China China , currently the People ' s Republic of China , is a nation state in East Asia , and the most populous country in the world . It has also been a popular location for " Sesame Street " productions , as well as a leading manufacturer and exporter of plush Muppet merchandise . The following is an attempt to trace the people and places of China as depicted within the realm of " Sesame Street " productions , including the special " Big Bird in China " , the Chinese co - productions " Zhima Jie " ( 1998 - 2001 ) and " " ( 2010 - present ) , a " Global Grover " segment devoted to the nation , and other inserts and productions . History and Folklore . An ancient civilization with a culture dating back well over 4 , 000 years , China played a crucial role in the development of poetry , kites , and tea . As retold in " Big Bird in China " , the nation ' s origin in mythological terms involved a battle between the Empress of the Southern Skies and the demon king . The Monkey King is another popular folklore figure , often adapted in animation and puppet shows . Lion Dogs are also prominently featured in local sculpture . Mythology is communicated through the oral tradition and through US co - produced television specials . People and Culture . The people of China are a friendly and polite lot . Xiao Foo is the most prominent of the human residents , while native Muppets include Hu Hu Zhu , Xiao Mei Zi , Ming and Big Bird ' s identical cousin Da Niao . In China , according to a Washington Post article , " the Muppets adore opera and revere their philosopher ancestors . . . The local producers toyed with substituting a panda for Big Bird before finally settling on the original ( Dia Niao ) . " Local fauna include ducks , peacocks , and rather aloof water buffalo . Dance plays an integral role in the daily life of the Chinese people . From the children of North Hsin Hua Street Kindergarten to older adults , the populace participate in an array of ceremonial dances . As television critic Tom Shales remarked , " from the programs produced in China so far . . . a western viewer could get the impression that folk dancing is the major industry of the country . " Politics . China has been a Communist nation since the People ' s Republic gained government control in 1949 , although the government has been reforming the nation ' s economic system from a Soviet - style centrally planned economy to a more market - oriented economy since 1978 . The government imposes tight controls on the media , particularly on TV , to guard against politically or culturally objectionable images . While this can be limiting and place a hamper on creativity , it did not prevent " Big Bird in China " nor the recent co - production " Zhima Jie " , which ran for three seasons . " The nation has since shifted to what has been termed " market socialism . " This economic and ideological shift is illustrated by the fact that General Electric was the primary sponsor of " Zhima Jie " . Foreign Relations . Big Bird has visited China twice , first in the 1979 Bob Hope special " The Road to China " . That initial encounter was fraught with miscommunications , as Chinese chefs attempted to broil the large bird , and in real life , the local production coordinators initially tried to place Big Bird in a condor nest . A more elaborate diplomatic mission was documented in " Big Bird in China . " The cultural mission began with the stated goal of finding the phoenix and , through the meeting of one nation ' s large bird with another nation ' s large bird , breaking new ground in Chinese - American relations . The trip involved rather cursory explorations of China ' s landmarks and cities , and more concentrated cultural exchanges through the friendship with Xiao Foo . Barkley , who accompanied Big Bird as envoy , proved particularly useful in engaging crowds at street markets and providing a foil for the native mythological figures . Organizing the summit meeting was complicated because it could only occur after the American fowl found several locations on a sacred scroll , but contact was finally made . Big Bird ' s mission was successful , leaving him with a greater understanding of China ' s mythology , children , and street theater performers . Geography . The geography of China contains a wide variety of landscapes , from grasslands to desert , from mountain ranges to great rivers . The specific mapping of locations within Big Bird ' s sojourns to China is difficult to ascertain . Beijing was a primary filming location , and such landmarks as , the ancient palace of the Ming and Quing dynasties , and Mao ' s Tomb , housing the late PRC Chairman , are only glimpsed in passing . The Great Wall of China ( " Great ? It ' s tremendous ! " ) and the Li Jang River are featured somewhat more prominently , playing key roles in the quest to find the items on the scroll . Transportation . Within China , which can be reached by a large ship ( or a slow boat ) , transportation options appear limited . Bicycles are popular , and can occasionally create traffic hazards for visiting birds . Walking is commonplace and encouraged , and many small boats go by in the country ' s waterways . For covering larger distances , motorcycles with sidecars are available for the convenience of tourists and their dogs . Language and Education . The Chinese language encompasses a variety of tongues and dialects , including Mandarin . For Big Bird ' s purposes , however , translator Xia Foo offered a basic primer : " Da Niao " means " Big Bird , " " Ni hiao " means " hello , " and " wo ai ni " means " I love you . " Education is dominated by the basics of print writing . The relationship between the spoken and written Chinese languages is complex . As with other Asian languages but in contrast to the Romantic languages , a single word is encapsulated in one character . The Chinese characters are painted in an ornate , calligraphic manner . Big Bird is able to learn the basics of Chinese writing . The series " Sesame English " , on the other hand , serves the opposite purpose ; Tingo speaks Chinese so as to aid viewers in learning English .