Some advice before you go
China - The Place
China covers almost 10 million square Kms with a population of around 1.2 Billion people. The official language is Mandarin Chinese and Catonese. There is no official religion but Budddhism is widely practised.
The time zone is 8 hours ahead of GMT with adjusted daylight saving in the summer.
The currency is Yuan, weights and measures are in the metric system and China uses 220 volts.
The Climate of China
China covers a huge area and some 35 degrees of latitude meaning there is great differences from region to region. The main climate is temperate but in the south it is more sub-tropical.
the best time to visit China and the Great Wall of China are spring around May and autumn around spet / oct.
The People of China
The PRC is the most populous country on earth, just ahead of India. 20 percent live in Urban areas which is quite low.
Chinese people can sometimes appear quite impolite by western standards. Nevertheless visitor are srill expected to remain polite and respect the Chinese customs. When it comes to public transport you can forget about politeness. In this over-populated country it is every man, woman and child for themselves.
Chinese people are starting to follow a few Western traditions such as shaking of the hand they meet a foreigner but generally the Chinese show little emotion in public.
What to Bring to China
China is now becoming a thoroughly modern place and you should be able to buy most things in the country. Many consummables are made in China these days anyway.
Some exceptions are medical supplies and you should always bring your own if you are unsure of the availability.
It is worthwhile bringing your own batteries for camera equipment etc because Chinese batteries do not always go the distance. Camera film is widely available.
The most important thing to bring to China is an open mind.
What to Wear in China
Visitors are advised to wear simple clothing. Light cotton wear is excellent for the steamy summer months but do not forget something warm at this time as well because air-conditoning can sometimes be vicious.
Visas and Passports for China.
All visitors required Visas for China. See your own countries Chinese Embassy for more details. Upon arrival you will be expected to fill out a health declaration form.
Health in China
It will come as little surprise that the most reported health issue for visitors is diarrhoea and sickness. Try and ensure the food you eat, particularly meat, is well cooked at the very least. Eating at road side stools should be fine and you can watch your food being cooked.
Be careful of re-heated food as well.
Please refer to your own country's travel advice for China for up to date information about China travel.
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