From gravity-defying backflips to the world's tallest man, Guinness World Records has spent decades cataloguing feats that are as amazing as they are unexpected. China has emerged as an impressive contender in those pages, setting records that span sport, technology, architecture and beyond.

With the 2027 edition recently released, here's a look back at some of the country's remarkable entries. They range from Beijing's world-first half-marathon for autonomous humanoid robots to the world's largest permanent hedge maze, proof that there's no limit to China's record-breaking ambitions.

China's first female astronaut

At 33, air force pilot Liu Yang became China's first female astronaut. She made history as one of three crew members aboard Shenzhou 9. Born in Henan Province, Liu joined the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force in 1997. Qualified as a pilot, she rose to deputy head of a flight unit with the rank of major and completed two years of astronaut training before being selected for the mission. Her achievement placed her among the world's record-breaking female space explorers.

"I think I am lucky that I really caught up with a good time and I am growing and progressing with the times. After the mission, many people asked me, 'Did you dream of becoming a astronaut when you were a child?' That wasn't the case. I said a dream is often the brand of the times. The first time I sat on a bus with my mother, I thought becoming a bus conductor would be great, as I could ride the bus every day. As I grew up, I then wanted to become a lawyer, a doctor, a scientist, and I really didn't think I could be an astronaut," she told CGTN in a 2018 interview.

The largest aerial image formed by multirotor/drones

The record for the largest aerial image formed by multirotor drones stands at 33,605 drones. It was achieved by Yufengzhe Technology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., Wind's Shore Technology (Yibin) Co., Ltd. and Chengdu Century Chengmei Technology Co., Ltd. in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, on May 20, 2026.

Exploring the theme of "technology and humanity," the show blended Eastern tradition with modern science. Staged in Dujiangyan City, it opened with the 28 Lunar Mansions illuminating the sky before moving through a series of drone imagery, including a panda photographing the heavens, a mirrored floating island, an ecological emblem and airborne slogans.

The world's largest permanent hedge maze

Covering 35,596.74 square meters, the Yancheng Dafeng Dream Maze in Yancheng, Jiangsu Province, is the world's largest permanent hedge maze. It received its Guinness World Records title on June 30, 2018. Its pathways stretch for 9,457.36 meters, winding through an elk-shaped main maze as well as smaller heart-shaped, circular and children's mazes. Construction began in April 2017, and the attraction opened to the public that September, complete with an observation tower, bridges, seating areas and statues.

Most autonomous humanoid robots in a half marathon

A field of 39 autonomous humanoid robots completed a half marathon in Beijing on April 19, 2026, setting a record achieved by Shang E-Town (Beijing) Technology & Culture Group Co., Ltd. The fastest robot crossed the finish line in 50 minutes and 26 seconds.

The longest dragon boat

Measuring 100.987 meters, the world's longest dragon boat was created by the Yiyang Lanxi Town Beian Xincun Villagers' Committee in Yiyang, Hunan Province, and achieved its record on June 1, 2024. The 6-tonne vessel is approximately 1.88 meters wide and has 105 compartments, with room for 420 paddlers.

The largest semi-indoor vertical garden (green wall)

Covering 2,906.297 square meters, the world's largest semi-indoor vertical garden was achieved by the 13 Palace hotel in Macao SAR on April 13, 2026. According to the hotel's website, its iconic green wall rises from the fifth to the 20th floor and can be seen from half of the guest rooms. Planted with more than 180,000 plants, it is designed to cool the building, purify the air and reduce noise while serving as a landmark of sustainable architecture.

Its dense planting includes Boston ferns, leopard and peacock calatheas, bird's nest ferns, black pine, oyster orchids, colorful rubber trees, arrowhead vines, golden lily bamboo and dwarf coconut palms. Together, they form a self-contained ecological cycle.

The most wins of the World Table Tennis Championships by a team – two separate records for male and female teams

China holds the men's record with 23 World Table Tennis Championships team titles, won between 1961 and 2024. Also known as the Swaythling Cup, the men's world team table tennis championship was instituted in 1926.

The women's record also stands at 23 titles, achieved by China between 1965 and 2024. China claimed its 23rd women's world team title with a 3–2 final victory over Japan on February 24, 2024, in Busan, South Korea. Known as the Corbillon Cup, the women's world team table tennis championship was instituted in 1934.

The world record has yet to be updated following the men's and women's teams' 24th title wins at this year's ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London.

The longest monorail

The longest monorail system measures 98.5 kilometers and was achieved by Chongqing Rail Transit in Chongqing, China.

The monorail consists of lines 2 and 3 of the Chongqing Rail Transit system. Line 2 is 31.4 kilometers long, while line 3 measures 67.1 kilometers. Both use straddle-beam monorail systems. In December 2012, line 3 received the record for the longest monorail line when it measured 55 kilometers. The line has since been extended.

The largest science center/museum

The Guangdong Science Center in Guangdong Province, China, achieved the record for the largest science center/museum on November 7, 2018, measuring 126,513.58 square meters. The certificate was presented on the center's 10th anniversary. It houses more than 10 permanent themed pavilions containing over 500 exhibits.

The highest post office in a building

Sky Post, a branch of China Post, achieved the record for the highest post office in a building on October 1, 2010. It is situated 428 meters above ground, on the 107th floor of Guangzhou's Canton Tower. The tower also boasts one of the world's highest outdoor observation decks.