中国历史与文化知识测验

National Anthem

• The national anthem of the PRC is "March of the Volunteers."
• It was written in 1935.
• It was officially adopted on December 4, 1982.

National Day

• Chinese celebrate October 1st as National Day.
• This commemorates the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on October 1, 1949.

Population

• China has one of the world's largest populations.
• In 2020, the population exceeded 1.4 billion according to the 7th national census.

Nationalities/Ethnic Groups

• China is a multi-ethnic country.
• There are 56 ethnic groups in China.
• The Han are the largest ethnic group, comprising approximately 92% of the population.

Language

• The official language of China is Chinese.
• Chinese is also one of the six official languages of the United Nations.
• Other languages include Arabic, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
• Chinese characters are the oldest continuously used writing system globally.

Beijing Opera

• A new trend in Beijing opera is combining music.

Our City—Xi'an

• Xi'an is a famous historical city located in the heart of China.

Statutory Holidays

• There are 7 national public holidays in China.
• Several examples include New Year, Spring Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival.

Traditional Chinese Festivals

• Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) is a major traditional festival.
• Lantern Festival traditionally falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month.
• Qing Ming Festival, also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, is another major festival.
• Dragon Boat Festival is another important traditional festival.
• The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated yearly.
• The Double Seven Festival is frequently a celebration.

Traditional Chinese Festivals (Calendar)

• Chinese traditional festivals follow a lunar calendar.
• This means festivals may fall on different days in various years.

The Story of Nian

• Spring Festival is the official name; it is also known as Guo Nian (keeping the monster Nian away).
• Nian is a monstrous creature from ancient times similar to a bull with a lion's head.
• Nian was driven away with the sound of firecrackers.

Chinese Zodiac

• A 12-year cycle system based on the lunar calendar.
• Each year is associated with an animal.

Rat

• Perfectionist
• Thrifty with money
• Attractive to the opposite sex

Ox

• Patient and reserved
• Stubborn and fractious
• Inspires confidence in others.

Tiger

• Sensitive and compassionate
• Short-tempered
• Commands respect easily

Rabbit

• Articulate and talented
• Virtuous and reserved
• Financially fortunate

Dragon

• Healthy and energetic
• Honest and trustworthy
• Sometimes eccentric

Snake

• Rarely concerned about money
• Deep and determined
• Occasionally vain and selfish

Horse

• Popular and cheerful
• Perceptive and talkative
• Impatient and passionate about new things

Goat

• Elegant and artistic
• Shy and pessimistic
• Usually deeply religious

Monkey

• Clever, skillful, and adaptable
• Remarkably inventive and original
• Can be overly agreeable

Rooster

• Dedicated to career
• Can be challenging in relationships
• Adventurous

Dog

• Loyal and honest
• Unconcerned with wealth, yet typically prosperous
• Good leaders

Pig

• Chivalrous and gallant
• Particular about friends
• Thirsty for knowledge

Lantern Festival

• Celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month.
• It marks the end of the traditional Spring Festival.
• One custom of the festival is eating Yuan Xiao.

Double Seventh Festival

• Celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month.
• It is a traditional festival full of romance and is sometimes referred to as Valentine's Day.

Time Zones

• China utilizes Eastern Standard Time (EST) from Beijing, despite having five time zones.

Land Boundary Line

• The combined land border of China is the longest in the world.
• It stretches 22,117 km from the Yalu River (Amnok River) to the Gulf of Tonkin.
• China has land borders with 14 countries.

Coastline

• China's coastline has approximately 5,400 islands.
• Taiwan is the largest island.
• Hainan is the second largest island.
• The South China Sea Islands are a collective group of islands, reefs, shoals.

Yuan Long-ping and Hybrid Rice

• Date range of work: 2013-2021

The Yangtze River

• The longest river in China.
• The 3rd longest river globally (6,300m).
• Originates from the Tanggula Mountains in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
• Flows through 11 provinces (Qinghai, Tibet, Sichuan, Yunnan, Chongqing, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, and Shanghai).

The Yellow River

• Originates from Qinghai Province.
• Passes through 9 provinces and autonomous regions.
• Flows into the Bohai Sea.
• Over 5400m long.
• The second longest river globally.

Mother River of China

• The Yellow River is considered the "Mother River" of the Chinese people.
• It is considered the cradle of the Chinese people and a place of origin of numerous legends.
• It is also integral to civilization.
• The legend of Nv Wa creating humans from mud within the Yellow River.

Mother River of China (Cantata)

• The Yellow River Cantata was written in 1939 to inspire Chinese people.
• It encouraged resistance against Japanese invaders and keeping hope.
• The most celebrated cantata is "Protect the Yellow River."

Administrative Divisions

• China is divided into provinces, cities, and townships. There are 23 provinces, 5 autonomous regions, 4 municipalities, and 2 special administrative regions.
• A three-tiered administrative system is used.

The division of the north and south parts of China

• The Qinling Mountains and Huai River divide the north and south.

Hua Bei (North) Zone

• Beijing Central Axis was inscribed in the 2024 UNESCO World Heritage List.
• China currently has 59 World Heritage sites, including 40 cultural sites, 15 natural sites, and 4 mixed sites.

Hua Dong (East) Zone

• Shandong Province is located in the Hua Dong (East) Zone.

Confucian Temple

• This is a temple, and a prominent structure pertaining to the Confucius beliefs.

