Country Guide

Accommodation

Hotels

China has no shortage of accommodation even in peak season, with around 4500 tourist hotels. Main hotels in major cities are of a reasonable standard and there is a good range from budget to luxury. There are international-standard hotels in Tianjin, Hainan, Xiamen, Fujian, Hangzhou and Shenzen. Most of these hotels are comfortable and are considered good value for money. Many have facilities including restaurants, coffee shops, bars, swimming pools and massage rooms. Some even include shopping and business malls, banks and post offices.

Dormitories

These are found in most tourist centres and provide cheaper accommodation for budget travellers. Standards range from poor to adequate.

Youth Hostels

Good progress has been made in the construction of a network of hostels, covering, in particular, Beijing, Guangdong, Guangxi, Shanghai and Yunnan; good progress is being made.

Accommodation Information

China Tourism Hotel Association9A Jianguomennei Avenue, Beijing 100740, People's Republic of China Tel: (10) 6520 1114 or 6512 2905 China Hotel and Buyers’ Guide Website: www.hotelschina.comIYHF (Information on Youth Hostels)Tel: (20) 8668 1851 or 8734 5080.Website: www.yhachina.com

Business

• GDP: US$4.5 trillion.• Main exports: Machinery and equipment, plastics, optical and medical equipment, iron and steel.• Main imports: Machinery and equipment, oil, mineral fuels, plastics, organic chemicals, optical and medical equipment, iron and steel. • Main trade partners: USA, Japan, Hong Kong (SAR), Korea (Rep) and Germany.

Economy

The vast Chinese economy has developed in fits and starts since the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949. Its basic structure is mostly that of a developing country, with the majority of the population employed on the land. However, there is a significant industrial base and expanding pockets of advanced manufacturing and technological enterprises, concentrated on the eastern coast and the Special Administrative/Economic Zones (including Hong Kong and Macau). The economy has undergone rapid and consistent growth of approximately 8 to 9 per cent annually since the introduction of economic reforms in the late 1980s. However, the new wealth has not been evenly distributed and there are now major disparities between what are sometimes known as the ‘blue China’ – the coastal cities and Special Zones – and the inland ‘brown China’ of low-grade agriculture, antiquated industrial operations and widespread social and economic deprivation. Although modernisation of the agricultural sector is underway, there has been a major shift of population from the countryside to the cities. And the Government is still prepared to undertake massive engineering projects such as the Three Gorges Dam hydro-electric project, which may displace anything up to one million people. China is the world’s largest producer of rice and a major producer of cereals and grain. Large mineral deposits, particularly coal and iron ore, provide the raw material for an extensive steel industry. China is self-sufficient in oil and is developing a petrochemicals industry. Other important minerals include tungsten, molybdenum, tin, lead, bauxite (aluminium), phosphates and manganese. In the last 10 years, central Government policy has switched the emphasis in development from heavy to light industry and promoted the evolution of a service sector. Chemicals and high technology industries have grown particularly quickly. The fundamental changes that have taken place in the Chinese economy were introduced under what was described as the ‘socialist market economy’, under which market mechanisms were introduced to attract foreign investment and improved trade terms. Foreign companies were encouraged both to sell products in China and to establish joint ventures – under certain conditions – with Chinese commercial organisations. Such problems as emerged were put into perspective by the 1997 Asian economic crisis. China, because of its vast domestic market and highly regulated banking system, did not suffer nearly as badly as many of the region’s smaller economies. Government targets for production and growth continued to be met and still are. In 2003, the economy accelerated to reach 10 per cent growth, the trade balance showed a healthy surplus, and price inflation was negligible. The economy has already begun to show the benefits of China’s recently acquired membership of the World Trade Organization in 2001. (This was a major foreign policy objective for the Jiang Government.) However, Chinese markets will now face competition from abroad. In 2005, China's central bank announced that it would stop pegging its currency to the US dollar; this could have potentially far-reaching effects on the global economy and US consumers.

Business Etiquette

Weights and measures are mainly metric, but several old Chinese weights and measures are still used. Liquids and eggs are often sold by weight. The Chinese foot is 1.0936 of an English foot (0.33m). Suits should be worn for business visits. Appointments should be made in advance and punctuality is expected. Visiting cards should be printed with a Chinese translation on the reverse. Business visitors are usually entertained in restaurants where it is customary to arrive a little early and the host will toast the visitor. It is customary to invite the host or hostess to a return dinner. Business travellers in particular should bear in mind that the Government of the United Kingdom recognises the Government of the People’s Republic of China as being the only Government of China, as do the United Nations. Best months for business visits are April to June and September to October. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1700, midday break of one to two hours.

Commercial Information

China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT)London office: 40-41 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5JQ, UK Tel: (020) 7321 2044.Website: www.ccpit.comBeijing office: 1 Fu Xing Men Wai Jie, Beijing 100860, People's Republic of China Tel: (10) 6801 3344. Website: www.ccpit.com

Climate

Climate

China has a great diversity of climates. The northeast experiences hot and dry summers and bitterly cold winters. The north and central region has almost continual rainfall, hot summers and cold winters. The southeast region has substantial rainfall, with semi-tropical summers and cool winters. Central, southern and western China are also susceptible to flooding, China is also periodically subject to seismic activity.

Required clothing

North – heavyweight clothing with boots for the harsh northern winters. Lightweight clothing for summer. South – mediumweight clothing for winter and lightweight for summer.

Communications

Telephone

IDD is available. Country code: 86. Antiquated internal service with public telephones in post offices, hotels and shops displaying a telephone unit sign. Domestic calls are cheaper to make between 2100 and 0700; it is also easier to get a connection during this time. It is often easier to make international phone calls from China than it is to make calls internally. There is a three-minute minimum charge for international calls.

Mobile telephone

Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. There is coverage in most major urban areas in the southeastern and eastern regions, including Chengdu and Chongqing. There is also coverage in Xi'an, Lhasa, Ürümqi. Elsewhere is sporadic coverage.

Internet

Internet is available in many areas of China; there are Internet cafes in Beijing and other main towns. The number of Internet users passed the 100 million mark in 2005. Beijing routinely blocks access to sites run by the banned spiritual movement Falun Gong, rights groups and some foreign news organisations. Postings by 'bloggers' are now being actively curbed.

Post

Service to Europe takes from between two days and one week. Tourist hotels usually have their own post offices. All postal communications to China should be addressed ‘People’s Republic of China’. Post office hours: 0800-19.00.

MEDIA

China's media are tightly controlled by the country's leadership. The industry has been opened up in the areas of distribution and advertising but not in editorial content. Access to foreign news providers is limited and re-broadcasting and the use of satellite receivers is restricted; shortwave radio broadcasts are jammed and websites are blocked. In general, the press report on corruption and inefficiency among officials, but the media avoid criticism of the Communist Party's monopoly on power. Hong Kong so far has retained its editorially free media. Each city has its own newspaper, usually published by the local Government, as well as a local Communist Party daily. Agreements are in place which allow selected channels - including stations run by AOL Time Warner, News Corp and the Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV - to transmit via cable in Guangdong province. In exchange, Chinese Central TV's English-language network is made available to satellite TV viewers in the US and UK. Beijing says it will only allow relays of foreign broadcasts which do not threaten 'national security' or 'political stability'. All foreign-made TV programmes will be subject to approval before broadcast. Press: The main English-language daily is the China Daily. There is also the weekly news magazine Beijing Review, with editions in English, French, German, Japanese and Spanish. National newspapers include The People's Daily and The Worker’s Daily, with many provinces having their own local dailies as well. News agencies include the state-run Xinhua and Zhongguo Xinwen She (aimed mainly at overseas Chinese nationals).TV: Chinese Central TV (CCTV) is a state-run national broadcaster, with networks that include English-language CCTV-9. Radio: China National Radio is state-run; China Radio International is a state-run external broadcaster with programmes in more than 40 languages.

Contact Addresses

Location

East Asia.

Time

GMT + 8. Despite the vast size of the country, Beijing time is standard throughout China.

Tibet Tourism Administration

18 Yuanlin Road, Lhasa, Tibet 850001, People’s Republic of China Tel: (891) 633 5472.

Tibet Tourism Office in Beijing

Room 4284 Oriental Kenzo Plaza, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100027, People’s Republic of China. Tel: (10) 8447 7899 or 6703 or 6503. Website: www.tibettour.net.cn/en/

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the UK

49-51 Portland Place, London W1B 1JL, UK Tel: (020) 7299 8426. Website: www.chinese-embassy.org.ukOpening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1230 and 1330-1700. Consular and visa section: 31 Portland Place, London W1B 1QD, UK Tel: (020) 7631 1430 (telephone enquiries: 1400-1600 only) or (09001) 880 808 (recorded visa and general information; calls cost 60p per minute). Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1200.

China National Tourist Office (CNTO) in the UK

71 Warwick Road, London SW5 9HB, UK Tel: (020) 7373 0888 or (09001) 600 188 (brochure request and general information; calls cost 60p per minute). Website: www.cnta.gov.cn

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the USA

2300 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA Tel: (202) 328 2500. Website: www.china-embassy.org Visa section: Room 110, 2201 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA Tel: (202) 338 6688.

China National Tourist Office (CNTO) in the USA

Suite 6413, 350 Fifth Avenue, Empire State Building, New York, NY 10118, USA Tel: (888) 760 8218 (information and trade enquiries). Website: www.discoverchinaforever.com

Duty Free

The following items may be imported into China by passengers staying less than six months without incurring customs duty: 400 cigarettes (600 cigarettes for stays of over six months); two bottles (up to 75cl each) of alcoholic beverages (four bottles for stays of over six months); a reasonable amount of perfume for personal use.

Prohibited items

Arms and ammunition (prior approval may be obtained courtesy of the travel agency used), imitation arms, pornography (photographs in mainstream Western magazines may be regarded as pornographic), radio transmitters/receivers, exposed but undeveloped film, loaded recording tapes and video, storage media for computers, fruit and certain vegetables (tomatoes, aubergines and red peppers), political and religious pamphlets (a moderate quantity of religious material for personal use is acceptable). Any printed matter directed against the public order and the morality of China. Only one of the following electrical appliances per person: camera, portable tape recorder, portable video camera, portable cine camera and portable computer.

Note

Customs officials may seize audio and videotapes, books, records and CDs to check for pornographic, political or religious material. Baggage declaration forms must be completed upon arrival noting all valuables (such as cameras, watches and jewellery); this may be checked on departure. Receipts for items such as jewellery, jade, handicrafts, paintings, calligraphy or other similar items should be kept in order to obtain an export certificate from the authorities on leaving. Without this documentation, such items cannot be taken out of the country.

