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CHINA > FACTS ABOUT THE VISITORS
WHEN TO GO:
The spring period during March throughout April, and the autumn season on September
to October are the best moments to travel around China. In these seasons, daytime
temperature range from 20°C to 30°C (68°F-86°F). But nights
can be bitterly and it can be wet and miserable. Major public holidays, in particular
Chinese New Year, are best avoided, as it's difficult to get around and/or find
accommodation.
ARRIVING FROM ABROAD:
Visitors to China are obliged to fill in The Quarantine Declaration Form and
Custom Declaration Form need on board before landing. On arrival the Entry Registration
Card Arriving in China will be given. The items forbidden to be taken to China,
include weapons, ammunition or explosives; forged currencies or forged valuable
securities; opium, heroin, marijuana and other addictive drugs; plants, fruits,
animals; foodstuffs, medicines or other products which come from areas with
epidemics or which may spread diseases or contamination.
AIRPORT FEES:
The country's airport observes two kinds of fees, domestic and international
charges. The 50 yuan airport construction fee is levied at all domestic airports,
while 90 yuan is charged when one catching a departure flight out of China.
All the fees are payable in RMB and in cash only at a special airport tax desk
before check-in. Passengers holding diplomatic passports as well as the transit
passengers stopping at the transit point within 24 hours are let off from departure
tax.
GETTING THERE & AWAY:
Most visitors come to China through Hong Kong or Shanghai, though there are
over 115 ports of entry and exit. The Civil Aviation Administration of China
(CAAC) is the national carrier known on international routes as Air China. It
also operates Dragonair, a joint venture company with Cathay Pacific. Should
you leave China by air, you would better to prepare yourself with enough yuan,
as there is a departure tax of Y90 which payable only in local currency. This
aims to avoid a last minute scramble at the airport moneychanging booth. You
can travel to China passing by several exotic routes include Vietnam-China,
the Trans-Siberian railway, Tibet-Nepal, Xinjiang-Pakistan and Xinjiang-Kazakstan.
Foreigners are rarely permitted to drive in China, so please never think of
bringing your own car. Other entry points include Zhuhai-Macau, Kashgar-Islamabad
(Pakistan) via the Karakoram Highway, Urumqi-Almaty (Kazakstan), Kashgar-Bishkek
(Kyrgyzstan), Beijing-Pyongyang (North Korea) and Pinxiang/Hekou-Dong Dang/Lao
Cai (Vietnam). You can take a slow boat to China from Japan or South Korea.
Famous spots to cruise to and from include Shanghai, Xiamen (opposite Taiwan),
Tanggu (near Tianjin), Macau and Hong Kong.
VISA/PASSPORT:
Visitors to China must have a valid passport with at least 6 months before expiry
date. Suggested time to apply for visa is one month before your departure. Visa
can be obtained directly from the Chinese Embassies or Consulates in your own
country, or China Travel Service Offices. A completed visa application form
together with one recent passport-size (2x2) photo is required. Visitors can
apply for single-entry visas which are valid for entry within three months.
For business people and other regular visitors, you can apply for multiple-entry
visas which are valid for for entry within six months. Each entry is valid for
a stay of 30 or 60 days, and can be extended while in China. For travelling
to Tibet, please contact your local travel agency to obtain approval from the
Tourist Bureau of Tibet before applying for visa. Passport is needed to check
into hotels, make plane or train reservations and exchange money or travellers
cheques. In the unfortunate event that a passport is lost or stolen during your
stay in China, it should be reported immediately to the holder's embassy or
consulate, and the Public Security Bureau.
GETTING AROUND:
Private transporters have been permitted to fly over the country. CAAC has assumed
to host several airlines including China Eastern, China Southern, China Southern,
Great Wall, Yunnan Airlines, and many more. There is no such thing as a discount,
notwithstanding where you purchase your ticket. There is an airport tax of Y50
payable on all domestic flights.
For on the ground trip, the long-distance bus is one of the best choices. It's
frequent and cheap, yet crowded and stuffy, even the extensive services are
available. Alternatively, you can go around with a train, which reaches into
every province (apart from Tibet) along a 52,000 km network. Despite the risk
of getting your luggage pinched or dying from shock at the state of the toilets,
train is faster and safer than bus.
The domestic boat travels are slightly fading as the land transport improves.
But, there are several boat trips to be carried out between Hong Kong and the
mainland, one of the bests is the three-day cruise along the Yangzi River from
Chongqing to Wuhan. Meanwhile, taxis only cruise the largest cities' streets.
Motorcycle taxis, motor-tricycles and/or pedicabs hunt in packs around most
major train and bus stations. They're cheap and useful if you don't mind sudden
traffic-induced adrenalin rushes. You can also renting a bike and joining the
pedaling throng.
