Indochina Exklusive by Myanmar Travel Ltd. - travel and tours to Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand

Myanmar Travel Ltd.

Indochina Exclusive by Myanmar Travel Ltd.

China
Country & Travel Info

Where is China?
China, officially known as the People's Republic of China, located in South East Asia with Pakistan, Iran and India as its neighbors covers an area of about 9.6 million square kilometers and is the world's third largest country after Russia and Canada. With approximately 1.3 billion inhabitants, the Chinese population accounts for one-fifth of humanity and is consequently the largest country by population. Ninety-two percent of the population is Han Chinese, with the remaining eight percent comprised of 55 different ethnic minorities. The geographical vastness of China reveals spectacular landscapes with three principal features: the forest of the east, the steppes and deserts of the north and northwest, and the high plateaus of Tibet and Qinghai.

People
The total population is 1.29533 billion (about 22% of total population in the world) China has 37 million more males than females. China is a unified, multi-national country, comprising 56 nationalities. The Han people make up 91.02 percent of the total population, leaving 8.98 percent for the other 55 ethnic minorities.

They are Mongolian, Hui, Tibetan, Uygur, Miao, Yi, Zhuang, Bouyei, Korean, Manchu, Dong, Yao, Bai, Tujia, Hani, Kazak, Dai, Li, Lisu, Va, She, Gaoshan, Lahu, Shui, Dongxiang, Naxi, Jingpo, Kirgiz, Tu, Daur, Mulam, Qiang, Blang, Salar, Maonan, Gelo, Xibe, Achang, Pumi, Tajik, Nu, Ozbek, Russian, Ewenki, Benglong, Bonan, Yugur, Jing, Tatar, Drung, Oroqen, Hezhen, Moinba, Lhoba and Gelo. All nationalities in China are equal according to the law. The State protects their lawful rights and interests and promotes equality, unity and mutual help among them.

Religion
China has the following national religious organizations: Buddhist Association of China, Taoist Association of China, Islamic Association of China, Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association, Chinese Catholic Bishops' College, Three-Self Patriotic Movement Committee of the Protestant Churches of China, and China Christian Council.

The main religions are Buddhism (which has a history of 2,000 years in China), Taoism (has a history of more than 1,700 years), Islam (was introduced in the seventh century), Catholicism (was introduced in the seventh century) and Protestantism (only since the early 19th century) . Citizens of China may freely choose and express their religious beliefs, and make clear their religious affiliations. According to incomplete statistics, there are over 100 million followers of various religious faiths, more than 85,000 sites for religious activities, some 300,000 clergy and over 3,000 religious organizations throughout China. In addition, there are 74 religious schools and colleges run by religious organizations for training clerical personnel.

Languages
The national language is Putonghua (the common speech) or Mandarin, which is one of the five working languages at the United Nations. Most of the 55 minority nationalities have their own languages. Cantonese is one of the local dialects of southern China. As a written language, Chinese has been used for 6,000 years.

Culture
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_China

History
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_China

Visa
Visas are required by all nationalities entering mainland China (visas are not needed for most western tourists visiting Hong Kong for less than 30 days), but it is usually an easy and trouble-free process. Tourist visas for individuals and group visas can be obtained directly through Chinese embassies or consulates. Your passport must have at least six months validity beyond the expiration date of your visa. Please check with the Chinese embassy or consulate in your home country before departure.

Money
Chinese Money is called Renminbi (RMB) (means "People's Currency"). The popular unit of RMB is Yuan. The official exchange rate between U.S. Dollar and Renminbi Yuan currently is about 1 : 8.3 (1.00 Dollar = 8.30 Yuan). 1 Yuan to 10 Jiao, 1 Jiao to 10 Fen (There are parts of China the Yuan is also known as Kuai and Jiao is known as Mao. Chinese currency is issued in the following denominations: one, two, five, ten, fifty and a hundred Yuan; one, two and five Jiao; and one, two and five Fen.

Time
China time is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). The whole of China is set to Beijing time. Local adjustments have been made to daily life, especially in the westernmost provinces and regions of the country.

Climate
China lies mainly in the northern temperate zone under the influence of monsoon. From September and October to March and April next year monsoon blow from Siberia and the Mongolia Plateau into China and decrease in force as it goes southward, causing dry and cold winter in the country and a temperature difference of 40 degree centigrade between the north and south. The temperature in China in the winter is 5 to 18 degree centigrade lower than that in other countries on the same latitude in winter. Monsoon blows into China from the ocean in summer, bringing with them warm and wet currents, thus rain. Great differences in climate are found from region to region owing to China's extensive territory and complex topography. The northern part of Heilongjiang Province in northeast China has no summer, Hainan Island has a long summer but no winter; the Huaihe River valley features four distinct seasons; the western part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is covered by snow all year round; the southern part of the Yunan-Guizhou Plateau is spring-like all the year; and the northwestern inland region sees a great drop of temperature in the day. Annual precipitation also varies greatly from region to region; it is as high as 1,500 millimeters along the southeastern coast. Decreasing landward, it is less than 50 millimeters in northwest China

•	Spring:	10-22°C, Western suits, jackets, sports coats, woolen jackets, long sleeve shirts and travel shoes.
•	Summer:	22°C and above, T-shirts, short sleeve shirts, skirts, sandals, caps, rain wear.
•	Autumn:	10-22°C, Western suits, jackets, sports coats, light woolen sweaters, rain wear and travel shoes.
•	Winter:	10°C or lower, overcoat, cotton clothes, lined coats. In very cold areas a cap, gloves and cotton-padded shoes are required.

Health
No vaccinations are presently required for a visit to China (including Yunnan). Nevertheless, it is recommended that you be immunized against polio, typhoid, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, and both hepatitis A and B.

Public Holidays
In contrast to the long calendar of traditional Chinese festivals, modern China now has only four official holidays: New Year's Day (January 1), the Spring Festival (New Year's Day according to the Chinese lunar calendar, usually in between the second half of January and early February), International Labor Day (May 1), and National Day (October 1). The length of the three latter periods of holidays has been extended to around one week each.

Airport Tax
All international and domestic airport taxes are included in the airfare.

Customs Regulations
Importation of all kinds of narcotics, weapons, pornographic media and any material harmful to state interests is strictly prohibited. Antiques may only be exported with a certificate or a receipt from an officially licensed shop. Baggage may be X-rayed or inspected before departure.

Communications & Post
Mail, incoming and outgoing, is reliable and quite fast if sent by air. The international telephone service is available in every major city and all parts of the world are reachable. E-mail is widely used in companies, major hotels and lots of Internet cafes have opened. China Telecom is offering a fast and efficient Internet service.

Clothing
Clothing should be simple and consist of layers added or removed as temperatures vary during the day. A sweater and light jacket will be useful and stout, comfortable shoes are recommended. Special items to bring to Yunnan include sunscreen lotion and sunglasses, as protection against the intense sunlight, and a hat. The high, dry plateau is likely to cause chapped lips and cracked skin; lip salve and skin cream should not be forgotten. Travel to the southern part of Yunnan Province requires light, cotton clothing suitable for the tropics. Travelers to Dali, Lijiang or Zhongdian in the northwest of the province should take gloves and a warm coat or jacket between November and March.

Chinese Embassies abroad
http://www.embassiesabroad.com/embassies-of/China#1976

MYANMAR TRAVEL LTD.
Pansodan Office Tower, 3rd Floor
Room 3A, 189/195 Pansodan Street
Kyauktada Township, Yangon, Myanmar
Tel.: (+951) 204-046
Tel & Fax: (+951) 391-015
E-mail: info@myanmartravel.net