Chinese is the world’s most widely spoken and fastest growing economy language, making learning it an appealing prospect. There are various reasons to study Chinese.
China is one of the world’s most captivating nations. It boasts an extraordinary history that never ceases to amaze newcomers to this nation.
The Great Wall
The Great Wall of China is the longest manmade structure on the planet and attracts millions of visitors each year; it has stood for more than 2000 years and is considered one of the seven wonders of the world! It’s incredible just how much work went into building it – as its walls were constructed for military use to protect China against invaders; their construction includes watch towers, guard towers, moats and beacon towers that send out smoke signals in case there was an attack on this great landmark!
Walls often trace the contours of mountains and hills, with some sections entirely composed of natural obstacles like rivers or mountain ridges. Over time, however, sections have vanished or become derelict; therefore it is imperative that those left are preserved as best possible.
At the height of its construction, many people died due to its difficult nature. Nearly everyone required to work on this project – peasants, slaves and criminals ordered by Emperor Ashoka – perished during its creation; many workers who died were even buried beneath its walls upon death – an estimated total of one million workers died working on this wall over its estimated 1000 year lifespan.
Notably, this wall’s construction did not use cement! Instead, workers used a rice flour batter that they spread onto bricks and stones before pressing together before resurfacing with lime for a smooth finish.
In the past, Chinese walls featured numerous watch towers to provide guards with an optimal view of enemy movements and allow them to fire arrows at any approaching enemies from those towers. At its height during Ming dynasty alone there were over one thousand watch towers lining these historic walls; they now form part of UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
A new skyscraper is built every five days
China is an intriguing land with an intriguing past and diverse traditions, from internet addiction boot camps to naming children after Olympic medalists; you will surely discover something about this intriguing nation that will surprise and entertain you.
One of the more remarkable facts about China is that a new skyscraper is constructed every five days, thanks to Chinese developers using prefabricated construction methods that enable rapid building. This phenomenon is particularly apparent in Shanghai where the tallest building in the world – The Shanghai World Financial Center – stands. Additionally, Shanghai also enforces strict height regulations which prevent buildings from towering over others in their city limits.
To protect the city, these regulations mandate that new buildings stand a minimum of 50 meters tall and be placed 40 meters away from other structures to minimize noise pollution.
Buildings must include green space at their foundation to help keep the city clean and green, as well as provide an inviting space to walk or relax.
Fun Chinese Fact: the term “skyscraper” wasn’t always associated with high buildings; initially it referred to anything from triangular sails to tall hats or even horses! First used in 1857 and designed by Louis Sullivan (known as the father of skyscrapers).
Cricket battling is an immensely popular activity in China, and particularly popular among children. Players use sticks to attempt to hit crickets with as few strikes as possible using small sticks thrown by them with the aim of striking with one or two shots at the cricket. Many Chinese consider crickets good luck pets.
China boasts three national animals – the dragon, giant panda and red-crowned crane. China also invented gunpowder, paper money and the compass; as well as being home to the world’s longest dam: Three Gorges Dam. China discovered how blood circulates within our bodies, discovered how blood works by discovering blood circulation patterns within organs; it even produced toilet paper as the first country in history!
The giant panda
The giant panda is China’s national treasure, revered for its beauty and pride as an international icon. These bears have fascinated people since antiquity; you’ll find them featured in Chinese art dating back thousands of years! Their distinctive black and white features resembling those of both raccoons and bears make them beloved icons both at home and abroad.
Pandas are slow-moving animals that spend much of their time sleeping, yet when they do move it can be uncontrollable and unpredictable. When pandas decide to move it may be clumsy and unpredictable as they frequently roll forward, backward or sideways. Scientists believe this helps improve circulation while dislodging dust particles trapped in their fur – though rolling may simply be something pandas enjoy doing like cats love scratching or dogs love sniffing.
Giant pandas have successfully adapted to their habitat, inhabiting broadleaf and coniferous forests with dense understories of bamboo at elevations between 5,000 and 10,000 feet. Their thick coats help keep them warm, while their powerful jaw muscles and molar teeth make crushing bamboo shoots and stems easy – they consume as much as 50 pounds daily!
Wild pandas tend to be very independent animals that take great pride in protecting their territory and privacy. When two pandas meet in the forest, they may exhibit aggressive behavior by growling or swat each other even though there may be no competition for food or territory between them; these reactions may increase significantly during mating season or when mothers guarding cubs are nearby.
Giant pandas may resemble raccoons and skunks in terms of appearance, but they are actually true bears. Their paws are designed for gripping and climbing; their pseudo-thumb with its enlarged wrist bone serves to hold and manipulate bamboo shoots while eating them; furthermore they possess long intestines to aid their digestion of their diet of mostly plant material.
Kites were invented in China
Kites have long been part of Chinese culture. From passing crazy tests for travellers, to scaring off enemies or providing superstitious healing benefits; kites have always been part of this ancient nation’s life and culture.
Kites were first invented over 2000 years ago in China from wood and silk materials. Used both militarily and communicatively, as well as having aesthetic value they became well-known decorative objects with great artistic merit.
Early kites were called prototype kits, designed to imitate bird flight. Used for military intelligence gathering and to measure wind direction during large army marches. There have also been historical accounts of Chinese Generals using kites with harps attached for sending messages across enemy walls during sieges.
Over time, Chinese people began using kites as recreational activities. Kites became part of festive celebrations; people would traditionally fly kites on the Festival of Pure Brightness to honor their ancestors and carry away bad luck from families. For these reasons, Chinese kites usually feature auspicious animals or figures like fish, dragonflys, phoenixes, cranes, perons or the Eight Diagrams on them to protect from evil spirits or bad luck.
Modern Chinese kites are often made of paper, and can be seen flying in parks across the country. Their popularity lies in their variety of shapes and sizes ranging from small to large and often representing mythological creatures and symbols while making musical sounds as they flutter overhead.
Kites can be an enjoyable way to build bonds among family and friends while practicing flying skills and building strength. There is an assortment of Chinese kites available that you can choose from when flying yours indoors! So get flying! Experience all that Chinese kite flying has to offer!