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Quizzes > Geography

East Asia Quiz: Test Your Knowledge

Quick, free East Asia trivia to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Kamala NorthongUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration showing stylized map of East Asia with pagoda dragon and waves on sky blue background

This East Asia quiz helps you check what you know about the region's geography, history, and culture. Answer quick questions, learn as you go, and see your score instantly. For more practice, try the East Asia map quiz, explore a South Korea quiz, or take the Chinese provinces quiz.

What is the capital city of Japan?
Osaka
Tokyo
Hiroshima
Kyoto
Tokyo is Japan's capital and its most populous city. It became the official capital in 1868 during the Meiji Restoration when the Emperor moved from Kyoto. The city is the political, economic, and cultural center of Japan.
Which river is the longest in China?
Mekong River
Yangtze River
Yellow River
Pearl River
The Yangtze River is the longest river in China and the third-longest in the world at approximately 6,300 kilometers. It flows from the Tibetan Plateau to the East China Sea near Shanghai. The river basin is home to nearly one-third of China's population.
Which country has the largest population in East Asia?
North Korea
China
Japan
South Korea
China is the most populous country in East Asia and the world, with over 1.4 billion inhabitants. It accounts for around 18% of the global population. Urbanization and economic growth have driven its demographic distribution.
What currency is used in South Korea?
Yen
Dong
Won
Yuan
The official currency of South Korea is the South Korean won (?). It was first introduced in 1902 and restructured after the Korean War. The Bank of Korea is responsible for its issuance and monetary policy.
Which of these is a traditional Korean dish?
Kimchi
Pho
Sashimi
Dim Sum
Kimchi is a traditional Korean side dish made of fermented vegetables, most commonly napa cabbage and radish. It is flavored with chili powder, scallions, garlic, and ginger. Kimchi is recognized for its probiotic benefits and cultural importance in Korea.
Which of the following countries is NOT usually considered part of East Asia?
China
Vietnam
Japan
South Korea
Vietnam is typically classified as part of Southeast Asia rather than East Asia. East Asia comprises China, Japan, the Koreas, Mongolia, Taiwan, and sometimes Hong Kong. Vietnam shares cultural ties with both regions but is geographically in Southeast Asia.
The Great Wall of China was primarily built to protect against which group?
Turks
Manchus
Huns
Mongols
Major sections of the Great Wall were constructed during the Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644) to defend against Mongol incursions from the north. It also consolidated earlier walls built by previous dynasties. The continuous structure stretched over 8,000 kilometers.
Mount Fuji is located on which Japanese island?
Kyushu
Honshu
Shikoku
Hokkaido
Mount Fuji is situated on Honshu, Japan's largest island, about 100 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. It is an active stratovolcano and the highest peak in Japan at 3,776 meters. It has been a site of pilgrimage and artistic inspiration for centuries.
Which country is known as the 'Land of the Morning Calm'?
South Korea
Mongolia
China
Japan
South Korea is poetically referred to as the 'Land of the Morning Calm,' a translation of the historical name Joseon. The phrase reflects Korea's serene landscapes and cultural heritage. It became popular in the West during the late 19th century.
What is the official language of Taiwan?
Taiwanese Hokkien
Hakka
Mandarin Chinese
Cantonese
Mandarin Chinese is the official language of Taiwan and is used in government, education, and media. It was promoted after the Republic of China government relocated to Taiwan in 1949. Several local languages are also spoken but Mandarin remains dominant.
Which structure in Beijing served as the imperial palace for 24 Chinese emperors?
The Forbidden City
Temple of Heaven
Tiananmen Gate
Summer Palace
The Forbidden City in Beijing was the Chinese imperial palace from 1420 to 1912. Home to 24 Ming and Qing dynasty emperors, it covers 720,000 square meters. It is now the Palace Museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What is the national animal of China?
Snow leopard
Giant panda
Red-crowned crane
Siberian tiger
The giant panda is the national animal of China and is native to mountain ranges in central China. It is recognized worldwide as a symbol of conservation. Pandas eat mostly bamboo and have distinctive black-and-white coloring.
Which color dominates the flag of China?
Green
Yellow
Red
Blue
China's national flag, called the Five-star Red Flag, features a red field symbolizing revolution. The flag was adopted on October 1, 1949. The large star represents the Communist Party, and the four smaller stars represent the people.
In which year was the People's Republic of China founded?
1911
1949
1958
1937
The People's Republic of China was founded on October 1, 1949, after the Communist Party won the Chinese Civil War. Mao Zedong proclaimed its establishment in Tiananmen Square. This date marks the start of socialist rule in mainland China.
