China Overview#

Geography and Climate#

China is located in eastern Asia, on the west coast of the Pacific Ocean. It is the third largest country in the world by area, with rich and diverse geographical environments.

Topographic Features#

• Eastern Coast: Mainly plains, densely populated, economically developed
• Central Region: Interwoven hills and basins, agriculturally developed
• Western Region: Mainly plateaus and mountains, rich in natural resources
• North: Temperate continental climate with distinct four seasons
• South: Subtropical and tropical climate, warm and humid

Major Geographic Regions#

• Northeast: Plains and mountains, cold winters
• North China: Yellow River Plain, four distinct seasons
• East China: Yangtze River Delta, dense water network
• South China: Pearl River Delta, tropical and subtropical
• Southwest: Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, complex terrain
• Northwest: Loess Plateau and deserts, arid with little rain
• Qinghai-Tibet: Roof of the world, high altitude

History and Culture#

China has a civilization history of more than 5,000 years and is one of the four ancient civilizations of the world.

Historical Timeline#

• Ancient Times: Dynastic changes from Xia, Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han, Tang, Song, Ming, Qing, etc.
• Modern Era: Transformation from feudal society to modern state
• Contemporary: Rapid development since reform and opening up

Cultural Characteristics#

• Ideological Culture: Pluralistic thoughts including Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism
• Art Forms: Calligraphy, painting, opera, music, dance
• Traditional Festivals: Spring Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, etc.
• Language and Writing: Chinese character system with rich and diverse dialects

National Transportation System#

Aviation#

• Major cities have international airports (Beijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou Baiyun, Shenzhen Baoan, etc.)
• Dense domestic route network covering the whole country
• High-speed rail stations are mostly connected to airports, enabling seamless transfers
• Useful Links:
  • Civil Aviation Administration of China - Aviation policy information
  • Ctrip - Flight booking
  • Qunar - Flight price comparison

Railway#

• High-Speed Rail: Covers major cities, fast (300-350 km/h), comfortable
• Regular Railway: Dense network, affordable prices, suitable for budget travel
• Intercity Railway: Connects neighboring cities, such as Beijing-Tianjin, Shanghai-Nanjing
• Useful Links:
  • 12306 Official Website - Official high-speed rail ticket booking platform
  • 12306 APP - Mobile ticket booking app
  • Tieyou - Third-party booking platform

Highway#

• Well-developed highway network (world’s longest total mileage)
• Frequent long-distance bus services connecting cities and counties
• Convenient for self-driving travel, but pay attention to traffic rules and speed limits
• Useful Links:
  • Amap - Navigation and traffic condition queries
  • Baidu Maps - Navigation and route planning

Urban Transportation#

• Developed subway systems in first and second-tier cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, etc.)
• Extensive bus network coverage with affordable fares (usually 1-3 yuan)
• Convenient taxis and ride-hailing services (Didi Chuxing, Amap Taxi)
• Useful Links:
  • Didi Chuxing - Ride-hailing service
  • Amap Taxi - Taxi service

Travel Procedures and Visa Information#

Visa Types#

• Tourist Visa (L visa): For tourism and sightseeing, usually single or multiple entry
• Business Visa (M visa): For business activities, conferences, etc.
• Family Visit Visa (Q visa): For visiting relatives, divided into Q1 (long-term) and Q2 (short-term)
• Student Visa (X visa): For study, requires school admission letter
• Work Visa (Z visa): For work, requires work permit

Visa-Free Policies#

• Citizens of some countries and regions can enjoy 72-hour or 144-hour transit visa-free
• Some cities offer 72-hour visa-free for specific countries (such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, etc.)
• Please check the latest official information for specific policies
• Useful Links:
  • National Immigration Administration - Latest visa and visa-free policies
  • China Visa Application Service Center - Visa application guide

Entry Requirements#

• Carry valid passport and visa (ensure passport validity is at least 6 months)
• Fill out entry card (usually distributed on the plane)
• Comply with customs regulations and declare items truthfully
• Understand the list of prohibited and restricted items (such as meat, fruits, cash exceeding limits, etc.)
• Useful Links:
  • General Administration of Customs - Customs regulations and declaration requirements
  • Consular Service Network of China - Entry requirements and consular protection