In human history, many ancient and splendid civilizations were born and died. China is the only country with uninterrupted human civilization. Chinese civilization was born on the shores of the Yellow River in 2,800 BC. And the fertile land where Chinese civilization began is Henan Province. 

在人类历史上，许多古老和灿烂文明由诞生到死亡，而中国是人类文明唯一没有中断的国家。中国古代文明诞生于公元前2800的黄河流域，而土地肥沃的河南省是中国文明开始的地方。

The yellow river traverses central Henan. It is China’s main north-to-south and east-to-west artery. China’s most ancient tribal leaders the Yellow Emperor and the Yan Emperor were born here. Even today, Chinese people all over the world still call each other the descendants of these two emperors. 

黄河横贯河南省，是古代中国的交通要到，中国最古老的部落首领黄帝和炎帝都出生在这里。即使在今天，中国人在世界各地仍然使用着炎黄子孙这个称呼。

 The magnificent river holds an unshakable position in the heart of every Chinese, worshiped by every generation and called “the mother river”. With wit, diligence and tenacity, Chinese descendants pursue co-existence and common prosperity on this land. The 5,000-km Yellow River breaks the last barrier and flows into the broad plain, forming the cradle of Chinese civilization. 

黄河被称为“母亲河”，在中国人心中有不可动摇的地位。5000公里长的黄河打破了最后一道屏障，流入广阔的平原，形成了中国文明的摇篮，成为了智慧，勤奋和坚韧的炎黄子孙后裔共同追求的这片土地。

 With 2,000 years’ history, the Yellow River has nourished 13 dynasties’ capital Luoyang, 10 dynasties’ capital Kaifeng and the biggest economic center in its basin --- Zhengzhou. 

经历了2000余年的风风雨雨，黄河流域酝酿出了13朝古都洛阳、10朝古都开封以及中原经济重镇郑州。

在3200年的中国的历史长河中有20余个王朝，其中有200余位皇帝在河南称帝，并在河南留下了许多珍贵文物，其中三个被列为世界文化遗产，包括少林寺，龙门石窟和殷王朝遗址。

 In ancient Chinese cosmology, China was regarded as the center of the heaven and earth, and the center of China was Dengfeng. Therefore, Dengfeng became the popular location for the capitals and cultural center of early dynasties. 

在中国古代的宇宙观，中国被认为是天地的中心，而中国的中心是登封。因此，登封成为首都和早期王朝文化中心的热门地点。

The three mainstream cultures, Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism set up base here to carry forward their culture. And the essence lies in the buildings of “the Center of Heaven and Earth”, which have the longest history, most building types and the richest cultural connotations. 

三大主流文化，儒家学说，佛教，道教在这里设立基地并发扬自己的文化。少林寺是其中历史最悠久，最具建筑类型和丰富的文化内涵。

Writing is one of the most important manifestations of civilization. The oracle bone inscriptions found in the Yin Dynasty Ruins in Anyang, top the ten greatest archaeological discoveries in 20th century. As some of the oldest characters in the world, their cultural significance is remarkable. Fortunately, we can still enjoy their everlasting charm in the Ruins of Yin Dynasty. 

写作是文明的最重要的表现形式之一。在殷墟安阳发现的甲骨文，是20世纪的十大最重要的考古发现。做为世界上最古老的文字，他们的文化意义是非凡的。幸运的是，我们仍然可以享受殷商遗址的永恒魅力。

If characters are the manifestation of abstract civilization, stone inscription can be seen as the concrete representation of civilization. Longmen Grottoes, the magnificent stone carving complex in ancient China, with its over 100,000 statues stretching along one kilometer, was completed in pieces over 400 years from the Northern Wei Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty until the Northern Song Dynasty. It represents the highest achievement in the art of sculpture, which is a real the treasure in China in terms of religion, fine arts, architecture and calligraphy. 

如果字符是抽象文明的表现形式，那么石雕艺术就是有形文明的具体表现。龙门石窟，中国石雕艺术宝库，开凿于北魏孝文帝年间，历经了北魏、隋唐、五代和宋等数朝400余年的沧桑，在长达一公里的峭壁尚，10余万尊佛像栩栩如生。龙门石窟代表了中国古代佛雕艺术的顶峰，是宗教、美术、建筑和书法的宝贵财富。

In the long history of Chinese civilization, we may feel that the unique Chinese characteristics are all around us and within us, which is to a large extent reflected in Kungfu. Kungfu or martial arts can only be mastered through hard work and practice, which contains rich yet profound Chinese philosophy, whether in curing diseases and improving health, or in subduing the enemy and preventing conflict, Kungfu can even have an effect on the daily lives of Kungfu fighters.

