About China
BRIEF HISTORY
The Chinese claim a history of 5,000 years, during which many dynasties existed. The first dynasty, the Xia, lasted from 2200 to 1700 BC. The Shang Dynasty which followed between 1700 to 1027 BC were the first to develop a writing system, as revealed in archaic Chinese inscriptions found on tortoise shells and flat cattle bones. The Zhou period between 1027 to 221 BC saw the emergence of Confucianism and the establishment of the ‘mandate of heaven’, whereby the right to rule was given to the just and denied to the evil and corrupt, leading to the later Taoist view that heaven’s disapproval was expressed through natural disasters.
Confucianism is more a philosophy than a religion, and has become intertwined with Chinese religious beliefs. Confucious was born of a poor family around 551 BC in the state of Lu in modern day Shãndõng. His ambition was to hold a high government office to reorder society through the administrative apparatus. At the age of 50 he perceived his divine mission, and for the next 13 years tramped from state to state offering unsolicited advice to rulers on how to improve their governing.
and so grew 3 Kingdoms...
During these early dynasties China was split into 7 different states. Each state constructed their own wall to defend themselves, and it wasn't until the Qin Dynasty from 221 to 207 BC that the Chinese were united, standardising the writing system and the joining of the walls were completed to create The Great Wall. The ensuing Han Dynasty from 206 BC to AD 220 saw the creation of the Three Kingdoms. These kingdoms grew out of the three chief economic areas of the Han dynasty. The leaders of the kingdoms strove to reunite the empire and were therefore at constant warfare. These three kingdoms were the Wei, in northern China, the Shu to the west, and the Wu in the east. The Three Kingdoms existed from 220-265 A.D. This is also the period during which Buddhism began to spread. Unity arose out of the chaos under the Sui Dynasty (581-618) and was consolidated under the Tang Dynasty (618-907), commonly regarded as the most glorious period of Chinese history.
The Yuan Dynasty (1206-1368) saw the establishment of a capital, what is now known as Beijing. The Ming Dynasty which followed (1368-1644) is probably the best known around the world, for its pottery and artworks. The Ming Dynasty was the last native Chinese dynasty to rule the empire. The Ming reunited what is now called China proper after almost 400 years of foreign incursion and occupation. The Ming period seems to have been one of China's most prosperous. The incredible advances in the sciences and arts that were achieved under Ming rule led them to believe that they had created the most perfect civilization on earth. It was during these centuries that the great potential of south China came to be fully exploited. New crops such as maize, cotton, and sweet potato were widely cultivated, and industries such as those producing porcelain and textiles flourished.
the last dynasty to rule...
Another accomplishment of the Ming Dynasty was the final and lasting construction of the Great Wall. While the Great Wall had been built in earlier times, most of what is seen today was either built or repaired by the Ming. During the Ming Dynasty the Forbidden City was also constructed (1406-1420). At 250 acres it encompasses marble terraces, gardens and shrines, and over 9,000 rooms.
The last dynasty to rule China was the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), founded by the Jurchen (Manchu) people. In its early years, the Qing Dynasty witnessed a flourishing that was unprecedented by any other age. In order to mitigate class conflicts, the Qing pursued a policy of rewarding land cultivation coupled with a reduction or exemption from taxation. These policies promoted economic growth in the hinterland and on the frontiers of the country. The foreign policy of the Qing Empire was one of isolationism. The government was conservative and arrogant. It failed to join the industrial revolution that was spreading across the countries in the West. Sadly, these factors led to China falling more and more behind the developing world and the gap between it and Western nations inevitably widened.
The first Europeans to arrive in China were the Portugese in 1516. A trade mission was established in Macau by 1557, but it was not until 1760 that other powers gained secure access to Chinese markets. Trade flourished as British purchases of silk and tea far outweighed Chinese purchases of wool and spices, and in 1773 the British decided to balance the books by encouraging the sale of opium. This lead to the famous Opium Wars from 1840.
The resulting treaties signed in British favour led to the cession of Hong Kong and the signing of the humiliating Treaty of Nanking. A subsequent land-grabbing spree by Western powers saw all of China's colonial possessions evaporate, with Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia falling to the French, Burma to the British, and Korea and Taiwan to Japan.
the last emperor...
