China Curriculum Module One: Why Visit ? This module introduces students to the country’s impressive achievements the impact of its growth has had on the rest of the world. Information Sheet LEARNING OBJECTIVE and Part One: China’s Population To encourage a genuine interest curiosity in students for visiting China by highlighting its size, power and China’s population of 1.4 billion people have moved from rural crowning achievements. accounts for around one fifth areas to cities in the last 30 years. of the world’s population, with Now nearly 60% of the Chinese ACTIVITY around one in five people population live in urban areas. worldwide being Chinese. The big cities host plenty of Research how many people live in your: career opportunities and it has • Town/village Shanghai is the biggest city in delivered enormous economic • City China (25,500,000+) and the benefits for China. • County third biggest city in the world, followed by (18,800,000+), There are 56 ethnic groups the country’s capital city. This one officially recognised in China; city alone has more people than however 91.51% are Han Chinese. This is very different to the UK other the entire country of Australia. China has four recognised Western countries where Christianity religions that it calls the Four makes up around half of the population. China is split into 26 Official Religions of China: However, Christianity is on the rise and is provinces and many Buddhism, Taoism, Islam expected to reach 20% by 2025. contain over 50 and Christianity. million people. Questions Over the It’s estimated years the country that 3% of the 1) What proportion of China’s residents live has experienced country’s population in the countryside/rural areas? the world’s largest is Islamic, whereas 2) What is the dominant religion in China? urbanisation. It’s the Christian 3) What proportion of the world’s estimated that population makes population does China hold? around 300 million up around 5%.

globalschoolalliance.com Information Sheet Part Two: Life in China

China is one of the Four Ancient Family gatherings are an dissimilar from anywhere else in the Civilizations, with 3,600 years important part of Chinese culture world due to its Western influence. of written history. It boasts the and traditional festivals. Very China’s economy and business leaders world’s richest breadth of culture, often grandparents will live with have adopted various ideas from foreign both diverse and unique. their children even after they’re countries at a high speed to become one married and have their own of the biggest economies in the world. It’s home to a diverse range of family. people and an equally diverse Every year China’s streets are filled with range of lifestyles. From a fast- The Chinese Education System millions of tourists, an estimated 62.9 paced working lifestyle in one of is run by the state and is million in 2019. China is one of the most China’s largest coastal cities, to a regularly ranked No.1 popular destinations for travellers relaxed lifestyle in a tiny farming in the world across who enjoy a challenge. Many choose village. The national lifestyle core subjects by to travel to China to experience a ranges hugely depending on PISA. Nowadays most completely different culture and find your location. Chinese children can immense satisfaction in overcoming speak British, but it’s difficulties that you face during the life- In country’s small towns, life now a required study at changing experience. is slow-paced, with family the the majority of schools. most important part Students are extremely Questions of the day hard working and treat 1) What are the common values of people and manual their teachers with the labour the up-most respect. who live in China? typical 2) Who tends to live in one household? employment In some parts, the 3) In your own words, how would you choice. lifestyle is not too describe life in China?

globalschoolalliance.com Information Sheet Part Three: China’s Rise and Future

China is rapidly becoming the manufacturing, retail and loop around the earth twice! largest economy in the world. . For foreign workers The country is currently regarded who decide to progress their Since then, the country has launched the as a world leader in electronic career in China will usually world’s fasted driver-less bullet train in 2020 good/devices; electric vehicles, require some knowledge of to connect the Chinese cities of Beijing renewable energy and Mandarin. and Zhangjiakou. The new service has energy storage. been launched ahead of the Beijing 2022 Mandarin has become Olympics. In recent years, China the most natively spoken has become the language in the world. China is using their leaps in technological world’s new ‘land Due to China’s position as innovations to fill a void in the experts’ of opportunity’ for a a leader in business and understanding of the universe. It became variety of industries and tech, more people now first country to successfully land a robotic sectors, including health see Mandarin as the most spacecraft on the far side of the Moon. In products and education. important to give them an the next decades it plans not only to build edge in the business market. a new space station, but also a base on the China has positioned itself as a Moon and conduct missions to Mars. destination with plenty to offer China are the global leaders in university students looking to technological developments. In Questions study abroad. Students enjoy the 2008, they built the world’s first 1) Name an industry that China is a world opportunity to pick up Mandarin high-speed rail with a designed leader in. as a second language. speed of 236 mph. In addition, it’s the longest high-speed railway in 2) What are the benefits of speaking Most employment opportunities the world and the most used. Its Mandarin? in China are within education, railway lines are long enough to 3) What are the employment opportunities?

globalschoolalliance.com Activity Sheet A Day in China Diary

We challenge you to think about what a day visiting China could be like.

What sights would you like to see?

