100 amazing facts about China you wouldn’t believe

Henry Kissinger “China is a great civilization pretending to be a nation.”

China, a land of history, innovation, and culture, spans thousands of years and boasts a geographical diversity that’s as broad as its cultural spectrum. Here are 100 amazing facts about China that will surprise and enlighten you:

1. The Great Wall of China is not visible from space by the naked eye. It’s a common myth, debunked by astronauts.
2. China is home to all the pandas in the world. Every single panda living outside of China is on loan from the country.
3. Fortune cookies are not a Chinese invention. They were invented by a Japanese resident in San Francisco.
4. China used more cement in 3 years (2011-2013) than the U.S. used in the entire 20th century.
5. China is the world’s largest exporter of goods.
6. Chinese New Year causes the largest annual human migration in the world.
7. Cricket fighting is a popular amusement in China. It dates back over 1,000 years.
8. China has only one time zone. Despite its size, all of China operates on Beijing time.
9. The PlayStation was illegal in China from 2000 until 2014. The ban was to prevent youth from wasting their time.
10. China is home to a ghost city. Ordos Kangbashi was built for over a million people, but remains largely uninhabited.
11. China has the highest number of languages spoken with over 300 different languages recorded.
12. In Ancient China, soldiers sometimes wore armor made from paper.
13. The Chinese New Year celebration lasts for 15 days.
14. The color red symbolizes happiness and prosperity, hence its abundance in festivals and important events.
15. Ping pong is considered the national sport of China.
16. China has the largest number of Buddha statues in the world. The Leshan Giant Buddha, carved out of a cliff face, is the largest stone Buddha in the world.
17. China introduced tea to the world. It originated there around 2737 BC, according to legend.
18. Toilet paper was invented in China in the late 1300s for the Emperor’s use.
19. Gunpowder, paper, printing, and the compass are four great ancient inventions from China.
20. China has the largest standing army on Earth.
21. The Terracotta Army is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China.
22. The Chinese bullet train has a maximum operating speed of over 430 km/h (267 mph).
23. China is the world’s largest consumer and producer of rice.
24. The Shanghai Maglev Train is the fastest commercial electric train in the world.
25. There are over 40,000 Chinese characters, but a literacy of about 3,000 is needed to read a newspaper.
26. The Han Dynasty is considered the golden age in Chinese history.
27. Mount Everest, the world’s tallest mountain, is located on the border between China and Nepal.
28. The Chinese zodiac, used for dating years, runs on a 12-year cycle, each year associated with a specific animal.
29. In ancient China, mirrors were believed to protect their owners from evil.
30. China is one of the largest producers and users of renewable energy, particularly wind and solar energy.
31. The Chinese invented kites about 2,300 years ago.
32. In China, every year is associated with one of the 12 animals.
33. ‘Dragon Lady’ is a term used in historical texts to describe a strong, but scheming woman who, in theory, could manipulate her way to royal power.
34. The Forbidden City, a palace complex in central Beijing, houses the Palace Museum and was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty.
35. The Silk Road originated in China and was an important trade route connecting China to the Mediterranean.
36. Chinese monks are credited with introducing tea to Japan.
37. The last emperor of China, Puyi, was dethroned in 1912.
38. China’s Grand Canal is the longest and oldest canal in the world.
39. Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter are blocked in China. Instead, Weibo and WeChat dominate social media.
40. The Three Gorges Dam in China is the largest hydroelectric dam in the world.
41. In traditional Chinese culture, the number 4 is considered unlucky because it sounds like the word for death.
42. China’s national football team has appeared in the FIFA World Cup only once, in 2002.
43. The Chinese consider their names too important to be directly addressed by others. Thus, they often use nicknames.
44. China has the largest market for automobiles in the world.
45. The Chinese currency is officially known as the Renminbi, commonly known as the yuan.
46. In ancient China, civil servants were selected through rigorous state examinations, a system that lasted until 1905.
47. Ice cream was invented in China around 2000 BC when the Chinese packed a soft milk and rice mixture in the snow.
48. The Great Wall of China is longer than the whole distance around the equator.
49. China owns all the pandas in the world; any pandas outside China are sent abroad on a lease basis.
50. Hong Kong has more skyscrapers than any other city in the world.
51. The ‘China’ in porcelain comes from its country of origin.