Which dynasty built the majority of the existing sections of the Great Wall?
Han dynasty
Qin dynasty
Ming dynasty
Tang dynasty
The Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644) is responsible for the construction of most of the standing Great Wall you see today. They rebuilt and fortified older walls dating back to the Qin and Han periods. Their work focused on defensive strength against northern invasions.
Which treaty ended the First Opium War in 1842?
Treaty of Beijing
Treaty of Shimonoseki
Treaty of Tientsin
Treaty of Nanking
The Treaty of Nanking, signed in 1842, concluded the First Opium War between Britain and the Qing dynasty. It ceded Hong Kong Island to Britain and opened five ports to British trade. The treaty marked the start of the unequal treaties era.
Who invented the Korean alphabet Hangul in the 15th century?
King Sejong the Great
Queen Seondeok
King Taejo
Yi Sun-sin
King Sejong the Great introduced Hangul in 1443 to improve literacy among commoners. The new alphabet was simpler than the Chinese characters previously used. Hangul is praised for its scientific design and phonetic accuracy.
What is the demilitarized zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea?
A no-fly zone over Seoul
A trade corridor
A buffer zone along the 38th parallel
A joint military base
The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a 250-kilometer long buffer zone along the 38th parallel, established in 1953 by the Korean Armistice Agreement. It separates North and South Korea and is heavily fortified. The DMZ is one of the most militarized borders in the world.
The Meiji Restoration of 1868 led to modernization in which country?
Korea
China
Japan
Vietnam
The Meiji Restoration in 1868 restored imperial rule in Japan and ended the Tokugawa shogunate. It initiated broad political, economic, and social changes to modernize and Westernize the country. Japan rapidly industrialized and became a world power.
Which religion is most widely practiced in Mongolia?
Confucianism
Taoism
Shinto
Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism is the dominant religion in Mongolia, practiced by around half the population. It was suppressed during the socialist era but has revived since the 1990s. Buddhism influences Mongolian culture, festivals, and art.
Which port city near Tokyo is known as Japan's largest international trading port?
Yokohama
Nagoya
Kobe
Osaka
Yokohama is Japan's largest port city by international trade volume and the second-most populous municipality in the Greater Tokyo Area. It opened to foreign trade in 1859 and rapidly developed into a major commercial center.
Which empire built the city of Dadu, later known as Khanbaliq and modern Beijing?
Qin dynasty
Ming dynasty
Yuan dynasty
Tang dynasty
Kublai Khan's Yuan dynasty established Dadu (Khanbaliq) in the 13th century as the capital of the Mongol Empire. It became the forerunner of modern Beijing. The Ming dynasty later rebuilt it and renamed it Beiping before restoring the name Beijing.
Which war occurred between China and Japan from 1894 to 1895?
First Sino-Japanese War
Russo-Japanese War
Second Sino-Japanese War
Boxer Rebellion
The First Sino-Japanese War (1894 - 1895) was fought over control of Korea between Qing China and Meiji Japan. Japan's victory marked its emergence as a modern military power and led to the Treaty of Shimonoseki. It also signaled the decline of Qing influence in East Asia.
Which palace complex served as the Japanese Imperial residence until 1869?
Edo Castle
Kyoto Imperial Palace
Himeji Castle
Nijo Castle
The Kyoto Imperial Palace was the residence of the Emperor of Japan until the capital moved to Tokyo in 1869. It is located within the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden. The palace reflects classical Japanese architecture and court culture.
What is the primary writing system used in Korea today?
Hanja
Kanji
Hangul
Latin alphabet
Hangul is the native alphabet system of Korea, created in the 15th century. It is used for writing both Korean languages: South Korean and North Korean. While Hanja (Chinese characters) are sometimes used in South Korea, Hangul is the primary script.
Which period in Japanese history is characterized by rule of the Tokugawa shogunate?
Kamakura period
Meiji period
Edo period
Heian period
The Edo period (1603 - 1868) was defined by the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate and national isolation policies. It saw internal peace, economic growth, and strict social orders. The period ended with the Meiji Restoration.
Which mountain range forms the border between China and Tibet?
Tian Shan
Himalayas
Altai Mountains
Kunlun Mountains
The Himalayas stretch along the southwestern edge of the Tibetan Plateau and form the natural border between China's Tibet Autonomous Region and several South Asian countries. It includes Mount Everest, the world's highest peak.
What major famine struck China between 1959 and 1961?
Cultural Revolution Famine
Great Leap Forward Famine
Great Chinese Famine
Shaanxi Famine
