HISTORY OF CHINA China is located in the east of Asia. The Capital of China is Beijing. History-ofChina.

com provides the essence of China History. The ancient history of China reflects the beauty of Chinese culture and morality. With more than 5000 years of history, China has a wonderful culture and splendid civilization. From the oldest resident in China and the oldest dynasty, Xia dynasty, there have been millions of prominent people who made great contributions to the unity and development of Chinese civilization. They include emperors like Qin Shihuang(Qin dynasty emperor), Hanwudi (Emperor of Han dynasty) and Li Shimin (emperor of Tang dynasty), and Kangxi Emperor inQing dynasty. There were also famous scholars like Confucius (Great educator inSpring and Autumn Period), and scientists like Zhu Chongzhi and Zhangheng. Besides them, there were also thousands of heros in China history who were remembered by modern Chinese. They are like a shining stars that living in all the heart of Chinese.It is their great contributions that made China today attractive and lovely. 5000 years have passed. The Chinese nation and society are welcoming much development in the 21st century. With the combined efforts of 1.3 billion people, China will enter a new phase in the 21st century and create a miracle for its people and the world. Learn more about Reasons to learn Chinese and China facts. Important Events Listed in ancient China History
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Shang dynasty Qin Dynasty Three Great Inventions Buddhism Development Prosperity of Zhenguan Zheng He Expeditions Famous Emperors in History of China

Qin Shihuang Liubei Caocao Liu Bang Han Wudi Emperor Li Shimin Wu Zetian Kangxi Emperor

Great Scholars in History of China

Confucius Sun Tzu Zhu Geliang Tao Yuanming Zhu Chongzi Li Bai

CULTURE/TRADITION (MUSIC/ARTS)

Tujia Ethnic Minority Customs: Weeping Marriage A History of Chinese Tattoos and Chinese Tattooing Traditions Chinese tattoos have become a raging phenomenon among tattoo enthusiasts of the western world. Chinese tattoos offer beautiful characters with a sense of the... Business in the Old Lanes Shuttling through the lanes of different sizes in the old town of Shanghai, seeking for the fading traces of history and experiencing the humanistic flavors... Matriarchal Marriage Patterns of the Mosuo People The Mosuo live at the shores of lake Lugu, situated on the South-West of China, it has common borders with the provinces of Sichuan and Yunnan. The...

Folk Handicraft

Cao And Beijing Kite

Sixi Wawa (Four-happiness baby figurine) The four-happiness baby figurine (Sixi Wawa) is a kind of folk doll made according to the conjoined shape of babies. People either display it at home or hang... Sichuan Embroidery Silk has been produced in Sichuan Province in abundance since ancient times and Chengdu was the starting point of the southern Silk Road. Sichuan embroidery...

Folk Art Yangko Dance Shandong Clapper Ballad Folk Arts in Daily Life - Dress and...

Clothing and Ornaments

Obsessed with the tiptoe - stories... Headdress of the Miao ethnic group:... Costumes of Gaoshan Nationality in...

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Folk Residences Tibetan Diaofang: Stone Chamber Top Five Chinese Houses You Cannot Miss to Experience Ancient Folk Customs Ethnic Minority The Lisu Nationality The Religion of the Hani Yeche Myths and Legends Pixiu, Coming with Fortune The Legend of Ji Gong

