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Share these stories and fairy tales with your child at bedtime or anytime!

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Read folk tales from China in a vibrant online collection from authors R. Wilhelm, Norman Hinsdale Pitman, Andrew Lang and more.

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Share these traditional stories with your child at bedtime or anytime!

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Stories from Dr. Geng's Chinese Folklore, Myth and Legend Class - CSB/SJU

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Home / Languages and Cultures / Faculty/Staff / Zhihui Sophia Geng / Stories from Dr. Geng's Chinese Folklore, Myth and Legend Class

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学中文-动物合辑 | Learn Chinese for kids - Animals Compilation | Aprender Chino - Recopilación de animales

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Go beyond the Great Wall to find beautiful spots in China.

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10 Best Places to Visit in China - Travel Video

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Watch this video to see what China looked like before WWII

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Here's a fun, hands-on way to learn about and remember the Chinese Flag!

You will need:

Here is a cute little origami fan to fold for dolls, teddy bears, or just for decoration. And of course you can make it with a bigger piece of paper so that you can use it yourself.

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Here's a fun, hands-on way to learn about and remember the Chinese Flag! You will need: Here is a cute little origami fan to fold for dolls, teddy bears, or just for decoration. And of course you can make it with a bigger piece of paper so that you can use it yourself.

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Learn about these important holidays in this video and song.

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Check out this video of the silk worm cycle from the view of a microscope!

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From egg to moth: Silkworm under the Hirox Microscope (1080p)

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Every Chinese New Year Parade ends with a Dragon Dance. The parades start on New Year's Day and continue for the next fifteen days until the end of the festivities with the Lantern Festival.

The Dragon Parade is a highlight of the festivities. The Dragon represents wisdom, power, and wealth and a very important aspect of Chinese Culture. It is also said that the Dragon Dance performed on New Year's Day scares away the evil spirits and all the bad luck with them...

During the Dance, a dozen or so performers hold the dragon up on poles. They raise and lower the Dragon making him "dance" as they wind through the masses to the sounds of horns, drums and gongs.

The Chinese Dragon Parade is customarily performed along with Lion Dancers, acrobats, kung fu performers, and of course, the drums and horns, all ending in a burst of firecrackers!

Watch more China videos...

Above is a short clip of a Chinese New Year Dragon Dance at one of the many festivities in South Florida, click on the arrow to see the Dragon Dancers perform together with a team of Lion Dancers and drummers.

The frame of the Dragon itself was traditionally made of wood or bamboo, covered with material. Nowadays, lighter materials are used, such as aluminum and plastics.

For the Chinese Dragon costume, different colors can be chosen. The main body of the serpent could be green, for a great harvest, or yellow, to represent the empire; golden and silver colors symbolize prosperity, and red denote the excitement and good fortune of the festivities.

Dragons vary in length, some reaching up to 100 meters long! It is believed that the longer the Dragon is, the more luck it will bring!

Sometimes the Dragon follows a man carrying a ball on a stick. This is the "Pearl of Wisdom". It is said that the Dragon chasing this "pearl of wisdom" represents the Dragon's way to pursue insight and knowledge.

During Chinese New Year, sometimes it is a red or yellow globe, which is supposed to be the sun as the festival celebrates the spring rains and the sun for a good harvest.

Click on the arrow above to see the Dragon chasing the "Pearl of Wisdom"!

The Dragon Dance should not be confused with the Lion Dance. To learn about the Chinese Lion Dance click here.

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The Dragon dance is an important part of the Chinese New Year celebrations. It is carried on by a team of performers who hold the dragon up on poles, raising and lowering the Dragon making him dance. Take a look at our video.

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Click on the links below to learn how to make banners for your home

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In China, there are more than 3,000 dialects of Chinese being spoken; however, Chinese writing symbols are all the same across the regions. So people from different provinces in China speak different dialects, but use the same written language.

Chinese writing characters go back more than 3,000 years. The symbols began as pictures. Pictures were drawn to resemble the items they represented.

Some Popular Chinese Characters and Their Evolution

A standard set of characters to be used throughout the Middle Kingdom emerged in 221 B.C. when China was unified for the first time, and the first Emperor Qin, issued that the same symbols should be used by all.

In ancient China, students had to memorize many pictures or characters each week and used brushes and ink to paint the "words".

We only have to learn the 26 letters in the alphabet to be able to read and write. Imagine trying to memorize hundreds even thousands of pictures in order to be able to read and write...

