China
China is a vast, populous land of great natural beauty and striking social contrasts. One on hand, it features the cosmopolitan sophistication of Hong Kong, the city-like shopping malls of metropolitan Shanghai, and the humming nightlife of Xintiandi plaza, with its fusion of east-west architecture. Yet China is also home to the moss-covered statues and ancient monasteries nestled like hanging gardens in vertical cliffs, the splendid grandeur of the forbidden palace, and the seemingly untouched landscapes of peaceful rivers and rain-carved hills near Guilin, reputed to be the most beautiful scenery under heaven.
Take into account a booming economy under a gradually changing regime that has favored pragmatism over adherence to political ideals, and China can certainly be called a land of tremendous diversity and contrast. Yet while prosperity and Western consumerism reign in the cities, many in rural areas, seemingly timeless in spite of historical trends, have not seen the economic trickle-down effects.
China has never been a truly homogeneous state. To this day, it includes hundreds of ethnicity and cultures speaking hundreds of dialects. Unlike America, which was sparsely populated and culturally isolated at the time of the Anglo-led European conquest, China has always been heavily populated with many peoples and nations that during periods of division were only loosely tied by the heritage and prestige of greater China. In fact, China’s unity is quite remarkable. Yet it comes as no surprise that China has had so much influence on the world of yesterday and today.
Climate
China is a huge country, so it is necessary to speak in equally broad generalities when describing the climate. To the north are cold, grassy plains and desert. In the west, mountain ranges and plateaus seem to scrape the heavens. To the south is hilly and arable land, ranging from warm and humid to subtropical. The Yellow and Yangtze River valleys of the east are very fertile, with temperate climates.
Health and Safety
Visit the CDC’s China page for updated information on health conditions in China.
Religion and Festivals
Although officially atheist, significant numbers of Chinese follow Buddhism and Christianity, and large numbers follow the traditional teachings of Daoism and Confucianism, more accurately described as codes of ethics (Dao means “way” or “path”). Short-term travelers may find traffic heavier and plane tickets harder to book during Chinese New Year season.
Transportation
China has numerous ports and airports, with main cities of entry at Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. Once inside China, the rail system is efficient and well-developed. Public buses also serve all major towns. Bicycles are the most common and versatile means of transport.
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