Category: Asia

For more than 50 years Burma (Myanmar) has been ruled mainly by dictators, rebel groups, and by people connected to the drug trade. Because of this, democracy has had a tough time finding a foothold in its society; those who try to introduce it are often faced with brutality and harsh punishment from the government. Slave labor and other inhumane practices have been used in an effort to help Myanmar’s economy, but the country remains very poor.

In 2002 Aung San Suu Kyi–a Nobel Peace Prize winner and leader of Burma’s largest democratic political party, under house arrest through much of the ’80s and ’90s–was allowed to re-enter public life, and democracy is once again on the minds of the Burmese. The economic sanctions placed on the government by countries like the United States has caused the Burmese government to reconsider its politics, and although democracy is still a long way off in Myanmar, hopes of a society without oppression are growing.

As far as traveling in Myanmar, it is not for those who are looking for comfortable, easy (read: “first world”) travel. But the sites are incredible, and the people are generally friendly and nice. Myanmar has had little Western influence, which can make the country seem a bit forgotten compared to other southeast Asian countries, but if the government continues to loosen its reins on popular thought, don’t be surprised to see Myanmar start to catch on quickly.

Traveling in Myanmar
You need a visa to travel in Myanmar. Visas are valid for one month from the day you enter the country. Once you receive a visa you have to enter the country within three months.

Myanmar is still a military regime and any travel there should be done with caution. The democratic movement there favors a boycott of tourism in Myanmar, saying that the money spent by tourists only ends up supporting the military regime and human rights abuses.

Avoiding government-sponsored tourism is one way to help the populace while not supporting the government. Also, the cultural and political exchange you have with the local populace could do more to help the country than hurt it.

Easy ways to do this include staying at locally owned hotels; avoiding goverment-sponsored tours and transportation; not shopping at the government Myawadi shops; and trying to buy gifts, souvenirs, etc., directly from the local craftsman.

Rebel armies and refugees line the border between Thailand and Mynamar. It is best to avoid the borders areas, as there are occasional skirmishes. The northeastern part of the country near Mandalay is a particularly bad area where the drug trade has given local drug lords the power to build large private armies.

Some areas of travel do require a permit, although more and more are being opened by the government. But travel throughout the Myanmar can sometimes be hindered by the “local authorities” who might make certain sites off limits for no discernible reason, depending on their mood.

Weather in Myanmar
Myanmar only has three distinct seasons, winter, summer and monsoon season.

Winter falls between November to February, and is usually cool and dry. March until May is summer, which is quite hot, with temperatures routinely at or above 90 degrees. From May until October is the monsoon season, where the region can get upward of 25 inches of rain per month.

The optimal time to visit Myanmar is during the winter, when the days are a little cooler and the skies are clear.

Burma a.k.a. Myanmar Information
Population: 44,277,014 (est.1994)
Government: Military council
Square Miles: 261,789 sq mi (678,033 sq km)
Capitol: Yangon (Rangoon, pop 4 million)
Official Language: Burmese, but most ethnic minorities have languages of there own
People: 65% Burmese, 10% Shan, 7% Karen, 4% Rakhine and Chin, Kachin, Mon, Chinese, Indian, and Assamese minorities
Religion:87% Theravada Buddhist, 5% Christian, 4% Muslim, 3% animist
Major products/industries: teak, rice, jute, and illegal opium poppies

Since 2500 B.C., the cultures that grew into the modern state of India have been involved in a wild dance of religion and politics that make the India of today one of the most colorful, culturally rich, hyperintense, and interesting places in the world. The culture, politics, and economic effects can run to such extremes, in fact, that tourists have often been divided in to “love” and “hate” groups when it comes to appreciating all India has to offer, in relation to the trials one must at times undergo to enjoy it.

The history of the region that is now India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal has evolved based in large part on the tides of religious belief. Founded in the Indus River valley on the roots of Hinduism, the millenia that followed saw the rise of Buddhism, and Islam as prominent and politically charged practices. This, coupled with the forced influence of colonizing groups such as the early Aryans and, later, the Portuguese, French, Dutch, and English; as well as the great size of India and its multitude of people, makes this country on of the most interesting from a social standpoint. The cities are crowded and bustling while the countryside may at times seem spare. The economic divide is garish and unashamed, and, while no longer sanctioned by the government, the age-old caste system is still very much in place.