Chinese character writing is done in columns, from top to bottom and from right to left. So you start writing in the upper right-hand corner of the page.

Some Simple Chinese Characters for You to Try

Characters for Chinese New Year Banners: Make your own Good Luck Messages for the New Year!

Writing the numbers in Chinese 1 to 10 and counting to 99.

Chinese Numbers 100 and beyond

Some Great Books and Resources for Kids - Learning Chinese and Chinese Writing Symbols

We love these books that can help kids get started learning a few words in Chinese! Check out your local library and reserve your copy as they are very popular!

First Thousand Words in Chinese

Ages: 5 and up. With Internet-Linked Pronunciation Guide (Usborne Internet-Linked First Thousand Words)
This is a great introduction for kids and yes, it does come with 1000 words. It is a picture book with labels in simplified Chinese (used throughout Mainland China) and pin yin, and to learn the pronounciation, the internet resource comes very handy.
Things and activities are featured, kids get to learn some basic words about things at home, in the kitchen, in the city, the park, the kindergarten, the farm, etc.
Buy from Amazon.com

Chinese for Kids Flash Cards Kit Vol 1

Ages: Preschoolers to Age 12. Includes 64 flash cards, Audio CD, booklet guide and poster.
Exactly what flash cards should be, fun and easy to use! Pictures are attractive and come with the writing diagrams in the back, which are easy to follow.
This is a fun way for kids to learn their first words in Chinese: colors, fruits, animals, clothes, etc.
Buy from Amazon.com

More Chinese for Kids Flash Cards

Ages: Preschoolers to Age 12. Includes 64 flash cards, Audio CD, booklet guide and poster.
It picks up where Chinese for Kids Flash Cards Volume 1 left off. It builds on what you already learned with more everyday easy words and phrases.
This volume includes nature, opposites, going places, etc.

More China Books for Children

Most Popular Excursions

Book with confidence! Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund

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Learning Chinese Writing Symbols for Kids

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Chinese writing symbols go back more than 3,000 years. Characters began as pictures. Pictures were drawn to resemble the items they represented. Students have to memorize many 'pictures' to be able to read and write, want to give it a try?

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The Chinese Lion Dance is often confused with the Chinese Dragon Dance. They are both an important part of traditional Chinese festivities, specially Chinese New Year, and both are thought to bring good luck and scare away the evil spirits. The main difference between the two is that the Dragon Dance is performed by a team of a dozen or so dancers, whereas the Lion performance is acted out by only two dancers.

The Lion Dancers need to be very agile and fit as they perform a lot of acrobatic moves. One holds the head and the other the body of the Lion. It is typical for the Lion Troupes to be part of martial art schools.

The Chinese Lion performances during the new year celebrations start on New Year's Day and continue through the end of the festivities. They play out during street celebrations to the sound of drums, gongs and cymbals.

The parading Lions run along the streets to bring goodwill and luck to everyone they meet. They visit stores, restaurants and businesses.

The Lion Troupes are usually accompanied by their "laughing Buddha" buddy. He wears a mask and a robe and teases the lion with a fan to make him jump, roll around, lie down, etc.

As they wind down the streets and locales, people along the way will "feed "hong paos" with money inside to the Lion by handing the red envelopes through its mouth. This is supposed to bring good luck and fortune and is considered a donation for the martial arts school setting up the performance.

Click on the arrow to take a peek at our Chinese Lion video:

The most common colors for the Lion Dance Costume are red, representing bravery, green, representing friendship and goodwill, and gold, representing liveliness and a dynamic spirit.

The head of the Lion has levers inside with which the front dancer controls the Lion's eyes, mouth and ears. In the Lion's forehead, there is normally a mirror, so that the evil spirits will be scared and retreat when they see their own image.

Lion Dances... for kids!

Children in China, and all over the world for that matter, do their own versions of the Lion Dance, on New Year's as well as other celebrations, such as weddings, graduations, family gatherings, etc.

Dragon and Lion Dance troupes are spreading, and are most commonly associated with Martial Arts schools. You can check out your local Kung Fu or Martial Arts Association if you are interested in participating or just watching a performance.

Here's a clip from a Chinese New Year children's show at our local library in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida:

Watch more China videos...

Doesn't that look like fun? Would you like to give it a try? You too can jump, bounce, hop and leap to bring happiness and luck!!!

