My grandmother was not one to sit back in times of turmoil. She was politically active and performed across the country promoting Nationalism. Her courageousness even lead her to be detained by the Japanese.

For an early age you could tell my grandmother was different. She was precocious and beautiful. An artist, a spy and a beauty her life was a whirlwind.

Performers recall the day of a spectacular performance at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympics.

"Heritage" sees its greatest number of participants in a single performance.

This video explains the origin of the Chinese proverb "Ai Wu Ji Wu."

Watch EMS' charming Mid-Autumn Festival commercial.

Upon learning about his secret, Fang Chao's parents force him out of the house.

Learn how the story of two impostors inspired the idiom, "To catch a turtle in a jar" (To go after easy prey).

Love gives Fang Chao the courage to make an important decision.

Fang Chao is every Chinese parent's dream- or at least it appears that way.

Learn the story behind the idiom, "A third party benefits from a tussle."

Learn how a trusting shepherd inspired the idiom, "To usher the wolf into the house" (To ask for trouble).

The story continues with Liu Bang plotting to seize the strategically-important Guanzhong area with a clever tactic of deception dubbed "To Secretly Cross at Chencang." After defeating Xiang Yu, Liu Bang went on to found the Han Dynasty.

This story brings alive the Chinese idiom about contentment. It depicts how a small little bird that is not strikingly beautiful stays happy every day.

A grizzly tale of a mysterious series of murders in Qing-era Guangdong gives us a saying which means "an absence of justice." This video explains the origins of the phrase and breaks down its meaning character by character.

Do you know whether ginger grows on the ground or in a tree? Unfortunately for the man in this video, neither does he.

This Eastern Han-era story of a principled man who turned down a duke's invitation is the origin of an expression which means "to flatter and suck up to."

Never look down on someone who is not as good as you in some areas. Here's why.

Gain a quick overview of the most important festivals in the Chinese calendar.

Did you know that a bottle of champagne can actually be a lethal weapon? Only if the bottle isn't opened correctly, that is. Watch Martin teach Zorro the basics of opening champagne in this episode of "The Connoisseur."

Do you know what exactly is inside a bottle of champagne? Where do those gas bubbles come from? Find out in this video!

In order to appreciate wine, you have to start with the fundamentals. In this video, get a basic introduction to the world of fine wines.

Before you even take your first sip of a wine, there’s a lot you need to know. From pouring, to swirling, to smelling, this video has it all.

Just when you think you’re ready to sample a wine, there are a few essentials that you can’t forget. In this video, let Martin the expert fill you in on just exactly what they are.