中国

China for language learners: live, study, travel

China's official language is Standard Chinese (Putonghua), written in Simplified characters. Hundreds of millions also speak regional Chinese languages such as Cantonese, Wu (Shanghainese), Min and Hakka, plus around 50 minority languages.

The short answer

China is a guide for learners who want to live, study or travel there. Main languages: Mandarin with Simplified characters, plus many regional languages. The page covers practical topics plus the words that help most on the ground.

Capital

Beijing

Population

1409 million

Official languages

Standard Chinese (Putonghua, 普通话)

Also spoken

Wu (Shanghainese), Cantonese (Yue), Min (Hokkien), Hakka, Xiang, Gan; Zhuang, Uyghur, Tibetan, Mongolian, Yi and ~50 other minority languages

Scripts

Simplified Chinese (minority scripts regionally)

Romanisation

Hanyu Pinyin

Currency

Renminbi (CNY, yuan)

Proficiency test

HSK, HSKK

你好 nǐ hǎoHello

谢谢 (謝謝) xièxieThank you

Best city to study

Beijing (also Shanghai, Kunming, Harbin)

Learner tip

Expect local accents outside Beijing: learn standard Putonghua, then tune your ear to the region you live in.

Kungfucius says: One written standard, a few hundred ways to pronounce it.

Festivals & phenomena

Southeast Asia (also markets in China); rare in Japan, Korea and Taiwan shops · Social PracticeArt of HagglingHaggling is normal in many Southeast Asian markets and some Chinese markets, but not in Japan, Korea or most Taiwanese shops, where prices are fixed.China/Global Diaspora · Festival/HolidayChinese New Year 春節 (春节)Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival (春節 (春节)), starts the lunisolar year between 21 January and 20 February. It means reunion dinners, red envelopes, firecrackers and the world's largest annual human migration.China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and other Chinese communities · FestivalDragon Boat Festival 端午節 (端午节)The Dragon Boat Festival (端午節) falls on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, with dragon boat races and zongzi (粽子) rice dumplings, traditionally commemorating the poet Qu Yuan.China · Fashion/HealthFacekini 臉基尼 (脸基尼)The facekini (臉基尼) is a full-head nylon mask worn by beachgoers in Qingdao, China, to block the sun and jellyfish. It reflects a strong preference for pale skin.China · Historical PracticeLotus Feet (Foot Binding) 纏足 (缠足)Foot binding (纏足) was the practice of tightly binding girls' feet to make them small, from around the 10th century to the early 20th century. It was banned in 1912 and caused lifelong disability.Taiwan/China · Social NormThe Art of Queueing (or Not) 排隊 (排队)Queueing (排隊, páiduì) in Taiwan and China varies: Taipei metro platforms are famously orderly, while crowding still happens in some settings in mainland China. Habits have changed fast with urbanisation.China/East Asia · Social ConceptThe Concept of 'Face' 面子Face (面子, miànzi; also 臉 (脸), liǎn) is social reputation in Chinese culture. You can give it, save it or lose it, and it shapes business, family and even arguments.

Hot springs

China · GuangzhouConghua Hot Springs 從化溫泉 (从化温泉)Conghua Hot Springs (從化溫泉 (从化温泉)) is a historic hot spring area north of Guangzhou, used as a retreat by leaders after 1949.🌡 36-71°C · Tattoos: Yes · Mixed: Mixed-genderMap ↗

China · Luding County, Garzê Tibetan Autonomous PrefectureHailuogou Hot Springs 海螺溝溫泉 (海螺沟温泉)Hailuogou Hot Springs (海螺溝溫泉 (海螺沟温泉)) is a set of hot springs at the Hailuogou Glacier park below Mount Gongga in western Sichuan.🌡 40-80°C (source) · Tattoos: Yes · Mixed: Mixed-genderMap ↗

China · TengchongTengchong Hot Sea 騰衝熱海 (腾冲热海)Tengchong Hot Sea (騰衝熱海 (腾冲热海)) is a volcanic geothermal park in western Yunnan, famous for the boiling Big Pot (大滾鍋) spring.🌡 90-100°C (source) · Tattoos: Yes · Mixed: Mixed-genderMap ↗

China · LiyangTianmu Lake Hot Spring 天目湖溫泉 (天目湖温泉)Tianmu Lake Hot Spring (天目湖溫泉 (天目湖温泉)) is a resort hot spring near Tianmu Lake in Liyang, a weekend getaway from Shanghai and Nanjing.🌡 43°C · Tattoos: Yes · Mixed: Mixed-genderMap ↗

China · Damxung County, LhasaYangbajain Hot Spring 羊八井溫泉 (羊八井温泉)Yangbajain Hot Spring (羊八井溫泉 (羊八井温泉)) is a high-altitude geothermal field around 90 km northwest of Lhasa, home to China's first geothermal power plant and public hot pools.🌡 47°C · Tattoos: Yes · Mixed: Mixed-genderMap ↗

Events and festivals

China · nature & seasonsHarbin International Ice and Snow FestivalWinter festival in Harbin built around Harbin Ice-Snow World, the Sun Island snow sculpture expo and the Zhaolin Park ice lanterns; the 42nd edition opened on 5 January 2026.Next: 2027-01-05 China · culture & traditionChinese New Year (Spring Festival)The most important holiday in China, marked by family reunion dinners, red envelopes, temple fairs and fireworks, and by the world's largest annual travel rush.Next: 2027-02-06 to 2027-02-13 China · food & drinkQingdao International Beer FestivalLarge beer festival in Qingdao, Shandong, with beer tents, concerts and parades; the 36th edition in 2026 had its main site at Golden Beach Beer City in the West Coast New Area.annual, about four weeks from mid-July to mid-August

Keep reading

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