Haishi Day (or Cold Food Day) is the very day just before the Qingming Festival (also named Tomb Sweeping Festival, or Clear and Bright Festival). On the day every year, no fire or smoke is allowed and people shall eat cold food for the whole day.

According to the legend, the day is in memory of Jie Zhitui who lived in the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC). Jie was a good official in the Jin State, working for Crown Prince Chong’er. When Jin State was in disorder, Chong’er was forced to leave for other states with his followers and supporters, including Jie. On the way of exile they went through all kinds of hardships and difficulties. To save the starving Chong’er, Jie even cut the flesh off his own leg and boiled for Chong’er. After becoming the king, Chong’er began to forget Jie soon. Jie was so sad that he prepared to leave and live in seclusion with his mother in mountains.

Chong’er felt so blameworthy that he in person went to the mountains to look for Jie. For it was impossible to find him in the endless trees and hills, Chong’er ordered to set the mountain on fire, so as to force Jie out. But Jie didn’t show up; he and his mother were found to be dead in arms after the fire was put out, together with a note written by him in blood: I cut off my own flesh to devote to you, only to wish my king will always be clear and bright. “

Around 250 students from 23 countries at East China Normal University, who are staying in Shanghai during the winter Vacation, celebrated this year’s Spring Festival ahead of time on its campus.

Many wore traditional Chinese clothes, and tried writing Chinese calligraphy (书法) and Spring Festival couplets, a pair of poetry lines pasted (粘贴)on both sides of a front door and a four-character horizontal scroll (横幅)pasted above, to express happiness and wishes for a better life in the coming year.

Some learned to make Chinese dumplings, a traditional Spring Festival food.

Nilab Oppal from Uzbekistan said she loved Chinese calligraphy as a way of learning Chinese and relaxing. She had learned calligraphy for six months, but had little time to practice because of her busy study schedule. “I’m glad to have the chance to write calligraphy here today,” she said.

Zain ul Abdin from Pakistan spent almost the whole afternoon writing calligraphy and finished his first Spring Festival couplets. He said he would like to paste them on the door his dorm (宿舍)room to add some Spring Festival atmosphere.

In the evening, teachers had dinner with them and gave them hongbao, the red envelopes with money that families give to children and old people on Chinese New Year’s Eve.

“It’s my first time to get a hongbao.” said Nurriia Sulaiman Kvzy, a Kvreyzstan student majoring in teaching Chinese as a second language. “It’s only 10 yuan, but I’m very glad to experience Chinese culture. It will be helpful for me to teach Chinese language and culture to my students in the future.”

She said it was the fourth year she had spent the winter vacation and celebrated the festival at the university, in Shanghai.

“The Chinese New Year is very interesting; everything is in red and people all go back home to celebrate it together. I’m looking forward to a chance to spend some days in a Chinese family to see how they celebrate the festival,” she said.

The Museum: The Charles Dickens Museum in London is the world’s most important collection of material relating to the great Victorian novelist and social commentator(时事评论员). The only surviving London home of Dickens (from 1837 until 1839) was opened as a museum in 1925 and is still welcoming visitors from all over the world. On four floors, visitors can see paintings, rare editions, manuscripts(手稿),original furniture and many items relating to the life of one of the most popular and beloved personalities of the Victorian age.

Opening Hours

The Museum is open from Mondays to Saturdays 10:00—17:00; Sundays 11:00—17:00.

Last admission is 30 minutes before closing time.

Special opening times can be arranged for groups , who may wish to book a private view.

Admission Charges: Adults: £5.00; Students: £4.00; Seniors: £4.00; Children: £3.00; Families: £14.00 ( 2 adults & up to five children)

Group Rates: For a group of 10 or more, a special group rate of £4.00 each applies. Children will still be admitted for £3.00 each.

Access: We are constantly working to improve access to the Muse um and its collection. Our current projects involve the fitting of a wheelchair ramp（波道）for better access, a customer care kit and an audio tour for visitors with impaired(受损的)vision. Our Handling Sessions are also suitable for the visually（视觉上地）impaired. The Museum has developed an online virtual（虚拟的）tour through the Museum. Click here to visit all the rooms in the Museum online.

Hire the Museum: The Museum can be hired for private functions, performances soirees(社交晚会)and many other social occasions.

Find Us: The Museum may be reached by using the following buses:7,17, 19, 38, 45, 46, 55, 243. And by these underground services: Piccadilly Line; Central Line. For a map, please click here. T he British Museum and the        Foundling Museum are within walking distance.