In the east, on the fertile lands of the Great Chinese Plain, four-fifths of China's total population lives. Three-quarters of Chinese live in rural areas, but the country has many millionaire cities. And the largest Chinese city is the largest seaport of Shanghai.
The country's capital, Beijing, is only slightly smaller than Shanghai. In the oldest part of Beijing is the Forbidden City - a complex of palaces of Chinese emperors. Now these palaces and parks have become museums.
China lies within the temperate, subtropical and tropical climate zones, generally warm all year round, but not swelteringly hot. The southwestern part of China is occupied by the Tibetan Plateau, in the west and northwest - the high plains and mountains of the Eastern Tien Shan. Two great rivers mean a lot for China - the Yellow River and the Yangtze. The Yellow River ("Yellow River"), descending from the mountains, carries with it light fertile soils - loess. In the valley of this river in ancient times (4 thousand years ago), agriculture was born, Chinese civilization began, which developed in an original way, separated from other civilizations by impassable mountains and desert areas inhabited by ferocious nomadic tribes. The Great Wall of China was built to protect against nomads.
In the Celestial Empire (as the Chinese called their country), paper, gunpowder, porcelain were invented, they learned to print books and spin silk threads. But for foreigners, China has been a closed country for many centuries. For many centuries, only a thin line of the Great Silk Road connected the country with states in the West. China's isolation has led to a significant lag behind advanced European countries. In the mid-nineteenth century, China was unable to resist the claims of European colonialists, who imposed a series of unequal treaties on the Chinese government. Nevertheless, China managed to maintain its sovereignty.
In 1911, the imperial dynasty was overthrown and the Republic of China was proclaimed. In the following decades, China experienced a series of revolutions and civil wars and fought against Japanese invaders. Only in 1949 was the lasting power of the Communist Party and its leader Mao Zedong established in the country. After Mao's death in 1976, the new Chinese communist leadership began reforms aimed at improving the efficiency of the country's economy. Today China is one of the fastest growing countries in the world. Great success has been achieved here in the development of light industry; China has turned into a shoe and sewing workshop for the whole world. At the same time, the computer industry is rapidly developing here, and active space research is underway.
The Chinese head of state bears the traditional title of Chairman of the People's Republic of China (PRC). This is equivalent to the presidency in other countries. But if in most countries of the world the president is elected by the population, then the chairman of the PRC must have a successful party career and lead the Communist Party of China. Since 2013, the President of the People's Republic of China has been Xi Jinping. The official language in the country is Chinese, the currency is the yuan.China is the largest country in the world by population. Its population is 1 billion 289 million people, which means that almost every fifth inhabitant of the Earth is Chinese. The country's territory is 9 million 600 thousand square meters. km, but the country is unevenly populated.
Asian culture has always attracted people from all over the world. The cradle of civilization, the birthplace of world religions, a gastronomic paradise - all this can be said about any country in this part of the world. And especially about China. Many discoveries were made here, without which the modern world would look completely different. Here everyone is proud of their culture and history. Many great dynasties, wars and rebellions, this powerful state managed to overcome all difficulties and occupy one of the main places in the modern international arena. Only the most interesting things about China, customs, culture and people of this country are in the continuation of the article.
Language
The Chinese language is distinguished by its complexity. Any foreigner who wants to speak it at least somewhat understandably will have to spend more than one year of hard work. Here are the features of this language that Europeans will find interesting:
Gastronomy
While all of Europe eats with ordinary cutlery, the Chinese remain true to their traditions by continuing to use chopsticks. Since the population density here exceeds all possible limits, you have to adapt, using all possible and impossible products, which sometimes surprise tourists so much. So, a few interesting facts about China and the gastronomic preferences of its inhabitants:
A little about the gloomy
Speaking about interesting facts about China, one cannot fail to mention the attitude of the inhabitants of the Asian country towards death and their excessive superstition.
- Just as in many countries the number 13 is considered unlucky, and there is even a name for such fear, so in some eastern countries the number 4 is feared. Why? It’s just that in Japanese, Korean and Chinese, the number 4 sounds like the word “death”. There are often no floors with numbers ending in 4.
- In China, there is a tradition of burning paper drawn money at funerals. Where does she get her roots from? The thing is that the Chinese see the afterlife as a place where spirits live. Once in hell, the deceased must bribe its ruler to avoid punishment. Therefore, people who attend funerals burn the painted banknotes to “pass on” them to the spirit of the deceased. They often depict traditional symbols, such as a dragon. Although recently you can often find images of famous personalities. Marilyn Monroe and Einstein often appear.
Briefly about China. Interesting facts for children
History of China. Some interesting things
Interesting events took place during the formation of the state. Today it is, of course, a prosperous country, but what remarkable things happened along the way of its formation?
- for China, which had a negative impact on it was the theft of insects! The Byzantine Emperor Justinian I sent two monks who were supposed to learn the secret of creating silk, which glorified China in the 6th century. They managed to take with them silkworm larvae, which they then successfully planted on mulberry trees. This event contributed to the prosperity of Byzantium, but the positions of China and Persia, on the contrary, were shaken.
