China Flag
Why visit China?
Adventurous affluent traveler seeking beaches, bicycling, birdwatching, boating, culture, exotic foods, golf, hiking, horseback riding, hot springs, lakes, landscapes, markets, mountains, nature reserves, rainforests, rock climbing, sailing, scuba diving, shopping, shrines, skiing, snorkeling, spas and wildlife.
Temple of Heaven, Beijing, China. Photo Credit: Pixabay
At a Glance
- Souvenirs to Buy: Carpets, chopsticks, cinnabar box, electronics, embroidery linens, ink stones, jade, perfume, porcelain, prayer wheels, silk, stone carvings, tea and watches.
- Local Cuisine to Try: Bing (bread). Dàzhǔ Gānsī (soup). Jiaozi (dumplings). Làzǐ Jī (stir fried chicken). Lion's Head (meatball soup). Mantou (steamed buns). Moon Cake (dessert). Peking Duck.
- Local Drink to Try: Baijiu (liquor). Huangjiu (yellow wine). Oolong Tea.
(Night) Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village, Kaili, China. Photo Credit: Pixabay
Fun Facts
- In 1516, appeared in Duarte Barbosa, Portuguese Explorer journal.
- In 2008, hosted the Olympics (Beijing).
- In 2013, the government announced their child policy permitting more than one child, limitations with labor and re-education camps.
- In 2019, their population was around 1.4 billion.
- In 2019, birthplace of the COVID-19 pandemic (Wuhan).
- Bordered by fourteen countries and longest border in the world.
- Chinese written language has over 40,000 characters.
- The color of gift wrapping paper is known to offer a symbolic meaning: red (luck), white (only for funerals) and yellow (prosperity).
- Married women do not typically take their spouses surname.
- Has the largest manufacturing economy in the world.
- Home to the most Fortune Global 500 companies.
- Recognized for largest defense budget, standing army and nuclear weapons.
- Biggest hydroelectric power and wind power producer.
- World's largest producer of eggplant, grapes, rice, spinach, tomatoes, watermelon and wheat.
- Glaciers melting in the Himalayas will lead to local water shortages.
- Mount Everest (Nepal) is the highest point in the world.
- World's largest exporter of goods and green tea.
- Has three of the largest stock exchanges in world marketing over $15.9 trillion (2019).
- Compared to any other country, it has the most PhD engineer graduates.
- Has their own satellite navigation system.
- Was the third largest supplier of pharmaceuticals until counterfeit medications circulated.
- Home of the tallest statue, Spring Temple Buddha (Henan).
- Largest cinema market in the world.
- One of the oldest sporting cultures, archery dated from Western Zhou (772 BC-1047BC).
- Surrogacy is forbidden (by law).
- Highest population of billionaires and millionaires.
- Compared to any other country, it has the most UNESCO Heritage Sites.
Great Wall of China, Beijing, China. Photo Credit: enriquelopezgarre/Pixabay
Special Holidays/Occasions
- Annual Events: (January) Chinese Football Association Footballer of the Year, (February) Lantern Festival, (March) Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, (April) China Baseball League, Qingming Festival, Shanghai International Fashion Culture Festival, (May) Being Globally Responsible Conference, China Touring Car Championship, Midi Music Festival, (June) China International Copyright Expo, Dragon Boat Festival, Duanwu Festival, Hush Full Band Festival, Lychee & Dog Meat Festival, (July) China Digital Entertainment Expo & Conference, Qingdao International Beer Festival, Shanghai International Film Festival, (August) Sho Dun Festival, (September) Beijing Pop Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, (October) Asian Film Awards, Double Ninth Festival, Shanghai Fashion Week, (November) Hong Kong Jewish Film Festival and (December) Hong Kong Top Footballer Awards.
- Holidays: New Year's Day, Chinese New Year, Tomb-Sweeping Day, Labour Day and National Day.
Shanghai, China. Photo Credit: Steven Yu/Pixabay
Good to Know
- You must register at a hotel or police station within 24 hours of arrival to avoid a fine or deportation.
- Avoid wearing a green hat in public. Folklore gestures your partner is having an extramarital affair.
- Greet with a slight bow or nod of the head.
- Social media accounts are widely monitored while in the country.
- Air and water pollution poses a concern.
- Local law requires you to carry your passport and visa with you at all times.
- Public transportation is prone to overcrowding.
- Bargain on prices set on goods.
- Visitors are often under surveillance during stay with or without your consent or knowledge.
- English is not widely spoken or understood.
- Throughout the country only has one time zone, China Standard Time (CST).
- Avoid all demonstrations/protests for safety reasons.
- Avoid unlicensed cabs.
- Counterfeit currency is significantly an issue.
- Illegal drugs and marijuana are not tolerated. Subject to being banned, death penalty, deportation, hefty fines and/or incarnation. Also, driving under the influence (alcohol) is punishable.
- Influenza, Typhoid, Measles, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Tuberculosis are present.
- Pedestrians do not have the right of way even in walkways.
- You can not drive with an International or U.S Driver License.
Li River (Li Jiang), Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Photo Credit: DEZALB/Pixabay
This international destination requires:
- A valid passport with six months of validity upon return and two blank pages.
- Tourist VISA required.
- Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: $20,000RMB.
Photo Credit: lin2015/Pixabay
Typhoon Season is July - October.
- Best Time to Visit: April - May and September - October
- Coldest Month: January
- Hottest Month: July
- Peak Season: July - October
Karst Mountain Landscape, Yangshuo (Guangxi Region), China. Photo Credit: Herbert Bieser/Pixabay
Your Must-See & Do
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains, Ancient City of Pingyao, Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui Xidi & Hongcun, Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City, Capital Cities & Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom, Chengde Mountain Resort & Outlying Temples in Chengde, Chengjiang Fossil Site, China Danxia, Classical Gardens of Suzhou, Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, Dazu Rock Carvings, Fanjingshan, Fujian Tulou, Grand Canal, Historic Centre of Macau, Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace including the Jokhang Temple & Norbulingka, Historic Monuments of Dengfeng in “The Centre of Heaven and Earth” , Huanglong Scenic & Historic Interest Area, Hubei Shennongjia, Imperial Palaces of the Ming & Qing Dynasties including the Forbidden City and Mukden Palace, Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties including the Ming Tombs and the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic & Historic Interest Area, Kaiping Diaolou and Villages, Kulangsu: Historic International Settlement, Longmen Grottoes, Lushan National Park, Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea - Bohai Gulf of China, Mogao Caves, Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, Mount Huangshan, Mount Qingcheng & Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Mount Tai, Mount Wutai, Mount Wuyi, Old Town of Lijiang, Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian, Qinghai Hoh Xil, Sanqingshan, Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries, Silk Roads: Routes Network of Chang'an - Tianshan Corridor, Site of Xanadu, South China Karst, Summer Palace, Temple & Cemetery of Confucius & the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu, Temple of Heaven, The Great Wall, Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas, Tusi Sites, West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou, Wulingyuan Scenic & Historic Interest Area, Xinjiang Tianshan, Yinxu, Yungang Grottoes and Zuojiang Huashan Rock Art Cultural Landscape.
(Terracotta Army) Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum, Xi'an, China. Photo Credit: broquitos/Pixabay
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Dujiangyan Irrigation System (Canal), Chengdu, China. Photo Credit: Pixabay
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.
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