But these elements only make up part of the social fabric of India. Since the Partition of Hindu India and Muslim Pakistan in the 1940s, heated political tensions–and the occasional nuclear standoff–between these two countries over rights to the region of Kashmir have had a global effect. Further Hindu-Islam conflicts have flared up in other regions within India. The west plays an increasing role in Indian culture, from the tremendous British influence, which was responsible for building everything from an internal transportation system to a strong academic program; to America and its media and fashion obsession; and the former Soviet Union with its power and influence in that region (particularly before its fall). All of these things come together at times to feel counterpoised, and at time chaotic.

Traveling in India
International flights to India typically go to Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Kerala. If coming from Europe or beyond, it’s a good idea to have your accommodations organized in advance, as these flights tend to arrive in the predawn hours. This way you can go straight to your hotel or otherwise, rather than wandering the streets until sunrise.

Overland, the most traveled routes between India and Nepal are the Birganj-Raxaul Bazaar, Sunauli-Bhairawa, and Kakarbhitta-Siliguri roads. The only crossing between India and Pakistan is between Lahore and Amritsar, which is accessible by train or road. Bus service runs between Lahore and Delhi, operating four times a week, but be cautious as it could be a potential target for nationalist violence.

The state-run domestic Indian Airlines flies throughout the country, as does the international carrier Air India. There is also a glut of smaller domestic airlines, including Sahara Indian Airlines and Jet Airways, that will take you throughout India.

The infamous Indian train travel can be a colossal ordeal, but is also essential if you want to see the “real” India. Knowing the rules of the game is important if you’re going to survive what could otherwise be a nightmarish experience. Stick to the express or mail trains, but experiment on all the different classes of travel to see every side of the culture. Patience is the key in all aspects of the train system, from booking fares to just about any other aspect of transportation beaurocracy. It can be frustrating to the uninitiated, but keep it together and you’ll find the confusing methods that make up the Indian rails actually add up to a working system.

Buses provide another option (or, in the cases of getting to Kashmir or Nepal, maybe the only option). They range in price and comfort depending on where you are, how busy your route is, whether you use a state-run line or a private carrier, and more. The less expesive lines tend to be overcrowded, loud, and uncomfortable; some of the pricier lines may provide some relief from that and will often get you where you’re going faster than the trains.

Weather in India
It bears repeating: India is a huge country. There are microclimates throughout India, and like any nation of its size, the best times of year to visit–climatologically speaking–vary depending on where you want to go. October to March tends to be the most pleasant period across the bulk of India, but monsoons, deserts, Alpine mountains, and more mean dramatic differences between localized areas. Before you go, check up on the climate of your specific destination and keep it in mind as you plan your itinerary.

Republic of India Information
Population: 1,014,003,817
Government: Federal Republic
Area: 1,229,737 sq mi (3,287,590 sq km)
Capitol: New Delhi
Official Language: Hindi
People: 72% Indo-Aryan, 25% Dravidian, 3% other
Religion: 80% Hindu, 14% Muslim, 2.4% Christian, 2% Sikh, 0.7% Buddhist, 0.5% Jains, 0.4% other
Major products/industries: Textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transportation equipment, cement, mining, petroleum, machinery, agriculture, livestock

While Indonesia’s spectacular beaches, natural resources, and laid-back lifestyle have attracted tourists, missionaries, and businesses for generations, recent political and religiously motivated events make much of the archipelago dangerous for Western tourists.

Travelers should exercise reasonable caution in Jakarta and other metropolitan centers in Java and Sumatra. All travel should be avoided in West Timor; Maluku and North Maluku; remote parts of North, East, and Central Kalimantan; North, South and Central Sulawesi; Papua; and Aceh.

Still, there is much to do and see in Indonesia. The nation is composed of a vast number of islands, both large and small, making up an archipelago that stretches for thousands of miles. Java is the most developed island in Indonesia. While some of Indonesia’s famous pastoral lifestyle continues to exist on Java, it is also home to the country’s largest cities, churning out fumes and traffic, wealth and poverty, and the sort of social discord that typically accompanies rapid development.

To find the “paradise” that hordes of Aussie, European, and American tourists talk about so much, check out Bali. The beaches are beautiful, the volcanic hillsides are lush and brimming with life, and time moves slowly. However, particularly during the high tourist seasons, such as the Christmas season, Bali can be overrun with travelers. It becomes evident that much of what is appealing to tourists is itself manufactured by the tourists and a tourist-friendly society.

