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China is situated in eastern Asia, bounded by the Pacific in the east.
The third largest country in the world, next to Canada and Russia, it
has an area of 9.6 million square kilometers, or one-fifteenth of the
world's landmass. It begins from the confluence of the Heilong and Wusuli
Rivers (135 degrees and 5 minutes east longitude) in the east to the Pamirs
west of Wuqia County in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (73 degrees and
40 minutes east longitude) in the west, with about 5,200 kilometers apart.
In the north, it starts from the midstream of the Heilong River north
of Mohe (53 degrees and 31 minutes north latitude) and stretches south
to the southernmost island Zengmu'ansha in the South China Sea (4 degrees
and 15 minutes north latitude), with about 5,500 kilometers in between.
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There are 6,536 islands larger than 500 square meters, the largest being Taiwan, with a total area of about 36,000 square kilometers, and the second, Hainan. The South China Sea Islands are the southernmost island group of China.
So far china has designated 99 cities as famous historical and cultural cities of national caliber, and placed 750 cultural relics under key protection. There are also 119 national scenic and tourist resorts across the land. Nineteen Chinese scenes and sights have appeared on a UNESCO list of world natural and cultural heritages. China’s venerated history and splendid culture have pockmarked the land with cultural relics and treasures. Beijing, Xi’an, Nanjing, Luoyang, Kaifeng, Hangzhou and Anyang are known as the nation’s seven major ancient capitals.
The Chinese folklore is rich and varied. More than 40 Chinese festivals are known throughout the world. Not a month passes without a festival being observed among one ethnic group or another. The Peking Opera, Chinese acrobatics, music and dance, and traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy-all these never fail to bring immense joy to visitors from all over the world.
The Chinese tourism industry is not only rich in resources; it has also come a long way in transportation, service, accommodation, catering and shopping facilities, and recreation. Tourist facilities are being constantly improved, and so is the service. With a winsome smile the hospitable Chinese are trusted companions for those traveling in China.
China Travel ABC
Chinese Currency
The Chinese currency is Renmingbi, which is issued by the state bank,
the people? Bank of China. The standard unit of the Renmingbi is yuan,
with jiao and fen as subsidiary units. One yuan equals ten jiao, and one
jiao equals ten fen. Yuan, jiao and fen are issued both in bills of exchange
and coins. The Renmingbi features the following denominations: one, two
and five fen. The abbreviation for Renmingbi is RMB.
Foreign Currency Conversion
The circulation of foreign currencies, and the setting of accounts with foreign currencies, is banned in the people? Republic of China. Foreigners who have entered China will have to pay for their expenses in Renmingbi. The following foreign currencies can be converted into Renmingbi in China: US dollar, British pound sterling, Deutsche mark, Japanese yen, Australian yuan, Austrian schilling, Franc Belge, Canadian dollar, Hong Kong dollar, Swiss franc, Danish krone, Dutch guilder, Norwegian krone, Swedish krone, Singapore dollar, Malaysian ringgit, Italian lira, Macao pataca, and Finnish markka. Some hotels, restaurants and stores in China also handle the conversion of foreign currencies exchange rates on a daily basis. A foreign traveler may have his surplus amount of Renmingbi converted back into foreign currency and take it out of China within a grace period of six months prior to departure from China, but in doing so he has to display a foreign currency conversion receipt.
Travel Checks
For the convenience of the travelers in China, the Bank of China cashes travel checks sold by international commercial banks and travel check companies in the United States, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Britain, France, Switzerland, German and other countries and regions. The Bank of China also acts as a sales agency for travel checks issued by the American Express, and the National Bank of New York.
Shopping
Stores in China are open from 8:00 or 8:30 to 20:00 or 20:30 (9:00 ?19:00 in winter). In some stores some salespeople can speak English. Foreign currency conversion service is available in most shopping centers and stores catered to foreign visitors. Stores designated by the Chinese tourist authorities are reliable places where prices match the quality of goods on sale. Click for more about shopping.
Emergency Medical Service
The clinics in large hotels and restaurants offer medical and first-aid services to travelers. If you feel uncomfortable while on a tour, you may call the outpatient department of a local hotel, or ask your guide to take you to see the doctor.
National Holidays
New Year Day: one day off on January 1;
Spring Festival: three days off beginning from the first day of the first
Chinese lunar month;
International Labor Day: One day off on May 1;
National Day: two days off beginning from October 1.
Tibet - The Roof of the World! : Tibet has a long history and beautiful landscape. Its brillint and ancient monasteries and unique local customs attract flocks of tourists. You are welcome to Tibet and to have a look of these rare wonders in the world.
Water Towns : Here, visitors can enjoy the beauty of townships and villages some 1,000 years ago-a fantastic world rivers and bridges. The most attractive scenes can be found in Suzhou and its neighboring areas, such as Tongli Town, Zhouzhuang, and Yongzhi, as well as the areas near Hangzhou, such as Jiaxing, and Nanxun.
Silk Road and Silk Road Travel in China : The 2,000-year-old silk road has demonstrated a lasting charm through the centuries. Today it still attracts thousands of tourists from across the world with its rich historic sites, cultural relics, beautiful scenery and colorful folklore.
Shangri-La : More than half a century ago, British writer James Hilton wrote a novel entitled Lost Horizon. In the book he tells a story: Because of an aviation accident, a plane was forced to land in a valley southwest of the Himalayas. For survival, several young men trekked a long distance.
China's Wild West: This travel guide renders a systematic introduction to the basics of three western most regions of China-Gansu Province, The Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. It is our hope that this travel guide will come handy as a truthful companion to your west China tour.
