Climate & Seasons
China experiences a diverse range of climatic conditions in different parts of the country, from scorching heat in Southern Wuhan, Chongqing & Nanjing, to subzero temperatures in northern Beijing, Inner Mongolia and Heilongjiang. The climatic variance is further enhanced by the march of the seasons, each lasting about three months. Though blessed with the four seasons, some parts of China are susceptible to more extreme weather conditions, including floods, typhoons, droughts and earthquakes.
Terrain, Flora & Fauna
On the vast land of China lie many different forms of topography like deserts (in the west), high plateaus, plains, deltas and most prominently, mountains. The variety of landscapes has cultivated a huge array of flora and fauna.
Among the many species found in Chinese forests, the bamboo is perhaps the most famous. This plant is the main food source of the giant panda and a useful raw material. Other well-known plants found in China include the lotus, magnolia, maple, ginkgo and spruce.
The giant panda is one of the most widely recognized symbols of China. The natural habitat for this national treasure is the temperate zone in central China, where bamboo grows in abundance. The giant panda is an endangered species. Currently only about 1,000 are left in the wilderness while over a hundred are living in Chinese zoos. Other endangered animals are the South China Tiger, Snow Leopard, Changjiang Dolphin and the Red-Crowned Crane.
2008-09-02
China - Symbols of China
Great Wall of China
One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Wall of China, also known as “Wan Li Chang Cheng”, spans 6,700km and was built by China’s first Emperor, Qin Shihuang. Later dynasties added to it over the centuries to fend off incursions by nomadic peoples from the north of China.
The Great Wall has since become a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting over a million and a half visitors annually. The Great Wall has also inspired many stories and legends. One of the most famous is about Meng Jiang Nü, whose sorrow over her husband’s death caused part of the great wall to collapse. This story exemplifies the hardship and grief experienced by the commoners during the construction of the Great Wall. Many operas and songs have been written about the Great Wall and it has become an important part of Chinese culture.
Yangtze River & Yellow River
Yangtze River (Changjiang) originates from the Tanggula Mountains. It meanders through Chongqing, Wuhan, Nanjing and Shanghai before it ends its journey in the East China Sea. It is the third longest river in the world after the Nile and the Amazon, stretching a distance of 6,400km. Affectionately termed China’s “lifeline”, the Yangtze River supports many activities of the Chinese population.
The Yellow River (Huanghe) lies further north of the Yangtze River. It wanders from Lanzhou to the Bohai Sea. It literally means, “Yellow River” as it carries yellow colored sediments. Although the deposits on the banks of the river are useful resources, the yellow river is prone to flooding and historically has been a threat to the population residing along its banks.
One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Wall of China, also known as “Wan Li Chang Cheng”, spans 6,700km and was built by China’s first Emperor, Qin Shihuang. Later dynasties added to it over the centuries to fend off incursions by nomadic peoples from the north of China.
The Great Wall has since become a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting over a million and a half visitors annually. The Great Wall has also inspired many stories and legends. One of the most famous is about Meng Jiang Nü, whose sorrow over her husband’s death caused part of the great wall to collapse. This story exemplifies the hardship and grief experienced by the commoners during the construction of the Great Wall. Many operas and songs have been written about the Great Wall and it has become an important part of Chinese culture.
Yangtze River & Yellow River
Yangtze River (Changjiang) originates from the Tanggula Mountains. It meanders through Chongqing, Wuhan, Nanjing and Shanghai before it ends its journey in the East China Sea. It is the third longest river in the world after the Nile and the Amazon, stretching a distance of 6,400km. Affectionately termed China’s “lifeline”, the Yangtze River supports many activities of the Chinese population.
The Yellow River (Huanghe) lies further north of the Yangtze River. It wanders from Lanzhou to the Bohai Sea. It literally means, “Yellow River” as it carries yellow colored sediments. Although the deposits on the banks of the river are useful resources, the yellow river is prone to flooding and historically has been a threat to the population residing along its banks.
China - Introduction
China, one of the earliest cradles of human civilization, is the third largest country in the world and has a 5,000 year history. For hundreds of years China was on the leading edge of technology: ceramics, metallurgy, civil engineering, and astronomy to name a few. It is a country with a vast land area of approximately 9,600,000 km 2. China also has the largest population in the world, comprising about one fifth of the human population. Since it opened its doors in late 1978, China has become one of the fastest growing economies in the world; offering great opportunities to foreign investors and traders.
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