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| Most Popular Provinces: Beijing - Changsha - Chengdu - Chongqing City - Guangzhou - Guilin - Hangzhou - HongKong - Kunming - Lhasa is occupied - Macau - Nanjing - Sanya - Shanghai - Suzhou - Xi'an |
LATEST NEWSBackpacking Information on ChinaPopulation: 1.3 billion (UN, 2005) Capital: Beijing Area: 9.6 million sq km (3.7 million sq miles) Major language: Mandarin Chinese Major religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism Life expectancy: 70 years (men), 73 years (women) (UN) Monetary unit: 1 Renminbi (yuan) (Y) = 10 jiao = 100 fen The People's Republic of China - one of the world's oldest and thriving civilizations consisting of states and cultures dating back to more than 6 millennia, outpacing the rest of the world in arts and sciences. Ancient China is the master creator of four of the most critical innovations in our modern world: paper, compass, gunpowder, and printing, says British biochemist and scholar Joseph Needham. Besides, who does not know of the Great Wall, Jackie Chan, or the Peking Man who used fire 300-780... 7 Hong Kong Travel TipsHong Kong has much to offer the tourist with interesting sightseeing, delicious food, great shopping and an experience in a country with probably a very different culture to your own. These 7 Hong Kong Travel Tips will be useful in preparing your itinerary and knowing what to expect when you arrive in this fascinating travel destination. Tip 1 - Climate Hong Kong enjoys a subtropical climate with two distinct seasons. Summer temperatures 26-31oC Winter - 14-20oC It can get very humid. Tip 2 - Currency The Hong Kong dollar is floating and pegged to the US dollar, so it will fluctuate a little. Cash and Travellers cheques can be changed at banks (recommended for the best rate), hotels and money changers. All main credit cards are accepted in most shops, hotels, restaurants etc. Tip 3 - Dinin... Shanghai For The Budget TravellerTravelling to Shanghai, or anywhere in the Far East for that matter, is seldom the cheapest holiday option due to the distance involved. If you are looking to keep your holiday costs down, then search online for cheap flight deals outwith the high season, and look out for package deals, which can save you a bundle on accommodation costs. When you get to Shanghai, you will find plenty to see and do, with many free and low cost attractions for those travelling on a budget. While there is definitely an expensive side to Shanghai, it is also easy to get by here with little money and still enjoy a truly unique holiday experience. Shanghai is home to some of the finest dining establishments in the world, with first class dishes representing all 8 schools of Chinese cooking. If you have a limited... Re: why chinese women want western menTrev I had a similar experience in Thailand but fortunately not as expensive. I met & fell in love with a beautiful 24 year old bar girl. I gave her money to leave the bar & go home. She had been married to a Frenchman & lived in France for 4 years. Her ex was the same age as me 52. She spoke fluent English & French. I saw her passport with the French visa. Her surname was also French. I fell for her big time. After sending her 800 quid a month for three months she started to become rude, more demanding & disrespectful. She did go home to Ubon as I had my friends check her out. I decided to go back & see her as she was doing nothing to help with the visa application. On meeting her at BKK she was surly. In the taxi ride she mentioned immediately she needed money to send home. This is after... Guangzhou City HighlightsSun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Dedicated to local hero and founder of the Republic of China Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall can be found on Yuexiu Hill. A popular time to visit is at sunset as an impressive panoramic view of the city can be seen from here, while visitors will be greeted by a five-meters high statue of the man himself outside the main hall. Temple of Six Banyan Trees Built during the Liang dynasty, the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees is one of the most famous temples in the whole of Guangzhou. The temple was originally built in order to enshrine a collection of sacred Buddhist relics that were brought here from India and dates back to the year 537. These relics can be found in a pretty octagonal pagoda, which measures an impressive 57 meters and contains 17 stories... Beijing Nightlife: Night MarketsNight markets are something that are almost exclusive to the Asian world, and no matter which cheap Beijing hotel you are staying in, there will be one within walking distance of your cheap Beijing accommodation. The beauty of these night markets is that they only come alive once the sun goes down. Whether you choose to crawl through the pubs, eat some of the best street food you have ever experienced in your life, hit a nightclub or just shop for all sorts of sundries, there are dozens of things to see and do once you leave your cheap Beijing hotel behind. In fact, once you have spent a night or two in one of the night markets of Beijing, you will find more difficult to leave and go back to your cheap