Geographical location: Occupies a huge part of eastern Asia, bordered by the Yellow Sea, South China Sea, Pacific Ocean and by North Korea, the Russian Federation, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, Laos and Vietnam

Capital: Beijing

Population: 1,338,612,968 (July 2009 estimate)

Visa Matters: The ordinary passport possessors who come from Singapore, Brunei and Japan are required non-visa for their business, travel, visit or transit, but they should leave China within 15 days of their arrival day to China.

China Tourist Visa (L Visa) – The ordinary passport possessors who come from Singapore, Brunei and Japan are required non-visa for their business, travel, visit or transit, but they should leave China within 15 days of their arrival day to China.

China Business Visa (F Visa) – Issued to foreigners who are invited to China for business visit, research, lecture, scientific-technological and cultural exchanges. Single-entry, double-entry, 6-month-multiple-entry, one-year-multiple-entry business visa are available. The business visa is normally good for stay up to 30 days.

China Work Visa (Z Visa) – Also known as Employment visa, issued to foreigners who are to take up a post or employment in China, and their accompanying family members.

China Student Visa (X Visa) – Issued to foreigners who come to China for study or intern practice for a period of six months or above.

Resident Visa (D Visa) – Issued to applicant who is to reside permanently in China.

Other Types of Visa – Transit Visa (G Visa), Journalist Visa (J Visa), Residence Visa (D Visa), Diplomatic and Service Visa

Currency: Renminbi (RMB or CNY)

Weather/Seasons: Given the country’s extensive size and varied landscape, the weather and climate in China differ from region to region.

The climate is mainly dominated by dry seasons and wet monsoons, which leads to temperature differences in winter and summer.

Transportation

• Airplane
• Train Sytem
• Public Bus System
• Taxi
• Bicycle

Tourist Attractions

Great Wall of China

Built in the 7th century B.C.

Extends 4,000 miles westward from the China Sea town of Shanhaiguan to Gansu province

Forbidden City

Best preserved imperial palace in China and the largest ancient palatial structure in the world

Recognized as one of the most important five palaces in the world

Terracotta Army

1.5 km east of The Tomb of Qin Shihuang, known as the First Emperor, who unified China 2200 years ago

Emperor Qin, from whom China gets its name, ordered the creation of this model army

Silk Road

A number of trade routes linking the Chinese and Roman Empire

Starts from the old capitals of Luoyang and Xi’an and reaches the Yellow River at Lanzhou and then follows along the “Gansu Corridor” and stretches along the edge of deserts and mountains.

Popular Accommodations

• Beijing – Holiday Temple of Heaven Beijing
• Chongqing – Xin Hua Hotel
• Guangzhou – Asia International Hotel
• Hangzhou – Landison Plaza Hotel Hangzhou
• Hong Kong – Regal Hong Kong Hotel
• Shanghai – Best Western Shanghai Ruite Hotel

Best time to go

May, September and October are the peak tourist months at China’s most popular destinations when the weather is most comfortable, but prices are higher, and it is more crowded.

Prices drop a bit in the shoulder season, which runs from late March through April and from June through August.

The low season arrives in late November, and continues through the winter when there are fewer crowds and the prices are lower.

Languages Spoken: Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages

Sports/Recreation: Martial arts, basketball, table tennis, soccer, baseball, figure skating, rugby

Cuisine: Chinese Cuisine is widely known as one of the richest and most diverse culinary cultures and heritages in the world. It has become widespread in other parts of the world. Here are one of the top choices of Chinese foods:

• Roast Duck
• Kung Pao Chicken
• Beijing Snacks
• Mapo Beancurd
• Porl Lungs in Chili Sauce
• Crawfish with Chili Sauce
• Bullfrog
• Dumpling
• Yangchow Fried Rice
• Chinese Noodle

Economy: Mining and ore processing, iron, steel, aluminum, and other metals, coal, machine-building, armaments, textiles and apparel, petroleum, cement, chemicals, fertilizers, consumer products including footwear, toys, and electronics, food-processing, transportation equipment including automobiles, rail cars and locomotives, ships, and aircraft, telecommunications equipment, commercial space launch vehicles, satellites

Government: Communist State

Security

Generally a safe country

Petty street crime is on the rise as tourist numbers increase

Terrorism is rare, although a small number of bombings have occurred in areas throughout China, mainly criminal in nature, frequently the result of commercial disputes, not directed against foreigners

Religion: Daoist (Taoist), Buddhist, Christian 3%-4%, Muslim 1%-2%

Ethnicity: Han Chinese 91.5%, Zhuang, Manchu, Hui, Miao, Uyghur, Tujia, Yi, Mongol, Tibetan, Buyi, Dong, Yao, Korean, and other nationalities 8.5% (2000 census)

Flights

China Flag

• China Southern flights
• Air Macau flights
• Air Astana flights
• Air China flights
• SWISS flights
• Etihad Airways flights
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• KLM.com flights
• Aeromexico flights
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• Austrian Airlines flights
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• Hong Kong Express flights
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• Virgin Atlantic flights
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• United flights
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• Finnair flights
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• Air Berlin flights
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• Ethiopian Airlines flights
• Batavia Air flights
• Air France flights
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• IranAir flights
• Potomac Air/US Airways Express flights
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• AIR ALGERIE flights
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• EgyptAir flights
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• Air Madagascar flights