China

Key facts

How China ranks

• 4th largest country in the world by area.
• 2nd most populous country in the world.
• Shares land borders with 14 countries — 1st most in the world.
• 1st highest peak of any country, at 8,849 m.

Every ranking is computed from the facts above — see the full record tables.

Which countries border China?14

• Afghanistan
• Bhutan
• India
• Kazakhstan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Laos
• Mongolia
• Myanmar
• Nepal
• North Korea
• Pakistan
• Russia
• Tajikistan
• Vietnam

China in the game

Every puzzle gives three clues that exactly one country satisfies. China is a household name, so it can be the answer even in easy puzzles. These are the 53 clues from the pool that are true of China, rarest first — the fewer countries share a clue, the harder it works for you on the board.

• The Ganges or a main tributary flows through it1 of 4
• The Indus or a main tributary flows through it1 of 4
• The Himalayas run through it1 of 5
• Borders India1 of 6
• Has more land borders than any other country in its region1 of 6
• The Mekong flows through it1 of 6
• Has a coastline on the South China Sea1 of 10
• Stretches more than 20 degrees of latitude1 of 10
• Borders more than 7 countries1 of 11
• Has an area larger than 2,000,000 km²1 of 12
• Borders Russia1 of 14
• Borders a country whose flag shares no colour with its own1 of 16
• Has more than 100 million people1 of 16
• The Tropic of Cancer passes through it1 of 16
• Its name begins with “C”1 of 17
• Borders a country in a different region1 of 21
• Its capital city's name begins with “B”1 of 25
• Has a peak higher than 5,000 m1 of 27
• Is larger than Egypt1 of 28
• Borders a country that drives on the other side of the road1 of 29
• Has a higher peak than anywhere in France1 of 29
• Has an area larger than 1,000,000 km²1 of 29
• Has more than 50 million people1 of 29
• Has more people than Spain1 of 30
• Borders more than 5 countries1 of 33
• Has land below sea level1 of 33
• Lies further east than India1 of 34
• Its capital is not its largest city1 of 36
• Reaches further north than 45°N1 of 39
• Is larger than France1 of 41
• Borders a monarchy1 of 42
• Has a peak higher than 4,000 m1 of 43
• Its flag uses exactly two colours1 of 44
• Has a higher peak than anywhere in Japan1 of 46
• Borders a country spanning more time zones than it does1 of 48
• Is in Asia1 of 48
• Has an area larger than 500,000 km²1 of 51
• Stretches more than 10 degrees of latitude1 of 52
• Has more people than Australia1 of 54
• Shares no official language with any of its neighbours1 of 54
• Lies further north than Japan1 of 58
• Is larger than Japan1 of 60
• Has a peak higher than 3,000 m1 of 65
• Borders a country of more than 100 million people1 of 66
• Its flag features a star1 of 67
• Its name has 6 letters or fewer1 of 67
• Lies further north than Egypt1 of 76
• Has an area larger than 200,000 km²1 of 84
• Its flag contains yellow or gold1 of 85
• Borders a landlocked country1 of 88
• Borders more than 2 countries1 of 111
• Has exactly one official language1 of 130
• Drives on the right1 of 141

Common questions about China

Which countries border China?

China shares a land border with 14 countries: Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Vietnam.

What is the capital of China?

The capital of China is Beijing, which is not its largest city.

Is China landlocked?

No. China has a coastline.

What language is spoken in China?

China has one official language, Mandarin Chinese.