The ancient Chinese civilisation developed in isolation, but somehow managed to be one of the most inventive and powerful civilisation in ancient times.

Many Chinese were skilled artisans, writers, thinkers, builders and inventors. There has been over a hundred inventions by the Chinese and most of them we still use like the wheel and paper.

Ancient China was united by Qin Shi Hangdog. China in the end continued to be ruled by emperors.

There were three main types of religions in ancient China. These are Daoism, Confucianism and Buddhism. Each had a different theme to it. The three religions eventually mingled together.

The first Chinese people believed in different gods and goddesses of nature. The spirit of nature and the flow of life formed the basis of the Daoist religion formed by Laozi.

Kong Fuzi’s (Confucius) teachings came from the same period of time. It stressed the importance of social order and respect for ancestors.

At the same time in India, Buddha was preaching. Within 500 years, Buddhist teachings reached China during the Tang dynasty.

Buddhism eventually became the most popular religion and in 619 AD, Islam and Christianity was spread to China.

ConfuciusDaoism Buddha

Daoism, Buddhism and Confucianism unite

All buildings in Chinese cities were designed to be in harmony with each other and with nature. The direction they faced, their layout and their proportions were all matters of great spiritual importance. Even the number of steps leading to the entrance of the house was considered to be significant.

House designs in Imperial China varied over time and between regions. In the hot and rainy south, courtyards tended to be covered for shade. In the drier climate in the north, courtyards were mainly open.

Poor people in the countryside lived in simple, thatched huts. These were made from timber frames covered in mud plaster. They were often noisy, draughty and overcrowded. In contrast, the spacious homes of the wealthy were large, peaceful and well constructed. Many had beautiful gardens, filled with peonies, bamboo and wisteria. Some of these gardens also contained orchards, ponds and pavilions.

Han dynasty house

In Ancient China, the oldest man in the family was the head of the household and should be obeyed by his family. His wife would do housework and often controlled the daily lives of other women in the household.

During the Han dynasty, noblewomen were not allowed to go outside their homes. They could only look outside through the watchtowers of their houses. Noblewomen gained more freedom when the Song dynasty finally took over.

The children of poor families received education from their parents. They were taught about their parent’s jobs. Richer children had private tutors at home. Boys who wanted to be scholars or civil servants learnt to read and write Chinese characters.

Marriages were arranged

Chinese noblewoman

Elders were respected

From China’s earliest days, scholars published studies on medicine, astronomy and mathematics. The Chinese system of medicine had a similar aim to the Daoist teachings, making the body work harmoniously. The effects of all types of herbs, plants and animal parts were studied then used to produce medicines. Acupuncture was practiced from 2700 BC and relieved pain from the doctor’s patients.

The Chinese were also good mathematicians. They used a decimal system of counting based on tens. Chinese also invented the abacus and astronomers produced a detailed chart of the heavens (space).

Ancient Chinese MedicineAcupuncture

Ancient Chinese Heaven Map

The Great Wall of China is one the seven wonders in the world and is the only man-made object that can be seen in space. It was built in 400 BC and finished in 1500 AD. The Great Wall of China is approximately 4,000 kilometres long. Its purpose was to protect China from the Mongol invaders in the north. Despite this intention, the fierce tribes from the north managed to breach its defences time after time.

The Grand Canal is another engineering project that amazes us today. It was built during the Sui dynasty and it was made to link north China with the south. It is still being used today and runs northwards from Hangzhou to Beijing, a distance of 1,794 kilometres.

The Forbidden City (Imperial Palace) is another marvel of the ancient Chinese civilisation. It was built by hundreds of thousands of labourers under the command of Emperor Yongle. At least 24 emperors lived in the forbidden city.

The Grand Canal and its location

Great Wall of China

Printed words on paper, silk scarves, umbrellas, locks and keys are a few Chinese inventions. Over the centuries, Chinese ingenuity and technical skills have changed the world in which we live in.

A seismoscope is a very useful instrument in an earthquake-prone country such as China. It was invented in 132 AD by a Chinese scientist Zhang Heng. It was used to detect earthquakes from a really far distance.

Another great invention was the compass. In 1100 AD, Chinese discovered lodestone that always pointed north. By about 1000 AD, the Chinese worked out the difference between true north and magnetic north and was able to keep ships on course.

There are many other inventions such as gun powder and silk. These inventions made China the most advanced ancient civilisation.

Compass

Seismoscope

Gunpowder (Fireworks)

BooksShaughnessy, E. (2005). Ancient China. United Kingdom: Duncan Baird PublishersSchafer, E. (1967). Ancient China. Holland: Time Inc.

WebsitesAncient China 22 September 2008 http://www.ancientchina.co.uk/menu.html

Ancient China 22 September 2008 http://www.crystalinks.com/china.html

History of China 22 September 2008 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_China

Ancient China 22 September 2008 http://www.42explore2.com/china.htm

China’s History 22 September 2008 http://www.historylink101.com/china_history.htm

Ancient China 22 September 2008 http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/china/

Ancient China Timeline 22 September 2008 http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/china/timeline.html

Ancient Chinese Architectures 22 September 2008 http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/architecture/examples.htm

Videoshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfyknyG-c1shttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgBA1veRlH0