Why does the whole world say "China", "China" or "Hina" (China), and we say "China"? Country China: brief information and interesting facts.
The capital of the PRC is Beijing.
China is located in East Asia, on the western coast of the Pacific Ocean. The total area of the country is 9.6 million square meters. km. China is one of the largest countries in the world (second in area only to Russia and Canada) and the largest country in Asia.
Due to the size of its territory (China's land borders are 22,117 km), China shares borders with 14 countries. The coast of China stretches from the border with North Korea in the north to Vietnam in the south and is 14,500 km long.
There are vast lowlands along the Pacific coast, vast deserts, the world's highest plateaus and mountain ranges lie in the west of the country, and the vast Mongolian steppes lie in the north. More than two-thirds of China's territory is occupied by mountains.
Most of the relief of China is occupied by the Tibetan Plateau (4000 m above sea level). Several of the highest points in the world are located here at once, including the highest peak in the world - Chomolungma (Everest) - an altitude of 8848 m. The 2 main rivers of China - the Yangtze and the Yellow River - also originate here.
China climate
The geographic location of the country greatly affects big variety temperature and meteorological regimes. The northern and western regions are characterized by hot summers and cold winters (average monthly temperature in winter is -7 ° C, and in summer +22 ° C). In the central regions of the country, a subtropical climate prevails (average monthly temperature in winter is from + 6 ° C and in summer is above +25 ° C). The average water temperature throughout the year adheres to a level of + 25 ° C
Hainan Island is the southernmost part of China and the thermometer here rarely drops significantly below + 28 ° С. And the average sea temperature is + 26 ° С.
The rainiest season in the east of the country is from July to August; the south is hot and humid from April to September.
China time
Beijing Time is in effect throughout China. Time difference with Moscow: +5 hours.
Language of China
The main part of China speaks Mandarin Mandarin Mandarin. It is he who is the official language of the People's Republic of China. There are also about 9 other dialects of the Chinese language.
In the tourist areas of the country, you can meet English speakers, especially public institutions, the police. More and more often you can meet a Russian-speaking resident.
Currency of China
The Chinese yuan is the official currency of China. The yuan exchange rate is set by the state. It has remained stable over the past few years. 1 USD is equal to approximately 6.7 RMB.
You can exchange foreign currency at the branches of the Chinese bank, which are at the airport (IMPORTANT! Check the amount of the commission), in hotels or in large stores.
1 yuan = 10 jiao = 100 fen
In circulation, bills of 1, 2, 5, 10, 50 and 100 yuan, 1, 2, 5 jiao and 1, 2, 5 fen are used.
Holidays and non-working days
- January 1 - New Year
- Late January - early February - Chinese New Year
- March 8 - International Women's Day
- May 1 - Labor Day
- May 4 - Youth Day
- June 1 - Children's Day
- July 1 - Founding Day of the Chinese Communist Party
- August 1 - Day of the creation of the People's Liberation Army of China
- October 1 - Education Day of the People's Republic of China
Transport in China
The main air hub of the island of Hainan is the international airport in Haikou - "Meilan".
The second international airport of Hainan "Phoenix" in Sanya. It is closest to the resorts of Dadonghai, Sanyavan and Yalunwan.
The main means of transportation on the island. Hainan are bike / moped, bus, trolley, taxi, motorcycle and pedicab. Car rental is possible only with a driver, as international law is not valid in China.
Communication in China
The main mobile operators in China are ChinaMobile and ChinaUnicom.
Stores in China
In China, you can buy a huge number of souvenirs!
Almost everywhere you can buy such national items as caskets, cups, chopsticks or porcelain products. In specialized stores, you can even buy porcelain from the Myn dynasty, Chinese paintings and copies of famous paintings at quite reasonable prices.
In addition, here you can pamper yourself with a real chinese tea and silk, and in addition, purchase jade products and jewelry with pearls.
State-owned stores sell goods at fixed prices, but when you come to the market, you can get a good discount!
Government shops are open on schedule from 9:30 am to 8:30 pm.
Opening hours of private shops: from 9:00 to 21:00.
Markets are open from 7:00 am to 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Chinese cuisine
China is a place of attraction for all gourmets! Its cuisine is very varied and interesting. Due to its extensive geography, an unprecedented variety of cuisines is presented here: Beijing, Shanghai, Sichuan and Hunan, Harbin, Cantonese, Hangzhou, Henan, Huaiyang, Fujian, Huizhou, Ningbo, Wuxi cuisines and others.
Brief country information
Date of foundation
Official language
Chinese
Form of government
Socialist republic
Territory
9 596 960 km² (3rd in the world)
Population
1,430,075,000 people (1st in the world)
Timezone
Largest cities
Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing, Tianjin, Guangzhou
$ 14.625 trillion (2nd in the world)
Internet domain
Telephone code
Or Zhong Guo, as the Chinese themselves call it, is one of the most amazing and mysterious countries in the world. Homeland of paper and printing, gunpowder and compass, silk, porcelain and many other useful inventions and discoveries, it invariably attracts the attention of historians, researchers and travelers. Located in the southeast of the Asian continent and with its outlines resembling a huge bird soaring in the sky, modern China is the heir to a great civilization, the chronicle of which is about five millennia.
Video: China
Basic moments
Despite its rich historical past, a rather motley ethnocultural composition of the population and the presence of national-territorial autonomies, the People's Republic of China is de facto a unitary state with a rigid system of government and a clearly built vertical of power, the core of which has been the Communist Party since 1949.
The PRC has a huge territory of 9,596,960 sq. km, including the island of Taiwan, which is not controlled by the central government, and the small islands adjacent to it. According to this indicator, China is second only to Russia and Canada. In terms of population, it is 1,430,075,000 people (data from 2018), and it occupies the first line of the world ranking at all.
Distant and mysterious China is also called the Celestial Empire. The ancient Chinese considered their country to be the only one in the world, which was patronized by the sky, and the rulers were revered as "sons of heaven." Or, perhaps, such a poetic name is inspired by the highest mountain system of the planet located here - the Himalayas? It's hard to say for sure. But one thing is for sure: every tourist who comes here necessarily becomes a little Chinese, because it is simply impossible not to imbibe the local culture, the original customs of the ancient people, its culinary traditions and no less vibrant modernity!
China cities
All cities in China
Nature
The tranquility and grandeur of Tibet, the majestic Himalayas, the unique landscapes of the Gansu province, the Gobi desert in the north and the warm seas in the eastern part of the country - all this is China. The local nature seems to have been specially created so that the traveler immediately forgot about the daily hustle and bustle and took a break from the noise of megacities, gaining vivid and unforgettable impressions.
The inaccessibility of many areas, in particular the Tibetan Plateau, made it possible to preserve the flora and fauna in their original form. In the mountains near the peaks, vegetation is rather sparse, and at their foothills there are meadows with lush grass where herds of yaks graze. The population uses them as a draft force when plowing small land areas. Other animals that can survive in such conditions live here: the orongo antelope, the Himalayan bear and the kiang. There are also hare, bobak, red wolf, brown bear and lynx. The great rivers of China and neighboring countries - Yangtze, Yellow He, Indus, Salween, Brahmaputra, Mekong - originate in the mountains of Tibet. Thanks to the snowy peaks, they fill their waters and give long-awaited moisture to animals and plants.
The largest monumental building in Tibet, another autonomous region in China, is the Potala Palace. It is located 130 meters above the valley of the city of Lhasa, and its construction began in 1645. Before the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959, the palace was the official residence of the Dalai Lama.
If you visit the northeastern province of Guangxi, the Li River cruise will be an unforgettable moment. The landscape here is adorned with amazing hills, steep cliffs, incredible caves, bamboo groves and villages.