The Great Chinese Famine (1959 - 1961) resulted from the policies of the Great Leap Forward combined with natural disasters. Estimates of the death toll range from 15 to 45 million. It is considered one of the deadliest famines in human history.
Which Japanese art form uses delicate paper folding?
Ikebana
Ukiyo-e
Kabuki
Origami
Origami is the traditional Japanese art of paper folding, creating figures such as animals and geometric shapes. It dates back to the 17th century and has become popular worldwide. Complex models can involve hundreds of folding steps.
What economic plan includes the 'Silk Road Economic Belt' and the '21st Century Maritime Silk Road'?
Belt and Road Initiative
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
Five-Year Plan
Made in China 2025
The Belt and Road Initiative, launched by China in 2013, aims to enhance global trade through infrastructure investments across Asia, Europe, and Africa. It comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt (overland routes) and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. The initiative has led to major port and rail projects worldwide.
Which Korean kingdom unified the Three Kingdoms in 668 CE?
Goguryeo
Balhae
Baekje
Silla
The kingdom of Silla, allied with Tang China, conquered Baekje in 660 CE and Goguryeo in 668 CE, unifying the Korean Peninsula under Unified Silla. This period saw advances in culture, Buddhism, and trade.
Which of these cities was NOT a treaty port opened after the Opium Wars?
Guangzhou
Ningbo
Chengdu
Shanghai
Chengdu is an inland city in Sichuan province and was not opened as a treaty port. Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Ningbo were among the treaty ports opened to foreign trade after the Treaty of Nanking (1842).
Which event triggered the start of the Cultural Revolution in China?
Mao Zedong's call to purge capitalist elements
Great Leap Forward failures
Death of Zhou Enlai
Nixon's visit to China
In 1966 Mao Zedong launched the Cultural Revolution by calling on youth to purge capitalist and traditional elements. This socio-political movement lasted until 1976 and caused widespread upheaval in China. It targeted intellectuals, officials, and perceived 'bourgeois' elements.
What is the primary traditional architectural feature of Japanese Shinto shrines?
Mandapa
Pagoda
Stupa
Torii gate
A torii gate marks the entrance to a Shinto shrine and symbolizes the transition from the mundane to the sacred. They are typically made of wood or stone and painted vermilion. Torii are an iconic feature of Shinto architecture.
Which ancient Chinese philosopher wrote the Analects?
Confucius
Mencius
Laozi
Zhuangzi
The Analects are a collection of sayings and ideas attributed to the Chinese philosopher Confucius and his disciples. Compiled during the Warring States period, they form the foundation of Confucianism. The work emphasizes morality, social relationships, and proper governance.
Which Japanese era name corresponds to the reign of Emperor Hirohito?
Meiji
Sh?wa
Taish?
Heisei
The Sh?wa era (1926 - 1989) corresponds to the reign of Emperor Hirohito. It spanned pre-war militarism, World War II, and Japan's post-war economic miracle. Hirohito's posthumous name is Sh?wa, meaning "enlightened peace."
Which treaty in 1907 divided spheres of influence in Mongolia between Russia and China?
Treaty of Saint Petersburg
Convention Between China and Russia Respecting Tibet and Mongolia
Treaty of Portsmouth
Treaty of Kyakhta
The 1907 Convention between China and Russia recognized China's suzerainty over Mongolia while granting Russia exclusive rights in northern Mongolia. It delineated spheres of influence and delayed full Mongolian independence until 1911.
What was the primary objective of Japan's sakoku policy (1633 - 1853)?
To promote Christian missions
To encourage European trade
To isolate Japan from foreign influence
To expand Japanese colonies
Sakoku, meaning 'closed country,' was a policy that severely restricted foreign trade and contact from 1633 to 1853. It aimed to preserve social order and prevent colonial or religious influence, especially Christianity. Commodore Perry's arrival ended this isolation.
Which mineral resource discovery in Hokkaido spurred Japanese industrialization in the late 19th century?
Gold
Iron ore
Coal
Copper
Rich coal deposits discovered in Hokkaido in the late 19th century fueled Japan's early industrial expansion. Coal became a key energy source for steamships, railways, and factories. Hokkaido's development was central to Japan's modernization.
In which year did Mongolia declare its independence from Qing China?
1921
1939
1905
1911
Outer Mongolia declared independence from Qing China on December 29, 1911, following the Xinhai Revolution. It established a theocratic monarchy under Bogd Khan. True independence was solidified after Soviet-backed revolution in 1921.
Which Chinese poet wrote 'Quiet Night Thoughts' during the Tang dynasty?
Wang Wei
Li Bai
Bai Juyi
Du Fu
'Quiet Night Thoughts' is one of the most famous poems by Li Bai, a leading poet of the Tang dynasty. The short poem reflects homesickness and uses simple imagery of the moon and frost. It is widely memorized by Chinese schoolchildren.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand East Asia Geography -

