About China

The China

China is a multi-nationalities nation. Besides Han, which takes up over 90% of China's population, there are 55 ethinic groups living together harmoniously in this big landmass. Their costumes, festivals and customs are unique and colorful. It is very worthwhile to explore China's ethnic villages. 

China is proud of her many people, long history, resplendent culture and distinctive customs. Among her greatest gifts to the world are the 'four great inventions' (paper, gunpowder, printing and the compass) . Chinese arts and crafts, including painting, calligraphy, operas, embroidery and silk are distinctive and unique. Martial arts, which have only recently begun to enjoy popularity in other parts of the world have been part of Chinese culture for centuries, and Chinese literature is testifies to the country's rich heritage. And, of course, there is Chinese cuisine, which has been exported to every corner of the globe.

   Uygur Ethic

Miao Ethic

Mongolian Ethic

Tibetan Ethic

 Religion

Because China is a communist state, there is no official religion and more than half of the population claims no religious affiliation or identifies as atheist. About a quarter of the people practice Taoism and Confucianism and other traditional religions. There are also small numbers of Buddhists, Muslims and Christians. Although numerous Protestant and Catholic ministries have been active in the country since the early 19th century, they have made little progress in converting Chinese to these religions.Language

There are seven main dialects of Chinese — Mandarin, Cantonese, Hakka, Wu, Min, Xiang and Gan. Pŭtōnghuà, the type of Mandarin based on the speech in the capital Beijing, is the official national language of mainland China. Many Chinese are also fluent in English. The written language is symbol-based.

Food

Like other aspects of Chinese life, cuisine is heavily influenced by geography and ethnic diversity. Among the main styles of Chinese cooking are Cantonese, which features stir-fried dishes, and Sezchuan, which relies heavily on use of peanuts, sesame paste and ginger and is known for its spiciness.

Jews

Dim Sum

The Chinese word for rice is fan, which also means meal, and it is a staple of their diet, as are bean sprouts, cabbage and scallions. Because they do not consume a lot of meat — occasionally pork or chicken — tofu is a main source of protein for the Chinese.

Chinese calligraphy. Chinese writing is based on symbols.

Tea is the beverage of choice.

Arts

Chinese art is greatly influenced by the country’s rich spiritual and 
mystical history. Many sculptures and paintings depict spiritual figures of Buddhism.

Many musical instruments are integral to Chinese culture, including the flute-like xun and the guqin, which is in the zither family. The country’s musical history dates back to the beginning of its existence.

Eastern-style martial arts were also developed in China, and it is the birthplace of kung fu, which translates to human achievement.

Ancient Chinese were avid writers and philosophers — especially during the the Ming and Qing dynasties — and that is reflected in the country’s rich liturgical history.

Customs and celebrations

The largest festival — also called the Spring Festival — marks the beginning of the lunar new year. It falls between mid-January and mid-February and is a time to honor ancestors. During the 15-day celebration, children receive money in red envelopes for good luck and people thoroughly clean their homes to signify a fresh beginning. The holiday is marked fireworks and parades with dancers dressed as dragons.

A Dragon Dance

Many people make pilgrimages to Confucius' birthplace in Shandong Province on his birthday, Sept. 28. The birthday of Guanyin, the goddess of mercy, is observed by visiting Taoist temples. It falls between late March and late April. Similar celebrations mark the birthday of Mazu, the goddess of the sea (also known as Tianhou), in May or June. The Moon Festival is celebrated in September or October with fireworks, paper lanterns and moon gazing.