China is an incredible destination to visit, with thousands of years of history, a rich culture, and stunning landscapes.
Whether you are visiting China or just want to know more about this enigmatic country, here are 30 fun facts about China that will help you understand it better.
Headed to China? Be sure to pack your iRoamly China Travel eSIM and stay connected no matter where you are!
Geography and Population of China
1. China Is the Third Largest Country in the World
Spanning approximately 9.6 million square kilometers, China is the third-largest country by land area, following Russia and Canada.
It has everything from vast deserts to towering mountains, making it a geographically diverse destination.
2. China Has the World's Largest Border
China has 14 neighbors — more than any other country. It is a huge landmass, stretching from cold Siberia in the north to tropical rainforests in the south, with tons of geographical diversity.
3. More than 20% of the World’s Population Lives in China
It’s the most populous country on Earth, with over 1.4 billion people, which represents close to 20% of the entire global population.
4. Yangtze River, Longest River in Asia
Though the Nile is the river people most associate with being the longest, that title actually belongs to the Yangtze River in Asia, which spans more than 3,900 miles.
This river, located exclusively within China, is crucial to agriculture, transportation, and industry in the country.
The river is also home to the Three Gorges Dam, which is one of the world’s largest hydropower projects.
5. The World’s Highest and Low Points Exist in China
The world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, straddles the Nepal-China border in Tibet. Even more astounding, however, is that the country with the highest elevation also contains the lowest point inside of the highest country: the Turpan Depression, which is over 150 meters below sea level.
6. China Has More Than 50 Ethnic Groups
About 92% of the population is Han Chinese but there are over 50 different ethnic minorities in the country.
The Uighurs in Xinjiang and the Tibetans in Tibet, for example, speak different languages, have different cultural practices, and celebrate different cultural events, making China a melting pot rich in cultural diversity.
7. China has over 200,000 rivers.
From little creeks to big ol’ rivers, China has an extensive river system that plays a big role in its geography.
8. It’s Over 3 Days’ Drive From the East of China to the West
If you’re considering a drive around China, buckle up!
The country is so large that a drive from the eastern coast to the far west, say from Shanghai to the most western area, Xinjiang, would take you over 72 hours — and that’s without stopping!
9. Tibet practices China’s “Sky Burial” Tradition
On the Tibetan Plateau, you’ll also find a very different form of burial: the “sky burial.” During this ceremony, a body is left out in the open for vultures, which eat the corpse as a way for the body to “return” to nature.
This is all part of Tibetan Buddhist tradition and is just one of the unique cultural practices of the region.
10. The Gobi Desert in China Is Also One of the Coldest Deserts
Most people think of deserts as hot, empty places. The Gobi Desert, in northern China, does have high sand dunes but it’s also one of the coldest deserts in the world.
Winters are harsh with temperatures falling below zero Celsius, making it an interesting desert to visit.
Chinese History
11. Paper Money Originated in China
Centuries before the world adopted paper currency, it was used in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). This early version of money was, in fact, used to facilitate trade on the Silk Road.
12. China Has a 5000-Year-Old Wine History
Archeological evidence dates the production of wine in China to the Shang Dynasty (1600–1046BC). Chinese wine was made of rice, grain (like barley or millet), and fermenting agents years before the Romans started to master the craft.
13. China Invented Paper, Printing, Gunpowder, and the Compass
These four inventions changed the world time and again. Paper and printing allowed for revolutionary ways to communicate. Gunpowder altered the nature of warfare and the compass helped explorers navigate the world.
14. Kites Were Invented in China
Kites were first created in China over 2,000 years ago, developed for military use like communicating and measuring.
15. The Terracotta Army Is Over 2,000 Years Old
The 8,000+ life-sized statues of the Terracotta Army date back to 1974. They were created to guard the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, in the afterlife.
16. The history of chopsticks dates back to the Zhou dynasty
Chopsticks have been around in China for over 3,000 years, originating in the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC).
However, they weren’t always used for eating! Chopsticks were invented as a cooking utensil first, and were mainly used to stir food as it cooked in the pot. Eating with them didn’t become common practice until later.