    Identify major countries, capitals, and physical landmarks across East Asia to sharpen your regional map skills.

  2. Analyze Historical Milestones -

    Examine key events and dynastic changes in East Asia's history to deepen your grasp of the region's past governance and development.

  3. Identify Climate Patterns -

    Distinguish between diverse climate zones in East Asia, from monsoon-influenced regions to continental climates, to understand environmental impacts.

  4. Recognize Cultural Diversity -

    Recall traditional customs, languages, and cultural landmarks across East Asian countries to appreciate the region's rich heritage.

  5. Evaluate East Asia Trivia Performance -

    Apply your knowledge by answering targeted East Asia trivia questions to assess your score and track your improvement over time.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Regional Geography Overview -

    Understand the six core territories in East Asia: China, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Mongolia, and Taiwan. To ace your Asian geography quiz, remember the mnemonic "Cool Japanese Skiers Might Need Toboggans," which maps to the initial letters of each country. This foundation helps you answer any East Asia quiz question on modern boundaries and capitals.

  2. Monsoon Climate & Major Rivers -

    East Asia's climate is dominated by the East Asian monsoon, bringing wet summers and dry winters that shape agriculture and settlement patterns. Major rivers like the Yangtze, Yellow, and Amur carve fertile valleys and transport sediments to the East China Sea. Use the mnemonic "YAY" (Yangtze, Amur, Yellow) to recall these waterways in any East Asia practice quiz.

  3. Dynastic Cycles & Historical Milestones -

    Focus on the four emblematic dynasties - Han, Tang, Ming, and Qing - which defined China's golden ages in governance, culture, and technology. Use the fun phrase "Happy Tacos Make Queens" to lock in Han, Tang, Ming, and Qing when tackling East Asia history quiz sections. Questions often cover innovations like papermaking, porcelain, and maritime exploration under these dynasties.

  4. Philosophical Traditions & Cultural Impact -

    Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, and Shinto have deeply influenced East Asian social norms, art, and governance, with Confucius's teachings shaping civil examinations in imperial China. Use the acronym "BCTS" or the phrase "Best Cakes Taste Sweet" to recall Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Shinto in East Asia trivia questions on cultural heritage. This conceptual mapping helps you draw connections in both educational and entertaining quiz settings.

  5. Language Families & Writing Systems -

    East Asia hosts diverse language families: Sino-Tibetan (Chinese dialects), Japonic (Japanese and Ryukyuan), and Koreanic, each with distinct phonology and grammar. Recognize key scripts - logographic hanzi/kanji in Chinese and Japanese, syllabic kana in Japanese, and alphabetic hangul in Korean. Use the mnemonic "CHaK" (Chinese characters, Hangul, Kana) to remember these writing systems, which often feature in East Asia trivia questions on linguistics.

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