Ultimate Guide to Traveling in China: Everything You Need to Know

From the millennial Great Wall to futuristic metropolises, from the ancient Tea-Horse Road to digital payments, China is the perfect symphony of tradition and modernity—are you ready to embark on this 5000-year journey?

A Brief Overview of China

• Location & Size: Covering 9.6 million square km, China is the world’s third-largest country.
• Population: Over 1.4 billion people with 56 ethnic groups.
• History: A civilization over 5,000 years old with rich cultural heritage.

10 interesting facts of China

1. The Great Wall Was Reinforced with Sticky Rice

Ancient Chinese builders mixed sticky rice soup with lime to create "organic cement" for the Great Wall. This innovative adhesive, as strong as modern concrete, helped the structure endure for millennia.

2. Pandas Are "Diplomatic Superstars"

Giant pandas, long seen as symbols of peace, are central to China’s "Panda Diplomacy." Over 20 countries have hosted pandas on loan from China, showcasing the nation’s cultural soft power.

3. High-Speed Rail Network Circles the Earth

By 2023, China’s high-speed rail network spans over 42,000 kilometers (70% of the world’s total)—enough to encircle the Earth’s equator. Trains reach speeds of 350 km/h (217 mph).

4. Dialects as Distinct as Foreign Languages

China has about 300 dialects, such as Cantonese and Hokkien. Regional dialects can be mutually unintelligible, often requiring Mandarin as a "translation" bridge.

5. Yunnan: China’s "Kingdom of Biodiversity"

Covering just 4% of China’s land area, Yunnan hosts over 50% of its wildlife, including wild Asian elephants and endangered Yunnan golden monkeys.

6. Mobile Payment Adoption Exceeds 80%

With over 1 billion users, mobile payments dominate daily life in China. Street vendors, temples, and even beggars display QR codes for digital "donations."

7. Zhangjiajie Mountains Inspired Avatar

The quartz-sandstone pillars of Hunan’s Zhangjiajie National Park inspired James Cameron’s Avatar"floating mountains." A landmark there was renamed "Hallelujah Mountain."

8. The 24 Solar Terms: Ancient Agricultural Calendar

Dating back 2,500 years, China’s "24 Solar Terms" precisely track seasonal changes for farming. Recognized by UNESCO in 2016 as intangible cultural heritage.

9. The "Jade Rabbit" on the Moon’s Far Side

China made history in 2019 by landing the Chang'e-4 probe (named after a moon goddess) and its "Yutu" (Jade Rabbit) rover on the moon’s uncharted far side.

10. Takeout Food Existed in Ancient China

The Song Dynasty (960-1279) had a thriving takeout industry. Citizens could order meals via a "summoning" service, depicted in the Along the River During the Qingming Festival painting.

来自gpt

China Has Only One Time Zone

Despite its vast size, the entire country follows Beijing Time (GMT+8), meaning the sun can rise at 10 AM in some western regions.

The Great Wall Isn’t One Continuous Structure

It’s actually a series of walls built by different dynasties over 2,000 years, stretching over 21,000 km.

China Invented Many Everyday Items

Paper, gunpowder, printing, and the compass—known as the "Four Great Inventions"—originated in China.

The World’s Largest High-Speed Rail Network

China has over 42,000 km of high-speed rail, making it the most extensive and fastest-growing network globally.

It Has the Largest Population of Vegetarians in the World

Due to Buddhism and traditional plant-based diets, many Chinese people practice vegetarianism.

Chopsticks Were Originally Cooking Tools

They were first used for cooking, not eating, over 3,000 years ago before becoming a dining staple.

Pandas Are Considered a National Treasure

Every panda in the world technically belongs to China. Other countries only "rent" them under diplomatic agreements.

The Forbidden City Has 9,999 Rooms

It was built with this number because 10,000 was considered divine and reserved for heaven.

Kites Were Invented in China

They were originally used for military purposes to send messages and measure distances.

Brief History

1. Xia Dynasty (2070–1600 BC): Considered the first dynasty in Chinese history. Believed to have established the first irrigation systems.

Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BC): Known for early Chinese writing and bronze work. Oracle bones from this period show some of the earliest known Chinese characters.

2. Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BC): The longest-lasting dynasty, introducing Confucianism and Taoism. This period also saw the development of the Mandate of Heaven concept.

3. Qin Dynasty (221–206 BC): Unified China and gave the country its name; began construction of the Great Wall. The Terracotta Army was also created to protect Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife.

Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD): A golden age of culture, economy, and military strength. Paper was invented during this time, revolutionizing communication.

Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD): A period of cultural prosperity and international influence. Chang'an (now Xi’an) was one of the largest and most cosmopolitan cities in the world.

Song Dynasty (960–1279 AD): Known for technological innovations and economic growth. The use of paper money began in this period, and significant advances were made in printing and navigation.

Ming Dynasty (1368–1644 AD): Famous for the completion of much of the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. Admiral Zheng He’s maritime expeditions showcased China’s naval power.

Qing Dynasty (1644–1912 AD): The last imperial dynasty, overthrown in the early 20th century. The dynasty saw the expansion of China’s territory to its greatest historical extent.

Modern China (1949–Present): Establishment of the People’s Republic of China, shaping the nation’s current development. China has become a global economic powerhouse and a leader in technological innovation.