factors that contribute to bikes {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (increase) rapidly: a lot of cash looking for a home, a good idea and government support. “As the city's population grew, traffic jams got{#blank#}9{#/blank#}(bad).” Cai, the Ofo spokeswoman, said, “Shared bikes could solve the 'last mile' problem in{#blank#}10{#/blank#} environmentally friendly way.”