Entertainment

Food & Drink

Chinese cuisine has a very long history and is renowned all over the world. Cantonese (the style the majority of Westerners are most familiar with) is only one regional style of Chinese cooking. There are eight major schools of Chinese cuisine, named after the places where they were conceived: Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Hunan, Jiangsu, Shandong, Sichuan and Zhejian. For a brief appreciation of the cuisine, it is possible to break it down into four major regional categories:Northern cuisine:Beijing food has developed from the Shandong school of cuisine.Specialities:• Peking Duck, which is roasted in a special way, and eaten in a thin pancake with cucumber and a sweet plum sauce. • Mongolian Hotpot, a Chinese version of fondue. It is eaten in a communal style and consists of a central simmering soup in a special large round pot into which is dipped a variety of uncooked meats and vegetables, which are cooked on the spot. • A cheap and delicious local dish is shuijiao, which is pasta-like dough wrapped round pork meat, chives and onions, similar in idea to Italian ravioli. These can be bought by the jin (pound) in street markets and small eating houses, and are a good filler if you are out all day and do not feel like a large restaurant dinner. It should, however, be noted that in the interest of hygiene, it is best to take your own chopsticks.Southern cuisineGuangdong (Cantonese) food is famous for being the most exotic in China. The food markets in Guangzhou are a testimony to this, and the Western visitor is often shocked by the enormous variety of rare and exotic animals that are used in the cuisine, including snake, dog, turtle and wildcat.Specialities:• Dim sum served at lunch.• Shrimp wonton noodle soup. Eastern cuisineShanghai and Zhejiang cooking is rich and sweet, often pickled. Noted for seafood, hot and sour soup, noodles and vegetables.Specialities:• La Mian (pulled noodles) served with curry beef soup.• Xiao Long Bao (small steamer bun), pan fried pork buns eaten dipped in vinegar.Western cuisineSichuan and Hunan food is spicy, often sour and peppery, with specialities such as diced chicken stirred with soy sauce and peanuts, and spicy doufu (beancurd).Specialities:• Sweet and sour chicken.• Orange beef.National drinks:• One of the best-known national drinks is maotai, a fiery spirit distilled from rice wine.• Local beers are of good quality, notably Qingdao, which is similar to German lager. • There are now some decent wines, which are produced mainly for tourists and export, such as Qingdao white wine.

Nightlife

Visitors can follow itineraries drawn up in advance, when sampling the nightlife of the larger cities, including a selection of prearranged restaurant meals and visits to Chinese opera, Chinese state circus, ballet and theatre. Local Chinese will tend to only drink socially with a formal meal so bars and nightclubs will generally only be found in the more cosmopolitan cities and major towns. Karaoke (written OK+ on Chinese signs) is a popular form of evening entertainment.

Shopping

All consumer prices are set by the Government, and there is no price bargaining in shops and department stores, although it is possible to bargain fiercely in small outdoor markets (of which there are many) for items such as jade, antique ceramics and also silk garments. All antiques over 100 years old are marked with a red wax seal by the authorities, and require an export customs certificate. The antique market in Changqing opens everyday. Access to normal shops is available, offering inexpensive souvenirs, work clothes, posters and books; this will prove much easier if accompanied by an interpreter, although it is possible to point or get the help of a nearby English-speaker. Items are sometimes in short supply, but prices will not vary much from place to place. In large cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, there are big department stores with four or five floors, selling a wide range of products. The best shopping is in local factories, shops and hotels specialising in the sale of handicrafts. Arts and crafts department stores offer local handicrafts. Special purchases include jade jewellery, embroidery, calligraphy, paintings and carvings in wood, stone and bamboo. Shop personnel often pack and arrange shipping for bulky items. It is advisable to keep receipts, as visitors may be asked to produce them at Customs prior to departure. Shopping hours: Mon-Sun 0900-1900.

General Information

Area

9,572,900 sq km (3,696,100 sq miles).

Population

1.3 billion (2005). Roughly a quarter of the world’s population lives in China.

Population Density

135.4 per sq km.

Capital

Beijing (Peking). Population: 13.8 million. The largest city in the country, Shanghai, has a population of over 18 million and, as of 2004, 11 other cities had a population of over two million and 23 cities had a population of one to two million.

Geography

China is bordered to the north by Russia and Mongolia; to the east by Korea (Dem Rep), the Yellow Sea and the South China Sea; to the south by Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, India, Bhutan and Nepal; and to the west by India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. China has a varied terrain ranging from high plateaux in the west to flatlands in the east; mountains take up almost one-third of the land. The most notable high mountain ranges are the Himalayas, the Altai Mountains, the Tian Shan Mountains and the Kunlun Mountains. On the border with Nepal is the 8848m-(29,198ft-) high Mount Qomolangma (Mount Everest). In the west is the Qinghai/Tibet Plateau, with an average elevation of 4000m (13,200ft), known as ‘the Roof of the World’. At the base of the Tian Shan Mountains is the Turpan Depression or Basin, China’s lowest area, 154m (508ft) below sea level at the lowest point. China has many great river systems, notably the Yellow (Huang He) and Yangtze Kiang (Chang Jiang). Only 10 per cent of all China is suitable for agriculture.

Government

People’s Republic. China comprises 23 Provinces, five Autonomous Regions, two Special Administrative Regions and four Municipalities directly under Central Government. Head of State: President Hu Jintao since 2003. Head of Government: Premier Wen Jiabao since 2003. Recent history: The National People’s Congress (NPC) is the most powerful organ of state and elects all those with the principal executive functions – the President and Vice-President of the People’s Republic, the Premier and Vice-Premier of the State Council (after nomination by the President), other members of the State Council and the heads of individual ministries. The State Council reports to the NPC or, when the Congress is not sitting, to its Standing Committee. The NPC is held every five years and attended by some 3000 delegates drawn from the provincial administrations, the military and various state organs. The NPC membership and all major appointments are ultimately under the control of the Chinese Communist Party, whose 22-member Politburo is effectively the country’s governing body. Hu Jintao became the Presidential heir-apparent at the 16th Communist Party Congress in 2002, when he succeeded Jiang Zemin as Head of the party. Hu Jintao has made the fight against corruption a priority. However, he has rejected Western-style political reforms.

Language

The official language is Mandarin Chinese. Among the enormous number of local dialects, large groups speak Cantonese, Shanghaiese, Fuzhou, Hokkien-Taiwanese, Xiang, Gan and Hakka dialects in the south. Mongolia, Tibet and Xinjiang, which are autonomous regions, have their own languages. Translation and interpreter services are good. English is spoken by many guides.

Religion

China is officially Atheistic, but the stated religions and philosophies are Buddhism, Daoism and Confucianism. There are 100 million Buddhists and approximately 60 million Muslims, five million Protestants (including large numbers of Evangelicals) and four million Roman Catholics, largely independent of Vatican control.

Electricity

220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin sockets and some three-pin sockets are in use. However, most 4-5 star hotels are wired for the use of 110 volt appliances.

SOCIAL CONVENTIONS

Cultural differences may create misunderstandings between local people and visitors. The Chinese do not usually volunteer information and the visitor is advised to ask questions. Hotels, train dining cars and restaurants often ask for criticisms and suggestions, which are considered seriously. Do not be offended by being followed by crowds, this is merely an open interest in visitors who are rare in the remoter provinces. The Chinese are generally reserved in manner, courtesy rather than familiarity being preferred. The full title of the country is ‘The People’s Republic of China’, and this should be used in all formal communications. ‘China’ can be used informally, but there should never be any implication that another China exists. Although handshaking may be sufficient, a visitor will frequently be greeted by applause as a sign of welcome. The customary response is to applaud back. Anger, if felt, is expected to be concealed and arguments in public may attract hostile attention. In China, the family name is always mentioned first. It is customary to arrive a little early if invited out socially. When dining wait until your seat is allocated by a nod or subtle indication. You should not begin eating until indicated to do so, and if using chopsticks do not position them upright in your rice bowl as the gesture symbolises death. Toasting at a meal is very common, as is the custom of taking a treat when visiting someone’s home, such as fruit, confectionery or a souvenir from a home country. If it is the home of friends or relatives, money may be left for the children. If visiting a school or a factory, a gift from the visitor’s home country, particularly something which would be unavailable in China (a text book if visiting a school, for example), would be much appreciated. Stamps are also very popular as gifts, as stamp-collecting is a popular hobby in China. A good gift for an official guide is a Western reference book on China. Conservative casual wear is generally acceptable everywhere and revealing clothes should be avoided since they may cause offence. Visitors should avoid expressing political or religious opinions. Photography: Not allowed in airports. Places of historic and scenic interest may be photographed, but permission should be sought before photographing military installations, government buildings or other possibly sensitive subjects.

Health

Health

1

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travellers arriving within six days of leaving an infected area.

2

Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to China. However, cholera is a slight risk in this country and precautions could be considered. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. For more information, see the Health appendix. A strain of Bengal cholera has been reported in western areas.

3

Poliovirus transmission has been shown by reliable data to have been completely interrupted since 1999 through eradication programmes.

4

Malaria risk exists throughout the country below 1500m except in Beijing, Gansu, Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, Jilin, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shanxi, Tibet (Xizang, except in the Zangbo River Valley in the extreme southeast) and Xinjiang (except in the Yili River Valley). North of 33°N, the risk lasts from July to November, between 33°N and 25°N from May to December, and south of 25°N throughout the year. The disease occurs primarily in the benign vivax form but the malignant falciparum form is also present and has been reported to be multidrug-resistant. The recommended prophylaxis in risk areas is atovaquone, doxycycline, or mefloquine in Hainan and Yunnan.

Food & drink

Outside main centres, all water used for drinking, brushing teeth or freezing should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other risks

Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is endemic in the central Yangtze river basin. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools that are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. There is some risk of plague. Hepatitis E is prevalent in northeastern and northwestern China and hepatitis A is common across the country. Hepatitis B is highly endemic. Tuberculosis is common in indigenous populations. Oriental liver fluke (clonorchiasis), oriental lung fluke (paragonimiasis) and giant intestinal fluke (fasciolopsiasis) are reported, and brucellosis also occurs. Bancroftian and brugian filariasis are still reported in southern China, visceral leishmaniasis is increasingly common throughout, and cutaneous leishmaniasis has been reported from Xinjiang. Haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome is endemic; the most recent epidemic was in September 2005 in the Jilin Province. There was a meningitis C epidemic in February 2005. Precautions should be taken against Japanese encephalitis, particularly in rural areas. Mite-borne or scrub typhus may be found in scrub areas of southern China. Altitude sickness can be a problem in parts of Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, Tibet, Xinjiang and Yannan. There were outbreaks of avian influenza (bird flu) amongst poultry in 2005 (see Travel Advice). There have been reported outbreaks of meningitis C in February 2005.Rabies is present, although the Government policy that bans dogs and cats from main cities makes this less of a risk in these areas. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Health care

Medical costs are low. Many medicines common to Western countries are unavailable in China. Medical facilities in international hospitals are excellent. There are many traditional forms of medicine used in China, the most notable being acupuncture. Medical insurance is strongly advised.

