China
China is very big. Massive in every way. It's like a lot of different countries have been combined into one. There are a lot of different accents and extremes in both climate and geography. Choose from the yak-butter-lit temple halls of Xiahe, a trip down the dusty Silk Road, a stay at Everest Base Camp, or a night on the Shanghai tiles.
Destination in a Nutshell
9.6 million km2
Area
1.4 billion
Populations
Beijing
Capital
Quick Facts
China's railway network is almost 146,000 kilometers long, making it the world's second longest.
China now has over 660 cities. 90 of them have populations of exceeding one million.
By 2030, China's cities will have around 1500 new buildings over 150 meters tall.
Currency: Renminbi
Language: Mandarin
Time zone: GMT +8
Best Time to Visit
High Season: May–August
Hot in the southern part and also the wet season
Expect big crowds at traveler hotspots, especially in July and August
Shoulder Season: mid-February – April, September & October
Perfect time to go to China with more temperate climate
Accommodation prices can peak during the early-October holidays
Low Season: November – mid-February
The winter weather is bitterly cold in the north and at altitude and warmer in the south
Domestic tourism is down, but Chinese New Year remains bustling and pricey