Facts For Kids

Tag: China

  • Beijing Facts for Kids | The Capital of China

    Beijing Facts for Kids | The Capital of China

    Beijing is located at the northeast border of East Asia’s largest alluvial plain i.e. North China Plain. The literal meaning of the word Beijing is ‘Northern Capital’. The name ‘Beijing’ was adopted by Empire of the Great Ming, the dynasty which ruled China for about 276 years. This name was used to make a distinction from another Chinese city called Nanjing which signifies ‘Southern Capital’.

    Beijing is one of the world’s most populous cities. The economy of Beijing is also one of the most advanced and developed in China. Not only this, this city is the financial hub of China as it houses Beijing Financial Street which is the most important region for financial activity in China. This street is also referred to as Wall Street of China. Built in 1442, Beijing Ancient Observatory is one of the world’s most ancient observatories. Now let’s discover more about this ancient city of China!

    Official Status: Capital City of China

    Official Abbreviation: BJ

    Highest Point: Mount Dongling

    Famous Cuisine: Peking Duck (with pancakes)

    History

    • The evidence of earliest humans on this city can be traced back as far as 230,000 to 250,000 years ago.
    • The ancient city-state of Beijing from 11th to 7th centuries BC is known as Ji. It was the first such city every built in this capital.
    • During the period from 1600 to 1800, Beijing was known by the name of Peking.
    • The word Beijing was adopted officially on 1 January, 1979.
    • During Jurchen Jin dynasty this city was known as Zhongdu which means ‘Central Capital’. This name was adopted in 1153.
    • During Yuan dynasty (Mongol Empire), which was founded by Kublai Khan, Beijing was the capital of this dynasty and known as Dadu (or Khanbaliq).
    • Beijing is home to the ancient imperial palace of China from years 1420 to 1912. The palace is known as Forbidden City and contains world’s largest collection of prehistoric structures made up of wood. Today, it contains Palace Museum which hosts record number of visitors for any museum around the world.
    • This city was known by the name of ‘Peiping’ during different time periods i.e. (1368 – 1403) and (1928 – 1949). This word means ‘Northern Peace’.
    • By some accounts, the expansion of Beijing in the 1980s made it almost 1.5 times bigger than the original city.

    Interesting Facts about Beijing

    • From the period between 15th and 18th centuries, Beijing was the world’s largest city.
    • Beijing is ranked third among the most populous cities of the world.
    • According to urban population, it is ranked second among the largest cities of China.
    • As per passenger traffic, Beijing Capital international Airport is ranked second among the busiest airfields of the world.
    • This city is ranked third among the most populous cities of the world.
    • The most ancient church of Beijing is called Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. It was built in 1605.
    • The oldest temple of this city is called Fayuan Temple which was built around 1300 years before.
    • With a track of 344 miles (554 km), Beijing Subway is ranked second among longest subway systems of the world. As per annual riders, it is the busiest in the world.
    • The names of various sites of the city end on mén which literally means ‘gate’. It is because these regions were entrances to the Beijing city wall. Likewise, most other sites end on cūn which literally means ‘village’ symbolizing these locations as villages in ancient times.

    More Facts

    • Beijing is home to about 144 museums.
    • Built in 996, the largest and the most ancient mosque of this city is Niujie Mosque.
    • The most popular refreshment for the residents of Beijing is tea house.
    • The most popular tombstone of this city is called Tiananmen which means ‘Gate of Heavenly Peace’.
    • The highest point of Beijing Municipality is called Mount Dongling. It has an elevation of 2,303 metres (7,556 feet).
    • One of the Beijing’s most notable cuisines is Beggar’s Chicken which means ‘rich chicken’. The chicken is covered with clay and then steamed for about 6 hours.
    • Another one of the traditional cuisines of this city is Kai kou xiao which literally means ‘open mouth laughing’. It is a fried cake that is prepared from sesame seeds, eggs, flour, sugar and baking soda.

    Learn more: Great Wall of China Facts

  • Chinese New Year Facts For Kids | Longest Chinese Festival

    Chinese New Year Facts For Kids | Longest Chinese Festival

    Chinese New Year is one of the most important holidays for Chinese people. It is the longest festival of the Chinese calendar. It dates back to hundreds of years and many myths and legends are linked with this holiday. During ancient times, this festival was celebrated to pay respect to ancestors and divine beings. The celebrations of this festival start from the last day of Chinese calendar and continue till 15th of the first month of Lunisolar Year.

