Capital City: Beijing
Population: 1.4 billion
Language: There are hundreds of languages spoken in China. The official language of China is Mandarin, and 92% of the population speaks one of seven major dialects of this standard tongue: Putonghua (Mandarin), Yue (Cantonese), Min, Gan, Wu, Xiang, and Kejia or Hakka. Each of these language groups contains a multitude of other dialects. All of these writing groups use the same writing system of characters, but any one written character may be pronounced completely differently in two different dialects. The remaining 8% of the population speaks hundreds of minority languages, with Mongolian, Uyghur, Tibetan, and Zhuang recognised by the state.
Currency: The renminbi (RMB) is the name of the official currency of China, and the yuan (¥) is the unit of that currency. The two words are often used interchangeably, but prices are always marked in yuan. ATMs are everywhere and paying with cash is preferable. The Chinese exchange rate is regulated, so money can be changed anywhere with minimal hassle. Some big establishments like hotels and malls accept credit cards but may ask to see a passport.
Most foreigners travelling to mainland China require a visa. 17 countries are allowed to enter China without a visa for a duration of 15, 30, 60, or 90 days. It’s generally easiest to apply in person at a Chinese embassy or consulate general, though it may also be possible to obtain a visa on arrival if travelling to and staying only in Shenzhen, Zhuhai, or Xiamen. Single or double-entry visas are usually valid for 30 to 60 days, though 5 countries are eligible for 10-year visas.
China maintains a visa-free transit policy, allowing passengers from any nationality to stay within a city for 24 hours without a visa while in transit. Passengers from 53 countries are allowed to stay up to 72 or 144 hours without a visa in a selection of Chinese cities while in transit.