Your Own Lion Dance Party!

First, to get started, you will need your own:

Lion Dance Costume

Here's an assortment of Lion Dance Costumes for kids and adults, they can be shared by mom, dad and kids to perform the lion dance together.

There are several sizes available. The smaller sizes start at $45.00

The Lion Heads can be hung and make unique decorations, specially for the Chinese New Year celebrations or any Asian-themed party.

Armed with your own Lion Head and Tails, you will now need some:

Lion Dance Music and Noise Makers

So head over to the kitchen and grab a couple of pots and pans. An upside-down pot is your Drum, you beat it with a wooden spoon. The lids of the pots are your Cymbals and Gongs.

As an alternative, mom or dad might agree to download some music for you. You can find some short Lion Dance Music clips starting at $0.99 at Amazon.com.

We like "Chinese New Year Music" by Heart of the Dragon Ensemble, the entire album is available in CD or MP3 download, and also the individual songs are available for download.

You can consider some of these noise makers, drums, tambourines and rattles since you really need something to scare away the evil spirits...

Or visit our Chinese Lion Store and browse in the Lion Dance DVDs and Music section for other options.

HAVE A BLAST and HAPPY LION DANCING!!!

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The Chinese Dragon and Lion Dances are often confused. They are both part of traditional Chinese celebrations, and both are thought to bring good luck and scare away the evil spirits. However, the Dragon Dance is performed by a team of a dozen or so dancers, whereas the Lion performance is acted out by only two dancers.

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Looking to learn more about Chinese paper making? Improve your knowledge on Chinese bamboo paper and find out more about Ancient China with DK Find Out for kids

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Read with your child about famous figures, the dynasties, and other important features of ancient China.

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Kids learn about the history of Ancient China. Educational articles for teachers, students, and schools including the culture, art, religions, clothing, geography, empire, government, daily life, people, and dynasties of Ancient China.

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Watch this video for a day in the life of a teacher friend who lives in Guangzhou, China. This is an international school and these students are learning English. Pay attention to their food, their clothes, their activities, their language and their classroom. What do you notice is similar to or different from your school day?

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A DAY IN THE LIFE: Teaching English at a Kindergarten in China

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2020 is the Year of the Rat!

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Learn about the culture surrounding the Chinese New Year.

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Chinese Culture for Kids - Short Stories for kids

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Learn about the philosopher which helped to shape a culture

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Confucius was China's most famous Philosopher. He lived in Ancient China during the Zhou Dynasty.

Confucius was a government official, and during his lifetime (he lived from 551 to 479 B.C. ) he saw growing disorder and chaos in the system.

Perhaps due to the turmoil and injustices he saw, he set himself to develop a new moral code based on respect, honesty, education, kindness and strong family bonds.

His teachings later became the basis for religious and moral life throughout China.

The Five Virtues of Confucius

Confucius believed that a good government was the basis for a peaceful and happy society. And the basis for a good government was good officials.

In order to become a "good official" a person had to master the following Five Virtues:

Confucius and Family Values

Confucius believed that strong family values and relationships were key to a stable society.

"To put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must cultivate our personal life; and to cultivate our personal life, we must first set our hearts right"

Mutual respect and family loyalty were central to Confucius teachings.

This extended to the living as well as the deceased. Paying respect to the ancestors has become an important Chinese tradition.

He also stressed the importance of seniority: The old educate the young, and the young respect the old.

"Let the prince be a prince, the minister a minister, the father a father, and the son a son"

On Knowledge and Education

Confucius was a member of the upper class, but he believed education and knowledge belonged to anyone who had the desire to learn. He opened a school in his home, and legend has it, some of his poorer students lived with him.

He insisted on honesty, hard work, and teaching by example. He taught through conversation, by asking questions and expecting his pupils to find their own answers.

He wanted to prepare his students for public service, to develop compassion and respect for others.

"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance"

Confucius Quotes and the Analects

Confucius Sayings were recorded after his death by his followers in a book called the Analects.

His teachings are still felt in China today. Here are some more of this famous Chinese Philosopher's Quotes:

"Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart"

"It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop"

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do"

"Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous"

"The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to virtue"

"What a superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others"

"Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it"

"He who will not economize will have to agonize"

"He who learns but does not think, is lost. He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger"

"Knowledge: when you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it"

"Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon and star"

"When anger rises, think of the consequences"

"Respect yourself and others will respect you"

"A man who has committed a mistake and doesn't correct it, is committing another mistake"

"The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his action"

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Who was Confucius? Why was he famous? Confucius was China's most famous philosopher. A government official, he saw growing disorder in the system and set out to develop a moral code based on respect, honesty, education, kindness and strong family bonds. His teachings are the basis for religious and moral life in China.

