10 things China does better than anywhere else

By Zoe Li, for CNN
6 minute read
Published 8:58 PM EST, Thu January 8, 2015
The display of totalitarian jazz hands at the 2008 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony in Beijing showcased Chinese art forms from ink painting and opera to acrobatics and tai chi.
Opening ceremonies —
The display of totalitarian jazz hands at the 2008 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony in Beijing showcased Chinese art forms from ink painting and opera to acrobatics and tai chi.
Paul Gilham/Getty Images
China was the first place to domesticate pigs and today is the world's top producer and consumer of pork. If these pork dishes in Yunnan Province don't convince you, something from <a href="http://travel.cnn.com/most-creative-kitchen-chengdu-092981">Chengdu</a> might.
Pork —
China was the first place to domesticate pigs and today is the world's top producer and consumer of pork. If these pork dishes in Yunnan Province don't convince you, something from Chengdu might.
FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images
The culture of tea has become so integral to China and held in such esteem that prestigious varietals regularly fetch thousands of dollars per kilo. It's practically currency.
Tea —
The culture of tea has become so integral to China and held in such esteem that prestigious varietals regularly fetch thousands of dollars per kilo. It's practically currency.
STEPHEN SHAVER/AFP/Getty Images
Calligraphy in China is an art form, a meditative practice, a scholarly pursuit and, nowadays, an investment. At auction, high-end calligraphic artworks routinely fetch millions of dollars.
Calligraphy —
Calligraphy in China is an art form, a meditative practice, a scholarly pursuit and, nowadays, an investment. At auction, high-end calligraphic artworks routinely fetch millions of dollars.
Courtesy Benoit Wittamer
China's deep sense of pragmatism is embraced on a daily basis, which explains many national customs and cultural norms, including the gifting of hongbao (red envelopes filled with cash).
Pragmatism —
China's deep sense of pragmatism is embraced on a daily basis, which explains many national customs and cultural norms, including the gifting of hongbao (red envelopes filled with cash).
STR/AFP/Getty Images
China claims the world's highest railway. The Tanggula Pass at more than 5,000 meters in the Tanggula Mountains can be traversed via the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.
Getting to high places —
China claims the world's highest railway. The Tanggula Pass at more than 5,000 meters in the Tanggula Mountains can be traversed via the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.
China Photos/Getty Images
China is no football star, so what? Chinese competitors are practically unbeatable at badminton and table tennis, winning more gold medals in these events than any other country at the Olympics.
Indoor sports —
China is no football star, so what? Chinese competitors are practically unbeatable at badminton and table tennis, winning more gold medals in these events than any other country at the Olympics.
PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL/AFP/Getty Images
Nowhere can you find a diversity and sophistication that matches China's exhaustive list of dumpling variations. The most famous in Shanghai is the xialongbao.
Dumplings —
Nowhere can you find a diversity and sophistication that matches China's exhaustive list of dumpling variations. The most famous in Shanghai is the xialongbao.
Sean Hanratty/CNN
An explosion of domestic travel means China needs hotels. Now. The country is meeting the demand with the fastest, quirkiest and most impressive construction boom the world has ever seen.
Building fast —
An explosion of domestic travel means China needs hotels. Now. The country is meeting the demand with the fastest, quirkiest and most impressive construction boom the world has ever seen.
PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images
There are cheap Chinese versions of everything from luxury fashion and gadgets to landmarks and a whole European village. A copycat version of the Eiffel Tower in Hangzhou? Small fry.
Copying —
There are cheap Chinese versions of everything from luxury fashion and gadgets to landmarks and a whole European village. A copycat version of the Eiffel Tower in Hangzhou? Small fry.
STR/AFP/Getty Images
10 things China does best

Editor’s Note: This story is part of a series highlighting superlatives of countries and cities around the world. Click here for pieces on France, the United States, Canada, Italy, Ind