The first recorded use of paper currency in the world is believed to have occurred in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). The Chinese used paper money in the form of “jiaozi,” which were paper notes issued by the government that could be exchanged for gold or silver. The jiaozi were used primarily as a means of exchange, but they also functioned as a way to store wealth, as they were easier to carry than heavy coins. The use of paper money eventually spread to other parts of the world, including Europe and the Americas, where it became an integral part of the financial system.
China
One of the craziest historical facts…
One of the craziest historical facts is that during the Tang Dynasty in China (618-907), Emperor Xuanzong had a favorite concubine named Yang Yuhuan who was renowned for her beauty and intelligence. Yang Yuhuan was so beloved by the Emperor that he is said to have neglected his duties and spent most of his time with her. This led to a period of political instability and economic decline in the empire, and it is thought to have contributed to the eventual fall of the Tang Dynasty.
Despite her beauty and intelligence, Yang Yuhuan’s influence on the Emperor had tragic consequences. She is said to have encouraged him to eliminate potential rivals for power and to engage in lavish spending, which drained the imperial treasury. Eventually, Yang Yuhuan’s actions and the Emperor’s infatuation with her led to a rebellion and a palace coup, and the Emperor was forced to flee the capital. Yang Yuhuan was captured and executed, and the Emperor died in exile several years later.
China owns all the Pandas in the world…
China owns almost all of the Pandas in the world and rents them out to other countries zoos for around $1-2 million per Panda per year. There are two in Mexico City which are not owned by China. They are offspring of pandas which were loaned to Mexico before the policy took place.
After Chairman Mao gifted mangoes…
After Chairman Mao gifted mangoes to workers during China’s Cultural Revolution, a mango cult developed, with workers preserving mangoes in formaldehyde and making wax mango replicas. Workers worshipped mangoes, holding processions that celebrated them and equating them with Mao’s image.
In 3rd century China, Han Emperors…
In 3rd century China, Han Emperors required anyone who addressed them to chew on Cloves first to freshen their breath.
After Puyi, the last Emperor of China…
After Puyi, the last Emperor of China, was dethroned, he worked as a street cleaner and would visit the Forbidden Palace as a tourist and point out the various objects on display that he used to own as Emperor.
The deposed Last Emperor of China was…
The deposed Last Emperor of China was so used to having his needs catered to that whilst an imprisoned war criminal, it was observed that he had never brushed his teeth or tied shoelaces himself. Upon his release, others noticed that he would forget to flush the toilet and close doors behind him.
The world’s largest film studio is Hengdian…
The world’s largest film studio is Hengdian Studios, in China. Basically a city of permanent full-scale replicas of palaces, fortresses, and towns from various periods of China’s history. Whole populations of nearby towns are often employed to be extras for period dramas & fantasy movies.
In a subway station in the Chinese city…
In a subway station in the Chinese city of Nanjing, vending machines sell live crabs. The crabs are kept at 0-10° C (32-50° F) – not enough to freeze them, but cold enough to make them docile. Around 200 crabs are sold daily – and if you buy a dead one, you’ll get three live ones for free.
The Chinese Army has been training…
The Chinese Army has been training 10,000 pigeons to provide support to the military’s communications in the event that war renders its modern technology unusable. The pigeons, flying at speeds of up to 75 miles (120 km) per hour, are being trained to carry loads of up to 3.5 oz (100 g).