Located in East Asia, the People's Republic of China shares land boundaries with 14 neighbouring countries. It's wide expanse extends from the Siberian land mass in the North to the Yellow Sea and South China Sea in the East, across to Central Asia in the West and down to Indochina in the South. Major geographical features include the Yangtzi River, the Quingzang Plateau, the Himalaya Mountains, Turpan Pendi (the second lowest inland point in the world after the Dead Sea) and the man-made Great Wall of China.
Buddhism, Taoism and Confucius teaching form the basis of traditional Chinese culture and popular world views. Throughout the dynasties, much emphasis has been placed on introversion and self-reflection for personal betterment. Since the end of the Cultural Revolution, there has been a distinct revival of traditional art, literature, music, film and fashion simultaneous to the rising influence of the West.