Map of China

Where is China? • Chinese Travel and Tourism

The People's Republic of China (PRC) is located in eastern Asia. It is the third largest country in the world and occupies an area of 3,705,406 square miles, including the island of Taiwan which is claimed by China. Mainland China has a 3,588 mile coastline, from the Gulf of Tonkin adjoining Vietnam in the south to the Yalu River adjoining North Korea. Beijing, China's capital city, is located in northeastern China.

It is bordered by Mongolia, Russia, and Kazakhstan to the north, and by North Korea, the Yellow Sea, and the East China Sea to the east. It is bordered by the South China Sea to the southeast, by Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar to the south, by India, Bhutan, and Nepal to the southwest, and by Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan to the west.

China Map > Relief Map of China • China Travel Destinations

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Geography of China

China has a rather varied landscape. The eastern coastal plains, the highlands, and the fertile valleys of the rivers Huang He and Yangtze are the most highly populated areas of China. The Tibetan plateau, which is hemmed in by the Himalayas, is in western China. The world's highest mountain, Everest, is on the Nepal-Tibet border. Some areas in the west are desert areas or covered by grass, while the southeast boasts some of the world's most lush forests, including the bamboo forest that the giant panda calls home.

China's Climate

The climate in China is as varied as its landscape. While northeast China has cold winters and warm summers, the east-central region of Shanghai has more rainfall and milder winters. A wet, subtropical climate is prevalent in the southeast, while in the west the weather is colder and harsher.

Leading Chinese Cities

The Chinese cities of Shanghai and Beijing are among the world's largest cities. Beijing, China's cultural center, is enjoying an economic boom and is also a major transportation hub. Located between the Pei and Hun rivers in northeast China, Beijing is made up of two walled sections: the Inner City, including the Forbidden City, and the Outer City. Today, Beijing is still China's educational, financial, political, and cultural center.

Shanghai, China's largest city, has embraced the market economy and has become an important commercial and design center. Hong Kong, located on the southeast coast of China, was absorbed by the PRC in 1997. It is a leading center of international finance and trade, and is noted for its efficient government and transport network.

China Travel Information

China and Nepal share the tallest mountain in the world, Mount Everest, with an elevation of 29,035 feet / 8,850 meters. China's biggest attractions include the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, which was home to the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Hainan island, off the south coast, is a popular vacation destination.

The official language of China is Mandarin Chinese, and its currency is the renminbi yuan. For more information about visiting China, visit site at China's Official Gateway to news and information.

China Tourism

China National Tourist Office - CNTO - The US branch of the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) has travel tips and travel information and highlights China's main attractions.

China Resources

CIA - The World Factbook - China - Government almanac of China offering maps, geography and statistics.
China in the Yahoo! Directory - Learn about the history, culture, government and regions of China.
Wikipedia - China - This free online encyclopedia includes information about Chinese geography, history and regions.

China News

Chinese quake activist sentenced
An activist who questioned why so many people died in a huge earthquake in China last year is jailed five years for subversion.
BBC News. Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:26:10 GMT.
Palmer corrects $US60bn China boast
CLIVE Palmer today corrected his announcement of a $US60 billion deal with China, saying the price was only an estimation.
The Australian. Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:29:49 GMT.
Africa: China at War on Weather Change
Since the Copenhagen conference was concluded, all parties have been evaluating the outcome. Though China has made tremendous efforts to tackle climate change with notable achievements, some people have been making unreasonable demands.
All Africa. Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:08:34 GMT.
China Announces Arrests in Hacking Crackdown
Police officers also seized money and equipment worth hundreds of thousands of dollars during the crackdown, which occurred in November, state media reported over the past two days.
By Keith Bradsher. International Herald Tribune. Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:05:35 GMT.
Australia Drives Successfully in China’s Slipstream
Australia has been among the few industrialized countries which averted a recession. Especially the tight relationship with the emerging markets in Asia, particularly China, made the difference.
Credit-Suisse. Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0100.

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