The last emperor of China was P'u Yi. He was just 3 years old and was given the reign name Hsuan Tung. He became emperor when the Qing Dynasty was in trouble, China having become dominated by foreign powers, mainly Westerners. P'u Yi's father, Prince Ch'un, served as his son's regent. The prince disliked politics, and dissidents considered him weak. There was great resentment in China against foreigners and the Manchu government, and in 1911 rebellion swept through the country, forcing Prince Ch'un to resign as regent. Chinese general Yuan Shih-k'ai took over the government. He hoped to start his own ruling dynasty and suggested that P'u Yi should abdicate. Fearing the consequences if they refused, the Manchu Grand Council agreed, and on February 12, 1912, the five-year old emperor renounced his throne. He continued to live in the Forbidden City and was treated with enormous respect.
After being forced to leave the Forbidden City in 1924 by a warlord, he never gave up his dream of regaining the throne. After World War II he was placed under house arrest in Russia and eventually returned to China in 1950, where he was sent at once to a prison camp. In December of 1959 he was finally released. He was in his 50s. He went to live with his family in his father's house in Peking. The Forbidden City was now open to the public and the former emperor visited it as an ordinary citizen. After serving as a puppet in the Chinese government under Chairman Mao, he finally died in 1967 at the age of 61.
In 1912 Dr Sun Yatsen started the democratic revolution that overthrew the last emperor. He founded the Republic of China and became the first president. After years of civil war, in 1949, the Chinese Communist Party defeated the Kuomintang Nationalist Party and Chairman Mao came to power of the now called Peoples Republic of China (PRC). The PRC began its days as a bankrupt nation, but the 1950's ushered in an era of great confidence. By 1953 inflation had been halted, industrial production was restored to pre-war levels, the redistribution of land had been carried out and the first Five Year Plan had been launched. The next plan was the Great Leap Forward, aimed at jump-starting the economy into first-world standards. The plan was stalled however by inefficient management, coupled with floods, droughts and, in 1960, the withdrawal of all Soviet aid. The Cultural Revolution (1966-1970) attempted to draw attention away from this disaster by increasing Mao's personal presence via his Little Red Book of quotations, the purging of opponents and the launch of the Red Guard. Universities were closed, intellectuals were killed, temples were ransacked and reminders of China's capitalist past were destroyed.
Chairman Mao finally died in 1976 and in 1978, under Deng Xiaoping, China opened it's doors to the outside world once again, and with the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, China set a course towards economic reconstruction. With the handing back of Hong Kong in 1997, China's 'one country, two systems' plan shifted up a gear, with a new course based on economic growth. China has now been admitted to the World Trade Organisation and has gained success in winning the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, and now has the fastest growing economy in the world. This is certainly something Chairman Mao would not have envisaged!
INTERNAL TRAVEL
Taxis
Taxis are numerous throughout every city in China, and finding one is only a problem during rush hours and rainstorms. There are mainly three different classes of taxi. Red Xiali taxis are the cheapest and most economical, followed by the larger red Citreons. Top of the line are Volkswagen Santana taxis. Most of the Citreon and Volkswagen taxis have air conditioning.
Don't expect rear seat belts in any but the best taxis. It's a good idea to have your destination in Chinese writing. Taxis are required to switch on the meter for all journeys; if the driver doesn't use the meter, you are under no legal obligation to pay. Between 11pm and 6am there is a 20% surcharge added to the flagfall metered fare. There's a small red sticker on the side rear window of every taxi that tells you how much it is per kilometre. Compared to English taxis however, travelling by taxi in China is extremely cheap.
You should always obtain a printed receipt as well, to ensure there has been no overcharge and, if you accidentally leave something inside the taxi, it will have the taxi number so that it can be traced.
Train
The rail network forms the backbone of the Chinese transport system and serves most cities. Visitors can explore much of China by train and many find it an efficient and inexpensive means of travel. The cost is around 25% less than comparable air services. Chinese trains differ from those in other countries as the seating is not separated into first and second class areas. In China, the accommodation on the trains is divided into four categories, namely, soft-sleeper, soft-seat, hard-sleeper and hard-seat.
