Laughing Through the Ages Quirky Moments in Chines
Laughing Through the Ages: Quirky Moments in Chinese History
The Great Wall's Unconventional Beginnings
The Great Wall of China, one of the most iconic architectural achievements in history, was initially built to keep out nomadic tribes rather than invading armies. Its construction began during the 7th century BC by several small states to protect themselves from raids and invasions. Over time, successive dynasties continued to expand and fortify it, adding new sections and watchtowers as they fought off various invaders.
The Forbidden City's Secret Underground Passage
Hidden beneath the grandeur of Beijing's Forbidden City lies a secret underground passage that once connected it with the nearby Temple of Heaven. This hidden route was used primarily for ceremonial purposes, allowing emperors to move between their two primary places of worship without being seen by commoners or potential assassins.
Ancient Chinese Acrobats' Daring Feats
Acrobatics have been an integral part of Chinese entertainment for thousands of years, with performers showcasing their strength and agility through death-defying stunts like tightrope walking over raging rivers or performing acrobatic feats on high platforms while blindfolded.
The Terracotta Army's Hidden Pit No. 1
In addition to the three pits containing over 8,000 life-sized terracotta soldiers at Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi’s tomb site near Xi'an, there is a fourth pit that remains largely unexcavated due to its location deep within a mountain valley.
A Ming Dynasty Mapmaker Who Was Way Off Course
Zhang Heng (78-139 AD), one of ancient China's greatest astronomers and mathematicians who also excelled at cartography and invented instruments such as seismometers (earthquake detectors) and armillary spheres (models representing celestial bodies), created maps that were often so inaccurate they placed Europe further east than India – quite a contrast from today!
