China Quiz: From Dynasties to Revolutions, What Do YOU Know About Chinese History?

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"In a time of difficulties, we must not lose sight of our achievements." – Mao Zedong

China has had many difficulties and achievements throughout history. The ancient country has been home to many dynasties of emperors and, within the past century, a rise of revolutionaries. From Emperor Qin to Mao Zedong, China has evolved from an imperial state to a republic. 

What do you know about Chinese history? Take our Chinese History Quiz to journey from ancient to modern China! 

Test your History Knowledge

"Opportunities multiply as they are seized.” - Sun Tzu

Seize the opportunity to ace this Chinese History Quiz!

Which group did the Chinese try to keep out with the Great Wall? Who is the only woman to have led China? What Chinese leader took the country on the "Great Leap Forward"? What was the Cultural Revolution? Who was at war with China in the mid-20th century? If you think you know all the answers to these questions and more, show us by taking our Chinese History Quiz.

Are you a historian? Seize the opportunity to be with this Chinese History Quiz!

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Whether you have a depth of knowledge when it comes to history or are just dipping your toe in, our history collection of quizzes is for you. We explore history on every level, from the shallow end to the deep end. 

Once you've aced this Chinese History Quiz, head to Canada with our Canadian History Quiz. Or maybe you want to go south of the border. Test your knowledge of Mexico with our Mexican History Quiz. Interested in the U.S. government or historical figures? Take our U.S. Government and Historical Figures Quizzes now. There's no end to what you'll discover about history with QuizGriz! 


Jessica Holom is a freelance writer and digital nomad with a background in literature, art, and writing. She believes curiosity never killed a single cat and enjoys learning, world-exploring, and writing about both.

Chinese History Quiz Questions

30 Questions · 119 Plays · No comments

Question 1

Drugs have always been a source of control. What drug did the British flood China with, causing an addiction crisis?

  • A
    Meth
  • B
    Marijuana
  • C
    Cocaine
  • D
    Opium

Question 2

The late-20th century democracy movement was crushed at which famous protest?

  • A
    Hong Kong Protest
  • B
    Tiananmen Square Protest
  • C
    Occupy Wall Street
  • D
    May Fourth Movement

Question 3

The Great Wall of China was built to keep out what group?

  • A
    The Samurais
  • B
    The Portuguese
  • C
    The Bolsheviks
  • D
    The Mongols

Question 4

Ancient China was ruled by powerful families. What were they called?

  • A
    Kingdoms
  • B
    Empires
  • C
    Eras
  • D
    Dynasties

Question 5

Which emperor built an impressive Terracotta Army to guard and serve him in the afterlife?

  • A
    Qin Shi Huang
  • B
    Marco Polo
  • C
    Wen of Sui
  • D
    Wu Zetian

Question 6

Zhang Qian returned to China with a map of this iconic route that stretched all the way to Afghanistan.

  • A
    Silk Road
  • B
    Spice Routes
  • C
    Amber Road
  • D
    Salt Route

Question 7

In a brutal attack and seizure, who captured Shanghai and Nanjing in 1937?

  • A
    Germany
  • B
    United States
  • C
    Korea
  • D
    Japan

Question 8

With the aim to resolve the Vietnam War and create leverage over the Soviet Union, who was the first American president to visit China?

  • A
    George W. Bush
  • B
    John F. Kennedy
  • C
    Lyndon B. Johnson
  • D
    Richard Nixon

Question 9

This "city" was established in the Ming dynasty and now sits at the center of China's capital. Name that big palace complex.

  • A
    Forbidden City
  • B
    Hidden City
  • C
    Emperor's City
  • D
    Welcome City

Question 10

Now, this group has got class! Which class of people were the most respected in all of China?

  • A
    Scholars
  • B
    Merchants
  • C
    Craftsmen
  • D
    Landlords

Question 11

"We need to be down-to-earth and work hard." As of 2021, who is the current president of China?

  • A
    Shinzo Abe
  • B
    Hu Jintao
  • C
    Jiang Zemin
  • D
    Xi Jinping

Question 12

Mao wanted to get rid of Capitalist and traditional Chinese influences. This resulted in what revolution?