17. The Great Wall Isn’t One Continuous Wall
Yet, you may not be aware that the wall is not just one wall but a series of walls and fortifications from various dynasties, spanning over 13,000 miles. Parts are earth, some are built of stone or brick.
18. The One-Child Policy Lasted Over 35 Years
Introduced in 1979 and lifted in 2015, China’s One-Child Policy was an attempt to curb the nation’s population. Now, parents can have up to three children.
19. The Forbidden City Has Over 9,000 Rooms
This 178-acre imperial palace – long the home of Chinese emperors and off-limits to the hoi polloi – is the largest palace complex in the world and has 9,999 rooms.
Chinese Culture
20. The Chinese Are Different When It Comes to Numbers
In China, numbers mean a lot more than numbers. They carry deep cultural significance.
For example, the number eight is considered very lucky, as it is similar to the word for wealth and prosperity.
In contrast, the number four is often skipped over, as it is considered unlucky as the word for "four" in Mandarin sounds like the word for "death.”
21. The Chinese Zodiac
The Chinese Zodiac, or 十二生肖 (Shí èr shēng xiào), is made up of 12 animals, each corresponding to a year in the 12-year cycle.
It is said that the animal of your birth year can affect your personality and destiny, as each animal has a unique set of attributes (for example, tigers are bold and dogs are loyal).
22. Chinese New Year Is More Than One Day
Chinese New Year isn’t just one day — it’s a 15-day festival that ends with the Lantern Festival. Celebrations are filled with customs and traditions like reunion dinners and dragon dances, and most days mark the occasion with special activities.
23. There Are More Than 200 Dialects in China
Mandarin is the official language, but, with over 200 dialects, including Cantonese, Shanghainese, and Hokkien, China is linguistically diverse.
24. Red Is the Most Powerful Color
Red is associated with good fortune, joy, and success in Chinese culture and is often used in holiday celebrations and other events throughout the year, including Chinese New Year and weddings.
Red decorations and clothing are said to bring good luck and act as a way to scare evil spirits away. Even the red envelopes (hongbao) that are exchanged are believed to spread luck for the following year.
25. The Eight Culinary Traditions of China
The country’s eight culinary traditions — Sichuan, Cantonese, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Hunan, and Anhui — give you a good overview of just how diverse Chinese cuisine actually is.
From the spicy food of Sichuan to the gently sweet dishes from Canton, every region’s food is shaped by its local ingredients, methods, and influences.
26. China Has a Tea Culture Like No Other
From traditional tea ceremonies to relaxing modern tea houses, there are more than 1,500 types of tea in the country, with well-known types including Longjing and Oolong, each with its own specific preparation method and history.
Modern Development and Technology in China
27. China Was the First to Develop 5G Technology
It was also the first country to launch the 5G network nationwide and Huawei is one of the companies that has helped to build and deploy the system.
This leap in technology has put China at the forefront of the initiative to create a faster and more interconnected web.
28. China Has the World’s Largest High-Speed Rail Network
China’s high-speed rail network is the largest in the world, connecting its major cities. At over 40,000 km, it’s the most extensive in the world.
29. TikTok Was Created in China
The Chinese tech company Byte Dance created the now ubiquitous TikTok, which is known as Douyin in China.
30. China is the world’s largest producer of rice.
Rice is the backbone of Chinese food and China produces more rice than any other country.
FAQ
1. What’s China’s most iconic landmark?
The Great Wall of China is the most well-known — it spans more than 13,000 miles and is emblematic of the country’s storied past.
2. What language is spoken in China?
Mandarin is the official language, but many other languages and dialects are spoken.
3. Can I visit China’s panda reserves?
Yes, including the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuary, there are several panda reserves in China that allow you to see giant pandas in a more natural setting.
Conclusion
China is a unique place with a long history, stunning geography, and rich culture.
Whether you’re super familiar with the country or are learning more about it, these fun facts about China will show you just how unusual it can be.
Be sure to watch for them the next time you visit too!