China Adoption Program: Culture/Country

China is a wonderfully diverse country, full of history, amazing sights, wonderful food and warm, welcoming people. Not surprisingly, however, it is different from the United States in every conceivable way (including having opposite days and nights). Time for families to adjust to the time change and initial culture shock is specifically built into the two-week trip.

China is home to 1.29 billion people - over 20% of the world's population. The capital of China is Beijing and the official language is Mandarin, with dialects spoken in different areas.

China offers a rich and varied history and culture and historic sightseeing opportunities, such as the Great Wall.

Of particular relevance to families is the one-child policy implemented by the Chinese government in the 1970's. Many families abandon a daughter with the hope of parenting a son who can support them when they get old, which is an established part of Chinese culture. As a result, each year thousands of baby girls are in need of an adoptive family.

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