52. The most popular surname in China is Wang.
53. In China, there are 34 administrative divisions called provinces, but they include provinces, municipalities, autonomous regions, and special administrative regions.
54. China has a festival dedicated to dogs, celebrated in the Yulin region.
55. China’s railway lines could loop around earth twice.
56. The Potala Palace in Tibet is one of the highest ancient buildings in the world.
57. China’s Hukou system controls domestic migration much like passport controls international travel.
58. Chinese white dolphins, found in the Pearl River Delta, are pink.
59. The first known currency was created in China 3,000 years ago, a form of bronze shells.
60. The first paper money was created in China 1,400 years ago.
61. China has the largest variety of native flora and fauna in the world due to its diverse climates and geography.
62. Chopsticks were invented in China around 1200 BCE.
63. The Chinese giant salamander can grow to be 6 feet (1.8 meters) long, making it the largest salamander in the world.
64. The practice of foot binding was popular in China for over a thousand years and was considered a sign of beauty and status.
65. China is one of the earliest civilizations to use decimal and negative numbers.
66. Tea originated in China and was used as a medicinal drink.
67. The concept of banknotes was also developed in China during the Tang Dynasty.
68. China is known for its four great inventions: papermaking, the compass, gunpowder, and printing.
69. The Chinese language is the oldest written language in the world with over 6,000 years of history.
70. China’s Yungang Grottoes have 51,000 Buddha statues.
71. In ancient China, seismographs were invented to detect earthquakes hundreds of miles away.
72. The first known use of an umbrella in China dates back to over 2,000 years ago.
73. The tradition of drinking tea was believed to have medicinal qualities that promoted long life and good health.
74. During the Ming Dynasty, China had the largest navy in the world.
75. Chinese doctors knew about certain aspects of blood circulation long before William Harvey discovered the circulation of blood.
76. In 2018, China launched more rockets into space than any other country.
77. The Chinese Lantern Festival is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first Chinese lunar month and marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations.
78. Mogao Caves, also known as the Thousand Buddha Grottoes, contain some of the finest examples of Buddhist art spanning a period of 1,000 years.
79. China is the world’s largest producer of gold.
80. Traditional Chinese medicine has been practiced for more than 2,500 years and includes various forms of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage (tui na), exercise (qigong), and dietary therapy.
81. The concept of “yin” and “yang” describes how seemingly opposite forces are interconnected and interdependent in the natural world.
82. The Chinese calendar is lunisolar, incorporating elements of a lunar calendar with those of a solar calendar.
83. The game of Go originated in China more than 2,500 years ago.
84. Confucius, a Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher, founded Confucianism, a system of philosophical and ethical teachings.
85. The Qixi Festival, or Chinese Valentine’s Day, falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month each year.
86. China is home to some of the tallest statues in the world, including the Spring Temple Buddha and the Guanyin of Nanshan.
87. China was the first country to use paper money.
88. Sichuan, China, is famous for its spicy cuisine, particularly the Sichuan pepper.
89. China’s Qingdao Haiwan Bridge is the world’s longest sea bridge.
90. China has a national holiday known as Tomb Sweeping Day where people go to tidy up their ancestors’ graves.
91. The ancient Chinese military text, “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu, is widely studied around the world today.
92. The Chinese city of Chongqing is considered the world’s largest city by population, with a population greater than that of entire countries such as Chile.
93. Chinese calligraphy is a revered art form and has been practiced in China for centuries.
94. The Three Gorges Dam in China is the largest power station in terms of capacity.
95. China’s Tsinghua University is often ranked as the best university in Asia.
96. The Giant Panda, native to south-central China, is a symbol of Chinese diplomacy.
97. China’s Belt and Road Initiative is one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects ever conceived, aiming to enhance regional connectivity and embrace a brighter economic future.
98. China has the world’s fastest train, the Shanghai Maglev, which reaches speeds of 431 km/h (268 mph).
99. The ancient Chinese were among the first to record observations of comets, solar eclipses, and supernovae.
100. China’s influence on the arts includes traditional music, theater, painting, calligraphy, opera, and cinema.