History and Government

History

China has one of the world’s oldest continuous civilisations. Shang Dynasty ‘oracle bone’ inscriptions, dating back to the 12th century BC, are easily recognisable as early forms of the ideograms, some of which are still used today in Chinese calligraphy. During much of China’s history, the collapse of a dynasty or the accession of a weak ruler would result in the country’s fragmentation into smaller kingdoms, until reunited once again under a new powerful dynasty. In the period of disunion following the Han Dynasty, Buddhism reached China along the Silk Road from Central Asia. During the Tang Dynasty (AD618–907), the Chinese civilisation spread to Korea, Japan and South-East Asia.In the 13th century, the Mongols under Genghis Khan overran Asia and Genghis’ grandson, Kublai Khan, founded the Yuan Dynasty in 1271. It was during this period that Marco Polo visited China. In 1368, Chinese rule was re-established by the Ming Dynasty, which built the Great Wall to prevent further incursions from the north. Despite this, the Manchus invaded China and founded their own Qing (Ch’ing) Dynasty in 1644.Modern Chinese history begins in 1840, with the Opium Wars, when Britain and other European powers imposed their will upon the ailing Qing Dynasty, forcing Chinese ports to accept opium consignments produced in India by the British East India Company. Hong Kong was ceded to Britain until 1997 for this purpose. In 1856, Canton, one of the ports forced to accept the trade during the First Opium War, put up concerted resistance. The Chinese suffered another defeat, this time at the hands of an Anglo-French alliance and further trading concessions were extracted from them at the 1858 treaty of Tientsin.Following the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1911, Sun Yat-sen founded the Republic of China but the country was plagued by civil war and warlords. When the Japanese imperial army invaded China in 1937, during its campaign to establish a Japanese empire throughout eastern Asia, the Chinese armed forces were still too poorly organised to put up much resistance. Eight years of brutal occupation followed, which has continued to sour relations between the two countries to this day. Following the defeat of the Japanese in 1945, civil war ensued between the Nationalists under Chiang Kai-shek and the Communists under Mao Zedong.In 1949, the remnants of the defeated Nationalists fled to Taiwan, while the victorious communists founded the People’s Republic of China. In the early days of the People’s Republic, a close alliance was forged with the Soviet Union but policy disagreements and personal antipathies led to a rupture in relations in 1960. Internally, the China of the 1960s was dominated by the convulsions of the Cultural Revolution – an attempt by the national leadership to re-invigorate the party and the country by launching campaigns to reassert its principles.In 1976, the two towering figures of post-revolutionary China, Premier Zhou Enlai and Communist Party Chairman Mao Zedong, both died within months of each other. Hua Guofeng first replaced Zhou as Premier, then went on to replace Mao as Party Chairman, and Zhao Ziyang became Premier. Hua left the Politburo after a series of further changes in the leadership in September 1982. The two prominent figures in the Government were now Zhao and the Chairman of the Communist Party Central Military Commission Deng Xiaoping. Under this pair, China began its major reform programme. It differed from those that have since been adopted by other socialist economies, particularly in Eastern Europe, in allowing a lesser degree of political ‘liberalisation’ in tandem with the economic measures. Collective farming was dismantled to allow private enterprise to grow. This was typical of the east Asian pattern of development since the 1970s, where economic progress has been afforded the greatest priority while political pluralism – specifically, significant organised opposition to the ruling party – has been largely suppressed.By the end of the 1980s, there was widespread agitation – particularly among students but with significant support from the wider community – in favour of political reform and action against the corruption that had become widespread since economic reform had begun. The situation came to a head in May 1989, when a group of several thousand students and workers occupied Tiananmen Square in central Beijing during the visit to the capital of the Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev. The Communist Party leadership was initially split on how to react but, after Gorbachev’s departure, the army was sent in and the square cleared with great loss of life. After that, the Government took decisive measures to reassert political control. The moderate Zhao Ziyang was replaced as Premier by hard-liner Li Peng who worked with Deng Xiaoping on the Government’s resolution of the internal disorder.As the 1990s progressed, the octo- and nonogenerians at the top of Chinese politics were gradually replaced. Jiang Zemin, who was appointed president in 1993, typified the new generation of leaders. Vice-President Hu Jintao was earmarked to take over from Jiang, and did so in 2003, in line with announcements made at the Communist Party Congress the previous October. Jiang, who in the nature of Chinese politics retained substantial influence over policy-making through his chairmanship of the powerful Central Military Commission, stood down in 2004. A new Vice-President, Zeng Qinghong and a new Premier, Wen Jiabao, were also appointed. The new Government quickly faced a major crisis in the form of an epidemic of SARS, a pneumonia-type virus with a high fatality rate. The initial reaction – denial followed by a refusal to admit the scale of the problem – was typical of the old regime but, under international pressure, the authorities have now come clean with the international community.Hu Jintao was originally a protégé of Deng Xiaoping and came to prominence as the head of the Chinese administration in Tibet in the 1980s, where he successfully put down a political uprising of Tibetans by imposing martial law. This far-western province had been put under Chinese military control in 1959, as the Mao Government sought to remove what they perceived as a reactionary, quasi-feudal regime dominated by a priestly class. In the course of their heavy-handed occupation, they have driven the much-revered leaders of Tibetan Bhuddism, including the Dalai Lama, into exile and have destroyed much of the Tibetan cultural and social infrastructure.Chinese policy in Tibet and especially Tiananmen Square caused difficulties for China’s relations with the West, both generally and for its major foreign policy objectives. These are three-fold – an improvement of relations with the United States of America, membership of the World Trade Organisation, and the reunification of the national territory, meaning – since the recovery of Hong Kong and Macau – Taiwan.After the ground-breaking 1971–72 Nixon-Kissinger visit, contacts with the USA developed at a glacial pace. US support for Taiwan is a constant irritant, as are incidents such as the 2001 US spy plane row (in which an American electronic eavesdropping aircraft was forced down by Chinese fighter planes). Within East Asia, the situation is further complicated by China’s involvement in one of the region’s more intractable territorial disputes, concerning the status of the Spratly Islands, a small uninhabited archipelago in the South China Sea, which is claimed by no less than six nations and is thought to sit above substantial oil fields. The Chinese have occasionally occupied some of the islands for a short period; their future is the subject of complex multilateral negotiation. Elsewhere in the region, Beijing remains concerned by the continuing tension between India and Pakistan (see India and Pakistan). China has consistently provided military support to Pakistan and considers India a rival and political foe. (One reason is that one of Beijing’s major irritants, the Tibetan religious leader, the Dalai Lama, operates from exile in northeast India.) However, Hu may permit tolerance in Tibet; he has refrained from vitriolic language used by his comrades and in 2001 stated that his Government was willing to "negotiate with the Dalai Lama when he declares Tibet and Taiwan are inalienable parts of China". Other foreign policy preoccupations are Vietnam and Russia. Despite historic enmities, relations with both have improved considerably since the early 1990s. As for Japan, the major issues are economic, although the historical legacy of Japan’s brutal occupation of China during the 1930s and 1940s continues to cast a shadow.

Government

The National People’s Congress (NPC) is the most powerful organ of state and elects all those with the principal executive functions – the President and Vice-President of the People’s Republic, the Premier and Vice-Premier of the State Council (after nomination by the president), other members of the State Council and the heads of individual ministries. The State Council reports to the NPC or, when the Congress is not sitting, to its Standing Committee. The NPC is held every five years and attended by some 3000 delegates drawn from the provincial administrations, the military and various state organs. The NPC membership and all major appointments are ultimately under the control of the Chinese Communist Party, whose 22-member Politburo is effectively the country’s governing body.

Money

Currency

1 Renminbi Yuan (CNY) = 10 chiao/jiao or 100 fen. Notes are in denominations of CNY100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1, and 5, 2 and 1 chiao/jiao. Coins are in denominations of CNY1, 5 and 1 chiao/jiao and 5, 2 and 1 fen.

Currency exchange

CNY is not traded outside China. Foreign banknotes and traveller's cheques can be exchanged at branches of The Bank of China. In hotels and Friendship Stores for tourists, imported luxury items such as spirits may be bought with Western currency. Scottish and Northern Irish banknotes cannot be exchanged.

Credit & debit cards

American Express, Diners Club, Eurocard/MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in major provincial cities in designated establishments. However, the availability of ATMs is often limited, and the acceptance of credit cards often unlikely away from the major cities.

Traveller's cheques

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.

Currency restrictions

Import and export of local currency is limited to CNY20,000. Import of foreign currency is up to US$1000 (US$5000 for non-residents). Higher amounts should be declared upon arrival. Export of foreign currency is limited to the amount imported and declared.

Exchange rate indicators

DateAt time of publishing£1.00=CNY14.27$1.00=CNY8.09

Banking hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1200, 1400-1700.

Overview

‘Cultural treasure-house of East Asia’China’s cultural riches and 5000 years of tumultuous history place it, without doubt, among the world’s greatest travel destinations. The Great Wall, X’ian’s Terracotta Army, the Forbidden Palace and Tiananmen Square: the very names reverberate with history and legend. China’s paradoxes are many: Shanghai’s skyscrapers contrast with Beijing’s historical treasures, while in rural provinces, mechanisation has not yet reached many traditional farming villages. Celebrated places and sights abound – this is the land of the Yangxi River, the Silk Route and the bamboo forests of the panda. Spectacular Guilin brings the vistas of rivers and misty peaks in traditional ink paintings to life, while far to the west, the fabled Tibetan city of Lhasa beckons pilgrims to ‘the roof of the world’. Chinese food – from noodles to Imperial banquets – ranks among the world’s great cuisines. From acrobatics to martial arts, calligraphy to Chinese opera, the vibrant, distinctive culture of this great land is everywhere to be seen. Now reunited with the mainland, visually stunning Hong Kong offers a warp-speed ‘shop till you drop’ lifestyle combined with enclaves of tradition and tranquil outlying islands. Nearby, exotic Macau is a gambler’s paradise with colonial Portuguese flair. Beijing, as the site of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, is facing enormous investment, which will see its historic areas refurbished and protected, and transport and accommodation improved.China’s tourism infrastructure is rapidly improving, but flexibility and patience are still required. In return, China rewards visitors with memories to be treasured for a lifetime.Lucy Moss

