Fun Facts about China

China is the most populated country in the world. Its government is much different than the US government, and there are more than eight languages spoken throughout China.

If you've ever wondered what the Chinese culture is like or how they celebrate their holidays, keep reading to find out more.

Basic Facts About China

What is the population of China?
China has a population of 1.389 billion people. China is the most populated country in the world. The next closest country is India, with 1.311 billion people, and the United States, with 331 million people.

What type of government does China have?
China is ruled by the Communist Party of China, but they act as a socialist republic.

What is the main religion in China?
Since China is a communist country, they don't have an official religion. There are approximately five religions throughout China, though. They include Buddhism, Catholicism, Islam, Taoism, and Protestantism. Approximately half of those living in China don't have a religion. The remaining half are split amongst the five religions.

What is the currency of China?
The Chinese currency is the Chinese Yuan, or the Renminbi. Right now 1 Renminbi equals 0.15 US dollars.

What are the colors of the Chinese flag?
The Chinese flag is red, which symbolizes both communism and the Han, which make up a majority of China's mainland. The flag also has five gold stars. The largest star represents communism, while the four smaller stars represent the social classes.

What are the main attractions in China?
Visitors come to China from other countries as well as within China itself to see the Great Wall of China, to ride the bullet train, to see giant pandas, and to go to the Forbidden City.

What animals are native to China?
China is known for the Giant Panda, but other animals native to China include the North China Leopard, Binturong, and the Snub-Nosed Monkey.

How long is the great wall of China?
At its peak, the Great Wall of China measured 5,500 miles long. If you were to walk the entire length of the Great Wall of China, it would take around 18 months.

Living in China

What was China called before 1949?
Before communism began in 1949, China was known as the Republic of China. The Republic of China had a more independent feel, where the people could elect the officials who ran the country.

How many languages does China have?
At any given time, there can be as many as 8 different languages spoken in China. The main language, however, is Chinese Mandarin. The next two most popular languages spoken in China are Cantonese and Shanghainese.

What are the national symbols of China?
China is known for the Chinese Dragon, the Giant Panda, and the Coat of Arms, which is China's national emblem. The emblem is an image of the entrance to the Forbidden City. Above the Forbidden City are five stars, like the flag, representing communism and the four social classes.

How is the Chinese language written?
Unlike English, the Chinese written language is written vertically. This is because the language is based on characters, not letters. The writing goes from top to bottom and right to left.

What percentage of China is literate?
More than 96% of adults in China are literate. In the US, more than 14% of American adults are illiterate, putting the Chinese ahead of the US when it comes to education.

Understanding Chinese Holidays

How long does the Chinese New Year last?
Chinese New Year is a 15-day long celebration. You may also hear it called Lunar New Year or Asian New Year. Typically, the Chinese people get 7 days off work to celebrate the New Year.

How do animals affect the Chinese New Year?
The Chinese Zodiac helps determine the animal that will represent each year. The Zodiac is on a 12-year cycle. This year, 2019, is the year of the Pig. This is the twelfth zodiac sign in the cycle.

What festivals do they celebrate in China?
Aside from the Chinese New Year, the Chinese also celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival (dragon boat racing), Lantern Festival (last day of the Chinese New Year), Qingming Festival (paying respect to the deceased), and Double Seventh Day (China's Valentine's Day).

Fun Facts About China

Are video games legal in China?
From 2000 to 2015, China banned foreign consoles from being used in China. While some people still smuggled systems into their homes, others just turned to PC games. While gaming consoles can be sold in China today, the number of video games sold is much less than what is sold in the US due to the heightened censoring, leaving less than 200 games for the PlayStation in China.

How many children can Chinese people have?
Today, China has a "two-child policy," which is greater than the "one-child policy" that existed until 2015. It's predicted that the policy will be lifted altogether by the year 2020 as China's government continues to make changes to the country.

When did China host the olympics?
The Games of the XXIX Olympiad were held in China in 2008. The Summer Olympics were also known as Beijing 2008.

What color do Chinese brides often wear?
Unlike in the US, Chinese brides generally wear a red dress. The Chinese view red as a color of honor, success, loyalty, and love.