At least 8,000 years ago, Chinese ancestors discovered a beautiful stone – jade, while making polished stone tools – the start of a distinct jade-carving tradition. Ancient Chinese beliefs held jade to be the crystallization of the quintessence of heaven and earth. Thus, jade was sacred and often personified as well as endowed with aesthetic values. The exhibition displays the finest jade objects dating from the Neolithic times to the Qing Dynasty. (China.org.cn)

At least 8,000 years ago, Chinese ancestors discovered a beautiful stone – jade, while making polished stone tools – the start of a distinct jade-carving tradition. Ancient Chinese beliefs held jade to be the crystallization of the quintessence of heaven and earth. Thus, jade was sacred and often personified as well as endowed with aesthetic values. The exhibition displays the finest jade objects dating from the Neolithic times to the Qing Dynasty. (China.org.cn)

Folk artist Xie Yunxian (5th R) introduces the giant flour-made dragons to children in Wangrong County, north China's Shanxi Province, Dec. 27, 2011. Xie spent 3 days making two 3-meter-long dragons with 125 kilograms flours to welcome the coming Chinese traditional lunar new year, the Year of Dragon. (Xinhua/Xue Jun)

Folk artist Xie Yunxian introduces the giant flour-made dragons to children in Wangrong County, north China's Shanxi Province, Dec. 27, 2011. Xie spent 3 days making two 3-meter-long dragons with 125 kilograms flours to welcome the coming Chinese traditional lunar new year, the Year of Dragon.