OverviewII

China is the cultural treasure-house of East Asia: its social riches and 5000 years of tumultuous history place it, without doubt, among the world’s greatest travel destinations. China has one of the world’s oldest continuous civilisations. The Great Wall, X’ian’s Terracotta Army, the Forbidden Palace and Tiananmen Square: the very names reverberate with history and legend. China’s paradoxes are many: Shanghai’s skyscrapers contrast with Beijing’s historical treasures, while in rural provinces, mechanisation is slow. This is not simply due to its sheer enormity and population of over one billion. China's history is one characterised by the collapse of a dynasty or the accession of a weak ruler that would fragment the country into smaller kingdoms until reunited. What has defined China most in recent times is the outcome of the civil war in 1945. Defeated Nationalists fled to Taiwan, while victorious Communists founded the People’s Republic of China. Internally, the China of the 1960s was dominated by the convulsions of the Cultural Revolution. But in 1976, the two towering figures of post-revolutionary China, Premier Zhou Enlai and Communist Party Chairman Mao Zedong, both died. China's contentious policies, however, did not end there. A major reform programme allowing little political ‘liberalisation’, despite economic change, prompted widespread protest; in 1989, thousands occupied Tiananmen Square in Beijing, only for the army to clear the Square with great loss of life and the Government to reassert political control. US support for Taiwan is a constant irritant. Within East Asia, China is involved in an intractable territorial dispute concerning the status of the Spratly Islands, claimed by no less than six nations and thought to sit above substantial oil fields. In the continuing tension between India and Pakistan, China has provided military support to Pakistan, considering India a political rival. When the Japanese imperial army invaded China in 1937, eight years of brutal occupation followed, which sours relations between the two countries to this day. Such complex history and politics are worrying, but, for some, infuse the landscape with greater allure. And what a landscape it has – this is the land of the Yangtze River, the Silk Route and the bamboo forests of the panda, bringing the vistas of rivers and misty peaks in traditional ink paintings to life. China justifiably holds 23 UNESCO World Heritage Sites within its borders. Even Chinese food ranks among the world’s great cuisines. From acrobatics to martial arts, calligraphy to Chinese opera, the vibrant, distinctive culture of this great land is everywhere to be seen. Tibet (Xihang) is known as ‘the Roof of the World’ and even the mere mention of the word evokes dreamy images of a mystical and dramatic territory. Tibet has only been open to tourists since 1980, so if you get the chance to go there, you should not turn it down. The Cultural Revolution, driven by Han Chinese, inflicted serious damage on Tibet’s cultural identity, but despite this, it has preserved its own way of life and religious traditions, helped in some cases by apologetic Chinese attempts at restoration. What any potential visitor should bear in mind is that the Chinese authorities react strongly to overseas visitors becoming involved with any political activity for Tibetan independence, including taking photographs or videotaping demonstrations, or taking Tibetan nationals’ correspondence or parcels out of the country. What makes up for this political quagmire is the spectacular scenery and uniquely fascinating Tibetan culture: its tradition of esoteric Buddhism is followed across Asia and is of great historical importance.China's rapid economic growth, with predictions that it may become the world's major economic power within decades, has generated controversy surrounding global warming and insufficient oil supplies. However, it has also spurred on China’s rapidly improving tourist infrastructure. Beijing is a perfect example. The city is currently undergoing great investment in both tourism infrastructure and historical renovation due to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Flexibility and patience are still required to travel around China but, in return, China rewards visitors with memories to be treasured for a lifetime.

Passport/Visa

Passport/Visa

Note

(a) China does not recognise dual nationality (eg US-Chinese, Canadian-Chinese). (b) Travellers are required to complete a health declaration certificate on arrival in China. HIV-positive travellers are not permitted to enter the country.

Passports

Required by all. Passport must be valid for at least six months for a single or double entry within three months of the date of visa issue; at least nine months for multiple entries within six months.

Visas

Required by all except:(a) 1. nationals of Brunei, Japan and Singapore for stays of up to 15 days;(b) transit passengers (except nationals of the USA, who always require a visa) continuing their journey by the same or first connecting plane to another country within 24 hours who hold valid onward documentation and do not leave the airport.

Types of visa and cost

Tourist/Business/Transit (UK nationals): £30 (single-entry); £45 (double-entry); £60 (multiple-entry for business visas only; six months); £90 (multiple entry for business visas only; 12 months and two to five years). Group (at least five people): £24 per person. Visa charges for other nationals vary; check with Embassy for further information.

Validity

Tourist, Business and Group visas are normally valid for three months from the date of issue (single and double-entry). Multiple-entry visas are normally valid for six months, 12 months or two to five years. The validity of Business visas varies. Transit visas are generally valid for up to seven days.

Application to

Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Passport/Visa Information. Visas should be applied for in person at least one month before departure. Group visas will usually be obtained by the tour operator or travel agent.

Application requirements

(a) Completed application form. (b) One recent passport-size photo. (c) Valid passport with at least one blank page. (d) Fee (payable in cash or by postal order only). Tourist: (a)-(d) and, (e) Return airline ticket or travel information about itinerary and confirmation of hotel reservation in China. Business: (a)-(d) and, (e) Official invitation (letter/fax) from a Chinese Government department or a Government-approved company indicating duration of stay and purpose of visit (original copies must be submitted for multiple-entry visas). Student: (a)-(d) and, (e) JW201 or JW202 form issued by the Ministry of Education of China, and letter of admission from Chinese university/college. Group (six people or more): (a)-(d) and, (e) Confirmation letter or fax from an authorised Chinese travel company. A list of all group members should be presented in triplicate. Photocopies of all group passports with the visa form number for each member. The serial number given to group members should be listed in order on the group visa form. There should be a front page covering information about the group. Transit: (a)-(d) and, (e) Visa for the next country of destination and letter from employer (if applicable).

Working days required

Three (72 hours). Two weeks for Group visas. Applications should be made at least one month in advance. A same-day service may be available at an extra cost of £20 per person, or a 48-hour service at £15 per person. Visas, however, cannot be issued on the same day unless the same-day airline ticket or itinerary is presented.

Note

(a) The majority of visits to China tend to be organised through the official state travel agency CITS (China International Travel Service). This liaison with CITS is generally handled by the tour operator organising the inclusive holiday chosen by the visitor, though it is possible for individuals to organise their own itinerary. Once the tour itinerary details have been confirmed to the visitor or visiting group, finances to cover accommodation and the cost of the tour must be deposited with CITS through a home bank. Once again, for package trips, all the necessary formalities for a visit to China can be handled by the tour operator concerned. (b) Those wishing to visit Tibet are strongly advised to join a travel group. Individual travellers need a special permit and should obtain permission to visit Tibet or Xinjiang from the following organisation before applying: Tibet Tourism Office (see Passport/Visa Information). Applicants will need to supply their Chinese Visa validity dates.

Temporary residence

Enquiries should be addressed to the Chinese Embassy.

Passport/Visa Information

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the UK49-51 Portland Place, London W1B 1JL, UKTel: (020) 7299 8426. Website: www.chinese-embassy.org.ukOpening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1230 and 1330-1700. Consular and visa section: 31 Portland Place, London W1B 1QD, UK Tel: (020) 7631 1430 (telephone enquiries: 1400-1600 only) or (09001) 880 808 (recorded visa and general information; calls cost 60p per minute). Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1200.Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the USA2300 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA Tel: (202) 328 2500. Website: www.china-embassy.org Visa section: Room 110, 2201 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA Tel: (202) 338 6688. Tibet Tourism OfficeRoom 3423 Poly Plaza, 14 Dongzhimen Nandajie, Beijing 100027, People’s Republic of China Tel: (10) 6500 1188 (ext 3423) or 6593 6538. Website: www.tibettour.net.cn/en

Public Holidays

Public Holidays

Below are listed the Public Holidays for the January 2006-June 2007 period.Jan 1 2006 New Year. Jan 29-31 Spring Festival, Chinese New Year. May 1 Labour Day. Oct 1-3 National Day.Jan 1 2007 New Year. Feb 18-20 Spring Festival, Chinese New Year. May 1 Labour Day. Oct 1-3 National Day.

Note

In addition to the above, other holidays may be observed locally and certain groups have official Public Holidays on the following dates:Mar 8 International Women’s Day. May 4 National Youth Day. May 23 Tibet Liberation Day. Jun 1 International Children’s Day. Aug 1 Army Day.

Resorts & Excursions

Introduction

China is a vast country, with long travel times between the many cultural, historical and natural wonders of the land, 23 of which have already been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Altogether there are 26 provinces, each with their own dialect and regional characteristics. The western provinces of Xinjiang, Tibet, Qinghai, Sichuan and Yunnan occupy an enormous area of land, and Sichuan alone is about the size of France. China International Travel Services (CITS), the state travel agency, tends to organise a good deal of the tours in China, although more and more specialist operators are running packages so visitors are now presented with a considerable choice of excursions. Independent travel is becoming both easier and more popular, a trend likely to increase with China’s accession to the World Trade Organization in 2001. For full details of independent travel in China, contact the China National Tourist Office (CNTO) (see Top Things To Do). Individual visitors wishing to travel to Tibet should note that they must obtain permits in advance from one of the Tibet Tourist Authority’s Tourism Offices (see Top Things To Do).

Beijing

The entire area of Beijing within the city limits is - in many ways - one great historic museum. The original city plan was divided in four. The innermost rectangle is the Forbidden City, now a museum and public park, but formerly the residence of the Ming and Qing emperors. The second rectangle forms the boundaries of the Imperial City, enclosing residences and parks for the former senior government officials. The outer rectangle forms the outer city with its markets and old residential districts. The Imperial Palace, lying inside the Forbidden City and surrounded by a high wall and broad moat, is probably China’s greatest surviving historical site. Dating from the 15th century, the Palace was home to a total of 24 emperors and, today, its fabulous halls, palaces and gardens house a huge collection of priceless relics from various dynasties. The surviving city walls are impressive monuments, as are the traditional hutongs, enclosed neighbourhoods of alleys and courtyards. Other points of interest are the Coal Hill (Mei Shan), a beautiful elevated park with breathtaking views; Beihai Park, the loveliest in Beijing; Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world, surrounded by museums, parks, the zoo and Beijing University; the Temple of Heaven, an excellent example of 15th-century Chinese architecture; the Summer Palace, the former court resort for the emperors of the Qing Dynasty reconstructed in traditional style in the early 1900s after Western attacks, looking out over the Kunming Lake; the Great Wall (see below), the section at Badaling being some 72km (45 miles) from Beijing; and the Ming Tombs, where 13 out of the 16 Ming emperors chose to be buried. Two magnificent tombs here have been excavated, one of which is open to the public. Beijing is facing great investment in both tourism infrastructure and historical renovation due to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The World Heritage sites, the Peking Man ruins at Zhoukoudian, the Great Wall, the Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, the Forbidden City and the Ming Tombs have been selected for restoration in the coming years.

Beyond Beijing

The Great Wall, built up in stages over 2000 years and said to be the only manmade structure visible from the moon, is a spectacular sight which should not be missed. Stretching for a distance of 5400km (3375 miles), it starts at the Shanhaiguan Pass in the east and ends at the Jiayuguan Pass in the west. The section at Badaling, built in stone and brick and dating back to the Ming Dynasty, is roughly 8m (26ft) high and 6m (20ft) wide. The Yungang Caves near Datong, west of Beijing, have awe-inspiring monumental Buddhist effigies carved into them. Equally impressive is the nearby Hanging Temple, clinging to a cliff, and the Yingxian Pagoda, China’s oldest surviving wooden pagoda. Beidaihe, a small seacoast resort with beaches, temples and parks, is a popular vacation area 277km (172 miles) from Beijing, favoured by the ruling elite. Attractions include the Yansai Lake and Shan Hai Guan, a massive gateway at the very start of the Great Wall, as well as elegant colonial-era villas. Chengde is the former summer retreat of the Qing emperors and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are many temples and parks, including the remains of the Qing Summer Palace with its impressive Imperial Garden. The Eight Outer Temples, lying at the foot of the hills to the northeast of the Palace, include the architectural styles of the Mongolians, Tibetans and other subject peoples.

