This course provides the basics of ancient Chinese poetry and techniques of its appreciation. In the class, we will experiment with translating an English poem into different Chinese versions by using the formats and styles of Shijing (诗经体), Lisao (离骚体), Seven-syllables Poems of Four or Eight Lines (七言绝句和七言律诗), as well as Song Poetry (宋词), as an unique experience of the rich and colourful Chinese poetry. Special focus will be given to the poems of Tang Dynasty from varied schools, including the poems of remote lands, pastoral poems, poems of the Realist School and the romanticists, in addition to Song Dynasty poems from two distinctive schools – the Bold School and the Restrained School. The attendees will learn the touching stories about the poets’ passion for the country and life and their life wisdom. At the same time, the attendees will experience the unique charm of ancient Chinese poems when reading the poems in class.