China Tourist Guides — Introduction

The People's Republic of China is the world's third largest country and occupies most of East Asia. China's land frontier is 22,000 kilometres long and its coastlines stretch over 18,000 kilometres. It shares borders with 14 countries, and is the most populous nation on earth with 1.28 billion people.

China's topography ranges from inhospitable mountainous areas to fertile coastal lands, and is crisscrossed with over 50,000 rivers. As a result of its size, China's climate ranges from snow filled peaks in the north to the humid and tropical monsoon climate in the south and southeast. Historically, China has always been administered in provinces. Today, there are 23 provinces, 5 autonomous regions, 4 municipalities and 2 special administrative regions . Hong Kong and Macao.

China is a multi-ethnic, multi religious country. Although the Han people comprise of over 90 percent of the population, they share their rights with about 55 other nationalities. Various religions have thrived in China over the centuries, Buddhism, Taoism and Islam being the most prevalent, followed by Christianity. The national language is Mandarin while Cantonese is spoken widely in the south, with other ethnic minorities using their own languages.

The currency used is the Renminbi (RMB), the popular unit of which is the Yuan.

Main ports of entry are:

By Air: Beijing, Chengdu, Dalian, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Harbin, Hohhot, Hong Kong, Kunming, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenyang, Tianjin, Urumqi, Xiamen and Xi'an.

By Land: Alataw, Baketu, Erenhot, Friendship Pass, Hunchun, Ji'an, Kunjirap, Manzhouli, Mohe, Nyalam (Zhangmu), Pingxiang, Ruili, Suifenhe, Tumen, Wanding, Xunke and Yadong.

By Water: Beihai, Dalian, Dangdong, Guangzhou, Haikou, Hankou, Huangpu, Jiujiang, Lianyungang, Nanjing, Ningbo, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Sanya, Shanghai, Shantou, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Weihai, Yangzhou, Yantai, Zhangjiang and Zhenjiang.

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Where to stay

In Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangdong, Guangzhou, Guilin, Guiyang, Haikou, Hangzhou, Harbin, Hefei, Kunming, Quingdao, Sanya, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Suzhou, Tianjin, Wuhan, Xian, Zhengzhou.