    Other Name: Lunar New Year

    Official Name: Spring Festival

    Community: Chinese people

    Kind: Cultural event

    Reunion Dinner

    1. The evening before the start of Chinese New Year is often celebrated by a get together dinner party among Chinese families. This evening is known as ‘Chinese New year’s Eve’. It is also called ‘Evening of the Passing’.
    2. The dinner party on the Chinese New Year’s Eve is called Reunion Dinner.
    3. The families wash out their homes so that bad luck (relating to the previous year) may be thrown away from the house and good luck (for the coming year) may get inside. This day is called Chinese New Year’s Eve.
    4. The doors and windows of the homes are also adorned with beautiful red-colored papers. The words like ‘good luck’ or ‘good fortune’ are usually written over them.
    5. In ancient times, the celebrations of Chinese New Year in Chinese language were called Nian festival which means New Year Festival.
    6. Another term Chinese often use for the celebrations of Chinese New Year is Guo Nian.
    7. The last day of the Chinese calendar is called Chinese New Year’s Eve.
    8. The Reunion Dinner is known as Nian Ye Fan. It is the largest occasion of Chinese New Year’s Eve.
    9. On Reunion Dinner, fish is usually served for the family members.
    10. On the last day of the Chinese New Year, a festival is celebrated which is known as Lantern Festival. It is the 15th day of first month of Lunisolar year.
    11. The dates at which Chinese New Year is to be celebrated are selected with the help of Lunisolar Calendar.
    12. There are quite a number of fairy tales and myths associated with Chinese New Year. One of these tales is that a monster used to come to eat livestock, yield and sometimes kids of the villagers. The name of this monster was Nian. Nian used to come at the start of Chinese New Year. People used to give Nian food to eat so that Nian would not have to eat their children. Once Nian got scared of red color and he never came back. Finally, a monk named Hongjun Laozu grabbed Nian.
    13. The day of Chinese New Year is celebrated as a public holiday in countries where Chinese live in large numbers.

    Chinese New Year is by far the biggest festival of Asia that is celebrated in USA. It is also unique in its own style and the biggest occasion anywhere in the world except Asia.

    First Day

    1. The first day of the Chinese New Year is called Yuandanwhich means ‘The First Sunrise’.
    2. On the very first day of Chinese New Year, family members normally go out to meet their senior-most relatives or family members like grandmother, great-grandfather and the like.
    3. On this day, the married family members give cash gifts to others. These monetary prizes are referred to as Red Envelopes in Chinese tradition. They are also known as Red Packets.
    4. The cash inside the Red Envelope is known as ‘lai see’. It is also called ‘angpow’ and of course it is a piece of good fortune.
    5. The business executives distribute Red Packets to their employees on Chinese New Year as a stroke of luck.

    Second DayChinese New Year Facts For Kids

    1. This day is also called ‘beginning of the year’.
    2. The girls who are married meet their parents or other dear ones on this day. Normally, they do not get a chance to visit them after marriage.
    3. This day is the birthday of Che Kung.

    Third Day

    1. This day is also called ‘red mouth’.
    2. In Chinese, it is called ‘Chikou’.
    3. On this day, people do not go to meet others nor do they want others to show up. This day is believed to be an unfortunate day and every person seeks to stay at his home.

    Fourth Day

    1. There are some families that celebrate this festival for just 3 days and so for them, the festival ends here.

    Fifth Day

    1. The 5th day of Chinese New Year is the birthday of God of Wealth.
    2. The Chinese people living in the north love eating Jiaozi (kind of dumpling).
    3. In order to get good luck for the coming year from Guan Yu (a general in civil war), the Chinese also burst fireworks.

    Sixth Day

    1. The festival ends on the 6th day for the people in Taiwan and all businesses come back to normal once again.

    Seventh Day

    1. The 7th day is called renri. It is believed that humans were created on this day and therefore, it is the birthday of every human on Earth.
    2. Most of the Chinese people do not eat meat on this day.

    Eighth Day

    1. On this day, all businesses are typically come back to normal and stores are reopened.
    2. The employers arrange a dinner party and invite all employees to participate in order to express thanks for their efforts.