The flip side of this is the island of Lombok. Lombok embodies all of the potential of Bali, in terms of a rich and beautiful environment and pastoral lifestyle. With more to offer than Bali, for those who want to avoid the trappings of a tourist-centric society, Lombok is an appealing alternative. However, the people of Lombok are not nearly as open to tourists, often expressing resentment to those they see as intruding on their quiet lives.

Even further removed than Lombok is the island of Sumatra. With its thick forests, meandering rivers, and remote villages, Sumatra is well worth a visit, if only to know that such places still exist. But be wary of the political and religious conflicts, particularly in the northern section of Aceh.

Indonesia is home to elephants, tigers, leopards, and orangutans. Sea turtles are found in the diverse waters around Bali and the world’s largest flowers grow in Sumatra. The islands of Papua, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Sumatra have national parks, while other parks protect special areas such as Komodo, home to the famed Komodo dragon. However, massive tracts of rainforest are logged on a constant basis, and the slash and burn method compounds the environmental tumult by pumping soot and particulates into the air, choking populations of people.

Traveling in Indonesia
The major airports in Indonesia are in Jakarta and Bali, serviced by Australian Airlines among others. A luxury high-speed ferry runs from Penang to Medan, and other slower boats arrive from southern Malaysia and the Riau Islands.

The Christmas season is a very popular time to visit Indonesia for Australians and Europeans. The main Indonesian holiday season is the last week of Ramadan.

Visiting Indonesia, particularly outside of the major tourist seasons, can be very affordable. Lodging typically ranges from US$2-$5 at the budget level up to US$20+ at the high end. Meals are between US$1-$2 (budget) to US$5+ (high end). Tipping is generally not necessary with a few exceptions: tour guides often expect a small tip, as do hotel porters; cab drivers expect you to round the fare up. Traveler’s checks are the best bet for carrying cash in Indonesia. Credit cards will be accepted by nicer hotels, shops, and restaurants, but there is not universal acceptance. ATMs are available in bigger cities.

Visa regulations have varied in recent years, as a tug of war between politics and tourism dollars progresses. As of December 2003, nationals of 20 countries–including Australia, the United States, and some European countries–were able to obtain a visa upon arrival. Citizens of eight other countries, mostly in Southeast Asia, did not require visas. All others needed to obtain visas before arriving.

Health risks in Indonesia include Dengue Fever, Giardiasis, Hepatitis, Japanese B Encephalitis, Malaria, Rabies, and Typhoid.

Weather in Indonesia
For the most hospitable traveling weather, go to Indonesia between May and October. Much of the rest of the year is considered the rainy season, when travel is possible, but may be less comfortable or interrupted in more rural areas. Indonesia’s climate is consistently hot. Temperatures climb to about 88°F (31°C) in coastal regions, dropping further inland.

Republic of Indonesia Information
Population: 234.89 million
Government: Republic
Area: 1.9 million sq km
Capitol: Jakarta (pop 9.3 million)
Languages: Indonesian, English, Javanese, Sundanese
People: Acehnese, Bataks, Minangkabaus (Sumatra); Javanese, Sundanese (Java); Balinese (Bali); Sasaks (Lombok); and Dani (Irian Jaya/West Papuan); among hundreds of other ethnic and tribal groups
Religion: 88% Muslim, 8% Christian, 2% Hindu
Major products/industries: Oil, gas, textiles, timber, coffee, rubber, coal, tin, copper, rice, pepper, palm oil

Mongolia is one of the world’s most untamed countries. This exotic land may be considered the last frontier in Asia, and despite a history that includes such all-powerful warlords and diplomats as Ghengis and Kublai Khan–roving horsemen who’s bands of warrior-statesmen were responsible for unifying the largest empire in history–it seems amazing this country has kept it’s independence, existing between such giants as China and Russia. But Mongolia survives, through harsh winters, a serious lack of infrastructure, and few natural resources… In Mongolia, you are nothing if not a survivor.

Many Mongolian people are nomads who depend on their herds of sheep, goat, cattle, horse, and yak. Most Mongolians live in gers–traditional white felt tents that can easily be broken down and moved (this is even true in the cities). A family’s ger will have many religious and superstitious rules associated with them, and it’s suggested that you gain an understanding of these rules if you’re ever invited inside.

