Map of China

Where is China? • Chinese Travel and Tourism

The People's Republic of China (PRC) is located in eastern Asia. It is the third largest country in the world and occupies an area of 3,705,406 square miles, including the island of Taiwan which is claimed by China. Mainland China has a 3,588 mile coastline, from the Gulf of Tonkin adjoining Vietnam in the south to the Yalu River adjoining North Korea. Beijing, China's capital city, is located in northeastern China.

It is bordered by Mongolia, Russia, and Kazakhstan to the north, and by North Korea, the Yellow Sea, and the East China Sea to the east. It is bordered by the South China Sea to the southeast, by Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar to the south, by India, Bhutan, and Nepal to the southwest, and by Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan to the west.

China Map > Relief Map of China • China Travel Destinations

To print this map of China, click on the map. After map loads, press Ctrl+P.

Geography of China

China has a rather varied landscape. The eastern coastal plains, the highlands, and the fertile valleys of the rivers Huang He and Yangtze are the most highly populated areas of China. The Tibetan plateau, which is hemmed in by the Himalayas, is in western China. The world's highest mountain, Everest, is on the Nepal-Tibet border. Some areas in the west are desert areas or covered by grass, while the southeast boasts some of the world's most lush forests, including the bamboo forest that the giant panda calls home.

China's Climate

The climate in China is as varied as its landscape. While northeast China has cold winters and warm summers, the east-central region of Shanghai has more rainfall and milder winters. A wet, subtropical climate is prevalent in the southeast, while in the west the weather is colder and harsher.

Leading Chinese Cities

The Chinese cities of Shanghai and Beijing are among the world's largest cities. Beijing, China's cultural center, is enjoying an economic boom and is also a major transportation hub. Located between the Pei and Hun rivers in northeast China, Beijing is made up of two walled sections: the Inner City, including the Forbidden City, and the Outer City. Today, Beijing is still China's educational, financial, political, and cultural center.

Shanghai, China's largest city, has embraced the market economy and has become an important commercial and design center. Hong Kong, located on the southeast coast of China, was absorbed by the PRC in 1997. It is a leading center of international finance and trade, and is noted for its efficient government and transport network.

China Travel Information

China and Nepal share the tallest mountain in the world, Mount Everest, with an elevation of 29,035 feet / 8,850 meters. China's biggest attractions include the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, which was home to the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Hainan island, off the south coast, is a popular vacation destination.

The official language of China is Mandarin Chinese, and its currency is the renminbi yuan. For more information about visiting China, visit site at China's Official Gateway to news and information.

China Tourism

China National Tourist Office - CNTO - The US branch of the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) has travel tips and travel information and highlights China's main attractions.

China Resources

CIA - The World Factbook - China - Government almanac of China offering maps, geography and statistics.
China in the Yahoo! Directory - Learn about the history, culture, government and regions of China.
Wikipedia - China - This free online encyclopedia includes information about Chinese geography, history and regions.

China News

Trucks in 120km traffic jam
More than 10,000 trucks, mainly carrying coal, are stuck in a 120km traffic jam in Inner Mongolia, in the latest dramatic snarl-up on China's roads. The jam started forming on Tuesday after traffic restrictions began being ...
New Zealand Herald. Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:40:00 +1200.
US accuses 11 of honey smuggling
US authorities indict 11 German and Chinese executives for conspiring to illegally import $40m worth of honey from China.
BBC News. Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:24:40 GMT.
I.H.T. Op-Ed Contributor: When Rare Earths Get Rarer
The West needs to find new sources for rare earths, most of which come from China.
By Reinhard BÜtikofer. International Herald Tribune. Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:10:34 GMT.
Africa: African Countries Share Venue at Exposhangai 2010
About 42 African countries are sharing the same venue at Zone C's Expo Shangai 2010, in China, Angop learnt.
All Africa. Thu, 02 Sep 2010 06:56:10 GMT.
Ashton defends missing out on peace talks in Washington
Foreign policy chief 'closely involved' in talks, despite being in China.
European Voice. Thu, 02 Sep 2010 05:18:55 GMT.

Related Asian Map Sites

Map of Japan - Japanese maps and travel info.
Map of Russia - Russian maps and travel info.