WAY OF LIFE The traditional Chinese way of life, in theory, advocates the harmony and order among the individual, the family and society. The best way to accomplish this ideal is to cultivate ones mind, manage a family well and efficiently govern a country? In traditional Chinese culture, the family is the basic unit of society, while individuals are only one part of the family. The blood relationship between the father and son is the most important element of society. The extended families of old had "four generations living under one roof". The so-called "four generations under one roof" meant the cohabitation of the father and mother, son and daughter-in-law (or daughter and son-in-law), grandson and granddaughterin-law, the great-grandson and the great-granddaughter. While modern families increasingly include only two generations living together, the tradition and the ideal of four generations living together still remains. The idea of tracing back ancestry is still the most powerful centripetal force of the Chinese nation. A distinguished ancestor will bring pride to his descendants for thousands of years. The many descendants of eminent leaders will not sully the name of their ancestors no matter what the consequences. Thus the harmony and stability of families and clans are the assurance of peace and the advancement of society. The culture of the Chinese people, as shown in the conduct of their daily lives, closely adheres to the precepts of Taoism. Taoism is inclined to simplicity in all things. People thoughts and feelings conform to each season as they become one with nature, acting in harmony with everything on earth, and valuing human relationships. Since one's life must respect and conform to the seasons, the jieqi (seasonal division points in the calendar) must be acknowledged. Festivals and jieqi are particularly important to the Chinese. Not only in festivals and other special occasions, examples of Chinese culture may be seen in everyday activities of the Chinese. In playing the lute or chess, reading or painting, the important thing is not technique, but rather one's frame of mind when conducting these activities. The tea ceremony originated in China. It focuses the attention of participants on clarity of thinking and refinement. Zen Buddhism has had an extensive following in Chinese history; its practice influenced the daily habits of a great number of people. Zen Buddhism may be the best way to exemplify the mysterious quality of oriental culture. This is a way of life that pursues harmony with nature and with others, simplicity, and a feeling of warmth and oneness with all. ECONOMY

GDP (2010 est.): $5.88 trillion (exchange rate-based); $10.09 trillion (purchasing power parity). Per capita GDP (2010): $7,600 (purchasing power parity).

GDP real growth rate (2010): 10.3%. Natural resources: Coal, iron ore, petroleum, natural gas, mercury, tin, tungsten, antimony, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, magnetite, aluminum, lead, zinc, uranium, hydropower potential (world's largest). Agriculture: Products--Among the world's largest producers of rice, wheat, potatoes, corn, peanuts, tea, millet, barley; commercial crops include cotton, other fibers, apples, oilseeds, pork and fish; produces variety of livestock products. Industry: Types--mining and ore processing, iron, steel, aluminum, and other metals, coal; machine building; armaments; textiles and apparel; petroleum; cement; chemicals; fertilizers; consumer products, including footwear, toys, and electronics; food processing; transportation equipment, including automobiles, rail cars and locomotives, ships, and aircraft; telecommunications equipment, commercial space launch vehicles, satellites. Trade: Exports (2010)--$1.506 trillion: electrical and other machinery, including data processing equipment, apparel, textiles, iron and steel, optical and medical equipment.Main partners (2009)-U.S. 20.03%, Hong Kong 12.03%, Japan 8.32%, South Korea 4.55%, Germany 4.27%. Imports (2010 est.)--$1.307 trillion: electrical and other machinery, oil and mineral fuels, optical and medical equipment, metal ores, plastics, organic chemicals. Main partners (2009)-Japan 12.27%, Hong Kong 10.06%, South Korea 9.04%, U.S. 7.66%, Taiwan 6.84%, Germany 5.54%. Currency: Renminbi.

PICTURES & ILLUSTRATIONS

Chinese New Year parade

Chinese Calendar

Great wall of China

Flag of China

The following POEM is from the Shih Ching. It is the the 88th poem appearing in Mao's ordering of the Shih Ching, but is often numbered 20th in English versions of that anthology. It reminds one of Robert Herrick's "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time," or other carpe diem poems in the Western tradition. In its elegant simplicity, it captures the teenage angst a young girl might feel, regretting a choice made out of timidity, longing for the road not taken. I particularly find moving the way she frets over her clothes. Note in particular the subtle repetition of words in reverse order. "A Very Handsome Gentleman"

A very handsome gentleman Waited for me in the lane; I am sorry I did not go with him.

A very splendid gentleman Waited for me in the hall; I am sorry I did not keep company with him.

I am wearing my unlined coat, my coat all of brocade. I am wearing my unlined skirt, my skirt all of brocade!

Oh uncles, young and old, Let me go with him to his home!

I am wearing my unlined skirt, my skirt all of brocade. And my unlined coat, my coat all of brocade. Oh uncles, young and old, Let me go with him to his home