China
People's Republic of China
People: Chinese
China is the world's second-most populous country and second-largest economy, home to the Great Wall and more than 20 megacities. China is located in Eastern Asia and has a population of around 1408.3 million. Its capital city is Beijing, and the most widely spoken official language is Chinese.
By the numbers, China is the 2nd most populous of the 196 countries covered on this site, home to 17.60% of the world's population. By land area it ranks 3rd out of 196, with a population density of roughly 145 people per km².
Facts last checked 31 August 2026.
China — key facts at a glance
| Official Name | People's Republic of China |
|---|---|
| Capital City | Beijing |
| Continent | Asia |
| Region | Eastern Asia |
| Population | 1,408,280,000 |
| Area | 9,706,961 km² |
| Currency | Chinese yuan (CNY) ¥ |
| Official Language | Chinese |
| Dialling Code | +86 |
| Internet TLD | .cn |
| Timezone | UTC+08:00 |
| Drives on the | Right side |
| Emergency Number | 110 (police) / 120 (ambulance) / 119 (fire) |
| ISO Code | CN / CHN |
| Borders | Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, India, Kazakhstan, Nepal, North Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Vietnam |
Travelling to China?
Heading there soon? A guide to what to pack for China makes sure the essentials are covered. Pack a universal travel adapter for your devices. You can also check clothing and shoe sizes in China before you shop, and look up popular foods from China if you want to know what's on the menu.
Leaving your car at a UK airport? Compare off-airport parking with Airparks before you fly to China. US: Want to learn a few phrases before you go? Try a 1-on-1 lesson with a real teacher on italki.
Getting to and around China
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Planning a trip to China?
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Frequently Asked Questions about China
What is the capital and currency of China?
The capital of China is Beijing and the currency is the Chinese yuan (CNY), symbol ¥.
What is the capital of China?
The capital of China is Beijing.
What currency does China use?
China uses the Chinese yuan (CNY, symbol: ¥).
What language do they speak in China?
The official language of China is Chinese.
What is the dialling code for China?
The international dialling code for China is +86.
What side of the road does China drive on?
China drives on the right-hand side of the road.
Countries bordering China
Afghanistan
Bhutan
Myanmar
India
Kazakhstan
Nepal
North Korea
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Mongolia
Pakistan
Russia
Tajikistan
VietnamThis page contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
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