Welcome to China tour and travel guide.

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
1122-221 BC

QIN DYNASTY
221-207 BC

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
(Western)
206 BC- 9 AD

2nd HAN DYNASTY

(eastern)
25-220 AD

Three Kingdoms
220-265

Northern and Southern Empires
265-589

SUI DYNASTY
590-618

TANG DYNASTY
618-906

Five dinasties
906-960

NORTHERN SONG DYNASTY
960-1126

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.

History

The known evidence of Chinese history ensues from a cranium found in Liujiang County, Guangxi dating back 67,000 years old. Xia was the first known dynasty that ruled in China followed by a long line of imperial history made by many such dynasties. In 221 BC, Qin Shi Huang of the Qin state established the first ever unified Chinese state. The Republic of China was established on 1 January 1912. With a 9,600,000 km2 space, China is the second largest country of the world by space.

Climate

The climate of china is characterized by dry seasons and wet monsoons. There is a phenomenal temperature difference between winter and summer. During winter, northern winds blowing from a high altitude makes the climate cold and dry while the southern winds of the summer blowing from coastal areas make the country warm and moist. On account of the vast extent of the country and its complex topographic pattern, the country displays a significant climatic difference from region to region. Expansion of deserts is the major problem in China making it lose about one million acres per year. Pollution, poor water quality and soil erosion are the major climatic issues in China.

Population

China has an estimated population of about 1.3 billion. The dwindling natural resources and living space have made the People’s Republic of China to enforce strict population control measures through one child per family policy. This policy is however flexible in rural areas since it is opposed on account of the need for agricultural labour and male heirs for families. The 2010 census has revealed that there are about 119 boys for every 100 girls, which has worried the government. There are about 56 ethnic groups in china with the Han Chinese group predominating the population making about 91.51% of the total population.

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