China had his own writing in the Shang Dynasty more than three thousand years ago (Oracle Bone Inscriptions). In the pre-Qin period, there were great thinkers in China, such as Confucius and Laozi. For example, Tao Te Ching, The Book of Songs, The Spring and Autumn Annals, The Analects of Confucius and so on.

China's ancient poems are very developed, including The Book of Songs, which recorded the poems of the Zhou Dynasty earlier and flourished in the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties. During the Tang and Song Dynasties, China's poetry ushered in its heyday. Famous poets and poets in China history include Qu Yuan, Li Bai, Du Fu, Bai Juyi, Su Shi and Li Qingzhao. Eight famous writers in Tang and Song Dynasties (Han Yu, Liu Zongyuan, Ouyang Xiu, Su Xun, Su Shi, Su Zhe, Wang Anshi and Ceng Gong) were famous writers in Tang and Song Dynasties. Calligraphy is a unique art in China. Famous calligraphers in China include Wang Xizhi, Wang Xianzhi, Liu Gongquan and Yan Zhenqing. Chinese painting is also famous. Famous contemporary painters in China are Xu Beihong, Qi Baishi and Zhang Daqian. Famous novelists in the history of China include Luo Guanzhong, Shi Naian, Wu Cheng'en and Cao Xueqin. He wrote many famous Chinese books, such as Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Water Margin, The Journey to the West and A Dream of Red Mansions.

Famous vernacular novelists include Lu Xun, Lao She, Mao Dun, Ba Jin, Qian Zhongshu, Zhang Ailing, Ding Ling, Shen Congwen and others. Poets and essayists who write in vernacular Chinese include Guo Moruo and Zhu Ziqing. Famous works include The True Story of Ah Q by Lu Xun, Home by Ba Jin, Midnight by Mao Dun, Camel Xiangzi by Lao She, Fortress Besieged by Qian Zhongshu and Border Town by Shen Congwen.