The Northern Provinces

Xi’an

The capital of Shaanxi Province and often regarded as the true historic capital of China, Xi’an was once amongst the most magnificent cities in the world. For 13 dynasties, from the 11th century BC, the city was also the capital of China. It was the starting point of the ancient trade route with the West known as the Silk Road (see Silk Road section) and is now, after Beijing, the most popular tourist attraction in China. The city is most famous for the Tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang Di, who first united China under the Qin Dynasty in 200 BC, and its terracotta figures - over 6000 life-sized Terracotta Warriors and horses buried along with the emperor. Many other tombs from the Han and Tang Dynasties are still unexcavated. Despite damage inflicted during the Cultural Revolution, there are still numerous tombs, pavilions, museums and pagodas to be seen, such as the Big Wild Goose Pagoda with its spiral staircase, and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda.

Beyond Xi’an

Luoyang, lying east of Xi’an and its historical twin capital, has a fine museum of treasures. The fifth-century Longmen Buddhist Caves are among some of China’s finest, lined with carved effigies and monuments. Kaifeng, east of Luoyang and a Northern Song Dynasty capital, has a Jewish quarter formerly home to indigenous Chinese Jews, the Xiangguo Monastery, the Iron Pagoda from AD 1049, Fan Bo Pagoda (c. AD 977), and other relics of ancient courts and poets.

Jinan

The capital of Shandong Province, Jinan is known as the ‘City of Springs’; these provide the main tourist attraction. The city also has Buddhist relics, parks and lakes. Of particular interest is the Square Four Gate Pagoda, the oldest stone pagoda in China. Outside the city, Mount Taishan’s 72 peaks make up a mountain park with ancient pine and cypress trees, spectacular waterfalls, 1800 stone sculptures and a kilometre-long mountain stairway known as the ‘Ladder to Heaven’.

Beyond Jinan

Qingdao is admired for its blue seas and abundance of trees and flowers and is a former Treaty Port annexed by Germany. Like elsewhere in Asia, the Germans brought breweries, creating China’s ubiquitous Tsingtao Lager in 1902, but also built the fine German Concession buildings; there are also attractive traditional areas. Laoshan, east of Qingdao, is a fine mountain region with a famous monastery, the Taiqing Palace. In Qufu, close to Qingdao, the Mansion of Confucius was home to the sage’s descendants, and the enormous Temple of Confucius, with its many pavilions, was a centre for his worshippers. Today, the buildings store and display important historical records, art and cultural artefacts. Confucius’s tomb is in a cemetery just north of Qufu.

Far Northeastern Regions

Shenyang was once an imperial capital. Remains from this period include the Imperial Palace and two interesting tombs. The North Imperial Tomb, about 20km (13 miles) from the city, is the burial place of the founding father of the Qing (Ch’ing) Dynasty. Dalian is China’s third port. Formerly occupied by the Soviets, it is an airy and interesting bi-cultural city with some Russian architecture. Hohhot (meaning ‘green city’ in Mongolian) is the capital of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and one of the most colourful cities in China, with unique local architecture including the Five-Pagoda Temple. Tours of the grasslands can also be arranged. Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang Province, is a Russian-style industrial city. Harbin is host to the annual Harbin Summer Music Festival and a winter Ice Festival of ice sculptures.

Far Northwestern Regions

Lanzhou is an oasis on the Silk Road (see Silk Road section), and capital of Gansu Province, but the ugly city is chiefly noteworthy as a centre to visit the 34 early Buddhist caves at Bingling Lamasery. The White Pagoda Mountain Park is also an attractive retreat. Dunhuang, a 2000-year-old town on the edge of the desert, once an important Silk Road caravan stop, is famous for the Mogao Caves, some of the oldest Buddhist shrines in China and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These ancient murals and hand-carved shrines are a national treasure and represent a thousand years of devotion to Buddha between the 4th and 14th centuries. Some 500 exist today, and large areas of frescoes can still be seen. Also worth a visit when in Dunhuang are the Yueya (Crescent Moon) Spring, the Yang Guan Pass and the Mingsha Hill. Turpan and Urumqi are situated in the far northwest on the edge of the vast deserts of Xinjiang Province. These Muslim cities, lying on the Silk Road, are well known for the distinctive Islamic culture of the inhabitants. Turpan has a distinct and well-preserved architectural character, and is surrounded by spectacular scenery and interesting sites, including two ruined cities. Turpan is also the hottest place in China, lying in the Turpan Depression, the second-lowest point on earth next only to the Dead Sea. Nearby are the Flaming Mountains, which glow brightly at sunset. Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The city is inhabited by people of 13 different nationalities, including Mongolian, Kazakh, Russian, Tartar and Uzbek. The majority of the inhabitants are Muslim Uygurs who speak a Turkish language completely unrelated to Chinese. Northwest of Urumqi, a few hours’ bus ride away, is the beautiful Tianchi (Heavenly) Lake, a clear turquoise-coloured lake set in the midst of the Tian Shan range of mountains. Museums in both cities trace their fascinating histories.

The Eastern Provinces

Shanghai

This is one of the world’s largest cities and one of China’s most famous - more like New York or Paris than Beijing. Lying on the estuary of the Chang Jiang (Yangtze) River, it is the centre of China’s trade and industry. European-style architecture, traditional Chinese buildings and sleek modern developments all co-exist in this cosmopolitan metropolis. The Yuyuan Gardens date back over 400 years: although relatively small, they are impressive thanks to their intricate design, with pavilions, rockeries, ponds and a complete traditional theatre woven together in an ornate maze. The gardens are reached via the Town God Temple Bazaar, a touristy but impressive warren of lanes and stalls. The French Concession area has quiet, characterful colonial parks and neighbourhoods, while the Bund (a waterfront promenade) along the Huangpu River has the celebrated strip of Art Deco towers. From here, the dynamic new Pudong Development Area and the Oriental Pearl Tower can be viewed across the water. The city is paradise for gourmets with over 1000 restaurants serving over 16 styles of Chinese food.

Hangzhou

Situated about 190km (120 miles) south of Shanghai, Hangzhou is one of China’s seven ancient capital cities. Known as ‘Paradise on Earth’, Hangzhou was also described by Marco Polo as ‘the most beautiful and magnificent city in the world’. The city is also famous for its excellent silk and tea products. Today’s city is a beauty spot still visited by Chinese and foreign tourists in great numbers. By far the most attractive excursion, however, is to the West Lake area, dotted with weeping willows and peach trees, stone bridges, rockeries and painted pavilions. Here can be found the Pagoda of Six Harmonies, various tombs and sacred hills, monasteries and temples, not least the Linyin Temple.

Nanjing

Another former capital of China, Nanjing (meaning ‘southern capital’) is now capital of Jiangsu Province. The city lies on the Chang Jiang (Yangtze) River at the foot of Zijinshan (Purple Mountain). It abounds with temples, tombs, parks and lakes, museums, and monuments - foremost amongst them being the Xiaoling Tomb of the Ming Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, founding father of the Ming Dynasty and the only Ming emperor to be buried outside Beijing. The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum of China’s first president, Dr Sun Yat-sen, is also here. Other places of interest are the ruins of the Ming Palace, the Ming city wall, the Yangtze River Bridge with its observation deck, the Purple and Gold Mountains Observatory and the Tombs of the Southern Tang Dynasty, known as the ‘Underground Palace’.

Suzhou

This is one of China’s oldest cities, dating back some 2500 years. An old proverb says that ‘in Heaven there is Paradise; on earth, Suzhou’. Its riverside streets are reminiscent of Venice and there are many famous water gardens. There are over 400 historical sites and relics under the protection of the Government, such as the Blue-Waves Pavilion Garden on the outskirts, the Lion-Grove Garden which has rockeries resembling lions, the Humble Administrator’s Garden and the Garden of the Master of the Nets. The Grand Canal and Tiger Hill are also worth a visit. There are numerous silk mills producing exquisite fabrics, and the local embroidery is an unparalleled art form.

Wuxi

This industrial and resort city on the north bank of Lake Taihu, some 125km (75 miles) west of Shanghai, has some celebrated lakeside parks and gardens. Yangzhou to the west, supposedly once governed by Marco Polo, has a fine poetic tradition of gardens such as the Xu Garden and others along the Narrow West Lake, and old merchant houses. To the southwest, on Huangshan Mountain in the southern Anhui Province, trees cling to breathtaking rocky precipices amongst seas of cloud and clear natural springs and lakes. A UNESCO World Heritage Site for its natural beauty and wildlife, the mountain has a cablecar linking the summit and base.

Wuhan

Wuhan spans the Chang Jiang (Yangtze) River. As the capital of Hubei Province, it is an industrial centre. There are also Buddhist temples, lakes and parks, as well as the Yellow Crane Tower and the Hubei Provincial Museum, home to the famous Chime Bells, manufactured over 2400 years ago. Nearby in Danjiangou City, Wudang or Taihe Mountain houses an ancient building complex with temples, nunneries, palaces and pavilions. The Yangtze Three Gorges Dam project is the largest water conservation project in the world; it is located just outside Yichang City. Work has begun and it is due to be completed in 2009.

The Central Provinces

Chengdu

This booming capital of mountainous, distinctive Sichuan Province lies at the foot of the Tibetan plateau. Attractions include Tang Dynasty shrines, the house of the celebrated poet Du Fu, ancient parks and bamboo forests (the last stronghold of the giant panda), Buddhist temples and an ancient Buddhist monastery. Chengdu is a base for visiting Emei Shan, a famous mountain to which Buddhist pilgrims flock every year, and the holy mountains of Gongga and Siguniang. There is also the spectacular Grand Buddha of Leshan, a 70.7m- (225ft-) high coloured sculpture carved out of a cliff, so enormous that 100 people can fit on its instep, with the Grand Buddha Temple and Lingbao Pagoda beside it. In the Jiuzhaigou Ravine in northern Sichuan Province, there is a vast nature reserve where giant pandas can be seen in their natural habitat. The six official ‘scenic spots’ among the snowy peaks include Shuzheng, with waterfalls and 40 lakes of different colours where swimming and boating are allowed. Further north, the concentration of mineral salts in the water at Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) nature reserve has created beautifully coloured natural talpatate ponds and rock formations.

Chongqing

Located east of Dazu, Chongqing is perched magnificently above the Chang Jiang (Yangtze) River. A prosperous rather than beautiful city, it is a natural starting point for excursions to the Yangtze Gorges, whose most popular stretches are further east with poetic names like Witches Gorge and Shadowplay Gorge. These natural wonders are due to be completely submerged by 2009 after the completion of the Three Gorges Dam. In Dazu County, the Dazu Rock Carvings represent the pinnacle of Chinese rock art.

The Southern Provinces

Fuzhou

Situated in Fujian Province on the southeast coast opposite Taiwan, this beautiful city lies on the banks of the Min River. Dating back some 1400 years (to the Tang Dynasty), the city has numerous parks and temples, including the White Pagoda and Black Pagoda, and maritime reminders of its past as a colonial Treaty Port. Fuzhou also has hot springs dotted throughout the city. Further south, Mount Wuyi is an outstanding area of natural beauty and the cradle of neo-Confucianism.

