Language

The Han speak several mutually unintelligible tongues, classified by modern linguists as being separate languages, but regarded within the Chinese languages as "dialects" or "local languages" (topolects) within a single Chinese language.
The various spoken varieties of Chinese share a common written standard, "Vernacular Chinese" or "baihua", which has been used since the early 20th Century and is based on Standard Mandarin, the standard spoken language, in grammar and vocabulary.

Culture

Home to one of the world's oldest and most complex civilizations, China boasts a history rich in over 5,000 years of artistic, philosophical, and political advancement.
Credited with shaping much of Chinese thought, Confucianism was the official philosophy throughout most of Imperial China's history.
With the rise of Western economic and military power at the turn of the last century, however, non-Chinese systems of social and political organization gained adherents in China. Some of these would-be reformers totally rejected China's cultural legacy, while others sought to combine the strengths of Chinese and Western cultures.
the history of 20th Century China is one of experimentation to find a new system of social, political, and economic organization.

Religion

A wide variety of religions have been practiced in China since the beginning of its history. Temples of many different religions dot the landscape of China, including Taoism, Buddhism, and Chinese folk religion.
Chinese religions, unlike many Western religions, are not organizations that demand the exclusive adherence of members. Chinese people may visit Buddhist temples while living life according to Taoist principles and participating in local ancestor worship rituals.
Most Chinese have a conception of heaven and yin and yang. The Chinese have also believed in such practices as astrology, Feng Shui, and geomancy.
Minority religions introduced from abroad include Islam and Christianity.

Chinese Food

Chinese cooking has a very long tradition and is one of the most varied ones of the world. Colour, taste, scent and beautiful arrangements are characteristics of all meals. Attention is being put into preparation of the food with a careful choice and nutritional value of the ingredients and the cooking temperature.
The chinese cuisine differs a lot from the North to the South. Eating with sticks is quite a challenge at the beginning, but with some practice even eating rice becomes possible. In China the common meal is the most important social event.

Weather

The best time to travel to most areas in China is from April to the beginning of June and September to mid-November. During the Summer months it gets very hot and often quite sticky in China. During the Monsoon in the Summer and longer period of rain, it can get quite cool and it is important to bring warm clothing along.

Visa information

A visa is required to travel to China. More detailed information can be obtained under www.china-embassy.ch. For further information you can also call one of our offices.