- The recent history of China is also replete with unusual facts. For example, an unknown Chinese was included in Time magazine's list of the most influential people of the 20th century. In 1989, there was a demonstration in Beijing that left several hundred people dead. Many more could have died if not for one courageous man who managed to independently hold a column of tanks. Unfortunately, his identity, as well as how it all ended for him that day, remained a secret, although his photograph was published in newspapers around the world.
The country of China represents one of the oldest civilizations in the whole world, which dates back at least 5 thousand years. There are even written sources whose age reaches 3,500 thousand years. Archaeologists believe that the ancestors of modern Chinese are Sinanthropus, who lived about 400 thousand years ago.
First Chinese civilizations
The development of China during the Neolithic era is divided into two main stages. The first is represented by the Yangshao culture (3-2 thousand BC), the existence of which is confirmed by the discovery of ceramics. The second is Longshan, from which a lot of very finely crafted utensils have been preserved.
Dynasties
Several centuries ago, dynasties appeared on the territory of modern China. The very first of them is Xia, whose founder was Yu. The dynasty was centered in Henan province, although its influence is believed to have extended to other regions. Over time, the power of the emperors decreased, and the powers of the sovereign began to concern only spiritual mentoring. Calendars played a very important role in times, with which Confucius was amazed a thousand years later. Once the emperors began to neglect their spiritual duties, the dynasty fell into decline. However, a new one was soon born.
The modern country of China was created under the influence of the Shang-Yin dynasty, which includes about 30 rulers. It was distinguished by totemism and a matriarchal type of power. The goddess of the earth was considered more significant than the god of the sky. The territory of the state was located over a large part of modern China and was divided into regions. A representative of each of them was required to periodically appear at the emperor's palace with gifts to honor him.
The next one was the one that overthrew the rulers of Shang-Yin. Subsequently, this state, located on the territory of almost the entire Yellow River basin, split into a number of others, which constantly competed with each other.
Chinese Empire
In the period from 221 to 207 BC. e. came to power and managed to unite disparate territories into a single whole. This time had a good effect on the entire territory of the modern state of China. The most interesting thing happened with the structure and development of the empire. The feudal system was destroyed, and transport, on the contrary, developed. During this period, the economy, trade and agricultural products developed. However, the dynasty lasted only 10 years and died along with its ruler, after violent uprisings began to break out in the state.
It was replaced by a crisis and wars. Over time, the emperors coped with it, and Confucianism gained popularity among the people. However, later the Sui dynasty came to power, during which the Grand Canal was built. However, constant wars and hostilities between neighboring provinces depleted the treasury.
Considering interesting facts about China, one cannot help but talk about which was able to establish relative peace and stability in the country. During this period, culture and art reached a special flourishing. Many of the rulers of the dynasty took care of this. It was a powerful state in which not only art, but also science and religion actively developed. However, the rulers failed to take care of the army and soon the dynasty was overthrown due to constant rebellions. A number of other dynasties were in power in this territory, including the Yuan, Ming and Qing.
New story
An important period in the development of the state was the 18th century, when international relations especially developed, and many Europeans were interested in learning about China, its traditions and people, because they could buy the best silk, porcelain and much more there. A little later, there was a war with Japan, as a result of which China lost Taiwan, Korea and the Pescadores Islands. The last Qing dynasty fell in 1911, and a year later the state was proclaimed a constitutional republic. Beijing will later be declared the capital of the country.
In 1917, China entered World War I, wanting to reclaim lands taken by Japan. But he does not receive support from allied countries. Then the Communist Party is at the helm of the state, and one of its leaders is Mao Zedong, one of the most famous leaders of all time, who made many changes in the state. A number of rulers tried to eliminate the disunity of the country, but to no avail. Since then, China has gone through the civil and Korean wars, the country has undergone many reforms, and the economy has been restored.
Results
The cradle of civilizations is, of course, China. Interesting facts for children and adults, as well as a brief excursion that were presented above, give only a faint idea of how strong an influence this state had on the whole world in the past and continues to have to this day. Not only were many useful discoveries made here, religions, incredible civilizations were born here, as well as traditions that have survived centuries. Interesting places in China, of which the most famous is the Chinese Wall, attract many tourists every year and for good reason. People are always attracted by mysterious, ancient and great civilizations. Interesting facts about China are only at the door, behind which a whole world is hidden, different from the European one, but so attractive and full of mysteries.
China is a country that still represents a mystery to many, a symbol of something distant and incomprehensible. The vast territory of China is located in the vastness of Central and East Asia. The north of China has vast steppes, often covered with snow in winter, while the south has tropical greenery and a warm sea. China is a country with a rich past and an equally interesting present, a country that combines loyalty to the traditions of one of the world's most ancient civilizations and the modern rhythm of life in large cities. The country's rich history and culture, vast territory and natural diversity create a wide range of travel and recreation opportunities. China gave us such great discoveries as paper, printing, gunpowder and a compass; magnificent Chinese silk and porcelain are known all over the world.
