How New York City Got Its Juicy Nickname “The Big Apple” — And What It Means To The World

By Stan Morris

Ever wondered what lies beyond the curtain of time in the heart of China? Embark on an enchanting odyssey through a land where ancient splendors and cutting-edge marvels converge. From the majestic Great Wall to the diverse landscapes and pulsating metropolises, China poses a captivating question: Can tradition and innovation seamlessly coexist, weaving a spellbinding narrative through the ages? Here are 50 facts about China. 

1. China is the world's most populous country, with over 1.4 billion people.

2. The official language is Mandarin Chinese.

3. The capital city of China is Beijing.

4. China has a rich history dating back thousands of years, with ancient civilizations like the Shang and Zhou dynasties.

5. The Great Wall of China, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

6. The official currency is the Renminbi (RMB) or Chinese Yuan (CNY).

7. China is a socialist republic with the Communist Party of China (CPC) as the ruling party.

8. The country is known for its diverse geography, including the Himalayan mountain range, the Gobi Desert, and the Yangtze River.

9. Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism have significantly influenced Chinese philosophy and culture.

10. Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important traditional festival in China.

11. The Terracotta Army in Xi'an consists of thousands of life-sized clay soldiers and horses.

12. China has a space program that has achieved significant milestones, including crewed missions and lunar exploration.

13. The Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River is the world's largest power station.

14. Chinese cuisine is diverse and famous worldwide, with regional specialties like Peking duck, dim sum, and Sichuan cuisine.

15. The panda, native to China, is a symbol of conservation efforts, and Chengdu Research Base is a major panda breeding center.

16. The Forbidden City in Beijing served as the imperial palace for centuries.

17. China is the world's second-largest economy, with rapid economic growth in recent decades.

18. The country is a major global producer and consumer of goods, including electronics, textiles, and steel.

19. China has the world's fastest-growing high-speed rail network.

20. The Belt and Road Initiative is a significant international infrastructure development project led by China.

21. Shanghai is China's most populous city and a global financial hub.

22. Chinese calligraphy is a traditional art form with a history dating back thousands of years.

23. The Yellow River is often called the "Cradle of Chinese Civilization" and is the second-longest river in China.

24. Traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture and herbal remedies, has ancient roots.

25. The one-child policy, implemented in 1979, was a population control measure that was relaxed in 2015.

26. The city of Hong Kong was a British colony until 1997, when it was returned to Chinese sovereignty.

27. The autonomous regions of Tibet and Xinjiang have unique cultural and ethnic characteristics.

28. China is the world's largest producer and consumer of coal.

29. The Chinese characters are logograms, and each character represents a morpheme, not a phoneme.

30. The Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics was a significant event that showcased China's economic and technological advancements.

31. China has a high-speed train that can reach speeds of over 300 km/h (186 mph).

32. The traditional Chinese calendar is lunisolar, incorporating elements of a lunar and solar calendar.

33. Chinese tea culture has a long history, with various types of tea like green tea, black tea, and oolong tea.

34. The concept of Feng Shui, an ancient Chinese practice, focuses on harmonizing individuals with their surroundings for better energy flow.

35. The Long March, undertaken by the Red Army of the CPC in the 1930s, played a crucial role in the Chinese Civil War.

36. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is an intergovernmental organization founded by China, Russia, and other Eurasian countries.

37. The Chinese education system places a strong emphasis on academic achievement and rigorous testing, such as the Gaokao.

38. The Chinese martial art of Kung Fu has various styles, including Tai Chi and Wing Chun.

39. China has the world's largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

40. The 2003 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) originated in China.

41. The traditional Chinese clothing, known as Hanfu, has seen a revival in recent years.

42. China has a significant online population, with its own internet ecosystem and platforms like WeChat and Alibaba.

43. The Hukou system is a household registration system in China that has influenced population mobility.

44. The city of Macau, known for its casinos, was a Portuguese colony until 1999.

45. The Chinese national anthem is called "March of the Volunteers."

46. The Grand Canal, constructed over different dynasties, is the world's longest artificial river.

47. The One Country, Two Systems principle was applied to Hong Kong and Macau after their return to Chinese sovereignty.

48. China is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

49. The Taiji symbol, commonly known as the Yin and Yang, represents the dual nature of existence in Chinese philosophy.

50. China is a leader in renewable energy, particularly in solar and wind power.