[takeaways] • The color red symbolizes luck and prosperity in Chinese culture, while the number four is considered highly unlucky due to its similarity to the word for death in Mandarin.
• The Great Wall of China has stood since at least 220 BC, though it wasn't fully completed until the height of the Ming dynasty in the 17th century.
• China is widely credited with inventing paper money in the 7th century — full circulation followed by the 12th century.
• China is home to more than 1,400 bird species and the endangered giant panda, whose diet is almost entirely bamboo.
• China spans more than 3.6 million square miles across five geographical time zones, though it officially observes just one: UTC+8.
• A SIMOVO eSIM for China keeps you connected to find bubble tea spots, navigate cities, and explore the country's landmarks with ease. [/takeaways]
China is one of the biggest and most fascinating countries in the East, combining centuries of ancient dynastic history with incredible modern innovation. It's one of the most visually stunning nations worldwide, too, and millions of people come here every year to see the Great Wall and other fascinating landmarks.
If you're planning a trip out East any time soon, prepare yourself with these fun facts about China that might just surprise you.
China culture and traditions
Red is the national color
In Chinese culture, the color red is considered very lucky indeed. It's seen as an omen of happiness and prosperity, which ties back to ancient mythology. You'll commonly see people sharing red eggs on important birthdays, and streets awash with red decorations during Chinese New Year.
Four is seen as a bad omen
Conversely, the number four is considered extremely unlucky in China. The reason for this is fairly simple — it's because, in Mandarin, it is a homophone for death. That means it effectively sounds the same when spoken, unless you change your tone. You'll often find that some buildings in China skip the number four completely when it comes to property and room numbers, and it's even absent in some phone numbers and license plates.
China's traditional calendar is based on the moon
In China, society has traditionally observed a lunisolar calendar, rather than the Gregorian standard you might be used to elsewhere. That means the months and days of the year are determined by the Sun and Moon, specifically the latitude of the former, and the phases of the latter. According to TimeAndDate, Chinese society does still follow Gregorian dates to an extent, but the traditional Chinese calendar is still used to measure festivals such as the Lunar New Year.
Famous landmarks and landscapes in China
The Great Wall is China's most famous landmark
The most famous landmark in China is inarguably its Great Wall. According to UNESCO, which lists it as an important world heritage site, the Wall has stood since at least 220 BC, initially being combined as a defense system. It was, as UNESCO states, only "finished" at the height of the Ming dynasty, by the 17th century.
But, you probably can't see it from space
It's a common misconception that you can see the Great Wall from space with the naked eye. It is certainly possible for a space station camera to zoom and take pictures, but it still requires considerable searching effort. It's massive, but not that massive! You'll still be able to find it from ground level, mind — just make sure you download map apps for China to plan your travel there and back.
The Forbidden City is truly immense
The Forbidden City is one of the most important historical sites left over from the Ming dynasty. As Jonathan Dugdale writes, it was initially completed as far back as the 15th century, and was a majestic imperial palace. Dugdale states that, mind-bogglingly, the walled area contained enough space to house Buckingham Palace in London more than 50 times!
Food and drink in China
There's dispute over dairy in the Chinese diet
The Chinese diet has conspicuously avoided dairy for centuries, or so many have thought. Many believe that this has been due to widespread lactose intolerance. But, as Miranda Brown discusses, Chinese people have in fact been consuming dairy products for longer than people imagine, and that they in fact faded out of consumption in the 18th century for various reasons. Be sure to listen to Brown's talk to learn more!
Food here is diverse and filling
Some of the most popular dishes in China include crispy Peking duck, fried or steamed filled dumplings (Jiaozi), red braised pork belly, Kung Pao chicken, congee porridge, and social hot pot. China, like many Eastern territories, also has a fantastic street food scene, where you can enjoy traditional favorites on the go.
China is all about tea
Popular drinks in China include Baijiu, which is a grain spirit that is one of the biggest-selling alcoholic drinks on the planet. Traditionally, however, China is a nation of green tea drinkers, with floral options growing popular across the centuries. A more modern take, bubble tea, is also extremely popular across the main cities (and you may well have enjoyed some at home, too).
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Surprising historical facts about China
Soccer was likely invented in China
While many countries lay claim to being the creators of soccer or football, FIFA recognizes cuju, or kick-ball, as the forerunner of the modern game. FIFA states that the game was played in China going back at least two millennia, and while it's only really played for tourism nowadays, it's still an intriguing and integral part of the country's sporting history.