Geography
As the third largest country in the world, China is bordered by the deserts of Mongolia to the north, the rugged Tibetan Plateau and Himalayas to the west, and the East China and South China Seas to the east. China's 22 provinces and five autonomous regions are administered from Beijing, as are some 5,000 islands. Hong Kong and Macau have the status of Special Administrative Regions. Several disputed territories are located at varying distances along China's southwest coast. The most famous place is the island of Taiwan, over which controversy periodically flares up. In addition, there is also a group of Spratly Islands rich in oil that many countries would like to exploit, Diaoutai Island (known as the Senkaku in Japan), the Parachelle Islands and the Pescadores.
China's topography is very varied, from towering mountains to featureless plains; The surface of the country gradually decreases from the “roof of the world” of Tibet in the west through the Inner Mongolia plateau to the east to the Yangtze River valley. In the southwest of the country, the Yunnan-Guizhou plateau is a terrace with numerous waterfalls, underground caves, and limestone deposits, making this place one of the most impressive regions. Inland, there are also the salt lakes of the Taklamakhan Desert and the Turfan Lowlands (the hottest region of China, known as the Oasis of Fire). Melting snow from the mountains of western China and the Tibetan plateau provides water to the country's main transport arteries: the Yangtze, Yellow, Mekong and Salween.
Time
China is located in five time zones, but the entire country lives according to Beijing time. In the western regions the sun rises four hours later than in the eastern regions. Time difference with Moscow: in winter + 5 hours, in summer + 4 hours.
Climate
It varies greatly in different parts of the country within 3 climatic zones: temperate continental (west and north) with hot summers and harsh winters, subtropical in the central regions of the country and tropical monsoon on the southern coast and islands. A characteristic feature is very high air humidity in summer in many central and southern regions. The average temperature in the northern regions in winter is about -7 C (-20 C is not uncommon), in summer it is about +22 C and quite dry. In the central part of China in winter from 0 C to -5 C, in summer - about +20 C. In the southern regions in winter from +6 C to +15 C, in summer - above +25 C.
Hong Kong belongs to the tropical monsoon climate zone. The summer monsoon, which lasts from May to September, brings heavy rain and sometimes typhoons. The wettest month is June, when up to 400 mm of precipitation falls. July and August are not far behind it. The summer months are characterized by high humidity. Daytime temperatures during this period reach +30C, and sometimes +35C, night temperatures stay around +26C. Winter in Hong Kong is dry and warm. Precipitation is 80-100 mm. During the day the average temperature is +20C, at night - +14C.
Language
Most of the Chinese population speaks the Mandarin dialect of Pu-tong-hua. It is the official language of the People's Republic of China. With a population of approximately 1.3 billion, Mandarin is more widely spoken than any other language in the world, including English. Besides Pu Tong Hua, there are nine other dialects of Chinese, such as Cantonese, Manchu, Miao.
There is no alphabet in Chinese writing; it is replaced by hieroglyphs. The writing system evolved from pictographs, which were used by early hunter-gatherers to record words for people, animals, and objects. Of course, over the long history of mankind, writing has changed, but there are still several hieroglyphs preserved in their original form. Today there are approximately 50 thousand hieroglyphs, of which about five thousand are actively used. It is believed that a well-educated Chinese should know between six and eight thousand characters. To read Chinese newspapers, you will need to master two to three thousand characters. Traditional pu-tong-hua is written in a column and read from top to bottom and from right to left.
Religion
The main religions in China are Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism. All of these faith groups, with the exception of adherents of Taoism, maintain contacts with relevant organizations in all countries of the world. Freedom of religion is a permanent, long-term policy of the Chinese government. The Constitution of the People's Republic of China guarantees this freedom to every citizen of China.
“A noble man thinks about duty, a low man cares about profit,” taught Confucius. He also developed a number of other concepts, including loyalty and sincerity (zheng), decency and observance of ceremonies and rituals (li).
Following all these principles was the duty of the noble junzi, and thus the “noble man” of Confucius is a speculative social ideal, an edifying set of virtues. This ideal became obligatory to follow; approaching it was a matter of honor and social prestige, especially for those representatives of the upper class of scientists, officials, professional bureaucrats and administrators, who from the Han era (III century BC) began to govern Chinese Confucianism interia.
Population
China ranks first in terms of population in the world, with China's population accounting for approximately 22 percent of the world's population. China has nine provinces with a population of more than 50 million people. The population distribution in China is uneven. Over the past ten years, eastern China has experienced faster population growth than the western regions of the country. The most densely populated areas in China are the plains along the lower reaches of the Yangtze and Qiantang Rivers, the Pearl River Delta, the Sichuan Basin and the Huanghuai Plain.
Ethnically, more than 90% of China's population is Han, or "Han" Chinese. Due to migration processes, their number in areas inhabited by national minorities is increasing, but for the most part they inhabit Central and Eastern China. The Han Chinese traditionally considered all non-Chinese people to be backward peoples. As the Han Chinese expanded their territory beyond their original areas of residence, they assimilated some non-Chinese ethnic groups. Other ethnic groups retreated to remote, less convenient areas for life, where many of them managed to preserve their national characteristics.
Electricity
In China, two types of power sources are used: 110 and 220 volts.
