School life
In a China classroom
Local school customs vary. The best way to learn about a class's day is to ask them directly.
All country briefings
Asia · Country briefing
China
A child-friendly mission briefing for 20 November - capital, climate, school day, languages, fun facts, native animals, and five questions to ask the class on the other side of the world.
- CapitalBeijing
- Population~1408 million
- Time zoneAsia/Shanghai (UTC +8)
- CurrencyChinese yuan (CNY)
China, with Beijing marked
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Climate in November: Mild autumn; cooler in the north.
The capital
Beijing
Photo · Wikimedia Commons
Fun facts
What makes China a bit special.
The Great Wall of China
One of the most amazing pieces of building work ever made by people
Open lesson
The Terracotta Army
Thousands of clay figures, buried and forgotten for 2,000 years
Open lesson
The Yangtze - Asia's longest river
A 6,300 km river that carves through mountains and feeds half a country
Open lesson
China's great inventions
Paper, printing and the compass - all first made in China
Open lesson
Tap any card to open a class-ready mini-lesson - for the teacher to walk through, or an older child to read aloud.
Native animals
Wildlife your partner class might know best.
- 🐼
Giant pandas
China's most loved animal, and a national treasure
Open lesson
- 🦝
Red pandas - the firefox of the forest
Smaller, redder, and not actually a panda at all
Open lesson
- 🐒
Golden snub-nosed monkey
Bright orange fur, sky-blue face, and lives where it snows
Open lesson
- 🐊
Chinese alligator - China's mini-dragon
One of the smallest and rarest alligators in the world
Open lesson
- 🐆
Snow leopards - ghosts of the mountains
A pale, secret big cat that lives higher than nearly any animal
Open lesson
Tap any animal to open a class-ready lesson about it.
Greetings to learn
Say hello like a local
- Hello!Chinese
Five questions to ask
Conversation starters
- 01What does your school day look like?
- 02What do you eat at lunch?
- 03What games do you play at break?
- 04What's the weather like today?
- 05What do you wish more children around the world knew about your country?
What not to assume
Friendly cautions
- ℹChina has many regions and communities - there is no single experience.
- ℹClimate, food, and traditions can vary widely from one part of the country to another.
Culture
Food, music, sport, festivals.
Food
Sport
Festivals
Tap any chip to open a class-ready lesson - what it is, why it matters, fun facts.
Reflection prompts
- “What's something you'd love to share about your school day?”
- “What's the most surprising thing you'd love to ask the other class?”
Could your class meet China?
Choose Chinawhen you register - we’ll show you the time-zone feasibility.