Here are two good basic links on Chinese music, the guqin is the most revered Chinese instrument, and it's also my all-time worldwide favorite instrument. The other link is a cool thing that explains a Chinese orchestra and all the sections. Please let me know if you want more links.

Mike Gubman


Guqin Home page
http://www.iohk.com/UserPages/thompson/02b1qin.htm

Chinese Orchestra
http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/3271/Orchestra.html