These facts showcase China’s rich tapestry of history, innovation, culture, and more, offering just a glimpse into the profound depth of this vast country. Whether it’s the ancient past or the high-tech present, China continues to fascinate and inspire the world.

Quotes about China

1. Napoleon Bonaparte
   • Quote: “China is a sleeping giant. Let her sleep, for when she wakes she will move the world.”
2. Pearl S. Buck
   • Quote: “China is more than a country, even more than a civilization; it is a culture and a state of mind.”
3. Henry Kissinger
   • Quote: “China is a great civilization pretending to be a nation.”
4. Warren Buffett
   • Quote: “The 19th century belonged to England, the 20th century belonged to the U.S., and the 21st century belongs to China. Invest accordingly.”
5. Mark Zuckerberg
   • Quote: “You can’t have a strong services economy without a strong manufacturing economy. And China is a great example of this.”
6. Confucius
   • Quote: “The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.”
7. Ai Weiwei
   • Quote: “China is an old nation with a colourful history. Its booming economy has triggered an appetite and a curiosity around the world for its art and culture, one that continues to grow as the Chinese government loosens its restrictions on cultural production and presentation.”
8. Peter Drucker
   • Quote: “China’s greatest advantage is that it is not managed by MBAs. Its management is Confucian. It is entrepreneurial and pragmatic.”
9. Martin Jacques
   • Quote: “The rise of China is a fact of life, long-term, and very transformative for the world.”
10. Jim Rogers
    • Quote: “If you were smart in 1807 you moved to London, if you were smart in 1907 you moved to New York City, and if you are smart in 2007 you move to Asia.”

How to Learn More About China

To delve deeper into understanding China’s rich history, dynamic present, and promising future, consider exploring these resources:

1. Books
   • “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu: A profound ancient military treatise that offers insights into Chinese philosophy and strategy.
   • “On China” by Henry Kissinger: Provides an extensive overview of China’s diplomatic history and foreign relations.
   • “Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China” by Jung Chang: A personal history that covers a family’s experiences over three generations in China.
   • “Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China” by Evan Osnos: Explores the tensions between the rise of individualism and the Chinese Communist Party’s attempt to maintain control.
2. Documentaries and Films
   • “The Last Emperor” (1987): A biographical film that portrays the life of Puyi, the last Emperor of China.
   • “Wild China” (BBC): A nature documentary that provides an in-depth look at China’s diverse landscapes and wildlife.
   • “Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry” (2012): Follows the life of Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei.
3. Courses and Lectures
   • EdX and Coursera: Offer online courses from universities around the world, including courses on Chinese history, culture, and modern society.
   • YouTube Educational Channels: Channels like CrashCourse or TED-Ed often have videos related to China’s history and its role in global affairs.
4. Travel
   • Visiting China: Traveling to China can provide an immersive way to understand the culture, people, and dynamics of the country. Experiencing places like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and modern cities like Shanghai can give a firsthand understanding of China’s past and present.
5. Cultural Exchange
   • Language Learning: Learning Mandarin can open up many doors to understanding Chinese culture and history more deeply.
   • Cultural Festivals: Participating in Chinese festivals and events in your local area or globally can also provide a deeper insight into the traditions and contemporary culture of China.

These resources can significantly enhance your understanding of China through multiple perspectives, from its ancient roots to its role on the global stage today.