在中国文明的历史长河中，我们可能会觉得独具中国特色的就在我们身边，功夫就是其中之一。功夫或武术只能通过勤学苦练，但其中含有丰富而深刻的中国哲学，无论是在治疗疾病和提高健康水平，或者是在征服敌人和防止冲突中都能体现出来。

 “All styles or schools of martial art originate from Shaolin Temple”. Today, Shaolin Kungfu has become a window of Chinese culture to the world, which also turns Shaolin Temple into the most influential ‘holy land’ of martial arts in the world.

“天下武功出少林”。如今，少林功夫已经成为中国文化走向世界的一个窗口，同时也把少林寺变成了世界武术最有影响力的“圣地”。

Moreover, Tai Chi or Shadow Boxing, another school of Kungfu in Chinese martial art culture, was born here as well. It’s said that when a fighter surnamed Chen saw the symbol of Tai Chi in a place named Chenjiagou where two rivers flowed together, he then founded the world-famous school of martial art ---- Tai Chi. After realizing that the universe consisits of Yin and Yang, Tai Chi, because of its combination of Chinese Confucianism Taoism, Oriental Inclusive Concept, and unremitting effort to the unity of nature and man, can help attain the goals of self-cultivation and longevity. 

此外，太极拳是中国武术文化的另一所学校，同样也在这里诞生。有人说，一位陈姓的武者在两条河流交汇的地方陈家沟看到太极的符号，然后他创立了一个世界著名的武术流派——太极。太极以中国传统儒、道哲学中的太极、阴阳辩证理念为核心思想，集颐养性情、强身健体、技击对抗等多种功能为一体，结合易学的阴阳五行之变化，中医经络学，古代的导引术和吐纳术形成的一种内外兼修、柔和、缓慢、轻灵、刚柔相济的汉族传统拳术。

Chinese civilization with it’s thousands of years of history is just like an old man, remaining stubborn, tenacious, intelligent and industrious. No matter what happens in the world, he is always standing there with a big smile and an inclusive attitude. 

中国文明与它的几千年的历史，就像一个倔强，坚韧，智慧和勤劳的老人。无论发生任何事情，他总是用灿烂的笑容和包容的态度站在那里。

Henan, the cradle of Chinese civilization, is a treasure trove of cultural relics, defying the concepts of space and time and shining brightly over us. 

河南，中国文明的摇篮，是文物的宝库，不畏空间和时间的概念和灿烂地照耀着我们。

Many martial arts fans already thought about training Shaolin Kung Fu, Tai Chi or Sanda (Chinese boxing) with the monks directly in Shaolin. In the past, China was not an "easy" country for traveling, but now, many things are changed. Many of Chinese people understand the English language, it is better for you to grasp the basics of Chinese, if you can not speak Chinese, you will have a chance to learn Chinese for a short traveling trip of some weeks. Kill two birds with one stone. What a cost-efficient gongfu trip!

On July 14th, vice mayor Liu Dong presided over the tenth session of Zhengzhou international Shaolin Wushu Festival Chinese preparatory meeting.

After listening to the various departments of the report, Liu Dong pointed out, by hosting the Chinese Zhengzhou international Shaolin Wushu Festival, the purpose is to promote the popularization and promotion of Wushu in the world, vigorously promote Zhengzhou, let the world know Zhengzhou, let Zhengzhou go to the world, promote exchanges and cooperation between Zhengzhou and the  world countries and the area, Zhengzhou to accelerate the comprehensive construction of a harmonious society and the pace of construction of area of Central Plains economy core growth areas, promote to make a positive contribution to the rise of central china.

To the preparatory work, Liu Dong stressed, first, we should attach great importance to careful arrangements and scientific planning; Secondly,  clear ideas, well-organized, unified thought; thridly,  ensure the safet protection and pay attention to actual effect.

　　7月14日，副市长刘东主持召开第十届中国郑州国际少林武术节筹备工作会议。