>>11711432>Why the Chinese specifically?The idea of an ancient culture going so long with only relatively minor changes is fascinating. Not that they haven't developed in that time, but that the idea of a China has existed for so long, with the largest changes being various invasions. Looking at, say, Japan, which developed into a power equaling European ones in only a few decades, China remained about the same despite encountering them around the same time. This, I think, is due in part to a proud culture, not a lack of ability, as can be seen by their later transformation under Mao.
And although it's a bit of a meme at this point, the first instances of many inventions do come from China. A gas system made mostly from bamboo which was used to heat houses or cook was made in China, for example. For a foreigner, the language is interesting too. In comparison, Japanese, though it uses some of the same characters, is less complex because of its use of the kana.
Altogether, I get the sense of it being an almost completely alien culture. Maybe not one with the same sense of grandeur you get from seeing the pyramids, but one that's still endured for a considerable amount of time, especially once you realize some of the earliest instances of civilization can be found in this region. But most importantly, it's a culture that's in most people's interest to understand, and maybe even appreciate, because of its growing influence in the world.
And on just a personal note, its aesthetics are among my favorites.
