China

China is a geographical region in East Asia. With over one-fifth of the world's population, the majority of China exists today as a state known as the People's Republic of China, but it also refers to a long-standing civilization comprising successive states and cultures dating back nearly 5,000 years.

With one of the world's longest periods of mostly uninterrupted civilization and the world's longest continuously used written language system, China's history has been largely characterized by repeated divisions and reunifications amid alternating periods of peace and war, and violent imperial dynastic change. The country's territorial extent expanded outwards from a core area in the North China Plain, and varied according to its changing fortunes to include multiple regions of East, Northeast, and Central Asia. For centuries, Imperial China was also one of the world's most technologically advanced civilizations, and East Asia's dominant cultural influence, with an impact lasting to the present day throughout the region.

By the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, however, China's political, economic, and military influence declined relative to the growing regional power of Japan and the influence of Western powers. The imperial system in China ended with the establishment of the Republic of China (ROC) under Sun Yat-sen in 1912; however, the next four decades of ROC rule were marred by warlord control, the Second Sino-Japanese War during which the Empire of Japan occupied large parts of China, and the Chinese Civil War which pitted Chinese Nationalists against the Communist forces.

After its victory in the Chinese Civil War, the Communist Party of China under Mao Zedong established the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949, forcing the Nationalists to retreat and relocate the ROC government to the island of Taiwan, which it had governed since the end of World War II. Since then, the ROC has maintained administrative control over Taiwan, the Pescadores, several islands off the coast of Fujian province, and some islands in the South China Sea.

Area 9.59 million sq.km.
Population 1.3 billion.
Language Cantonese, Mandarin
Religion While the People's Republic of China is officially atheist it does allow religion under strict supervision. Historically, Taoism and Buddhism have been the dominant religions of Chinese society, and continue to be so in Chinese societies outside direct PRC control.
Currency Chinese yuan
Government: Dictatorial one-party state (communist)

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Beijing means 'Northern Capital' and in many ways the name speaks for itself. It is the capital of the People's Republic of China and the capital of bureaucrats. The whole country supposedly runs on Beijing time and is supposed to speak the Beijing dialect. From here the Chinese Communist Party rules over its enormous empire while further to the south, you will find more and more free trading with new capitalists, having contributed to form the new face of China over the last decades.

Beijing has come a long way from the dusty communist capital of the seventies and eighties to a modern city with the usual high rising buildings and shopping malls. At the same time, hotel and restaurant standards have improved enormously. It may not yet be able to compete with Hong Kong or Shanghai, but in its run-up to the 2008 Olympics, it is trying real hard.

Naturally, Beijing has some of the most superb examples of Chinese architecture. No other place in China offers such a large number of old buildings as Bejing. On top of that, Beijing is one of the more convenient starting points for visiting The Great Wall.

Paris of the Orient: that's what they called Shanghai in the past, when it was still the leading power in trade and opium. Enter the communist revolution, which swept Shanghai into anonymity. Nonetheless, some traces of old can be found in present Shanghai. Today, Shanghai is the commercial center of China and has one of the most dynamic skylines in the world. The 17-million-citizen-strong city shows her dualistic face in every corner of the city.

The Old Centre in the Yu Yuan area, where you can find one of the oldest streets of China, the ' sights, is the heart of the modern town. It is a good starting point for a boat trip on the Huangpu River or a visit to the Yu Yuan Market. You will find many city museums and interesting sites along your way, making Shanghai is quite easy to walk around. Although the city is fairly commercial these days, Shanghai's residents have made an major effort in creating 'green zones' in the city....and they've succeeded. There is always a park or traditional garden in the vicinity. Sit down, relax and let others do the meditating for you.

Kowloon is one of the four parts that makes the Hong Kong territory these days. The tip of the peninsula, which faces Hong Kong Island, is probably the best known part of Kowloon. It is one big melting pot of streets crawled with shops and tourists, covered up under a spell of neon at night. In this sense, the 'nine dragons' (the literal translation of 'Kowloon') beat the touristy tiger of the neighboring Hong Kong island!

Although it might appear as if money is the only ruling factor here, the current 'Hong Kong Cultural Centre' tries to prove the opposite. Most museums are located in this centre and it offers a good alternative when you have had it with the jade shops, bird markets and fortune-teller stands in the shopping areas of 'Tsim Sha Tsui' and 'Nathan Road'.

Tsim Sha Tsui, at the tip of the Kowloon Peninsula, is the territory's tourist ghetto. It consists of one sq km of shops, restaurants, pubs, topless bars and camera stores. However, Kowloon is also home to the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the Space Museum, the famous Peninsula Hotel and the Museum of History.

