Second season of CMG’s cultural show premieres Friday

The second season of "Encountering Civilizations", a cultural program by China Media Group (CMG), China's state broadcaster, will premiere on CCTV-4 at 19:30 Friday, tracing the development of Chinese civilization and its global impact.

Starting from Jan 11, 2025, the show will air every Saturday at the same time.

This season, themed "exchanges and mutual learning of civilizations", features 12 episodes covering topics like Chinese jade culture, ceramics, lacquerware, silk, traditional Chinese medicine, the Spring Festival, and the Tao Te Ching -- the work of Laozi, a Chinese sage who founded the Taoism school of philosophical thought over 2,500 years ago.

Through dialogues between experts from China and abroad, field visits, creative performances, and immersive visuals, the program traces the evolution of Chinese civilization, and illustrates its positive impact on the world so as to expand the global presence and influence of Chinese culture.

Nearly 60 scholars and experts from across the globe will contribute their unique academic insights, helping viewers understand cultural exchanges and the mutual enrichment of civilizations.

The show also innovatively integrates AR technology to bring to life "objects of mutual learning" - cultural artifacts, traditional customs, philosophies, and practices that embody the rich values of civilizations.

In the premiere episode, Chinese and international guests explore ancient jade artifacts, illustrating how jade has witnessed the unfolding journey of Chinese civilization.

They will also discuss the history of jade's global dissemination, its exquisite craftsmanship, and the aesthetic connections and contrasts between China and Western countries, taking viewers on a journey to deeply appreciate the charm of jade as a symbol of Chinese heritage.

Second season of CMG’s cultural show premieres Friday

Second season of CMG’s cultural show premieres Friday

A growing number of the Chinese elderly citizens have embraced a "migratory birds" lifestyle to spend winter in warmer areas in recent years, boosting local hospitality industry.

The Guangxi Beihai International Passenger Port, in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, is recently witnessing an increasing number of tourists, especially middle-aged and elderly people from the northern parts of China.

Colorful activities are held at the port to welcome the visitors, including lively folk song and dance performances, a rich variety of local cultural and creative accessories for sale, and foods with local characteristics.

"We first came to Beihai in 2019. My parents have been living here since then, and I travel back and forth. They have lived here for five years," said Pan Nan, a resident from northwest China's Gansu Province.

Beihai is located in the subtropics with a mild climate all year round, and the average temperature in winter is around 18 degrees Celsius. Many middle-aged and elderly people choose to spend the winter here and enjoy life together.

"What I am painting now is the mangroves in Beihai. I come from Shandong Province and I also have a property in Jiaodong Peninsula. I may stay there for a few months in the summer and spend most of the time here," said Li Baochun, another resident.

Many elderly people choose to rent homestays or hotels, and some even bought local properties in Beihai, making the city their second home.

"Now I basically live here in Beihai. Only after June in the summer, I go back to Datong for four months. Then I come back right after the National Day. I spend eight months here every year," said Li Yumei, a resident from north China's Shanxi Province.

According to statistics, the number of people living temporarily in Beihai increased from 150,000-160,000 in 2018 to more than 500,000 in 2023.

Seniors' embracing of 'migratory-bird' lifestyle contributes to Guangxi's tourism boom