TRAVEL WITH CHILDREN:
It is not difficult to traveling with children in China, but it can be not so
easy too. To keep your kids safe and comfortable during travel, you should do
good preparation. Prepare carefully but never make your baggage overburdensome.
If you travel with a infant, some essential stuffs to be brought are: blanket
for baby to sleep with; baby food and drink; baby wipes; bottles; adequate disposable
nappies; safety seat; extra changes of clothing; first-aid kit containing necessary
medicines such as antibiotic ointment for cuts and scrapes; allergy relievers
and motion sickness relievers, pacifiers, candies, or chewing gum to ease air
pressure; sun hat and sun screen; toys and books; plastic grocery or zip-lock
bags which can be used to carry a variety of sizes for storing soiled diapers,
clothes, and shoes. The fare for international and domestic flights for an Infant
(up to 2 years of age) is 10% of the full fare but the infant cannot occupy
a seat, while for a child between 2 to12 years of age, the fare for a seat on
a domestic flight is 50% of the full fare. Child up to 12 years old is free
from the airport construction fee but departure tax is required.
Please reserve adjacent seats if you purchase a ticket for your child.
STUDENT TRAVEL:
The student cards issued by the Chinese Ministry of Education to foreign students
studying in China are usually accepted. Concessions when buying train and airplane
tickets may given to foreign students holding such card. But, it is regretted
that dispensations are not obtainable to those traveling with student cards
issued outside China.
CURRENCY:
RMB is China's legal tender with Yuan (¥) as the vital unit. The denominations
of paper notes are 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 yuan; 5, 2 and 1 jiao; and 5,
2 and 1 fen. The denominations of coins are 1 yuan; 5, 2 and 1 jiao; and 5,
2 and 1 fen. Visitors to China should exchange their cash, as foreign currencies
can not be used directly in China. Foreign currency and travellers' cheques
can be changed at the main branches of the Bank of China, the tourist hotels,
Friendship Stores and some department stores. Credit cards can be used in most
mid to top-range hotels, Friendship and department stores, but cannot be used
to finance your transportation costs. Most common cards are Visa, MasterCard,
American Express, JCB and Diners Club. Cash advances can be made at head branches
of the Bank of China (4% commission). Bargaining in shops, street stalls, and
hotels are OK, but not in large stores, while tipping is not really expected
in mainland China.
BUSINESS HOURS:
China's official government regulation observes five working days per week.
The normal working hours are between 8 am to 5 pm with one-hour lunch break,
while on Saturdays and Sundays, all the government offices, institutions, schools,
and hospitals are off. Hospitals, postal offices, banks, and monuments and museums
are usually open seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. or 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.,
while the emergency clinic is open when the hospital is closed. Shops open from
8:30 a.m. or 9:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. everyday, including on public holidays. It
is possible to eat late at 22:00, as the restaurants and bars stay open later
at night.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS:
POSTAL SERVICE:
The postal services network has playing one of the country's most important
telecommunication roles in carrying information, commodities, and financial
instruments. There are several post offices set some cities and towns throughout
the country. Domestic mail is normally 0.60 yuan for local delivery and 0.80
yuan for inter-city mail. There is often same-day delivery within some cities,
while between large cities delivery is usually overnight. Under normal circumstances
the international postal service will only take 5-10 days for airmail letters
or postcards to reach their destinations. Please always buy them from post offices,
hotels and appointed agencies, as envelope sizes are standardized in China.
Stamps in China are not self-adhesive so you need to glue them onto the envelopes,
and the postal code is required when mailing letter. Pack the parcel you want
to post in the post office, as you will have to get customs clearance for the
item. Post offices in China handle EMS express mail business which is available
to most domestic and international destinations. A number of international courier
companies, such as DHL, UPS, TNT and FedEx have offices in China, and now are
accessible to more than 10,000 cities in 170 countries and regions throughout
the country.
TELEPHONE, TELEGRAM AND FAX:
China's phone system is efficient, as more and more optical cables and ground
satellite communication stations are utilized. Pagers and mobile telephones
cover main cities, while Direct long-distance dials (DDD) and International
calls (IDD) can be made from hotel rooms or roadside telephone kiosks. A domestic
call requires the domestic prefix 0 plus area code and the number. On the other
hand, to make an international call, just dial the international prefix 00,
plus country code, area code and number. Local calls made in hotels are generally
free or only charged a nominal fee, but domestic long-distance and international
calls will be charged a service fee which variable ranging from 10 to 20 percent.