Emergency numbers
police - 110
firefighters - 119
assistance in case of accident - 122
ambulance - 120
telephone information (English) - 108
Connection
A local call can be made from a pay phone (they work using magnetic cards), which are installed everywhere. Telephone cards are sold in hotels, postal kiosks and telegraph offices. Long-distance and international calls are easiest to make from specialized call centers, which are located in most postal or telegraph offices, as well as from a hotel (the tariff is usually 1.5 times higher). To call China, dial 8 - 10 - 86 - area code - number of the called party.
Some city codes: Beijing - 10, Guangzhou - 20, Dalian - 411, Guiyang - 851, Yinchuan - 951, Kunming - 871, Lanzhou - 931, Nanjing - 25, Xi'an - 29, Xining - 971, Xiamen (Amoy) - 592 , Taiyuan - 351, Tianjin - 22, Urumqi - 911, Fuzhou - 591, Haikou - 898, Hangzhou - 571, Harbin - 451, Hohhot - 471, Hefei - 551, Heihe - 456, Jinan - 531, Jinzhou - 371 , Changchun - 431, Chongqing - 23, Changsha - 731, Qingdao - 532, Shanghai - 21, Shenyang - 24. When in China, you must dial “0”, then the area code.
Currency exchange
Chinese national currency is the yuan. In circulation throughout China, there are 13 types of Chinese currency notes in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2, and 1 yuan, 5,2,1. The national currency of China is the Renminbi. Its issue is the prerogative of the People's Bank of China. The main unit of the renminbi is the yuan, the auxiliary units are the jiao and fen (1 yuan = 10 jiao; 1 jiao = 10 fen). Iron money of China - coins of 6 types: 1 yuan, 5 jiao, 1 jiao, 5 fen, 2 fen and 1 fen. 1 yuan = 10 jiao, therefore 1 jiao = 10 fen. In the currency circulation of China you can find both new and old banknotes. Currency exchange in China is best done at hotel receptions or exchange offices. It is better to refuse torn money, very wrinkled or torn in China and exchange it for normal ones.
Visa
Citizens of the Russian Federation (except for citizens with diplomatic passports) require a visa to visit China.
Types of visas: tourist visa - the purpose of the trip is tourism; business (commercial) visa - the purpose of the trip is a business visit; transit visa - issued to persons traveling through the territory of the PRC to third countries; individual visa - for persons traveling independently, not as part of a group; group visa - issued to a group of people crossing the Chinese border together at the same time through the same border crossing. Group visas are divided into tourist (group must have at least 5 people) and business (group must have at least 9 people). The Chinese Consulate issues both single-entry and multiple-entry visas to Russian citizens.
Customs regulations
The new rules not only introduce a system of mandatory declaration of values, but also set limits for the duty-free import of goods. Thus, residents of the PRC can import duty-free goods into China in an amount not exceeding 5 thousand Chinese yuan (approximately $605), and non-residents of China (for example, tourists or people coming on short-term business trips) - up to 2 thousand yuan ($242). You will also need to declare imported cash in excess of $5,000. A copy of the entry declaration will serve as the basis for the tourist to seamlessly export part of the unspent money back to his homeland. Those traveling abroad will also be required to declare the presence of cameras, video cameras and compact computers if their value exceeds 5 thousand yuan ($605). In this case, when these items are re-imported into the territory of the PRC, they will not be subject to duties. It will also be necessary to declare excisable goods - no more than 1.5 liters of strong alcoholic beverages, 400 cigarettes, 100 cigars or 500 grams of tobacco can be imported duty-free into China. If during your stay in China you have not used up all the local currency, before leaving you can exchange it back for the desired foreign currency by presenting a certificate of the original exchange (the certificate is valid for 6 months). It is prohibited to export historical documents, valuable objects and works of art, as well as paintings and graphics without a store receipt confirming the legality of the purchase or an export permit from the Chinese Administrative Department for Cultural Property.
Holidays and non-working days
Official holidays in China are New Year (celebrated throughout the country on January 1), Spring Festival (Lunar New Year, which is celebrated throughout the country for three days), International Women's Day (March 8), International Workers' Day ( May 1), Chinese Youth Day (May 4), International Children's Day (June 1), Establishment Day of the People's Liberation Army of China (August 1), Teacher's Day (September 10), National Day of the People's Republic of China (October 1) is celebrated nationwide three day.
SPRING HOLIDAY. Every year at the end of the winter season, on the eve of spring, the Chinese people traditionally solemnly and joyfully celebrate the first traditional holiday of the year - the Spring Festival. In the past, this holiday was called “Xinnian” (New Year), since according to the lunar calendar (this chronology has been accepted in the history of China since ancient times), the Spring Festival fell on the first day of the new year. After the Xinhai Revolution (1911), a new style of chronology began to be used in China. To distinguish it from the New Year according to the new style, the New Year according to the lunar calendar was renamed the Spring Festival (it falls on one of the days from the third ten days of January to the second ten days of February according to the new style). On the night of the Spring Festival, which is called "chusi", the whole family gathers together. A rich festive dinner is arranged, after which conversations and games are held on various topics. Many families stay up all night, this is called "Shousui" - waiting for the New Year. In the morning of the next day, one is supposed to go around the houses of relatives and friends with congratulations and wishes for all the best. On the days of the Spring Festival, traditional mass performances are held: lion dances, dragon dances, round dances of “land boats”, performances on stilts.
"QINGMING" HOLIDAY. It falls on one of the days of April 4 - 6. Since ancient times, people commemorated their ancestors on this day. And now, on the Qingming holiday, events have begun to take place in memory of the fallen revolutionaries and fallen heroes. On this day, their graves are put in order. It’s usually warm in Qingming and nature is in full bloom, so many people go on country walks, fly paper kites, and admire the spring nature. That's why "Qingming" is also called "Tatsingjie" - a day of walking along the first greenery.
"YUANXIAO" HOLIDAY. It falls on the 15th day of the first month according to the lunar calendar. It coincides with the first full moon of the new year. On this day, people eat "yuanxiao", which is made from sticky rice with sweet filling and candied fruits. They are shaped like a ball and symbolize the happiness of a friendly family. On this day people also admire festive lanterns, so it is also called the Lantern Festival. For this day, a variety of, but certainly colorful, lanterns are made, which are hung on the streets and in courtyards. Festive evenings are held when riddles written on lanterns are solved.
Over the course of a long history, each nationality of China has developed its own way of life, reflected in the characteristics of food, clothing, customs and rituals. In China, not everyone celebrates their birthday. And if it is celebrated, then in most cases it is among city dwellers, not villagers, and for children and old people, and not young and middle-aged people. There is no special ritual for birthdays, however, many people prefer to eat festive “shoumian” - noodles that symbolize longevity. More and more often, in urban families, a European cake is served on the table on this day. China has adopted the "Marriage Law of the People's Republic of China", according to which men who have reached 22 years of age and women who are at least 20 years of age have the right to marry and obtain a marriage certificate from the relevant competent authority. A wedding is not a mandatory legal procedure. This is a holiday when newlyweds receive congratulations from family and friends. Newlyweds, as a rule, treat their comrades and friends with wedding sweets, and at the same time accept gifts from them for good luck. Funeral rites in China are simple. Usually a farewell to the body of the deceased or a funeral meeting is held as a sign of grief. In cities, cremation is common, and in villages, burial of the deceased is common. The traditional funeral color in China is white; in recent years, at funerals, citizens have worn a black mourning bandage on their arm.
Transport
A taxi is the most comfortable way to travel in the city. Tariffs in different companies vary quite a lot and depend on the type of car, on average 10-12 yuan for the first four kilometers and 1-2 yuan for each subsequent one. At night the tariff may be higher. The tariff is usually written large on a piece of paper attached to the windshield or rear right door glass. The taxi driver takes the money strictly according to the meter and returns the change in full, and upon the first request of the client, he is obliged to issue a receipt for the amount paid. It is not recommended to take a taxi at the main entrance to the hotel - these are usually the cars with the most expensive fare. Don’t even try to stop the “private trader” - it’s useless.
International airports in China: Beijing, Shanghai (Pudong Airport) and Hong Kong accept regular flights from Moscow operated by Aeroflot and China Airlines. Travel time: Moscow - Beijing 7 hours, Moscow - Shanghai 8 hours, Moscow - Hong Kong 10 hours. Domestic air transport is rapidly developing and covers the entire country. Domestic flights are best done only with flights of large Chinese companies, which provide better service and higher safety.
China is one of the most developed countries in the world and has an excellent road network. The eastern part of China is especially striking. You can easily come across four-level highway interchanges and incredible highways built above the water, underground or on tall stilts. In addition to toll highways, which are called Express Way or simply EXPRW, there is a network of regular federal roads - also toll roads, and also of good quality. Often these roads run parallel.
China has a developed rail network serving passengers on domestic and international routes. International express trains run on the following routes: Beijing-Ulaanbaatar-Moscow, Beijing-Mazhouli-Moscow, Beijing-Pyongyang, Beijing Hanoi, Urumqi-Almaty. Express trains run between major cities in China, departing in the evening and arriving the next morning. Soft sleepers consist of compartments for 4 passengers.
The water transport system is extremely developed in China. There are international and domestic shipping lines. Separately, the main tourist routes should be noted: along the Grand Canal from Suzhou to Hangzhou, a cruise along the Grand Canal, the Yangtze River and Lake Taihu, in Guilin Province, along the Lijiang River.
Three Chinese cities: Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai have subways. Station name signs are duplicated in English; in certain cases, taking the metro is the most convenient and economical way to get to your desired location. If you get lost, you can hardly count on the help of local residents, since most likely they will either not understand you or will direct you in the wrong direction.
Tips
In China, tipping is not a local tradition, and in provincial hotels it can be perceived as an insult. In tourist centers they usually leave 10%, for the hotel maid - 2-3 yen, for the guide - 1 dollar.
Stores
Artistically - exquisite, charming, practical and unique goods produced on a vast territory such as silk, cashmere, embroidery, pottery and porcelain, lacquerware, artistic wood carvings, tea, liquor, medicines and, of course, Chinese graphics and national painting. For a long period of time, these goods remain the most desirable for foreign tourists. Guests can purchase Chinese souvenirs from duty-free shops, officially registered stores and major department stores throughout the country, or directly contact the 300 government-registered tourism product manufacturers.
Hong Kong is a true paradise for shopping lovers. If in Moscow you can count the megamarkets on one hand, then in Hong Kong, in a very compact area, there are about 100 of them. There is everything here! Gucci, Prada, Vercase - in any store or shopping center. Most Hong Kongers follow fashion and always follow the latest global trends. Men and, to a greater extent, women never miss out on the latest designer collections. So if you happen to visit Hong Kong, buy branded clothing. What is luxury in Moscow may be the most common in Hong Kong. Please pay attention to the prices of these products. They will certainly be lower than in Moscow.
National cuisine
Beijing or Northern cuisine (imperial): dishes traditionally use lamb, as well as sesame (oil, grains, dough), borrowed from Mongolian cuisine. Noodles and steamed buns often replace rice (cereals are grown in the northern regions). The most common vegetable is the so-called Chinese cabbage, a cross between cabbage, lettuce and celery. Here they prefer to season food with spicy rice vinegar and cook vegetables in sweet and sour sauce. Beijing cuisine combines simple, hearty dishes with the gourmet dishes of the imperial court. The pinnacle of culinary art is undoubtedly Peking duck. The duck is dried, soaked in soy sauce and fried. A waiter wearing white gloves cuts the finished dish right in front of you. You will be served a piece of duck with a crispy crust, slices of cucumber, a feather of onion and a slightly sweet plum sauce on a thin, almost transparent pancake. Another popular dish is "beggar's chicken." Like the Peking duck, it must be ordered in advance. The chicken is stuffed with champignons, cabbage, onions, herbs, wrapped in lotus leaves, coated with clay and fried in the oven. The client himself must break the hardened clay crust using a small hammer. The smell is simply amazing!
Sichuan or Western cuisine: dried, salted, smoked foods with a lot of pepper added for better preservation. Sichuan cuisine is very spicy, fragrant with the aromas of garlic, dill, coriander, and anise. Steaming and smoking are the most common methods of local cuisine. Frog legs. smoked duck in tea leaves, king prawns with garlic, tofu (fermented soybean cheese) with pepper - masterpieces of Sichuan culinary art. And the chicken with peanuts is simply inimitable.
Cantonese or Southern cuisine: Steamed fish and dim sum - small pies served in bamboo baskets - are the most popular dish. The main requirements for food are fresh products and a minimum of seasonings. Restaurants serve Cantonese rice, shark fin soup, and exotic dishes made from dog, snake and turtle meat.
Shanghai, or Oriental cuisine: food is stewed for a long time in soy sauce with the addition of rice vodka. Ravioli with meat, eel in wine with garlic, fried noodles with shrimp are just a small part of what they can offer you.
Attractions
One of the main attractions is, of course, the grandiose monument of fortress architecture, the Great Wall of China, which stretches 4,000 km along Northern China and passes 90 km from Beijing. Its construction began in the 3rd century BC and ended in the 3rd century AD. The wall is an earthen rampart up to 10 meters high, with watchtowers located every 200 meters. Beijing is home to China's largest national museum, Gugong. This is a former imperial palace, which is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful medieval palace ensembles. On the southern outskirts of Beijing is the Temple of Heaven. It is one of the largest historical monuments in China, built in the 15th century. It was then called the Temple of Heaven and Earth and was the place where emperors offered prayers to the God of Earth and the God of Heaven and made sacrifices on the altar. Guizhou Province is famous for the magnificent Huangoshu Waterfall, which is popularly called the "Milky Way on Earth." Its height is 74 meters and width is 81 meters. Going down the stone-lined path, you can find yourself in Shuiliandong Cave, which is located behind the waterfall. The most beautiful view opens up from here, and besides, you can even touch the waterfall. If you crave shopping and entertainment, then be sure to visit Shanghai - the largest industrial and commercial center, a city that combines Eastern and Western culture. Modern Shanghai is home to fashionable hotels, luxurious restaurants, huge shopping and entertainment centers. Nanjing Road is the city's most famous pedestrian street, stretching for 14 km, where the city's best shops and restaurants are concentrated. Southeast of the city of Luoyang in the Songshan Mountains is the Shaolin Monastery. This is the most famous Buddhist temple in China, the “homeland” of Chan Buddhism, as well as a recognized center for martial arts (wu-shu). One of the main Shaolin shrines is the cave where Bodhidharma meditated. It is located at the very top of Songshan Mountain, the road there is paved with slabs; and above the cave rises a majestic statue of Bodhidharma made of white stone.
Heavenly Peace Square (Tiananmen) is located in the center of Beijing, covering an area of 44 hectares. The emperor once announced his decrees from the Gate of Heavenly Peace, and in 1949 Mao Zedong proclaimed the declaration on the formation of the People's Republic of China. During the imperial era, ordinary citizens were not allowed into Tiananmen Square, and during Mao's time, mass demonstrations began to be held here. The Summer Imperial Palace is a spacious park ensemble with residential buildings, temples and pavilions located along the shores of an artificial lake. Located 20 km northwest of Beijing. The park can be divided into two parts: the palace and the park itself. After passing the main gate of the park, you find yourself in the Renshoudian Pavilion, where at one time the residence of Empress Cixi and her son Guangxu was located. To the east is the Deheyuan theater complex, and to the west is a long gallery with a length of 728 m. Each span of the gallery is decorated with magnificent paintings, in which there is not a single repeating plot.
