City guide

China

China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is divided into 33 province-level divisions, including two special administrative regions.

Type CountrySettled 221 BCE

Why go

  • Country in East Asia.
  • Known for Mandarin & Cantonese (Hong Kong) languages, opened up its borders to the world in 1978.
  • Served by Lanzhou Air Base.

History

China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is divided into 33 province-level divisions, including two special administrative regions. Beijing is the capital, while Shanghai is the most populous city by urban area. Its geography features the Central Plain, major rivers such as the Yangtze and Yellow River, deserts, subtropical and temperate forests, plateaus, and mountain ranges such as the Himalayas. It is the world's second-most populous country after India, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion. Covering 9.6 million square kilometers (3,700,000 sq mi), it is the third largest country by area.

Airports

Lanzhou Air Base
Lanzhou (Yuzhong), 62, CN
Outdoor
Lintao Air Base
Dingxi (Lintao), 62, CN
Outdoor

Where things are

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Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Lanzhou Air Base; 1 other airport serves the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for China. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail