请将下面这段话翻译成英文：

　　中国是世界上最古老的文明之一，有着悠久的历史和灿烂的文化。中国在夏朝时开始进入了文明时代，创造了辉煌的科技和文化。指南针、火药、造纸术、印刷术是中国古代的四大发明，对世界文明和人类的进步做出了极大的贡献。中国的丝绸之路(the Silk Road)—世界上最古老的贸易通道—极大地促进了东西方文化的交流。长城、京杭大运河(grandcanal)被誉为世界工程奇迹。此外，中国有着丰富多彩的传统文化和民间艺术，例如京剧、剪纸、风筝、刺绣(embroidery)、皮影戏(shadow play)等。

　　参考翻译:

　　As one of the oldest civilizations of the world, Chinahas a long history and brilliant culture. Afterentering the era of civilization in the Xia Dynasty,China created glorious science and culture. Thecompass, gunpowder, paper-making and printingare considered to be the four great inventions of ancient China, which have contributedimmensely to the civilization of the world and the progress of mankind. The Silk Road of China,the oldest trade route in the world, largely promoted the cultural exchange between the Eastand the West. The Great Wall and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal are honored as theengineering wonders in the world. Besides, China has colorful traditional culture and folk artssuch as Beijing Opera, paper-cutting, kite, embroidery and shadow play.

　　1.第一个句子的主语是“中国”，后面跟着两个并列的谓语“是”和“有着”，翻译时可将“中国有着悠久的历史…”译为主句，将“是…之一”译为“as+名词短语”结构，即as one ofthe...，放在句首。

　　2.第二句的主干可理解为“中国创造了…”;将“中国在夏朝时开始进入了文明时代”作为时间状语处理，采用“after+动名词”结构来表达，译为After entering the era ofcivilization in the Xia Dynasty。

　　3.翻译“指南针、火药、造纸术、印刷术是…”这句话时，可使用which引导的非限制性定语从句来说明四大发明的贡献。

　　4.翻译“长城、京杭大运河被誉为世界工程奇迹”时需使用被动语态，“被誉为…”可译作be honored as...,bepraised as...,be known as...。