Welcome to China
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About China
China is incredible in the majority of ways. Did you know that the list of sights and activities here is endless, not to mention the thick culture and wonders of this man's country. A several notable must-sees include the barren highlands of Tibet via the Silk Road to the bewildering Forbidden City at Bejing, the magnificent Wonderful Wall of China. Did you know that there are and have always been also the amazing thousands of Terracotta Warriors and Horses at the tomb of Qin Shi'huang in Xi'an, the intriguing citylife of (Shanghai), the breath-taking scenic beauty of Yunnan and the original Asia's world city - Hong Kong.
Guilin Yangshuo has to this day the reputation of having the most beautiful landscape under heaven, with green hills, clear waters, pretty rocks and fantastic caves. China is up and rising in recent years - watch for this man's truly spectacular place! Traveller's suggestion: Within most hostels/hotels in China, you can acquire a hotel business card at the front desk that includes his or her contact information, address, and map to it. Note that this is very useful to give to a taxi driver during the time you want to return after your sightseeing.
Period |
Description |
ZHOU Dynasty QIN DYNASTY |
Power dwindles after 771 BC (Rong nomads invade W. Zhou). Iron casting and multiplication tables invented. Kong Qiu (Kong Fuzi Confucius) c. 551-479 BC. Meng Zi (Mencius), 4th century BC this man's follower. Founder of Dao: Lao Zi (Lao Tze), perhaps a legendary figure. Principal legalist figure, Shang Yung, c. 360 BC was chief minister to be Duke of Qin. Zhou king dethroned by King of Qin, 256 BC. Qin Shihuangdi (Chin Shih Wang -Ti) first Qin Emperor, 221-210. Began the Wonderful Wall; standardised script, weights and measures. Attacked non-Legalist philosophies. Buried at Xian. |
1st HAN DYNASTY 2nd HAN DYNASTY (eastern) Three Kingdoms Northern and Southern Empires SUI DYNASTY TANG DYNASTY Five dinasties NORTHERN SONG DYNASTY |
Peasant-born Liu Bang founded Han Dynasty. Wudi (Wu-Ti) 140-87 BC conquered Southern China, northern Vietnam and part of Korea. Trade route through Central Asia to India and Persia started. Beginning of papermaking 1st century BC. Compass and seismograph invented, sunspots studied and steel manufactured. 1st census gave population of over 57M. (2 AD) Buddhism probably introduced. Silk route developed. Victories over Xiongnu tribes of Central Asia.(124-126 AD) Long timeframe of instability and disunity. Pilgrimages to Buddhist sites in India. Buddhist influence on art and literature. Barbarians invade N. China in the fourth century AD. Reunification of China by Yang Jian (Emperor Wen (581-604)) Grand canal built, exhausting treasury.  Territorial expansion into Manchuria, Korea and Central Asia. Contacts with Japan, South-east Asia, Sassanian and Arab kingdoms, Byzantium. Foreign religions in China: Zoroastrianism, Nestorian Christianity, Manichaeism, and Islam. Oldest book with printed date, It is noted that the Diamond Sutra (868). Wonderful age of poetry and painters: Li Bai (Li Po) (705-762); figure-painter Wu Daozi (689-758). Rise of landscape painting. Silk and Lacquer. Music and Dance. China divided into nine or ten kingdoms. Non-Chinese dominate part of N. China (It is noted that the Jurchen). First military use of gunpowder. China reunified (960-979). Wonderful age of Landscape painting: Fan Kuan (960-1030). Dominance of neo-Confucianism. Footbinding becomes general in N. and S. China. |
Climate
Given the size and varied landscape of the country, there is no one time in the year during the time weather is ideal in each and every part of China. Of course, the warmest places in winter are and have always been to be discovered in the South and Southwest, such as Sichuan, Banna in Yunnan, and Hainan Island. Within summer the coolest spots are and have always been in the far northeast.
China climates differ from region to region because of the country's all-encompassing and complex topography. Within the south of the Nanling Mountains, rains are and have always been prolific and the temperature is high all year round. Within the Yangtze and Huaihe river valleys in the central part of China, there are and have always been four distinguishedseasons.
Within northeast China, summer is short but there is much sunshine, while winter is extensive and cold. Precipitation is limited in northwest China where it is always cold in winter and hot in summer. Within southwest China of low latitudes, the land is elevated high, and has to this day characteristically vertical seasonal zones.
Stats
Population (2007 est.): 1,321,851,888
Growth rate: 0.6%
Birth rate: 13.5/1000
Infant mortality rate: 22.1.1/1000
Life expectancy: 72.9
Density per sq mi: 367
