China has more than just ancient temples and bustling cities. It’s a country of curious customs, mind-boggling foods, and sights that defy explanation. Read on as we share with you 14 weird facts about China.
One Time Zone Fits All
Despite its vast size, the entire country operates on a single clock – Beijing Time. This means sunrises in the east happen at a decent hour, but folks in the west might be enjoying a late-night breakfast under a stubbornly unrisen sun! This quirk, implemented for national unity, is just one of the many unexpected things that make China such a fascinating place.
Some People Live In Caves
China offers a surprising housing option: caves. Millions of people, particularly in the north, call Yaodong, or “house caves,” home. These earth shelters, some dating back to the Bronze Age, provide natural insulation, keeping residents cool in summer and warm in winter. With an estimated 40 million people living in caves, China proves modern life can comfortably coexist with ancient traditions.
A Land Of Extremes
China’s urban landscape is a land of staggering extremes. While the nation boasts a whopping 102 cities with populations exceeding a million, it also harbors a bizarre phenomenon: ghost towns – entire, modern cities built from scratch yet eerily devoid of residents. Millions of vacant homes stand as silent testaments to this surreal contrast.
China’s Pork Passion
China is the world’s largest pork consumer, devouring 52 million tons annually. But here’s the real shocker: to satisfy this demand, China houses more than half the world’s pig population. Talk about a country going whole hog! This unique statistic highlights China’s deep cultural connection to pork and its role as a global leader in meat production.
Cricket’s Fights Are Popular Here
China boasts a fascinating tradition – cricket fighting. This ancient pastime, dating back to the Tang Dynasty, involves male crickets facing off in specially designed arenas. But don’t worry; these battles are more about chirping dominance than bloody combat. The crickets rarely get hurt, making it a surprisingly gentle competition.
Pinky Power
Forget manicured hands; the new status symbol in China is a luxurious pinky nail. Long nails were once a marker of wealth in ancient China, signifying freedom from manual labor. Today, the trend is returning, with wealthy individuals sporting long pinky nails adorned with diamonds and gemstones.
Chinese New Year is Everyone’s Birthday
Chinese New Year isn’t just about celebrating the start of a new year; it’s also a shared birthday for everyone in China! Tradition holds that everyone turns one year older on the seventh day of the festivities. This unique custom adds another layer to the significance of Chinese New Year, making it the most important holiday in the country.
China Has Its Own Zodiac Calendar
Much like the Western zodiac, China has its own animal-based zodiac calendar. This system cycles through 12 animals every year, following a lunar calendar. Each year is represented by a specific animal, with the Rat starting the cycle and the Pig ending it. So, if you were born in the year of the Tiger, you’ll celebrate another Tiger year every 12th year!
People Eat Dogs During the Yulin Lychee Festival
The Yulin lychee festival in China has a unique tradition. Every summer solstice, thousands of dogs are consumed, linked to beliefs of good luck and health. However, the tide is turning, and the number of slaughtered dogs has significantly declined. A recent survey showed growing public opposition within Yulin itself. Less than 20% of residents oppose a dog and cat meat ban, and 70% say it wouldn’t significantly impact their lives. These signs suggest a possible decline in the practice.
Government Permission Needed For Childbirth
China’s one-child policy, enforced from the 1970s to 2015, aimed to curb rapid population growth. Strict measures included government permission for childbirth and limitations on family size. This policy skewed the gender ratio due to a preference for sons, leading to a change in 2016, allowing couples to have two children.
China Owns All Pandas In The World
China calls pandas its “ambassadors.” Getting them on loan is a sign of strong diplomatic ties. Unlike animals in other zoos, China retains ownership of all pandas abroad, sending them only to special partners. This practice, known as panda diplomacy, highlights the political clout of these charismatic creatures.
The Great Wall’s Secret Weapon – Sticky Rice
The Great Wall of China holds a hidden ingredient in its bricks: sticky rice. During the Ming Dynasty, engineers used a mortar mix of sticky rice flour and lime. This ingenious technique provided exceptional strength, helping the Wall stand tall for centuries. This surprising ingredient adds another layer of fascination to China’s architectural marvel.
Time Travel Movies Are Banned In China
China’s censorship extends to the realm of time itself. Unlike many countries where time travel is a popular trope in fiction, China bans depictions of it in movies and television. The government fears that storylines in which historical events are altered could negatively impact how people view their past.
China’s Ginkgo Trees Are Living Fossils
Ginkgo trees are living fossils, the sole survivors of an ancient era that predates dinosaurs. Their leaves haven’t changed in millions of years! The oldest recorded Ginkgo, China’s Li Jiawan Grand Ginkgo King, is a staggering 4,000 years old. For centuries, Ginkgo has been used in traditional Chinese medicine as a source of natural remedies, particularly for promoting memory and focus.