  • A
    Cultural Revolution
  • B
    French Revolution
  • C
    Second Chinese Revolution
  • D
    Constitutional Protection Movement

Question 13

What Mao campaign was intended to industrialize China's agricultural scene?

  • A
    The Great Leap Forward
  • B
    The Great Depression
  • C
    The Great Hope
  • D
    The Industrial Revolution

Question 14

"One country, two systems." What territory was returned to China in 1997?

  • A
    Macau
  • B
    Tibet
  • C
    Taiwan
  • D
    Hong Kong

Question 15

As China's most important political group, what party came out of the May Fourth Movement?

  • A
    China Zhi Gong Party
  • B
    Communist Party of China
  • C
    China Nationalist Party
  • D
    Chinese Peasants' and Workers' Democratic Party

Question 16

Completed in 609 AD, what was built from Beijing to Hangzhou and is the longest of its kind in the world?

  • A
    Grand Canal
  • B
    Yangtze River
  • C
    Wuting Bridge
  • D
    Silk Road

Question 17

Mao is rising to power...When did the People's Republic of China form?

  • A
    2004
  • B
    1949
  • C
    1931
  • D
    1967

Question 18

Civil war is a-brewin' yet again. Which two groups fought an 18-year-long war in 20th century China?

  • A
    The Red Army & the White Army
  • B
    Nationalist Party & the Red Army
  • C
    The White Army & the Communist Party of China
  • D
    The Communist Party of China & the Green Army

Question 19

Everyone has their wolfpack, even Mao Zedong. What was Mao's inner circle called?

  • A
    Gang of Four
  • B
    Army of Eight
  • C
    Club of Six
  • D
    Team of Five

Question 20

What revolutionary fuelled the Xinhai Revolution which led to the Republic of China?

  • A
    Mao Zedong
  • B
    Sun Yat-Sen
  • C
    Mark Twain
  • D
    Chan Siu-bak

Question 21

As the eleventh emperor of the Qing Dynasty, who was the last emperor of China?

  • A
    Puyi
  • B
    The Kangxi Emperor
  • C
    Ming Chengzu
  • D
    Napoleon

Question 22

Happy China Day! When is the National Day of the People's Republic of China?

  • A
    October 1
  • B
    July 4
  • C
    November 6
  • D
    February 12

Question 23

Which Dutch-controlled island was seized by the Ming Dynasty in the 17th century?

  • A
    Taiwan
  • B
    Hong Kong
  • C
    Macau
  • D
    Japan

Question 24

After Kublai Khan established his empire, he wasn't through being awesome yet. Which of the following did he NOT do during his reign?

  • A
    Invent tea
  • B
    Hang out with Marco Polo
  • C
    Enlarge the Chinese empire
  • D
    Attack Japan

Question 25

First taken from the Dutch, Taiwan was then handed over to Japan after which war?

  • A
    WWII
  • B
    Second Sino-Japanese War
  • C
    First Sino-Japanese War
  • D
    American Revolution

Question 26

This dude united all of China under one rule for the first time. Who was the first sovereign emperor of China?

  • A
    Genghis Khan
  • B
    Taizong of Tang
  • C
    Qin Shi Huang
  • D
    Wu of Han

Question 27

This rebellion involved a self-proclaimed prophet, a cult, and the deaths of 20 million people.

  • A
    Compatriots Rebellion
  • B
    Boxer Rebellion
  • C
    White Lotus Rebellion
  • D
    The Taiping Rebellion

Question 28

China has had countless dynasties throughout history. Which one was the longest?

  • A
    Qin
  • B
    Zhou
  • C
    Shang
  • D
    Tang

Question 29

Not even a great wall could keep the Mongols out. When they invaded, what dynasty did they form?

  • A
    Ming Dynasty
  • B
    Tang Dynasty
  • C
    Northern Song Dynasty
  • D
    Yuan Dynasty

Question 30

China's first great emperor got a lot done after uniting China. Which of the following did Qin Shi Huang NOT do?

  • A
    Build the first Chinese super highway
  • B
    Standardize regional writing into a single national one
  • C
    Build the Grand Canal
  • D
    Extended the Great Wall

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