China Facts for Kids

There are lots of interesting facts about China. Here are some you might find fascinating.

Here are some China facts for Kids:

-- China is getting ready for a new day when the United States is ready for night.

-- The Chinese calendar dates back to 2600 B.C. It is the oldest known calendar. The Chinese year is based on the cycles of the moon. This is called a lunar year. A complete cycle of the Chinese calendar takes 60 years.

-- Chinese people love animals. Each Chinese year is represented by an animal. The Chinese zodiac animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar (or Pig).

-- Toilet paper was invented in China in the late 1300s. But it was not for regular people or even officials at the beginning; it was the emperors' privilege only.

-- Chinese like the gate of their house to face south because it is considered good luck that way. (There are certain things that Chinese people consider lucky. Here are some Chinese lucky symbols and Lucky numbers.)

-- The Chinese people grew rice as early as 5000 BC. Archaeologists have found rice grains in farming tools and pots from that period. (See other Ancient Chinese inventions.)

-- Long ago, silk making was a closely guarded secret. Anyone who gave the secret away could have been killed.