Traveling in Mongolia
The easiest way to get to Mongolia is to fly through Beijing, Moscow, or Berlin. Mongolia’s international airline, called MIAT, will get you there, but there is no guarantee when that will be, as flights are routinely canceled due to poor weather conditions. You can also reach Mongolia by way of the Trans-Mongolian Railway, which links Moscow and Beijing, or by crossing the border from Russia or China in a car (though, technically, this is still illegal).

Once inside the country, getting around is usually done via MIAT flights to one of the over 80 rustic regional airports across Mongolia. But buying tickets can be complicated because of low-technology: the airline has no computerized reservation system, forcing passengers to depend on one-way flights wherever they go. Be aware that flight times change regularly, with little or no notice; foreigners typically pay more for their tickets than Mongolian residents; and the airports are often little more than a dirt tracks on which to land.

There is bus service throughout the country, but the journeys are slow, delays are common for a variety of reasons, and schedules change often. You can also rent a jeep, but it’s advised to do so only with a guide, as breakdowns and accidents are common, but gas and good roads are not.

Weather in Mongolia
With 260 clear-sky days a year, Mongolia sounds like a sun worshipper’s paradise (in fact, it’s commonly known as the “Land of Blue Sky”). But the extreme climate varies greatly. Mongolia’s long winters keep some lakes frozen until June with temperatures dropping down to -22°F. The rainy season is short–lasting only from July until September–and the showers tend to be brief and gentle. The interior is dominated by the sprawling Gobi Desert, which gets just enough precipitation to support scattered herds of livestock and wild horses. Mongolia’s high altitude makes for cool evenings in the summer, while the spring is accented by terrible dust storms.

Mongolia Information
Population: 2.6 million
Government: Communist Republic
Square Miles: 610,740 sq mi (1,566,000 sq km)
Capitol: N’Djamena (pop 700,000)
Official Language: Mongolian, Turkic, Russian, Chinese
People: Khalkh Mongols (86%), Kazaks (2%), Chinese (2%), Russian (2%), about a dozen other ethnic groups
Religion: Tibetan Buddhism, Muslim, Shamanism
Major products/industries: Copper, livestock, cashmere, wool

Colonized in the 16th century by the Portuguese, Macau has the distinction of being the first European settlement in East Asia. After four centuries of growth under Portugese rule, much of that time fending off other European aggressors, the two islands and peninsula that make up Macau were turned over to China as a Special Administrative Region, or SAR.

Currently, Macau is known more for its multitude of casinos and capitalist leanings than for its colored history or the policies of its current administrator. Still, history shines through the glitzy surface of Macau: there is a distinct air of colonial Portugal in its cobble-stone streets, open markets, and historic architecture. And as Macau has transformed itself from colonial underdog to wealthy destination, it is now undergoing another transformation, trying to attract a less adult and more family-oriented kind of tourist.

Traveling in Macau
There are regular flights to Macau from major Asian cities, such as Bangkok, Singapore, Seoul, and Manila; however, because there are so few direct flights from Europe and beyond, the brand new, state-of-the-art airport on Taipa Island is very underused. Getting from the plane, through customs, and on your way is a breeze. And if flying is not your prefered method of travel, there are many daily trips over sea from Hong Kong and elsewhere, and road crossings from mainland China.

Once you’ve arrived, the best way to stay mobile is via minibus. Taxis are a pretty good deal too, if you are willing to struggle with a potential language barrier. Unless you’re into the novelty, steer clear of the three-wheeled triciclos: they’re cramped, slow, and restricted to traveling only at the waterfront.

Weather in Macau
Macau is at its most comfortable in the fall (October-December), when the air is clear and dry. March through May is nice as well; but hands down, the worst times to go to Macau are during the chilly winter months or in the hot, humid, and wet summer.

Macau Special Administrative Region Information
Population: 438,000
Government: Special Administrative Region of China (Province)
Square Miles: 9 sq mi (23.8 sq km)
Languages: Cantonese, Portuguese, English
People: 95% Chinese, less than 2% Portuguese

As near to out-of-this-world as only a few habited places on this earth are, Bangladesh challenges the visitor to find fulfillment despite excessive population density, national poverty, and robust environmental extremes. The rewards for those who take on such a challenge, though, are unique and intriguing insights into the rich regional Bengali culture and the current state of South Asian and global society.

One of the younger countries in the world, Bangladesh attained its independence from Pakistan in 1972. Dwarfed and almost engulfed by neighboring India, the country is on the very edge of South Asia, adjacent to Burma (Myanmar) to the east. Bangladesh is situated at the confluence and delta of three great rivers–the Ganges (Padma), Meghna, and Brahmaputra (Jamuna)–that together drain most of the Himalayan snowmelt, and this is the defining geographical feature of the nation.

Population density is extreme countrywide: more than half the population of the United States lives in a land area smaller than many American states. The gross national product is heavily subsidized with foreign aid, and the average annual income is less than US$200.

War with, and independence from, Pakistan in the early 1970’s represents the dominant intracontinental political struggle of the past half-century, in which Bengalis established themselves as a distinctive ethnic group. The Cold War passed over the limited economic and military power of the region, but did align Bangladesh as an American aid recipient and potential ally.

Honored and nurtured, ancient and venerable prayer stupas and Bodhi trees scattered across the country represent the roots of the thousands-of-years-old Bengali culture. Cultural wealth was at a high point half a millennium ago, when ports on the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers traded wares from the interior of the Indian subcontinent with Africa and beyond. Isolated, crumbling palaces on the Ganges floodplain, and the cazbah walls surrounding urban areas, bear evidence of this prior cultural renaissance. Impacts of later colonization by the British are conspicuous: tea plantations continue to operate, and the colonial-era railway system is still the most dependable form of transport. The modern paradigm of globalization is hard on the indebted nation with its sparse infrastructure and high propensity for natural disasters. Although not a major economy of the world, Bangladeshis contribute heavily to the development of the global petroleum industry and also to United Nations armies.

Traveling in Bangladesh
Division of the Indian subcontinent 1948-50 established the current ethnic distribution, which, in Bangladesh, is approximately 88% Muslim, 11% Hindu, and 1% Christian. Politically, Bengalis tend to be moderately conservative, and the country does not suffer from ethnic and political tension so common in that region. Consideration of local customs, especially those regarding gender and religious roles, is recommended to those who wish to minimize their travel impact.

Although a high percentage of Bengalis know some English, actually communicating in English can only be done reliably in urban areas. The native language is Bangla, which has roots in the region and Arabic.

Iconic architecture is a highlight of the capital city–Dhaka–as are the high-density urban amazements such as markets and busy intersections. However, the pollution in any Bangladeshi urban area is powerful and pervasive, and includes trash and garbage as well as open sewers, noise, and vehicle exhaust.

Rural Bangladesh lies in seemingly stagnant transition between the 18th and the 21st centuries, a condition that has fallen upon much of the resource-poor postcolonial world. There are few wilderness or natural conservation areas, with the major exception of the Sundarbans in southwestern Bangladesh, where the graceful Bengal Tiger roams among immense coastal forests and mangroves. Rural villages tend to be well kept and productive, and people are inviting and interactive. To sit and have cha, a sweet creamy tea, and make conversation is the essence of traveling in Land of Bengal.

Bangladesh visas are valid for six months from the date of issue and are good for stays of one or three months.

Health concerns include cholera, dysentery, hepatitis, malaria and meningococcal meningitis. Consult your physician before visiting Bangladesh, and be aware of shots or medication that should be taken in advance of your trip.

Weather in Bangladesh
Monsoons from the Indian Ocean contribute to annual flooding, and the land area of Bangladesh reduces by about one-third each year from August to October. The best time to visit is from October to February–the cold season , when the weather is drier. Springtime in Bangladesh–roughly around April–can be very uncomfortable, with extreme heat and humidity.

Bangladesh Information

Name:
People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Population:
129 million (est.)
Government:
Republic
Square Miles:
55,598 sq mi (143,998 sq km)
Capitol:
Dhaka (pop: 8.5 million)
Official Language:
Bangla, English
People:
98% Bengali, 250,000 Bihari, tribals less than 1 million
Religion:
88.3% Islam, 10.5% Hindu, 1.2% other
Major products/industries:
Jute manufacturing, cotton textiles, food processing, steel, fertilizer, rice, jute, tea, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, beef, milk, poultry

In the years since the Communist Revolution, the public face of China has been very difficult to read. Politically and economically, it has appeared at once uniform and homogenous, standing by a staunch Maoist line and keeping all non-oldguard ideas at bay, as well as open and curious about western capitalist opportunities, modernism, diversity, and cooperation. In the west, China has been viewed as somewhat of an enigma: suppressing freedom of expression and communication (the Chinese government is infamous for extreme censorship of any and all media), openly violating globally accepted standards of human rights while claiming ignorance or slander, and military posturing that is meant to discourage nations such as the United States from looking too closely at what goes on behind their closed doors; all the while urban Chinese are quickly embracing modern technoloy and communication methods such as the Internet, cities have turned into boomtowns where everything is for sale, and the Chinese government has made efforts to draw in western industry and capitalize on business and growth that would send them in a direction opposite the Communist ideals of Chairman Mao and his Cultural Revolution.