Do some further research to find out what a typical day would be for someone your age.

globalschoolalliance.com China Curriculum Module Two: The Wonders of Ancient and Modern China This module demonstrates to students how Modern China is still a branch of its past, by exploring the importance of China’s early rulers and monumental moments. Information Sheet LEARNING OBJECTIVE Part One: China’s Ancient History To examine how China’s Ancient History has led to the Modern China we know today. Ancient China was one of the to finish carving the army. oldest and longest lasting civilizations in the history of the The Ancient Chinese invented ACTIVITY world - it can be tracked back some of the products we still Choose one of the emperors to over 4,000 years. use and enjoy to this day. They research further. were the first to drink tea, it was Until 1912, China was ruled however originally used primarily by Dynasties. Each Dynasty for medicine. The weaving of represented a powerful family silk cloth was invented by Lady of emperors - the first was Shi-Ling-Shih and around 5,000 Shang and the last was Qing. years ago the earliest chopsticks The Forbidden Palace, a palace were used not for eating, but for several different walls built to protect the complex in Beijing and popular cooking. country’s most vulnerable boarders against tourist spot, was the imperial attacks. Major rebuilding of the Great Wall palace of Ming and Qing China’s ancient history is what took place during the Ming Dynasty in the Dynasties. tourists travel thousands of 14th century - construction during this miles to visit to this day. time around was strong due to the use of China’s first emperor, The Great Wall of China stone and brick. Qin Shi Huangdi, built is the world’s longest a giant Terracotta (clay) wall and structure ever Questions Army of around 8,000 built by humans, at over warriors to keep him 6,000km in length - the 1) What was the purpose of the Terracotta safe after he died. It took equivalent of more than Warriors? around 700,000 workers 50,000 football pitches laid 2) How far can Ancient China be tracked? and craftsmen about 38 years end to end. It was originally 3) How long is the Great Wall of China?

globalschoolalliance.com Information Sheet Part Two: Modern China

Much of China’s modern beliefs change and today China is more WeChat is a Chinese multi-purpose and philosophies are based on economically tied to the world’s messaging, social media. Since its launch, the teachings of a government countries. WeChat has become the all-in-one tool for official who lived nearly 3,000 Modern China. The app has an estimated years ago - Kongfuzi, also known China has transformed itself 980 million active users in China alone as Confucius. He taught people from being seen as the and over 1 billion monthly active users. the value of things such as ‘world’s factory’ to the hive morality, kindness and education. of technology innovation. In recent years, WeChat introduced The increase development the function of payment on the app. China is the home of one of the of robots have been at the Now, over 300 million users have world’s oldest civilisations, but forefront of their technological their credit card synced to their it has only recently become a advances. accounts on the app to enable payment for ‘modern’ nation. In the last 20 purchases in-store, pay for utility bills and years, it has changed faster than Over the last five years China has even to pay for a taxi. any other country to date. lifted over 68 million people out of poverty. Small poorer regions Questions The country’s economy has of China have benefited from the 1) China’s economy has changed changed rapidly in recent tourism infrastructure being built tremendous amounts to get where it decades. In the past, it was around them, allowing citizens to focused around a highly earn money as well as preserve is today. At what time period did those planned economic system with their historical cultures. changes start to happen? specialised communes and was 2) When did China become a modern closed to international trade and In 2011, China introduced an app nation? foreign relations. It was in the that changed how the country 3) What is the most popular method of 1970s however, this began to does just about everything. communication in China?

globalschoolalliance.com Activity Sheet Discovering Ancient China THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA The Great Wall of China is the world’s longest wall and structure ever built by humans, at over 6,000km in length - stretching further than Ancient China was one of the oldest civilisations in 50,000 football pitches laid end to end. Research the history of why the history of the world, dating back over 4000 years. the Great Wall was built. But how well do you know the stories that still shape China today?

Discover the wonders of Ancient China with this fun research activity. This exercise will enable you to dig deep into ancient China’s history and leave you feeling inspired.

FORBIDDEN CITY TERRACOTTA WARRIORS The Forbidden City is a palace complex in Beijing with over 9,000 rooms. What was the main function Qin Shi Huangdi, the first emperor in China, built a giant terracotta of the inner court? army of around 8,000 warriors. How were they built?

globalschoolalliance.com China Curriculum Module Two: China’s Georgaphy This module introduces students to the country’s impressive geographical features. Information Sheet LEARNING OBJECTIVE Part One: A Diverse Landscape To explore China’s diverse geography and determine some of the main factors for its unique landscape. China has the most diverse and The , the highest breathtaking geography in the mountain range in the world, world. It has the highest altitude form the natural border in the ACTIVITY and temperature differences West of the country. China has Look at a map of Asia to find out what of any country, vast mountain the longest land border (border countries border China. ranges, mighty rivers, huge that doesn’t include the sea) of deserts and spectacular natural any country in the world, totalling grasslands. over 22,000 kilometres. It shares the border with a good number As the fourth largest country of other countries. The Pacific in the world, it has a varied Ocean forms the natural border geography, making it so unique. in the East, South East and South Road. 40% of China is also covered Most of the Western parts of West of the country. by natural grasslands. With 4 million the country lie on the Tibetan kilometres of natural grasslands, China’s mountainous plateau. In fact, When people think of China, grassland cover is the second largest in mountains make up the majority many think of the high-rise the world. The Hunlunbuir Grassland in of the landscape, dominating buildings and busy city life. Many the Inner Mongolian region covered about over 70% of the landmass. are surprised to find out that 250,000 sq kilometres, the size of the It’s China’s mountain ranges deserts cover nearly a fifth of UK. It’s famously written about by classic that make it have the greatest China, with dunes that stretch Chinese poets and historians. altitude difference on Earth: hundreds of miles. The Gobi, the 9,002 m. Mount Everest is the world’s third largest desert, along Questions highest peak in the world (8,848 with the Takalamakan Desert, m) and Tranquil Ayding is once separated central Asia from 1) What percentage of China is mountains? the third lowest area of dry land. China until the advent of the Silk 2) Why is China’s geography so unique?

