China

• Holidays
• Introduction
• Key Facts
• Climate

• Capital city: Beijing
• Population: 1,375,000,000 (2015 est)
• Size of country: 9,596,961 sq km
• Currency: Chinese Yuan or Renminbi
• Power supply: 220 volts
• Sockets: Mainly flat three-pin variety
• Language: Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect)
• Time difference: GMT plus 8 hours
• Visas: British nationals require a visa which must be obtained in advance.
• Religion: Officially Atheist; some Buddhism, Daoism, Islam and Christianity.
• Popular dishes: In northern China, the hotpot (sometimes known as a steamboat) is a very popular dish. It is equivalent to a fondue broth and all manner of thinly sliced meats and vegetables are cooked in it at the table.
• Popular drinks: Tea is the national drink - especially green teas or flower teas. Beer and brandy are the most common alcoholic drinks.
• Did you know: Despite the oft-repeated myth, the Great Wall cannot be seen from outer space – only from an airplane.
• FCDO advice: FCDO travel advice