When it comes to board games, China has a rich history and culture of games that have been played for centuries. With the rise of modern board game design, Chinese board games have become increasingly popular both in China and around the world. Here are some of the most popular board games in China today.
1. Go (Weiqi)
Go is one of the oldest and most popular board games in China, with a history dating back over 2,500 years.
The game is played on a grid of 19×19 lines with black and white stones. The objective is to surround more territory on the board than your opponent.
Fun Fact: Go is considered one of the four arts of ancient Chinese scholars, along with calligraphy, painting, and playing musical instruments.
2. Mahjong
Mahjong is a tile-based game that originated in China during the Qing dynasty. The game is played with four players and involves drawing and discarding tiles to form sets or runs.
Fun Fact: In Chinese culture, Mahjong is often played during family gatherings or festivals such as Chinese New Year.
3. Xiangqi (Chinese Chess)
Xiangqi is another ancient Chinese game that dates back over 1,000 years. It is similar to Western chess but played on a smaller board with different pieces and rules.
Fun Fact: Xiangqi was once considered a symbol of military strategy and was used by generals to train their troops.
4. Dou Shou Qi (Animal Chess)
Dou Shou Qi is a traditional two-player strategy game that originated in China over 1,000 years ago.
The game is played on a board with nine lines and eight different animal pieces, each with unique abilities.
Fun Fact: Dou Shou Qi is also known as “The Jungle Game” or “The Game of Fighting Animals. “
5. Chinese Checkers
Chinese Checkers is a modern classic that was invented in Germany in the late 19th century but has become popular in China as well. The game is played on a star-shaped board with marbles, and the objective is to move your marbles to the opposite side of the board before your opponents do.
Fun Fact: Chinese Checkers originated as a variation of an older game called Halma, which was invented in the United States in 1883.
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In Conclusion
These are just a few examples of the many popular board games that can be found in China. Whether you’re interested in ancient strategy games or modern classics, there’s sure to be a Chinese board game that will capture your interest and provide hours of fun!