Guangzhou (Canton)

Sometimes known as the ‘City of Flowers’, Guangzhou is a subtropical metropolis on the south coast. As a Special Economic Zone only 182km (113 miles) from Hong Kong, Guangzhou is developing at breakneck speed, but it has more established attractions, since it dates back to 221 BC and first welcomed European traders in 1516. Parks, museums, temples, hot springs and colonial architecture – especially on Shamian Island – are the main attractions. The Chenhai Tower, a 15th-century observation tower overlooking the Pearl River, the Huaisheng Mosque built by Arab merchants in AD 650, and the Tomb of the King of Southern Yue, a 2000-year-old relic of one of the region’s short-lived splinter kingdoms, are also worth visiting. Other attractions for those drawn by the gold rush mentality of Shenzhen include theme parks such as the World of Splendid China (with miniatures of Chinese heritage sites), and the China Folk Culture Villages.

Changsha

The capital of Hunan Province is close to the birthplace of Mao Zedong at Shaoshan. Most attractions revolve around Mao’s early life and there are museums and schools dedicated to him. One notable exception is the Han Tomb whose contents – including the 2000-year-old remains of a woman – are now in the Hunan Provincial Museum.

Lushan Mountain

Lying approximately 150km southeast of Wuhan, this is a well-known scenic area and summer resort with tranquil scenery and a comfortable climate. The mountain has been a haven for poets and hermits for centuries, and more recently for Chiang Kaishek, Mao Zedong, Harry Truman and other dignitaries. At its centre is Guling Town, at an altitude of 1167m.

Guilin

Located to the northwest of Guangzhou (Canton), Guilin is famous for its spectacular landscape of bizarre limestone formations, echoed so evocatively in the paintings and wall-hangings well known in the area. Steep monolithic mountains rise dramatically from a flat landscape of meandering rivers and paddy fields. Visitors can climb the hills, take river trips and visit the parks, lakes and caves. Further north is the Wulingyuan basin, centred on the town of Zhangjiajie. The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park contains dense primeval forest and several thousand steep mountain peaks, as well as Yellow Dragon Cave, Asia’s largest, with gnarled stalactites.

Kunming

The capital of Yunnan Province, which borders Vietnam, Myanmar and Laos, has its own distinctive identity as a newer, showcase city with some temples and very pretty lakeside parks. It is known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’ or the ‘Geneva of the Orient’ because of the pleasant alpine climate. Outside of Kunming are the major attractions of Xi Shan, the holy mountain, and the petrified limestone forest called Shilin, 120km (75 miles) southeast of Kunming. The ancient city of Lijiang, further west in Yunnan Province, is dominated by the Naxi ethnic people, and was the subject of the celebrated documentary Beyond The Clouds.

Hainan Island

This tropical island off the south coast of Guangdong Province has some fine beaches, palm groves, fresh seafood and coconuts. In 1989, Hainan Island became a separate province in its own right, and is now one of several Special Economic Zones, although it is not yet the ‘Hawaii of China’ it aspires to be, it is China's newest holiday area.

Tibet (Xizang)

Known as ‘the Roof of the World’, Tibet has only been open to tourists since 1980. Although it is possible to go to Tibet as an independent traveller (provided a permit is obtained), it is much more straightforward to go as part of a tour group on an organised itinerary. The scenery is spectacular and Tibetan culture is uniquely fascinating: its tradition of esoteric Buddhism is followed across Asia and is of great historical importance. The Cultural Revolution, driven by Han Chinese, inflicted serious damage on Tibet’s cultural identity, but despite this, it has preserved its own way of life and religious traditions, helped in some cases by apologetic Chinese attempts at restoration. Visitors should note, though, that the Chinese government has been actively settling Tibet with Han Chinese for some time, and many people they see or meet will not be Tibetans. Some travellers may experience health problems as a result of the altitude, so it is wise to consult a doctor prior to departure.

Lhasa

Known as ‘city of the gods’, Lhasa stands at an altitude of 3700m (12,000ft). Its wonderful light and clear skies are peculiar to its high mountainous terrain, but for six months of the year it is bitterly cold. The main highlights for tourists lie in the Potala or Red Palace, home to successive Dalai Lamas, which dominates Lhasa and the valley. This 7th-century edifice, built on a far more ancient site, is now a unique museum whose exhibits include labyrinths of dungeons beneath the Palace, gigantic bejewelled Buddhas and vast treasure hoards, 10,000 chapels with human skull and thigh-bone wall decorations and wonderful Buddhist frescoes, with influences from India and Nepal. The Potala Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other buildings of interest include the Drepung Monastery, the Norbulingka (Summer Palace) and the Jokhang Temple, with its golden Buddhas. Ask permission before taking photographs in Buddhist temples. There is also the Tibet Museum located in Norbulingka, Lhasa, which houses a rich collection of cultural relics.

Note

Individual visitors wishing to travel to Tibet should note that they must obtain permits in advance from one of the Tibet Tourist Authority’s Tourism Offices (see Top Things To Do). However, local border officials have been known to demand additional fees, sometimes violently. The Chinese authorities react strongly to overseas visitors becoming involved with any political activity for Tibetan independence, including taking photographs or videotaping demonstrations, or taking Tibetan nationals’ correspondence or parcels out of the country.

The Silk Road

This ancient trading route was opened up by Han Dynasty power from 138 BC when Emperor Han Wudi sent a mission into Central Asia and launched westwards extensions of the Great Wall into the Gobi Desert. Used by silk merchants from the second century AD until its decline in the 16th century, the Silk Road is open in parts to tourists eager to explore its heritage. This long string of caravan trails, oases, roads and mountain passes, stretched from northern China, through bleak and foreboding desert and mountainous terrain to the ports on either the Caspian Sea or Mediterranean Sea, and was the conduit for goods and ideas passing between ancient China and the West. The Mongols later used the Silk Road to bind their vast empire, as Marco Polo found when he travelled it in the 13th century. The two main routes are split into the north route and the south route: the north starting in China at Xi’an, running through the Gansu Corridor, Dunhuang, Jade Gate Pass to the neck of the Gobi desert, following the Tianshan mountains round the fringes of the Taklimakan desert to Kashgar (Xinjiang province), across the Pamirs to Samarkand or Tashkent (Uzbekistan) onto the Caspian Sea. The south route runs with the north until the Jade Gate Pass and then stretches round the southern edges of the Taklimakan desert to Kashgar and then over the Karakorum mountain range (see Karakorum Highway in the Pakistan section) into India. The Silk Road was a major highway for the spread of Buddhism into East Asia, and later for the growth of Islam, and consequently a number of monasteries, grottos, stupas, minarets and other ruins dating back to the early centuries can still be seen along the way. Other attractions of the route are the diverse scenery, various minority peoples and romantic cities. Within China, the main sights are found in Xinjiang Province, including the Buddhist grottos at Dunhuang and ancient relics at Turpan, such as the ruins of the city of Jiaohe and the lively Sunday market at Kashgar. Travel along the Silk Road can be quite difficult due to the terrain, harsh climate and lack of developed infrastructure. Visitors to the region are advised to travel with an organised tour company or travel agent.

Sport & Activities

Cycling

An estimated 300 million Chinese people use the bicycle as a means of transport and, not surprisingly, bicycle hire shops can be found everywhere, even in smaller towns. Visitors should note that car traffic has been increasing in China, particularly in Beijing, where traffic and pollution levels are high. Major roads outside cities also tend to be busy.

Hiking and trekking

China’s main natural attractions are its scenic mountains, waterfalls, caverns and great rivers and lakes. No permit is required for hiking, although a trekking permit is compulsory (and fairly expensive) for visiting more remote areas. For details of the necessary practicalities for individual hiking or trekking and for a list of specialised tour operators, contact the China National Tourist Office (see Top Things To Do). The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (also known as ‘the roof of the world’) is one of the world’s most famous mountaineering destinations. Some of the world’s highest mountains define the southern border of Tibet, including Mount Everest (or Qoomolangma), 8848m (29,021ft), Namcha Barwa, 7756m (25,445ft), around which the Brahmaputra River carves a fantastic gorge to enter India, and Gurla Mandhata, 7728m (25,355ft). Among the 14 peaks on earth above 8000m, five are located in Tibet. The Tibetan approach to Mount Everest provides far better views than the Nepal side. Some 27,000 sq km around Everest’s Tibetan face have been designated as the Qoomolangma Nature Reserve. For foreign travellers, the Everest Base Camp has become the most popular trekking destination in Tibet. The two access points are Shegar and Tingri, along the Friendship Highway to Nepal, but visitors should note that these treks are very demanding and that the altitude requires some acclimatisation (one or two days). 4-wheel-drive vehicles can also take visitors all the way to base camp along the Shegar track. For practicalities on how to enter Tibet, see Tibet in the Resorts & Excursions section or the Passport/Visa section.

Winter sports

It is possible to ice skate on Beijing’s lakes during winter. Downhill and cross-country skiing can be practised in the North-east province of Jilin.

Martial arts

The ancient ‘shadow art’ of Tai Chi, a series of linked movements performed in a slow relaxed manner using the entire body whilst focusing the mind, is traditionally practised in towns throughout China, particularly in the early morning hours, and visitors wishing to learn or participate are welcome.

Water Sports

The Qingdao International Sailing Marina will open in 2006 ready to be used for the 2008 Olympics. Scuba diving is available at Hainan Island and is excellent.

Spectator Sports

Shanghi has seen vast investment in sporting amenities, and has newly constructed facilities for football, volleyball, badminton, tennis and athletics.

