Great country! The wisest country, unlike any other, deserves deep respect! So incomprehensible, strange and mysterious is China!
The People's Republic of China (PRC) is a large state located in East Asia and ranking first in terms of population in the world. The eastern coast of China is washed by the Pacific Ocean; in the north, it neighbors Russia and Mongolia; in the south it adjoins with Vietnam, Laos, Bhutan, Myanmar, India and Nepal, in the northeast - with Korea; western neighbors - Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan; and in the northwest it borders with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
The total area of the territory is 9.6 thousand square meters. kilometers (3rd place in the world), on which about 1.3 billion people live. The population of China is mainly Chinese (93%), the number of Russians living in China permanently is 16,000. The official language is Chinese, the currency is expressed in a monetary unit called yuan.
The Chinese preach many religions, the main ones are Buddhism, Christianity, Islam. In some parts of China there is a peculiar religious teaching - Taoism, a small percentage of people still believe in polytheism.
Ancient China - historical background
According to legend, the beautiful goddess Nyuiva sat on the shore of yellow waters and sculpted the small people who later settled on this earth - this is how the history of ancient China was born. The abundance of water and the fertile soil of the Yellow River Valley provided the people with everything necessary. Over time, people moved farther and farther from the valley, exploring new territories.
Gradually, bronze replaced the fragile stone. The tribes made weapons for hunting and plowing from it. With the improvement of guns, the number of feuds and wars increased. As a result, the Shang-Yin tribe expelled the people of Qiang from the valley, this gave rise to the establishment of statehood on the lands of the Central Plain. Elders Shang-Yin from the leaders of the tribe turned into rulers of the state, which was called Zhong-Guo.
The state lasted from 1766 - 1122 BC. Then power passed to the Zhou tribe, which fell under the onslaught of neighboring conquerors. Two centuries of the Warring Kingdoms came in place, the Kingdom of Qin won the war. Ruler Ying Zheng proclaimed himself the first emperor, and China - the empire.
Ying Zheng introduced quite stringent laws, the violation of which was expensive for residents. Thus, the ruler tried to establish an impeccable order in the country. His aggressive policies swept away everything in his path, and to protect the state, the emperor ordered the construction of Wan Li Cheng, the Great Wall of China.
After the death of Ying Zheng, Liu Bang became ruler. Thus was born the Early Han Dynasty, ruling from 206 BC - 25 AD The emperor was famous for his loyalty, his main goal was to restore order in the country. He introduced new laws, according to which the punishment was determined by the gravity of the crime, released and bonded people.
In the year 9, Wang Man took the throne, seizing power, but was soon killed, and the title of emperor passed to Liu Xiu, who ushered in the Late Han Dynasty (25 to 220 AD). After the fall of the dynasty, the period of the Three Kingdoms came - a single state fell into 3 parts: Weng, Wu and Shu. Between them there were constant wars; in the end, the kingdom of Wei crushed both rivals. The born dynasty became known as the Western Jin, which was soon replaced by another dynasty - the Eastern Jin, which ruled until 420.
Following came the Song Dynasty, which marked the beginning of the reign of the southern dynasties. Despite the constant war and disagreement, by this time there was a strengthening and formation of a community of the Han people, which formed a unity of customs, writing and language.
China - the capital and major cities
Located in the north-eastern part of the country, the city of Beijing has become its capital. It is a world-famous cultural and historical center and the most important strategic point of the republic. The city is home to over 11 million people.
Other major cities in China include: Shanghai (the largest metropolis with a population of 16 million people), Shenzhen, Tianjin, Chongqing, Dongguan, Shenyang, Chengdu and Xi'an.
China - holidays and tours
An extraordinary country, enchanting with its contrast, rich historical traditions and cultural heritage, annually attracts millions of tourists who want to enjoy a sip of exotic.
Tours in China are a unique opportunity to meet the history, philosophy and priceless culture of all Asia, to see the most famous sights, to taste the healing, refreshing air, to taste the delicious dishes of antiquity and modernity. And the rich animal and plant worlds will amaze you with exoticism and diversity.
Holidays in China - these are the beautiful bright beaches of Hainan Island, which have won a high rating in the field of tourism. The northern part of the country will give a lot of impressions to lovers of snowy peaks.
