China at KS3 and KS4

Discover the history and culture of China, including the first emperor and his terracotta army, the Great Wall of China, everyday life and the three religions.

China loan boxes

Tang pottery tomb guardian

Bring China into your classroom with this set of replicas and other items based on objects in the British Museum's collection, covering themes such as food and drink, celebration and decoration. This boxes come with information and notes for teachers.

Download:
loan box slideshow (ppt 923kb)
loan box handout (pdf 318kb)  

Loans are free. To borrow a box, contact the Schools Team on 020 7323 8510/8850 or learning@britishmuseum.org


Resources for visits

China: Journey to the East

Roof tileAn exhibition touring the UK from 2009 exploring one of the most important and influential civilisations in world history.

Cloisonne jar

Chinese Art

Jade jewellery, lacquer boxes, porcelain vases, bronze weapons. Find out about the materials and decorative techniques used in Chinese art in the Museum's collection.

Download Word (1.2Mb)  pdf (714Kb) 


Online resources

Budai figure

Search highlights of the Museum's Chinese collection online

Discover more about the Museum collection. Find detailed information, background articles and images of many objects from the Chinese galleries.

Online tours

Themed selections of objects and information to explore

New year

Chinese New Year

A look at the lucky red money envelopes that are given as gifts to celebrate Chinese New Year.

 

Chinese jade dragon pendant

Chinese Jade

A selection of jade objects from the Selwyn and Ellie Alleyne Gallery (Room 33b)


 

Landscapes

Mountains and Water: Chinese Landscape Painting

A look at the tradition of Chinese landscape painting.

 

British Museum websites

Imperial China

Early Imperial China

www.earlyimperialchina.co.uk
Explore the British Museum student's room to find a slide show of the Great Wall and original sources describing the first emperor's reign. Includes activities and lesson plans.
 

Ancient China screengrab

Ancient China

www.ancientchina.co.uk
Navigate the tomb of a wealthy lord, learn about the legendary Pangu and Nuwa and even try silkworm farming!
 

Ancient civs china screengrab

Ancient civilizations

www.ancientcivilizations.co.uk
Explore ancient civilizations from around the world across time, including the cities, buildings, religion and technology and trade of Imperial China

Other useful websites


Royal Academy of Arts - The Three Emperors 1662-1795

Treasures of the Silk Road at the British Museum

Dunhuang buddhist painting

The Silk Road Online
British Library education website exploring the culture of the Silk Road including travel, trade, Buddhism, medicine and book binding.


Useful books

Suitable for KS3 history

J. Brooman, Imperial China (Longman, 1992)

C. Gleisner, Imperial China (Oxford University Press, 2000)

H. Martell, Imperial China (Evans Brothers Limited, 1998)

A. Paludan, Chronicle of the Chinese Emperors (Thames and Hudson, 1998)

F. Reynoldson, Imperial China (Heinemann Educational, 1991)

A. Cotterell, Eyewitness Guide: China (Dorling Kindersley, 1994) Introduction to the history and culture of China, richly illustrated with objects in the British Museum collection.

For teachers

J. Rawson (ed.), The British Museum Book of Chinese Art (London, The British Museum Press, 1992) A comprehensive survey of British Museum Chinese objects from the Neolithic to the Modern Period.

Books which are published by the British Museum Press, can be purchased at the museum shop, online or at any bookshop.

Teachers receive a 10% discount* when they quote teacher0910 in Museum shops.

For discount online, visit www.britishmuseumshoponline.org and enter teacher0910 on checkout.

*Discount cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers.
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