| China is such a large country that it is | | | | China, officially called the People's |
| impossible to see even a fraction of it in | | | | Republic of China (PRC), is the third largest |
| one visit. It is advisable to specialize in | | | | country on earth. Only Russia and Canada are |
| just one area, and get a good guided tour. | | | | larger. China has a land area of 9,600,000 |
| Ten-day guided tours are available starting | | | | square kilometers (3,700,000 square miles), |
| at approximately $1100. | | | | and a widely varying climate. Before you |
| | | | leave, find out what seasonal climates to |
| For instance, the ancient civilization of | | | | expect in the region you are going to visit, |
| mystical Tibet has always fascinated | | | | and pack accordingly. China has a marked |
| travellers. Learn about the history of | | | | continental monsoon climate with great |
| Tibetan Buddhism, and visit the Potala | | | | variety in temperature and rainfall. The |
| Palace. Pilgrims come from every corner of | | | | greatest part of China is in the northern |
| Tibet to the Heavenly Lake Namtso. | | | | temperate zone while the southern areas are |
| | | | in the tropical or subtropical zone and |
| Another popular tour travels along the | | | | northern areas in the frigid zone. |
| historic Silk Road, one of the world's most | | | | |
| famous trade routes. This route features | | | | In most of China there is a clear division |
| ancient Islamic and Buddhist civilizations, | | | | between seasons. In winter, northerly winds |
| bustling markets, exotic folk customs and a | | | | from high latitude areas keep the northern |
| faded but glorious history. This fascinating | | | | region cold and dry, while in summer, |
| overland route was once used for transporting | | | | monsoons from southern coastal areas bring |
| silk to Europe. It covers areas in central | | | | warmth and humidity. In north China, such as |
| China not visited by many tourists and passes | | | | Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia, summer is dry |
| through archaeological treasures such as the | | | | and sweltering while winter is bitingly cold. |
| cities of Xian and Dunhuang as it heads into | | | | Sandstorms often occur in spring in this |
| Xinjiang. | | | | area, especially in the Inner Mongolia and |
| | | | Beijing area. The red dust from these storms |
| Or hike along the Great Wall of China. Make | | | | can be picked up by high-altitude winds are |
| sure to bring hiking shoes and warm clothing, | | | | travel around the world. In Russia, pink snow |
| as the Wall was built as a military | | | | was reported in the winter of 2006 as this |
| fortification atop steep, exposed mountain | | | | far-flung red dust mixed with local |
| ridges. | | | | precipitation. |
| | | | |
| China has a population of 1.265 billion, the | | | | On the Tibet-Qinghai plateau, which has an |
| largest of any country on earth, and holds | | | | elevation of approximately 4,000 meters above |
| about 22 percent of the earth's total | | | | sea level, winter is long and extremely cold |
| population. It is an extremely diverse nation | | | | while summer is short and moderately warm. |
| consisting of 55 different ethnic groups. The | | | | There is little precipitation here and a |
| Chinese speak eight major dialects: Putonghua | | | | great temperature fluctuation between day and |
| (Mandarin), Yue (Cantonese), Wu | | | | night. Visitors to Tibet should bring warm |
| (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan | | | | clothing even in summer. |
| (Taiwanese), Gan, Xiang, and Hakka and many | | | | |
| sub-dialects. In addition, ethnic groups such | | | | In central china, such as Yangtze River area, |
| as the Mongolian, Naxi, Tibetan, Yi, Uygur, | | | | summer is long, hot and humid while winter is |
| and other ethnic groups have their own native | | | | short and cold. In the areas south of the |
| languages. | | | | Yangtze River, temperature rarely falls below |
| | | | freezing. In the near-tropical far south, |
| The language spoken in Beijing is often | | | | such as the area around Guangzhou, the summer |
| referred to as Mandarin or Putonghua. | | | | is long, humid and hot while the winter is |
| Putonghua, which means "common language" is | | | | short and mild. The rainy season runs from |
| the country's main language and is spoken by | | | | May through August and typhoons frequently |
| more than 70 percent of the population. | | | | occur in the southeast coast between July and |
| Putonghua is also referred to as the "Han | | | | September. |
| language" (Hanyu) or simply Chinese. Because | | | | |
| of the increased economic migration across | | | | Chinese currency is called Renminbi (people's |
| China during the past two decades years, the | | | | money), abbreviated as RMB, issued by The |
| use of Mandarin has increased. | | | | Bank of China. The unit of Renminbi is a yuan |
| | | | and with smaller denominations called jiao |
| In recent years, as tourism to China has | | | | and fen. The conversion among the three is: 1 |
| grown, the use of English has increased | | | | yuan equals 10 jiao which equals 100 fen. The |
| across the country. In major cities, staff in | | | | safest way to bring currency to China is in |
| stores and hotels can speak fluent or at | | | | travellers' checks. Be sure to keep your |
| least basic English. However, it is best for | | | | currency exchange receipts because you will |
| English-speaking tourists to have a | | | | need to show them when you change RMB back to |
| translator, as knowledge of English is by no | | | | your own currency when you leave China. |
| means universal, especially in rural areas | | | | Credit cards are often not accepted in remote |
| where approximately 2/3 of China's population | | | | areas, so be sure to carry sufficient RMB and |
| lives. | | | | travelers' checks to cover your requirements. |
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