China has an almost extra-planetary allure. A fascinating four-thousand-year history; soaring cites sizzling with ambition; the world's highest and most imposing mountains; a kaleidoscopic collection of minority cultures; mind-boggling monuments. The list is endless. China is as intriguing on a tenth visit as it is on the first.

• TOTAL AREA: 9,596,960 sq km

• LAND AREA: 9,326,410 sq km

• WATER AREA: 270,550 sq km

• POPULATION: 1,313,973,713

• RELIGIONS: Daoist (Taoist), Buddhist, Christian 3%-4%, Muslim 1%-2%
  note: officially atheist

• LANGUAGES: Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghaiese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages

• GOVERNMENT TYPE: Communist state

• CAPITAL CITY: Beijing

• OFFICIAL CURRENCY: yuan (CNY); note - also referred to as the Renminbi (RMB)

• TIME ZONE: GMT/UTC +8