Chinese New Year
This lucky color is worn, hung on doors, and used in decorations to scare away evil spirits and invite good fortune
What is red?
Often considered the highest form of Chinese visual art, this meditative practice literally translates to "beautiful writing"
What is calligraphy?
First developed from hemp and later mulberry bark, this invention is detailed in records as early as 105 C.E. and completely revolutionized how societies recorded and stored information
What is paper?
One of three things that were used to relay critical battle intelligence messages across hundreds of miles from the Great Wall's watchtowers
What are smoke, light from fire, or flags?
This spicy, communal meal involves diners cooking their own thinly sliced meats and vegetables in a simmering pot of broth right at the dining table
What is hot pot?
These loud red explosives are set off during New Year's Eve and morning to scare off bad spirits and the legendary Nian monster
What are fireworks?
Wing Chun and Tai Chi are recognized artistic forms of this discipline, which is prominently featured in the cinematic genre known as Wuxia
What is Kung Fu or martial arts?
Developed during the Han Dynasty, this earliest form of directional instrument used a lodestone and was relied upon by sailors to navigate across open oceans
What is a compass?
Construction on the Great wall continued for more than this many years
What is 2000 years?
Featuring crisp skin and tender meat, this legendary Beijing specialty is traditionally served with thin pancakes, scallions, and sweet bean sauce
What is Peking duck?
This 15-day celebration features bright displays, riddle-solving, and marks the final day of the Chinese New Year period
What is the Lantern Festival?
Known for its elaborate, colorful facial makeup and high-pitched singing, this is the most dominant form of Chinese traditional theater
What is Peking opera?
Originally developed in the 9th century for medical and alchemical purposes, this volatile mixture of saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal was first used in warfare for fireworks and rockets
What is gunpowder?
This celebrated dynasty replaced packed earth with kiln-fired bricks, completely revolutionizing the wall's durability and strength
What is the Ming Dynasty?
Often translated as "drink tea," this Cantonese tradition features bite-sized, steamed, and fried delicacies served in bamboo baskets alongside tea
What is dim sum?
These two energetic, traditional dances feature performers hiding inside large, colorful costumes to the beat of loud drums to chase away bad luck
What are the Lion and Dragon dances?
Written by Wu Cheng'en during the Ming Dynasty, this 16th-century epic follows the monk Tang Sanzang and his magical protector, the Monkey King (Sun Wu Kong), on a quest for Buddhist scriptures
What is Journey to the West?
This simple tool for blocking the elements was first invented in China out of oiled paper and bamboo and later became a symbol of royalty and rank
What is an umbrella?
The Great Wall stretches from the Bohai Sea to this famous desert of northern China and southern Mongolia
What is the Gobi Desert?
This comforting, savory porridge is often served at breakfast or when feeling under the weather, cooked with various meats or vegetables
What is congee?
These are the 12 Chinese zodiac animals (Double the point value if in the correct order. Hint: start with Rat, end with Pig.)
What are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig?
Traditional paintings typically focus on nature, figures, and this grand subject, translating to "mountain-water"
What is shanshui?
Requiring you to mentally manipulate beads on rods, this ancient calculating tool was first standardized in China and is still utilized to teach arithmetic today
What is an abacus?
The length of the Great Wall of China.
What is 21,196 km.
Often steeped or grated in cooking, this pungent rhizome is used scientifically as a base flavor agent in Chinese cuisine
What is ginger?