Language/Mandarin-chinese/Culture/Famous-Chinese-Mountains-and-Rivers

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Mandarin Chinese Culture → China's Geography and Landmarks → Famous Chinese Mountains and Rivers

China is home to some of the world's most famous mountains and rivers, which hold great cultural and historical significance. In this lesson, we will introduce you to some of the most well-known mountains and rivers in China, as well as some interesting cultural facts about them.

Don't hesitate to look into these other pages after completing this lesson: History & Double Ninth Festival and Chongyang Cake.

Famous Chinese Mountains

Mount Tai

Located in Shandong Province, Mount Tai is considered one of the Five Great Mountains of China, and has been a place of worship and pilgrimage for centuries. In fact, over the centuries, many emperors climbed the mountain, holding grand ceremonies to pray for prosperity or to seek divine guidance. Mount Tai is also known for its stunning sunrise and sunset views and its unique rock formations.

Here are some useful vocabulary words to describe Mount Tai:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English
泰山	Tài Shān	Mount Tai
日出	Rì chū	Sunrise
日落	Rì luò	Sunset
祭祀	Jì sì	Worship
祈求	Qí qiú	Pray for

Mount Huang

Also known as Huangshan, Mount Huang is located in Anhui Province and is famous for its steep peaks, winding paths, and stunning views. It has been an inspiration for many Chinese artists and writers who expressed the beauty of the mountain in their works. Mount Huang is also known for its unique pine trees, which grow in twisted shapes due to the harsh climate.

Here are some useful vocabulary words to describe Mount Huang:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English
黄山	Huáng Shān	Mount Huang
美景	Měi jǐng	Scenic View
松树	Sōng shù	Pine tree
怪石	Guài shí	Strange Rocks
风景名胜区	Fēng jǐng míng shèng qū	Scenic Area

Mount Emei

Located in Sichuan Province, Mount Emei is one of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains in China, and is home to many important Buddhist temples and monasteries. It is known for its stunning natural scenery, including waterfalls and hot springs, as well as its cultural and religious significance.

Here are some useful vocabulary words to describe Mount Emei:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English
峨眉山	É méi shān	Mount Emei
佛教	Fó jiào	Buddhism
寺庙	Sì miào	Temple
观音	Guān yīn	Avalokitesvara
温泉	Wēn quán	Hot Spring

Famous Chinese Rivers

The Yangtze River

The Yangtze River is the longest river in China and the third-longest in the world, running for over 6,000 kilometers from the glaciers of Tibet to the East China Sea. The river basin is home to over 400 million people and provides water for many of China's major cities. The Yangtze is also closely linked to Chinese culture and history, having inspired many poets and writers throughout the ages.

Here are some useful vocabulary words to describe the Yangtze River:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English
长江	Cháng Jiāng	Yangtze River
流域	Liú yù	River Basin
巨流	Jù liú	Great River
河口	Hé kǒu	River Mouth
洪水	Hóng shuǐ	Floods

The Yellow River

The Yellow River is often called the "Mother River of China" and is the second-longest in the country, running for over 5,000 kilometers through nine provinces. It is regarded as the cradle of Chinese civilization, and many ancient Chinese cultures developed in the river basin. The Yellow River is also famous for its unstable character, often causing devastating floods and droughts.

Here are some useful vocabulary words to describe the Yellow River:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English
黄河	Huáng hé	Yellow River
文化	Wén huà	Culture
中华	Zhōng huá	China
河流	Hé liú	River
洪水	Hóng shuǐ	Floods

The Li River

The Li River is located in Guangxi Province and is known for its clear waters, majestic karst landscapes, and breathtaking scenery. The 83-kilometer-long river is also famous for the traditional bamboo rafts that locals use to travel along it, as well as for inspiring many artists and poets throughout Chinese history.

Here are some useful vocabulary words to describe the Li River:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English
漓江	Lí jiāng	Li River
岩溶	Yán róng	Karst Landscapes
竹筏	Zhú fá	Bamboo Raft
风景	Fēng jǐng	Scenery
诗人	Shī rén	Poet

Conclusion

China's famous mountains and rivers are not just beautiful natural landmarks, but they are also important parts of Chinese culture and history. By learning about these famous sites in Mandarin Chinese, you can deepen your understanding of the language and the culture it represents.

Sources

• Mount Tai
• Mount Huang
• Mount Emei
• Yangtze River
• Yellow River
• Li River

Well done on mastering this lesson! Don't miss these related pages to expand your knowledge: Current Events and Issues in China and Beyond & Kung Fu.

Table of Contents - Mandarin Chinese Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Pinyin and Tones

• Pinyin Introduction
• Tones Introduction
• Tone Pairs

  ---

Greetings and Basic Expressions

• Greeting People
• Basic Expressions
• Numbers and Counters

  ---

Sentence Structure and Word Order

• Subject-Verb-Object Structure
• Question Words and Question Structure
• Adjectives and Adverbs
• Negation and Conjunctions
• Particles and Structure Particles

  ---

Daily Life and Survival Expressions

• Asking for Directions
• Ordering Food and Drinks
• Shopping and Bargaining
• Transport and Travel
• Emergencies and Medical Care

  ---

Chinese Festivals and Traditions

• Spring Festival and Chunyun
• Mid-Autumn Festival and Mooncakes
• Dragon Boat Festival and Zongzi
• Double Ninth Festival and Chongyang Cake

  ---

Verbs and Verb Usage

• Action Verbs and Stative Verbs
• Modal Verbs and Auxiliary Verbs
• Complex Verb Phrases

  ---

Hobbies, Sports and Activities

• Leisure Activities and Hobbies
• Sports and Exercise
• Outdoor Activities and Nature
• Music and Film

  ---

China's Geography and Landmarks

• China's Four Great Ancient Capitals
• Famous Chinese Mountains and Rivers
• China's Great Wall

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Common and Proper Nouns
• Personal Pronouns and Possessive Pronouns
• Demonstrative Pronouns and Interrogative Pronouns

  ---

Professions and Personality Traits

• Professions and Jobs
• Personality Traits and Characteristics
• Emotions and Feelings

  ---

Chinese Traditional Arts and Crafts

• Chinese Calligraphy and Painting
• Chinese Opera and Drama
• Chinese Knots and Paper-cutting

  ---

Comparative and Superlative

• Comparative Form and Usage
• Superlative Form and Usage

  ---

Cities, Countries and Tourist Destinations

• Chinese and International Cities
• Country Names and Nationalities
• Tourist Attractions and Transportation

  ---

Modern China and Current Events

• China's Economy and Business Landscape
• Chinese Art and Entertainment Scene
• Current Events and Issues in China and Beyond

Other Lessons

• China's Four Great Ancient Capitals
• Spring Festival and Chunyun
• Current Events and Issues in China and Beyond
• China's Great Wall
• Kung Fu
• Why Learn Chinese Mandarin
• Chinese Opera and Drama
• History
• Internet resources for learning Mandarin Chinese

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