China & Tibet Geography and Maps
China is located in Southeast Asia along the coastline of the Pacific Ocean. It has an area of 9.6 million square kilometres making it the third largest country in the world after Russia and Canada, but with approximately 1,357,380,000 people, China is the world’s most populous country. Due to its massive size, China is bordered by fourteen countries.
The geography of China is a mixture of plateaus, plains, basins, foothills and mountains with mountain ranges making up approximately one-third of the total land area. Notable ranges include the Himalayas, the Altai Mountains, the Tian Shan Mountains and the Kunlun Mountains. The eastern and southern parts of China are heavily bordered by the sea as well as islands. This half of the country is made up of lowlands and foothills and is responsible for much of the agricultural production. The western and northern parts of China are made up of basins, plateaus and massifs.
Tibet is located in southwestern China and geographically can be divided into three regions: east, north and south. The eastern portion of Tibet is forest and makes up approximately one-quarter of the entire land area. Northern Tibet encompasses approximately one-half of the land area and consists of open grasslands where the Nomadic population of Tibet lives. The southern portion of Tibet is home to major cities and towns like the capital Lhasa, Shigatse, Gyantse and Tgetang. It is also the agricultural hub and hosts one-quarter of the land area. Within Tibet is the Tibetan Plateau which stretches around 1,000 km (620 mi) from north to south and 2,500 km (1,600 mi) from east to west. It is because of the Plateau that Tibet is often referred to as “the Roof of the World” because the average elevation found there is above 4,500 m (14,800 ft).
China is also responsible for two special administrative regions (SARs), Hong Kong and Macau. Hong Kong is located in the South China Sea at the mouth of the Pearl River Delta. There are three main territories in Hong Kong including Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories. Hong Kong Island is home to many historical sites as well as mountain ranges. The Kowloon Peninsula is located in the southern part of the main landmass of Hong Kong. Both Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula have been expanded over the years due to reclaimed land. The New Territories consist of the mainland north of the Kowloon Ranges as well as the Outlying Islands. Despite the development of new towns in the 1970s, the New Territories have remained relatively rural with much of the area being designated parklands.
Macau is located 60 km (37 mi) southwest of Hong Kong. It is made up of the Macau Peninsula and the islands of Taipa and Coloane. Macau is generally flat land although there are steep hills. The highest point is Alto de Coloane with an altitude of 170.6 m (559.7 ft). Macau has grown over the years thanks to land reclamation while bridges link the peninsula to other islands.
China and Tibet Travel Information
At Goway we believe that a well-informed traveller is a safer traveller. With this in mind, we have compiled an easy-to-navigate travel information section dedicated to China.
Learn about the history and culture of China, the must-try food and drink, and what to pack in your suitcase. Read about China's nature and wildlife, weather and geography, along with 'Country Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts. Our globetrotting tips, as well as our visa and health information, will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering China for yourself. Start exploring… book one of our China tours today!
Extend Your Trip
After your China tour considers taking the time to visit other destinations. Goway offers exciting India tours and Thailand vacation packages plus a comprehensive selection of vacation packages in many other Asian countries.
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