Did you know that China is one of the four oldest civilizations in the world- and that it has a written history of 4,000 years? How about all the rich cultural relics and historical sites it boasts? Add to that The Great Wall of China, The Grand Canal, and the Karez irrigation system -- three great ancient engineering projects built well over 2,000 years ago -- and you have an educational mecca from which much can be learned.

Considering the advancements in the educational systems of China, now would be the ideal time to take advantage of the opportunity to study in China. Every year, more and more foreign students are choosing to study in China. Many overseas students from countries throughout the world come to study on the mainland, making China one of the largest study abroad destinations in the world.. The global credit crunch and the high rate of student unemployment has made China one of the most popular alternative for students and graduates alike.

If studying in China is something which you are seriously considering, you will need to apply for and ultimately acquire a visa. If you are a citizen from Japan, Singapore, or and Brunei a visa is not needed. A Chinese visa allows entry into nearly all of the country, although some restricted areas still require an additional permit. Visas are also required if a students plans to travel to Tibet. Tibet is an area of China that the authorities can suddenly bar foreigners from entering, so caution should be taken when considering travel there.

Many travel agencies offer competitive prices to most destinations. The cheapest flights to China are with airlines requiring a stopover at the home airport, such as with Air France to Beijing via Paris or Malaysian Airlines to Beijing via Kuala Lumpur. The most expensive time to travel is between June and September, so it is wise to search for airline tickets early and often.

Due to China's fast development and its size and population number, linguist experts are predicating the number of people learning English as a second language to decline. English is still a dominant language in China, but without being fluent in Chinese, the job market will prove more difficult as time goes on. By learning Chinese, many doors will be open to foreign students that might otherwise remain closed 

Traveling to China to study abroad can be one of the most exciting adventures of a student's lifetime. As China continues to welcome foreign students, it will continue to grow as a fascinating attraction for a truly unique study opportunity.