    Ninth Day

    1. The 9th day is the birthday of Jade Emperor.
    2. It is also known as Ti Kong Dan.
    3. In China, the Hoklo people (also called Hokkiens) hold this day as very important even the first day does not have too much value for them.
    4. On the eve of this day, the Hokkiens will present sugarcane as a symbol of ‘thanks’.
    5. In order to pay homage to Jade Emperor, the people in Taiwan prepare a three-layered altar table. The members of the house then kneel down for 3 times and ‘kowtow’ for 9 times.

    Tenth Day

    1. The birthday of Jade Emperor continues on this day.

    Thirteenth Day

    1. The 13th day is basically a day of Guan Yu. He was a general and the greatest Chinese leader during civil war.
    2. On this day, everyone becomes vegetarian and avoids eating meat. They think eating vegetables will make their stomach clean.

    Fifteenth Day

    1. The people mark this day as Yuanxiao Festival. This day is also called Lantern Festival.

    More Facts

    1. Chinese New Year is also called Spring Festival. Another name for Chinese New Year is ‘Lunar New Year’.
    2. When the Chinese New Year approaches, tens of thousands of Chinese take a trip. This period goes on for 40 days and it is known as Chunyun period. This migration in China is by far the world’s biggest human relocation in one year.
    3. Apart from Asia, Chinese New Year is also celebrated in California. It is known as San Francisco Chinese New Year Festival and Parade.

  • Great Wall of China Facts For Kids – Fun Facts for Kids

    Great Wall of China Facts For Kids – Fun Facts for Kids

    Here I’m bringing you some of the most fascinating great wall of china facts for kids. All these insights about this medieval grandeur takes us to the time when you were not even born. So, let’s study some interesting facts about the great wall of china. According to the Chinese the great wall should be no less than 10,000 li (5,000 km) in length. It was back in 221 BC when the first emperor of China Qin Shi ordered the building of a great wall and by which the emperor sought to protect the unification he had fought for too long. The great wall had also overshadowed all the shorter walls which were constructed by the smaller kingdoms.

    Great Wall of China Facts For Kids

    The length of the wall measures around 5,500 miles (8,851.8 km).

    The height of the wall varies slightly as we move along with it. Some sections are 20 – 25 feet long whereas others are 28 – 30 feet in height.

    It is the longest man-built structure ever made in the history of mankind.

    Contrary to popular belief the great wall is not a single continuous wall built under sole dynasty. There are too many wall segments which were added by several dynasties of the time in order to protect the northern boundary of China.

    However, the great wall isn’t so great when we see that it costs almost one-million human lives for construction. While the gigantic structure was being built, people started calling it ‘The longest cemetery on earth’.

    The wall crosses nine provinces of northern China—it starts from Hushan Liaoning (east) and ends in Gansu (west). Not only have these but the wall also goes through the deserts, mountains, and grassland.

    The wall has become the great source of bringing foreign revenues to the country and in 2004 reports said that almost 42 million foreign visitors paid a visit to the wall.

    Jiankou is the most dangerous section of the wall. It was built in the Ming Dynasty.

    Badaling is the most visited section of the wall. This section was constructed in the Ming Dynasty. This wall is close to Beijing.

    Heita Mountain is the highest peak of the wall with the length measuring at 5,033 feet. Laolongtou is however the lowest point.

    The great wall is also included in the ‘Seven Wonders of the Medieval World’.

    The wheelbarrow was very famous at that time which was invented by Chinese primarily for the construction of the great wall.

    After regular intervals of the Great Wall, there are watchtowers which are almost 40 feet tall. In the medieval times, these towers were employed to give signals in the form of beacons. They were also used to observe the enemy movements.

    There are defensive moats in the wall most of which are filled with water; however, some are left empty as ditches.

    The section of the wall which is characterized by its exquisite structure design is located in Zhangjiakou city.

    The wall has three inner side passes; Zijingguan pass, Juyongguan pass, and Daomaguan pass.

    From the historical perspective, the great wall was primarily used to protect people from a continuous threat by nomadic tribes.

    It goes without saying that wall has become the symbol of national pride for China but the fact of the case is that

    China alone cannot look after this mega project and she cannot handle mass-market development by herself. Therefore, two organizations specifically made to preserve the structure; the China Great Wall Society and the International Friends of Great Wall.

