Geography & Yellow River
This is known as the “Roof of the World” and is the highest plateau on Earth.
What is the Tibetan Plateau?
This is traditionally considered China’s first dynasty and is linked to Yu the Great.
What is the Xia Dynasty?
This man became China’s first emperor and unified the country after the Warring States period.
Who is Qin Shi Huang?
The Tang Dynasty is often described as this because of its cultural, artistic, and economic achievements.
What is a golden age?
This philosophy, founded by Confucius, emphasized virtue, respect for elders, education, and moral government.
What is Confucianism?
This desert in northwest China borders Mongolia and limited movement to the north.
What is the Gobi Desert?
These were used by Shang kings to communicate with ancestors and predict the future.
What are oracle bones?
This harsh philosophy, emphasizing strict laws and punishments, was followed by the Qin Dynasty.
What is Legalism?
This was the Tang capital, one of the largest and most diverse cities in the world.
What is Chang’an?
This philosophy, associated with Lao-tzu, taught living in harmony with nature and following “The Way” (Tao).
What is Taoism (or Daoism)?
This nickname for the Yellow River comes from its devastating floods caused by silt buildup.
What is "China's Sorrow"?
This Zhou idea stated that Heaven grants the right to rule but can take it away from unjust rulers.
What is the Mandate of Heaven?
This life-sized clay army was buried with Qin Shi Huang to protect him in the afterlife.
What is the Terracotta Army?
This Ming admiral led seven massive maritime voyages that reached as far as Africa.
Who is Zheng He?
This religion spread from India into China along the Silk Road during the Tang Dynasty.
What is Buddhism?
This legendary figure controlled floods along the Yellow River and is credited with founding the Xia Dynasty.
Who is Yu the Great?
The Shang Dynasty is famous for advanced work with this metal for weapons and ceremonial vessels.
What is bronze?
The Han Dynasty used this system, based on Confucian exams, to choose government officials by merit.
What are civil service exams?
This grand palace complex in Beijing was built during the Ming Dynasty.
What is the Forbidden City?
This Han Dynasty invention improved record-keeping and later spread to the West via the Silk Road.
What is papermaking?
Ancient China called itself this because natural barriers led to the belief that it was the center of the civilized world.
What is the "Middle Kingdom"?
This Zhou concept explained the rise and fall of dynasties through corruption and rebellion.
What is the dynastic cycle?
This network of trade routes began during the Han Dynasty and connected China to the West.
What is the Silk Road?
The Ming Dynasty became famous worldwide for its beautiful blue-and-white version of this ceramic art.
What is porcelain?
This policy describes the Ming Dynasty’s later decision to reduce overseas contact and focus inward.
What is isolationist (or isolationism)?