1950s－1970s: Simple entertainment

　　上世纪50－70年代：娱乐匮乏

During this period, leisure life was more spartan than today. Children’s games such as shuttlecock, hopscotch, reading picture-story books and playing marbles were popular. Leisure activities for adults included reading books and newspapers, watching theatrical performances and listening to the radio.

　　When holidays came, there were Yangko and stilt shows with people eager to participate. Among leisure activities of the time, singing songs in a low voice was perhaps the most common. Songs like “My Motherland” and “Lapping Waves of Honghu Lake” were favorites.

　　这一时期，中国人的休闲方式简单而单调。踢毽子、跳房子、看小人书、打玻璃弹珠是小孩子们常玩的游戏。大人们则是读书看报、听戏、听广播等。

　　过节时人们还会参加扭秧歌、踩高跷等表演。自己小声哼唱革命歌曲可以说是当时最普遍的休闲方式。

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1980s: Greater variety

　　上世纪80年代：日益丰富

China’s reform and opening-up policy heralded a more prosperous era. A variety of pastimes emerged -- video halls were ubiquitous and people indulged in Hong Kong and Taiwan movies. Billiards was another favorite pastime and the number of children who cut classes to play table tennis increased.

　　改革开放使国家日益繁盛，人民的休闲娱乐方式也随之丰富起来。那时候，录像厅非常常见，放映的多是港台电影。打台球和乒乓球都是年轻人喜爱的活动。

　　Disco, a totally new form of music to China, came into vogue. Console-based game players introduced such classics as Super Mario and Tetris. The emergence of black-and-white television changed people’s lives.

　　迪斯科几乎风靡了大半个中国。任天堂红白机的一款款经典游戏如超级玛丽、俄罗斯方块等伴随着孩子们的欢声笑语。

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1990s: Diversification

　　上世纪90年代：走向多元

The 1990s saw an ever-increasing diversification of people’s pastimes. The implementation of the five-day work week afforded people more leisure time

　　人们的休闲娱乐方式走向多元化。实行五天工作制使人们拥有充分的闲暇时间从事自己喜欢的休闲娱乐活动。

　　Going to karaoke or the movies, playing ball games, strolling in parks and shopping became frequent choices for city residents. Suburban residents continued to favor mahjong and fishing.

　　唱KTV、看电影、打球、逛公园、购物等受到城市居民的普遍喜爱，而钓鱼、打麻将则是农村居民闲暇时最喜爱的活动。

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Since 2000: Solo diversions

　　2000年以后：个性十足

The 21st century saw the emergence of the internet as an increasingly important presence in people’s daily lives. Surfing the Net has rapidly become a preferred form of entertainment, besting even television watching and reading books and newspapers.

　　People now attach an increased importance to quality of life. Travel, exercise and beauty treatment have become significant pastimes.

　　A few events continue to draw national attention. The 2005 Super Voice Girls turned contestants into overnight sensations and helped sponsors engage fans who identified with the populist format.

　　进入21世纪，人们的娱乐方式越来越依赖互联网。“上网”取代“看电视”和“读书看报”，成为人们首选的娱乐方式。

　　人们越来越看重生活品质，旅游、健身、美容等休闲活动已成为生活中不可缺少的部分。