The Promenade, in East Tsim Sha Tsui, is a great place for a stroll, and has wonderful views of Victoria Harbour, particularly at night. The liveliest night market in the territory is on Temple St in Yau Ma Tei.

Macau is a wonderful city to stroll around. If you’re feeling energetic you could walk to almost all of its sights in one single day (the entire territory covering 7 sq mi/17 sq km). We loved the feeling we got roaming the hilly winding streets and the back alleys. Although the European-style architecture and plazas are unusual for this part of the world, you would never mistake Macau for Lisbon.

The territory’s most famous landmark is the Church of Sao Paulo (circa 1600). All that remains is the facade—the rest of the church was destroyed by fire in 1835. However, it’s worth climbing the imposing set of stairs to view the ruins up close, especially at night when the lit-up city is spread out below. Farther on, another set of stairs leads to the Citadel of Sao Paulo do Monte where you can still see the cannon that helped repel the Dutch invasion of 1622. The view of the city and countryside is fantastic.

If time permits, visit the temple of the Goddess A-Ma as well as Lin Fong Temple. Then see the old Protestant cemetery where early non-Catholic settlers and traders are interred (an ancestor of Winston Churchill is buried there). Visit the Lou Lim Ioc garden, but only if you’re not going to see any of the large formal gardens in China. Restoration Row in northern Macau is an interesting area of 1920s buildings restored by the government. Take a walk down the Praia Grande to see some of the older buildings including Government House and the Macau Governor’s Residence (built in 1849).

Hong Kong Island is the glitzy big brother of Kowloon - a tightly packed, towering paean to market capitalism that hasn't been dented one jot by Chinese rule. The bustle of people living and working is the biggest attraction on the island, although many visitors head around to Aberdeen, on the southern side of the island, where 6000 people live or work on junks anchored in the harbor. Sampan tours of the Aberdeen Harbor are definitely worth the expense. The other major draw is the floating restaurant.

The most popular beach is Repulse Bay, also on the southern side of the island, but itgets extremely crowded on weekends. Stanley, with its laid-back atmosphere, is another good spot for escaping Hong Kong's hustle and bustle, although it is the hustle and bustle that brings people here in the first place - if you want real solitude, you've come to the wrong place. City attractions include the Central Market, which visitors will have no trouble finding (just sniff the air), the old Man Mo Temple and the Zoological & Botanic Gardens. Hong Kong Island is steep, so if you’re heading away from the harbor do as the locals do and ride the 800m outdoor escalator.

If you're in the Hong Kong Island, you'd be mad to miss a trip to the top of Victoria Peak, 552m above sea level. The views are giddyingly beautiful in every direction, with the vista of the business district, Victoria Harbor and Kowloon especially grand. In true Hong Kong style the main viewing deck is on the roof of a large shopping mall.

Join the throng of snap-happy tourists - you won't be disappointed. If you have time, it's worth making the trip to the top both in daylight (ideal to get your bearings) and at night, when the mass of lights around the harbor will take your breath away and make you wish you had a better camera. The actual peak is a ten-minute walk west and up.

Facing the sea on three sides, proud of its neatness, Dalian is a beautiful port city at the southern tip of Liaoning Peninsula. With one million sq meters of lawn downtown and some 10 million trees planted in the suburbs, Dalian is one of the country's cleanest cities. The sunny beach and clearly demarcated seasons make it the pleasant resort in summer. Governing six districts, three cities and one county, Dalian covers an area of 12,500 sq kilometers with 5,370,000 inhabitants. Having the largest harbor in the northeast, it is an important base of water production and fruit in China. Dalian is also the "home of track and fields" and the famous soccer team unbeaten in 39 matches. The flourishing coastal city of Dalian is the major port for China's northeast province and one of the most prosperous cities in China.

The varied styles of buildings here are particularly attractive with a colonial legacy of Russian, European and Japanese architecture. Crossed by old, colorful trams, the city exhibits some wonderful temperaments of traditional leisure and modern vigor.

Chinese cuisine is widely regarded as representing one of the richest and most diverse culinary heritages in the world. It originated in different regions of China and has been introduced to other parts of the world — from Southeast Asia to North America and Western Europe.

A meal in Chinese culture is typically seen as consisting of two general components: (1) a carbohydrate source or starch,— typically rice, noodles, or mantou (steamed buns), and (2)accompanying dishes of vegetables, fish, meat, or other items. (This cultural conceptualization is some ways in contrast to Western meals where meat or animal protein is often considered the main dish.)

