Characters will typically be of the Han culture, which can be divided into Northern (Beifang or Huabei) and Southern (Nanfang or Huanan) culture groups. Beifang people originate from north of the Yellow River, while Nanfang people are from south of the Yangzi River. Occasionally, this demarcation is said to be further north, making anyone from south of the Yellow River a Nanfang-ren.

Northerners are stereotyped as tall, rugged and arrogant. They are stoic, and tend to be conservative, straightforward, and honest. Often these characteristics make them appear naive. Northerners can be stubborn, and their passive-aggressive truculence has lead them to be characterized as slothful and mentally dull by Southerners. Nanfang-ren also see Beifang-ren (aka "Steamed Bread") as large, clumsy, and ponderous.

The North also includes Dongbei (Northeast) and Xibei (Northwest) sub-regions. Dongbei includes the provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning. This is the traditional land of the Manchu, and has been settled by Chinese from Shandong and surrounding provinces. Xibei includes northern Henan, Shanxi, Shaanxi and Gansu. The people of these regions are characterized as being inured to hardship and conservative, so that even the prosperous retain simple tastes.

Southerners are stereotyped as short, shrewd, crafty, and cunning. They are also known to be industrious and hard-working. Nanfang-ren have a reputation for being aggressive in business, and volatile in temper. They also have conflicting reputations for either being too vulgar, or being too effete and cultured. However, there is common consensus that the gentle maidens of the South are the most beautiful under heaven. Northerners see Nanfang-ren (aka "Southern Monkeys") as devious little pipsqueaks because of their quick wits and small stature.

Fujianren	Hebeiren	Jiangsuren	Shandongren	Sichuanren	Shuisang-ren
Guangdongren	Hubeiren	Jiangxiren	Shanxiren	Zhejiangren	Ke-ren
Guangxiren	Hunanren