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China Travel Guide
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China Climate and Weather
China covers extensive territory and has a complex topography, therefore the weather differs from region to region. The south east, below the Nanling Mountains, tends to be very wet with high temperatures all year round. In the central Yangtze and Huaihe river valleys there are four distinct seasons with very hot summers and extremely cold winters, and rain all year round. The dry north experiences a short but sunny summer, with long bitterly cold winters. The coast is humid and experiences monsoons during summer.China Currency
Money: The currency used in China is the Renminbi Yuan (CNY). The Yuan is divided into 10 chiao/jiao or 100 fen. Make sure you exchange your leftover Yuan before returning home because this currency can be exchanged only within China's borders. Travellers cheques, preferably in US Dollars, and foreign cash can be exchanged in cities at the Bank of China. Banks are closed weekends. The larger hotels and the special 'Friendship Stores' designed for foreigners will accept most western currencies for purchases. Major credit cards are accepted in the main cities at various establishments, but outside the major cities acceptance is limited. ATMs are scarce outside the main cities.Currency Exchange Rates | |||||||
| CNY 1 = | US$ 0.13 | £ 0.06 | C$ 0.13 | A$ 0.14 | R 0.88 | EUR 0.09 | NZ$ 0.17 |
Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.
China Health Overview
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from infected areas. There is a risk of malaria throughout the low-lying areas of the country, and it is recommended that travellers to China seek medical advice before departure. A total of 18 human cases of avian influenza ('bird flu') have been reported from China since November 2005. Twelve of the cases were fatal. Travellers are unlikely to be affected by bird flu, but live animal markets and places where contact with live poultry is possible should be avoided. All poultry and egg dishes should also be thoroughly cooked. Outbreaks of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) are officially over, but travellers are warned to remain vigilant for this viral disease. The last case occurred in April 2004. Japanese encephalitis has been responsible for the deaths of a number of people in the Shaanxi and Shanxi provinces in northern China, and rabies infects people every year, occasionally causing death. Outbreaks of dengue fever occur. Altitude sickness can occur in the mountainous regions of Tibet, Qinghai, parts of Xinjiang, and western Sichuan. Outside city centres, visitors should only drink bottled water. Western-style medical centres with international staff are available in the major cities and usually accept credit cards. Health insurance is recommended.China Passport & Visa Requirements
Entry requirements for Americans: US nationals require a passport and visa for entry to China.Entry requirements for UK nationals:UK nationals require a passport and visa for entry to China. Passports endorsed British National (Overseas) are not recognized.
Entry requirements for Canadians:Canadians require a passport and visa for entry to China.
Entry requirements for Australians:Australians require a passport and visa for entry to China.
Entry requirements for South Africans:South African nationals require a passport and visa for entry to China.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals:Irish nationals require a passport and visa for entry to China.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders:New Zealand nationals require a passport and visa for entry to China.
Passport/Visa Note:Visa applications should be made at least one month prior to departure for China. Visas are granted only for the points of entry indicated in the passport. All documents necessary for further travel and sufficient funds to cover intended period of stay are required. Travel to Tibet will also require a special Tibet Entry Permit. Persons holding an APEC Business Travel Card do not require a visa, provided that it is valid for travel to China. Period of validity is stated on visas, and care should be taken when reading dates on visas for China as they are written in year/month/day format.
Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.
China Basics
Time: Local time is GMT +8.Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Plug types vary but the two- narrow-pin types are most common. Adapters are generally required.
Language: The official language is Mandarin Chinese, but there are hundreds of local dialects.
Health: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from infected areas. There is a risk of malaria throughout the low-lying areas of the country, and it is recommended that travellers to China seek medical advice before departure. A total of 18 human cases of avian influenza ('bird flu') have been reported from China since November 2005. Twelve of the cases were fatal. Travellers are unlikely to be affected by bird flu, but live animal markets and places where contact with live poultry is possible should be avoided. All poultry and egg dishes should also be thoroughly cooked. Outbreaks of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) are officially over, but travellers are warned to remain vigilant for this viral disease. The last case occurred in April 2004. Japanese encephalitis has been responsible for the deaths of a number of people in the Shaanxi and Shanxi provinces in northern China, and rabies infects people every year, occasionally causing death. Outbreaks of dengue fever occur. Altitude sickness can occur in the mountainous regions of Tibet, Qinghai, parts of Xinjiang, and western Sichuan. Outside city centres, visitors should only drink bottled water. Western-style medical centres with international staff are available in the major cities and usually accept credit cards. Health insurance is recommended.
