China

China is one of the world's oldest civilisations. It's recorded history dates back some 3,500 years. Confucius' works which date from 500 BC, are the cornerstone of China's philosophy, even in today's world.

China covers approximately 9,572,900 sq. kms and stretches 5,000 kms from East to West and 5,500 kms from North to South. It shares borders with many countries including Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan,Nepal, Bhutan, India, Burma, Laos, Vietnam and North Korea. It's three major regions include the Tibetan Plateau to the south west mountains, the northwestern uplands and the low lying eastern region, the most populated part of china which is divided by the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers. The southwestern region includes the Plateaus of Tibet,aptly called "the Roof of the World", with its Himalayan peaks being the highest in the world and include Mount Everest. The northwestern region includes Afghanistan in the west, the Mongolian border in the north to the Manchurian Plain region and has highland regions but also extensive desert basins. The eastern region, bordered in the north by the Manchurian and north China plains and Szechwan Basin and Yantze River in the south, contains most of the countries low lying areas where the majority of China's crops are grown. It is also a very industrial area.

The best times to visit China are in the Spring (March-April) and Autumn (September-October). It is the best time to visit the higher altitude areas although the nights are still very cold. Temperatures in China can range from bitterly cold to unbelievably hot and every range inbetween.

Although tempting to visit China during their Chinese New Year and other festive times, be aware that a great majority of Chinese also take holidays during this time and hotel prices increase dramatically.