Top Things To Do

Top things to do

• An estimated 300 million Chinese people use the bicycle as a means of transport and, not surprisingly, bicycle hire shops can be found everywhere, even in smaller towns. China offers ideal and diverse terrain for cycling. • China’s main natural attractions are its scenic mountains, waterfalls, caverns and great rivers and lakes. No permit is required for hiking, although a trekking permit is compulsory (and fairly expensive) for visiting more remote areas. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (also known as ‘the roof of the world’) is one of the world’s most famous mountaineering destinations. Some of the world’s highest mountains define the southern border of Tibet, including Mount Everest (or Qoomolangma), 8848m (29,021ft), Namcha Barwa, 7756m (25,445ft), around which the Brahmaputra River carves a fantastic gorge to enter India, and Gurla Mandhata, 7728m (25,355ft). Among the 14 peaks on earth above 8000m, five are located in Tibet. The Tibetan approach to Mount Everest provides far better views than the Nepal side. Some 27,000 sq km around Everest’s Tibetan face have been designated as the Qoomolangma Nature Reserve. For foreign travellers, the Everest Base Camp has become the most popular trekking destination in Tibet. The two access points are Shegar and Tingri, along the Friendship Highway to Nepal. 4-wheel drive vehicles can also take visitors all the way to base camp along the Shegar track. • The capital of Shandong Province, Jinan's Mount Taishan’s 72 peaks make up a mountain park with ancient pine and cypress trees, spectacular waterfalls, 1800 stone sculptures and a kilometre-long mountain stairway known as the ‘Ladder to Heaven’. Laoshan is a fine mountain region. Near Yangzhou, Huangshan Mountain has trees that cling to its breathtaking rocky precipices amongst seas of cloud and clear natural springs and lakes. A UNESCO World Heritage Site for its natural beauty and wildlife, the mountain has a cablecar linking the summit and base. The six official ‘scenic spots’ among the snowy peaks of the Sichuan Province include Shuzheng, with waterfalls and 40 lakes of different colours where swimming and boating are allowed. Further north, the concentration of mineral salts in the water at Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) nature reserve has created beautifully coloured natural talpatate ponds and rock formations. Chongqing is perched magnificently above the Chang Jiang (Yangtze) River and is a natural starting point for excursions to the Yangtze Gorges, whose most popular stretches are further east with poetic names like Witches Gorge and Shadowplay Gorge. These natural wonders are due to be completely submerged by 2009 after the completion of the Three Gorges Dam, so should be seen with as much haste as possible. Near Fuzhou, Mount Wuyi is an outstanding area of natural beauty and the cradle of neo-Confucianism. Lushan Mountain is a well-known scenic area and summer resort with tranquil scenery and a comfortable climate. The mountain has been a haven for poets and hermits for centuries, and more recently for Chiang Kaishek, Mao Zedong, Harry Truman and other dignitaries. At its centre is Guling Town, at an altitude of 1167m. In Guilin is a spectacular landscape of bizarre limestone formations. Steep monolithic mountains rise dramatically from a flat landscape of meandering rivers and paddy fields. Visitors can climb the hills, take river trips and visit the parks, lakes and caves. Further north is the Wulingyuan basin, centred on the town of Zhangjiajie. The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park contains dense primeval forest and several thousand steep mountain peaks, as well as Yellow Dragon Cave, Asia’s largest, with gnarled stalactites. Outside of Kunming are the major attractions of Xi Shan, the holy mountain, and the petrified limestone forest called Shilin. • You might not associate China with beaches but Hainan Island off the south coast of Guangdong Province has just that. This tropical island has some fine sea and sand, palm groves, fresh seafood and coconuts. In 1989, Hainan Island became a separate province in its own right, and is now one of several Special Economic Zones. It is still not yet the ‘Hawaii of China’ it aspires to be, but it is certainly China's 'latest' holiday area. • Try the ancient ‘shadow art’ of Tai Chi, a series of linked movements performed in a slow relaxed manner using the entire body whilst focusing the mind. Traditionally practised in towns throughout China, particularly in the early morning hours, visitors wishing to learn or participate are welcome. • Attend the Spring Festival, the most important festival in the year for the Chinese, when families get together and share a sumptuous meal on the eve of the Chinese New Year. Homes are festooned with banners and pictures to bring good fortune. Other activities associated with the festival include the lion dance, the dragon-lantern dance and stilt walking. • Chinese New Year festivities have to be seen to be believed: an extravaganza of colour and custom, there are guaranteed to be parades, lantern shows, singing and dancing.

Tourist Information

Tibet Tourism Administration 18 Yuanlin Road, Lhasa, Tibet 850001, People’s Republic of China Tel: (891) 633 5472. Tibet Tourism Office in Beijing Room 4284 Oriental Kenzo Plaza, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100027, People’s Republic of China. Tel: (10) 8447 7899 or 6703 or 6503. Website: www.tibettour.net.cn/en China National Tourist Office (CNTO) in the UK 71 Warwick Road, London SW5 9HB, UK Tel: (020) 7373 0888 or (09001) 600 188 (brochure request and general information; calls cost 60p per minute). Website: www.cnta.gov.cn China National Tourist Office (CNTO) in the USA Suite 6413, 350 Fifth Avenue, Empire State Building, New York, NY 10118, USA Tel: (888) 760 8218 (information and trade enquiries). Website: www.discoverchinaforever.com

Top Things To See

Top things to see

• The entire area of Beijing within the city limits is - in many ways - one great historic museum. The innermost rectangle is the Forbidden City, now a museum and public park, but formerly the residence of the Ming and Qing emperors. The second rectangle forms the boundaries of the Imperial City, enclosing residences and parks for the former senior Government officials. The outer rectangle forms the outer city with its markets and old residential districts. The Imperial Palace, lying inside the Forbidden City and surrounded by a high wall and broad moat, is probably China’s greatest surviving historical site. Dating from the 15th century, the Palace was home to a total of 24 emperors and, today, its fabulous halls, palaces and gardens house a huge collection of priceless relics from various dynasties. The surviving city walls are impressive monuments, as are the traditional hutongs, enclosed neighbourhoods of alleys and courtyards. Other points of interest are the Coal Hill (Mei Shan), a beautiful elevated park with breathtaking views; Beihai Park, the loveliest in Beijing; Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world, surrounded by museums, parks, the zoo and Beijing University; the Temple of Heaven, an excellent example of 15th-century Chinese architecture; the Summer Palace, the former court resort for the emperors of the Qing Dynasty reconstructed in traditional style in the early 1900s after Western attacks, looking out over the Kunming Lake; and the Ming Tombs, where 13 out of the 16 Ming emperors chose to be buried.• They say that the Great Wall, built up in stages over 2000 years, is the only humanmade structure visible from the moon; but why not save yourself the bother of shuttling into space and see this spectacular sight in its stunning, mountainous location? Stretching for a distance of 5400km (3375 miles), it starts at the Shanhaiguan Pass in the east and ends at the Jiayuguan Pass in the west. The section at Badaling, built in stone and brick and dating back to the Ming Dynasty, is roughly 8m (26ft) high and 6m (20ft) wide. • Be dazzled by China's great monuments to Buddhism. The Yungang Caves near Datong, west of Beijing, have awe-inspiring monumental Buddhist effigies carved into them. In Luoyang, Xi’an's historical twin capital, the fifth-century Longmen Buddhist Caves are among some of China’s finest, lined with carved effigies and monuments. Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province, is chiefly noteworthy as a centre to visit the 34 early Buddhist caves at Bingling Lamasery. Dunhuang is famous for the Mogao Caves, some of the oldest Buddhist shrines in China and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Chengdu is a base for visiting Emei Shan, a famous mountain to which Buddhist pilgrims flock every year, and the holy mountains of Gongga and Siguniang. There is also the spectacular Grand Buddha of Leshan, a 70.7m- (225ft-) high coloured sculpture carved out of a cliff, so enormous that 100 people can fit on its instep, with the Grand Buddha Temple and Lingbao Pagoda beside it. • China brims over with staggering documents of history. The Yingxian Pagoda is China’s oldest surviving wooden pagoda. Kaifeng, a Northern Song Dynasty capital, has an Iron Pagoda from AD 1049, and a Fan Bo Pagoda (c. AD 977), plus other relics of ancient courts and poets. Jinan's Square Four Gate Pagoda is the oldest stone pagoda in China. Guangzhou (Canton) contains the Huaisheng Mosque built by Arab merchants in AD 650, and the Tomb of the King of Southern Yue, a 2000-year-old relic of one of the region’s short-lived splinter kingdoms. In Qufu, close to Qingdao, the Mansion of Confucius was home to the sage’s descendants, and the enormous Temple of Confucius, with its many pavilions, was a centre for his worshippers. Confucius’ tomb is in a cemetery just north of Qufu. The North Imperial Tomb, about 20km (13 miles) from Shenyang, is the burial place of the founding father of the Qing (Ch’ing) Dynasty. Hohhot (meaning ‘green city’ in Mongolian) is the capital of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and one of the most colourful cities in China, with unique local architecture including the Five-Pagoda Temple. Nanjing possesses the Xiaoling Tomb of the Ming Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, founding father of the Ming Dynasty and the only Ming emperor to be buried outside Beijing. The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum of China’s first president, Dr Sun Yat-sen, is also here. • Whilst you are absorbing such history, pay a visit to Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi Province in the north and often regarded as the true historical capital of China. For 13 dynasties, from the 11th century BC, the city was also the capital of China and is now, after Beijing, the most popular tourist attraction in China. The city is most famous for the Tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang Di, who first united China under the Qin Dynasty in 200 BC, and its terracotta figures - over 6000 life-sized Terracotta Warriors and horses buried along with the emperor. Despite damage inflicted during the Cultural Revolution, there are still numerous tombs, pavilions, museums and pagodas to be seen, such as the Big Wild Goose Pagoda with its spiral staircase, and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. • In the Eastern Provinces, Shanghai is one of the world’s largest cities and one of China’s most famous - more like New York or Paris than Beijing. Lying on the estuary of the Chang Jiang (Yangtze) River, it is the centre of China’s trade and industry. European-style architecture, traditional Chinese buildings and sleek modern developments all co-exist in this cosmopolitan metropolis. The Yuyuan Gardens date back over 400 years: although relatively small, they are impressive thanks to their intricate design, with pavilions, rockeries, ponds and a complete traditional theatre woven together in an ornate maze. The gardens are reached via the Town God Temple Bazaar, a touristy but impressive warren of lanes and stalls. The French Concession area has quiet, characterful colonial parks and neighbourhoods, while the Bund (a waterfront promenade) along the Huangpu River has the celebrated strip of Art Deco towers. From here, the dynamic Pudong Development Area and the Oriental Pearl Tower can be viewed across the water. • Discover Hangzhou, one of China’s seven ancient capital cities. Known as ‘Paradise on Earth’, Hangzhou was also described by Marco Polo as ‘the most beautiful and magnificent city in the world’. The city is also famous for its excellent silk and tea products. Today’s city is a beauty spot still visited by Chinese and foreign tourists in great numbers. By far the most attractive excursion is to the West Lake area, dotted with weeping willows and peach trees, stone bridges, rockeries and painted pavilions. Here can be found the Pagoda of Six Harmonies, various tombs and sacred hills, monasteries and temples, not least the Linyin Temple. • See China's version of Venice, Suzhou, dating back some 2500 years. An old proverb says that ‘in Heaven there is Paradise; on earth, Suzhou’. Its riverside streets many famous water gardens are guaranteed to delight. There are over 400 historical sites and relics under the protection of the Government, such as the Blue-Waves Pavilion Garden on the outskirts, the Lion-Grove Garden which has rockeries resembling lions, the Humble Administrator’s Garden and the Garden of the Master of the Nets. The Grand Canal and Tiger Hill are also worth a visit. There are numerous silk mills producing exquisite fabrics, and the local embroidery is an unparalleled art form. • Spot some unique wildlife: Chengdu's ancient parks and bamboo forests are the last stronghold of the giant panda. In the Jiuzhaigou Ravine in northern Sichuan Province, there is a vast nature reserve where giant pandas can be seen in their natural habitat. • Tibet's main town, Lhasa, is known as the ‘city of the gods’, standing at an altitude of 3700m (12,000ft). Its wonderful light and clear skies are peculiar to its high mountainous terrain. The main highlights for tourists lie in the Potala or Red Palace, home to successive Dalai Lamas, which dominates Lhasa and the valley. This seventh-century edifice, built on a far more ancient site, is now a unique museum whose exhibits include labyrinths of dungeons beneath the Palace, gigantic bejewelled Buddhas and vast treasure hoards, numerous chapels with human skull and thigh-bone wall decorations and wonderful Buddhist frescoes, with influences from India and Nepal. The Potala Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other buildings of interest include the Norbulingka (Summer Palace) and the Jokhang Temple with its golden Buddhas. • Journey the Silk Road and explore this ancient trading route, opened up by the Han Dynasty power from 138 BC, when Emperor Han Wudi sent a mission into Central Asia and launched westwards extensions of the Great Wall into the Gobi Desert. Used by silk merchants from the second century AD until its decline in the 16th century, the Silk Road is open in parts to tourists eager to explore its heritage. This long string of caravan trails, oases, roads and mountain passes, stretched from northern China, through bleak and foreboding desert and mountainous terrain to the ports on either the Caspian Sea or Mediterranean Sea, and was the conduit for goods and ideas passing between ancient China and the West. The Mongols later used the Silk Road to bind their vast empire, as Marco Polo found when he travelled it in the 13th century. The two main routes are split into the north route and the south route: the north starting in China at Xi’an, running through the Gansu Corridor, Dunhuang, Jade Gate Pass to the neck of the Gobi desert, following the Tianshan mountains round the fringes of the Taklimakan desert to Kashgar (Xinjiang Province), across the Pamirs to Samarkand or Tashkent (Uzbekistan) onto the Caspian Sea. The south route runs with the north until the Jade Gate Pass and then stretches round the southern edges of the Taklimakan desert to Kashgar and then over the Karakorum mountain range (see Karakorum Highway in the Pakistan section) into India. The Silk Road was a major highway for the spread of Buddhism into East Asia, and later for the growth of Islam. Within China, the main sights are found in Xinjiang Province, including the Buddhist grottos at Dunhuang and ancient relics at the architecturally distinct Turpan (it has retained its Islamic character and is also the hottest place in China, lying in the Turpan Depression, the second-lowest point on Earth next only to the Dead Sea), such as the ruins of the city of Jiaohe, the lively Sunday market at Kashgar and the Flaming Mountains, which glow brightly at sunset. Tianchi (Heavenly) Lake is a clear turquoise-coloured lake set in the midst of the Tian Shan range of mountains.

