Last updated on May 21st, 2024 at 04:39 pm
Are you looking for some interesting facts about China? Look no further! We’ve got you covered with 32 important facts and 45 general facts about China for kids and preschoolers (specifically), presented in the form of infographics.
Whether you’re a student, a facts hunter, or a travel enthusiast looking to explore and visit in China, this blog post will help you gain a better understanding of the country and learn some important facts about this land of great wall.
When you hear the country China, what comes to your mind?
Is it the Great Wall; the bustling city of Shanghai ..? Or perhaps the delicious cuisine like dumplings and Peking duck .?
Of course, you may have heard some things about China, but trust me, there’s so much more to learn.
For me.., China is a land of captivating history.., amazing foods and vibrant culture – that spans thousands of years. It’s a country that has witnessed the rise and fall of many dynasties. Furthermore, this country has left an indelible mark on the world — with its “inventions and contributions.”
In this blog post, we will dig into some of the most fascinating and fun facts about China (People’s Republic of China) that will leave you amazed.
So, let’s dive right in!
Infographics: 45 General Facts about China for Kids and Preschoolers
32 Interesting Facts about China
Here are some important facts about china for you 😀
1. Paper Money First introduced in China
This is one of the cool facts about China. Paper money was 1st introduced in China, and notably, it was during the Tang Dynasty in the 7th century.
2. Half of World’s Pigs are in China
Half of the world’s pigs are in China, interestingly, the country also eats the most pork worldwide.
3. Home to highest railway track in the world
China’s railway network is so extensive that it could circle the globe twice, and what’s more, it includes the highest railway track in the world, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.
4. China is world’s fourth largest country
China, the world’s fourth largest country, in terms of geographic size, following Russia, Canada, and the United States and shares borders with multiple nations. Spanning 9.597 million km², it boasts a variety of landscapes such as deserts, forests, mountains, and plateaus.
5. Chinese Government Approval Needed to Renounce Nationality
Chinese citizens require Chinese government approval to renounce their nationality and obtain citizenship elsewhere.
6. Table Tennis: The National Sport of China
Table tennis is the national sport of China and has been dominating international competitions.
7. Terracotta Army: Most Significant archaeological finding in 20th century
Each soldier in China’s Terracotta Army (which took 37 years to build) (comprising 8,000 infantrymen) possesses a distinctive and unique face, making them extraordinary works of art.
The Terracotta Army was discovered in China, 1974 by local farmers in Xi’an, China, and is considered one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century.
8. Chinese: One of the Six official language of United Nations
Learning Chinese, with its complex and beautiful ancient characters numbering up to 50,000, presents an intriguing linguistic challenge and additionally, it’s one of the six official languages of the United Nations.
9. China's Diverse Natural Landscape
China’s geography, from tranquil farmlands to mountains shrouded in mist and stunning limestone formations and lakes, is incredibly diverse, housing the highest point (Mount Everest) and one of the lowest points (Turpan Depression) on Earth.
10. Popular Chinese Festivals
Chinese festivals, like the colorful Dragon Boat Festival or the visually striking Lantern Festival during Chinese New Year, are vibrant and lively, and are celebrated not only in China but by Chinese communities around the globe.
11. China: Leading in Technology and Internet Usage
China, from high-speed trains to rural innovation and smart technologies, is a powerhouse of technological advancement; it’s also known for having the highest number of internet users globally.
12. Rich and Ancient Chinese Tea Culture
Chinese tea culture, with a rich history spanning thousands of years, is deeply rooted in society; it’s also home to some of the world’s oldest tea trees.
13. Global Influence of Chinese Martial Arts
Chinese martial arts, from Tai Chi to the explosive power of Kung Fu, have a profound influence globally and have inspired numerous fighting styles and films.
14. China is Home to 57 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
China, with its 57 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including 38 cultural and 14 natural, boasts landmarks ranging from the Forbidden City to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, standing as the world’s third country with the most UNESCO sites.
15. Buddhism's Arrival in China and Cultural Impact
Buddhism entered China along the Silk Road around 500 AD, influencing its culture and becoming one of the major religions practiced in the country.
16. The Great Wall of China: a symbol of national pride
The Great Wall of China, stretching over 13,000 miles, is a testament to the ancient Chinese civilization and serves as a symbol of national pride.
17. Living in Caves: China’s Unique Living Tradition
More than 30 million Chinese people live in caves, especially in the Loess Plateau region, where cave dwellings have been used for centuries.
18. One out of the Every 6 people is Chinese
One out of every five people in the world is Chinese, making it the most populous country globally.
19. "Nian": The Mythical Creature of Chinese Lunar Year Traditions
In Chinese mythology, there is a creature called “Nian” which is said to devour humans and is traditionally warded off during the end of the lunar year celebrations.
20. Facebook Ban and the Rise of WeChat
Facebook has been banned in China since 2009, and notably, China has its own widely used social media platform called WeChat.
21. Origin of the Fortune Cookie
The fortune cookie made its first appearance in San Francisco’s Chinatown around 1900.
22. Rice as Mortar in the Great Wall of China
Rice is commonly used to stick other bricks on the Great Wall of China as mortar to strengthen its construction.
23. Origins of Tomato Ketchup sauce
Tomato ketchup sauce originated in China under the name “ke-tsiap,” which was a salty fish sauce.
24. The World's Largest Vacant Shopping Mall is in China
The world’s largest shopping mall (South China Mall), mostly vacant, is located in China, with a whopping 99% vacancy rate.
25. China's Instant Noodle Consumption
In 2011, China consumed approximately 42.5 billion packs of instant noodles.
26. China: The Most Populous Country
China, is the most populous country in the world. It has a population of 1.42 billion people (approximately) ; and interestingly, it’s home to – one of the world’s oldest civilizations.