At the foot of Mount Nanshan, which is 40 km west of the city of Sanya (this is the south of Hainan Island), there is the Nanshan Buddhist Center - the largest in Asia. It was opened in 1997 and has an area of 50 sq. m. In addition to restoring an ancient Buddhist temple, the creators of the center have laid out an impressive landscape park here.
All sights of China
Kitchen
The Chinese attach great importance to food, its usefulness and taste. For them, eating is not just a vital necessity, but a kind of ritual in which a philosophical meaning is embedded. Chefs in China have long been equated with prime ministers. Even the ancient thinker and philosopher of China Confucius compared a well-prepared dish with a successful state, in which everyone is in their place.
The vast territory of China is divided into provinces. Each of them has its own nature and way of life, therefore gastronomic preferences are different.
In the north of the country, noodles are the main ingredient in dishes. It is fried, boiled, baked.
In the south of China, not a single dish is complete without rice. It is used to make cakes, which are poured over with soy sauce, and even baked bread. Desserts are also prepared from this main national product. The most famous culinary traditions are Cantonese, Sichuan, Shandong, and Jiangsu cuisine. In fact, there are many more of them. For example, in Tibet, the basis of the entire diet is not rice or noodles, but barley. On the basis of this cereal, dough for noodles or dumplings is made. The barley beer of local brewers has a sweet-spicy taste.
Guangzhou Province, in southern China, is famous for its great variety meat dishes... Almost any meat is cooked here, even snakes and snails. Poetic names of unfamiliar dishes often confuse a traveler inexperienced in Chinese delights. Having familiarized yourself with the ingredients of the dish, you can safely enjoy its taste without worrying about the contents of the plate. For lovers of spicy dishes, the masterpieces of the culinary art of Cantonese cuisine may seem insipid.
It is here, in which light dishes are popular, united by the common name of dim sum. They are usually small in size for easy pickup with chopsticks and are servings of desserts, fruits, vegetables and seafood. From Chinese, dim sum translates as "order for your heart" or "touch with heart." Often only this type of snack is served in local restaurants.
In China, you can have a good snack, because there are a lot of mouth-watering snacks for tea here: for example, jiaozi (similar to dumplings) or rice dough wontons (similar to manti). And the baozi, reminiscent of the pies known to Russians, are steamed and started delicious fillings... Rolls are made from rice and fuju. No other cuisine can boast of such sophistication, because fuzhu is a film that forms on soy milk.
Fans of outdoor activities should immediately go to the city of Sanya, which is located on the island of Hainan. Here everyone can take part in sports rafting on mountain rivers, try diving or visit the adjacent small islands and go fishing there. Golf tourism has become incredibly popular here, prompting the creation of two professional golf clubs, each of which has 18-hole courses.
But the world's largest socialist country is famous not only for traditional entertainment. There are more than 20 ski resorts here. Each of them usually has 5-6 slopes designed for quick descent, as well as several lifts. The most popular ski center in China is Yabuli. It was here that the 2008 Winter Olympics were held.
Yabuli ski resort
While on vacation in China, you can go to world-famous courses traditional medicine for health improvement. Here, thanks to the unique thermal springs, many dermatological, urological diseases and diseases can be cured digestive system... The most popular medical complex in the country is Nantian. It has 30 swimming pools, each of which has a unique mineral composition and water temperature. There are several other health centers in the city of Sanya. In them you can undergo acupuncture treatment and therapeutic massage sessions.
Shopping
For many years, China has been ranked first in the ranking of manufacturing countries for a wide variety of products. It is in China that you can buy everything your heart desires: from small souvenirs to jewelry, electronic equipment and an expensive car. Most of the tourists admit that they go to the Middle Kingdom not only to see local sights, but also to arrange their dream shopping.
IPad, is that you?Almost every major city has a huge shopping center, so large that it will take at least three days to visit each store. As a rule, all shopping centers are open from 10:00 to 21:00 without weekends and lunch breaks. The most popular are Bailian Zhonghuan Mall, Grandview Mall and Times Square in Shanghai, Beijing Great Gold Mal in Beijing, South China Mall in Dongguan, Teem Mall and Plaza in, as well as Hong Kong harbor, where thousands of fashion boutiques, shops, supermarkets and a number of popular entertainment venues.
In addition to things and electronics, in China, you can buy hand-painted porcelain products, which are very popular among foreigners. Women will be delighted with pearl jewelry, national costumes, fans and umbrellas. For friends and acquaintances, you can bring the famous Chinese tea, magnets and symbols of this country - a fire-breathing dragon, tiger or panda. The system of discounts is very developed in China. Tourists will be pleasantly surprised by low prices, discounts and frequent sales.
Transport
Until recently, China's transportation system was not in the best condition, despite the country's size and size. The thing is that until the end of the 80s of the last century, China was, in fact, a backward agrarian country.
According to the calculations of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, the losses of the country's economy due to the undeveloped transport system reach 1.5% of GDP, so now all the government's forces are focused on its development.
The most popular species the transport here is railway. The railway network stretches for 115 thousand kilometers. China has already surpassed Russia in this indicator and is second only to the United States.
The first metro line was launched in 1965. Today, the metro is available in 22 cities of the country. The total length of metro lines is about 2.5 thousand kilometers. According to the government's plans, in the near future the number of cities with their own subways will reach 58.
China has over 2000 ports. The country's water transport network transports 1.5 trillion tons of cargo and 6.5 trillion passengers.
China's air transport numbers about 500 airports, and the total number of aircraft reaches 2,000.
Connection
Mobile communication in China is new for Russians, as not long ago the local information technology market was closed to tourists, but now it is gradually opening up. The number of operators is 3, and it was they who distributed among themselves the "spheres of influence" throughout the country.
The largest cellular operator is China Mobile, which has 66 percent of the market share. The remaining two places were distributed as follows: China Unicom (20%), China Telecom (14%). The monopoly position of these operators negatively affects the level of competition: in terms of the cost of using communication services, each representative of the trio offers approximately the same prices, leaving, in fact, no choice for subscribers.
To make calls to tourists, cards of any Chinese mobile operator are available. To purchase a starter package, you must present your passport. The offered rates are calculated for a month. The cost ranges from 80 yuan and can reach several thousand in the national currency of the PRC. The best option is a rate of 100 yuan (approximately 500 rubles). Tariffs start to operate from the first day of each month.
Security
In China, a tourist may face the most unexpected troubles and even dangers. Let's dwell on the most common ones.
During a taxi ride, you may run into unscrupulous drivers and lose money. Such scammers specifically attach a handle or antenna to the car with adhesive tape, which, even with a light touch, naturally fall off. First of all, inexperienced tourists fall for such a "bait", who are billed for the alleged breakdown.
In general, the Celestial Empire is famous for its low crime rate and the benevolent attitude of the police towards guests. However, in any city you can stumble upon petty thieves who can instantly "take away" your wallet or documents, so being in the midst of people, you need to keep your eyes open.
Be especially careful on the road. If in large cities Traffic Rules still mean something, then in the provinces, many drive at their own discretion (especially bicycle and scooter drivers), which can lead to being under the wheels of a car.
Chinese cuisine is not entirely familiar to the Russian stomach. Going through too much or eating something wrong, you can ruin your whole vacation. You should avoid dubious eateries and completely exotic foods like scorpions, grasshoppers or cockroaches. Very spicy dishes flavored with many spices can also pose a danger.
In some provinces of China, an unfavorable epidemiological situation persists for a number of infectious diseases, for example, malaria or clonorchiasis. You can inquire about the situation in a particular region in advance.
