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Calligraphy
Chinese
characters developed from pictures and signs. Calligraphers use
fine paper, brushes, ink and an ink-stone.
Ink was made by grinding an ink
stick on an ink-stone with some water. Most people now use bottled
ink. The art of calligraphy has and still is handed down from
generation to generation.
Opera
Peking Opera is the most popular
form of Chinese opera. It began in the 19th century. The opera
combines singing, dancing, music, martial arts 
and
drama. Costumes, masks and elaborate make-up are an important
part of the opera. As well as singing, the actors and actresses
use hand and body movements to indicate emotions such as sadness,
anger or surprise. Stories for the operas are based on Chinese
history or are comedies or tragic dramas. Orchestras, playing
string and percussion instruments, accompany the singing.
Painting
Chinese painting dates back to pictures of fish, frogs, deer, birds and flowers on pottery that is 6 000 years old. Ancient Chinese paintings were made on walls in the tombs of the emperors of many dynasties.
Acrobatics
The first type of acrobatics to be developed in China was one in which warriors whirled heavy wheels with their hands. They did this to develop strength for fighting.
acrobats in
Shanghai
Later, acrobatic shows were part of the entertainment at palace banquets. Acrobats jumped through hoops, walked a tightrope, juggled objects with their feet and spun plates and bowls high in the air above their heads.
There are hundreds of acrobatic troupes and many have performed in countries around the world.
Carving is a popular Chinese art form and bamboo,
wood, jade, stone and horn are carved to depict various shapes,
masks, puppet heads, carved people, animals and flowers.
a white jade jar
Cloisonne
is created by mounting copper
strips and plating gold and silver on a surface of copper bottles,
bowls, cups and vases. 
small pieces of
copper are cut and bent to match the pattern for 
the design to be put onto
a piece of cloisonne
a worker sticks the small copper pattern pieces onto a vase.
the cloisonne is painted and then polished
some cloisonne objects
Acknowledge this
source in your bibliography like this:
China
(2001).
[Online], Available: www.kidcyber.com.au
updated May 2001
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