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Hello! How are you! Good morning! Good evening

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Little Fox Chinese - Stories & Songs for Learners

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Hello Song (你好歌) | Chinese Greeting & Numbers | Chinese song | By Little Fox

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Goodbye! See you tomorrow!

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Little Fox Chinese - Stories & Songs for Learners

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Good-bye Song (再见歌) | Chinese Greeting & Numbers | Chinese song | By Little Fox

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Learn the four vowel tones of Mandarin.

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Little Fox Chinese - Stories & Songs for Learners

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Tones Song (声调歌) | Chinese Pinyin Song | Chinese song | By Little Fox

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Wildlife in China is very diverse, there are over 30,000 kinds of plants and over 4,400 species of vertebrates. Because of China's immense range of climates and landscape, there are many different kinds of habitats which support many different kinds of flora and fauna.

The Giant Panda is China's most loved animal

China's natural world has been since ancient times a source of inspiration in the arts, literature, religion and mythology. Philosophers have preached the virtues of living in harmony with nature for centuries.

Unfortunately, the rapid economic development and rate of urbanization in China have led to increased deterioration of the environment and loss of habitat for many of the species endemic to China.

Many of them are currently listed as endangered, and none more well-known than the Giant Panda.

Wildlife in China: Animals in China

Here are some of the most notorious animals native to China. Some of them are in danger or vulnerable to extinction, and some have special significance in Chinese Culture. The links will bring you to more detail about the particular animal and its environment, as well as the places where we have been fortunate to appreciate some of them during our travels.

Siberian Tiger
This is China's top predator, also known as the Amur Tiger for its homeland region, the temperate snow-covered mountains in north-east China. Also an endangered species due to excessive poaching.

Chinese Alligator
Similar to the American alligators but much smaller and completely armored, inclusive belly. Its critically endangered population of perhaps a couple of hundred lives along the ponds and wetlands of the lower Yangtze River.

Baiji
Known as the Yangtze River Dolphin is a fresh water dolphin only found in the Yangtze River. Sadly it has been categorized as critically endangered and possibly extinct, since a 2006 expedition failed to find any of the species in the river.

Wildlife in China: China Plants

If the animal life diversity in China is great, its plant life is certainly profuse and one of the richest and most diverse in the world. Just about everything grows in China due to the wide range in temperatures from sub-zero frigid climate to hot, humid and tropical.

Instead of giving you figures and lots of names that probably don't mean much to you, here is a selection of some interesting facts about China's native plants and vegetation.

Some plants and flowers normally associated with China you are probably familiar with:

Bamboo, most Chinese have lucky bamboo plants in their homes right? Bamboo of course grows everywhere in the world but is thought to have originated in China. Bamboo has traditionally had many uses, in construction, as decoration and food for example.

Ginseng, which is quite popular for its medicinal qualities, the part that is used is the root.

Bonsai Trees? Bonsai trees are not really a "species" but actually an ancient art form of growing dwarf trees.

How about flowers? Flowers in China are appreciated beyond their beauty, some have special meanings:

The Peony is considered China's national flower, is treasured as the "color of the nation and the scent of heaven" and often associated with nobility and peace.

The Lotus flower has a special meaning in Buddhism, the Lord Buddha is often depicted sitting on a throne of Lotus. The Lotus means purity and is a symbol of spiritual growth.

Plum Blossoms have been a favourite subject of Chinese painters through the ages. Plum blossoms are a symbol of strength and resilience, as the plant braves the winter and blooms before any other plant, it is regarded as the symbol of rebirth and growth.

Here are some pictures of the above China plants and some more of China's native flowers. I bet you recognize some of these and may even have in your garden!

Here's a short trailer to the BBC's Wild China series, it features footage of a wild giant panda as it forages through dense bamboo forests feasting on frozen bamboo leaves.

Wildlife in China and the Giant Panda
Watch more China videos...

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Wildlife in China is very diverse, there are over 30,000 kinds of plants and over 4,400 species of vertebrates. Because of China's immense range of climates and landscape, there are many different kinds of habitats which support many different kinds of flora and fauna.