Beijing accommodation, no matter how comfortable the bed might be. While there are liter... High-speed rail in ChinaChina already has the world’s longest high-speed rail (HSR) network with about 6,920 km (4,300 mi.)of routes in service, including 1,995 km (1,240 mi.) of rail lines with top speeds of 350 km/h (220 mph The entire HSR network will reach 13,000 kilometres (8,100 mi) by 2012 and 16,000 kilometres (9,900 mi) by 2020.... Teach In ChinaTeaching English in China won't get you rich, but it's guaranteed to provide you with an exceptional opportunity to experience the Chinese culture, to travel, make friends, learn some Mandarin, and also provide you with a means to live abroad for an extended length of time. Interested? If you're between the ages of 18 and 60, in relatively good health, flexible and adventurous, the prospects of landing a teaching job will be, in most cases, easier than you would think. Presently, there are over 400 million Chinese learning English due to the government's push to make English its second language. Universities, colleges, grade schools through high schools all have their English departments, and they are always in search of native English speakers to add to their faculty. In addition, there a... Trekking Destinations in ChinaIf you're planning a trip to China, you'll be embarking upon a journey to one of the most fascinating counties in the world. With a land space of more than 3,690,000 square miles and a population of over 1.2 billion people, China is without doubt, the epitome of paradoxes, mysteries and adventures. China is a land of contrasts, with primitive rural villages, picturesque countryside and glittery, towering skylines of opulent city wealth enjoyed by the new and affluent bourgeoisie. Tourism has bloomed with the new economic climate: hotels, restaurants and reconstructed historical sites are abundant. But travel in China can be overwhelming, with language being the most difficult barrier to overcome. You'll be wise to familiarize yourself with basic Chinese words for food and drinks, hotels an... Learn Mandarin Using Phonetic EnglishBy using English phonics, you can eliminate many of the complications of learning to speak Mandarin. Native English speakers no longer need to trudge through the old fashioned and ineffective Wade-Giles method, or struggle with the current, but just as difficult Pinyin Chinese to speak Mandarin. There's an easier way! Words and phrases can be sounded out exactly the same way we learned to read and speak English in grade school. The Romanization of Chinese Characters Mandarin Pinyin is called Putonghua, or The Common Language, and is widely used throughout China. Its four tones, level, rising, falling, and high rising, distinguish many words and syllables with the same consonants and vowels but with different meanings. It deciphers the Chinese characters and symbols into a Romanized alphabe... Chinese students learning English - Videowith repetition (loud) of words... Re: Teaching in Tianjin.Worst school to work for. Don't do it!... Is pale white skin a desired trait for English teachers in ChinaThe same is not true in China. Light skin? It sounds silly here in China to ask this question. No light skin doesn't matter, speaking English with no strange accent is what counts. Irish, Scott's I have seen turned away without an interview, yet the same school hired an Italian with very dark skin and he could speak perfect English. In China dark or light doesn't matter. There is a definite prejudice against blacks. I am only being honest in what I have seen and been told.... Working as a teacher in ChinaWithout a Bachelor's degree you cannot be legally hired to teach. However, there are hundreds if not thousands of English teachers in China without degrees. Get the 'F' visa. You'll only have to do a 'visa run' every 6 months. I was paid less than that and until my girlfriend moved in with me, I lived easily on my pay. I frequently ate in restaurants, took taxis and was a regular in two bars. A frugal friend claimed that he lived on 500 yuan a month. China is a wonderful experience. It looks great on your CV but don't stay more than a year. There are too many westerners in China teaching English in their prime earning years. Yes I stayed five years but I was already collecting a good pension when I first arrived.... What is the going rate for private English lessons in ChinaThe going rate in Zhongshan is 75 to 100 an hour. It is not illegal. But, if you work for a school, all the contracts say that you will not do this!... Average english teachers salary (China)You will never get rich teaching English in China. Salaries in secondary cities are fairly low. I have an acquaintance who taught primary and middle school English in Ningbo. He was paid 4000 RMB per month, had use of a small apartment, and received 1 round-trip international ticket after completing his contract. Salaries in major cities, such as Shanghai, are slightly higher. Primary, middle, and secondary teachers make 5000 to 7000 per month, plus apartment, plus 1 ticket per year. You can earn another 1000 to 3000 by taking on private students for tutoring. Teachers at universities can make 10,000+ RMB, but the hiring criteria is