China Fast Facts

China is one of the largest countries on earth in terms of area and has an incredible 1,300 million inhabitants. It borders 14 other countries in Asia and therefore plays a central role alongside Russia on the continent, but also worldwide. The communist-ruled country is varied, exciting and has a long history rich in culture. See ANDYEDUCATION for education in China.

Fast facts to know

• Most populous country on earth.
• China is the second largest economy in the world.
• “Zhongguo” as the Chinese call their country means “Middle Kingdom”.
• There are 18 different climate zones in China.
• Authoritative, socialist one-party system.
• More than 30 Chinese buildings are part of the world cultural heritage.
• Internet is censored and monitored.
• 66% of Chinese smoke.
• Air pollution is a regular problem.
• Almost all major Chinese public companies are state-controlled.
• China has the highest mountain on earth, Mount Everest.
• The Yangtze is the third longest river on earth.
• Depending on the calculation, the Great Wall of China is up to 21,000 kilometers long.
• Ice was invented in China around 4000 years ago.
• 35 million Chinese live in well developed caves.
• China is famous for its panda bears, snub-nosed monkeys and the South China tiger.
• According to the hierarchy, greetings are based on age.
• More people speak English in China than in the US.
• Tipping is not very common.
• Never give flowers as a gift (they are considered an expression of mourning).

Exciting cities in China

• Beijing
• Shanghai
• Xiamen
• Canton
• Shenzhen
• Hong Kong
• Hangzhou
• Luoyang
• Guilin

history of China

• China is one of the oldest civilizations and advanced cultures of mankind.
• Written records of Chinese culture date back over 3,500 years.
• Early Dynasties:
  • Xia Dynasty (2200–1600 BC)
  • Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BC)
  • Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BC)
• imperial time:
  • Qin Dynasty (221–207 BC)
  • Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD)
  • Period of the Three Kingdoms (220–280)
  • Jin dynasty (265–420)
  • The Southern and Northern Dynasties (420–581)
  • Sui Dynasty (581–618)
  • Tang Dynasty (618–907)
  • The Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (907–960)
  • Liao dynasty (916-1125), Song dynasty (960-1279), Jin dynasty (1125-1234)
  • Yuan Dynasty (1279–1368)
  • Ming Dynasty (1368–1644)
  • Qing Dynasty (1644–1911)
• January 1, 1912: Proclamation of the Republic of China marks the beginning of the end of the monarchy.
• Ends in the Chinese Civil War (1927-49) with more than a million casualties.
• After the end of World War II, the Chinese Civil War between the Chinese Communist Party and the Kuomintang ends.
• Kuomintang withdraws to Taiwan as “Republic of China”.
• On October 1, 1949, Mao Zedong proclaimed the People’s Republic of China in Beijing and established a communist state.
• Both states do not recognize each other.
• The People’s Republic of China still sees Taiwan as a “breakaway province”.
• China has thus been divided for 60 years.
• Korean War 1950 to 1953.
• 1997 Hong Kong becomes a Chinese special administrative region.
• 1999 Portuguese Macau becomes a special administrative region.

Climate & travel weather in China

• 18 climate zones.
• Continental climate in the Northeast.
• Dry desert climate from the Takla Makan in the west to Beijing.
• In the high mountains of China’s interior cool mountain climate.
• Temperate monsoon climate in the east between Beijing and the Yangtze.
• Subtropical in the east south of the Yangtze, even tropical in the extreme south.
• Recommended travel time:
  • May and June as well as September and October are ideal for round trips in China.
  • Spring and autumn are most favorable for the northern and central regions of China.

Ideas for trips in China

• The Terracotta Warriors.
• The Great Wall.
• The Forbidden City.
• Potala Palace, Lhasa.
• The Yellow Mountain (Huangshan).
• Yangtze River Cruise.
• Mogao Caves from Dunhuang.
• Chess Pavilion on Hua Shan Mountain.
• Reed Flute Cave, Guangxi.

Food & Drink in China

• One of the best national cuisines in the world.
• Dairy products such as milk, cream, butter and cheese are virtually unknown in Chinese cuisine.
• The most important foods in the preparation of Chinese dishes are rice and vegetables.
• Meat is a former luxury and is therefore only used in small quantities. However, increasing prosperity in recent years has also led to increased meat consumption.
• Deep aversion to anything raw.
• The 5 most famous cuisines in China are:
  • Guangdong.
  • Shanghai.
  • Mongolian.
  • Sichuan-Hunan.
  • Beijing’s cuisine with its respective regional characteristics.
• In China people eat with chopsticks.
• Chinese national drink is tea.
• Beer is also popular and widespread (very light and low in alcohol).
• China’s finest and best-known liquor is Mao Tai, a liquor from Guizhou province made from a type of millet.
• Smacking, slurping and burping are allowed at the table, while blowing your nose is frowned upon.
• Typical dishes:
  • Peking duck.
  • Sweet and sour pork.
  • Kung-pao chicken.
  • Mapo Doufu (Mapo Bean Cheese).
  • huntun.
  • Jiaozi (dumpling).
  • Spring rolls.
  • Fried noodles.
  • Fried dumplings with mutton.
  • Filled pies.
    Tangyuan (glutinous rice dumplings with sweet or salty filling).
  • Yuanxiao.
  • shaomai
  • Noodle soup.
  • Steamed buns with green onions.
  • Cold Mung Bean Soup.
  • Matcha Buttermilk Snails.
  • Sweet Potato Mochi Cake.

Particularly scenic

• Zhangjiajie & Hallelujah Mountains.
• Guilin’s breathtaking mountain scenery.
• Rainbow Mountains of Zhangye.
• Lijiang river.
• Jiuzhaigou National Park.
• Yunnan province with its rice fields.
• Yadan Landform Park.
• Mountainous province of Fujian.
• Red Beach in Dawa.
• Danxia landforms, Zhangye.