China Basics

Located in eastern Asia, bounded by the Pacific in the east, China is the third largest country in the world. The total national land area is estimated at 9.6 million square kilometres, which comprises of approximately 6.5% of the total global land area. A 2000 Census shows that China's population reached 1.27 billion by November 2000, (excluding the population of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan), accounting for approximately 21% of the world total.

Climate
China has a climate dominated by monsoonal winds. It is characterised with apparent temperature differences in winter and summer. In winter, northerly winds coming from high latitude are cold and arid. In summer, southerly winds from sea areas at lower longitudes are warm and humid. Moreover, climates differ from region to region because of the country's extensive territory and multifaceted topography.

Economy
Over the last two decades, China has been trailing a policy of economic reform and of opening up to external markets. In first half of 2001, China's gross domestic product (GDP) grows 7.9% year-on-year compared with the same period in 2000, with a total of RMB 4.29 trillion (USD$517.4 billion) during the January-June period.

Languages
The national language is Putonghua (the common speech) or Mandarin, which is a language used for over 6,000 years. Most of the 55 minority nationalities have their own languages. In Hong Kong, Cantonese is the main dialect used.

Visas
Foreign visitors can obtain individual or group visas from Chinese embassies and consulates, or China Travel Service offices in Hong Kong, usually within a day or two.
Most tourists are included in-group visas, not inserted into passports. For individual travellers, single-entry visas are valid for entry within three months. For business people and other regular visitors there are multiple-entry visas good for six months at a time. Each visa is valid for a stay of 30 or 60 days, and can be extended while in China.

Visitors should make sure to carry their passports while in China as they are needed to check into hotels, make plane or train reservations, exchange money or establish the holder's identity.

City Focus - Beijing

Beijing, a city of approximately 11 million people, has been the capital of China for more than 800 years. Geographically located in the northwest part of the North China Plain, covering an area of 16,800square kilometres.

Beijing is the second largest city in China; it has a semi-humid continental climate in the warm temperate zone. With an annual average temperature of 12 degrees Centigrade, Beijing is neither cold in winter nor very hot in summer. The best seasons in Beijing are Spring and Autumn.

Beijing is an economic centre of China. Being one of the biggest industrial bases in China, Beijing's industrial production is the second largest in value among all Chinese cities. An industrial system with iron and steel, coal, machinery, chemical and petroleum, textiles, electronics and other industries.

The capital is a hub of communications, with good railroad and air links with all parts of China and major cities of the world, in consequence facilitating the rapid development of tourism as an important industry in Beijing.

It offers an extensive selection of attractions that one can easily spend weeks without getting bored.

City Focus - Shanghai

Shanghai, the largest city in China, contains the most incredible blend of oriental and western cultures and of the past and present. As a prosperous commercial and industrial centre, Shanghai has a population of more than 16.5 million and a land area of 6,341 square kilometres.

The city has an oceanic and monsoonal climate in the subtropical zone. With an annual average temperature of 15.5 degrees Centigrade. Shanghai is neither cold in winter, nor very hot in summer.

As the biggest industrial centre in China, Shanghai ranks first in the value of its industrial production, as compared with other Chinese cities. Its main industry includes chemicals, automobiles, electronics, shipbuilding, textiles, electrical appliances, and other industries, which hold a significant position in China. Shanghai is the chief producer of industrial goods, and a major export base in the mainland.

The Pudong Development Area in Shanghai is an important special economic zone in China. The level of the new area's industry, commerce, finance and trade stands at the forefront in China.

Shanghai is an important hub of communications. It has an easy access to the outside world by all means of transport: air flights, ocean, offshore and inland water shipping, etc.

Typical sightseeing embraces past and present, visiting 400-year-old YU YUAN, Shanghai's busiest street NANJING ROAD; CHENG HUANG MIAO, PUDONG NEW AREA and JADE BUDDHA MONASTERY.

City Focus - Guangzhou

Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province, is one of China's main industrial centres, covering an area of 7,434 square kilometres, and with a population of over 6 million.

Guangzhou adjoins the South China Sea, and is crisscrossing with rivers and streams. It has south subtropical marine climate with an annual average temperature of 21.8 degree Celsius and a frost-free period of 345 days.

Guangzhou's industry covers machinery, shipbuilding, textiles, household electrical appliances, computers, petrochemicals, light industrial products for daily use, rubber products and garments, etc.

Guangzhou is South China's biggest national-and-foreign-oriented city with flourishing commerce, and is also the chief foreign trade centre in China. The city with long summer and no winter is always green with flowers in bloom all the year round, which is why it is reputed as the "Flower City". I

The scenic spots and historical sites include GUANGXIAO TEMPLE, LIURONG TEMPLE and WHITE CLOUDS MOUNTAIN SCENIC AREA, etc.