As is well known throughout the world, rice is a critical part of much of Chinese cuisine. However, in many parts of China, particularly North China, wheat-based products including noodles and steamed buns predominate, in contrast to South China where rice is dominant. Despite the importance of rice in Chinese cuisine, at extremely formal occasions, it is sometimes the case that no rice at all will be served; in such a case, rice would only be provided when no other dishes remained. Soup is usually served at the end of a meal to satiate one's appetite. Owing to western influences, serving soup in the beginning of a meal is also quite normal in modern times.

Chopsticks are the primary eating utensil in Chinese culture for solid foods, while soups and other liquids are enjoyed with a wide, flat-bottomed spoon (traditionally made of ceramic). It is reported that wooden chopsticks are losing their dominance due to recent logging shortfalls in China and East Asia; many Chinese eating establishments are considering a switch to a more environmentally sustainable eating utensil, such as plastic chopsticks. On the other hand, disposable chopsticks made of wood/bamboo have all but replaced reusable ones in small restaurants. In most dishes in Chinese cuisine, foods are prepared in smaller pieces (e.g. vegetable, meat, doufu), ready for direct picking and eating. Traditionally, Chinese culture considered using knives and forks at the table "barbaric" due to fact that these implements are regarded as weapons. Fish are usually cooked and served whole, with diners directly pulling pieces from the fish with chopsticks to eat, unlike in some other cuisines where they are first filleted. This is because it is desired for fish to be served as fresh as possible.

Spoon and fork are most often used by Malaysian Chinese and Singaporean Chinese eating at home, and are provided in many restaurants—especially "coffee houses" or kopi tiam. Some Chinese prefer to eat white rice with a spoon, even while eating other dishes with chopsticks. Many school cafeterias (canteens) in China provide only spoons for students eating, not chopsticks, due to their reusability and ease of washing.

In a Chinese meal, each individual diner is given their own bowl of rice while the accompanying dishes are served in communal plates (or bowls) which are shared by everyone sitting at the table. In western cultures, this communal style of service is known as "family style". In the Chinese meal, each diner picks food out of the communal plates on a bite-by-bite basis with their chopsticks. This is in contrast to western meals where it is customary to dole out individual servings of the dishes at the beginning of the meal. Many non-Chinese are unaccustomed in allowing a person's individual food utensils (which might have traces of a persons' saliva) to touch the communal plates. For this hygiene issue, some Chinese families use additional serving spoons, or chopsticks, to move the pieces of the food from the communal plates to the persons' rice bowl. The food selected is often eaten together with a mouthful of rice.

Best of China (5-6 Weeks)
Dive headlong into China in fast-paced, dazzling Beijing, capital city and pulsing heart of the nation. See how emperors spent their summers in lavish palaces, then jump-start yours in the bars and clubs of Sanlitun. Hop a train to Xi’an to admire ancient China at its grandest in the tombs of its emperors (and one empress). Leave imperial ostentation behind for the breezy air of laid-back Chengdu, a perfect springboard into the mountain wilderness beyond. Don’t miss a trip north to Jiuzhaigou, with its turquoise waters so pristine that you’ll never want to leave. Swinging back down, search for your own Buddhist halo on the holy mountains of Emeishan before journeying south to fair Kunming, city of flowers and gateway to the minority villages and wilds of Yunnan. Travel next to the storybook scenery of Guilin, nestled amid soft limestone peaks and terraced rice paddies. Then plunge into cosmopolitan Shanghai, with its blend of European charm and non-stop glitz along the Bund. Seek a calmer pace by the willow-shaded shores of the West Lake in Hangzhou. Finish up with a hike up Huangshan, China’s most famous mountain, and justifiably so. Locals will tell you that after climbing its jagged pine-strewn peaks and glimpsing a sunrise from its summit, you’ll never have to visit another mountain again.

Coasting Along (3-4 Weeks)
Lazy and idyllic, a ramble through the coasts of southern China passes through serene scenery and comfortable urban centers. Indulge in unabashedly modern Shanghai, where there’s enough shopping and strolling for even the most avid urbanite. Then enter another world upon the Buddhist island of Putuoshan, cooled by sea breezes and shaded by bamboo groves. Sip freshly harvested tea from the fields of Longjing near Hangzhou and relax with a cup of China’s most famous tea. A ferry down the Grand Canal brings you to the classical gardens, canals, and half-moon bridges of Suzhou. Wander the rain-misted paths of Wuyishan, a realm of gurgling streams, peaks, waterfalls, and secluded trails. Haunting mosques remind Quanzhou of its ancient sea-faring days as a port on the “Silk Road of the Sea.” Daydream upon Xiamen’s island of Guylangyu, with its tranquil gardens and ocean views. After all that serenity, head to cosmopolitan Guangzhou, and crown your trip with a few energized days and glamorous nights in Hong Kong.