IP phone cards which efficiently can save your money, are now obtainable in
some large cities. Telegram, fax and telex facilities are available in hotels,
post offices and telecommunication centers.
INTERNET:
Internet services are widely obtainable throughout the country. You can access
the cyber world in most major cities, though sometimes it can be very slow to
download. Cyber cafés are extensively available, while visitors can also
utilize the Internet services at the 4 and 5 star hotels' business centers.
Areas near universities are the best places to find Internet service.
MEDICAL SERVICE:
The standards of both medical care and the availability of medicines in China
can extremely vary between one region to another. Major cities, such as Beijing,
Shanghai and Xi'an provide good medical services. Some hospitals have special
divisions set aside for foreigners, in which English speaking doctors and nurses
will take care of the foreign medical patients. Good medical care is provided
and medical fees are reasonable. Immediate payment is required. Meanwhile, the
rural and remote areas are often only providing primary health care. Thus, it
is important to bring all the optional precautions to avoid accidents or disease.
Most hotels are accessible to medical services. Please contact you hotel desk
clerk, who will arrange appropriate medical treatment for you.
DRINKING WATER:
Appropriately boiled water is recommended, as the tap water is not suitable
for drinking. Boiled water is sometimes offered in thermos bottles in hotel
rooms, but please make sure it is fresh to consume. Potable water may be available
in a few best hotels. Bottled mineral water is sold widely in stores, restaurants
and streets kiosks.
CLOTHING:
Dress is casual. Chinese women usually wear pants, even in business meetings,
but in general slacks or jeans are acceptable for both men and women. Modest
outfit is strongly recommended, especially in Islamic western China.
CITIES:
BEIJING:
Beijing, the capital city of Chinas spreads a great influence nationwide. The
Beijing dialect - Putonghua - is spoken nationwide, while despite of time meridians,
Beijing time is followed nationally. Moreover, places like Tibet and Ürümqi
are obligatory to observe the central government on all matters. The cliché
saying that a nation's capital does not reflect the nature of the country as
a whole, seems true for Beijing. Instead it's a People's Republic of China (PRC)
showpiece and a well-designed city, with long, straight boulevards interlaced
by alleys. It is easy to find places of interest if they are situated in these
avenues, in contrary it is almost impossible to find if they are buried down
the slight lanes. The heart of the city was once fenced enclosure, and it still
preserves its antique symmetry rooted in a north-south alliance by way of the
Front Gate (Qianmen)
SHANGHAI:
Shanghai has long been symbolic of the West's rape of the East, in which it
swathed with vibrant epithets, such as 'the Whore of the East, 'the Pearl of
the Orient', and 'the Paris of China'. In the years following 1949 its extravagant
past and foreign emergence was a steady scar on the country's consciousness.
The Huangpu Rivers splits Shanghai which is said as the city owns half the world's
cranes within, despite the fact that Shanghai's past still remains. Most of
the city's underscores set in Puxi, and the best times to visit are spring and
autumn, considering to the merciless winter and summer in their particular extremes.
Shanghai is 15 hours from Beijing by train.
HONG KONG:
Hong Kong's energetic vibrant remains unforgettable for visitors to the city.
Regardless of its British colonial past, Hong Kong has always jammed to its
ancestry and the tradition beneath the glitz is chaste Chinese. That did not
prevent locals from feeling anxious about being joining up with the mother country
when the British returned the protectorate back to China in 1997, but their
awkwardness has fundamentally faded away. Visitors often have to spend a few
days to become familiar with the rapid velocity. Yet, the far-flung islands
are comfortable to change tempo and scene for those needs some respite. It takes
30 minutes for a train from Beijing to get in Hong Kong, while a cost to fly
from Hong Kong to Beijing can be as you would from Hong Kong to Los Angeles.
XI'AN:
Xi'an was once endeavored with Rome and later Constantinople to be the greatest
city in the world. It was once a main crossroads on the trading routes from
eastern China to central Asia. Nowadays, the Army of Terracotta Warriors on
the city's eastern outskirt has made Xi'an as one of China's main drawcards.
Over 10,000 figures comprise soldiers, archers with real weapons, and chariots
stand in war scheme in underground vaults gazing as furious and war-like as
earthenware can. The city's other attractions are the old city walls, the Muslim
quarter and the tacky recreation of the Banpo Neolithic Village. Xi'an is about
16 hours by train from Beijing
MACAU:
Macau has been an outstanding meeting place of cultures from the time when Portuguese
galleons initially disembarked in the 1500s. St. Paul's, the city's symbol,
is the fabulously crumbling façade of a cathedral designed by an Italian,
constructed by Japanese, attended by Portuguese, and almost razed by a Chinese
typhoon. Hike up to nearby Monte Fort, and you will experience the fabulous
view featuring a rural 17th century chapel and the oldest lighthouse on the
China shore. Meanwhile, the 400-year-old Kun Iam Temple that dedicated to the
Goddess of Mercy is definitely the most historic place elsewhere in China. Never
leave China before you experience the magnificently colorful casino-led nightlife
and a streetscape of cobblestones and shady squares. Macau is 65km by sea from
Hong Kong.