Hotels and Accommodation
Today, there are more than 300 thousand hotels in China. Most of them are located in the center of major tourist cities. Hotels with a high level of service are also found in the provinces, which suggests that in this country you can easily find a place for temporary residence, as they say, for every taste and budget.
For lovers of a comfortable stay with all the amenities, such hotels as Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai New Development Sentosa Hotel and Shanghai Acme Sunhall Service Apartment, located in the center of Shanghai, are suitable.
High-quality service, delicious breakfasts and stylish accommodations will make your stay in China even more enjoyable and unforgettable. The cost of living in 4-5 * hotels ranges from 300 to 700 yuan per day, in 2-3 * - from 100 to 350 yuan. For those who travel to China for more long term, rented apartments are suitable, the cost of which ranges from 600 to 1300 yuan.
In China, as in many other countries, hostel accommodation has become popular among tourists, which is relatively cheap. The cost of a double room in a hostel is about 100 yuan. For those who are resting in a group, there are rooms for 6-10 people, the cost of which ranges from 30 to 70 CNY per person.
Accommodation in a hostel is indeed much more profitable than in a hotel. Conditions are no worse: free breakfasts, clean rooms, Wi-Fi. The money saved on accommodation can be spent on souvenirs and gifts.
How to get there
Every day, Aeroflot operates two flights from Moscow to Beijing, and one is operated by the Chinese airline Air China. You will be in the air for about eight hours.
Aeroflot's planes fly daily, while China Eastern Airlines flies several times a week. A direct flight will take about 10 hours.
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China is one of the largest states in the world in terms of area, located in Central and East Asia. Find out more about this country
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF CHINA
Its area is nine and six million square kilometers. The official name of the country is the People's Republic of China. In the east, the territory of China is washed by the waters of the Yellow, East China and South China Seas, as well as the Pacific Ocean. There are numerous islands off the coast, the largest ones being Taiwan and Hainan.China is a very vast and large country, and in the meridional direction, the territory of China extends as much as five and a half thousand kilometers from the median line of the Hilongjiang River. north latitude north of the city of Moh to the Znmuansha coral reefs, which are located at the southernmost tip of the Anshatsiundao archipelago. In the latitudinal direction, the territory of China stretches for about 5200 km from the confluence of the Hilongjiang and Usulijiang rivers to the western edge of the Pamir Highlands in Xinjiang. Throughout China, one can observe high mountains, plateaus, depressions, deserts, vast plains and a great many rivers. The longest rivers are the Yellow River and the Yangtze. China's rivers form external and internal systems. The outer rivers have access to the Indian, Pacific and Arctic Oceans. The number of inland rivers is small, while the drainage area of the external rivers is sixty-four percent of the country's territory.
CHINA CAPITAL
The capital of China is Beijing, which in translation from the Chinese language the name of the city is translated as "Northern Capital". This amazing city is a kind of open-air museum.A large number of imperial palaces, monasteries and churches are concentrated in the city. Along with architectural monuments, Beijing has many skyscrapers and other modern buildings. The largest zoo in the country is located in Beijing (its area is fifty thousand square meters), where you can meet rare species of animals from all over the world. There is a metro in the city, but many locals prefer bicycles, as this type of transport costs them almost free. In the city's restaurants, you can taste Chinese cuisine, which are famous for their unsurpassed
to taste with exotic sauces, and in numerous teahouses - delicious green tea, which is very popular in China, and listen to opera singing there. Shopping enthusiasts will find plenty to do in the shopping areas of Beijing.
CLIMATE IN CHINA
China is mainly located in the temperate and subtropical zones, a small part of southern China lies in the tropical zone. For the east of the country, occupied by the coastal lowlands,low mountains and medium-high mountains, characterized by a monsoon climate, from temperate to tropical. In the west of the country there are high highlands and large ridges, vast plateaus and intermontane depressions. In that part of China, a continental dry climate prevails.
PLANT AND ANIMAL WORLD IN CHINA
The eastern part of China is characterized by richness and diversity of flora. More than twenty five thousand plant species can be found on its territory. Due to the ancient dense population, forests have been preserved in small areas, mainly in the mountains.The lowlands are almost entirely cultivated. Coniferous and deciduous forests can be found in that part of the country.
The vegetation in the western part of the country is much poorer. There are no more than 5 thousand higher plants here.
The fauna of China is rich and varied. The vertebrate fauna numbers about 3.5 thousand species, incl. about 400 species of mammals and more than 1,000 species of birds. On the territory of China you can find Tibetan foxes, camels, lemurs, rhinos, lorises, tigers, clouded leopards, wolves, bears, and even Przewalski's horse, various types of monkeys and many other animals.
INFORMATION ABOUT CHINA
Emperor Qin Shi-Huangdi, the founder of that dynasty, united China into a gigantic empire. The rulers were replaced by one another, but the country only grew in size. In the history of the Chinese empire, the Han, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties succeeded, and the empire experienced several political crises. Nevertheless, the country has retained its integrity to this day.China is a real treasury of world culture: arts and crafts developed here,
literature and medicine, and it was that country that gave the world porcelain and gunpowder, silk and paper, tea and a compass,
acupuncture, kung fu wrestling, exquisite ancient pose and harmonious architecture.
In the twentieth century, in 1911, an anti-monarchist uprising took place in China, and the Chinese
Republic. The formation of the state was accompanied by difficulties. When World War II ended
war, the communists came to power in China.
On October 1, 1949, the People's Republic of China was proclaimed in China. In the late 70s, the renewed government of that country embarked on a course of economic reforms and a policy of openness to the Western world. Tours to China are an opportunity to get acquainted with the bright present of that eastern
a country that for centuries was inaccessible to any European.
HISTORY OF CHINA
The history of China is a chronicle of mysteries and secrets.The oldest architectural monuments of that country will bring extraordinary impressions to an inquisitive person, and rest in China is an opportunity
touch eternity itself: see the terracotta army of Emperor Qin Shi-Huangdi or walk along the Great Wall of China.
Primitive people lived in China 1.7 million years ago. Oldest references
that country date back to 30-40 centuries BC. At that time, the legendary ruler of China lived in China.
named after Fu Xi, who created the Book of Changes - the famous "Yi Ching", in which it was first mentioned about
Yin and Yang are masculine and feminine principles that shape the universe itself.
In the 17th-12th centuries BC, China was ruled by the Shang dynasty, which was overthrown from the throne of the Celestial Empire by warriors from the Zhou dynasty. In 221, the Qin dynasty came to power in China, and it was at that time that the giant Great Wall of China was conceived and built - it can be seen from space.
RELIGION OF CHINA
Three traditional religions are widespread in China - Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. Officially, the entire population of the country is considered atheists.POPULATION OF CHINA
China is a multinational state. In addition to the Chinese, who make up 95% of the total population, there are more than 50 other peoples living here, belonging to various linguistic groups. The bulk of the Chinese are settled in the eastern half of the country. The population of the country is the largest in the world at over 1 billion and 300 million people.LANGUAGE IN CHINA
The Chinese language belongs to the Sino-Tibetan language group. There is no alphabet in Chinese, when writinghieroglyphs are used. There are great differences between the dialects of spoken language, and the written language is the same for all Chinese.
PUBLIC STRUCTURE OF CHINA
The head of the Chinese state is the President of the PRC, now that post is occupied by Xi Jinping. The legislative body of the country is the unicameral National Assembly of the People's Representatives.CHINA'S DOMESTIC CURRENCY
The monetary unit of China is the yuan (in the Latin spelling RMB). Yuan is the only means of payment in the country. Currency can be exchanged at the main branches of the Bank of China, hotels, in large shopping centers. The most favorable currency exchange rate in international airports. Hotels, large restaurants and shopping centers accept American Express, JCB, Visa, Master Card and Diners Club credit cards.When buying from cards, a commission fee of 1-2% of the purchase price is charged.