The Nanjing Massacre

• Occurred between December 13, 1937, and lasted for six weeks.
• Japanese soldiers murdered over 300,000 Chinese soldiers and civilians.
• Widespread violence.

The Good German of Nanking

• John Rabe, a German businessman.
• He operated in Nanjing for the Siemens China Corporation during the Nanjing Massacre.
• His Nanjing Safety Zone sheltered approximately 200,000 Chinese from violence during the massacre.
• After returning to Germany, he showcased photographs and films of the Japanese atrocities in lectures in Berlin, Germany.
• Rabe received considerable donations from the people in Nanjing after his death due to his kindness during the wartime. A monument was built for him in 2013 in Berlin, Germany.

The island—Hua Nan (The South Zone)

• This refers to Hainan Province.
• It is often described as "sunshine and beach."
• Hainan Province has coconut trees and has a tax-free environment.
• Hainan is a significant international education site.

Northwest China

• Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region
• Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
• Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

Central-South China

• Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

Southwest China

• Xi Zang (Tibet Autonomous Region)

Municipality

• Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, and Chongqing are municipalities in China.

Ideology

• A collection of beliefs; especially for a given group that guides thought and behavior.

Confucianism

• Buddhism and Taoism are also mentioned along with Confucianism

Buddhism

• Buddhism was introduced into China in the 1st century by Han people from India.
• Buddhism is one of the most large religions in China.

Chinese Buddhism

• In 64 AD, the emperor of the Eastern Han dynasty sent envoys to gather Buddhist doctrines from the western regions.
• From the envoy's return they brought back Buddhist texts and statues from India to Louyang.
• A White House Temple was built in this area for the Buddhist monks.

Taoism

• Lao-tzu is considered a significant figure in the early development of Taoism.
• The "Tao Te Ching" was written (attributed to) Lao-tzu but it may not have originated with him; distinctions between Taoism and Lao-tzu's philosophy are significant.
• Lao-tzu's concepts are centered around not interfering with natural processes, not resisting life, doing nothing, and not exerting force upon fate.

By two means

• Written records (historical records, diaries)
• Artifacts (pottery, tools, human remains/relics)

Yuanmou Man

• Lived in Yunnan Province, China (~1.7 million years ago)
• Considered the earliest Homo genus in China.
• Fossils discovered by geologist Fang Qian in 1965.

Lantian Man

• Lived in Lantian County, Shaanxi Province, China (~1.63 million years ago).
• A hominin skull is one of the most significant finds in China.

Peking Man

• Also known as Beijing Man.
• Lived in Zhoukoudian near Beijing (~750,000 years ago)
• Considered an ancestor of the Chinese people. Excavations started in 1921; ended in 1937 due to Japanese invasion.
• Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

Early Chinese Myths

• Pangu created the world and heaven from primordial chaos.
• Nuwa created the first humans from mud.
• Historical myths related to Huang Di and Yan Di.

Xia Dynasty

• First dynasty in China (2070-1600 BC).
• It was a series of rulers from the same family.
• The method of succession was by the abdication of one ruler and the selection of a suitable successor based on factors such as governance, popularity, morality and ability.
• King Qi shifted from a system of selection to an inheritable system.

Shang Dynasty

• (1600-1046 BC)
• Largely overlapped with modern-day Henan Province.
• "Ruins of Yin" near Anyang yielded the first known body of Chinese writing (oracle bone script).

Zhou Dynasty

• The longest dynasty in Chinese history (790 years).
• Its social system was decentralized.
• Conquered territories were divided and given to members of the royal family or loyal followers as hereditary estates.
• Western Zhou (1046-771 BC): Xi'an acted as the capital.
• The Mandate of Heaven concept justified Zhou rule over the Shang.
• Eastern Zhou (770-256 BC): The capital was moved eastward to Luoyang.
• Royal authority weakened, and various vassal states gained significant independence, becoming more powerful.

Qin Dynasty

• (221-207 BC)
• First dynasty to unify China under a highly centralized system.
• Qin Shi Huang (259-210 BC) was the monarch.
• Standardized currency, weights, measures, and cart axle lengths.
• Unified the writing system.
• Constructed the Great Wall of China.
• Ordered the creation of the Terracotta Army.
• Burned books and buried scholars.

Emperor Wu of Han

• (157-87 BC)
• Officially endorsed Confucianism as the national philosophy to strengthen his rule.
• Weakened the nobles by forcing their return to vassal states.
• Encouraged reporting of noble corruption.

Sui Dynasty

• (581-618)
• Ke Ju (Imperial Examination System) was established; a civil service selection structure for government positions based on written examinations.
• Increased social mobility.

Emperor Taizong of Tang

• (598-649)
• Reduced taxes to reduce the burden on the people.
• Granted loans to business people.
• Protected the Silk Road.
• Selected skilled officials regardless of prior positions.
• Allowed criticism to address weaknesses.
• Overcome rivals, thus making territorial borders secure.

Wu Zetian

• (624-705)
• The only female emperor in Chinese history.
• Founded and ruled the Zhou dynasty.
• Briefly interrupted the Tang Dynasty.

Song Dynasty

• (960-1279)
• A thriving economy.
• Issued the first nationally used paper money (banknotes).
• Significant progress in science and technology, including the invention of the compass, printing, gunpowder, and papermaking.

Important Note:

• This is a summary based on the provided images and text. Additional details might be present in the original sources.