Paper cash has roots here, too
It's widely recorded that, without China, we wouldn't have paper money! According to the American Numismatic Association, the Chinese invented paper cash in the 7th century, as a result of it being easier to carry and handle than physical coins. It's also noted that exchange certificates, or paper money as we know it, would be brought into full circulation by the 12th century.
China beat Italy to inventing the ice cream
While modern ice cream is certainly considered an Italian perfection, it was actually China that laid the foundations for this sweet treat — again, that's despite conceptions of Chinese people being lactose intolerant! According to Food Unfolded, Chinese farmers first started milking animals some four millennia ago, eventually leading to cold dairy dishes being made with snow imported from mountains!
Wildlife, geography, and nature in China
The giant panda is a national icon
China is home, of course, to the majestic giant panda! This iconic beast is native to mountain forests across the nation, though it is considered endangered and under conservation. Pandas are thought to spend almost all day eating bamboo, and it makes up almost the entirety of their diet!
There are hundreds of species living in China
According to Kai Pflug, there are more than 1,400 different species of birds to be found across China, with native species such as the Reed Parrotbill, the Elliot's Pheasant, and the Rusty-naped Pitta among the most interesting to spot and watch. It's a fantastic vacation choice for birdwatchers.
China goes big when it comes to geography
China is truly enormous as far as land area is concerned! It spans more than 3.6 million square miles and is large enough to span five different time zones, though it officially observes UTC+8. It's also home to the third-longest river in the world, the Yangtze, and the tallest mountain on the planet, Mount Everest, within the autonomous region of Tibet (and bordering Nepal).
Tips for travelers to China
Now you've dipped into our fun facts about China, here are a few quick tips to help make your future trips here more comfortable.
[warning]Thanks to the Great Firewall (which blocks various global websites and services), using WhatsApp in China isn't a given. You'll need to use an alternative messaging app, or use a VPN.[/warning] [tip title="Download China travel apps before you go"]We highly recommend you check out our guide to China travel apps, too, so you can easily find your way around the cities and surrounding areas (as alternatives to Google Maps).[/tip] [tip title="Set up WeChat or AliPay for cashless payments"]For paying cashless around China, download apps such as WeChat or AliPay — they are commonly used across the major cities. You may not be able to use international cards.[/tip] [tip title="Carry your passport everywhere"]Carrying your passport everywhere is a must, as you'll need it to access major attractions and transport points.[/tip] [warning]Don't drink tap water in China — it's safer to drink bottled, boiled, or filtered water instead.[/warning] [faq] [q]What are some fun facts about China?[/q] [a]China's Great Wall has stood since at least 220 BC, the country invented paper money in the 7th century, and the number four is considered unlucky due to its similarity to the word for death in Mandarin. China is also home to more than 1,400 bird species, the endangered giant panda, and the third-longest river in the world, the Yangtze.[/a] [q]Why is the number four unlucky in China?[/q] [a]The number four is considered unlucky in China because, in Mandarin, it is a homophone for the word "death" — meaning it sounds nearly identical when spoken. As a result, many buildings skip the number four in room and floor numbering, and it's sometimes avoided in phone numbers and license plates too.[/a] [q]Can you see the Great Wall of China from space?[/q] [a]Not with the naked eye — this is a common misconception. While it's possible for a space station camera to zoom in and capture images with considerable effort, the Great Wall isn't visible from space unaided. It's still an extraordinary structure to see from ground level, however.[/a] [q]Did China invent paper money?[/q] [a]Yes — according to the American Numismatic Association, the Chinese invented paper cash in the 7th century as an easier alternative to carrying physical coins. Exchange certificates evolved into paper money as we know it, reaching full circulation by the 12th century.[/a] [q]How big is China?[/q] [a]China spans more than 3.6 million square miles, making it one of the largest countries in the world by land area. It's large enough to span five geographical time zones, though the country officially observes just one: UTC+8.[/a] [q]Do I need an eSIM for China?[/q] [a]A SIMOVO eSIM for China is a convenient way to stay connected throughout your trip — useful for finding bubble tea spots, navigating cities with map apps, and staying in touch, especially given the restrictions imposed by China's Great Firewall on many international apps and services.[/a] [/faq] [esim flag="🇨🇳" label="China" data="10GB · 30 days" price="$10.50" href="/products/china" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Get connected before you land in China[/esim]