    Great Wall of China Facts For Kids | Myths about the Wall

    We are not still sure as to whether the great wall of China can be seen from the moon with the naked eye. Some say that it can be seen with the help of any advanced equipment but still it’s a myth. The myth appears to have triggered by the American published magazine ‘The Century’ in 1893 which had claimed that one can see the wall from the moon with an unaided eye though the conquest of moon was decades away.

    The Great Wall of China also brings around many myths with itself some of which are that the mortar was used to bind stones and the mortar was prepared from human bones; and that humans are buried under the wall to make it sturdier. It’s true that mortar was used to bind the stones but it was not made from human bones—in fact mortar came from the rice flour and not a single bone ever found in the wall.

  • China Facts For Kids | A Historic Country

    China Facts For Kids | A Historic Country

    China is approaching to become the next superpower within the next 10 to 20 years as the country is progressing by leaps and bounds. With the massive size of 9.6 million square kilometers, China embraces some of the astounding landscapes, rivers and deserts of the world. The population of China is continually going up and if this overwhelming rate continues, the populace will shoot up with the addition of around 400 million people by the end of 2025.

    China Facts For Kids

    • China is the most heavily populated country in the world.
    • According to the land area, China ranks second in the world just behind Russia.
    • The Republic of China takes form in 1912 following the end of the Qing Dynasty.
    • China is the speediest rising economy in our planet.
    • China has also the biggest joint border in this globe.
    • So far in 2012, China becomes the next biggest economy in the world just behind USA.
    • The fifth biggest arid region in the world, the Gobi Desert is also situated in China.
    • China is the biggest producer of solar panels as well as wind turbines.
    • A Dabancheng undertaking of China is the biggest wind farm in Asia.
    • The biggest peak in the world, Mount Everest is also located in China (Tibet). Did you know these China facts for kids?
    • As far as export of goods is concerned, China is the biggest exporter in the whole world.
    • With the number of tourists summing up to 55.7 million in 2010, China stands at the top position of the most-visited countries in this globe.
    • China was developed into the biggest producer of wind energy back in 2010.
    • In 2010, China also grew into the biggest energy consumer in the world.
    • The first ever space station module of China known as Tiangong-1 was propelled in 2011.
    • The term China comes from the Persian word ‘Cin’ and was documented for the first time ever in 1516.
    • China generated 10,000 Ph.D. doctors in the year 2009.
    • The supercomputers of China are one of the strongest computers in the planet.
    • The first ever satellite of China (Dong Fang Hong 1) was successfully set off in 1970.
    • With a staggering number of more than one billion users of cell phones in 2012, China is also the number one country wherein most number of people use cell phones.
    • Some of the data gathered about this country reveals that Hominids stepped into China way back some 2.24 million years before.
    • When Japanese invaded China during the Second World War, they took life of 20 million noncombatant Chinese people.
    • Chinese embassies are spread out in 162 different countries of the world.
    • During the food crisis in China, nearly 40 million people perished due to scarcity of food.
    • With the distance of about 9,676 km, the railway system of China is the most stretched in the world for high-speed trains.
    • China is the biggest manufacturer of latest airports in the world.
    • The length of superhighways in China is about 85,000 km.
    • In the year 2011, nearly 62,000 people passed away in China on account of car accidents.
    • The present constitution of China was approved in December, 1982.
    • Sweden was the first state in the West which embarked on ambassadorial relations with the People’s Republic of China in 1950.
    • Almost 300 million people in China lack fresh water to drink.
    • So far in 2011, nearly 40 percent of the rivers in China are contaminated on account of manufacturing garbage.
    • The laws of China for those criminals who are somehow or the other involved in unlawful monetary fraud cases, are very strict as these criminals has to face death penalty. That’s why the number of people falling under the capital punishment is far greater in China than in any other state.
    • Keeping in view the overwhelming population of China, it should not be a surprise that the People Liberation Army (PLA) of China is the biggest force in this planet.

    A Quick Guide To China Facts For Kids

    Population: 1.3 billion

    The Capital City: Beijing

    The Biggest City: Shanghai

    Names of two primary rivers: Yellow River, Yangtze River

    Military expenses of China: Second biggest in the world

    Names of two biggest broadband providers of China: China Unicom, China Telecom