Peking Opera, known as Jing Ju (Capital Opera), has a history of more than 200 years. Because of its patronage by the ruling Qing,or Manchu, dynasty, Peking Opera grew from a local folk art .to the standard bearer of theatrical art. It attained the prominent status of Guo Ju or National Opera of China. After the Qing Dynasty was overthrown in 1911, Peking Opera continued to gain popularity not only with the upper classes but also with students and intellectuals. By the 1920s, it had developed into a splendid art form and a popular means-of entertainment as well. In the capital alone, numerous theaters were established solely for op- era performances,and there were at least, three academies for training young performers and several pr0fess!onal opera troupes that performed every week.

本书主要是向外国读者介绍中国悠久的传统风俗文化，以帮助人们向外国友人传播中国文化。本书从语言的角度切入，分十二个专题来介绍中国的传统文化，如姓氏与文化、服饰与文化、中国传统中药与武术，中国得的佛教和道教等等。书中的文字偏重语言的口语表达特征，有利于传播的推广。不仅是一本好的英语专业学生的口语教材，更是一本的对外汉语教学的读本。 在每一个章节的介绍中，先从汉语言入手，再从文化的角度进行阐述。如中国人为什么说“挂羊头，卖狗肉”而从不说“挂狗头，卖羊肉”呢？对于这一类语言学上无法解答的问题，本书从传统文化的层面为此提供了较完整的答案。考虑到传播的现实性，本书在撰写和翻译中偏重语言的口语表达特征。