CUSTOMS IN CHINA
Import and export of foreign currency into the country is unlimited. Unspent local currency can be exchanged back for foreign currency. When exchanging currency, you must provide a certificate.Duty-free import of 400 cigarettes, 100 cigars, 1.5 liters of alcoholic beverages, household
electrical devices, personal belongings, cameras, portable tape recorders, camcorders, laptops (one item per tourist, their cost should not
exceed 5000 RMB). Citizens arriving and departing from the airports of the PRC must report the existing values and other goods in a special customs declaration.
The import of weapons, pornography, explosives is prohibited.
substances, drugs and poisons. It is forbidden to export works of art, as well as paintings and graphics without a receipt from the store where the goods were purchased. To apply for a visa, you must provide:
a valid foreign passport valid for at least 6 months at the time of entry into the PRC;
two color photographs 3x4 cm in size, on a white background on thick photographic paper, without corners and ovals;
questionnaire;
for citizens of the Russian Federation under the age of majority, it is necessary to provide a copy and original of the birth certificate.
The term for processing documents at the embassy is from 1 to 5 working days.
SHOPS AND BANKS IN CHINA
State shops are open seven days a week from 9.30 to 20.30, private - from 9.00 to 21.00, markets - from 7.00 to 23.00. In shops, as a souvenir, you can buy lacquer boxes, jade and ivory products, porcelain, stucco figurines made of dyed dough, silk and clay dolls, masks, and paper kites.Banks in the country work from 9.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 17.00. Many banks have the right to set their own working hours.
CHINA NETWORK VOLTAGE
220V is standard.HOLIDAYS IN CHINA
State and official holidays include:October 1 - Education Day of the People's Republic of China,
March 8 - Women's Day,
May 1 - Workers' Day,
May 4 - Youth Day,
June 1 - International Children's Day.
Traditional holidays according to the lunar (agricultural) calendar are celebrated on a special scale in China. First of all, the celebration of the Chinese New Year, which is celebrated on the 1st day of the "first moon" - in late January - early February. Chunjie Spring Festival is celebrated in the 1st
day of the 1st month (in January - February). The Dragon Boat Festival is held on the 5th day of the "fifth moon" corresponding to our late June - early summer.
At the end of September, the Mid-Autumn Festival is held.
TIME IN CHINA
Time is 4 hours ahead of Moscow time. Tours to China from Moscow will require some adaptation from you, and residents of the Far East often come to China on weekends - they have no time difference with that country.TRANSPORT IN CHINA
Due to the large population, public transport in China is heavily congested. In Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, you can use the services of buses, trolley buses and subways. There are route taxis in the tourist areas. But the most comfortable way to get around in the city is this.Payment is made strictly according to the counter and a check is issued at the end of the trip. Lovers of exoticism can use the services of a rickshaw, but the fare is much more expensive than the cost of a taxi. It is possible to rent a car with a driver, as an international driver's license in China is not valid.
CHINESE CUISINE
Rice, vegetables, soybeans and all kinds of sauces are almost always used in cooking.Dumplings with various fillings and rice beer are very popular with tourists.
Lovers of exotic can try frog legs, soup from swallow nests, lotus roots, seaweed, fern, duck tongues and vodka infused with snakes.
EMERGENCY PHONES IN CHINA
Police and rescue services - 110Fire department - 119
Ambulance - 120
Traffic police - 122
Embassy of the Russian Federation in Beijing: (10) 653-220-51, 653-212-81, consular department: 653-212-67
Consulate General of Russia in Shanghai: (21) 630-699-82, 632-483-83
CITIES AND RESORTS OF CHINA
O. HAINAN
, will bring a lot of pleasure to lovers of exotic nature. Hainan Island is the southernmost province of China, washed by the waters of the South China Sea. Territory of the island- 33,920 sq. km., the length of the coastline - 500 km.,
population - 8.18 million people.
The central and southern parts of the island are covered with dense forests, plantations of mangoes, bananas, pineapples, coffee,
tea and coconuts. The island has a well-developed leisure and entertainment industry. The unique microclimate, thanks to which you can relax and swim all year round, beautiful beaches, constantly developing infrastructure of international tourism have made that island different from other resorts in Southeast Asia. Due to its location on the same latitude as the Hawaiian Islands, Hainan is often
called "East Hawaii". The weather is clear and sunny on the island for more than 300 days a year.
Hainan is the second largest (after Taiwan) and the only island in China with a tropical climate.
Average annual air temperature on the island
+ 24 ° C, water temperature - + 26 ° C.
The velvet season in Hainan is from November to May. The region is traditionally considered a "typhoon corridor", which is why surfers have chosen the island.
SHANGHAI
is the liveliest and richest city in South China, located at the mouth of the great Yangtze River. The Yangtze tributary divides the city into two parts, and the whole life of Shanghai from time immemorial has been associated with the sea. This city was and remains the largest port of East Asia and its commercial capital.Shanghai is a journey to the very heart of the East.
Shanghai is a city with a population of more than 13 million people, but its streets are perfectly clean, there are many very beautiful parks and architectural monuments in the city. The architecture of Shanghai is characterized by the interweaving of different styles, because the Germans, the British, the Czechs, the Americans and, of course, worked here.
but the Russians.
Restaurants, shopping malls, nightclubs make holidays in Shanghai very popular among tourists from all over the world. An entire tourism industry has been created in it - international-class hotels, European and Chinese restaurants, all the conditions for conducting a successful international business.
The city's nightlife is in full swing. By evening, the restaurants are so crowded that you can hardly find empty seats. The best DJs from all over the world come to Shanghai for exciting discos.
The unique architecture of Shanghai and the friendly attitude of local residents will leave an unforgettable mark on the soul of everyone who has visited that fabulous city at least once.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CHINA
Vaccinations and vaccinations are not required before traveling to the country.Photo and video filming in temples and museums is strictly prohibited. In some places, filming is possible only for an additional fee.
Be sure to carry with you a hotel card with a hieroglyphic address. The Chinese, as a rule, do not know English.
DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE COUNTRY OF CHINA
Tipping is officially prohibited, but if you want to thank a waiter in a restaurant or a taxi driver, leave the usual tip for other countries at an average rate of 5-10% of the cost of services.It is not recommended to drink raw water... In most hotels, still mineral water and an electric kettle for boiling water are provided free of charge.
Keep your documents and valuables in the safe. Do not carry all the money with you, in China, in crowded places, petty theft is developed.
A special visa is required to visit Tibet.
Religion
We believe that all Chinese people are Buddhists, which is not true. Tourists love to look at the magnificent Chinese pagodas, and this is probably where this association came from. Buddhism is indeed widespread in China, but Chinese philosophical and religious thought does not live on Buddhism alone.
Traditional Chinese ideology is based on "three pillars" - Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism.
Most of the Chinese are atheists. This is what the official statistics say, and our observations fully confirm this idea.
The era of communism bore fruit, and most of the population stopped believing in something. But the way of thinking, ethics and norms of behavior of modern Chinese people are formed by these three teachings. By the way, none of them can be recognized as a religion in our usual sense of the word.
Freedom in China
This country is considered one of the most unfree in the world. There was such a thing in Chinese history, but now everything is changing. The modern Chinese does not feel any serious control, although in fact it exists.
On the other hand, there is an order of magnitude more freedom to realize oneself in China than in Russia. It is much easier to open your own business there, it is much easier to do your own business on your own, and not “work for your uncle”. There would be a desire to work, but the state will not bother you much.
