"Take care of the elderly, take care of the children". The first words I here when entering the Taiwan Airport. Even though Taiwan does not consider itself a part of China, my brain started and continued to wonder about the deep core of Chinese human connections and why those phrases were said over the intercom. On the trip, I learned the core value of sharing and looking after one another. Being loving and respectful, especially to the elderly. To be mindful of either people. Specific architectures I visited during the trip also played a key role in solidifying these values. In the following pages, we will explore themes such as cuisine, history of moral ethics, nature, & the influence of architecture on the strong human connection and moral values play in Chinese traditions and customs.
Garden Of Suzhou
Built during the Ming and Qing dynasties and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site between 1997 and 2000, this garden is renowned for its harmonious blend of architecture and nature. The gardens' illustrations represent the landscape changes between the 8th and 20th centuries, as each pond represents a specific period. Garden art featured here includes stone piling (the first type of garden art created), water streaming, ancient architecture, plant pacing, shaping, and so on. With scenic viewpoints, teahouses, and halls, the maze-like garden emphasizes the themes of surprise layout and asymmetry.
Common plants featured in the Garden of Suzhou include bamboo, pine, lotus, and plum blossom. With elements including rocks, pavilions, ponds, and bridges, this scenery is the perfect place to unwind and journal (as I did). The gardens reflect a blend of Confucian, Taoist, and Buddhist values, which are order and harmony, family and moral cultivation, and spiritual escape. Its peaceful atmosphere allowed for social gatherings and reflection, with the sounds of laughter and strangers connecting. The garden continues to inspire and influence Chinese art, all while preserving its moral values of human connection and culture.
Cuisine
Food was everywhere! From street corners to food trucks to malls, Chinese cuisine was everywhere we looked. During the trip, I learned the importance of sharing. In every restaurant we went to, there was food placed on a spinning table, which made dining very easy. The only challenge was sharing, because I was not used to this in the U.S. I'm used to menus and ordering personal food, but buffet-style dining allowed for more connection and conversation. From duck, to pigeon, soup dumplings, and bao, my taste buds were enriched with culture. The food was fresh, and the servers were so kind! But how does food relate to relationships and morality in Chinese culture?
In traditional Chinese culture, food plays an important role in honoring ancestors, especially during ceremonial rituals. Farming and preparing food are considered meaningful responsibilities, reflecting pride in providing for one’s family. Tending the land and sharing its harvest are seen as acts of goodness and moral strength. Meals are often served family-style, where everyone shares from the same dishes—a custom that symbolizes togetherness and strong family bonds. The belief in yin and yang highlights the importance of balance in diet, life, and relationships. Certain foods even show symbolism of moral values which are:
Fish- Represents abundance and prosperity. Dumplings- Wealth and family reunion Noodles- Long Life & Health
Food is a moral language and a social bridge in Chinese culture as it connects to generations of moral lessons and building human connection.
Origin of Moral Ethics
The moral values in Chinese culture come from three important belief systems: Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism. These philosophies helped shape how people treat each other and how they live together in peace. Confucianism, started by a teacher named Confucius around 500 BCE, taught that being a good person means respecting others—especially your parents, elders, and teachers. He believed that strong families and respectful relationships create a better society. Important ideas from Confucius include Ren (being kind), Li (showing good manners and following traditions), and Xiao (respecting your parents). These values encouraged people to care for one another and stay connected.
Daoism, created by Laozi around the same time, taught people to live simply and in harmony with nature. It said that fighting and selfishness hurt relationships, while peace and balance help people get along. Daoism helped people understand the importance of calm, natural connections with others and the world around them.
Later, around the 1st century CE, Buddhism came to China from India. It taught people to be kind, avoid harm, and think about how their actions affect others. The ideas of compassion and understanding helped people build stronger emotional and spiritual bonds.
Influence of Architecture
Did you know that the Summer Palace was built to celebrate Emperor Qianlong's mother's birthday? Built between 1736-1795, the Summer Palace painted itself as an escape while also serving as a celebration. Focusing on the needs of their people, the summer palace was also built so people could escape the summer heat in Beijing. It was once used as a royal garden and a peaceful retreat for the emperor and his family. With its huge lake, colorful temples, and stone bridges, the palace was meant to bring people closer to nature and each other. In Chinese culture, spending time in nature and with loved ones is important for peace and happiness, and the Summer Palace was designed to help people do just that. When I visited, I couldn’t stop journaling. I met some friendly tourists and took pictures and videos with them.
The Xi'an city wall, one of my favorite places I visited on the trip, felt so unreal! We walked up the stairs to a huge walkway with a temple to rest at on the other end. The clothes I was wearing were like warrior/princess clothing (kind of like costumes) that made me feel royal. Built during the Sui and Tang Dynasties (581-907 AD), the city wall served as a defense to protect the ancient capital city from war, etc. Now, the city gates are where people meet and where markets are held.
Summary
The best trip ever. I will never forget the connections I made, the things I saw, and the feelings I felt. I will forever cherish China in my heart, reflecting on its moral values and human connections. WE MISS YOU, CHINA! :)
Credits:
Created with images by brostock - "Asian family enjoy eating food on street food restaurant with crowd of people at Yaowarat road, Bangkok" • creativefamily - "NANNING, CHINA - JUNE 9, 2017: Food on the Zhongshan Snack Street, a food market in Nanning with many people bying food and walking around" • chungking - "shanghai skyline panorama in sunset" • ABCDstock - "Imperial Summer Palace in Beijing,China." • hogehoge511 - "There is notebook with the word Summary. It is as an eye-catching image."