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Monki Chinese Class App for Kids - Learn to write basic chinese characters (iPad, iPhone)

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Chinese for kids learning Mandarin: Chinese Zodiac Animals 生肖动物

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Fortune Tales | The Story of Lunar New Year

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Enjoy some of these traditional Chinese games with your family, perhaps when you are learning about China or celebrating Chinese New Year. Some of them may seem familiar to you, as they are similar to games that we already know.

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Chinese New Year 2014 provides the perfect opportunity for children to explore and discover on many levels.

They can:

1. Learn geography by mapping where China is in relation to where they live.

2. Explore another culture & learn about their customs associated with this festive holiday.

3. Taste test and try new foods.

As a part of Chinese New Year 2014, long noodles are often eaten as a sign of a L-O-N-G life. So, in the spirit of Chinese New Year & longevity, we made a peanut sauce tossed with stir fried chicken, broccoli, nuts and rice noodles to share with you.
Peanut Sauce & Rice Noodles
1/2 cup honey roasted peanuts

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

1 tablespoon canola oil

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, ground

1 large clove of garlic

3 - 4 cups broccoli

8.8 oz rice noodles (I used the thai thin noodles, they were the longest we could find)

3/4 cup low sodium peanut butter

1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce

1 cup water

1/2 cup broth created from stir frying the chicken

1 teaspoon onion powder

3 tablespoons honey

1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes

sesame seeds

Finely chop the nuts in a food processor and set aside.

Cut the chicken into small pieces. In a wok, stir fry the chicken in 1 tablespoon of oil with the ginger & garlic (crushed). Set it aside.

Wash the broccoli, remove the stalks and cut the florets into bite size pieces. Set aside.

Cook the rice noodles as directed.

While the rice noodles are cooking create the peanut sauce by adding the peanut butter, soy sauce, water, broth, onion powder and honey together in a sauce pan. Whisk it together as it heats through over medium to low heat. Once the sauce is consistent and hot, remove it from the heat and set it aside.

Toss the broccoli into the wok with the chicken, add the red pepper flakes & stir fry the broccoli until it is cooked.

Add the rice noodles to a large serving dish. Add the peanut sauce into the wok with the broccoli & chicken just before plating. Toss the mixture with the rice noodles. Top with the ground nuts & sesame seeds.

How will you celebrate Chinese New Year 2014?

We're linking up with: Motivation Monday

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Chinese New Year 2014 Recipe - Inner Child Fun

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They can: 1. Learn geography by mapping where China is in relation to where they live. 2. Explore another culture & learn about their customs associated with this festive holiday. 3. Taste test and try new foods. As a part of Chinese New Year 2014, long noodles are often eaten as a sign of a L-O-N-G life.

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Chinese New Year Craft: Dragon Puppet Printable

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Chinese New Year Craft for Kids - a fun dragon puppet with a FREE printable - very easy to make and fun for the kids. The kids will love making this dragon.

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Chinese Animals | Animals for Kids | Wild Animals

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Smithsonian National Zoo

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Thank you for visiting the Giant Panda Cam page. Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji have departed the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute and are now living in China.

We invite you to look back and enjoy some of the inspiring, adorable, majestic and charming panda moments:

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Giant pandas Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji are no longer at the Zoo. Look back and enjoy some inspiring, adorable, majestic and charming panda moments.

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The myth behind the Chinese zodiac - Megan Campisi and Pen-Pen Chen

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The Magic Pot (Animated Stories for Kids)

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How Dragons came to be? International Folk Tales for Kids |  Educational Videos by Mocomi

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Little Fox Chinese - Stories & Songs for Learners

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Little Red Riding Hood (小红帽) | Folktales 1 | Chinese | By Little Fox

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Travel Kids in Asia visit the pandas in Chengdu.

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Review these facts with your children.

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Here are some interesting China Facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids.

China Facts for Kids

Population: more than 1.423 billion people live in China (2023). The majority of the people live in cities and towns.

Capital: Beijing with 21 million inhabitants is not only China's capital city but also the second biggest city after Shanghai.

Name: People's Republic of China (PRC)

Government: Republic, communist state

Languages: Mandarin or Standard Chinese (official language), while Cantonese (Yue) and Shanghainese (Wu) are among other most spoken languages

Literacy: More than 96% can read and write.