Tourist Information

Tibet Tourism Administration 18 Yuanlin Road, Lhasa, Tibet 850001, People’s Republic of China Tel: (891) 633 5472. Tibet Tourism Office in Beijing Room 4284 Oriental Kenzo Plaza, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100027, People’s Republic of ChinaTel: (10) 8447 7899 or 6703 or 6503. Website: www.tibettour.net.cn/en China National Tourist Office (CNTO) in the UK 71 Warwick Road, London SW5 9HB, UK Tel: (020) 7373 0888 or (09001) 600 188 (brochure request and general information; calls cost 60p per minute). Website: www.cnta.gov.cn China National Tourist Office (CNTO) in the USA Suite 6413, 350 Fifth Avenue, Empire State Building, New York, NY 10118, USA Tel: (888) 760 8218 (information and trade enquiries). Website: www.discoverchinaforever.com

Travel - Internal

Air

Most long-distance internal travel is by air. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) operates along routes linking Beijing to over 80 other cities by 14 regional airlines, covering all major cities and some sites. CAAC controls several other private carriers including China Eastern, China Northern, China Southern, Great Wall and Yunnan Airlines. Tickets will normally be purchased by guides and the price will be included in any tour costs. Independent travellers can also book through the local Chinese International Travel Service (CITS), which charges a small commission, or alternatively buy tickets in booking offices or at some hotel travel desks. It is advisable to purchase internal air tickets well in advance if travelling during May, September or October. The tourist price for a ticket is 70 per cent on a train ticket and 100 per cent on an air ticket. There are many connections to Hong Kong from Beijing/Guangzhou (Peking/Canton) as well as other cities. Tickets are always overbooked so seats must be confirmed before travel. Inevitable delays in services must be taken into account. Airport announcements are not multilingual. Safety records are variable. Note: Where possible, travellers are advised to fly in UK or North American aircraft which are used by larger airlines.

Departure tax

CNY50. Payable in Chinese currency only.

Sea/River

All major rivers are served by river ferries, especially the Yangzi. Coastal ferries operate between Dalian, Tianjin (Tientsin), Qingdao (Tsingtao) and Shanghai. There are regular ferry services between mainland China and Hong Kong, conditions on which vary.

Rail

Railways provide the principal means of transport for goods and people throughout China. The routes are generally cheap, safe and well maintained. Routes operate between major cities; services include Beijing to Guangzhou, Shanghai, Harbin, Chengdu and Urumqi. There are three types of train, of which Express is the best. There are four types of fare: hard seat, soft seat (only on short-distance trains such as the Hong Kong to Guangzhou (Canton) line), hard sleeper and soft sleeper. Children under 1m (3ft) tall travel free and those under 1.3m (4ft) pay a quarter of the fare. Generally rail travel is comfortable but time-consuming due to vast distances between destinations.The 1142km (710 miles) Qinghai to Tibet railway from Golmud in Qinghai to Lhasa in Tibet will be put into trial operation by July 2006. It is the most elevated rail route in the world, reaching an altitude of up to 5,072m (16,640 feet).

Road

It is possible to reach 80 per cent of settlements by road. Roads are not always of the highest quality. Distances should not be underestimated and vehicles should be in prime mechanical condition as China is still very much an agricultural nation without the mechanical expertise or services found in the West. From Beijing to Shanghai is 1461km (908 miles), and from Beijing to Nanjing (Nanking) is 1139km (718 miles). A superhighway links Beijing and Tianjin, and a 138 km (86 miles) four-lane toll highway links Hangzhou and the port of Ningbo in the Zhejiang province. Traffic drives on the right. Bus: Reasonable services are operated between the main cities. Buses are normally crowded, but reach parts of the country that trains do not. There are some more expensive luxury buses. Car hire: Available, but most rental companies’ policy of retaining the driver’s passport makes self-drive car hire impossible in practice for visitors. Cars with a driver can be hired on a daily or weekly basis. Driving standards are erratic.

Urban

There is a metro system in Shanghai and limited metro services in Beijing and Tianjin, and tramways and trolleybuses in a number of other cities. New lines are under construction in Beijing. Guides who accompany every visitor or group will ensure that internal travel within the cities is as trouble-free as possible. Most cities have public transit systems, usually bus. Taxi: Taxis are available in large cities from most hotels and shopping districts, and are permitted to stop at the passenger's signal. It is best to check if the taxi is metered. If not, then it is important to agree a fare beforehand, especially at railway stations where it is best to bargain before getting into the taxi. Visitors should write down their destination before starting any journey as most drivers do not speak English. Taxis can be hired by the day. Most people travel by bicycle or public transport. In most cities, bicycles or other types of rickshaws are available for short rides.

Travel times

False

Travel - International

Air

The national airline is Air China (CA) (website: www.airchina.com.cn/en). Airlines serving China include: British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines and many others.

Note

Travellers should ensure that they re-confirm their return flight reservations, as overbooking by airlines has led to people being stranded in China.

Approximate flight times

From Beijing to London is approximately 10 hours, to New York is 22 hours, to Los Angeles is 12 hours, and to Sydney is 12 hours.

Main airports

Beijing/Peking (BJS/PEK) airport (Capital International Central) is 28km (18 miles) northeast of the city. To/from the airport: Buses and taxis area available (travel time – 40 minutes). Guangzhou Baiyun International airport opened in 2004 and is 12km (7 miles) north of Guangzhou (travel time – 25 minutes).Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) airport is 13km (8 miles) southwest of the city (travel time – 25 to 40 minutes). Shanghai Pudong (PVG) airport, in the eastern financial district, is 30km (19 miles) from the city centre. To/from the airport: Buses and taxis are available (travel time – 50 minutes). Pudong is a major international airport with a magnetic levitation train and an underground link (due for expansion to connect Pudong with Hongqiao).Facilities: All the above airports include duty free shops, banks/bureaux de change, post offices, business facilities, Internet, bars and restaurants. There are also airports at other major cities.

Departure tax

CNY90. Paid in Chinese currency only. Children under 12 and transit passengers (proceeding within 24 hours) are exempt.

Sea

Main ports: Fuzhou (Foochow), Guangzhou (Canton), Hong Kong/Kowloon, Qingdao (Tsingtao) and Shanghai. Pearl Cruises operates over 20 cruises a year to China. Other cruise lines include Holland America, Princess, Seabourn and Silversea. There are regular ferry services linking most Chinese ports with Kobe in Japan and the west coast of Korea (Dem Rep). There are regular ferries between Shanghai and Osaka in Japan. Regular ferry services operate between Weihai, Qingdao, Tianjin and Shanghai in China to Incheon in Korea (Dem Rep). There are daily hovercraft services between Hong Kong and Guangzhou, which also serves Shekou, Shenzhen and Zhuhai.

Rail

International services run from Beijing to Moscow (Russian Federation), on both the Trans-Mongolian Railway (via Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia) and the Trans-Manchurian Railway (via Zabaikalsk in northern China). The Trans-Siberian Express operates two weekly services, a train to Russia servicing Moscow and Beijing via Harbin and a China train via Ulaanbaatar and Nanning in Guangxi province, linked to Hanoi, Vietnam. A second cross-border service runs from Kunming via Lao Cai, to Hanoi. There are also services from Beijing to Pyongyang (Korea, Dem Rep). Owing to demand, it may be necessary to book up to two months in advance. A regular train service runs from Hong Kong to Guangzhou (Canton), and is of a higher standard than internal trains in China. There are several trains daily. Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) has express trains servicing Kowloon to Guangzhou and an indirect Kowloon to Lowu service. The services between Shanghai-Kowloon/Hong Kong (travel time – 29 hours) and Beijing-Kowloon/Hong Kong (travel time – 30 hours) both run on alternate days. There are twice-weekly trains from Almaty in Kazakhstan to Urumqi. There are three types of fare: hard sleeper, soft sleeper and deluxe soft sleeper.

Note

Travellers on the Trans-Mongolian or Trans-Manchurian Railways are strongly advised to search their compartments and lock the doors before departure, owing to an increase in smuggling via this route.

Road

The principal road routes into China follow the historical trade routes through Myanmar, India, the former Soviet republics and Mongolia. It is also possible to travel from Pakistan to Xinjiang on the Karakoran highway. Motorways exist between Guangzhou and Shenzhen and Guangzhou and Zhuhai. These roads link the cities of Dongguan, Zhongshan, Foshan, Jiangmen, Huizhou and Shunda to Hong Kong and Macau. Motorway links to major cities in neighbouring countries are few.

Travel Advice

Travel Advice

Most visits to China are trouble-free but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners. There have been outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) amongst poultry in China. Since November 2005, there have been a small number of human cases in Liaoning, Guangxi, Anhui and Hunan provinces, some of which have been fatal. The individuals affected are thought to have come into contact with infected poultry before becoming sick. No evidence of human-to-human transmission is reported. The World Health Organisation continues to monitor the situation. This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisations for the latest travel advice: British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Tel: (0845) 850 2829. Website: www.fco.gov.uk US Department of State Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel