Hua Dong Region (East China inc Shanghai)

Shanghai is located at the mouth of the Yangzi from the 1800s the British opened this a major sea port. The French and the Japanese followed creating a multi cultural society and becoming a great trading city.

Suzhou is one of the oldest towns in the Yangzi basin and dates back about 2,500 years. Due to it's location it flourished in both the shipping and silk trades. It is located about one (1) and a half hours west of Shanghai by train.

Hangzhou is located south of Shanghai. The city was established in the Qin Dynasty. The city is bordered on (3) three sides by hills and the West Lake. This city is extremely popular with tourists so it is wise to prebook your accommodation well in advance.

Wuhan is the major port of the Yangzi and it was settled by the Han around 1000BC. Wuhan is one of China's largest inland cities with a population of over 4 million and is the seat of the provincial government.

Do's and Dont's:
Should you be invited to a Chinese home for a meal it is polite to take a gift. Flowers and chocolates are acceptable, however should you take something imported you would be widely respected and win (should it be for business) the deal or at least points in your favour.

When offering a cigarette do so with the packet open, do not hand over a single cigarette. For business purposes to give you counter part the entire pack would be most favourable.

Use both hands when presenting paper to another person in China. This shows respect.

The climate in China is so often varied. It experiences extreme cold during winter and the unbearably hot during summer, the warmest regions being in the south. During summer you can experience heavy down pours.