Various interesting facts about China
Here are 10 fascinating facts about China that enthusiasts often find most intriguing, blending culture, history, innovation, and daily life:
1. The Great Wall: Not Just One Wall
Contrary to the name, the "Great Wall" is a network of over 13,000 miles (21,000 km) of walls, built and expanded over 2,300 years by different Chinese dynasties. Only 8% of the original stones remain - most of the iconic sections today were restored during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644).
2. Chinese Characters: The World's Oldest Living Writing System
Chinese characters, or Hanzi, have been used for over 3,000 years and are the only major ancient writing system still in daily use. There are over 80,000 characters in total, but modern literacy only requires about 3,500. Even people from China, Japan, and Korea can sometimes understand each other through written characters!
3. The "1.3 Billion People" Myth is Outdated
China's population reached 1.44 billion in 2023, but it's now shrinking for the first time in 60 years due to low birth rates. To boost families, the government allows 3 children per couple and offers subsidies for housing and education.
4. Mobile Payments: Cash is Almost Obsolete
China leads the world in cashless payments, with over 90% of adults using apps like Alipay or WeChat Pay for everything - from street food to hospital bills. Even beggars accept QR code donations!
5. The World's Largest Annual Human Migration: Chunyun
Every Lunar New Year, over 3 billion trips are made in China as people return home to reunite with family. This 40-day travel rush, called Chunyun, is like moving the entire population of North America in one month!
6. Kung Fu is Not Just Martial Arts - It's a Philosophy
Kung fu ( Gongfu ) isn't just about fighting; it means "skill achieved through hard work." Styles like Tai Chi (a slow, meditative martial art) reflect ancient Chinese philosophy, blending mind, body, and nature. Even today, millions practice Tai Chi in parks at dawn.
7. Tea: A Drink, a Culture, and a Religion
China is the birthplace of tea, with a history dating back 5,000 years. The Tea Ceremony in Fujian and Guangdong provinces is a ritual of preparing oolong tea in tiny cups, emphasizing patience and hospitality. Tea is so integral that there's a saying: "Firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, and tea - these are the seven necessities of life."
8. The Forbidden City: A Palace of Superstitions
Beijing's Forbidden City, home to 24 emperors, has 9,999.5 rooms (heavenly palaces have 10,000, so earth's emperor humbly took half a room less). Dragons - symbols of power - decorate almost every surface: there are 13,844 dragon statues in the palace!
9. Pandas: From Endangered to "Vulnerable" - A Conservation Victory
Thanks to strict protection efforts, the wild giant panda population has grown from 1,114 in 1980 to 1,864 today, upgrading their status from "endangered" to "vulnerable." China rents pandas to foreign zoos for $1–2 million per year, with cubs automatically belonging to China.
10. WeChat: One App for Everything
WeChat (Weixin) is not just a messaging app - it's a super-app that lets users chat, pay bills, book taxis, order food, play games, and even buy movie tickets, all in one platform. Over 1.3 billion users rely on it daily, making it as essential as electricity in China.
These facts showcase China's blend of ancient wisdom and modern innovation, surprising even those familiar with the country. Which one would you want to explore first?