east asia
Explore the culture of East Asia
start
east asia
East Asia boasts a rich and diverse cultural heritage shaped by millennia of history, philosophical traditions, and societal values. The region is characterized by a blend of Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist influences, which have deeply impacted social structures, family dynamics, and educational systems. East Asian culture is rooted in family, respect for others and elders. The countries that make up East Asia are: Japan, China, Mongolia, Taiwan, South Korea, and North Korea.
Click here to explore the differences in communism in North Korea and China.
where is east asia?
Location
Borders
- North: Siberia, part of Russia
- East: Pacific Ocean
- South: Southeast Asia and the South China Sea
- West: Central Asia and the Gobi Desert
key information
East Asia's Ethnic Cultures
+info
Languages
+info
Religion
+info
Click play to listen to the Chinese National Anthem.
Culture
Art - calligraphy
Sport
In East Asia, traditional sports like martial arts (kung fu in China, taekwondo in Korea, and judo in Japan) have historical significance and continue to be widely practiced. Modern sports such as soccer, baseball, and basketball are also popular, with East Asian countries excelling in international competitions and the Olympics.
Calligraphy is a highly esteemed and unique art form in East Asia. Chinese calligraphy is one of the oldest and most revered art forms. Chinese characters are written with a brush and ink, emphasizing harmony and a balance of each stroke. Japanese calligraphy, or shodo, is derived from Chinese calligraphy and has its own unique style.
Music
Literature
Music in East Asia ranges from traditional to contemporary genres. Traditional music often involves unique instruments like the Chinese erhu, Japanese koto, and Korean gayageum. Contemporary music, especially K-pop from South Korea and J-pop from Japan, has gained international popularity, influencing global music trends.
Chinese literature dates back to ancient times with Confucian classics, Daoist texts like Tao Te Ching and historical records. The Tang and Song dynasties saw a flourishing of poetry. Japanese literature began with oral traditions. The world's first novel The Tale of Genji was written during the Heian period (794 - 1185 CE), Literature in East Asia played a vital role in preserving history, expressing philosophical ideas and reflecting societal changes.
explore more!
The Great Wall of China
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Taroko Gorge
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Taiwan
Japan
China
South Korea
Taroko Gorge, located in Taroko National Park in Taiwan, is a stunning natural site famous for its marble canyons, lush vegetation, and rushing rivers. There are numerous trails to hike to view the gorge and explore the Eternal Spring Shrine.
Fushimi Inari Taisha, located in Kyoto, Japan, is a renowned Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari, the god of rice and agriculture. Famous for its thousands of red torii gates that form a scenic pathway up the mountain, this site is both a spiritual and cultural treasure.
Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, South Korea, is an important cultural and historical site. Built in 1395 during the Joseon Dynasty, it is the largest of the Five Grand Palaces.
The Great Wall of China, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world. Stretching over 13,000 miles, it offers a glimpse into China's rich history and engineering marvels.
Communism in East Asia
North Korea and China - What's the Difference?
Communism is a system where the government owns all property and controls the economy and lives of its citizens. Both North Korea and China are ruled by one party, the Communist Party.
North Korea: Isolated from the rest of the world and has strict control over all aspects of life and little economic progress. (pictured below: Pyongyang, North Korea)
China: has introduced economic reforms that blend communism with elements of capitalism, leading to economic growth and modernization.(pictured below: Beijing, China).
Religion in East Asia
The major religious traditions of East Asia includes Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism.Shintoism is prominent in Japan and emphasizes ritual practices and a connection to nature and ancestors. Buddhism, Confucianism and Christianity are largely practiced in Korea. In China, religious practices were significantly curtailed during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) under the Communist Party's efforts to promote atheism and eliminate traditional beliefs. Religious institutions were closed, and religious practices were banned.
Languages
The Chinese language is the most spoken language in East Asia and spoken by over 1 billion people. The most popular dialect is Mandarin Chinese and it is the official language of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Japanese is the official language of Japan and has a number of dialects. Okinawan is spoken on a few islands in Japan and is considered an endangered language.
Korean is the official language of both North and South Korea.
Mongolian is spoken in Mongolia.
English is prominent in East Asia and over 350 million people study English in China. It is one of the official languages in Hong Kong.
Chinese: The official language of China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. The most popular dialect is Mandarin Chinese.
East Asian Countries and Ethnic Cultures
The cultures in different parts of East Asia are influenced by history and geographical features. Click on each number on the map to the right to learn more about the cultures of East Asia.