SOFT-SLEEPER - The soft-sleeper carriages are divided into separate compartments and each compartment has two lower and two upper berths. Sheets and blankets are provided and are generally of good standard. Western style washrooms and toilets are located at both ends of the compartment. However, toilet paper is not provided so it is advisable to have your own.
SOFT-SEAT - These seats are very comfortable, with plenty of leg room. The carriages are less crowded than the hard-seat carriages.
HARD-SLEEPER - The hard-sleeper carriage is made up of door-less compartments. Each one contains six beds in three tiers. Sheets, pillows and blankets are provided and it somewhat resembles a budget hotel.
HARD-SEAT - Contrary to what the name implies, the seats are upholstered. These are the less expensive seats. These seats tend to be crowded and are not always very clean. The safety record of the train system is very good, and the majority of trains are clean and air-conditioned. Many train stations require that luggage be x-rayed before entering the waiting area. Long distance trains have dining cars where you can find good food. Railway staff also regularly walk by with pushcarts offering instant noodles, bread, boxed rice lunches, ham, beer, mineral water and soft drinks. Tickets should be purchased in advance and you will not be able to board a train without the correct ticket.
Bus
Long-distance bus services are extensive and main roads are rapidly improving. Buses stop every so often in small towns and villages, so you get to see parts of the countryside you wouldn't see if you travelled by train, although breakdowns can be a problem. China tour routes between large cities are sporting a larger, cleaner and more comfortable fleet of private buses; shorter and more far-flung routes still rely on rattling minibuses.
Buses in most cities are numerous, but the destinations are written in Chinese only. They are usually packed at the best of times, and during rush hour it's armpits and elbows all round. The stops are few and far between, so it's important to work out how many stops you need to go before boarding. Buses are routed through landmarks and key intersections, and if you can pick out the head and tail of the route, you can get a good idea of where you are heading.
Bicycle
Today there are over 300 million bikes in China, more than in any other country. There are bicycle hire shops that cater to foreigners in most traveller centres. The majority of hire places operate out of hotels, but there are also independent hire shops and bike-hire collection points. Prices are very cheap, from ¥2 an hour or ¥ 10/ ¥20 per day. In most larger towns and cities bicycles should be parked at designated places on the pavement. This will generally be a roped-off enclosure, and bicycle-rack attendants will give you a token when you park there. Cycling in China is very hazardous and you need to have your wits about you. Driving standards are appalling and night time is particularly dangerous, with drivers only using their headlights to flash them on and off as a warning for cyclists up ahead to get out of the way. Also be prepared for fellow cyclists to suddenly swerve in front of you, come hurtling out of side roads and head straight towards you against the flow of traffic. Chinese bicycles are rarely equipped with lights. Most cities have designated bicycle lanes and bicycle traffic lights to keep the traffic running smoothly.
Subway
Only a handful of cities have subway networks. They are clean and efficient and an easier alternative to taking the bus. The name of stations are written in both English and Chinese, and the networks are very simple compared to the London Underground system. Ticket fares are also very simple to work out as most have just one fare, irrespective of how far you go.
Air
With China being a country of vast distances, sometimes the quickest and easiest way to travel around is by taking domestic flights. Chinese airlines, on the whole, have very good safety records. Airlines operating the more regularly travelled routes between cities have modern Boeing and Airbus aircraft. More far-flung regions still depend on Soviet-built passenger jets. Airports are also being built and upgraded all over China, making air transport more appealing and comfortable. Signs are in both Chinese and English, making navigation easy in the airport, and on-board announcements are delivered in Chinese and English if there are foreigners on board. Return fares are simply double the price of singles.
FOOD
China is a vast country with a wide diversity of ethnic groups and eating habits. In general, however, the Chinese recognise the relationship of diet to good health, and believe that the ideal diet is one that stresses both diversity and balance. Chinese cuisine includes a large variety of vegetables, as well as meat and fish, and the foods contain lower calories and are less rich than Western style food.
In the west, people are used to takeout Chinese food such as fried rice, chicken balls or sweet and sour, etc. This is a small sample of Chinese food and usually quite westernised. You will find how different from what you have known from your local take-away and how enjoyable it will be if you just release yourself from traditional food paradigm.