Head in the Clouds (4 Weeks)
Lose yourself in dizzying beauty from the height of China’s mist-wreathed peaks. A train from Beijing takes you to the remote mountain village of Wutaishan, where Buddhist monks jostle with Mongol-speaking pilgrims. Huff and puff up the steep steps of Taishan, and don’t forget to say a prayer to the mountain gods once you’ve reached the summit. Heading south into Anhui, wander the paths of Jiuhuashan, chat with friendly monks, and breathe in Buddhist incense and natural serenity. Not far from Jiuhuashan, Huangshan soars above the mists and clouds, an inspiration to poets, artists, and jaded travelers alike. Then wind your way down to Lushan, where waterfalls tumble down forest-cloaked mountainsides. And there’s no better way to end your tour of China’s mountains than a float on a bamboo raft on the Nine Bend River of Wuyishan. After all those muscle-aching climbs, bask on the sunny beaches of Xiamen, or sip a fragrant cup of eight-treasures tea on the fair isle of Gulangyu.

Sand, Silk, and Grottoes (4-5 Weeks)
Trace the ribbon of Silk Road that once crossed expanses of sun-burnt desert 2000 years ago from China to India, Central Asia, Arabia, and beyond. Begin your journey in the ancient dynastic capital of Xi’an, from where camel caravans set out, laden with silk. Clamber over the rocks and cliffs of Tianshui, and peek at the thousands of Buddhist sculptures tucked into the Maijishan Grottoes. Climb the Great Wall’s last and most stately pass at Jiayuguan, gazing west at the first hints of the stark desert and mountains. Dunhuang marked the last lonely outpost of the Han empire. Before passing into the “barbarian” lands beyond, ancient merchants stopped to pray for luck and safety at the Mogao Grottoes, now the world’s best-preserved Buddhist cave art. Quench your thirst with refreshingly sweet melons and grapes at Turpan, in the midst of fiery red mountains and ancient ruins. Plunge back into the whirl of city life in Ürümqi, or sleep beneath the stars by the shores of Tianchi, the “Heavenly Lake.” Those who have extra time can loop up to isolated Yining and Altai, with their nearby Mongol and Kazakh villages, icy waters, summer wildflowers, birch forests, and mountains reaching to the sky. Forging on with the Silk Road, skirt the northern edge of the Tarim Basin and the Taklimakan Desert. Stop briefly in Korla, and then continue west to Kuqa for a fascinating glimpse into Uighur culture and more parched vistas. Finish in the clamor and excitement of Kashgar, whose lively bazaars and colorful international mix make it the perfect modern-day Silk Road outpost.

China is home to the world's most challenging mountain peaks, Whitewater Rivers, isolated steppe, picturesque valleys and complex system of permits. Red tape stops many would-be adventurers.

Hiking - One of the least complicated activities, though some of the famous mountains are quite commercialised. Many sections of the Great Wall provide good walking. Shandong Province's Mount Tai Shan has the Ladder to Heaven as the 6,660 steps to the top are known, which have been climbed by Confucius, Mao and millions of others. It's said that you'll live to a hundred if you make it to the top. For serious, experienced climbers, an eight-day trek from Dingri on the Tibet-Nepal Friendship Highway leads to the Mt. Everest base camp at the foot of the Rongbuk Glacier.

Panda watching - The Wolong Nature Reserve in northern Sichuan Province is the last place where giant pandas roam freely among rhododendrons, birch, maple and of course, bamboo.

Caving - Zhijin, China's largest cave is a four-hour drive northwest of Guiyang. There are six miles of stalagmites and stalactites, with chambers over 500 feet high. Take your own torch - the cave is lit but it's rumoured attendants turn off the lights to save electricity.

Horse riding - Popular guided treks are available in Songpan in Sichuan and Hailuo Gou Glacier Park. Horses can be hired in many places.

Cycling - Bikes are everywhere in China and generally easy to hire. If you're planning to travel long distances between towns, you need to check the position on going through areas closed to tourists. Many travel companies arrange organised bike tours.

T'ai chi - Anyone can join in the early morning t'ai chi sessions that take place in most town parks.

A far bigger factor in your calculations than weather should be the movement of domestic tourists who, during the longer public holidays, take to the road in the tens or even hundreds of millions, crowding all forms of transportation, booking out hotels, and turning even the quietest tourist sights into litter-strewn bedlam.




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