China is a vast country, so it’s no surprise that there are so many interesting facts about China. Arguably one of the oldest civilizations in the world, China has progressed at an astonishing rate since reforms were introduced by Deng Xiaoping in 1978.
With its five state governments, major cities, and more than 20 officially recognized ethnic groups, China is home to more than 476 million people. That’s nearly half the population of the European Union!
With such a rich history, we thought it wouldn’t hurt to share some interesting facts about China with you! From its geography and climate to famous historical events and figures — and everything in between.
Even if you’re not planning on visiting this fascinating country anytime soon, reading up on its past will no doubt be beneficial for your future travels. So sit back, relax, and enjoy our guide to everything you need to know facts about China:
China: Where is it?
China is a country in East Asia. It is the world’s most populous country, with a population of around 1.39 billion, 90% of whom are ethnic Chinese. The Chinese civilization has been one of the world’s oldest, but due to the vast size of the country, it has also been one of the most continuous civilizations.
China is a single-party state controlled by the Communist Party. It has the world’s second-largest economy, next to the United States, and is one of the top producers of goods such as solar panels, chemicals, and steel.
Its culture has also had a significant impact on many other countries throughout Asia, and it has played a prominent role in the development of many modern-day sports, such as basketball and soccer.
What’s the Difference Between a Province, State, and Autonomous Region?
The Chinese administrative divisions are usually referred to as provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities. However, sometimes these terms are used interchangeably. Let’s take a closer look at what each of these terms means. A province is one of the administrative divisions of China.
There are 33 such divisions, and each one is governed by a provincial government. These governments report directly to the central government: the People’s Government of the Chinese State. A state is also one of the administrative divisions of China, but they are not referred to as a ‘province.’ There are currently two such divisions: Beijing and Tianjin.
The capital cities of Taiwan and Hong Kong are also considered states, although they are not officially recognized as such. An autonomous region is a type of administrative division in China that has a degree of autonomy from the central government. There are currently nine such divisions: Beijing, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Hunan, Inner Mongolia, and Ningxia.
Climate facts about China
China’s climate is typically categorized as humid continental. It has four distinct seasons, including a hot and humid summer, dry and cold winter, and a mild spring and fall. In the winter, the provinces in the northern part of the country experience extreme cold, with temperatures that can drop as low as -30° Celsius.
In the summer, the temperature in most parts of China can climb above 35° Celsius, making it both uncomfortable and dangerous for tourists. The southwest of the country, on the other hand, experiences a mild summer.
The rainy season often occurs during the months of June, July, and August, while the winter months are dry. The spring months tend to be warm and wet, while the fall months are mild and dry.
Peoples of China
The Han Chinese represent 91% of the population of China. Other ethnic groups include Zhuang, Uyghur, Hui, Miao, Manchu, Yi, and other smaller groups. The Han Chinese are distributed in different areas of China and speak different dialects.
The most commonly spoken dialect is Mandarin. Ethnic minorities have been able to retain their languages and cultures, and most have at least some autonomy in running their internal affairs. Many people in China follow the doctrines of Buddhism, Daoism, or Confucianism. Islam is also practiced in certain areas that border Pakistan and Central Asian republics.
Geographical facts about China
China is a vast country that covers an area of 9,800,000 sq km. It is the world’s third-largest country by land area, after Russia and Canada. Around two-thirds of the country’s territory lies in Asia, while the remaining third is in the Pacific Ocean.
China shares its borders with 14 countries: Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nepal, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Taiwan. The country’s topography consists of mountains, hills, plains, and basins.
The mountains and hills are mostly in Tibet and the southwest. The plains are found in the northern, eastern, and southeastern parts of the country. The basins are located in the Chinese Central Plain.
Chinese Language
Chinese is the most widely spoken language in the world, with around 1.2 billion speakers. It is a tonal language with a logographic writing system. Chinese is a language family consisting of languages that are descendants of a common ancient language.
Some of the most commonly spoken modern Chinese languages are Mandarin, Cantonese, and Hakka. There are many dialects of Chinese, but the most widely spoken dialect is Mandarin.
Mandarin is spoken in Beijing, the northern part of Guangdong, and the northern part of Fujian. It is also the primary language of Taiwan.
Facts about China’s major Cities
Beijing
The national capital, Beijing is the political, cultural, and educational center of China. It is also the country’s largest city, with a population of almost 20 million people.
Shanghai
China’s commercial and financial center, Shanghai is one of the country’s most populous cities.
Hong Kong
A Special Administrative Region of China, Hong Kong is a city with a distinct culture and history. It is home to over 7 million people.
Guangzhou
China’s third-largest city, Guangzhou is the capital of Guangdong Province.
Facts about China’s Famous Figures from Chinese History and Culture
Confucius
Confucius is also known as Kongzi, Confucius was a Chinese philosopher, teacher, and politician. He is one of the most influential thinkers in Chinese history.
Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong is a Chinese Communist revolutionary and political theorist, Mao Zedong was the founder and first leader of the People’s Republic of China.
Sun Yat-sen
Sun Yat-sen, A Chinese revolutionary who has often been referred to as the “Father of Modern China”, Sun Yat-sen led the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty.
Zhu Rongji
Zhu Rongji, An economist and politician, Zhu Rongji served as China’s Prime Minister from March 1998 to March 2003.
Interesting Facts About China
- China is the world’s second-largest country by population, with over 1.39 billion people. The country is also the world’s most-populous unitary state.
- China’s economy is the world’s second-largest by nominal GDP, with an annual gross domestic product of $12.2 trillion. It is also the world’s largest export economy.
- China is one of the oldest civilizations in the world, with archaeological evidence dating back to around 7000 BC.
- The Chinese New Year is often referred to as the world’s largest mass migration.
- China is home to many uniquely-themed buildings, including the Beijing National Stadium (pictured above), the Shanghai World Financial Center, and Tiananmen Square.
- China has the highest Asian Human Development Index
- The Great Wall of China is the longest man-made structure in the world
- Tiananmen Square is the largest and most iconic public square in Asia
- Cantonese is the lingua franca of Chinese people and Hong Kong
- Mandarin is the official language which is interesting facts about China, as well as Taiwan, Singapore, and Vietnam.
Conclusion
China is a country that is full of culture and has a rich history. It is a fascinating destination to visit, and there are plenty of facts about China that make it even more interesting.
From its largest cities to the mountains and rivers that surround it, there is a lot to see and do when visiting China. China is a vast country, so there is a lot to explore. Visitors can experience the Great Wall or visit a panda sanctuary when they are there.
Also Read About Interesting Fact About Mexico