1. [Chinese Food] In most dishes in Chinese cuisine, food is prepared in bite-sized pieces (e.g. vegetable, meat, doufu), ready for direct picking up and eating. Traditionally, Chinese culture considered using knives and forks at the table barbaric due to fact that these implements are regarded as weapons. It was also considered ungracious to have guests work at cutting their own food.
2. [HangZhou Food] One of the traditional foods in Hangzhou is the "Pian Er Chuan" Noodle. This is a very delicious noodle made in spiced soup with lean pork, bamboo shoots and a local vegetable called Xue Cai (snow vegetable). Making of the noodle dish can date back to a century ago and is the specialty of a century-old restaurant in Hangzhou called "Kui Yuan Guan".
3. [HangZhou Food] Another traditional dessert is the onion Pancake. Wrapped by rice paper, stuffed with onion and fried bread, and baked until turning brown, this pancake is dipped in sauce before eating. The snack is associated with the national hero Er Fei and the notorious person who prosecuted Er Fei, Qing kui.
4. [Chinese culture] Many ethnic groups have existed in China. In terms of numbers, however, the pre-eminent ethnic group is the Han Chinese. Throughout history, many groups have been assimilated into neighboring ethnicities or disappeared without a trace. At the same time, many within the Han identity have maintained distinct linguistic and regional cultural traditions. The term Zhonghua Minzu has been used to describe the notion of Chinese nationalism in general. Much of the traditional cultural identity within the community has to do with distinguishing the family name.
5. [Culture] A large part of traditional Chinese culture is about finding the balance of Yin and Yang in relation to Qi, health and the meridian system in order to find harmony. Traditional Chinese medicine consists of a number of treatments including Chinese herbology and acupuncture. Other less intrusive forms of health improvement include qigong and meditation.
