China

Overview

China (中国; Zhōngguó ) is one of the world's oldest civilizations. Its long and rich history is present in people's thinking and values, and in the art, architecture, and feats of engineering that remain from dynasties past. In addition to its bustling and futuristic cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen , China boasts an incredible array of breathtaking natural wonders like the karst landscapes of Guilin and granite peaks of Huangshan that have inspired painters and poets for generations.

China was one of the great civilizations of the ancient world, and for many centuries stood out as a leading nation with technologies that the West was not able to match until the early modern period. Paper, gunpowder and the compass are examples of Chinese inventions that are still widely used today. As the dominant power in the region for much of its history, China exported much of its culture to neighboring Vietnam , Korea and Japan , and Chinese influences can still be seen in the cultures of these countries.

Places to explore

China's hierarchy of administrative divisions has 22 provinces (省 shěng ) which tend to have their own cultural identities, and 5 autonomous regions (自治区 zìzhìqū ), each with a designated minority ethnic group. These along with four municipalities (直辖市 zhíxiáshì ) make up what is known as mainland China (中国大陆 Zhōngguó dàlù or 中国内地 Zhōngguó nèidì ).

You can travel between many of these cities quickly using high-speed rail . In particular, the Hangzhou – Shanghai – Suzhou – Nanjing line is a convenient way to see these historic areas.

Sights and landscapes

China's attractions are endless and you will never run out of things to see. Especially near the coastal areas, when finished with one city, the next one is usually just a short train ride away.

Whether you are a history buff, a nature lover or someone who just wants to relax on a nice beach, China has it all from the majestic Forbidden City in Beijing , to the breathtaking scenery of Jiuzhaigou . Even if you live in China for many years, you'll find that there's always something new to discover in another part of the country. Perhaps unsurprisingly due to its sheer size and long history, China has the third largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, after Italy and Spain.

China is on the border between two bioregions. Eurasian wildlife can be seen in the north and west, and South Asian wildlife can be found in the south and southeast.

Experiences

High-quality, reasonably priced massages are available throughout China. A hairdresser will often give a head massage, clean out ear wax, and massage the neck and arms. The availability of foot massage (足疗 zúliáo ) is often indicated by a picture of a bare footprint on the sign.

A full-body massage is offered in two varieties: ànmó (按摩) is general massage; tuīná (推拿) concentrates on the meridians used in acupuncture. These three types of massage are often mixed; many places offer all three. Massage is a traditional trade for the blind, and the best value is often at tiny out-of-the-way places with blind staff (盲人按摩 mángrén ànmó ). The most expert massages are in massage hospitals or general Chinese medicine hospitals.

Some massage places are actually brothels. Prostitution is illegal in China but quite common and often disguised as massage. Most hot spring or sauna establishments offer all the services a businessman might want for relaxation. Many hotels offer massage in your room, and additional services are almost always available once she is in the room. Pink lighting or lots of girls in short skirts usually indicates that considerably more than just massage is on offer ( and quite often they cannot do a good massage either ). The same rule applies in many hair salons which double as massage parlors/brothels.

Culture and food

Food in China varies widely between regions, so the term "Chinese food" is a blanket term, about as descriptive as "Western food." Still, there are some broad characteristics. Gastronomy has a long history in China, and dishes subtly balance many flavors, aromas, and colors. Each region developed cuisine and techniques based on the ingredients at hand, so you'll find spicy meat-filled dishes in cooler inland regions, slowly simmered seafood stews in coastal regions, quickly stir-fried fresh vegetables in busy southern ports like Guangzhou , and simple and hearty meat dishes in the Northeast with its notoriously harsh winters. Even many native Chinese find food from outside their home region to be "foreign".

Planning your route

Google Maps does not work in China, and tends to have patchy coverage and data quality even if accessed via VPN. Moreover, China uses its own coordinate system for security reasons, which sometimes causes problems when using foreign map apps. The most common direction-finding app used by the Chinese themselves is Baidu Maps , though it is only available in Chinese. Amap (高德地图 gaode ditu ) is a very convenient app available for both, Android and Apple devices. It is useful for navigating on foot or by car and also lists available public transportation options (bus and subway), including the price. Also available in English. It covers all of China and is useful even in seemingly rural places, though sometimes certain routes are only found on Baidu maps, so it's worth having both. Apple Maps uses Amap's data and is reliable, though it lacks certain features that the others offer. Alternative methods include other map apps based on OpenStreetMap data or renting a local GPS. More information at GPS navigation .

Travel guide text compiled and adapted from Wikivoyage article (contributors). Sections were selected and reordered for this guide. Text is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Check current arrangements with your travel consultant.