China is a vast country with a long, rich history and culture. From the Great Wall to the Forbidden City, China offers many fascinating topics to explore through riddles. Here are 60 riddles about various aspects of China, along with their answers.
Chinese History Riddles
Ancient China
Q: I was the first dynasty in ancient China, known for the development of Chinese writing and astrology. What dynasty am I?
A: Xia Dynasty
Q: We built the first Great Wall of China and standardized writing script and construction of roads. Our dynasty preceded the Qin dynasty. What dynasty were we?
A: Zhou Dynasty
Q: Known as the period of disunion, I was an era in ancient China between the fall of the Han dynasty and the founding of the Sui dynasty. Which period was I?
A: Six Dynasties Period
Imperial China
Q: I was the first Chinese dynasty to establish a permanent navy. Exploration and trade defined my time. What am I called?
A: Song Dynasty
Q: I was the last imperial dynasty to rule China. My end marked the end of over 2,000 years of imperial rule and the beginning of the Republic of China. What dynasty was I?
A: Qing Dynasty
Chinese Culture Riddles
Customs
Q: Given as gifts or exchanged during festivals, I symbolize good luck and scare away evil spirits. Red is my most popular color. What am I?
A: Red envelope or hongbao
Q: My name comes from the Manchu word for “dragon boat.” I occur on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month and feature dragon boat races. What festival am I?
A: Duanwu Festival
Religion
Q: Though not strictly Chinese in origin, I am the predominant institutionalized religion in China. Orange or saffron robes clothe my monks. What religion am I?
A: Buddhism
Q: I practice ancestor veneration and believe that gods and immortals reside in everything around us. I have over 2,000 years of history in China. What belief system am I?
A: Chinese folk religion
Arts
Q: My flowing sleeves and gown allow for expressive movements and dance-like qualities. As a traditional performance art in China, movements play a central role in my aesthetics. What performance art am I?
A: Chinese opera
Q: Made from ink and water on paper or silk, I often depict landscapes inspired by nature, like mountains and rivers. I have influenced painting across East Asia. What type of brush painting am I?
A: Chinese brush painting, or shuǐ mò huà
Chinese Cuisine Riddles
Ingredients
Q: White when I’m raw and transparent when cooked, I’m a common ingredient in many stir fry dishes. What vegetable am I?
A: Chinese cabbage or Napa cabbage
Q: Salted and fermented, I’m creamy brown or red in color. A little bit of my strong, cheesy flavor goes a long way. What ingredient am I?
A: Fermented bean curd
Dishes
Q: With a name translating to “crossed fingers,” legend says I was invented to be eaten using chopsticks. My main ingredients are minced chicken, fragrant mushrooms, bamboo shoots and water chestnuts. What famous dish am I?
A: Chicken velvet corn soup or jī zǐ tāng
Q: Braised in soy sauce and rock sugar, my sticky brown sauce coats tender fatty pork belly slices. I’m a classic Shanghai dish named for my sweet sauce’s resemblance to caramel. What beloved dish am I?
A: Red braised pork belly or hóng shāo ròu
Chinese Traditions and Holidays
Holidays
Q: My name translates to “beginning of summer.” Considered a solar term, I fall between early May and early June on the Gregorian calendar. Farmers tend to the rice crop on my holiday. What holiday am I?
A: Beginning of Summer Festival or Lichun Festival
Q: Celebrated for more than 2,000 years, I honor dogs with lavish dog shows and special treats for pets. I showcase the importance of dogs in traditional Chinese agrarian society. What holiday am I?
A: Chinese Dog Festival
Traditions and Superstitions
Q: It’s considered lucky if I’m in an uneven number, like three or nine. I symbolize completeness and togetherness to the Chinese people. What am I?
A: Dumplings
Q: Sharing a phonetic resemblance to the Chinese words for “giving birth,” I’m often given as a fertility symbol for newlyweds. What fruit am I?
A: Lychees
Chinese Geography Riddles
Natural Landmarks
Q: Fed by mineral springs, my colorful blue, green and gold terraced pools are a magical sight. Located in Yunnan province, what mystical landmark am I?
A: Luo Lake National Park
Q: My name literally means ‘mountain of treasures.’ Located in the northwest province of Qinghai, I’m home to many secluded Buddhist temples and monasteries at high elevations. What mountain range am I?
A: Qilian Mountains
Manmade Landmarks
Q: Though my abandonment earned me the nickname “Great Wall of Weeds,” I was vital for guarding the Silk Road during the Han Dynasty. What little restored section of the northern barrier wall was I?
A: Yumen Pass
Q: Built in 1420, I’m the best preserved and oldest wooden structure still standing in Beijing. My rooms are arranged in a pattern named for the Chinese character kong, meaning a hollow space. Originally part of imperial grounds, what notable structure am I?
A: The Prince Kung Mansion or Gongwang Fu
Ancient Chinese Innovations
Science and Technology
Q: Invented in China as early as 170 BC, I provided an efficient means to drill for salt brine extraction, water access and blast furnace ventilation. What clever tool leveraging weights and bamboo ropes am I?
A: The Chinese water-powered chain pump
Q: Johannes Gutenberg often gets credit as my inventor, but Bi Sheng developed me 400 years earlier during China’s Song Dynasty around 1040 AD. What printing innovation am I?
A: Movable type printing
Exploration
Q: As court eunuch and explorer in the early Ming Dynasty, I led voyages through Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean, establishing tribute relations in trade. My adventurous naval travels even likely reached East Africa a century before European explorers. Who am I?
A: Zheng He
Q: Developed during the Song dynasty, I’m considered one of the four great inventions of ancient China. Using magnets and gears, I pointed south instead of north. What navigational device was I?
A: The compass
Ancient Chinese Literature
Poetry
Q: Known for romantic nature imagery, I was a famous poet of the Middle Tang period. My poignant verse still resonates in modern culture. Sometimes called the Poet Immortal, who wrote the beloved poems “Quiet Night Thoughts” and “Drinking Alone by Moonlight?”
A: Li Bai
Q: My famous poem about the pleasure quarter likely takes place in Chang’an during the Tang dynasty. Seen through a woman’s narrative lens, it details romantic love within educated elite circles. What well known verse am I?
A: “Song of Everlasting Sorrow” by Bai Juyi
Folk Tales
Q: My story teaches compassion through spiritual awakening. After slaying many monsters, holy monk Xuanzang finally sees they were manifestations from his selfish subconscious on the journey. What Buddhist epic novel told my story during the Ming dynasty?
A: Journey to the West
Q: In my famous tale, after falling in love, a young third century BC warrior breaks an oath with his overlord and is exiled. What bittersweet legend or čhéng yáng romance was I?
A: The Butterfly Lovers
Conclusion
In riddle form, this article covered various highlights of Chinese culture, history, traditions, cuisine, landmarks and innovations. From ancient dynasties like the Xia and Qing to famous sites such as the Forbidden City, China’s rich legacy spans over 3,000 years. Whether learning about regional delicacies like hairy crab or appreciating vibrant customs like the Lantern Festival and timeless poems by Li Bai, China offers much intrigue to continue discovering in future riddles!