extremely high. You literally need a PhD to be hired by a university. Competition for English teaching jobs in China has increased dramatically over the last y... Re: How important is learning English to students in ChinaI am wondering what will happen if in 20 years' time, for example, most of the Chinese people active in work will speak and understand English quite fluently - will all those advantages for their career that you have mentioned still exist? Will there be enough positions on offer tom get them a job? Remember - it is quite certain that not all Chinese people knowing English can and will go abroad, not all of them will be able to pursue high paying careers in management, etc. To me, the current popularity of learning English is a part of a government and now the ESL industry campaign that tries to enforce the development of China opening to the international world after decades of political, economical and cultural isolation. With China becoming a global player this days, the need to communic... How important is learning English to students in Chinaso important that it is now required by law for Chinese students to start learning as soon as they enter school when I started teaching here it was basically taught in college, I taught in a high school and people were shocked (how did you get a job in high school they would ask), now it is common place and many high schools are not hiring any now more of the new law, kids begin studying English as soon as they enter school learning English ranks in the top 3 most important it is required for entrance exams for college as well as grad school the better your English the better you job and chances to go aboard to work tutoring is huge, a bit unstable as far as relying on it for an income but, I teach adults and the pay is GREAT!... Useful China Travel Tips - ClimateChina is a vast country with different climates, but generally speaking, spring is from April to June, summer from June to September, fall from September to October, while winter is from October to March, and usually it is colder and drier in the north in winter, and hotter and more humid in the south in summer. Beijing has a continental climate with long, hot summers and long dry, cold winters. Spring and autumn have beautiful weather, warm and dry, but both are extremely short. Many tourists avoid spring because of the famed dust storms, but there are less and less of the dust weather and it does not last long. The summer rain falls during July and August, and can make everything fresh. So, we suggest you come to Beijing between Sweltering and Getting cold, which would be late August, ea... Guizhou - Be Witness To China`s Ancient Minority CultureGuizhou Province in the southwest of China is fairly unknown to visitors, but it has some of China's finest scenery, and a large ethnic minority population which still follow their ancient colorful traditions. Guizhou occupies an area of over 176,000 square kilometers (67,958 square miles) and has a population of over 35 million. Its climate is subtropical which means that it is not too cold in the winter, or too hot in the summer. Due to the wonderful natural and cultural resources, Guizhou is destined to become one of China's more popular tourist destinations. Guizhou is home to more than 15 ethnic minority groups(such as: Buyi ethnic minority, Dong ethinic minority, Miao ethnic minority, Yi ethnic minority, etc) and most of them have settled in the most breathtaking scenic areas in Guiz... Chengdu TeahousesVisitors to Chengdu will find there are a lot of teahouses scattered throughout the city. Drinking tea has become quintessential part of Chengdu people's daily life. Because of this, Chengdu has formed a special tea culture all its own which attracts visitors from across China, and around the globe. For Chengdu locals, it is very important to have the proper atmosphere to enjoy their tea. For most people, the perfect place would be a teahouse. The most popular location for teahouses in Chengdu is along the south bridge of Dujiang Weir , where the scenery is wonderful and the weather is pleasant. There is a kind of teapot that is unique to Chengdu. It is made of brass and has a spout that is approximately three feet long. The people in the teahouses that can use this style of teapot are cal... Hangzhou-the Paradise On EarthAs the capital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou is perched in the Yangtze River Delta, being the political, economic, cultural, scientific and educational center of Zhejiang Province. An old saying goes that “Above there is heaven, below there are Hangzhou and Suzhou.” which is the heartfelt praise to this beautiful city. In Yuan dynasty Marco Polo, a famous Italian traveler regarded Hangzhou as “the most beautiful and luxurious city in the world”. It is also reputed as one of the eight major ancient capitals in Chinese history. If mentioning Hangzhou, many people would immediately think of the fascinating West Lake. Together with Lemon Lake in Geneva, they are called the two pearls in the world. The West Lake makes Hangzhou the most beautiful and luxurious city in the world and is of signif... The Top Ten Tourist Cities Foreign Travelers Favored In ChinaThe top