Officially known as the People’s Republic of China, this country is situated in the eastern part of Asia. Did you know that there are 56 ethnic groups in China? Along with the ethnic groups, the Han people make up 92% of the total population. While the official dialect of China is Mandarin (also called putonghua), up to 53 ethnic groups speak their own distinct languages with some even having their own writing scripts. China also has a couple of national symbols like the Great Wall of China, dragons, and pandas. Read on to find out more about the top things China is famous for.
When you do decide to visit the country, check out the top Airbnbs and sustainable hotels for a comfortable stay too!
1. The Forbidden City
One of the most significant sites in China is the Forbidden City. It is a palace complex in the middle of the Imperial City of Beijing. This historic place served as the imperial palace and winter residence of the Emperor of China during the Ming dynasty until the end of the Qing dynasty. There are over 900 structures in the complex which was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1987. The Forbidden City is the biggest collection of ancient and well-preserved wooden structures, and with its value being around USD 70 billion, it is the most valuable palace and piece of real estate in the world.
2. Li River
Li River is a tributary or a feeder river that belongs to the Xijiang River system of the Pearl River Basin. Located in Guangxi, the stream originates in Kitten Mountain and flows south through Guilin, Yangshuo, and Pingle. Li River is notable for providing such an interesting landscape once it passes through two types of karst (limestone hills), Fengcong and Fenglin. Fengcong karst is a group of limestone hills with deep depressions between peaks. The natural beauty of these karsts attracts millions of visitors annually. Tourists can participate in Li River cruises from Guilin to Yangshuo.
3. Potala Palace
Another World Heritage Site that China has to offer is Potala Palace in the city of Lhasa located in Tibet. The palace is a fortress of the dzong style which is a fortified monastery architecture that is common in Bhutan and Tibet. From 1649 until 1959, Potala Palace served as the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas and has since been a museum. The fortress derived its name from Mount Potalaka, the mythical dwelling of Avalokitesvara, a bodhisattva. This palace was listed as a heritage site by UNESCO in 1994.
4. Yangtze River
China is home to the longest river in Asia—the Yangtze. It may be the third-longest river in the world, but it is the longest to run completely in a single country. It is notable for its significant role in boosting the economy and culture of China and has been utilized for transportation, boundary-marking, sanitation, and even war for millenniums. Its most notable parts are the three adjacent gorges along the middle reaches: Wu, Xiling, and Qutang. The gorges are registered by the China National Tourism Administration as an “AAAAA Scenic Area” under the Tourist Attraction Rating Categories of China.
5. Leshan Giant Buddha
Located in the southern part of Sichuan province facing Mount Emei is Leshan Giant Buddha. It is a carved-out Cretaceous red bed sandstone depicting Maitreya, a bodhisattva who is said to arrive on Earth in the future. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is about 71 meters (233 ft) tall and was created during the Tang dynasty, from 723 until 803 AD. The construction was spearheaded by Chinese monk Hai Tong in hopes of the Buddha calming the waters that destroyed the ships traveling through the river. Listed as a heritage site in 1996, this tourist attraction is the tallest and biggest stone Buddha statue in the world.
6. Giant panda
The giant panda is known as the national treasure of China. This big bear-cat (literally translated from its Chinese name 大熊猫, dàxióngmāo), which has a life span of up to 20 years in the wild and 30 years in captivity, can weigh up to 150 kg (330 pounds). If you want to view these famous things in China in the place they originate, you must head to Chengdu in Sichuan Province. For those with a tight travel itinerary and only have a morning to spare, you will want to head to Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base (Chengdu Panda Base) as it’s the nearest panda base in Chengdu.
7. Fireworks
It’s interesting to look up the founder of Chinese fireworks. It’s believed that some 1000 years ago, a man named Li Tian from the city of Liu Yang in Hunan Province, was the one who started it all. Before the invention of fireworks, the Chinese had ‘paozhu’, otherwise known as exploding bamboo, triggered by heating it with fire. With the loud sounds caused by the explosion, the Chinese believed that it could help ward off evil forces. With improvements made over the years, the usage of fireworks has also extended to that of festivals and celebratory ceremonies.
