China Brief

Location

China is situated in eastern Asia on the western shore of thePacific Ocean, with an area of 9.6 million square kilometers. China'scontinental coastline extends for about 18,000 kilometers, and its vastsea surface is studded with more than 5,000 islands, of which Taiwanand Hainan are the largest.

Land Formation and Rivers

China's land drops off in escarpments eastward to the ocean, lettingin humid air currents and leading many rivers eastward. Among the220,000 kilometers of rivers the Changjiang (Yangtze),  Huanghe(Yellow) and Zhujiang (Pearl) are the most famous. China has beautifulscenery, with mountains and ranges, highlands, plains, basins, andhills. The highlands and hill regions account for 65 percent of thecountry's total land mass, and there are more than 2,000 lakes. Thehighest mountain peak is Qomolangma (Everest), the highest in theworld, 8,848 meters above sea level; the lowest point is the TurpanBasin, 154 meters below sea level.

Weather and Climate

China has a continental climate, and a latitude spanning nearly 50degrees. Much of the landmass is situated in the temperate zone, withthe tropical and subtropical zones to the south, and reaching thefrigid zone in the north, so temperatures differ strikingly across thecountry. The northern part of Heilongjiang Province has long wintersbut no summers, while the Hainan Island has long summers but nowinters. The Huaihe River valley is marked by distinctive seasonalchanges, but it is spring all year round in the south of theYunnan-Guizhou Plateau. In the northwest hinterland, the temperaturechanges dramatically. China's high tundra zone is situated in theQinghai-Tibet, where the temperature is low in all four seasons, andincredibly low in winter. Some desert areas are dry all year round.Read more

Tourism

There is strong competition in the travel and tourism business inChina.  There are many reputable and ethical agencies, and there’s theothers.  It’s worth remembering that if an operator is offering a tripwhich seems amazingly cheap, then the difference will be collected someother way.  Sometimes guides and drivers will pay the agency for theright to guide the visitor, (“buying” travelers), and they will thenfind ways to recover this from the visitors.  Sometimes the agency willuse non-accredited suppliers, for example for river boats, rather thanthose which meet the government standard.Read more

Population

China is the most heavily populated country in the world. Over1.33 billion in fact, over 40% urban. Stringent population controlshave been in place for several decades, and the government aims tolimit the mainland population to 1.37 billion by 2010.  However, thepopulation of great Beijing, for example, is approaching 15 million,and  the cities can be crowded and noisy in parts, as can the buses,trains, tourist sites etc. Read more

Ethnic Groups

China is a multiracial country with 55ethnic groups, includingAchang, Bai, Bonan, Blang, Bouyei, Korean, Daur, Dai, De'ang,Dongxiang, Derung, Oroqen, Russian, Ewenki, Gaoshan, Gelao, Hani,Kazak, Hezhen, Hui, Jino, Gin, ingpo, Kirgiz, Lahu, Li, Lisu, Lhoba,Manchu, Maonan, Mongolian, Monba, Miao, Mulam, Naxi, Nu, Primi, Qiang,Salar, She, Sui, Tajik, Tatar, Tu, Tujia, Va, Uygur, Uzbek, Xibe, Yi,Yuigur, Yao, Tibetan, and Zhuang. The ethnical groups account for only8 percent of the population. Details of major ethnic groups in China.

Administrative Units

China is divided into 23 provinces, five autonomous regions, fourmunicipalities under the direct jurisdiction of the Central Government,and two special administrative regions. The 23 provinces are Hebei,Shaanxi, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Shaanxi,Guangdong, Sichuan,Guizhou, Yunnan, and Hainan; The five autonomous regions are InnerMongolia, Ningxia, Xinjiang, Guangxi, and Tibet; The fourmunicipalities are Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, and Chongqing; Hong Kongand Macao are the  two special administrative regions.

Capital

Beijing is the capital of the People's Republic of China. A centerfor politics, economy and culture, Beijing has been developed into aworld-class metropolis in which the modern world is blends harmoniouslywith the glories of the imperial past. More information of Beijing

Festivals

Most of the traditional festivals in China are based on the Chinese lunar calendar. 
Thereare also three key national holiday periods in China, when a large partof the population is on the move – all travel bookings are extremelytight at these times, hotels generally increase their rates and flightsand trains can be very crowded.  The main, week-long holidays are:Chinese New Year in February, International Labour Day the first weekof May, and to celebrate National Day the first week in October