Chinese history is fascinating! The reason I became interested in learning Mandarin Chinese is due to first being interested in Chinese history and culture. When I first began studying ancient China I was blown away by how rich and surprising the 5,000-year history is. Some still don't know about China's history of inventions that would spread beyond China to change the world forever. Traditionally, there are four major ancient inventions that Chinese acknowledge:
• 造纸术 (zàozhǐ shù) = papermaking 
• 火药 (huǒyào) = gunpowder
• 印刷术 (yìnshuā shù) = printing
• 指南针 (zhǐnánzhēn) = the compass
Of course, these aren't the only past Chinese inventions that spread to the west, but they are the most influential overall.
Today, China is experiencing an entirely new technological era. Modern China is a much different place from ancient China, obviously!
Recently, the Beijing Foreign Studies University Silk Road Research Institute asked foreign students in China which Chinese inventions and technologies they would like to see in their home countries. The students voted on four major "modern Chinese inventions":
• 高铁 (gāotiě) = high-speed rail;
• 支付宝 (zhīfùbǎo)= Alipay;
• 共享单车 (gòngxiǎng dānchē)= dockless shared bicycles;
• 网购 (wǎnggòu) = online shopping.
These four technologies may not have all been invented in China, but they have taken off here and spread faster in China than anywhere else on the planet!
1. 高铁 (gāotiě)= high-speed rail
China may not have invented high-speed rail, but China is making it faster, better and more far-reaching. China has 22,000 miles of the high-speed rail, which accounts for two-thirds of the world's total. High-speed rail is a safe and convenient alternative to flying. It's also a great way to see the Chinese countryside whiz by at an exciting speed. China today holds many new patents that are pushing high-speed rail into its next stage of development!
Example:
Wǒ jiāng chéng gāotiě qù lǚxíng.
我 将 乘 高铁 去 旅行。
I will take the high-speed railway for traveling.
2. 支付宝 (zhīfùbǎo) = Alipay
Alipay is a part of daily life for young Chinese. The online payment service was created in 2006. Over 400 million users are…Read More