8. Peking duck
Peking duck, or Beijing roast duck, is one of the most popular dishes in China, especially in Beijing. In fact, the first roast duck restaurant was opened in 1416 near Qianmen in Beijing. Apart from Peking duck, most restaurants also serve food made from other parts of the duck - using their tongues and wings. Some restaurants will serve the entire roasted duck in front of you before slicing it on the spot. You can eat it as it is or together with the thin pancakes, side dishes, and condiments provided.
9. Kung Fu
Kung Fu, also commonly known as wushu, gongfu, or Chinese martial arts, is a range of fighting styles that originated in China over centuries ago. However, don’t be mistaken because not all Chinese people are Kung Fu masters. The main function is for self-defense, but in recent years, it has been practiced for fitness and body-building purposes. You’ve probably heard of the names of these Kung Fu masters - Bruce Lee, Yip Man, Huo Yuanjia, and Wong Fei-hung.
10. Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China shouldn’t be an unfamiliar name since it’s a well-known attraction around the world. Its Chinese name is 长城 (chángchéng), which literally translates to ‘long wall’. The Great Wall of China was built to avert invasion from the northern nations and to protect the Silk Road trade. Contrary to its name, it’s not just a wall but a military defensive system used by the Chinese for various inspection and communication purposes. Even Barack Obama, the 44th U.S. President, visited the Great Wall of China in 2009!
11. Feng Shui
One of the greatest things associated with China is Feng Shui. It is a practice that uses energy forces to create harmony between humans and their environment. People believe that by employing Feng Shui, they will be in agreement with nature and thus bring about positive impacts such as good luck and health in their lives. An area where Feng Shui is greatly applied to is construction works. These cities are believed to have good Feng Shui: Beijing, Nanjing, and Chengdu.
12. Dim Sum
Dim sum is widely known as a Cantonese type of Chinese cuisine. In a dim sum restaurant, you will see small portions of food served to you in wooden or bamboo-like baskets. Some bite-sized delights are presented on small plates and best taken with hot tea! Legend has it that travelers along the Silk Road during the ancient times frequently stopped by at tea houses where tea and small portions of food were served. This led to the birth of dim sum.
13. Chinese zodiac
The Chinese zodiac is a 12-year cycle that assigns an animal to a human according to their birth year. The 12 animals present in the Chinese zodiac are rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. The Chinese zodiac gives insight into the personality types of individuals and there’s even a compatibility chart. For example, a person born in the year of the monkey is a good match with persons born in the year of the ox and rabbit. Its function is somehow similar to the western astrology signs that some people believe in.
14. Qipao (Chinese dress)
Qipao, also known as cheongsam, is a traditional body-hugging dress that originated from the changpao (long gown) of the Qing Dynasty. However, the dress style wasn’t always presented in this way. In the early 1920s, qipao had a looser cut. By the 1940s, the rise of urban Chinese women led to tighter fittings of the dress. Both the North China and South China people wore it differently as a reflection of their cultural differences.
15. Terracotta Army
The Terracotta Army is a collection of life-sized army, horses, and chariot sculptures of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. You can find them displayed in Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum in Xi'an, China. They were constructed by more than 700,000 workers over a span of 36 years. The Terracotta Army exists to protect Qin Shi Huang in his afterlife and to provide him with the same military status as he enjoyed while on earth. History enthusiasts should not miss out on this grand exhibition.
Experience China's famous things
For us, treading the grounds of the Great Wall of China would be a privilege and definitely a good way to incorporate some cardio exercise after indulging in some crispy Peking duck and the variety of dim sums China has to offer. Remember to catch the pandas live at the right time (not when they are sleeping) and observe the Terracotta Army at the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum in Xi'an, China. Start planning if you want to experience some of the things China is famous for!
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
-
-
Top 10 Famous Buildings In ChinaMwongeli -
-
-
-
-
-
-
Create an account to