About China
THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA is the third largest country in the world in terms of area. It is situated in eastern Asia on the western shore of the Pacific Ocean, with an area of 9.6 million square kilometers. China's continental coastline extends for about 18,000 kilometers, and its vast sea surface is studded with more than 5,000 islands, of which Taiwan and Hainan are the largest. China has shared borders for centuries with Korea, the formerly Soviet Union, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Burma, Laos and Vietnam.
About Shanghai
Shanghai, located along the coast of the East China Sea and the southern banks of the mouth of the Yangtze River, is a city under the direct jurisdiction of the Central Government. It is the largest metropolis in China and one of the most historically significant cities. It is a flourishing international metropolis, known worldwide for its highly developed industrial, commercial and financial components. Its has convenient land, air and sea transportation, rich tourist resources, a vast variety of foods and recreational facilities
Its total area is 2,448 square miles, of which the Pudong New Area occupies 202 square miles. It has a population of over 13 million people.
Shanghai is an ideal "shopping paradise." Nanjing Road, known as "China's No.1 Street", the reconstructed Huaihai Road, Jinling Road, East and North Sichuan Road, the Yuyuan Garden shopping and tourist area, the Ever Bright City Commercial Center, Xujiahui Commercial Center, and Zhangyang Road Commercial Center in Pudong are all packed with rows of shops. Shanghai is also a paradise for gourmets. There are over a thousand restaurants serving the famous 16 styles of Chinese food, such as Beijing, Sichuan, Guangdong, Yangzhou, Fujian. There is also French, Russian, Italian, English, German, Japanese, Indian and many other tantalizing types of foreign cuisine, genuine Muslim food and vegetarian food. In Shanghai you have the world at your fingertips.
Population
China is the most populous country in the world, with 1.25909 billion people at the end of 1999, about 22 percent of the world's total. This figure does not include many Chinese in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Taiwan Province and Macao Special Administrative Region. The population density in China is 130 people per sq km. This population, however, is unevenly distributed. Along the densely populated east coast there are more than 400 people per sq km; in the central areas, over 200; and in the sparsely populated plateaus in the west there are less than 10 people per sq km. The population in cities and towns makes up 30.4 percent; and that in rural areas, 69.6 percent. The male population is 50.8 percent; and the female population is 49.2 percent. People 14 years or younger make up 25.7 percent; those from 15 to 64, 67.6 percent; and those 65 or older, 6.7 percent.
Language
Mandarin is commonly used in the modern China. It is one of the five working languages designated by the United Nations. The majority of the 55 other ethnic groups have their own languages. There are also many dialects around the country. As a written language, Chinese has been used for 6,000 years.
Family Names
Chinese family names came into being some 5,000 years ago. There are more than 5,000 family names in China, of which 200 or 300 are popular. The order of Chinese names is family name first. For example, the family name of a person called Li Ming is Li
Transportation
Air
Shanghai is proud of its two large, modern international airports – Hongqiao International Airport and Pudong International Airport. The former is 13 kilometers west of the city downtown and the latter is 30 kilometers away to the east of the city in Pudong Area. At present, most domestic flights start off and land at Hongqiao and most international flights at Pudong. Special Shuttle bus lines are available for both of these two airports. And also there is shuttle bus line goes between those two airports.
Railway
Everyday more than 70 pairs of trains run between Shanghai and other cities of China. There are 3 railway stations in Shanghai now: Shanghai Railway Station (also known as Shanghai New Railway Station), Shanghai West Railway Station and Shanghai South Railway Station. At present, Shanghai Railway Station is responsible for most of Shanghai's railway transportation, and Shanghai South Railway Station is playing a more and more important role, especially those transportation to the neighborhood Zhejiang Province.
Metro
At present, there are 8 metro lines have come into use in Shanghai, and another more than 5 lines are still under construction. The metro network system can almost send you to all those main tourist attractions and commercial areas.
Taxi
In shanghai, there are about 50,000 taxies, so it is very convenient to take a taxi
For the first 3km, the fare is 11RMB. After 3km, it charges 2.1RMB for each km. However, between 11:00pm and 5:00am, the fare is 13RMB before 3km, and 2.6RMB after 3km. If the total trip longer than 10km, an extra fee need be to added (daytime: 3RMB/km, nighttime: 3.9RMB/km)
Climate
Shanghai receives abundant rainfall and the average annual precipitation is over 1000 cm. The "Plum Flower Rain" season (frequent light rain) is from from mid-June to early July with an average daily rainfall of 259 mm. During July and September, strong storms with torrential rain become frequent. However, it seldom snows in Shanghai.
Shanghai summers are hot and humid. July and August are Shanghai's hottest months with average highs of 27.4 degrees centigrade.
In winter, January is the coldest month, with a temperature average of 3 degrees centigrade.
All in all, it is best to go prepared with light clothing in summer and warm, heavy clothing in winter. Also, always prepare for rain by keeping an umbrella, but most hotels can equip you with one if needed!
Currency
The official currency in China is the Renminbi (RMB or CNY) or in Chinese "Ren-min-bi". The basic unit is the yuan (also known as "kuai"), which equals 10 jiao (or "mao"), which is then divided into 10 fen. Paper currency comes in 1, 2, 5, 10, 50 and 100 yuan notes. Paper jiao come in denominations of 1, 2, and 5. There are also 1 and 2 fen notes, but these are rarely used as they have no purchasing power. 1 yuan, 1 and 5 jiao, and 1, 2, and 5 fen coins are even common used in larger cities.
Shanghai Everbright Convention & Exhibition Centre
