East Asia Regional Cultures of China

The Chinese landscape is immense and highly diverse in altitude and topography. Its variety of natural environments has fostered a wide range of ethnic cultures. Han Chinese live mainly in the plains and are spread throughout the nation. Ethnic minority groups live for the most part in the highlands or grasslands in southwest, northwest, and northeast China. Taiwan is home to Austronesian-speaking indigenous groups. Chinese overseas are living all over the world. This exhibit introduces the diverse cultures of various ethnic groups shaped by their unique living environments. Taking into account historical and regional characteristics, this exhibit explores livelihoods, costumes, musical instruments, dwellings, crafts, religion and writing, Han Chinese marriage ceremonies and ancestor worship, Taiwan indigenous peoples, and Chinese overseas.