China facts
Capital: Beijing
Language: Mandarin Chinese.
People: Han, Hui, Zhaung.
Religion: Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism.
Size (sq km): 9,572,900.
Population: 1,321,851,888.
Population density/sq km: 138
Generally reserved in manner, be courteous. If applauded as a welcome, applaud back. Anger should be concealed. Arrive to meetings early. Bring gifts when invited into homes.
Jade jewellery, embroidery, calligraphy, paintings and carvings. Prices set by government. Keep receipts, they may be needed at customs.
Diverse regional styles. In the north, Mongolian Hotpots are popular, eaten in a communal style from a pot of simmering soup. Beijing is famous for Peking Duck. Southern cuisine is probably the most exotic - markets in Guangzhou are full of the various (sometimes endangered) animals used. The east is noted for rich, sweet cooking, seafood, hot and sour soup, noodles and vegetables. In the west, spicy, peppery food is a speciality.
International Airports in China
Beijing-Capital (PEK), 26 km from the city, Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) 7 km from the city, Shanghai Hong Quio (SHA) 12 km from the city, Shanghai-Pudong (PVG), 30 km from the city Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU) 16 km from the city.
Internal travel in China
Most long-distance internal travel is by air. Ferries serve major rivers. Railways are the principal means of transport for people and goods. Eighty per cent of settlements can be reached by road. These are not always of good quality, and vehicles should be reliable as mechanical services are few. Car hire is available.
China visas
(UK/US) Required.
China vaccinations
BCG, Cholera, Diphtheria, Hep. A, Hep. B, JE, Malaria, Rabies, TBE, Typhoid, Y. Fever2
China driving requirements
Car-hire companies hold on to passports, better to hire car and driver.
China reps in UK/US
UK: 49-51 Portland Place, London W1B 1JL, tel (020) 7299 4049, fax (020) 7636 9756, email visa@chinese-embassy.org.uk. US: 2300 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel (202) 328 2500, fax (202) 588 0032, email chinaembassy_us@fmprc.gov.cn.
UK/US reps in China
UK: 11 Guang Hua Lu, Jian Guo Men Wai, Beijing 100600, tel (10) 5192 4000, fax (10) 6532 1937 email mailto:info@britishcentre.org.cn. US: 3 Xiu Shui Bei Jie, Beijing 100600, tel (10) 6532 3831, fax (10) 6532 2039, email ircacee@state.gov.
China currency
Renminbi yuan (CNY) = 10 chiao/jiao or 100 fen.
China finance
Major credit cards and traveller's cheques accepted by designated establishments in major provincial cities .
China business hours
0800-1130, 1300-1700, Monday-Friday.
China safety information
Safe.
China life expectancy
Life expectancy: M 71.13, F 74.82.
Useful websites for travel to China
www.chinese-embassy.org.uk, http://manchester.chineseconsulate.org/eng, www.uk.cn, www.china-embassy.org, www.discoverchinaforever.com, www.usembassy-china.org.cn, www.chinadaily.com.cn, www.chinatoday.com, www.flashpaper.com/beijing.
Local media in China
China Daily and weekly news magazine Beijing Review are published in English.
China tourist boards
UK: 4 Glentworth Street, London, NW1 5PG, tel (020) 7935 9787 0888, fax (020) 7487 5842, email london@cnta.gov.cn. US:370 Lexington Avenue 912, New York, NY, 10017 tel (212) 760 8218, fax (212) 760 8809, email ny@cnto.org.
Great diversity of climates. The north-east has hot, dry summers and bitterly cold winters. The north and central region has almost continuous rainfall, hot summers and cold winters. The south-east has substantial rainfall, semi-tropical summers and cool winters.
GMT +8.
Renminbi yuan (CNY) = 10 chiao/jiao or 100 fen.
Get foreign currency online
