China - one country, countless worlds
General information
China is a country on a scale that is hard to grasp from a map alone. It is the fourth-largest country in the world and one of the oldest continuous civilisations. Today China combines huge modern cities, imperial palaces, ancient temples, mountains, deserts and some of the most impressive feats of engineering ever created by humans.
The country covers a large part of East Asia and borders 14 countries - among them Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and North Korea. To the east and south-east China opens onto the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea and the South China Sea.
The capital, Beijing, is the political and historical centre of the country, while Shanghai is one of the most important financial and economic centres in Asia. But China is far more than these two cities. Xi'an, Guilin, Chengdu, Hangzhou and many other places show completely different faces of the country.
This enormous diversity is one of China's greatest features. In a single trip you can see imperial palaces, the Terracotta Army, Buddhist temples, traditional quarters, skyscrapers and natural landscapes that look almost unreal.
Climate
Because of its vast territory, China has an extremely varied climate. In the north winters can be very cold, while the southern regions are subtropical and tropical. In the east of the country the monsoons have a strong influence on rainfall.
Spring and autumn are usually among the most pleasant periods for cultural routes, especially for Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai. Summer can be hot and humid in much of the country, but it is a good time for the mountain regions. Winter is interesting for visiting Beijing and the north because there are fewer tourists, although temperatures are low.
With China it is especially important to consider the specific route. The climate in Beijing can be completely different from that in Shanghai or Guilin.
Culture and history
China's history spans more than three millennia of written records and many dynasties that left their mark on architecture, philosophy, art and way of life. Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism have had an enormous influence on Chinese culture, and their traditions can still be felt today.
One of the best places for a first encounter with imperial China is Beijing. In the city centre lies the Forbidden City - a vast palace complex that for almost 500 years was the centre of power of the Chinese emperors. Behind its massive walls are palaces, ceremonial halls, courtyards and gardens, and the scale of the complex shows the wealth and organisation of the imperial court.
Nearby is Tiananmen Square, one of the most famous squares in the world. In the south of Beijing stands the Temple of Heaven - a complex of religious buildings where the emperors performed rituals for a good harvest and harmony between heaven and earth.
China's most recognisable symbol, however, is the Great Wall. It is not a single continuous structure built all at once, but a system of fortifications built and extended over centuries by different Chinese dynasties. The sections around Beijing are among the most visited and let you walk along the wall itself with impressive views of the mountains.
About 1,000 kilometres south-west of Beijing lies Xi'an - a city that was China's capital under several dynasties and the starting point of the ancient Silk Road. Its main attraction is the Terracotta Army - thousands of clay figures of soldiers, horses and war chariots created to guard the tomb of the first Chinese emperor, Qin Shi Huang.
Each figure has individual features, hairstyle and clothing, which makes the find even more impressive. The army was discovered by chance in 1974 by local farmers, and today the archaeological complex is one of China's most important attractions.
China also has an extremely rich tradition in the visual arts. Traditional Chinese painting uses ink, mineral pigments and silk or rice paper, and among its most characteristic subjects are landscapes, plants, birds and animals. Painting on silk developed in ancient times and gradually became one of China's recognisable arts, and fine images often combine painting and calligraphy in a single composition. Chinese calligraphy itself is regarded not simply as writing but as a high art form.
Among the artists whose works are well known in Europe too are masters such as Qi Baishi, famous for his depictions of animals, plants and insects, and Zhang Daqian, who combined traditional Chinese painting with influences from Western art. Their works show how the Chinese artistic tradition has kept its distinctive style while reaching an international audience. Alongside painting, porcelain, tea culture, theatre and the various schools of traditional martial arts remain important to Chinese culture.
Shanghai shows a completely different side of the country. The city is a symbol of modern China - a huge financial and technology centre with an impressive skyline of skyscrapers. The Pudong district is known for the Shanghai Tower and other futuristic buildings, while the waterfront Bund offers a view of the modern city across the Huangpu River.
The contrast between old and new is especially strong in Shanghai. In the traditional quarters you can find temples, gardens and narrow lanes, while just a few kilometres away rise some of the tallest buildings in the world.
China's nature cannot be summed up in one place either. Around Guilin and Yangshuo, the Li River flows past distinctive limestone hills that are among the most famous landscapes in Chinese art. A boat trip along the river is one of the most peaceful ways to see this part of the country.
In the south-western province of Sichuan lies Chengdu - the city most often associated with giant pandas. At specialised panda breeding and conservation centres visitors can watch the animals in an environment close to their natural habitat.
Chengdu is also famous for its cuisine. Sichuan food is renowned for its spiciness and the characteristic hot and numbing sensation that comes from Sichuan pepper. Food is an important part of Chinese culture, and each province has its own traditions, produce and flavours.
Among the country's natural wonders, the mountains of the Zhangjiajie area are especially famous. Their tall stone pillars inspired the landscapes in the film "Avatar", and today the area is one of the most visited natural sites in China.
China also has a huge religious heritage. Buddhist caves, Taoist temples and ancient monasteries are scattered across the country. Among them are the Mogao Caves near Dunhuang - a complex of hundreds of caves with Buddhist murals and sculptures created over centuries along the Silk Road.
Why and when to visit?
China is a destination that can hardly be explored fully in one visit. That is why a first trip usually focuses on a few key places - Beijing, the Great Wall, Xi'an and the Terracotta Army, Shanghai and the natural areas around Guilin or Chengdu.
Spring and autumn are among the best seasons for such a route. Temperatures are more pleasant for long walks, and nature in many regions is especially beautiful. Summer is hotter and more humid, but suitable for the mountain regions and the north of the country. Winter brings fewer tourists and a different atmosphere, especially in Beijing.
China is interesting precisely because it does not look the same in its different parts. Beijing tells the story of the emperors, Xi'an keeps the traces of ancient dynasties, Shanghai looks to the future, Chengdu shows the calmer rhythm of Sichuan, and Guilin reveals the nature that has inspired Chinese artists for centuries.
This is a country where a day can start in front of an imperial palace, continue with a walk on the Great Wall and end among the lights of one of the most modern megacities in the world. It is this contrast that makes China not just a major destination, but a place that may seem like a completely different country on every visit.