Wellness rest plays an important role among tourists. Various centers offer customers a wide selection of various types of treatment: thermal springs, qigong, acupuncture, Thai massage, herbal wraps, mud baths, etc. The most popular resorts are Udalianchi, Dalian, Taganzi resort, as well as the capital and tropical island of Hainan.
China - Attractions
The republic is replete with cultural and historical places that are useful for every traveler to visit. This will allow him to better understand the history, traditions and culture of the state. For tourists, there are many cities of great importance, more than 700 monuments and thousands of unforgettable landscapes.
The legendary Shaolin and other monasteries, the Great Wall of China, provincial ginseng farms, archaeological sites, climbing bases on the mountain slopes of the Himalayas, picturesque highlands, rivers and lakes, caves and noisy waterfalls.
Beijing, like any other corner of China, is full of attractions. The "Ancient City" - the imperial palace complex, the large Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace, the imperial parks, Yonghegong Temple and the Taoist Baiyunguan Temple, Qiang Tang Park with imperial tombs, as well as various historical and modern museums - all this wealth is collected in the capital.
In Guangzhou, you should visit the largest zoo in the whole country, as well as museums, mosques and the temple of Six Figs.
Tibet, which has been part of China since 1959, is a distinctive land of ancient culture. He absorbed thousands of monasteries. Lhasa - the heart of Tibet - counts in dozens of structures, among which the leading positions were occupied by the Yokhan Temple and the 17th century Patal Palace. Of interest is the "center of the world" - the Kailash mountain range.
China - weather (climate)
The subtropical climate prevails in Central China, in summer it brings hot and rainy summers, and in winter cool but mild winters.
According to climatic conditions, the PRC is divided into 3 zones:
1. Yangtze basin, including its delta
2. Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau
3. Sichuan province.
The first zone is characterized by high humidity. Summer temperature - from + 27 ... 33 degrees, at night + 20 ... +26; winter daytime temperature varies from + 5 ... +8 gr.
The second zone is less humid, the sky is clear, winters are mild. The temperature in the midst of summer rises from + 18 ... +27, and in winter drops to +14.
A temperate climate is inherent in the third zone. Here, the average temperature in summer ranges from +28 degrees, and in winter, on average, from -2 ... +7.
Weather in China now:
China - national cuisine
Chinese cuisine is varied and delicious! The combination of centuries-old traditions and modernity, improvisation, skillful hands of Chinese masters give amazing results, which cannot be appreciated.
A rich assortment of products, a combination of two principles (yin and yang), harmony of elements that are not compatible at first glance - pour into a solemn and delicious table. The popular Guangdong cuisine, teeming with sweet and sour delicacies, Sichuan - hot-burning gravy. A traditional dish in Sichuan cuisine is Yuxiang jousi (meat dish with fish aroma).
Peking duck is a real masterpiece of Moscow culinary experts. It is cooked in the old recipe and is subjected to special heat treatment, they prepare the dish for more than a day. And such dumplings, as in China, of various shapes and contents, you will not find anywhere else. And, of course, exotic dishes: Lunhoudou (made from snake and leopard cat meat), fried bear palms and swallow soup.
Rice is an integral part of many dishes. The traditional dish is rice porridge, cooked in a variety of ways. Chinese cooks can not do without legumes, vegetables, meat and flour products. The preferred drink in the country is green tea.
In a word, for lovers of food in the PRC there is everything!
China - interesting facts
- There are many hairdressing salons and cheap cafes in the country, which, by the way, are very tasty cooked;
- The Chinese are sensitive to nature and all life on the planet, including insects;
- On the street you will never meet a drunk Chinese who is barely standing on his feet. The people, of course, love to have fun in a noisy company, but do not get drunk to hell;
- In the republic, a huge number of people suffer from myopia, 70 out of 100 people wear glasses;
- The Chinese people do not like to sunbathe, unlike tourists, they try to avoid direct sunlight;
- In China, only 100 names, the most common of them are Wang and Li;
- In the streets you will not see a single stray animal;
- In the courtyard of almost every home you will find a simulator.
These unusual facts are characteristic of the country.
China - visa application
A citizen of the Russian Federation needs a visa to enter an Asian state. It can be tourist, guest, transit, business, individual and group. Duration of paperwork - from 4 to 12 working days, depending on the length of stay. Starting price - from 4 500 Russian rubles. For all detailed questions, it is advisable to contact the embassy.
Chinese Embassy
Address: 117330, st. Friendship, 6
Phone: +7 (095) 143-1540, 143-1543
Map of china
