Before coming to China, you should do some research into the local culture and its habits, so that you won't feel overwhelmed when you arrive. In addition, it is always a good idea to look into the practicalities of living and working in China, for instance by checking with your bank how you can access your money overseas, and by organising how you are going to stay in touch with friends and family back home. For practical tips please see our "before your stay" page.
China is a huge country, and it is for this reason that the language and weather differs greatly from region to region. Multiple dialects are spoken depending upon the individual province, and the climate varies from one of sub-zero temperatures in cities such as Harbin in the north, to a tropical monsoon climate in the south and the arid deserts and windswept mountain ranges of the west. This variety is a big factor in China’s beauty and its status as an exciting travel destination.
Despite these contrasts, China has developed largely independent of other cultures and has therefore remained unique throughout its long history. There are multiple binding factors which maintain the nation as a whole, for instance the central political leadership in Beijing, the common language of Mandarin and the cultural traits which can be identified in every corner of this vast, incredible nation.
Although China has grown rapidly in recent years, it is important to remember that it is still a developing country and that many conveniences and living standards remain relatively low outside of the developed urban centres of the east. Almost half of the population in agricultural areas live in very poor conditions and live on less than a dollar a day. In a sense China is a mix of the ultra-modern and what many in the west would consider to be backward elements. For instance you may find a 5-star hotel on the same street as a restaurant or shop which has a ‘squat’ style toilet, litter on the floor and people happily spitting on the ground in public!
