China Travel Fact Sheet
Contents
Basic Info
Country Name
Long form: People's Republic of China
Short form: China
Abbreviation: PRC
Local short form: Zhong Guo
Local long form: Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo
What the People are Called
noun, singular: Chinese
noun, plural: Chinese
adjective: Chinese
Ethnic Groups
- Han Chinese (92%),
- Zhuang, Uygur, Hui, Yi, Tibetan, Miao, Manchu, Mongol, Buyi, Korean, and other nationalities (8%).
U.S. Embassy
Embassy of the United States of America
American Citizen Services
3 Xiu Shui Dong Jie
Beijing 100600
People's Republic of China
Tel: (86) 10-6532 3831
Fax: (86) 10-6532 6929
Web site: U.S. Embassy China
Canadian Embassy
Canadian Embassy
19 Dongzhimenwai Dajie
Chao Yang District
Beijing 100600
People's Republic of China
Tel: (86) 10-6532-3536
Fax: (86) 10-6532-4311 (general)
Fax: (86) 10 - 6532-1684 (visas, immigration)
Web site: Canadian Embassy China
Currency
1 Renminbi Yuan (RMBY) = 10 chiao/jiao or 100 fen (currency conversion)
Time Zone
GMT +8 (Beijing time is standard for all of China) (What's GMT?)
Phone/Internet Information
Country Area Code: 86
There are Internet cafes in main towns.
Mobile phone coverage varies, but is available (GSM 900 and 1800 networks). International calling cards also provide a way to contact (calling to or from the U.S.). You may want to consider renting a compatible phone and service plan.
Major Languages Spoken
Standard Chinese or Mandarin, Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghaiese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, and other minority languages.
Note that although Mandarin is the official language, it is certainly not spoken everywhere and it is recommended that adopting parents wait until they have their referral and child's province before purchasing bilingual children's books, phrase books, and so forth.
Alphabet
The written language is significantly different than English letters. Learn more here.
Major holidays
- Jan 01-02 - New Year's Day holiday
- Jan 22-24 - Chinese New Year (Spring Festival)
- Apr - last two weeks (usually): Spring Trade Fair in Guangzhou (makes it difficult to find hotel rooms, etc.)
- May 01-03 - International Labor Day
- Oct 01-03 - National Day
- Oct - last two weeks (usually): Fall Trade Fair in Guangzhou (makes it difficult to find hotel rooms, etc.)
- Jan 01-02 - New Year's Day holiday
Source: Chinese alphabet Source: Wikipedia China
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