So far china has designated 99 cities as famous historical and cultural cities of national caliber, and placed 750 cultural relics under key protection. There are also 119 national scenic and tourist resorts across the land. Nineteen Chinese scenes and sights have appeared on a UNESCO list of world natural and cultural heritages. China's venerated history and splendid culture have pockmarked the land with cultural relics and treasures. Beijing, Xi'an, Nanjing, Luoyang, Kaifeng, Hangzhou and Anyang are known as the nation's seven major ancient capitals.

The Chinese folklore is rich and varied. More than 40 Chinese festivals are known throughout the world. Not a month passes without a festival being observed among one ethnic group or another. The Peking Opera, Chinese acrobatics, music and dance, and traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy-all these never fail to bring immense joy to visitors from all over the world.

The Chinese tourism industry is not only rich in resources; it has also come a long way in transportation, service, accommodation, catering and shopping facilities, and recreation. Tourist facilities are being constantly improved, and so is the service. With a winsome smile the hospitable Chinese are trusted companions for those traveling in China.

Located in the eastern Asia on the western coast of the Pacific Ocean, China has a land area of about 9.6 million square kilometers, the third largest country in the world(after Canada and Russia) in terms of area. Its population of more than one billion accounts for 23 per cent of the world's population. China is the world's oldest continuous civilization.

From north to south, the territory of China measures some 5,500 km, stretching from the center of the Heilongjiang River north of the town of Mohe (latitude 53°N) to the Zengmu Reef at the southernmost tip of the Nansha Islands (latitude 4° N). From west to east, the nation extends about 5,200 km from the Pamirs (longitude 73° E) to the confluence of the Heilongjiang and Wusuli rivers (longitude 135° E), with a time difference of over four hours.

China has land borders 22,800 km long, with 15 contiguous countries: Korea to the east; the People's Republic of Mongolia to the north; Russia to the northeast; Kazakhstan, Kirghizstan and Tajikistan to the northwest; Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan to the west and southwest; and Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar to the south.

Beside a vast land area, there are also extensive neighboring seas and numerous islands. The coastline extends more than 14,500 kilometers. Across the East China Sea to the east and South China Sea to the southeast are Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. More than 5,000 islands are scattered over China's vast territorial seas; the largest being Taiwan and the second largest, Hainan. One territorial sea and three neighboring seas altogether constitute 4.73 million square kilometers.