China: Visa, consular services

Welcome to our comprehensive information page about China - a country that fascinates with its diversity and history. Whether you are traveling for business, climbing the Great Wall, strolling through bustling metropolises like Shanghai, or immersing yourself in the depths of Chinese culture - there are numerous aspects to consider when traveling to China.

Our site provides you with a structured overview of all the important topics essential for your trip preparation. Starting from the different types of visas, through consular services to specific entry requirements - here you will find everything compactly and clearly presented. The practical icon buttons lead you directly to the respective topics, so you can quickly access the information you need without extensive searching.

Thanks to the clear structure of our website, you save valuable time and can be sure that you are well informed. The variety of topics makes it possible to thoroughly prepare for a stay in the Middle Kingdom. Knowledge of cultural peculiarities, legal framework conditions, and special services can not only enrich your trip but also prevent unpleasant surprises.

We invite you to click through the various sections and embark on an exciting journey of discovery through the diverse aspects of a trip to China. Prepare yourself optimally and start worry-free on an unforgettable adventure!

China is not only a country with a rich history and culture, but also a modern state that is constantly evolving and making a significant contribution to world civilization.

Chinese civilization is one of the oldest in the world. According to Chinese scholars, it could be up to five thousand years old, while existing written sources date back at least 3500 years.

According to ancient Chinese mythology, the country was ruled by god-kings, who were later replaced by imperial dynasties. Three rulers and five emperors were considered the founders of traditional Chinese culture. The great dynasties created writing, the wheel, arithmetic, medicine, astronomy, the calendar, and musical instruments. The most important inventions of the early modern era were the compass, gunpowder, paper, and printing, which had a significant impact on human development.

China is referred to as the Middle Kingdom because of the historical and cultural significance of the term. It originated during the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC) and reflects the idea of China as the center of the world. In ancient Chinese mythology, the emperor was considered the son of heaven, and heaven was seen as a deity to be worshiped. This sacred space was viewed as lying above China. The term "heavenly kingdom" (Tianxia) originally referred to the entire world, but over time became exclusively associated with the Chinese state.

The Chinese language has seven dialects, which can be so different that speakers from different regions sometimes do not understand each other. However, the written language is uniform nationwide, facilitating cultural and historical communication among the Chinese.

China is home to many unique structures, including the Great Wall of China, which stretches over 8850 kilometers. Taking into account all the branches, it is the longest man-made structure in the world, with a length of over 21,000 kilometers. Construction of the wall began in the 3rd century BC, lasted more than 10 years, and served as a defense against external threats.

In Shaanxi Province, the Mausoleum of the First Emperor of Unified China covers an area of more than 56.25 square kilometers. Its underground halls house the famous Terracotta Army, consisting of 7,500 unique soldiers and 90 chariots meant to protect the emperor in the afterlife. Originally, the emperor wanted to take 4,000 living soldiers, but then decided to have his best fighters replicated in clay. The work on the Terracotta Army took about 37 years and required the efforts of 700,000 Chinese.

The Gugong Imperial Palace, also known as the Forbidden City, is an outstanding example of Chinese palace architecture. Its construction took almost 15 years and involved the work of about a million architects, artists, and craftsmen. The palace is located in the heart of Beijing and covers an area of nearly 700,000 square meters. Within its grounds are 799 buildings, where according to ancient Chinese mythology there should be 9,999 rooms to avoid living in the palace, surpassing the splendor of the residence of the most important symbol of Chinese power - the Golden Dragon. However, only 8,708 rooms have been preserved to this day.

China is a country with a high level of economic and technological development. However, more than 30 million Chinese people live in caves. This is remarkable considering that China is known for the rapid construction of skyscrapers. Even Mao Zedong lived in a cave before becoming the leader of the country. Such dwellings, known as yaodong ("cave houses"), are traditional for the Chinese and can be up to 70 square meters in size. Many yaodongs have modern amenities such as running water, electricity, telephone, and internet. Yaodongs are listed as cultural heritage in China and are considered local landmarks.

Pandas live exclusively in China, and their population is limited to the provinces of Shaanxi, Sichuan, and Guangxi. All pandas in the world belong to China and are a national treasure. If you see a panda in a reserve or zoo in another country, know that China has just leased the animal! The cost of this lease is $1 million per year. Additionally, any offspring born outside of China belongs to the Middle Kingdom and must be returned to the country after two years.

The Chinese were the first to produce silk fabrics, and silk cultivation developed in the country as early as the 4th millennium BC. Until the emergence of the Silk Road in the 1st millennium BC, other peoples had no idea of the existence of silk. Over time, this valuable material spread throughout the world. For several centuries, however, the Chinese closely guarded the secrets of silk production, and any attempt to take butterflies, caterpillars, or eggs out of the country was punishable by death.