Chinese Trivia
(278).jpg "Chinese Trivia - Quiz")
Test your knowledge of China!
- 1.
What is the English translation of Beijing?
- A.
Eastern Capital
- B.
Southern Capital
- C.
Western Capital
- D.
Northern Capital
Correct Answer
D. Northern CapitalExplanation
"Bei" translates as "north" or "northern" and "jing" as capital. Nanjing means Southern Capital.Rate this question:
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- 2.
What Chinese city is famous for the Bund, a stretch of European neo-classical buildings built early in the 20th century?
- A.
Beijing
- B.
Shanghai
- C.
Guangzhou
- D.
Hong Kong
Correct Answer
B. ShanghaiExplanation
Quite a nice site, especially as it contrasts with the ultra-modern architecture on the other side of the
Huangpu River.Rate this question:
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- 3.
The palace of the Chinese emperors in Beijing was known by what name?
- A.
The Heavenly Palace
- B.
The Tranquil City
- C.
The Dragon Palace
- D.
The Forbidden City
Correct Answer
D. The Forbidden CityExplanation
The Forbidden City was the home of the Ming and Qing emperors from the beginning of the fifteenth
century until the last emperor, Pu Yi, was expelled in 1924. It has 9,999 rooms, one less than Heaven.
Today it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world, attracting millions of visitors a year.Rate this question:
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- 4.
A popular pastime amongst Chinese people is Tai chi, or Tai Ji Quan. What is it?
- A.
Slow-motion martial arts
- B.
A board game similar to chess
- C.
Breathing exercises
- D.
A form of martial arts which uses sticks
Correct Answer
A. Slow-motion martial artsExplanation
Generally translated as shadowboxing, there are several versions with differing numbers of movements. It's
associated with Taoist philosophy.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Tiananmen sits at the north end of the square of the same name; now mounted with a large portrait of Chairman Mao. What does Tiananmen mean?
- A.
Gate of Heavenly Peace
- B.
Meridian Gate
- C.
Gate of Divine Might
- D.
Gate of Supreme Harmony
Correct Answer
A. Gate of Heavenly PeaceExplanation
The Tiananmen is the main gate into the Forbidden City. The name can also be translated as "Gate
Ensuring the Imperial Status Quo". It was from the Tiananmen in 1949 that Mao proclaimed the People's
Republic of China. Tiananmen Square is the largest city square in the world and the location of Chairman Mao's mausoleum.Rate this question:
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- 6.
One of the attractions of the Summer Palace is a large boat made out of what substance?
- A.
Glass
- B.
Iron
- C.
Marble
- D.
Bamboo
Correct Answer
C. MarbleExplanation
The Summer Palace was constructed as a retreat for the imperial family. The powerful Dowager-Empress
Cixi used monies originally set aside for the Chinese navy for the construction of the magnificent marble
boat on the Kunming Lake. It was built as a folly and does not actually float.Rate this question:
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- 7.
What is a hutong?
- A.
A rickshaw
- B.
A street or alleyway
- C.
A delicacy of fried snake
- D.
A street food vendor
Correct Answer
B. A street or alleywayExplanation
Hutongs are traditional, narrow Chinese streets. Many of them and the buildings lining them are being cleared away to make room for the many glass and concrete skyscrapers springing up all over Beijing.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Which river flows through Beijing?
- A.
Hai He
- B.
Yangtze
- C.
Huang He
- D.
Huai He
Correct Answer
A. Hai HeExplanation
The Hai He flows into the Bo Hai Gulf, an extension of the Yellow Sea.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Where would you find the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and the Imperial Vault of Heaven?
- A.
Tiananmen Square
- B.
Summer Palace
- C.
Beihai Park
- D.
Temple of Heaven
Correct Answer
D. Temple of HeavenExplanation
Once a year, the Chinese emperor in his capacity as the Son of Heaven, would come here to pray for good
harvests. The northern end of the Temple grounds is round and the southern end square to reflect the traditional Chinese belief that Earth was square and Heaven was round.Rate this question:
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- 10.
The Chinese call their country "Zhongguo," which means what?
- A.
Central Country
- B.
Last Country
- C.
First Country
- D.
Important Country
Correct Answer
A. Central CountryExplanation
The Chinese call their country "Zhongguo," which means 'Middle Kingdom' or 'Central Country'.Rate this question:
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- 11.
How many countries does China border?
- A.
Thirteen
- B.
Fourteen
- C.
Fifteen
- D.
Sixteen
Correct Answer
B. FourteenExplanation
China borders Russia, Mongolia, and North Korea on the north; Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan,
Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan on the west and it borders India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar (Burma), Laos, and
Vietnam on the south.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Approximately how many Chinese characters are in common usage today (that is, the number in a standard Chinese dictionary)?
- A.
2,500
- B.
10,000
- C.
25,000
- D.
50,000
Correct Answer
B. 10,000Explanation
It's hard to measure, especially since there are two or more versions for many characters, but a well educated
Chinese person should know roughly 10,000. There are around 50,000 in total, but most are archaic.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Moon cakes are associated with what Chinese festival?
- A.
Chinese New Year
- B.
Dragon Boat Festival
- C.
Mid-Autumn Festival
- D.
Lantern Festival
Correct Answer
C. Mid-Autumn FestivalExplanation
Every October Chinese people eat and give these small, round cakes as gifts.Rate this question:
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- 14.
In case you didn't know, the Chinese invented paper. Approximately what year is traditionally recognized as the year paper was invented?
- A.
700 BC
- B.
1400 BC
- C.
AD 100
- D.
AD 600
Correct Answer
C. AD 100Explanation
Paper was supposedly invented by Cai Lun in the year AD 105, though there is evidence that rudimentary papermaking was done before that. It was originally made of hemp.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Where is the official Chinese imperial art collection housed?
- A.
London
- B.
Shanghai
- C.
New York
- D.
Taipei
Correct Answer
D. TaipeiExplanation
Called the Palace Museum (Gugong) and dating back centuries, this collection was taken to Taipei by
Chiang Kai-shek in 1949. Of course that was a largely denuded version of what it once was, much of which
was transported to Europe and America following the Boxer Rebellion.Rate this question:
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- 16.
Although it is the Chinese capital, Beijing is not China's largest city. Which Chinese city outstrips Beijing in terms of population?
- A.
Hong Kong
- B.
Nanjing
- C.
Guangzhou
- D.
Shanghai
Correct Answer
D. ShanghaiExplanation
Beijing's population in 2003 was a mere 14.5 million to Shanghai's 17.1 million. There are 106 cities in China with a population over one million, the US has 9.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 22, 2022Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Oct 28, 2009Quiz Created by
Ceakowal
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