China is one of the most intriguing nations on earth. It has cosmopolitan cities like Shanghai, Hong Kong and Beijing as well as rural villages which remain untouched by the 20th century, and it also counts verdant landscapes straight off a Chinese scroll painting and vistas and gorges so exquisite they defy describing. ChinaÕs Great Wall, Ming Tombs, Forbidden City, terra-cotta statues of warriors and horses from 200 B.C in XiÕan, are some of the worldÕs most fascinating attractions. They are only part of the unexpected pleasures a visitor will find in this exotic country.

COUNTRY INFORMATION Area: 9,596,961 square kilometers/3,705,533 square miles Population: 1,300,000,000 inhabitants Capital City: Beijing Currency: Renminbi Yuan Languages: Mandarin, Cantonese & other regional languages Time Zones: GMT +1 in winter; GMT +2 in summer Country Phone Code: China 86, Hong-Kong 852 Time Zone : GMT +8 in winter; GMT +7 in summer Electricity : 220 volts, various plugs Weather   J F M A M J J A S O N D C° -4.3 -1.9 5.1 13.6 20 24 25.9 24.6 19.6 12.7 4.3 -2.2 F° 24 29 41 56 68 76 79 76 67 55 40 28 Meeting Venues in China

USEFUL INFORMATION National Public Holidays: New YearÕs Day (Jan. 1st ); Chinese New Y earÕs Days (Feb. 1th to 3rd); WomensÕDay (Mar. 8th); Labor Day (May 1st ); Youth Day (May 4th); Tuen Ng Festival (Jun. 4th); Communist Party Anniversary (Jul. 1st); Army Day (Aug. 1st); Late mid-Autumn Festival (Sep. 12th), National Days (Oct. 1st & 2nd); Bank Holiday (Oct. 3rd). Tipping:A tip of 10% is customary in hotels and restaurants. Banks Opening Hours:Monday-Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. Health: Update all immunizations. Drink bottled water and tea. Domestic Airlines: Air China & Cathay Pacific (in Hong Kong)