Religion: No main religion, as religious memberships are not supported by the government. Main religions are Buddhist (18%), Christian 5%, Muslim 1.8%, Taoist, Hindu and Folk Religions (22%)

Flag colors: red with five golden stars

National day: 1 October - in 1949 the People's Republic of China was formed

National symbols: dragon and giant panda

National colours: red and yellow

National anthem: 'March of the Volunteers'

History: For many centuries, China has been one of the most advanced civilisations accomplishing major scientific and artistic treasures. The Xia and Shang dynasties are considered as the oldest Chinese civilisations. Over the centuries many emporors ruled the country, the last emperor of China, the last ruler of the Qing dynasty, was Pu Yi who abdicted in 1912. In the 20th century the world was shaken by bloody wars and from 1937-1945 Japan occupied large industrial areas in China and took over the Chinese government. Since 1949 the Communist Party of China rules the country. The president of the People's Republic of China is Xi Jinping - since 2013.

Where is China? - China Map

China is located in the eastern parts of Asia and is the largest country that is entirely situated in Asia.

Chinaborders 14 countries.The countries bordering China are: Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar (formerly called Burma), Laos, Vietnam and North Korea (you will find them on the map below).

China has 23 provinces including the island of Taiwan.

(Please note: Taiwan is an independent country and has its own currency and government. Taiwan is officially called "Republic of China", but not part of China, however, China sees Taiwan as part of the country and as a rebel province as Taiwan is not recognised as a sovereign state by the UN.)

There are also two SARs, which are Special Administrative Regions, that have some autonomy: Hong Kong and Macau in southern China.

China for Kids | China Geography

China is the fourth largest country in the world after Russia, Canada and the USA.

Although China is so large, there is only one timezone!

Most people in China live in the eastern parts of the country, the western parts are only sparsely populated.

The Pacific Ocean forms the natural border in the east and southeast and southwest of the country. In the west, there are the Himalayas, which is the highest mountain range in the world.

Most of the western parts of the country lie on the Tibetan mountainous plateau. In fact, mountains make up the majority of the landscape, dominating over 70% of the landmass.

The huge country has many different climate zones ranging from tropic zones to arctic zones.

In the north, there is the vast Gobi Desert. Deserts make up about 20% of the country.

China Facts | China Superlatives

China is the second most populous country in the world as it is home to almost one fifth of the world population.

The highest mountain on the border with China is the Mount Everest, the world's highest mountains, with 8,848 metres (29,000ft).

The longest river in China is the Yangtze River with over 6,300km (3,914miles) in length. This is also Asia's longest river.

China has the world's longest sea-crossing bridge. The Hongkong to Zhuhai-Macao bridge was opened to traffic in October 2018.

The Gobi Desert which stretches over China and Mongolia is the largest desert in Asia.

China Facts
Attractions for Kids

Great Wall of China: Walk along parts of the over 8,850 km/ 5,500 miles long Great Wall which once was the border of the old Chinese empire. The wall stretches across China from the Korean border into the Gobi desert. This is the longest wall in the world and newer archeological findings report that the entire defence works including the Great Wall and all its branches stretches over 21,000 km/ 13,000 miles! Did you know, that the name in ancient Chinese actually meant 'The 10,000-Mile Long Wall' or 'Incredibly Long Wall'?

Terracotta Warriors: See the over 5000 sculptures of life-size soldiers, made from terracotta, in Xian. The sculptures which are on one of the world's most famous archeological sites, are older than 2,000 years.

Forbidden City in Beijing: The Forbidden City houses the Palace museum with the Chinese Imperial Palace and the Summer Palace, that were still used until 1911.

Potala Palace in Lhasa/Tibet: This is where every Dalai Lama has held his official residence until the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1950

Wolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve near Chengdu: See the pandas in their natural habitat and visit the breeding and research centre to learn more about the endangered pandas.

Guilin: The rough limestone karst mountains along the Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo are very picturesque. People enjoy rafting on river.

'The Bund' in Shanghai: Shanghai is the largest and most populated Chinese city with the busiest port in the world. The Bund is the megacity's main shopping and business district.

Hong Kong: Visit Victoria Harbour. Enjoy the amazing views of the skyscrapers along the shoreline or get to the top of Victoria Peak and have a bird's eye view of the city and the harbour.

Read more about awesome China family attractions and Chinese landmarks here: Landmarks in China
China Facts | Chinese People

Almost one in five people on our earth live in China, while the country is smaller than the USA. The Chinese government lifted the one-child policy in 2016, now Chinese parents are allowed to have two children.