27. Chinese Cuisine: A Culinary Delight with Diverse Flavors and Ingredients
Chinese food is enjoyed worldwide, and of course, it’s a culinary delight and chinese restaurants are found in most of the cities in the world, and is renowned for its blend of various flavors and packed variety of ingredients.
28. Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: most expensive Olympics in history
The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games is considered the most expensive Olympics in history, with a budget of around 40 billion dollars.
29. First chopsticks were used for Cooking and not for Eating
Chopsticks were invented in China. Built around 5,000 years ago (the first chopsticks were used not for eating but for cooking), and it’s fascinating to note that they are typically made from bamboo because of its resistance to heat.
30. Forbidden City: Beijing's Royal Palace, World's Largest for 500 Years
The Forbidden City (comprising around 9,000 rooms) is a royal and imperial palace in Beijing, and it’s noteworthy that it was considered the largest palace in the world for over 500 years.
31. The Yangtze River: China’s longest river
About one-third of China is mountainous, with numerous(thousands of) rivers such as the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers. The Yangtze River, at over 6,300km (3,914 miles), is not only China’s longest river, but also longest river in asia.
32. China is second Largest Economy in the world
According to IMF data as of December 2023, with GDP of USD 17786 billion, China is the second largest economy in the world.
Watch our Video: Important Facts about China
Read Also
Basic Facts about China for Preschoolers and Students
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official Name of the Country(s) | People’s Republic of China |
| Founder of the nation | Mao Zedong (1893–1976), Qin Shi-huang (259 BC - 210 BC) |
| Official Language(s) | Mandarin Chinese (Also Known as Putonghua) |
| Official Currency | Chinese Yuan (CNY) |
| Capital City | Beijing |
| Largest City | Shanghai |
| Population Size | Approximately 1.42 billion (As of March, 2023) |
| Area (in square kilometers) | About 9.597 million square kilometers |
| Time Zone(s) | China Standard Time (CST, UTC+8) |
| Bordering Countries | Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Vietnam |
| Climate and Weather Patterns | Diverse climate ranging from tropical in the south to subarctic in the north |
| Friendly Countries (Alliance) | Russia, Pakistan, Thailand, Egypt, Brazil, South Africa, etc. |
| Government Type | Socialist State |
| Head of State | President (Xi Jinping - since 2013; Re-elected in March 2008 & March 2023 for the third term) |
| Head of Government | Premier (Li Qiang- since March 11, 2023) |
| Independence Day | October 1st, 1949 (Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China) |
| National Holiday(s) | Chinese New Year (Spring Festival), National Day (October 1st), Mid-Autumn Festival |
| National Motto | No official Motto. ("Serve the People" is the Chinese Communist Party’s Motto) |
| National Emblem | Tiananmen Gate |
| National Flag | Red colored rectangle shape with five gold stars |
| National Anthem | March of the Volunteers |
| National Philosopher | Confucius |
| National Poet | Li Bai (also known as Li Bo) |
| National Bird | Red-crowned Crane |
| National Animal | Giant Panda, Chinese Dragon |
| National Flower | Peony (Paeonia lactiflora) - selected in 2019 |
| National Tree | Ginkgo Biloba |
| National Sports | Table Tennis (also known as Ping-Pong) |
| National Dress | Hanfu (traditional clothing), Cheongsam |
| National Dish(es) | Peking Duck |
| National Drink(s) | Baijiu (also known as shaojiu) |
| National fruit | Fuzzy kiwifruit, Jujube |
| National Instrument | guqin |
| National Parks | Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park, Huangshan Mountain |
| Official Religion(s) | 5 official religion; Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Protestantism, and Catholicism. |
| Major Ethnic Groups | Han Chinese (majority), Zhuang, Hui, Uyghur, Tibetan |
| Major Historical Events | Great Wall construction, The Qin Dynasty, The Ming Dynasty |
| National Achievements or Contributions | Inventions (papermaking, gunpowder, compass), Silk Road trade route, Chinese cuisine and tea culture |
| Famous Personalities | Confucius, Mao Zedong, Jackie Chan, Yao Ming |
| Major Cities | Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen |
| Major Industries | Manufacturing (electronics, textiles), Agriculture (rice, wheat), Technology (telecommunications) |
| Famous Landmarks or Monuments | Great Wall of China, Forbidden City, Terracotta Army, The Bund |
| World Heritage Sites | The Great Wall of China, The Forbidden City, The Summer Palace |
| Famous Historical Figures | Emperor Qin Shi Huang, Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty |
| Major Wars or Conflicts | Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945), Chinese Civil War (1945-1949) |
| Important Historical Documents | The Analects of Confucius |
| Landmarks or Sites of Cultural Significance | The Temple of Heaven, The Shaolin Temple |
| Celebrated Festivals or Events | Chinese New Year (Spring Festival), Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival), Dragon Boat Festival |
| Notable Sports Achievements | Multiple Olympic gold medals in table tennis and badminton |
| Cultural Traditions and Customs | Dragon dances during festivals, Chinese calligraphy and painting |
| Great Disasters in History | Tangshan Earthquake (1976) |
| Notable Inventions and Discoveries | Papermaking, Gunpowder, Compass, Printing press |
| Nobel Prize | Multiple Nobel laureates in various fields including Physics and Chemistry |
| Official Website (Government) | www.gov.cn |
| Country Calling Code | +86 |
| Internet TLD (Top-Level Domain) | .cn |
Conclusion
And there you have it, folks. I hope you found this blog post about interesting facts about China “informative and learned something” “New”. Please consider to share this post with your friends and family members if they wanted to learn something about China. Besides, we will continue to share surprising insights from different countries in future posts.
Thank you for reading!