In China, you cannot criticize the government online. subject to strict censorship. But, the authorities listen to what is happening and draw conclusions. Events took place, the Communist Party drew conclusions, and reforms began.
Taiwan, Macau and Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a former colony of the British Empire. Recently, it is officially a province of the PRC. In fact, it is a separate state. The authorities in Beijing are responsible only for foreign policy, and all other administrative issues are decided by the local authorities.
It has its own currency, its own laws, its own visa regime and tax law. Russian citizens can visit Hong Kong without a visa, and the main territory of the country can only be entered with a passport.
The tax system in Hong Kong is completely different - there is no VAT tax, and many things are 15-20% cheaper. If you want to buy an iPhone or iPad cheaply, then you are on the road to Hong Kong. Many Chinese people come here for smartphones, tablets and laptops.
The city of Macau is likewise part of the PRC, and also has almost complete independence. It is a former colony of Portugal. It has its own laws, money and taxation.
Macau is a casino city, an Asian Las Vegas. If a Chinese person wants to play poker, blackjack or roulette, then he comes here.
The situation with the island of Taiwan is more complicated. China officially considers it to be its territory and a province of the PRC. Taiwanese disagree with this, and most of the world accepts their point of view.
Taiwan is a hotel state. Everything is here, including the army and the navy. This state is called the Republic of China (ROC), which translates as “Republic of China”. There are no negotiations on Taiwan's entry into the PRC.
Important advice for tourists. At Chinese airports, flights to Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan are referred to as “home” flights, and boarding to these regions is carried out from the terminals for local flights. Don't be confused.
We wish you a successful visit to China, and read our pages about this country ( links below).
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China is, the definition
China (Chinese trad. 中國, ex. 中国, pinyin: Zhōngguó, pall .: Zhongguo, "central state", "middle state") is Eastern.
China is one of the largest, which has absorbed a large number of states and cultures for 4 thousand years.
China is the People's Republic of China (PRC).
China is one of the oldest and most complex writing systems.
China is one of the world's advanced states and the main cultural center of East Asia.
China borders in the northeast (3,605 km) and northwest (40 km) with the Russian Federation, in the north with Mongolia (4673 km), in the northeast with North Korea (1,416 km), northwest - with Kazakhstan (1,533 km) and Kyrgyzstan (858 km), in the west - with Pakistan (523 km), Tajikistan (414 km) and Afghanistan (76 km), with - in the southwest and south (3 380 km), in the south - with Myanmar (2,185 km), Vietnam (1,281 km), Nepal (1,236 km), Bhutan (470 km), Laos (423 km), in the southeast - with Macau , 0.34 km.
Most of the country's territory is located between 20º and 50º north latitude and belongs to the temperate zone. The most western point (73º40 ′ E) lies to the west of Uqia County in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR). Extreme eastern point (135º5 ′ E) is located at the confluence of the Heilongjiang (Amur) and Ussuri rivers. North the tip of the country (53º31 ′ N) is located in the fairway of the Heilongjiang River north of the city of Mohe. South point (4º15 ′ N) - Cape Zengmuansha at the southern tip of the Nansha archipelago.
Thus, extent the country from north to south is approximately 5.5 thousand km, from west to east - 5.2 thousand km. China has long borders: the length of the land border reaches 22143 km, of which more than 7.5 thousand km are on the border with the countries, and the mainland coastline is more than 14500 km.
China washed waters of three seas - the Yellow, East China and South China, which are the marginal seas of the Pacific Ocean, as well as the Bohai Bay of the Yellow Sea. It is characteristic that in the Chinese-language literature, the Bohai Bay is often distinguished as a separate sea.
Mainland coastline It has a mostly flat relief and is dissected by numerous bays, there are many beautiful bays and convenient harbors, most of which are ice-free. However, in recent years, a tendency for a gradual rise in the water level has begun to be observed in the coastal zone. According to the calculations of the State Oceanographic China, over the next 3-10 years, the sea level in the coastal regions of the country will constantly rise. At present, the highest rates of sea transgression are observed in the area of Tianjin, where over the past 50 years, the average annual rate of water level rise was 2.5 mm, which slightly exceeds the world average. In general, in recent years, there has been a tendency for a “wave-like” rise in sea level. In 2003, the average sea level in the country was 60 mm higher than the indicator recorded in previous years. Apparently, one of the reasons for this is global warming.
The total area of China's territorial waters is approximately 4.73 million square kilometers (data from various sources differ slightly), where there are more than 5.4 thousand islands. Of these, Taiwan and Hainan are the largest.
The most eastern islands China's are Diaoyu and Chiwei, located northeast of Taiwan. The Diaoyu Islands (Japanese Senkaku) are the subject of a territorial dispute between the People's Republic of China, South Korea and Taiwan. The total area of this island group, lying on the continental shelf of the East China Sea, does not exceed 6.3 sq km. However, significant ones were found here. Given that both China and Japan are some of the world's largest oil importers, this dispute has significant political and economic implications.
In the South China Sea, there are also unresolved territorial issues associated primarily with the Paracel Islands (Chin. Xisha Qundao 西沙群岛) and the Spratly Islands (Chin. Nansha Qundao 南沙群岛). China and Vietnam are claiming the Paracel Islands, while a number of states - China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia - are in dispute over Spratly. The area of the Paracel Islands is approximately 3 sq km, and about. Itu Aba, the largest of the Spratly islands, is only 0.42 sq km, although the Spratly area itself is more than 1000 km long, where more than 100 islands are located. Again, despite the sufficient distance from the coast of China (Paracel Islands - 250 km, and Spratly - 1000 km from Hainan Island) and the proximity to the shores of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia (70-200 km), the dispute is, in fact, over the right to own oil fields, as well as control over one of the most tense international shipping routes between the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and, accordingly, over cargo flows that are of great economic importance (oil, ores, food, industrial products, etc.).
China climate
The most severe winter in China is in the regions west of the Great Khingan Ridge. Here, the average January temperatures drop to -28º, and the absolute minimum is -50º. Here, there is the greatest contrast between the average summer and winter temperatures - over 50º. To the west, winters are milder, so in Urumqi the average January temperatures are only -15º.
But the hottest summer is in the west of China, especially in intermontane basins. Most high temperatures recorded in the Turfan Basin, where the absolute maximum is almost + 50º.
Climatic zones in China are shifted to the south. For example, the average January temperature in Moscow (56 ° N) is -10 ° C, and in China at the same latitudes - -24 ° C.
On the basis of the "aridity index" introduced in 1958, the Committee for Geographical Zoning of the Academy of Sciences of the PRC divided the entire country from southeast to northwest into four regions: humid, semi-humid, semi-arid and arid.
The region of humid climate roughly corresponds to the South People's Republic of China, its northern border runs along the Qinling Ridge and the Huaihe River. Most rainfall falls on the southern coast and mountains of Southwestern China, where lush evergreen and summer green vegetation grows all year round.
Semi-wet the region covers the North China and East China Plains. Summers are quite humid here: it is during this season that up to 70% of precipitation falls, while winters are cold and dry. Beijing weather is quite typical. Winters are usually long and cold here, winds often blow, sometimes it snows, on the coldest days the temperature can drop below -20 ° C. Spring is warm, but not very long, rains are usually rare, sometimes there are strong winds. The hottest summer month is July, at which time rain is common in August. The most favorable weather, clear and calm, is established in autumn.
Semi-arid the region includes the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Inner Mongolia, Dzungaria. Farming here is possible only if there is irrigation. On the other hand, there are excellent pastures here, which contributes to cattle breeding, and since the winters are not very snowy, cattle grazing is possible all year round. In winter, many livestock breeds grow a thick coat that protects the animal from the cold.
