Climate

China is a huge country, and has a great variety of climates. Winter is freezing cold in the north, in the mountains and the plateaus, while it’s mild in the south; summer is hot everywhere, except in the highlands and in the high mountains. If we exclude the vast western desert areas, where rainfall is scarce and irregular, summer is the rainiest season. The rainiest part of the country is the south-east, the least rainy the north-west. 

Temperature Charts of Representative Cities in Each Zone 

The following cities are representatives to let you know about the temperature percipitation in each part of China.

Northern China – Harbin (Cold-temperate Zone)

Northeastern China – Beijing (Warm-temperature Zone)

Central China – Xian (Temperature Zone)

Eastern China – Shanghai (Subtropical Zone)

Southeastern China – Guangzhou (Subtropical Zone)

Southwestern China – Chengdu (Subtropical Zone)

Southern China – Haikou (Tropical Zone)

Tibetan Area – Lhasa (Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Temperate Zone)

Holidays and Festivals

China Public Holiday Calendar  the dates will change from year to year based on the lunar calendar

In addition to the above seven festivals, Chinese people celebrate four others on which some people have a half day off – Women’s Day, Youth Day, Children’s Day and Army Day.
 

Food

Chinese cuisine is an important part of Chinese culture, which includes cuisine originating from the diverse regions of China, as well as from Chinese people in other parts of the world.  Chinese main core food consists of rice, soy sauce, noodles, tea, and tofu, and utensils such as chopsticks and the wok, are recognized as Chinese worldwide.  Because of imperial expansion and trading, ingredients and cooking techniques from other cultures are integrated into Chinese cuisines over time.

The most praised “Four Major Cuisines” are Chuan, Lu, Yue and Huaiyang, representing West, North, South and East China cuisine correspondingly. The modern “Eight Cuisines” of China are Anhui (徽菜 Huīcài), Cantonese (粤菜; Yuècài), Fujian (闽菜; Mǐncài), Hunan (湘菜; Xiāngcài), Jiangsu (苏菜; Sūcài), Shandong (鲁菜; Lǔcài), Sichuan (川菜; Chuāncài), and Zhejiang (浙菜; Zhècài) cuisines.

Color, smell and taste are the three traditional aspects used to describe Chinese food, as well as the meaning, appearance and nutrition of the food. Cooking should be appraised with respect to the ingredients used, knifework, cooking time and seasoning.

Here are 5 foods you must try while you are traveling in China.

Noodles

 Noodles are an essential ingredient and staple in Chinese cuisine. From Sichuan Dandan Noodle to Lamian (hand-pulled noodles), and Chow Mein, there is a great variety of Chinese noodles. They vary according to their region of production, ingredients, shape or width, and manner of preparation.

Dumpling

Chinese dumpling, also called Jiaozi, is one of the most important and traditional dishes in China. In northern China, making dumplings is an important activity for most families on New Year’s Eve.

Common dumpling meat fillings include pork, mutton, beef, chicken, fish, and shrimp which are usually mixed with chopped vegetables. The dumplings are frequently boiled, although they may also be pan-fried (called Guotie).

Peking Roast Duck

Peking Roast Duck is a well-known duck dish in Beijing that has been considered one of the most delicious dishes all over the world. The dish originated in the Yuan Dynasty and now has become the cultural symbol of traditional Chinese food. Traditionally, the cooked duck will be sliced by the chef in front of the diners. The slicing of the meat from the carcass of the duck is an art in itself. A skilled chef is able to cut between 100 and 120 slices in four or five minutes, each slice with an equal portion of both skin and meat.

Dim Sum

Dim sum refers to a style of Cantonese food prepared as small portions of food served in small steamer baskets or on small plates. Eating dim sum at a restaurant is usually known in Cantonese as going to “drink tea”, as tea is typically served with dim sum. These days, in many parts of Southern China, and in Hong Kong in particular, it’s become a weekly ritual family meal, generally taken on weekend mornings. When you travel to Canton or Hong Kong, don’t miss a chance to taste authentic Dim Sum in a local restaurant.

Hot pot

Beijing’s mutton hot pot is almost a signature dish in Northern China. Huge platters of thinly sliced frozen curls of mutton or lamb are the main attraction, accompanied by a sort of do-it-yourself dipping sauce that can include sesame paste, soy sauce, chili oil, fermented red bean curd and pickled flowering chives. Chongqing Hotpot is a super-spicy boiling broth. In some restaurants you could even choose the ingredients you like and add them to make your own broth. People locals love red soup broth which is full of red pepper and chili. The Cantonese-style hot pot is eaten without any complicated concoction of sauces, since the Cantonese prefer the original flavors of the food.

