Chinese History Quiz

The first dynasty in Chinese history, often considered mythical.

The dynasty that unified China for the first time, marked by the Great Wall and Qin Shi Huang.

The first emperor of China, known for unifying the country and building the Great Wall.

The dynasty that gave the Chinese people their modern name, known for the Silk Road and its cultural prosperity.

The dynasty known for its impressive prosperity and advances in culture, trade, and technological innovation.

The dynasty that witnessed the first use of paper money known as Jiaozi.

The dynasty that saw China's first major contact with the world through Zheng He's expeditions.

The last dynasty in Chinese history, known for its decline and eventual overthrow by the Xin亥革命.

The highest peak in the Himalayas, known for its challenging climb and breathtaking views.

A mountain range that serves as a natural barrier between northern and southern China, influencing climate and geography.

The longest river in China, flowing through diverse landscapes and playing a vital role in agriculture and transportation.

A significant river in Chinese history and culture, known as the "mother river" of the Chinese nation.

Five sacred mountains in China, each with a unique cultural and religious significance.

A mountain revered as sacred by the Chinese people, often used for rituals and emperor sacrifices.

A famous temple built into a cliffside, considered a marvel of ancient Chinese architecture.

A renowned Buddhist temple complex in China, famous for its martial arts tradition and unique architecture.

The Song Dynasty is considered the peak of Ci poetry development in Chinese literature. This period saw a flourishing of Ci poets and their works became highly influential.

The Four Classical Novels are some of the most famous and influential works of Chinese literature. They are: 1. Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong 2. Journey to the West by Wu Cheng'en 3. The Outlaws of the Marsh or Water Margin by Shi Nai'an 4. Dream of the Red Chamber by Cao Xueqin and Gao E.

Dream of the Red Chamber is a complex and multi-layered novel that delves into the lives and relationships of a wealthy family, the Jia, during the Qing Dynasty. It offers a vivid portrait of the complexities of family life, love, power, and social change.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms is a historical novel that narrates the events and struggles of the Three Kingdoms period in Chinese history (220-280 AD). It is based on the historical events of the Wei, Shu, and Wu dynasties.

Journey to the West tells the story of Tang Monk, a Buddhist monk, and his journey to retrieve Buddhist scriptures from the West. Along the way, he is joined by the Monkey King, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing.

Each of these characters comes from one of the Four Classical Novels: Lin Daiyu and Jia Baoyu from Dream of the Red Chamber, Guanyu, Caocao, and Zhuge Liang from Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie from Journey to the West, and Song Jiang and Wu Song from Water Margin.

The May 4th New Culture Movement, a significant intellectual and cultural movement in early 20th century China, advocated for democracy and science. It aimed to modernize China through the adoption of Western ideas and values, rejecting traditional Confucianism.

The launch of the New Youth magazine in 1915 marked the beginning of the May 4th New Culture Movement. This magazine served as a platform for intellectuals and reformers to express their ideas and challenge traditional values.

A policy implemented in 1978, aimed at reviving the Chinese economy after the Cultural Revolution. It involved opening up to foreign trade and investment, and reforming the domestic economic system.

A system of economic planning used in China, starting in 1953 and lasting until today, involving a cycle of five year plans for development.

A policy to stimulate economic development of the western regions with the support of the wealthier eastern coastal areas.

It is a major infrastructure development strategy launched by China in 2013, focused on reviving ancient trade routes through infrastructure projects.

The central bank of China, responsible for controlling the money supply and maintaining financial stability.

The richest dynasty in Chinese history. Known for its advanced economy, technology, and cultural achievements, including the use of paper money and the thriving of arts and crafts.

A set of remarkable inventions from ancient China that significantly impacted world civilization. These include papermaking, printing (specifically movable type printing), the compass, and gunpowder.

Yuan Longping is known for his significant contribution to China's agricultural development. He is credited with leading the development of hybrid rice, a high-yielding variety that revolutionized rice production in China and elsewhere.

The name of the national college / university entrance examination in China, often described as the most important exam in a Chinese student's life.

The Chinese New Year falls on the first day of the Chinese lunar calendar, a time for family reunions and celebrating the beginning of a new year, often marked by fireworks and festive decorations.

The annual festival celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month, culminating the Chinese New Year festivities, featuring bright lanterns, guessing riddles and delicious dumplings.

A 12-year cycle in the Chinese calendar, each year associated with an animal, used for fortune telling and predicting destiny.

The annual festival celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, in commemoration of Qu Yuan, a patriotic poet, involving dragon boat races, sticky rice dumplings, and the remembrance of a tragic hero.

Cai Lun, a high-ranking official during the Han Dynasty, is credited with inventing papermaking around 105 AD. His invention revolutionized communication and knowledge sharing.

Bi Sheng, a craftsman during the Song Dynasty, invented movable type printing around 1040 AD. This innovation significantly sped up printing and made books more accessible.

A simple compass, called the 'si nan', was invented during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC). This early compass was used for navigation and divination.

During the Song Dynasty, a more advanced compass, known as the 'luo pan', was created. It used a magnetized needle and a graduated scale to measure directions, making navigation more precise.

Taoist alchemists, in their quest for eternal life, experimented with various substances and discovered 'huǒyào'—fire medicine—while attempting to create pills of immortality. This was a pivotal discovery that later led to the invention of gunpowder and fireworks.

The earliest known use of 'huǒyào' was during the Tang Dynasty—for fireworks!

The use of 'huǒyào' for military purposes began in the later years of the Tang Dynasty. It was used to create weapons like fire arrows and grenades, marking a significant shift in warfare.

Zhang Heng, an astronomer and inventor of the Han Dynasty, designed the world's first seismograph, called the 'di dong yi', around 132 AD. This device detected earthquakes by using a system of balls that fell into a vessel depending on the direction of the tremors.