Arid the region is located in the Gobi Desert. It is characterized by a sharply continental climate. Precipitation falls, depending on the area, 70-200 mm per year, in some places it is much less.
From the above, it follows that the climate of China in most of the country is rather harsh, which, together with the nature of the landscape, makes it impossible to engage in agriculture in a number of places, and also creates difficult conditions for people living.
Temperature in China
In March, in most of China, nature comes to life, and everything begins to bloom. But still, the territory of China is large, and the weather in different provinces can be very different. For example, when it is cool enough in Beijing, about 3 degrees Celsius, in Shanghai it is about + 9C, and in Hainan everything is +20 degrees. In April, the weather gets even warmer and is great for sightseeing. In May, it becomes very warm in China, the average temperature in popular cities is kept at +20 .. + 30 degrees.
Summer in China, as a rule, is warm, and in some regions even hot weather... Already in June, it becomes warm, depending on the region, the temperature is kept from + 17C to + 30C. In July, the weather is also great for
recreationTrue, it can be hot in big cities. In August, the weather is about the same as in July, except that it can be a couple of degrees cooler.
It gets cooler in autumn than in summer, but still warm. Autumn in China, especially September and October, is a great time for sightseeing and city trips. Depending on the region, the air temperature during the day ranges from + 13 to + 25 degrees. ... In November, it is already cool in most of China, about + 10C, and frosts occur at night.
In winter, in most of China, it is about 0 degrees, only in the south it is slightly warmer - up to + 6C. The most suitable place to relax in winter is Hainan Island, where you can bask in the sun and swim, just like in summer. Those who love skiing should go to the Yabuli resort, here in winter it is about -10 degrees. In winter, the regions west of the Big Khingan Ridge are usually very severe winters. The temperature can drop to -27C, and the record is -50 degrees.
Precipitation in China is characterized by a progressive decrease from the southeastern coast (1000-2000 mm) to the inner regions of the northwest (100-200 mm). The farther from the coast, the less rainfall. Eastern Xinjiang, located in the very center of the Eurasian continent, is the arid center of China with an annual rainfall of less than 50 mm, here, in the Turpan Depression, Toksun County, the average annual rainfall is only 3.9 mm - this is the smallest rainfall in the entire country. In 1958, taking as a basis aridity (this is the ratio of precipitation to possible evaporation) on days with an average daily temperature of more than 10 ° C Celsius, the Geographical Zoning Committee of the Academy of Sciences of the PRC divided China from the southeast to the northwest (including Qinghai- Tibetan Plateau) into the following four areas:
Wet region (makes up 32.2% of the country's territory). Aridity less than 1.0, annual precipitation over 750 mm, forest vegetation.
Semi-humid region (makes up 14.5% of the territory). Aridity from 1.0 to 1.5, annual precipitation from 400 to 750 mm, vegetation of forests and meadows.
Semi-arid region (accounts for 21.7% of the territory). Aridity from 1.5 to 2.0, annual precipitation from 200 to 400 mm, steppe vegetation.
Arid region (makes up 30.8% of the territory). Aridity more than 2.0, annual precipitation less than 200 mm, vegetation of desert steppes (aridity from 2.0 to 4.0) and deserts (aridity more than 4.0).
Wind in china
Time zones and day length in China
The territory of the Celestial Empire has a length of 61 ° 04 ′ or about 4.1 hours, but officially all over the country (including Macau) there is a uniform standard time UTC + 8, which is called Beijing Time. Daylight saving time does not apply.
In the west of the country, in the autonomous regions of Xinjiang and Tibet, UTC + 6 is unofficially used, referred to there as Urumqi Time or Xinjiang Time (English Urumqi Time, Xinjiang Time).
In ancient times, there were no uniform rules for calculating time in China. The reckoning of time was tied to astronomical observations in the capitals of the dynasties.
In 1902, during the reign of the Qing dynasty, the customs service adopted the time at the meridian 120 ° East as the standard. In 1912, the Beijing Central Observatory divided the country into 5 time zones. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Celestial Empire officially approved this division on March 9, 1928. The following time zones were formed:
Kunlunsky, UTC + 5: 30 - eastern part of Xinjiang and part of Tibetasinjiang;
Tibetan, UTC + 6 - Xinjiang and Tibetgansu;
Sichuan, UTC + 7 - central China;
Chinese Standard Time, UTC + 8 - Coastal Regions;
Changbai, UTC + 8: 30 - northeast of China.
In 1949, after the formation of the PRC, Chinese Standard Time was renamed to Beijing Time, which became officially valid throughout the country. Beijing Time is about 14 minutes ahead of local solar mean time in Beijing, which is located at 116 ° 24 ′ E, (average noon in Beijing is 12:14 pm).
Daylight saving time in the PRC was applied in 1986-1991 (data for Beijing). Shanghai data show that summer time used in China also in 1940-1941.
In 2005, the National People's Congress proposed to use Beijing time in eastern China, UTC + 7 in Shaanxi and UTC + 6 in Xinjiang. After that, it was also proposed to divide China into 2 time zones - UTC + 8 and UTC + 7 (Shaanxi, Sichuan, Chongqing, Guizhou, Yunnan and western provinces). But these proposals were not even put to a vote.
Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is located in the far west of China. As a consequence, there is a 2-hour local solar time difference between Xinjiang and most eastern parts of China such as Beijing, so Urumqi local time is used here along with Beijing time.
Unified Beijing time turned out to be inconvenient for the western regions of China due to the large discrepancy with local solar time. For example, noon in Kashgar occurs around 15:00 Beijing time, and take into account the 3-hour shift in Everyday life(and it, after the introduction of the Beijing time, had to continue in accordance with the local phases of day and night), a significant part of the local Turkic-speaking population (Uighurs, Kirghiz, etc.) was extremely inconvenient. Thus, the issue of the use of the official time turned out to be closely related to ethnic stratification in society and the accompanying conflicts. The Chinese (Han) use the Beijing time in everyday life, and the Uighurs use the Urumqi time. However, the working and school day for the Chinese and Uyghurs begins the same, if we count on solar time, although some hours at the beginning of the working day show, for example, 10:00, while others - 8:00.
Local unofficial time in the administrative center of Xinjiang, Urumqi (UTC + 6), is 10 minutes ahead of local average solar time (average noon in Urumqi is 12:10) and is identical to local time in neighboring Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. This time for a significant part of the population of the western regions of China turned out to be more convenient than the Beijing time.
Urumqi time is 2 hours behind Beijing time, that is, 10 am Urumqi time corresponds to 12 hours Beijing time. Thus, there is a large difference in the work schedule of government organizations (in Beijing) in relation to Xinjiang and the same inland, remote provinces. The working day of Urumqi residents, Beijing time, starts about 2 hours later than in the eastern, coastal regions of China. Local transport timetables usually indicate both Beijing time and Urumqi time.
Flora of china
Almost the entire territory of China, with the exception of those belonging to the tropical belt, as well as the island of Taiwan, are included in the East Asian (Japan-China) floristic region of the boreal subkingdom of the Holarctic kingdom. The area is extremely rich and diverse: there are about 20 endemic families and over 300 endemic genera, not to mention a huge number of endemic species. This region is at the same time one of the main centers of development of higher plants, especially gymnosperms and flowering plants, and here relic forms, "living fossils", such as gingo biloba, containing valuable medicinal components, grow.
The tropical regions of southern China, including the island of Hainan, belong to the Indochina region of the Indo-Malaysian subkingdom of the paleotropic kingdom, in which there are more than 250 endemic genera.