Internet

The Chinese government has enacted several pieces of legislation and projects designed to censor internet usage in China. More than 60 internet regulations have been created by the Chinese government, specifically to block people in China from using social networks like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, to name a few. Four methods are currently available that may help you keep in touch with your friends or relatives during your travels in China until that is blocked too.

1. (US) T-Mobile (or contact your mobile provider at home to see if they are able to provide coverage)
2. VPN (Virtual Private Network)
3. Pocket WiFi + VPN
4. SIM card + VPN

Health

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the following vaccinations for travelers to China:

Adult diphtheria and tetanus (ADT) Single booster recommended if you’ve not received one in the previous 10 years. Side effects include a sore arm and fever. An ADT vaccine that immunises against pertussis (whooping cough) is also available and may be recommended by your doctor.

Hepatitis A Provides almost 100% protection for up to a year; a booster after 12 months provides at least another 20 years’ protection. Mild side effects such as a headache and sore arm occur in 5% to 10% of people.

Hepatitis B Now considered routine for most travelers. Given as three shots over six months; a rapid schedule is also available. There is also a combined vaccination with hepatitis A. Side effects are mild and uncommon, usually a headache and sore arm. Lifetime protection results in 95% of people.

Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) Two doses of MMR is recommended unless you have had the diseases. Occasionally a rash and a flu-like illness can develop a week after receiving the vaccine. Many adults under 40 require a booster.

Typhoid Recommended unless your trip is less than a week. The vaccine offers around 70% protection, lasts for two to three years and comes as a single shot. Tablets are also available; however, the injection is usually recommended as it has fewer side effects. A sore arm and fever may occur. A vaccine combining hepatitis A and typhoid in a single shot is now available.

Varicella If you haven’t had chickenpox, discuss this vaccination with your doctor.

The following immunizations are recommended for travelers spending more than one month in the country or those at special risk:

Influenza A single shot lasts one year and is recommended for those over 65 years of age or with underlying medical conditions such as heart or lung disease.

Japanese B encephalitis A series of three injections with a booster after two years. Recommended if spending more than one month in rural areas in the summer months, or more than three months in the country.

Pneumonia A single injection with a booster after five years is recommended for all travelers over 65 years of age or with underlying medical conditions that compromise immunity, such as heart or lung disease, cancer or HIV.

Rabies Three injections in all. A booster after one year will then provide 10 years’ protection. Side effects are rare – occasionally a headache and sore arm.

Tuberculosis A complex issue. High-risk adult long-term travelers are usually recommended to have a TB skin test before and after travel, rather than vaccination. Only one vaccine is given in a lifetime. Children under five spending more than three months in China should be vaccinated.

Pregnant women and children should receive advice from a doctor who specializes in travel medicine.

Medical Checklist

Recommended items for a personal medical kit:

• Antibacterial cream, eg mucipirocin
• Antibiotics for diarrhoea, including norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin or azithromycin for bacterial diarrhoea; or tinidazole for giardia or amoebic dysentery
• Antibiotics for skin infections, eg amoxicillin/clavulanate or cephalexin
• Antifungal cream, eg clotrimazole
• Antihistamine, eg cetrizine for daytime and promethazine for night-time
• Anti-inflammatory, eg ibuprofen
• Antiseptic, eg Betadine
• Antispasmodic for stomach cramps, eg Buscopan
• Decongestant, eg pseudoephedrine
• Elastoplasts, bandages, gauze, thermometer (but not mercury)
• Facemask N95 or N99 Anti Air Dust and Smoke Pollution Mask protection for poor air quality
• Indigestion tablets, such as Quick-Eze or Mylanta
• Insect repellent containing DEET
• Iodine tablets to purify water (unless you’re pregnant or have a thyroid problem)
• Laxative, eg coloxyl
• Oral-rehydration solution (eg Gastrolyte) for diarrhoea, diarrhoea ‘stopper’ (eg loperamide) and antinausea medication (eg prochlorperazine)
• Paracetamol
• Permethrin to impregnate clothing and mosquito nets
• Steroid cream for rashes, eg 1% to 2% hydrocortisone
• Sunscreen