China surpassed India in population numbers in April 2023.

Many Chinese live in the 'megacities' of the country. Megacities are cities with more than 10 million inhabitants. Six of the 33 megacities in the world are located in China.

In rural areas the living standard is still very poor and many people live there live in huts or along the rivers in stilt houses.

The Chinese love music and opera plays, although the voices of the Chinese opera singers may sound strange to our ears.

Chinese New Year, also called the Lunar New Year, is the biggest celebration on the Chinese calendar. The Chinese calendar start at the end of January/early February each year and every year another animal sign symbolises the strength and the weaknesses. There are 12 zodiac/animal signs and thus every 12 years the animals signs start over again. 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit. Read more here. 2024 will be the Year of the Dragon.

Children look very much forward to the Chinese New Year celebrations which are two weeks long celebrations over the new year when they get gifts, often money wrapped in red envelopes or red packets, from family and friends. Popular 'Lion Dances' also take place during this time. The dragon is the most celebrated symbol of prosperity and strength.
Which zodiac sign are you? Read more about the Chinese New Year celebrations here.

China Facts | Chinese Language

Although Mandarin Chinese is the official language, in many regions other languages are spoken such as Cantonese, Shanghainese, Hainanese or Mongolian.

The Chinese writing is done from top to bottom in little symbols or signs, called 'characters' of which an adult usually knows about 8,000 different characters. With 13 years most Chinese children can read and write 3,000 characters.

Some Chinese words good to know:

Ni hao! means Hello!

Xie Xie means Thank You

Gong Xi Fa Cai means Happy Chinese New Year

China Facts | Chinese Food

The traditional diet in China contains low amounts of protein such as meats or dairy products. Many Chinese dishes are vegetable and soya based. Chinese often eat/drink soup for breakfast and rice based dishes are eaten throughout the day.

Soy, vegetable and rice products are the most common ingrediences in Chinese dishes. Chinese mainly eat with chopsticks and drink their soups instead of eating them with a spoon as we do. Here is some typical Chinese food:

Springrolls: The fried rice paper rolls are surely the most famous food export

Chow Mein: stir-fried egg noodles with chicken strips

Tofu: soy bean curd used in many dishes

Sweet and sour pork: fried cubed pork and fried vegetables in a sweet and sour sauce often made with capsicum peppers and pineapple

Peking Duck: duck roast with crispy thin skin, often served with plum sauce

Dim Sum: Steamed dumplings filled with minced meat or vegetables
Read more about Chinese Food on our new special page here: Food in China
China Facts | China Animals
Read more about endangered animals in China on our special page here: Animals in China
There are many endangered animal species living in China. Among them are the Giant Panda, the South Chinese Tiger and the Chinese Alligator.

China economy

China is part of the BRICS countries - together with Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa. China is already considered a world superpower by many. China's economic strength rivals that of the USA and the USA.

The country is rich in natural resources and the top producer of aluminium and iron ore, cobalt, graphite and processed copper among other minerals.

The huge Asian country is also the world's top producer of rice and beer!

The main trading partners are the USA, Japan, Australia and Germany.

Popular Pages

China Facts | Resources

Central Intelligence Agency. "China" CIAWorldFactBook. Last updated 15 August 2023. Last accessed 23 August 2023

BBC News. "World's longest sea crossing". BBC. 23 October 2018. Last accessed 23 August 2023

Maggie Hiufu Wong. "China's Top Megacities". CNN World. Updated 6 March 2019. Accessed 23 August 2023

Miriam Hoffmann. "China Family Adventure". Last accessed 2 February 2022. Great resources to learn more about China can be found on this site. The informative and well laid out website is written and maintained by a Chinese expat and her children and gives comprehensive information and important China facts.

China Highlights. Another good site for China facts and information the main attractions of China is this one. Click here. Last accessed 23 August 2023

View some great images of the Great Wall on the page of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre here. Last accessed 23 August 2023

Also find good info on TravelChinaGuide on the Great Wall here. Last accessed 23 August 2023

Return from China Facts to Kids-World-Travel-Guide Homepage
Feel free to contact us if you or your school would like to join in our schools project. Looking forward to hearing from u! And enjoy learning more great China Facts soon:-)

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China Facts for Kids | China for Kids | Geography | Attractions

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Our China Facts for Kids will provide you with country facts, information on people and culture about China for kids

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Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes in Mandarin

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Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes in Mandarin

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Learn "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" in Mandarin Chinese ❤ Learn Chinese With Emma

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For all who are celebrating at home, learn how to sing Happy Birthday in Mandarin.

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Learn Happy Birthday Song 生日快乐 in Mandarin Chinese! ❤ Learn Chinese with Emma

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David Goes to School 大卫上学去！in Mandarin Chinese

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Emma Learn Chinese With Emma Learn Names of Family Members

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Learn Family Members Song/ Hello Dad and Mom in Mandarin Chinese! Learn Chinese With Emma

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❤Visit Emma's Online Store HAPPY PANDA SHOP: http://happypandashop.com Chinese Apparel, Gift, Books, and Much More!! Free Shipping on all domestic orders over $35!!!

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Learn numbers 1-10 (1 to 10)中文数字 in Mandarin Chinese ❤ Learn Chinese With Emma

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Learn Colors in Mandarin Chinese! Learn Chinese with Emma

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Dragon dances have been performed in China for over 2,000 years and are believed to bring about good fortune.

OFFICIAL NAME: People's Republic of China

FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Communist state

CAPITAL: Beijing (Peking)

POPULATION: 1,397,897,720

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Standard Chinese, Mandarin

MONEY: Yuan (or renminbi)

AREA: 3,705,405 square miles (9,596,960 square kilometers)

MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Himalaya

MAJOR RIVERS: Yangtze, Yellow

Stretching 3,100 miles (5,000 kilometers) from east to west and 3,400 miles (5,500 kilometers) from north to south, China is a large country with widely varying landscapes. Its territory includes mountains, high plateaus, sandy deserts, and dense forests.

One-third of China's land area is made up of mountains. The tallest mountain on Earth, Mount Everest, sits on the border between China and Nepal.

China has thousands of rivers. The Yangtze and the Yellow Rivers are the most important. At 3,915 miles (6,300 kilometers) long, the Yangtze is the world's third largest river.
Map created by National Geographic Maps

PEOPLE & CULTURE

With a population of 1.4 billion, China has more people than any other country on Earth. About a third of the population lives in cities. The rest of the people live in the country.

Arts and crafts have a long history in China. Thousands of years ago the Chinese were some of the first people to use silk, jade, bronze, wood, and paper to make art. The artistic writing called calligraphy was invented in China.

Much of China's modern beliefs and philosophies are based on the teachings of a government official who lived nearly 3,000 years ago. Kongfuzi, also known as Confucius, taught people the value of such things as morality, kindness, and education.

China's diverse habitats are home to hundreds of species of animals and plants. More than 3,800 species of fish and hundreds of amphibians and reptile species live in the rivers, lakes, and coastal waters.

China's forest wildlife is threatened by logging and clear-cutting (clearing the land of all trees) for farmland. Expanding deserts in the north also shrink animal habitats. The Chinese government has created more than 1,200 reserves to protect plant and animal species.

The giant panda lives in the misty mountains of southwest China and nowhere else on Earth. They eat bamboo and usually live near stands of the woody evergreen plant. Pandas have been hunted and only about 1,600 remain in the wild.

GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY

China is an authoritarian state ruled by a very powerful central government. A huge workforce and lots of natural resources have driven economic change. This has forced the communist government to permit more economic and personal freedoms, but it has come at a huge cost to the environment.

Many experts predict that the 21st century will be the "Chinese century." Whether or not that proves to be true, there is no doubt that what happens in China will affect many other nations.

China is the home of one of the world's oldest civilizations, but it has only recently become a "modern" nation. In the last 20 years, China has changed faster than any other country in the world.

Chinese history is divided into dynasties, each of which marks the period when a line of emperors ruled. The first empire was the Qin dynasty and began in 221 B.C. The last emperor was overthrown in 1912, and China became a republic. The communist government began its rule in 1949 following a civil war with the Chinese Nationalists.

Ancient China was a land of invention. For centuries, China was way ahead of most other countries in science and technology, astronomy, and math. The Chinese invented paper, the magnetic compass, printing, porcelain, silk, and gunpowder, among other things.

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China Country Profile - National Geographic Kids

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Stretching 3,100 miles (5,000 kilometers) from east to west and 3,400 miles (5,500 kilometers) from north to south, China is a large country with widely varying landscapes.