Perbedaannya.comChina is one of the largest countries in the world and is located in Asia. The country has a rich history and a special culture. There are various religions in China, such as Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. There are also many Chinese who believe in Taoism, which is a philosophical and religious movement.
- General information
- Major cities of China
- Sights in China
- Visiting China during summer time
- Warm summers, cold winters
- Rain in China
- Request a visa
- Vaccinations and malaria tablets
- Warm sun in China
- Pay with Yuan
- Beware of counterfeit money
- Chinese language
- Written Chinese language
- Customs in China
- Habits at the table
General information
- Continent: Asia
- Original name: Zhōngguó
- Language: Chinese
- Currency: Yuan
Major cities of China
There are a few big cities in China. For example, you have Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is especially a good city for young people because it is a modern city. Many tours start here, because of the large airport. Hong Kong is a real world city. A metropolis that attracts more and more tourists. Visiting Hong Kong is a wonderful experience. The city cannot be compared to any other world city.
There are many sights to see in Hong Kong. One of the most famous buildings in Hong Kong is the Bank of China Tower. Another interesting building is Hong Kong City Hall, with a height of 305 meters. Hong Kong’s tallest skyscraper is Jardine House. There are also many Buddhist temples, such as Wong Tai Sin Temple and 10,000 Buddhas Temple. It is recommended to view these temples.
Hong Kong’s famous city park is Hong Kong Park. Also recommended is the Zoological and Botanical Gardens, a real must see when visiting the city. Hong Kong also has an amusement park, the Ocean Park. There are attractions, but there is also a shark aquarium. Hong Kong also has many shopping opportunities and you can eat out at the many eateries.
Beijing
Shanghai is the largest city in China and has the most inhabitants in the world in terms of population. Shanghai is also the largest port in the world and has therefore taken over the position of Rotterdam. Beijing is the capital of China and is often called Beijing. After Shanghai, Penking is the largest city in terms of inhabitants. It is a center of much transportation and trade in China. For example, there is a large international airport, Beijing Capital International Airport, but the city also has a large number of national airports. There is also an extensive metro network and many trains from all over the country come into the city.
Beijing has a rich history, because people have lived there for more than 3,000 years. The biggest tourist attraction is the Imperial Palace with the Forbidden City. Today this is a museum. In Beijing you will find more than twenty important temples, such as the Temple of Heaven. Tiananmen Square is the largest square in the world and is often called Holy Peace Square.
In Beijing you can take a day out at the Beijing Zoo, including the giant panda. Also recommended is Jingshan Park, a former imperial park with many beautiful plants and flowers. Beijing itself is a great place to eat out, because there are countless eateries. There are also many terraces and bars where you can have a drink in the evening.
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city in China. The city is also often written as Shanghai. The city originated as a fishing village. At that time it mainly lived from fishing. Today it is a real world city, with the largest port in the world. Textiles are also very important nowadays. There are several international airports in the city, including Shanghai Pudong.
The old center is suitable for walking tours. You can find ancient temples that you can visit. There is also a lot of modern architecture. From the Jinmao skyscraper you have a beautiful view of the city. There are also many parks and botanical gardens in Shanghai that are worth seeing. Of course you will also find countless restaurants in Shanghai. In the evening there are also numerous cafes, bars and discos where you can go. And of course you can also go shopping in the city.
Sights in China
Besides the big cities, there is much more to see in China. One of the most famous sights is the Great Wall of China. This is open to visitors in a number of places. The Wall can be seen from space. China also has many temples and monasteries that are definitely worth seeing, because you can learn a lot about the culture of China. Also worth a visit is Beihai Park, one of the best preserved classical Chinese gardens.
Visiting China during summer time
The best period to visit China is from April to October. In the winter months it can often be very cold, especially in higher places. Many places can still be quite chilly in the spring. Even in the summer period there are places where it is very chilly, especially in the evenings.
Warm summers, cold winters
In China you have different climate zones. This is because the country is very large. In China you mainly have warm summers and cold winters. In summer the temperature can reach 25 to 40 degrees. In the evening it cools down quickly in many areas and can be around 15 degrees. After October, temperatures no longer rise above 15 degrees and in winter the temperature can drop to 20 degrees.
Rain in China
In China you have a chance of rain showers all year round. Rain usually falls in the evenings and nights. The showers are usually very short and heavy. The cloud cover is almost always completely closed. There is an average of 1 millimeter of rain per day. In tropical areas it can be very hot and humid. In the north this is generally not the case.
Request a visa
You need a visa to enter China. This visa costs approximately €35 and includes a passport photo. You can apply for the visa at the embassy or at a visa agency. There is a special application form for obtaining a visa to China. Your passport must be valid for six months after returning from China and must contain at least two blank pages. It usually takes about four working days to process your visa application. The visa application must be submitted at least 40 days before the visit.
Vaccinations and malaria tablets
Vaccinations are not mandatory for China. However, they are recommended. Vaccinations against DTP, typhoid and hepatitis A are recommended. Always consult the GGD if you want to travel to China for the current status of vaccinations. It is also wise to take tablets against malaria and, if necessary, take a mosquito net with you. Also pay attention to what you eat and especially check the meat before you eat it.
Warm sun in China
Be careful of the sun during your trip to China. The sun’s radiation can be very strong, especially in subtropical areas. So choose a good sunscreen and always put something on your head. Because you lose a lot of fluid in warm areas, it is also necessary to drink regularly. Also sprinkle extra salt on your food if you lose a lot of fluid. Water is available in bottles almost everywhere.
Pay with Yuan
The currency used in China is the Yuan. Debit card payment is possible in all major cities. In smaller cities, a debit card option may often be missing. Also, not all ATMs will work, even if they do have a Maestro or Cirrus symbol. The credit card can be used almost everywhere. You can also withdraw money from banks with your credit card. It is also customary in China to tip for the services provided.
Beware of counterfeit money
Exchanging money with private individuals is strongly discouraged. Also never accept notes that are torn or broken. There are also many counterfeit 50 and 100 Yuan notes in circulation. So always check carefully whether you are actually getting money. Ask the banks if they can check the money by running it through a counting machine. This way you know for sure what you are getting. There are no places to exchange your money in China, except in Hong Kong. So it is better to spend all the Yuans before you leave.
Chinese language
Several languages are spoken in China, but the official language is Common Civilized Chinese. This language is used in schools and in the media. The language is very complicated and words can be pronounced in different ways, completely changing the meaning. The Chinese are usually very impressed when tourists try to speak the language. But if you speak English, most Chinese will understand what you want to say.
Written Chinese language
The Chinese letters are characters that cannot be read by us. In China they also have pinyin, where the words are written in Western letters. However, few Chinese are familiar with pinyin and the pronunciation is often very different from the written words. If you have an address written in pinyin, it is best to show it instead of reading it. Mainly school-age children understand pinyin, because they learn it in lessons.
Customs in China
In China it is customary to shake hands, for both men and women. Kissing or hugging in public is almost never done. This makes most Chinese people very nervous. The Chinese also do not dare to show embarrassment. To hide this they will laugh. They do this, for example, if they have not understood something or have asked a difficult question.
Habits at the table
When you go out to eat with a group, it is not common in China for everyone to order for themselves. Every dish on the table is available to everyone. You can eat from these dishes with your own chopsticks. Soup is always the last course in China, because Chinese people consider food that settles in the stomach unhealthy. It is normal in China to eat loudly. This is accompanied by slurping and burping. Burping is seen as a compliment to the cook.