Huge numbers of visitors come to Beijing to visit its incredibly cheap markets. The most popular markets are the Silk (Xushui), Pearl and Yabolu (Yabao Lua) markets, the Friendship store on Yanguamenway, the Lufthansa department store (Yansha), as well as hundreds of retail outlets on the “main street of China” - Changanjie.
In the ancient city of Xi'an there is a unique museum of terracotta figures of warriors and horses from the tomb of Emperor Qinshihuang, and near Zhoukoudian there are unique archaeological sites included in the UNESCO cultural heritage list - the site of the discovery of fossil remains of the earliest forms of man. Suzhou has more than 100 well-preserved garden and park ensembles created by many generations of imperial dynasties. To the southeast of Beijing are the famous scenic Mount Taishan - one of the most revered shrines of the five sacred mountains of Taoism, as well as the Temple of Confucius (478 BC) and the architectural park complex of the Yanshenggong residence near the city of Qufu with the complex surrounding mansions and the “Confucius Forest” - a huge park with unique trees and the best preserved ancient cemetery in China.
In Hong Kong, the world's busiest deep-sea port, interesting places to visit include Victoria Park on the mountainside, the Aberdeen Floating Market District, the Meng Mo Temple, the Central Market, the sailors' paradise Wanchai, the Legislative Council Building, and the Anglican Cathedral. St. John's, the building of the former French mission, Government House, beautiful protected parks, the area of which makes up about 40% of the entire city, zoological and botanical gardens, the beaches of Repulse Bay, Deep Water Bay and Stanley, as well as ultra-modern bank buildings and financial organizations.
Resorts
Beach resorts:
Hainan Island located in southern China. The name of the tropical island is translated from Chinese as “island south of the sea.” Thanks to the mild tropical climate and the absence of industrial enterprises, Hainan occupies one of the leading places in the world in terms of environmental indicators. There is clean and healthy air, clear sea water and a lot of greenery. Perhaps this is why the highest life expectancy in China is recorded here. The island's population is almost 6.7 million people. The capital of the island is Haikou. A 370 km long expressway connects the capital with the southern part of the island, the year-round resort city of Sanya. "Coconut City", as the locals call it, is surrounded by picturesque mountains, densely covered with forest, and washed by the sea.
Main resort areas Sanyi are located in three bays: Yalongwan, Dadonghai and Sanyavan. All beaches in Hainan resorts are municipal, but hoteliers carefully look after their beach area and equip it with everything necessary: sun loungers, umbrellas, fresh showers, and a lifeguard always monitors the situation at sea. The beaches are sandy and flat everywhere, the water is warm and clear. 
Yalong Bay is located 25 km from Sanya and is considered the most prestigious holiday destination in Hainan. The water in Yalong Bay is the cleanest, the sea is calmer, and the water temperature is one degree cooler compared to other bays. The underwater world is rich and diverse, which is why large dive centers are located here. The most luxurious hotel in Yalongwan today is The Ritz Carlton. Popular hotels include the world-famous Sheraton and Marriott chains. The excellent hotel of the Aegean chain is practically unknown on the Russian market, but you should not ignore it - the hotel suites are even equipped with washing machines, and on the balcony of the room you can lie in the jacuzzi, admiring the unique view of the sea.
Dadonghai Bay located very close to the center of Sanya, it is always crowded and fun. For the use of wooden sun loungers you will be charged 30 yuan (about 105 rubles). However, if you are swimming on site, a sun lounger and umbrella will be free of charge. On Dadonghai beach you won't get bored with fruit and pearl sellers, but they are not intrusive - if their goods don't interest you, they will quickly leave.
Sanyawan Bay is located near Sanya airport, the infrastructure of the bay is still developing. The main disadvantage of this resort area is that all the beaches are across the road. The coastal waters are not as clear as in Yalunwan, but the surrounding landscapes - white sand, coconut palms and the vast horizon of the emerald sea - more than cover all the disadvantages of the bay.
There are many mountain ranges in China, and there are small ski centers in various parts of the country. Skiing in China is becoming increasingly popular both among local residents and foreign tourists, who find a certain exoticism in this activity - for relatively little money. Ski resorts: Heihe-Longzhou, Alshan-Alpine, Changchun-Beidaihu, Changchun-Jinggetan, Jirin-Changbeishan, etc.
China− an amazing country, full of various attractions and beauties! Ancient civilization of China was able to preserve the original traditions of its own people in the depths of its lands, creating nearby a powerful technological basis that peacefully coexists with the centuries-old traditions of a rich culture. Great-grandfather's traditions adorn the unforgettable beauty of landscapes of pristine nature - from the light airy surface of the purest rivers and lakes, surrounded by lush green vegetation, to the high mountain snowy peaks of Tibet. Centuries-old ancient Buddha temples and modern skyscrapers megacities of China, gracefully and organically merging into a single stunning personification of the beautiful on our Earth, lure many tourists to China, who will experience emotions hardly comparable to anything else! Allow yourself to feel a piece of these immense sensations!
