Among the 56 Chinese nationalities, the Manchu ranks third in terms of population.

The Manchu is one of the most ancient minority nationalities in China. The ancestry of the Manchu can be traced back more than 2,000 years to the Sushen tribe. At the end of the Ming Dynasty, a Manchu hero, Nurhachi, united all the Nuzhen tribes, which laid the foundation for the establishment of the Great Qing. Frequent trips to Beijing brought Nurhachi full awareness of developments in the Han areas, which in turn exerted great influence on him. Once the Nuzhens were united, Nurhachi initiated the Eight Banner System, under which all people were organized along military lines and would go into battle as militia in time of war. in 1644, the Qing troops marched south of Shanhai Pass and unified the whole of China, initiating nearly 300 years of Manchu rule throughout the country.

The Manchus are well-known for their etiquette and manners. Children are required to pay formal respects to their elders regularly.

The Banjing Festival and the Spring Festival are the most important festivals when Manchu people will get together to celebrate.

The Manchu people have made great contributions to Chinese culture. "Dream of the Red Chamber" written in the 18th century by the Manchu writer, Cao Xueqin, is a classic that occupies a prominent place in the history of world literature.