Notable East Asian Literature
- I Ching
- Journey to the West by Wu Cheng'en
- Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong
- The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu
- The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Matsuo Basho
- The Tale of Hong Gildong by Heo Gyun
- Modern Korean works by authors like Han Kang
- The Secret History of the Mongols (anonymous)
- Modern Mongolian literature by Dashdorjiin Natsaddorj
Deng Feng Shaolin Kung Fu School, China
East Asia Culture Presentation
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Transcript
east asia
Explore the culture of East Asia
start
east asia
East Asia boasts a rich and diverse cultural heritage shaped by millennia of history, philosophical traditions, and societal values. The region is characterized by a blend of Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist influences, which have deeply impacted social structures, family dynamics, and educational systems. East Asian culture is rooted in family, respect for others and elders. The countries that make up East Asia are: Japan, China, Mongolia, Taiwan, South Korea, and North Korea.
Click here to explore the differences in communism in North Korea and China.
where is east asia?
Location
Borders
key information
East Asia's Ethnic Cultures
+info
Languages
+info
Religion
+info
Click play to listen to the Chinese National Anthem.
Culture
Art - calligraphy
Sport
In East Asia, traditional sports like martial arts (kung fu in China, taekwondo in Korea, and judo in Japan) have historical significance and continue to be widely practiced. Modern sports such as soccer, baseball, and basketball are also popular, with East Asian countries excelling in international competitions and the Olympics.
Calligraphy is a highly esteemed and unique art form in East Asia. Chinese calligraphy is one of the oldest and most revered art forms. Chinese characters are written with a brush and ink, emphasizing harmony and a balance of each stroke. Japanese calligraphy, or shodo, is derived from Chinese calligraphy and has its own unique style.
Music
Literature
Music in East Asia ranges from traditional to contemporary genres. Traditional music often involves unique instruments like the Chinese erhu, Japanese koto, and Korean gayageum. Contemporary music, especially K-pop from South Korea and J-pop from Japan, has gained international popularity, influencing global music trends.
Chinese literature dates back to ancient times with Confucian classics, Daoist texts like Tao Te Ching and historical records. The Tang and Song dynasties saw a flourishing of poetry. Japanese literature began with oral traditions. The world's first novel The Tale of Genji was written during the Heian period (794 - 1185 CE), Literature in East Asia played a vital role in preserving history, expressing philosophical ideas and reflecting societal changes.
explore more!
The Great Wall of China
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Taroko Gorge
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Taiwan
Japan
China
South Korea
Taroko Gorge, located in Taroko National Park in Taiwan, is a stunning natural site famous for its marble canyons, lush vegetation, and rushing rivers. There are numerous trails to hike to view the gorge and explore the Eternal Spring Shrine.
Fushimi Inari Taisha, located in Kyoto, Japan, is a renowned Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari, the god of rice and agriculture. Famous for its thousands of red torii gates that form a scenic pathway up the mountain, this site is both a spiritual and cultural treasure.
Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, South Korea, is an important cultural and historical site. Built in 1395 during the Joseon Dynasty, it is the largest of the Five Grand Palaces.
The Great Wall of China, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world. Stretching over 13,000 miles, it offers a glimpse into China's rich history and engineering marvels.
Communism in East Asia
North Korea and China - What's the Difference?
Communism is a system where the government owns all property and controls the economy and lives of its citizens. Both North Korea and China are ruled by one party, the Communist Party.
North Korea: Isolated from the rest of the world and has strict control over all aspects of life and little economic progress. (pictured below: Pyongyang, North Korea)
China: has introduced economic reforms that blend communism with elements of capitalism, leading to economic growth and modernization.(pictured below: Beijing, China).
Religion in East Asia
The major religious traditions of East Asia includes Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism.Shintoism is prominent in Japan and emphasizes ritual practices and a connection to nature and ancestors. Buddhism, Confucianism and Christianity are largely practiced in Korea. In China, religious practices were significantly curtailed during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) under the Communist Party's efforts to promote atheism and eliminate traditional beliefs. Religious institutions were closed, and religious practices were banned.
Languages
The Chinese language is the most spoken language in East Asia and spoken by over 1 billion people. The most popular dialect is Mandarin Chinese and it is the official language of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Japanese is the official language of Japan and has a number of dialects. Okinawan is spoken on a few islands in Japan and is considered an endangered language. Korean is the official language of both North and South Korea. Mongolian is spoken in Mongolia. English is prominent in East Asia and over 350 million people study English in China. It is one of the official languages in Hong Kong.
Chinese: The official language of China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. The most popular dialect is Mandarin Chinese.
East Asian Countries and Ethnic Cultures
The cultures in different parts of East Asia are influenced by history and geographical features. Click on each number on the map to the right to learn more about the cultures of East Asia.
Notable East Asian Literature
Deng Feng Shaolin Kung Fu School, China