The Chinese people enjoy eating good food at all levels of society so cooking has developed into a very sophisticated art. A delightful and delicious meal creates happiness, harmony, mental and physical well-being. Prosperity is another element that has influenced Chinese cooking. Restaurants offer a good variety of vegetables, meat and fish to suit, whatever your preference may be.
Vegetarians
The Chinese have had centuries to perfect flavourful combinations found in vegetarian dishes, from sweet and sour to hot and spicy. While Euro/American vegetarianism is still in the early stages of probing the challenge of adapting its cuisine to be vegetarian and also both nutritionally beneficial and appealing, Chinese vegetarianism has had a long time to work out the problems. Vegetables stay bright and crisp by cooking them for a short time over high heat, either in their own juice or in a small amount of water. This method retains most of the vitamins and minerals.
Most Chinese restaurants cater for and have an excellent selection and variety available for the vegetarian. The choice of vegetables available to the Chinese is greater than that of their Western counterparts, allowing for healthy, low fat and delicious combinations.
CURRENCY
The Chinese currency is known as Renminbi (RMB), or 'Peoples Money'. The basic unit of the RMB is the Yuán, identified as ¥ . This comes in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 Yuán bills, and there is also a 1 Yuán coin. The Yuán is broken down into jiao, 10 of which equal 1 Yuán. The jiao is then further divided into 10 fen, although this has little value these days and is rarely used.
Sterling travellers cheques can be exchanged at hotels, banks and major department stores. You will need your passport available to do this. Sterling cash can also be exchanged at hotels and banks, although the exchange rate will not be as good as for traveller cheques. Hotels, banks and major department stores will also accept most credit and debit cards, as will some restaurants.
Pickpockets are common in markets and crowded areas such as buses, so it is advisable to keep your money safe. It is also advisable to keep your passport in a hotel safe and keep a record of your travellers cheque serial numbers.
Counterfeit money is also becoming common, so try to keep small denominations and check notes for watermarks and paper quality. All said and done, the Chinese currency is very safe and it is very rare that you will get counterfeit money from reputable sources.
WEATHER
China has a great diversity of climates. The northeast experiences hot and dry summers and bitterly cold winters. The north and central region has almost continual rainfall, hot summers and cold winters. The southeast region has substantial rainfall, with semi-tropical summers and cool winters. Both spring and autumn are probably the best times to visit China. Temperatures usually range from 20°C to 30°C (68°F - 86°F) during the day. The Yangtze River serves as China's official dividing line between north and south. Given the size and varied landscape of the country, there is no one time in the year when the weather is ideal. The warmest areas in winter are to be found in the South and Southwest, and in summer the coolest spots are in the far northeast.
South
Temperatures can rise to around 38°C in summer. Winters are short, between January and March. It's not as cold as in the north but can still be quite chilly. During spring and autumn it can sometimes be wet and cold, with rain or drizzle.
North
Northern winters can be extremely cold. Beijing generally experiences temperature of -10° C, dry and no sun. Further north, temperatures reaching -40°C are not uncommon, and you'll see the curious sight of sand dunes covered in snow. During the summer temperatures in Beijing can hit as high as 38°C (100°F).
Central
The Yangtze River valley has long and humid summers with high temperatures. In winter the temperatures drop well below freezing and it can be as cold as Beijing. It can be wet and miserable at any time of year except summer.
Tibet
Tibet experiences cool summers and freezing cold winters. Summer temperatures in Lhasa, the mildest city in Tibet, can exceed 29°C, whilst plummeting to -16°C in winter. The thin air in Lhasa can neither block off nor retain heat, so temperature extremes can be experienced between day and night. It is always advisable to use sun protection here, even when it doesn't feel hot.
USEFUL INFORMATION
The correct country name for China is 'The People's Republic of China' (PRC) and it has a population of 1.3 billion. The capital city is Beijing (Peking in Cantonese) and the languages spoken are Cantonese and Mandarin. The ruling government is the Communist Republic and the current president is President Hu Jintao.