In many ways, the peculiarities of China's flora are determined by the fact that the country's territory was not subjected to Quaternary glaciations, and was not flooded by the ocean after the Triassic. Those. the ancient flora developed practically without hindrance, having preserved many tertiary elements up to the present time. More than 300 endemic genera grow in the People's Republic of China, among which trees and shrubs predominate; there are about 32 thousand higher plants in the cold, temperate and tropical zones of the Northern Hemisphere. Among them there are more than 7 thousand species of tree-like trees, including 2.8 thousand species of trees.
The following are endemic unique species as glyptostroboid metasequoia, Chinese glyptostrobus, Chinese argyrophylla, cunningamia, false larch, Taiwanese fluziana, Fujian cypress, Davidia, eucommia, etc. Thus, glyptostrobate metasequoia is one of the rare plants in the world, one of the world's most relict plants. False larch grows in the mountainous regions of the Yangtze basin. On short branches, bunches of leaves are collected, resembling coppers; in summer they are green, in autumn they are yellow. False larch is widely used in gardening art.
More than 2 thousand edible plants grow in China (in general, it should be noted that the criterion of "edibility" of a particular plant is very relevant in Chinese culture). Among more than 3 thousand medicinal plants the most valuable are Changbai genshen, Tibetan safflower, Ningxia lycium, pinnacle ginura, which grows in Yunnan and Guizhou.
China is famous for its flowers and ornamental plants. The peony is considered to be the "king of flowers" here. The tree-like peony with its large, bright, multi-petaled flowers is one of the national symbols of China.
In general, it is difficult to overestimate the importance of China for world crop production: it is one of the centers of origin of cultivated plants, and the source of many ornamental garden and park plants, and a storehouse unusual shapes plants such as the dwarf "potted trees" known in the West by the Japanese name "bonsai".
NI Vavilov pointed out that East Asia is one of the most important centers of origin of cultivated plants. Many of them are now grown all over the world. So, rice, barley, millet, chumiza, oats, beans, radish, types of onions, apples, pears, apricots, peaches, plums, cherries, oriental persimmons, types of citrus fruits, mulberry trees, actinidia, Chinese sugar cane, were domesticated here, tea tree, camphor laurel, bamboos, etc.
However, despite such a diversity and richness of flora, as a result of long-term economic development of the territories, a radical change in the nature of plant communities has occurred. So, in the east of the country, forests were almost completely cut down, preserved only in the mountains, and even then not everywhere. Lowlands are almost universally cultivated. In the west, in a number of places, plant communities have remained almost intact until recently, but in recent years, changes caused by the development of agriculture here, increased mining, urbanization, etc. affected them too.
Consider the main vegetation zones in China. In the north of the country, in the Amur basin, on sod-podzolic soils, taiga forests with the participation of Daurian larch, Korean cedar and other coniferous and broad-leaved species grow. Further south, up to the Qinling Ridge, there are both deciduous and mixed forests. There are several species of oak, linden, maple, walnut, etc.
South of Qinling, there is a zone of subtropical forests, where there are several types of laurel, camellia, magnolia, Masson pine and cunningamia. Numerous deciduous species grow in the mountains. In the extreme south and west of Yunnan, tropical forests, consisting of mesophilic and humid tropical forests, dominate.
Western China differs significantly from eastern China in the uniformity of forms: in conditions of a small amount of moisture, poor saline soils, mainly xerophytes - perennial drought-resistant shrubs and dwarf shrubs - grow. A number of desert areas are characterized by sparse vegetation cover.
The richest vegetation is represented here in the cereal and forb steppes of the Western Khingan region. To the west, as precipitation decreases, dry steppes, onion and wormwood-tyrsa desert steppes, real deserts with desert soils and vegetation replace each other.
The huge areas of the Gobi, Alashan, Takla-Makan deserts are the kingdom of mobile, rocky deserts. The vegetation here is extremely poor, represented by shrubs and hodgepodge, in some places with the participation of grasses. Areas completely devoid of vegetation are not uncommon. From Alashan to the Dzhungarskaya depression in the depressions among the sands, along the river valleys, there are sparse groves where poplar and desert elm grow. In the mountain valleys of the Eastern Tien Shan and Kunlun there are forests where spruce, juniper, etc. grow.
The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is a high-altitude cold desert. Plants are represented here by a small number of species adapted to extreme survival conditions: low temperatures, strong winds, abundant solar radiation. It was the shortage in high-altitude conditions that predetermined the spread of a specific funeral rite here - the dismemberment of a corpse for food for wild animals. To the east, where the climate is milder, there is more moisture, there are mountain meadows, steppes, and in the Brahmaputra valley - coniferous forests.
Fauna of china
The fauna of the Celestial Empire is extremely rich and diverse. The forested and tropical region of Yunnan is home to a wide variety of animal species. More than a hundred species of animals are exclusively characteristic of China and live in this area.
Mammals of China
China ranks first in the world in terms of the number of mammal species living on its territory. The northeastern part of the country is home to wolves, lynxes, tigers, squirrels, wolverines, ferrets, ermines, hares and raccoon dogs. The western part is characterized by desert and semi-desert mammals. These are jerboas, gophers, marmots, hamsters, gazelles, wild horses and others. Alpine animals live in the Tibetan Plateau - rams, yaks, orongo antelope. There are also gray hamsters, hares, Tibetan bobaks, red wolves, "bears", and lynxes.
In the southwestern part of China, you can find unique animals - the giant and lesser panda, feeding exclusively on the stems of young bamboo. In the south, where the tropical climate prevails, there are flying dogs, gibbons, lorises, giant squirrels, and the Malay palm marten.
Birds of china
The family of pheasants is most famous among the birds living exclusively in China: 62 species of them live in China, including many endemics and those close to them.
Other families that are found in abundance in China include laughing thrushes - 36 species, thick-billed tits, whose habitat is practically limited to the Republic of China and its closest neighbors, and jays.
The habitat of the red-nosed ibis, a pinkish bird that feeds on invertebrates in rice fields, is central China.
Among the more famous large birds of China are the cranes, 9 out of 14 species existing in the world were noted in the country. In Jiangxi province, in the lower reaches of the Yangtze, after the flooded banks of the spill, a large number of shallow lakes and lagoons have formed, the largest of which is Lake Poyang, although its depth is only a few meters, and in winter it becomes shallow. This swampy area is home to a lot of waterfowl and other birds all year round, including ducks, geese, herons and egrets.
While the area is challenging to get to, more and more birdwatchers flock there in winter, when many lakes dry up and attract flocks of up to five crane species, including the endangered white Siberian crane.
Reptiles and amphibians of China
The Chinese alligator is one of the smallest crocodiles in the world. Its length is only 2 meters, and it poses no danger to humans.
The cold, fast-flowing rivers of the southwestern mountains are home to the world's largest amphibian, the gigantic salamander.
The rivers, streams and wetlands of China are home to more than 300 other species of frogs and salamanders, which are hunted by various types of snakes, including cobras and vipers.
The tiny island of Shendao, located in the Bohai Sea, deservedly bears the proud title of "snake island". Here snakes run everything, or rather shitomordniki, endemic to this island. It is impossible to walk around the island without bumping into a snake: in the southeastern part of the island there is one snake per square meter. According to researchers, over 15,000 poisonous reptiles live on the island!
This island is inhabited by an endemic mace of Shendao. It is a small snake from the viper family, growing up to 70 centimeters in length. The color of the snake is grayish brown with dark brown markings on the back. Juveniles usually live in trees, while adults stay on the ground. Snakes prefer low vegetation and usually stay at a height of up to a meter. At noon, the snakes descend into their ground shelters.
