LetterFromBeijing

Little county's claim to fame: Its residents speak perfect Mandarin

Everyone from kids to retirees in Luanping speak the putonghua that newscasters aspire to

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The small county of Luanping in Hebei province is known as “the home of putonghua”, or Mandarin. It runs pronunciation tests that teachers, newscasters and public servants nationwide are required to pass.
(Top) Primary 1 pupils in Luanping reciting poetry in class. Schools there emphasise cultivating perfect pronunciation in young children. (Above) People taking a test for Mandarin pronunciation in Luanping. The authorities require teachers, state ent
(Above) Primary 1 pupils in Luanping reciting poetry in class. Schools there emphasise cultivating perfect pronunciation in young children. ST PHOTO: TAN DAWN WEI
(Top) Primary 1 pupils in Luanping reciting poetry in class. Schools there emphasise cultivating perfect pronunciation in young children. (Above) People taking a test for Mandarin pronunciation in Luanping. The authorities require teachers, state ent
(Above) People taking a test for Mandarin pronunciation in Luanping. The authorities require teachers, state enterprise employees and front-line officials to be certified in Mandarin pronunciation. ST PHOTO: TAN DAWN WEI
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Flanked by mountains with a view of the Great Wall just two hours from Beijing is a small county of 320,000 people that has a reputation of national and historical proportions.

Luanping, in north-eastern Hebei province, is known as the home of putonghua, or Mandarin, the main official language of the People's Republic of China.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on November 08, 2020, with the headline Little county's claim to fame: Its residents speak perfect Mandarin. Subscribe