China Travel Guide

China as a country with a long history and ancient civilization, is endlessly appealing to adventurous visitors. A wide variety of terrain and climate have shaped its numerous natural attractions. Abundant in a wide variety of plants, animals, and minerals, and other resources, the land has nurtured countless generations of Chinese people. One of China's greatest treasures is her long, rich history. As early as 1.7 million years ago, the earliest humans evolved in this land. As early as 4,000 BC, there were settlements along the Yellow River. The first dynasty, the Xia Dynasty, dates to about the 21st century BC and was followed by a succession of imperial dynasties until 1911 when Sun Yat-sen was proclaimed the first president of the Republic of China. In 1921, the Communist Party of China was founded.

Shortly before the Anti-Japanese War (1936-1945) the Red Army was formally established. Through protracted and arduous struggle under the leadership of the party and her chairman, Mao Zedong, the Chinese people founded the People's Republic of China in 1949. Mandarin is the official language in China, as spoken in Beijing, but there are also many different dialects to listen out for. Chinese food (and much of the ingredients used to create it) is like no other cuisine - and differs greatly between regions. Art in China is also stunningly unique, perhaps best typified by calligraphy, performed with ink and brush, which is still held in extremely high regard by the Chinese. The nation comprises five autonomous regions and twenty-two provinces, as well as Hong Kong