TIPPING:
Though tipping is not publicly accepted, travel guides, tour bus drivers, porters
and waiters in top-class hotels and restaurants now frequently practice it.
However, tipping is still not expected in most restaurants and hotels. You may
ask the guide whether a tip is essential. Simple stuffs such as paperbacks,
cassette tapes and western cigarettes are sometimes to be preferred as a gift.
Please note that it is part of the polite ritual that any gift or tip initially
will be definitely refused
SAFETY:
The Public Security Bureau is the pervasive police force in charge for the social
safety. It has the duties of preserving public security, chasing suspects, settling
the disputes, issuing visa extensions, and many more. Serious crime against
foreigners is rare, however, petty crimes such as pick-pocketing and purse snatching
occur somewhat frequently. To avoid such crime, please do not show off your
money in public. You may keep enough money for your instant needs in your pocket,
and hide the rest on your body, or somewhere. Keeps your worth stuffs in hotel's
safety deposit box, rather than leaving them in your room. Avoid of wearing
or bringing attractive stuffs. Remove any jewellery that may draw a thief's
attention, and never wear a bag or purse on your street-side shoulder in order
to avoid becoming a target of the "snatch-and-ride." If you have lost
something, you should notify the hotel, tour group leader, transportation authorities
or the police. If your credit cards or traveller's cheques have been stolen,
inform the issuer promptly. If you lose your passport, you should report the
matter as soon as possible to the nearest Public Security Bureau and your embassy
or consulate in China. You are able to get a new visa from Chinese authorities
only when a police report of the theft is delivered that. In the state of emergency,
please dial 110 for Police, 119 for Fire Brigade, and 120 for Ambulance
MEDIA:
As its name implies, China Daily - the country's English language newspaper
- is published daily. It informs various matters on both international and national
issues. In many larger hotels, it is obtainable free of charge. The 'Shanghai
Star' and 'Beijing This Month' are two other English language publications,
covering a wide range of topics. Those are good advisers to entertainment, sightseeing,
shopping, and dining around China. Several foreign language newspapers and publications,
such as 'International Herald Tribune', 'The Times', 'Asian Wall Street Journal'
and 'Far Eastern Economic Review', are also available at most large hotels.
China Central Television (CCTV) at present owns 10 channels, broadcasting more
than 160 programs daily. Meanwhile every larger hotel in China provides several
TV channels comprise some internationally famous broadcasters. China Radio International
broadcasts to the world round-the-clock in 39 foreign languages and four Chinese
dialects. Easy FM on 91.5 serves 12 hours of English broadcasting and Western
music. This station also provides up-dated news around Beijing. Five minutes
of international and domestic news is broadcast every hour on the hour.
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Camera and video camera should be confirmed upon entry to China. All security
X-ray machines on Mainland China and at Hong Kong airport are film-safe. Just
bring more films than you think you will need, cause you will find there is
a lot to photograph. But, you have to pay a great attention on the manner of
taking photograph, in which you are not allowed to take photographs at aerodromes,
military installations or other politically sensitive areas, photography from
aircraft, take pictures of strangers, their children or possessions without
asking permission. Most museums, palaces, grottoes, and temples forbid photography
within, yet some institutions permit photography on payment of a fee in advance.
Most major brands of color print film are obtainable in China, but slide or
high/low ASA film may be difficult to find. In the large cities of China, film
could be processed in one hour and the quality is good enough.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES:
China uses both the local and international standards for weights and measures.
Visitors to the country should not be worry, since a list revealing the conversion
between the metric system, the Chinese system and the imperial system are obtainable.
ELECTRICITY:
The electric voltage runs in China is 220V/50Hz. Standard wall socket use three-connectors
(L, N and E). In most hotels there is usually a 110V socket for electric razors,
while outside for bathroom, only 220V socket available. It is recommended to
bring your own adapter plug, though you can borrow it from the hotel.
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
These following numbers might be helpful to resolve your trouble, when you are
traveling in China
110 Police
120 Ambulance
114 Local Telephone Number Inquiry
121 Weather Forecast
116 Domestic Long Distance Inquiry
122 Traffic Police
117 Time Inquiry
184 Post Code Inquiry
119 Fire
185 Emergency Mail
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