ten cities foreign travelers favored in China are selected after investigating nearly 1500 tourists from the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, France and other countries. The following are the most favorable cities. First, Zhuhai Being located in southeast of Guangdong Province, Zhuhai is counted as a bright pearl in the south coast of China, which is one of the first opening special economic zones. Second, xi’an Being perched in the Guanzhong Plain, xi’an is endowed with fertile land, favorable climate, abundant resources, historical relics as well as breathtaking scenery. It is the beginning of the Silk Way and counted as one of the seven ancient capitals. Third, Hanghzou Being located in northeast of Zhejiang province, Hangzhou is political, economic, cultural center o f Zhejiang pr... Tips For Foreigners To Travel BeijingBeing the capital of China, Beijing is drawing more and more foreigners to have a tour for its time-honored history as well as breathtaking places of interest. Some tips are provided here when foreigners are going to pay a visit to Beijing. The public toilets in Beijing were dirty in the past, while now the toilets in the tourist attractions are much cleaner than before. However, bringing toilet paper with you is advisable. You can appreciate the entertainment when people are after work in the park, where men are flying kites, playing chess and children are enjoying themselves. The subway is clean, convenient as well as cheap. You can take subway if it is near to the destination that you are going to just right. The stops will be called out in English and the signs in the subway are easy t... The Venice Of The Orient - SuzhouSuzhou, a 2,500 year old city located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze and on the shores of Lake Taihu is the cradle of Wu culture which originated during the Shang Dynasty in China in 11th century BC. One of the most beautiful cities of China known for its natural landscape and unique charm, Suzhou is referred to as The Venice of Orient because of its innumerable canals. If you are planning a trip to China, make sure to include this “Paradise on Earth” in your China tour itinerary. If you are contemplating your visit to this one-of-a-kind city, then the following facts will rouse enough enthusiasm and interest in planning a Suzhou tour: * The geographical area of Suzhou comprises of 10% cultivated fields, 30% hills, and the rest is covered by canals. * The city is truly defined by its ... Traveling in China - 5 Most Mysterious Places to VisitTraveling in China is not only a great vacation to undertake but an opportunity to unlock some of the most fascinating mysteries of Chinese culture and history. We invite you to come along and tour some of the most mysterious and spectacular places you will see nowhere else. 1. Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum is truly a spectacular work of art that was surrounded by air of mystery ever since its discovery in 1974. Over 700,000 slaves were employed to construct this massive tomb under the orders of emperor Qin Shi Huang, who was only 13 years old at that time. All the slaves and workers involved in the construction of the mausoleum were executed to keep the mysteries of the mausoleum construction hidden forever. Surprisingly, the young emperor died shortly after the mausoleum construction was finis... Things to Do in GuizhouGuizhou Province, located in the southeast of China, has only recently been noticed by travelers. Guizhou has a very large ethnic minority population and because not too many visitors come to the province, they have remained untouched. Their customs and traditions are intact, and offer an amazing experience for any visitor to Guizhou. On a Guizhou tour, visitors can witness how these minority groups have lived for centuries and experience the unique aspects of each minority group and be dazzled by their hospitality. The first stop for most visitors is inevitably Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou Province. Guiyang is the economic and commercial hub of Guizhou Province. Guiyang is home to a large amount of sites and historic relics. The Hongfeng (Red Maple) Lake and the Huaxi Park should not b... Guilin Shopping TipsLike all of China's major cities, Guilin is a shopper's paradise. Shoppers in this city can purchase anything from tea and clothing, to local arts and crafts. Guilin has three main shopping districts: the Zheng Yang Lu Pedestrian Street (Walking Street) located in the city's center, Xi Cheng Lu Pedestrian Street, and Wa Yao Wholesale Shopping District. These wonderful shopping places offer unique items that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Zheng Yang Lu Pedestrian Street (Walking Street): Zheng Yang Lu Pedestrian Street is the most hip and popular shopping district in Guilin. It is quite large and consists of several intersecting streets. The main entrance to Zheng Yang Lu Pedestrian Street is located near the Jie Fang Jiao bus-stop and this is where taxis drop off visitors. Zhe... The Tiger Leaping Gorge - The Most Adventurous Sightseeing in LijiangIf you have a chance to visit Lijiang city, in southwest Yunnan province, most of the locals and the tour guides would recommend you to visit Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the most exciting spots close by the city. It is rumored that "Tiger Leaping Gorge is the deepest river canyon in the world". It may be a fact. The George is measured more than 3,000 meters (approx. 