- Total China Square is 9,596,960 sq. km. China is the 3rd largest country in the world. Shanghai and Beijing are the two largest cities in the world by population.
- 14 countries border China, and its coastline is washed by 4 seas. Since the country occupies a large area, the climate varies dramatically from subarctic in the north to tropical in the south.
- Population of China as of July 2006 is 1,313,973,713. China is officially the largest country in the world by population. The Chinese Government has accepted one child law to prevent population growth. Unfortunately, this makes China one of the fastest aging countries.
- In China, two years of military service is compulsory for men between the ages of 18 and 22. Women of the same age group are conscripted to perform various military tasks.
- The largest part of the population is Chinese "Han". Mandarin Chinese is the official language of the country. However, China is inhabited by 55 other peoples who speak 206 languages.
- Renmin ribao, also known as People's Daily is the largest official publication.
- Tiananmen Square (Tienanmen) is the world's largest venue for various demonstrations and performances, and the Three Gorges Dam, located in China, is the world's largest dam.
Useful information about China
- Chinese civilization- one of several ancient civilizations that has its own written language. The Chinese language has more than 80 thousand characters. On average, a Chinese person who has graduated from university already knows 5 thousand characters.
- More than 100 dinosaur fossils have been discovered in Sichuan. A four-winged dinosaur, a theropod, has been discovered and is said to be the missing transition between dinosaurs and birds.
- Emperor Puyi Dynasty was the last Emperor of China 1908-1912. Empress Wu of the Tang Dynasty was the only female emperor of China.
- also known as the Ten Thousand Li Wall (a Chinese measure of length of approximately 590 yards), one li is equal to 500 meters. In its original form, the total length of the wall was about 8,800 km. However, to this day, the Great Wall of China has not survived in its original form, and only a section 2,400 km long. preserved in good condition.
- Kublai Khan used silk notes as currency and jade currency was also used.
- Acupuncture treatment- treatment with thin needles that are inserted into various points appeared in China more than 500 years ago.
- Chinese calendar based on the lunar cycle. This is the oldest calendar, dating back to 2600 BC. It includes 12 zodiac signs. The full cycle of the Chinese calendar is 60 years.
Fun trivia about China
- Paper, compass, gunpowder and the printing press are rightfully considered the four great inventions of China. China is also credited with inventions such as the wheel and the first calendar.
- Ice cream was first made in China 4,000 years ago. Someone accidentally left a mixture of milk and rice in the snow, and when they returned, they found ice cream. Marco Polo brought the secrets of making ice cream and pasta from China to Europe.
- There are 3240 TV channels and 250 FM channels in China.
- Following British rules, cars drive on the left in Hong Kong, although in the rest of China they drive on the right.
- People have been drinking tea in China for over 1800 years. Chinese white tea is the pinnacle of taste of ancient Chinese healers.
- The Chinese traditional greeting (Chigola ma or Ni chifan la ma) is translated into Russian as “Have you eaten?”
- Martial art Kung Fu was invented by Shaolin monks to protect themselves from robbers on deserted mountain roads.
A message about China for grades 3 and 4 will tell you everything about this amazing and ancient country with a rich culture.
Brief message about China
China is the third largest country by area and the leader in terms of population - 1.3 billion people live here.
In the Celestial Empire (as the Chinese called their country), paper, gunpowder, porcelain were invented, they learned to print books and spin silk threads. The first newspapers also appeared in China.
Today it is difficult to find a product name that is not produced in China. The country is exploring new markets and industries, buying up well-known brands, copying and making the final product more attractive and accessible. China borders on the following countries: India, Russia, Vietnam, Afghanistan and several others.
The Constitution of the People's Republic of China, which was adopted in 1982, states that China is a socialist state with a democratic dictatorship of the people. The country is governed by the Communist Party through the National Unicameral Assembly of People's Representatives.
The head of state is considered to be the Secretary General.
Capital of China- Beijing.
Largest cities in China— Tianjin, Shanghai, Chongqing
Official currency is yuan.
Climate and relief of China
The state's topography is quite diverse: in the western region of the country lies the highest mountain system in the world - the Himalayas. The highest peak in the world is Mount Everest (8848 m). In the east is the Great Chinese Plain, which stretches along the shores of the East China and Yellow Seas for a thousand kilometers. Between the shores there are mountain systems of different heights.
The climate ranges from temperate continental in the north to subtropical climate with muggy, hot summers. Winter is mild in the southern part of the country.
Fossils of China
The subsoil of the state is rich in all minerals. The main one is coal, the reserves of which are among the largest in the world. Oil reserves are also sufficient. China is considered the leader in gold production.
Population and religion of China
The country is home to 56 different peoples, who make up 7% of the population. The remaining 93% are Chinese. About 36% of China's total population lives in cities, and 64% lives in rural areas.
