China isn't a country - it's a different world.
China is a land of cultural and geographic schisms. It's not that it has completely done away with its Maoist past - it's more that the yin of revolutionary zeal is being balanced by the yang of economic pragmatism.
When to Go
Spring (March-April) and autumn (September-October) are the best times to visit China, though the higher altitude areas of Tibet, Qinghai and Western Sichuan are best visited in high summer (June-September). Daytime temperatures range from 20°C to 30°C (68°F-86°F) in these seasons - but bear in mind that nights can still be bitterly cold and it can sometimes be wet and miserable. Major public holidays, in particular Chinese New Year, are best avoided as it's difficult to get around and/or find accommodation.
Famous Tourist Attractions
Great Wall of China
Great Wall of China is one of the greatest wonders of the world. It is even visible from the Moon. It makes its way towards west from the vast territory of China to the bank of the Yalu River. It is so long that it ends at the end of snow-covered Qilianshan and Tianshan mountains.This is one of the major tourist attraction.
The Forbidden City
The Forbidden City is located at the center of Beijing. Rectangular shaped Forbidden City is the world's largest palace complex that covers the area of around of 74 hectares. It is also known as the Palace Museum or Gugong in the Chinese language. During the period of Ming and Qing dynasties, the city was the imperial palace. It is placed at the north of Tian'anmen Square. The Forbidden City is separated into two parts; the northern section or the inner court where the king lived with his royal family and the outer court where the emperor exercised his ultimate powers over the nation.
Cities of China
Beijing is capital of China. Each year tourists and visitors from around the world come to visit Beijing to experience the ancient China's art and culture. The historical sites in the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace the Temple of Heaven, and the Great Wall attract thousands the tourists from all over the world.
Shanghai, located on the east coast of China, is the largest city of China. It is an important port for China-international trade and a complete industrial base. It offers many tourist attractions as parks, gardens, museums, Shanghai Zoo and many others. Hong Kong came with China and became Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on 1 July 1997. It is the popular vacation destination in Asia and remains one of the world's most significant economic center.
Other Tourist attractions Tian Tan,meaning the Temple of Heaven, was built for the emperors in ancient China to worship Heaven. It covers the area of around 273 hectares. Yonghegong, which is also known as the palace of Eternal Harmony or Lamasery, lies on the eastern side of Yonghegong Street. It is the largest preserved lamasery in Beijing.
Lushan Mountain, covering an area of 300 square kilometers. It is situated in the Jiangxi Province, the southern part of Jiujiang City, on the bank of Poyang Lake. It is one of China's famous mountains.
Dahanyang Peak, the highest peak, is a well-known scenic area, summer resort and place for patients to recuperate. There are many impressive and wonderful peaks, unique waterfalls, and other historical sites. It has a warm and comfortable climate. The main scenic spots on the mountain include the Peak of the Five Old Men, ThreeStep Spring, Hanpo Pass, Lulin Lake, Great Tianchi Lake, Flowerpath, Ruqin Lake, Jingxiu Valley, Immortal's Cavern, Lesser Tianchi Lake, Donglin Temple, White Deer Cave Academy Lushan Botanical Gardens and Lushan Museum.
Peking Man site on the Longgu Mountain, in the Zhoukoudian Village in Beijing is listed as a world cultural heritage site in 1987. It is a complete skull of an ape-man dating back 600, 000 years, which was discovered by archaeologists in the 1920s. The use of stone tools and evidence of Peking Man's use of fire were also found on the mountain.
Nightlife & Entertainment
Nightlife in China is full of fun and merriment with vast diversity of hanging our zones -- Dance clubs, Bars, Parties, Opera-shows, Eating joints, Live music bands and what not!
Nightlife of a country plays an important role in generating tourism in the region on more successful bases as locals and tourist wants to freak out in the evenings and spend their time on some entertainment like cinemas, theatres, nightclubs etc.
Almost every luxurious hotel facilitates entertainment. Magnificent nightlife venues can also be observed mostly in the heart of the city. One can hangout with the Peking Opera, Acrobatics, Dramas, Local ballad dances and singing or attending a music concert or can even visit a roadside disco.
In fact it is ideal to go for the places that have been backed by other tourists or Chinese friends.
Over the period of time China has witnessed the bustling of foreign motif pubs, new exotic bars and locally run clubs. All these joints are of a great source of excitement and enticement for both locals as well as its visitors.
The admission fee is usually about 50-80 yuan and beer is 15-20 yuan.
Night Hubs of China
Generally the Shanghai Night Bars are located on the roof garden and boast of the excellent view of the Bund and river. Normally the bars are like a huge glass room, can easily be seen through, it is regarded as the most romantic place in Shanghai.
Beijing has a remarkable nightlife in its various venues. Once visiting China, the tourist surely goes for a Beijing Opera and the superb Chinese Acrobats - highly boosting, both seem gratifying.
In recent evolution, the Chinese translations of Western plays have gained immense popularity, such as-- The Mousetrap, Gao Zingjian's Bus Stop - a kind of Chinese Theatre of the Absurd.
Chinese Cinemas has also gained immense popularity, tourist have developed a great taste for ‘Kung Fu Movies’, there are plenteousness of opportunity to enjoy the serious and fairly controversial movies emerging from a new wave of younger film-makers.
Main Bar Areas
Bar’s are the ideal hang out zones for the visitors. Over the period, China is thronged with diversified bar puffs, most of them opening till 4 am in morning. The bars are frequently visited by many foreign customers and visitors, hence a new arrival doesn’t feel out of place at these joints.
Sanlitun Entertainment, Hou Hai Bar Area.
Recommended Discos
Chines Disco makes a trip to this destination a lifetime experience. It is recommended as one of the best and most popular venue in Beijing. If you're looking for a beautifully decked out typical Asian disco, experience it with a tremendous fun folic atmosphere, look no further.
Friday and Saturday nights are real fun and folic nights, being weekends.
Main disco hubs are- Club Banana / Spicy, Gun Shi -Rock and Roll, Re Dian - a top hot spot.
Floor Shows
China is one of the few remaining places to still have good variety shows, many are included with the price of admission, or even completely free as long as you're drinking/eating something.
Fast Facts
Full Name
People's Republic of China
Capital City
Beijing
Aiport
Peking, Shanghai
Area
9,596,960 sq km
3,705,386 sq miles
Population
1,286,975,468
Time Zone
GMT/UTC +8 ()
Daylight Saving Start
not in use
Daylight Saving End
not in use
Languages
Cantonese (official)
Mandarin (official)
China's language is officially Mandarin, as spoken in Beijing. The Chinese call it Putonghua. About 70% of the population speak Mandarin, but that's just the tip of the linguistic iceberg. The country is awash with dialects, and dialects within dialects - and few of them are mutually intelligible. Of the seven major strains, Cantonese is the one most likely to be spoken in your local Chinese takeaway. It's the lingua franca of Guangdong, southern Guangxi, Hong Kong and (to an extent) Macau.
Religion
Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism (no stats available); Islam (14 million), Christianity (7 million)
Currency
Yuan Renminbi (Y)
Electricity
220V 50HzHz
Electric Plug Details
Japanese-style plug with two parallel flat blades
Australian-style plug with two flat angled blades and one vertical grounding blade
British-style plug with two flat blades and one flat grounding blade
South African/Indian-style plug with two circular metal pins above a large circular grounding pin