For many thousands of years, the Chinese culture has been one of walls. Finished in the earliest days of unified China–during the Qin dynasty–the Great Wall literally surrounds much of the nation. This is more symbolic than functional, but the years since its completion have seen many more political and cultural barriers built, intended as much to keep Chinese pride and culture in as they are to keep the western world out.

The age of colonialism came early for China, as armies swept across much of Southeast Asia conquering lands for their emperors. But as of the sixteenth century, westerners began knocking on China’s doors in droves–beginning with the Portuguese, in 1516, and soon followed by the British, French, Americans, Germans, Russians, and more. So many outside nations wanted a part of China that they literally divided up the country among themselves into “spheres of influence.” This was the beginning of the economic pillaging and a cultural oppression that eventually led to such calamities as the Opium Wars, America’s “Open Door” policy, the Boxer Rebellion and China’s civil war, and finally to the Chinese Communist Revolution itself.

A smaller nation than before (although, at roughly 1 million square miles, still huge by any account), with a much larger population, weaker economy, and rash of environmental and other problems to face, China is now making some efforts to align itself with western policies, without totally abandoning the Communist foundations upon which modern Chinese culture is based.

As China tip-toes into new-world economics, and as the voices of dissent begin to grow too loud to ignore, it will be very interesting to see if this ancient and great culture evolves from being defined by walls, to being identified with its openness and eagerness to join the modern world.

Traveling in China
Visas are required by all foreigners to enter mainland China, with the exception of a 24-hour reprieve for anyone with a ticket for a connecting flight out of the country. Visas can be gotten from Chinese consulates and embassies in most countries. Currently, a visa is not required for western nationals to enter either Hong Kong or Macau.

The environment in China is varied–from the soaring and snowy Himalayas to the flat plains of the Yangzi River valley and the Inner Mongolia Plateau. The most dramatic region of China, from a geologic point of view, is arguably the Yunnan-Guizhbou Plateau in the southwest. Here, the limestone bedrock has been carved away by the elements, creating jaw-dropping waterfalls, underground caverns, and gorge rapids to make the most expert river runner nervous. Unfortunately, because of over-population, pollution, and the effects of stripping the land for agriculture, many of China’s indigenous species are either endangered or extinct. The few that remain, however, include some of the world’s most appreciated–including the panda, snow leopard, yak, and elephant. Plant life has suffered as well, though not quite as much as fauna; the northern subarctic region is home to China’s largest forest, and the steamier south has more diverse plant life in its rainforests. The bottom line is, this is a country of more than a billion people; under the pressure of such a huge population, and without the govenmental or economic support needed to encourage conservation, much of China’s potential for ecological wealth has been destroyed.

Health risks include rabies, bilharzia, dengue fever, malaria and cholera. Immunization against cholera, hepatitis A and B, Japanese encephalitis, polio, rabies, and typhoid is necessary before going to China.

Weather in China
Weather is China varies greatly, as expected in a country of its size. Most people visit in the spring (March through April) and fall (September through October), when average daytime temperatures range from the mid-60s to the mid-80s (in degrees Fahrenheit). This is, however, the hottest time of year in the south, and coincides with typhoon season along the southern coast. It’s best to do your research according to where you’ll be and when. Otherwise, it is very difficult to try to predict weather for the entire country.

People’s Republic of China Informaton
Population: 1.25 billion
Government: Communist republic
Square Miles: 9,596,960 sq km (mainland)
Capitol: Beijing (pop 13.8 million)
Official Language: Putonghua (Beijing Mandarin dialect), Cantonese
People: Han Chinese (93%), plus 55 ethnic minorities
Religion: Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism (no stats available); Muslim (14 million), Christian (7 million)
Major products/industries: Iron, steel, coal, machinery, textiles