globalschoolalliance.com Information Sheet Part Two: The Major Bodies of Water

As the third biggest country in The , known as the The , located in the south, is the world, China has more than mother river by all of the Chinese the third longest river in Chinese territory 5,000 rivers flowing through people, is the country’s second (1,243 miles). The river is made-up of its territory. The rivers have largest river (3,395 miles) and four separate river systems: the , helped tremendously with the the fifth in the world. Historical the Liuxi River, the , and the development of country. The evidence shows that the lower . The extensive network of River and the Yellow Yellow River basin was where rivers allows inland shipping to flourish. River are among some of the Chinese civilisation began, and With the modern development of country’s major rivers. the most prosperous region in , the river passes through a early Chinese history. modern urban area, as well as the natural The Yangtze River, the third Unlike any other river, beauty. The ‘night cruise’ along the longest river in the world the riverbed is up to Pearl River is often on the top of a (3,915 miles), stretches from a 10 metres above the traveller’s list of things to do when glacier on the border of Tibet surrounding cities and visiting Guangzhou. The evening to Shanghai. The river flows farmlands - the only cruise hosts beautiful scenery, with through nine provinces and two river where ships sail spectacular views of White Goose cities. Along with its network of overhead! Over the years Pool and Guangzhou Bridge. and , it’s used to the river has devastated generate power, control flooding civilisations with its deadly floods Questions and store water for drinking and and course shifts. However, the 1) What is the biggest river in China? . There are now tens of country’s recent infrastructure thousands of in the boom has fully harnessed the 2) Name the three main rivers in China. region, with numerous dams Yellow River for , 3) How do the river’s network of lakes help across the river - including the reservoirs and irrigation, to the it the local areas? largest damn in the world. into a natural resource for civilians.

globalschoolalliance.com Information Sheet Part Three: Diverse Climate Zones

China is located in East Asia, exceed 600,000 sq m. provinces in late April and reach all of facing the Pacific Ocean in southern China by June. the East and South. Due to its Southern and Southwestern geographic position, China has China have extremely diverse Western China is famous for some its the largest climate differences cities, in weather, population highest peaks, breathtaking scenery and for a single country. The diverse and culture. The majority of deserts. , which is largely desert, climate ranges from the tropic the Southern areas fall into and Tibet, which consists of extremely vast zones in the South, to the the humid subtropical climate plateaus, experiences some of the biggest freezing zones in the North. category. Typically China’s temperature differences between the southern provinces are wetter summer and winter months. Provinces in Northern China with warmer temperatures than experience temperatures well the North. The winter months Besides the wide diversity of climates and below freezing in winter, with run from January through regions, many cities have been adversely winds coming in from Siberia. March, is short but usually a affected by air . However, Beijing’s Harbin, also called ‘Ice City’, is very cold winter. Whereas April air quality has improved significantly and located in Northern China and through September is the rainy is being monitored very closely. The United freezes for four months a year season when temperatures and Nations have praised the Chinese capital’s - falling to temperatures as low humidity peak. rapid progress. as -25°. Every year the city holds the Harbin International Ice and During the summer months, Questions Snow Festival, the biggest ice Southern China is inundated 1) China’s Southern regions differ festival in the world. Each year by monsoon rains sweeping in tremendously. Name two cities with very 10 to 15 million visitors travel from both the Indian and Pacific thousands of miles to witness the oceans. Typically the monsoons different climates. huge snow sculptures, some begin in the far southern 2) Where is the Ice Festival held every year?

globalschoolalliance.com Activity Sheet Mapping

Using coloured pencils or pens, draw the natural barriers, oceans and rivers.

Try your best to label the Chinese provinces.

Do some further research to discover more about three provinces in China.

globalschoolalliance.com China Landmarks

Great Wall of China Terracotta Warriors Forbidden City Gobi Desert Cut out and stick the landmarks onto the map of China.

Use what you have learnt so far and research any landmarks you are unfamiliar with. St Sophia’s Church Mount Everest

Leshan Giant Budda Yellow River

globalschoolalliance.com