9842 feet) deep between 5,596 meters (approx. 18360 feet) high Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and 5,396 meters (approx. 17703 feet) high Haba Snow Mountain, where Golden Sand River (a local name of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River) passes in a series of rapids under the steep cliffs. The gorge may be not only the deepest but also the narrowest and the most dangerous canyon in the world. The narrowest part is only 30 meters. I ... The Simatai Great Wall - A Real Adventure TourChina is a country of amazing contrast. If you are a nature lover, it's easy to find a scenic city in China. If you are interested in Chinese history, you can visit historic cities like Beijing and Xi'an. If you are a shopaholic, you will love Shanghai and Hong Kong. If you are a pious pilgrim you may go to the Tibet and China's famous Buddhist Temples. What if you are an adventurer? Have you got any ideal about China? Do not hesitate. China could be your dreamland for a great adventure. We will write serial articles to introduce the most exciting adventurous sites for you. Let us start from the Simatai Great Wall of Beijing. The Great Wall is the biggest ancient military defensive system on the earth. It was initially built in 221 BC and did not end until the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It ... Useful Information on China NATIONALITIES: China is made up of 56 ethnic groups. The Han people make up 91.02 percent of the total population, and the other 55 national minorities 8.98 percent. They are Mongolian, Hui, Tibetan, Uygur, Miao, Yi, Zhuang, Bouyi, Korean, Manchu, Dong, Yao, Bai, Tujia, Hani, Kazak, Dai, Li, Lisu, Wa, She, Gaoshan, Lahu, Shui, Dongxiang, Naxi, Jingpo, Kirgiz, Tu, Daur, Mulam, Qiang, Blang, Salar, Maonan, Gelo, Xibe, Achang, Pumi, Tajik, Nu, Ozbek, Russian, Ewenki, Benglong, Bonan, Yugur, Jing, Tatar, Drung, Oroqen, Hezhen, Moinba, Lhoba and Gelo. All nationalities enjoy equal status according to the Constitution. The State protects their lawful rights and interests and promotes equality, unity and mutual help among all nationalities. China Airlines Conversion Rate RIVERS: China has 50,000 rivers that cover a catchment area of at least 100 square kilometers, and 1,500 of them cover a catchment area of more than 1,000 square kilometers. Most of the rivers flow from west to east to empty into the Pacific Ocean. The main rivers include the Yangzi (Changjiang), the Yellow River (Huanghe), Heilongjiang, the Pearl River, Liaohe, Haihe, Qiantangjiang and Lancang Rivers. At 6,300 kilometers long, the Yangzi is the longest river in China. The second longest is the Yellow River at 5,464 kilometers. The Grand Canal from Hangzhou to Beijing is a great water project in ancient China. 1,794 kilometers in length, it is the longest canal in the world. RELIGIONS: China is a multi-religious country. Buddhism, Taoism and Islam are the three major religions. Catholicism and Protestantism have smaller but substantial followers too. Different ethnic groups usually follow different religions. Islam is followed by the Hui, Uygur, Kazak, Kirgiz, Tatar, Dongxiang, Salar and Bonan peoples; Buddhism and Lamaism are followed by the Tibetan, Mongolian, Dai and Yugur nationalities; Christianity is followed by the Miao, Yao and Yi nationalities; Shamanism is followed by the Oroqen, Ewenki and Daur nationalities; and the majority Han nationality believes in Buddhism, Taoism and Christianity. TOPOGRAPHY: With a broad area, China has a very complex topography. The outline descends step by step from the west to the east. Mountains and hilly land take up 65 percent of the total area. There are five main mountain ranges. Seven mountain peaks are higher than 8,000 meters above sea level. The Bohai Sea, East China Sea, Yellow Sea and South China Sea embrace the east and southeast coast. MONEY: Chinese Money is called Renminbi (RMB) (means "People's Currency"). The popular unit of RMB is Yuan. The official exchange rate between U.S. Dollar and RMB Yuan currently is about 1 : 8.3 (1.00 Dollar = 8.30 Yuan). 1 Yuan equals 10 Jiao, and 1 Jiao equals 10 Fen. (There are parts of China the Yuan is also known as Kuai, and Jiao is known as Mao.) Chinese currency is issued in the following denominations: one, two, five, ten, fifty and a hundred Yuan; one, two and five Jiao; and one, two and five Fen. CIVIL ELECTRICAL POWER: AC 220 V, 50 Hz (bathrooms of many luxury and medium-grade hostels may have 110-volt sockets). TELEVISION SYSTEM: PAL (In addition to Chinese language TV broadcast, English and Japanese TV programs are available in many hostels via satellite relay. China Central Television Station (CCTV) and some local TV stations also provide English news and other programs in English.) TELEPHONE AREA CODE: Mainland China 86; Hong Kong 852; Taiwan 886. (Special Telephone Numbers: Police 110; Fire 119; Emergency 120.)
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