Country: China
Where is it?: China is in eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam
Why do people go here?: With over one billion people, China is its own world, with millions of other worlds (and people) inside it. Right now China is slowly given up its communist roots and it slowly, although they don’t admit it, pursuing capitalism. It’s booming right now and wherever you head, there are amazing sites to see. You could take one year of traveling and barely get a taste of it.
What are the main entry points?: There are hundreds of ways to get into China. Most people fly into Shanghai or Hong Kong. If you’re traveling overland, there are countless ways, both easy and very difficult.
Currency used: Yuan
Country Code for Phones: 86
Area codes for Major Cities: Bejing 10, Shanghai 21,
Other Phone Tips: Most of China’s cities have separate city codes
Religion: Athesist
Population: 1.3 million
Ethnic Groups: Han Chinese 91.9%, Zhuang, Uygur, Hui, Yi, Tibetan, Miao, Manchu, Mongol, Buyi, Korean, and other nationalities 8.1%
Government: Communist State
Languages: Standard Chinese or Mandarin, Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghaiese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages.
Major Cities: Bejing, Hong Kong, Shanghai
Attractions: Xi’an, Beijing, Shanghai, plus hundreds of other places
Accommodation: China Hostels
Tourism Office locations and links: China Tourism Office
Off-the-Beaten-Path: Tibet, Longgong Caves, Turpan
Health Issues: Rabies, Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia), Dengue Fever, Malaria, Cholera
When to go: China is huge and depending where you’re traveling, the weather can vary. Ideally, the best times to travel are September through November
Specific Events/Holidays: Chinese New Year: February. Guanyin’s Birthday: Late March to late April, Mazu’s Birthday: May or June, Ghost Month: Late August to late September, Mid-Autumn Moon Festival: October. Birthday of Confucius: September 28
Getting Around: China has a host of ways to explore the enormous country. Bus and train are the cheapest options and can get you into some very remote parts of the country.
Good to know: It’s impossible to characterize China. It’s a bunch of different worlds all working together to survive.
Cheapest airport to fly into: There are seven main airports for travelers taking flights to China namely, Beijing Capital International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Hong Kong International Airport, Macau International Airport and Xi’an Xianyang International Airport.To get cheaper flights, it would be wise to use the airport that is nearer to your trip destination.
Need more information?: Check out the China travel guide for more on what to see, where to stay, and how to get there.
