When people discuss China, they often marvel at its unparalleled feats. This nation brims with wonders and achievements, with numerous “world’s firsts” originating from its vast land. In this article, we will explore China’s top ten world records. Let’s journey together.
- The Highest Railway in the World: Qinghai-Tibet Railway
- Connecting Xining in Qinghai Province to Lhasa in Tibet, this railway stands as the highest globally. Crossing terrains like high mountains, large rivers, grasslands, and deserts, the railway winds through mountain ranges including the Kunlun, Tanggula, and Gangdise. Since opening in 2006, it’s not only become one of China’s main transportation veins but also one of the world’s most challenging and scenic travel routes.
- The Longest Wall in the World: The Great Wall
- A defense line built in ancient China, the Great Wall is recognized globally as a World Cultural Heritage site. The entire wall stretches over 20,000 kilometers, with the most famous section located in Beijing.
- The World’s Largest Stone Buddha Statue: Leshan Giant Buddha
- Positioned in Leshan, Sichuan Province, this 71-meter-tall statue is a construction marvel from the late Tang Dynasty, exemplifying China’s ancient art and culture.
- The World’s Largest Ancient Palace: The Forbidden City (Palace Museum)
- Located in Beijing, this palace was home to emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It’s the largest ancient palace structure in the world, covering an area of 720,000 square meters with over 9,000 rooms.
- The World’s Highest Palace: Potala Palace
- Nestled atop Marpo Ri hill in Lhasa, Tibet, this palace, built in the 7th century, is the holiest site for the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism and the winter residence of the Dalai Lama.
- The Most Extraordinary Buddhist Art: Mogao Caves in Dunhuang
- Located in Dunhuang, Gansu Province, these caves represent the largest, most content-rich, and artistically superior Buddhist art in the world, embodying China’s ancient Buddhist culture and art.
- The World’s Largest Hydropower Project: The Three Gorges Dam
- Situated along the Yangtze River, this megastructure is one of the world’s largest hydropower projects. Construction started in 1994, and it became operational in 2012, spanning 18 years and costing approximately RMB 240 billion.
- The World’s Most Well-Preserved Ancient City Wall: Ming Walls of Nanjing
- Constructed during the Ming Dynasty, this wall remains the world’s most extensive and best-preserved ancient city wall, standing as a testament to China’s ancient architectural prowess.
- The World’s Highest Bridge: Beipanjiang Bridge Duge
- Straddling the border of Guizhou and Yunnan provinces, this bridge holds the record as the world’s highest suspension bridge, with a staggering height of 565 meters above the Beipan River.
- The World’s Longest Sea-Crossing Bridge: Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge
- Connecting Hong Kong, Zhuhai, and Macao, this bridge is the world’s longest sea-crossing bridge at an impressive length of 55 kilometers.
China’s unmatched achievements provide a compelling glimpse into a nation that effortlessly blends its ancient heritage with modern wonders. Each record tells a story of challenges, dedication, and triumphant successes. How many of these awe-inspiring sites have you visited?