Birds serve as food for the shitomordnik. In spring, a huge number of migratory birds stop on the island, which is what snakes use. For hunting birds, nature has awarded reptiles with a highly toxic poison that kills a bird in less than a minute. However, the feeding season does not last long, only 2-3 weeks. In addition, a snake that has consumed all the poison has to wait 10 to 15 days before the precious supply is fully restored. Shield-snake hunts from ambush, like other poisonous snakes. He patiently waits for the birds, lying in the grass, or curled up on the branches of a tree, and then makes a lightning throw. Special studies have shown that adult snakes attack much faster, farther and more accurately than young ones. The researchers also noted the following phenomenon: juveniles often bite birds that are much larger than they can swallow. These birds become food for the larger moths. Adult shitomordniki do not have natural enemies. Young animals can become prey for hawks and other birds of prey. Perhaps, the absence of enemies influenced the fact that snakes are not afraid to approach a person, allowing people to come to a distance of up to a meter.
Fish of china
Insects of china
Argyresthia conjugella Zeller is a small butterfly with a wingspan of only 11-14 millimeters, which lives mainly in the forest and forest-steppe regions of China. The front wings of this butterfly are yellowish or yellowish brown, they have White spot in the region of the apex and a white stripe extending along the entire posterior margin. Caterpillars, greenish-gray with a reddish tint, whose length reaches 7 - 9 millimeters, hatch from eggs laid by butterflies in fruit ovaries, and cause serious harm to rowan berries, wild varieties of apples and ranetki.
Pupted caterpillars hibernate under the bark of trees, in deciduous litter, or in top layer soils, from where young butterflies appear in May - June.
The gashkevich hawk moth (Marumba gaschkewitschii) is a butterfly with a wingspan of up to 70 - 80 millimeters, the main habitat of which is North China. Both the front and hind wings of this butterfly are predominantly light brown in color, containing sinuous lines of a darker color, and black spots of irregular shape in the lower corners. The light green caterpillar of this butterfly with a characteristic triangular head and a light yellow horn in the back of the body also has quite impressive dimensions, its length can reach 60 millimeters. Caterpillars of the gashkevich hawk moth, eating mainly the leaves of fruit trees, can cause them serious harm, which especially typical for the period of mass reproduction of these insects.
The Emperor Watcher (Anax) is one of the largest dragonfly species found in China. The body length of these dragonflies can reach 65 - 75 millimeters, and the span of transparent wings, with characteristic black veins, is 90 - 110 millimeters. The elongated abdomen of the female patroller has a bluish - green color, on which males also have numerous black stripes. The male of this dragonfly zealously guards its territory, admitting only females to it.
On their prey, which can be large night moths, other dragonflies and the patrol fly actively hunt in flight, calling themselves in this connection a dragonfly - a hawk.
The odorous tree borer (Cossus cossus) is a large grayish-brown butterfly, with a characteristic marble pattern on the wings and small gray-white specks of an indefinite shape. The abdomen of this insect is darker in color and has a number of light transverse rings. The wingspan of this butterfly, spread throughout the Far East, the People's Republic of China (PRC) and Central Asia, can go up to 95 millimeters.
Caterpillars of these insects are predominantly yellowish-red in color with a purple tint in the back area, they can reach a length of 110 millimeters, they are pests of deciduous and fruit trees due to the fact that they damage their bark and the top of the wood.
The dark coniferous goldfish (Buprestis haemorrhoidalis) is a beetle from the goldfish family that lives in the coniferous forests of China. These beetles have an elongated body shape characteristic of all goldsmiths, the color of which is dominated by a bronze-black color with a greenish tint. The body length of these small beetles does not exceed 11 - 20 millimeters, which does not prevent them from being serious pests of coniferous wood.
Females of dark-coniferous beetles lay their eggs on tree trunks cut down or felled by the wind; often, the places of their mass collection are timber warehouses. Goldfish larvae gnaw long passages in cut tree trunks, thereby causing them irreparable harm.
The annular cocoon moth (Malacosoma neustria) is a large butterfly of light brown color, the wingspan of which can reach 30 - 32 millimeters. The hind wings of this butterfly, whose body is covered with thick brown hairs, each have one oblique stripe of a darker color. The male of this insect differs from the females by the presence of wide comb whiskers of light brown color located in the upper part of the head.
Ringed coconut is a serious pest of fruit trees, its voracious larvae can eat the entire crown of trees, buds and flower buds, preferring mainly fruit plants.
The greenhouse grasshopper (Tachycines asynamorus) is a small tropical grasshopper native to Central China. The body length of this grasshopper, which has a brownish-gray color with dark spots, rarely exceeds 18 millimeters. This insect has very long hind legs, thin and long whiskers, the length of which exceeds the length of its body.
The greenhouse grasshopper is predominantly a nocturnal insect that is highly active only after dark. The basis of the diet of these insects can be both parts of plants and small insects that are in them.
Apple ermine moth (Yponomeuta malinellus) is a representative of the ermine moth family. The body of this small butterfly is covered with fine hairs and is white, while the upper wings, on which black dots are located, are also white, creating an analogy with the coloration of an ermine. The lower wings, as well as the lower part of the abdomen of this insect, have an ash - grey colour
The apple stoat moth is a serious danger to apple trees, its larvae eat the leaves of these plants, very often leaving most of the crown of an adult tree with bare branches.
Extinction of species in China
Almost all the large mammals that you know of are on the list of endangered species in China, along with many so-called "inferior" animals and plants. The Snow Leopard, Indo-Chinese Tiger, Chyu Antelope, Red-footed Ibis, Indian Elephant, Japanese Crane and Crowned Crane are all endangered.
This is due to deforestation, pollution, hunting, fishing for fur and individual body parts, and hunting for sport. Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES) registers only legal live reptiles and parrots and a surprisingly large number of reptile and wild cat skins. How much of this “product” is collected and sold illegally remains a mystery.
Despite the threat, a considerable number of rare animal species struggle to survive in the wild. Notable here are the Chinese alligator in Anhui, the giant salamander in the rushing waters of the Yangtze and Yellow River, the Yangtze dolphin inhabiting the middle and lower reaches of the river (although no cases of its appearance have been seen since 2002) and the pink dolphin of the Hong Kong islands Sha-Chau and Lung-Kwu -Chow. The giant panda's habitat is limited to the fauna-rich valleys and mountain ranges of Sichuan, but the best chance of seeing the panda is at the Giant Panda Research and Breeding Center in Chengdu. It is possible that you will be lucky to see the golden monkey in the Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou mountains.
Intensive cultivation of monocultures on arable land, reclamation of wetlands, construction of dams on rivers, industrial and rural waste, and desertification are reducing unprotected forest areas and are increasingly questioning the conservation of many of these species. Despite the presence of rare species of fauna directed against killing or capturing, the situation is complicated by the fact that many of them are still in demand in traditional Chinese medicine and are considered delicacies. In Tibet, the Chiju antelope has long been hunted because of its wool, which is very high. Conservation efforts have not eradicated poaching in this area, and it is difficult to track offenders due to the size of the territory and the lack of human resources.
Sources and links
Sources of texts, pictures and videos
ru.wikipedia.org - free electronic encyclopedia Wikipedia
vimeo.com - the largest video hosting
china-ru.net - Internet travel guide to the People's Republic of China
www.turcalendar.ru - site about travel places
www.divetravels.ru - site about underwater travel and adventure
anashina.com - blog about travel, nature and culture
geography7.wikidot.com - geography of continents and oceans
www.tur-tusa.ru - travel site
sars.china.com.cn - China fact site
www.faunazoo.ru - site about the fauna of the Earth
www.pobivaivezde.ru - travel site
www.owoman.ru - women's magazine
www.zmeuga.ru - site about snakes of the world