The Empire of the Orient has commenced a new era and never before has the country been so open for tourists. China encompasses everything from vivacious metropolises to the magnificent, untouched regions of Inner Mongolia with deserts, sacred mountains and ruins from the time of the empire. China's chaotic past has left its mark all over of this nation and splendid structures from the various epochs of history can be seen. It is rare that this nation's sightshave been in such excellent condition - the damage caused by the Cultural Revolution is very much being repaired.
Find your travel arrangement to China here
Region and City Guides
City:
Facts
Local name
Zong Guo
Capital
Beijing
Size
9,571,300 sq km.
Principal Languages
Chinese and Mandarin
Principal Religion
Officially there are no religions represented in China, but most inhabitants are Taoists and Buddhists.
Inhabitants
1,261,832,482 (2000)
Government
Communistic republic
Geography
China is the world's third-largest country, exceeded only by Russia and Canada - it covers about seven per cent of the world's total land area. The country has several different climates - from cold Siberia in the north to the warm climate of the south. China has the highest mountains, the deepest valleys, and some of the longest rivers in the world.
Travel preparation
Best time to visit
The best time to visit China is in the spring (March and April) and during autumn (September and October). The chances of sunny weather and mild temperatures are best in these periods - as the rest of the year is either very cold and humid or very warm and humid.
Literature
Fodors China
Frommers China
Rough Guide China
Lonely Planet China
Frommers China
Rough Guide China
Lonely Planet China
Local conditions
Weight and Measures
The following units of measurement are used in China:
The metric system is used in most of the country, but in some places the traditional Chinese system is also used:
Length: metre/mu, chi, li
Weigth: kilogram/jin, dan
Temperature: centigrade
Volume: litre/gongsheng
The metric system is used in most of the country, but in some places the traditional Chinese system is also used:
Length: metre/mu, chi, li
Weigth: kilogram/jin, dan
Temperature: centigrade
Volume: litre/gongsheng
Photography
It is strictly prohibited to photograph military installations in China. In some temples and in Mao's Mausoleum it is also prohibited, but this will be marked with signs. Besides this, you can take photographs as you want to, and the Chinese gladly line up for photographing if you ask politely.
Drinking water
You shouldn't drink the tap water in China, but buy the bottled water.
Electricity
Following current is used in China:
220V AC/50Hz.
220V AC/50Hz.
Behaviour
Common courtesy will get you far in China.
Business Hours
Banks are open 9.30-12.00 and 14.00-17.00 (Monday to Friday) and 9.00-17.00 (Saturday.
Shops are open 8.00-19.00 (Monday to Saturday), some shops are open longer, and some shops are also open Sunday.
Offices are open 8.00-11.30 and 13.00-17.00 (Monday to Friday).
Shops are open 8.00-19.00 (Monday to Saturday), some shops are open longer, and some shops are also open Sunday.
Offices are open 8.00-11.30 and 13.00-17.00 (Monday to Friday).
Food and drink
Chinese cuisine is divided by geography. In the north it is dominated by hearty Beijing-cuisine, and in the south Guangzhou-cuisine is dominant - a colourful mixture of vegetables and different varieties of flesh. In the east you find Shanghai-cuisine, which is famous for seafood dishes. And finally there is western Sichuan-cuisine - highly spiced and very tasty. The most popular drink in China is tea, but many Chinese drink beer with their meals.
Disabled travellers
Being disabled in China is not easy - it is practically impossible to get around in a wheelchair in the cities as well as in the countryside. None of the major attractions are disability access-friendly either.
Holidays
New Year's holiday, 1 and 2 January.
Women's Labor Day, 8 March.
Labor Day, 1 and 2 May.
Youth Day, 4 May.
Children's Day, 1 June.
The Anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party, 1 June.
The Anniversary for the founding of Chinese PLA, 1 August.
National Day, 1 and 2 October.
Shifting holidays:
The Chinese New Year, end of January or beginning of February.
Women's Labor Day, 8 March.
Labor Day, 1 and 2 May.
Youth Day, 4 May.
Children's Day, 1 June.
The Anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party, 1 June.
The Anniversary for the founding of Chinese PLA, 1 August.
National Day, 1 and 2 October.
Shifting holidays:
The Chinese New Year, end of January or beginning of February.
Accommodation / Hotel
There is only one type of accommodation in China - the Hotel. Camping sites, hostels and such-like are not an option yet, but you can find hotels of all prices and standards, from big luxury hotels with every facility, to small modest hotels where humidity clings to the walls and there is only cold water in the shower. Generally speaking the further away from the major tourist places, the cheaper and the more basic it gets.
Book your Hotel in China here
Book your Hotel in China here
Camping
It doesn't exist yet.
Chinese hotels are classified in three categories: one, two and three stars. Three-star hotels are luxury hotels and the prices are correspondingly high. Two-star hotels are good hotels as well, but with more reasonable prices. One-star hotels are modest and very cheap.
Bed og breakfast or guesthouse
It doesn't exist yet.
Hostels
It doesn't exist yet.
Local transport
A brief description of the transport situation in China:
The infrastructure of China develops each year, and today you can travel by train and air to all the provinces, except Tibet. Conditions are improved continually and the newest long-distance trains have comfortable compartments and good dining cars. When moving around in the large cities, bicycle or taxi is the best way, as taxis are very inexpensive in China.
The infrastructure of China develops each year, and today you can travel by train and air to all the provinces, except Tibet. Conditions are improved continually and the newest long-distance trains have comfortable compartments and good dining cars. When moving around in the large cities, bicycle or taxi is the best way, as taxis are very inexpensive in China.
Planes
China has a fine-meshed domestic network with several daily departures. It's wise to book your ticket in advance. CAAC is an airline and an umbrella organisation for local airlines flying domestically in China.
Bus
The long distance buses are cheap but not very punctual - and very uncomfortable. City buses are very cheap and thus very crowded, and it's difficult to find the right one as the destinations are written in Chinese.
Trains
More than 50,000 km of railway connects all the provinces except Tibet. The trains are cheap, fast and punctual. There are five different classes on the trains, and children under one travel for free.
Taxi
Most major cities have taxis, and even though they all have taxi-meters it is a good idea to agree on the price in advance as the meters rarely function. Taxis are extremely cheap in China.
Boat or Ferry
On the major rivers in China you can take the ferry as an alternative to trains and airplanes. There are also regular ferries between China and Hong Kong.
Other Transport
Bicycling is an excellent way of getting around.
Special conditions
You eat with sticks instead of knife and fork in China. Outside of the major cities you should bring your own toilet paper.
