Ancient China

My rivers are long and winding, and they glitter in the sun like a dragon’s tail. My mountains are so tall that they tickle the bottoms of the clouds. I have fields of green rice plants and golden wheat that wave hello in the wind. If you listen closely, you can hear the busy sounds of my marketplaces, where people laugh and trade colorful silks and beautiful pots. If you take a deep breath, you can smell yummy noodles and warm dumplings cooking for hungry tummies. I hold so many secrets in my ancient scrolls. I have stories of powerful emperors and amazing ideas that changed the world. People all over the globe still use my gifts every single day. I have waited a long time to share my story with you. I am Ancient China.

For thousands of years, special families called dynasties looked after me. They were like the kings and queens of my lands. One of the most important people was my First Emperor, Qin Shi Huang. He was very strong and helped bring all my different parts together to become one big family. He wanted to be safe even after he was gone, so he had thousands of clay soldiers made to protect him. They are called the Terracotta Army, and each soldier has a different face. I also have a famous wall that is so long it looks like a stone dragon sleeping on my hills. The Great Wall wasn't built in one day. Many, many people worked together for a very long time, adding piece by piece to keep my people safe from harm. But my greatest treasures are my bright ideas. I gave the world paper to write stories and draw pictures on. I shared soft, shiny silk to make beautiful clothes. I invented the compass so sailors would never get lost at sea. And I created fireworks that burst in the night sky like flowers made of light.

My gifts and stories did not stay hidden with me. They traveled along a famous path called the Silk Road. Brave traders walked this long road, carrying my wonderful silk and paper to faraway lands. They shared my secrets with people who had never seen anything like them. In return, they brought back new foods and new ideas to me. It was like a big show-and-tell with the whole world. Even today, you can still enjoy my ancient gifts. When you drink a warm cup of tea, fly a kite high in the sky, or see beautiful writing made with a brush and ink, you are touching a piece of my history. My story shows that one bright idea can travel across the world and make life better for everyone. I hope my history of big dreams and clever inventions inspires you to be curious, to create amazing things, and to share your own special gifts with the world.