Ancient China For Kids: Learn All About Their Culture, Trades, And More

China is located in the eastern part of the Asian continent and is known as the longest and oldest civilization.

Archaeological evidence supports the Shang dynasty as the earliest dynasty of traditional Chinese history, traced back over 4,000 years.

Ancient China is the longest-lasting civilization with the oldest written language, making it an exciting bundle of fun facts for kids. The history of ancient China facts takes kids beyond 4,000 years and provides an opportunity to explore ancient China.

Because of the drifting landmass of the Indian subcontinent until 55 million years ago, geography shaped societies that emerged in ancient India and China.

The mountains and other natural barriers protected the large land isolated by deserts and impassable mountains from the rest of the world, which shaped ancient China's civilization.

The Indus and the Ganges carried rich silt from the mountains and, during floods, spread them over the plains to make the valleys fertile, shaping the ancient Indian civilization and subsequent dynasties in that part of the world.

If you find this article on ancient China informative, then you'd love to read more articles on ancient China trades and ancient Greece for kids.

The People Of Ancient China

Most of the people were peasant farmers who lived in adverse daily life conditions.

The Chinese people lived in small villages with 100 families and had to pay taxes to the government on their crops. Daily Chinese life for women was tough and challenging as they were considered less valuable than men. The merchants of ancient China were considered the lowest class of workers and were denied riding carriages.

A fun art fact you'd love is that the Chinese painter Huang Shen worked for government farmers during the Qing Dynasty and spent one month serving in the military or working in construction projects like palaces and canals.

Uses Of Bronze In Ancient China

The Chinese bronze age was between 2000 BCE and 771 BCE.

Excellent quality bronzes were made in China in large quantities to display status. The Chinese bronze artifacts like spear points and adze heads are examples of utilitarian bronze, and the precious metals, tools, and weapons fall under the category of ritual bronzes.

The use of bronze was evident in the fashioning of weapons and different parts of chariots, ritual vessels, devices, pots, and artifacts like hairpins. The bronze also bears cast inscriptions that indicate the early Chinese writing during the Zhou dynasty.

Ancient Chinese Society

Ancient Chinese society, just like other societies during that time, was essentially rural and dependent on farming in the country regions.

In prehistory, the hierarchy in Chinese culture consisted of emperors, government officials, landlords, peasants, artisans, merchants, and slaves. Each profession had a defined role to play within the community. During the Qin and the late Qing Dynasty, the primary two classes constituted the landlords and peasants, while the two minor classes constituted the merchants and artisans.

China was held together from the Han to the Qing dynasty as an organized state governed by Confucian thinking. As trade and industry expanded, the government became more complex, thus beginning the new social classes.

Creating The Silk Road

The silk road generated trade and commerce between different kingdoms and empires and was over 4,000 mi (6,437.3 km) long. 

The Silk Road trade route extended from China to Eastern Europe along the northern borders of China, India, and Persia. China was popularly known as the 'land of silk', and Chinese silk was renowned for its softness and luxury.

This route was named the Silk Road as heavy trading took place during that period.

The trade significantly increased during the Han Dynasty, which ruled from 206 BC to 220 AD. Under the rule of the Yuan Dynasty, set up by Kublai Khan of the Mongols, the trade was at its peak.

Ancient China Dynasties

When one family rules a region for an extended period, it is known as a 'dynasty rule'.

Beginning of the Chinese empire, Shin Huang-Ti was the first Chinese Emperor who started building the Great Wall of China. Infrastructural roads and canals were constructed during his short stint. These became the foundation for the future dynasties to make an assertive China known as the Middle Kingdom. Though very little is known about the Xia.

Shang dynasty (2070-1600 BCE), medicine emerged; Shang ruled along the yellow river valley, known as the cradle of Chinese civilization. Han regime (202 BC–220 AD) established the civil service to form a robust governmental organization.

It was an era filled with poetry, art, literature, and the embracement of Confucianism. The traders introduced Buddhism during this period. Between (222-581 AD), China was under six dynasties; feudal lords ruled the land with their relatives belonging to the Zhou family.

It was only during the Sui regime (589-618 AD) China once again was united under one rule. The Tang regime (618-907 AD) is better known as the golden age of ancient China, where peace, prosperity, literature, art, and technology flourished. Ancient China was under five empire dynasties from 907-979.

A peasant rebellion brought down the Tang Empire regime and is known as the period of division. China and Japan reunited once again during the Song Empire regime.

The Mongols of the north won the long war with Song, and their leader, Kublai Khan, established the Yuan regime, where religion flourished. The Ming regime (1368 – 1644) was the last of the Chinese dynasties to come into power and overthrow the Mongols' rule.

The Ming dynasty ruled China (1368-1644 AD), completed the Great Wall of China, and built the Forbidden City, an enormous palace for the emperor. During the republican revolution, the last Emperor of China, Hsian-T'ung, stepped down as the Emperor of Ancient China.

Ancient China's Inventions

The primeval Chinese were well-known for their inventions and technologies.

Chinese inventions led to incredible feats of engineering, as seen in completing the Great Wall of China and building the longest Grand Canal. Silk was produced using particular moths, bred to produce high-quality silk and later steamed to kill the growing moth inside.

After rinsing the cocoons, hot water was poured over them to loosen the threads. After that, the cocoons were unwounded by women, and the fibers were combined into silk threads.

The first paper was invented from (202 BCE to 220 CE) and, for the first time, was introduced in many forms, like playing cards and paper money, before the existence of the printing press.

Ts'ai Lun, a Chinese court official, first made paper by mixing mulberry bark, hemp, and rags with water, then mashed it into a pulp and pressed out the water to dry the thin mat in the sun.

Much before the printing press, woodblock printing was created in 868 AD.

The magnetic compass was developed and used in city planning and the navigation of ships in ancient China. The chemists of ancient China hit on gunpowder in the 9th century.

The abacus calculator was invented during the 2nd century BC to solve math problems. The Great Wall of China is the only constructed structure that can be seen only under perfect conditions from space. In ancient China, kites were used to measure long distances.

More than 8,000 unique life-size sculptures depicting armies dating back 2,000 years were buried with the first emperor, Qin Shi Huang of China, known as the terracotta army. Silk was first discovered in 2700 BC by His-Ling- Shi, the wife of Emperor Huang-Ti.

The Yangtze River is the third-longest river in the world and played a significant role in ancient China.

There have been some similarities between the ancient civilizations of China, Egypt, and Greece regarding sports. Annually, all these ancient civilizations held wrestling competitions to honor their gods and organize athletic games.

Calligraphy was a means of communication and a way to express yourself and was believed to be a spiritual experience. The emperors practiced this method of imparting until they were good at writing.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly factsfor everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for ancient China for kids, why not look atancient Rome facts for kids or ancient India for kids.