China

When to go

Weather

Great diversity of climates. The north-east has hot, dry summers and bitterly cold winters. The north and central region has almost continuous rainfall, hot summers and cold winters. The south-east has substantial rainfall, semi-tropical summers and cool winters.

Festivals

Most festivals follow the Chinese lunar calendar. The Spring Festival is celebrated during the first two weeks of the new lunar year. March sees the celebration of Guanyin’s birthday, China’s most popular deity. Mid-April is time for the Water Splashing Festival in Yunnan Province. The Dragon-boat Festival, where races are held in memory of Qu Yuan, a poet who drowned himself in 280 BC, takes place in June or July. The Moon Festival is held in September or October, a time for family reunion.

Highlights

“China? There lies a sleeping giant. Let him sleep! For when he wakes he will move the world.” Napoleon Bonaparte

The Great Wall of China

Walk along this vast structure which runs from the east coast to the Gobi desert. Most visitors start at Badaling, 70 kilometres from Beijing.

Terracotta Warriors

Wander among 6,000 life-size statues buried 2,000 years ago .

The Forbidden City

Visit the palaces of the ancient emperors in Beijing, off-limits for 500 years but now open to all.

Yellow Mountains

Enjoy breathtaking views among the craggy, cloud-clad peaks of the sacred Huang Shan region of Anhui province, surrounded by paddy fields and villages.

Shanghai

Glimpse the future in this frenetic city, whose skyscraper skyline embodies China’s drive to modernity.

Inner Mongolia

Take a tour of the vast ‘grass sea’ of Inner Mongolia, setting off from Hohhot. Nomads on horseback pursue their age-old lifestyle and visitors can stay in their traditional yurts.

Hong Kong

Popular with tourists and a major business centre, it has become an eclectic mix of skyscrapers, colonial buildings and traditional temples.

Being there

Etiquette

Generally reserved in manner, be courteous. If applauded as a welcome, applaud back. Anger should be concealed. Arrive to meetings early. Bring gifts when invited into homes.

Food and Drink

Diverse regional styles. In the north, Mongolian Hotpots are popular, eaten in a communal style with meats and vegetables being cooked, fondue style, in a pot of simmering soup. Beijing is famous for Peking Duck. Southern cuisine is probably the most exotic - markets in Guangzhou are full of the various (sometimes endangered) animals used. The east is noted for rich, sweet cooking, seafood, hot and sour soup, noodles and vegetables. In the west, spicy, peppery food is a speciality.

Shopping and Souvenirs

Jade jewellery, embroidery, calligraphy, paintings and carvings on wood, stone, bamboo. Prices set by government. No bargaining except in outdoor market stalls selling items such as antique ceramics and silk. Keep receipts, may be needed at customs.

Additional Info

People and Places

Capital: Beijing.
Language: Mandarin Chinese.
Population: 1,284,530,000.
Population Density: 134.2. (pop per km²)
Size: 9,572,900. (area km²)

Transport

Beijing/Peking (BSJ/PEK), 26 km from the city, Guangzhou/Canton (Baiyun) 7 km from the city, Shanghai (SHA) 12 km from the city.
Most long-distance internal travel is by air. Ferries serve major rivers. Railways are the principal means of transport for people and goods. Eighty per cent of settlements can be reached by road. These are not always of good quality, and vehicles should be reliable as mechanical services are few. Car hire is available.

Red Tape

Car-hire companies hold on to passports, better to hire car and driver.
UK: 49-51 Portland Place, London W1B 1JL, tel (020) 7299 8426, fax (020) 7436 9178, email press@chinese-embassy.org.uk. US: 2300 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel (202) 328 2500, fax (202) 328 2582, email chinaembassy_ us@fmprc.gov.cn.
UK: 11 Guang Hua Lu, Jian Guo Men Wai, Beijing 100600, tel (10) 5192 4000, fax (10) 6532 1937/8/9, email commercialmail@beijing.fco.gov.uk. US: 3 Xiu Shui Bei Jie, Beijing 100600, tel (10) 6532 3831, fax (10) 6532 5141, email beijingwebmaster@state.gov.

State of the Nation

Life expectancy: M 70.65, F 74.09.

Finance: Major credit cards and traveller’s cheques accepted by designated establishments in major provincial cities .
Business hours: 0800-1130, 1300-1700, Monday-Friday.
GMT: + 8.
Voltage guide: 220/240 AC, 50 Hz. 86.