China is the gigantic landmass that dominates southeastern Asia. As the fourth biggest country in the world, it has the globe’s largest population and most spoken language—Mandarin Chinese. China has had a long and powerful history, and the country is rising quickly into modern times. The Chinese consider their ancient traditions a normal part of modern life, a combination which creates an intriguing atmosphere of old and new. China’s larger cities have embraced Western culture, and visitors can expect to see historical sites and famous fashion districts in the same day. Further inland, however, traditional customs prevail and local communities remain many steps behind Western modernization, often by choice.