Health
As with travelling abroad to most countries, you should seek advice from your GP regarding the relevant vaccinations you should take. The following are the most common:
- Hepatitus 'A'
- Yellow Fever
- Cholera
These are not compulsory requirements and you will not be asked to provide documentation.
Visa
A valid Chinese visa is always required when entering mainland China. If you are just visiting Hong Kong then no visa is required, but if you intend to enter the mainland then one will be required.
Public Holiday
The following are public holidays observed in China. The Chinese New Year/Spring Festival is dependant on the lunar calendar and therefore changes each year, although it is always January/February.
1st January - New Years Day
Jan/Feb - Chinese New Year/Spring Festival
8th March - International Women’s Day
1st and 2nd May - International Labour Day (usually covers a week)
4th May - Youth Day
1st June - International Children’s Day
1st July - Birthday of the Chinese Communist Party
1st August - Anniversary of the founding of the PLA
1st October - National Day
British Consulate Contact Details
Only in the event of a genuine emergency should you contact the British Consulate. The following telephone contact details are:
BEIJING - (010) 8529 6600 x3303 (0830 - 1200 and 1300 - 1530)
(010) 5192 4000 (out of office hours)
SHANGHAI - (021) 6279 8130 (0830 - 1600 Monday to Friday)
(1380 162 0683 out of office hours)
GUANGZHOU - (020) 8335 1354 (1000 - 1230 and 1330 - 1600 Monday to Friday)
(1360 277 6806 out of office hours)
CHONGQING - (023) 6381 0321 (0900 - 1200 and 1300 - 1700 Monday to Friday)
HONG KONG - (852) 2901 3281 (0845 - 1630 Monday to Thursday and til 1615 on Friday)
(2901 3000 out of office hours)
Emergency Medical Assistance
The following are medical centres who provide emergency medical assistance to foreigners and have English speaking doctors and nurses:
BEIJING:
SOS International (Medical Emergency and Evacuation Service)
Tel: 010-64629100 (24-hour Alarm Centre), 010-64629112
Fax: 010-6462-91111
Address: Building C, BITIC Leasing Centre, No. 1 North Road, Xing Fu San Cun, Chao Yang District, Beijing 100027
International Medical Centre (IMC) - Beijing
Tel: 010-64651561/2/3 (24-hour number)
Fax: 010-64651984
Address: Lufthansa Centre, Office Building, Suite 106, 50 Liang Ma Qiao Rd., Chao Yang District, Beijing 100016
China Academy of Medical Science-Beijing Hospital (Peking Union Hospital)
Tel: 010-6529-5120; 010-6529-5284
Fax: 010-65124875
Address: 1 Shui Fu Yuan, Dong Cheng District, Beijing 100730
TIANJIN:
General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University
Tel: 022-27813159
Address: 154 An Shan Da, He Ping District, Tianjin 300450
The First Centre Hospital of Tianjin
Tel: 022-3366916
Address: 24 Fu Kang Lu, Tianjin 300450
XIAN:
People's Hospital of Shaanxi Province
Tel: 029-5251331 Ext. 2283/2217, 5241709
Address: 214 You Yi Xi Lu, Xian 710068
No. 2 College Affiliated to Xian Medical Unviersity
Tel: 029-7273634
Address: 36 Xi Wu Lu, Xian 710004
SHANGHAI:
World Link Clinic. Expatriate doctors and imported vaccines:
Portman Clinic
Address: Shanghai Centre #203 W, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu, 200040
Tel: 6279-7688. For appointments: 6279-8678
Fax: 6279-7698
Hong Qiao Clinic
Address: Mandarine City Unit 30, 788 Hong Xu Lu, 201103
Tel: 6405-5788
Fax: 6405-3587
Medical / Surgical emergencies:
Hua Shan Hospital
Address: 15th Floor, Foreigner's Clinic, Zong He Lou, 12 Wulumuqi Zhong Lu,
Tel: 6248-3986 or 6248-9999 x2531
Hua Dong Hospital
Address: 2nd Floor, Foreigner's Clinic, 221 Yanan Xi Road.
Tel: 6248-4867 6248-3180 x3106
The First People's Hospital, International Medical Care Centre
Address: 585 Jiu Long Lu (near the Bund)
Tel: 6324-3852 (24 hours)