Yellow River, Puyang, China


We describe the Yellow River as mother river, for it was from there Chinese people emerged and started our culture. It was sad to see it having various environmental issues. But at the same time when I went there and dipped the cloth into the water, I felt that I was facing something greater. I arrived there around dusk. There was a huge fog. Everything was pretty much grey except the sun, which was setting above the river. The sheep were starting to go home. While we waited for the cloth to dry we watched the country going dark and quiet. It was quite a magical moment. – Artist, Yu Su.


Changhe River, Beijing, China

“2nd graders from the Tsinghua International School dipping fabric, collecting water samples, and making drawings of the surroundings at the Summer Palace in our district (Haidian).” The Changhe River creates Kunming Lake at the ancient Summer Palace in Beijing.
Regina Maniaci, Art Teacher
Lazaros Chatzimanolis, Science Teacher

Major rivers flowing through the city of Beijing, in a southerly direction from mountains in the west, create a series of canals and reservoirs that have irrigated fields for over 3,500 year. The Changhe River flows through the Summer Palace to plenish a shallow manmade lake called Kunming Lake, which was created by extending an existing body of water. The water that fills the lake originated from a spring at “Jade Mountain.” [See oral history below]

Drawings of the landscape and gardens at the Summer Palace:

“An oral history about our district . . . very interesting!” Learn about all the natural fresh water springs that once surrounded this ancient area.

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A joint science and art assignment! The children loved seeing living organisms while viewing the water samples under a microscope!

The day ended with water painting in the playground!

The Han River, Shenyang, China

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Sun Rui uses the steps to reach the bank of the Han River, also called the Hunhe River (Hànshuǐ, 汉水.)