Tipping: Tipping is not officially recognised, although the practice is becoming more common among travel guides, top-end restaurants, tour bus drivers and hotel staff. If wanting to tip leave a gratuity of 10%. Large hotels and restaurants often include a service charge in their bills, usually of about 10%.
Safety: China is generally safe, and there has been no evidence of a threat from global terrorism. Occasional protest-related bombings have occurred but these are not directed at foreigners and tend to be isolated incidents. Serious crime against foreigners is rare but does occur, particularly in isolated or sparsely populated areas. There has been an increase in the number of muggings and robberies at Beijing International Airport and the Jianguomenwai area of Beijing, as well as in Shenzen, bordering Hong Kong. If trekking alone, including following parts of the Great Wall, it is advisable to leave an itinerary and expected time of return with a third party. Travellers should take extra care in street markets and at tourist sites, which attract thieves and pickpockets, and around the popular expat bar areas at night where lone foreigners have recently been attacked. Travellers should be cautious about using pedicabs in Beijing, as tourists have been mugged and demands for money made by pedicab drivers; women in particular have been targeted. Seasonal heavy rains and typhoons cause hundreds of deaths in China each year, particularly those areas bordering the Yangtze River in central, southern and western China.
Customs: The Chinese have three names, the first of which is their surname, or family name. As a result visitors should be prepared for hotels mistakenly reserving rooms under their first names. For clarity surnames may be underlined. When addressing Chinese people the surname should come first and official titles should be used. Chinese handshakes last longer than those in western countries, and in conversation it is customary to stand close together. Politeness in Western terms is foreign to them, and they rarely bother with pleasantries.
Business: The Chinese are strict timekeepers and being late for a meeting is considered rude. When meeting people for the first time it is normal to shake hands and say 'ni hao', which means 'how are you'. Business cards are exchanged at the start of meetings in China and it is customary to have one side printed in Chinese and one in English. When giving or receiving business cards, or a gift, it is customary to hold it with both hands. Chinese consider gifts as an important show of courtesy. During a meal or reception your host is likely to offer a toast; you may be expected to offer him one in return. Business hours are 8am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday. A five-day week is more normal in larger cities. Workers take their lunch break between 12pm and 2pm and it is not unusual to find offices empty during this time.
Communications: The international access code for China is +86. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). The city code for Beijing is (0)10. Telephone communication within China is good and improving all the time. International Direct Dialling is available in most cities. Phone cards are widely available and calls can be made from post offices and hotels; phone booths on the streets are usually for local calls only. In hotels, local calls are generally free or will be charged only a nominal fee. Mobile phone networks are very advanced. Operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most non-North American international operators. Internet cafes are available in most main towns.
Duty Free: Travellers to China do not need to pay customs duty on 400 cigarettes (600 cigarettes if stay exceeds six months), two bottles of alcoholic beverages (not more than 0,75 litres per bottle), or four bottles if staying longer than six months. Perfume for personal use is allowed. Prohibited goods include arms and ammunition or printed material that conflicts with the public order or moral standards of the country. Also prohibited are radio transmitters and receivers, exposed but undeveloped film and fresh produce. Strict regulations apply to the import or export of antiquities, banned publications, and religious literature. All valuables must be declared on the forms provided.
China Airports
Beijing Capital International Airport
Location: The airport is situated 17 miles (28km) north of Beijing.Time: Local time is GMT +8.
Contacts: Tel: +86 (0)10 6457 1666.
Transfer between terminals: A shuttle bus service runs between the two terminals.
Transfer to the city: Beijing's transport system is being improved ahead of the 2008 Olympic Games. Shuttle buses run regularly to the city centre (about 45 minutes), Beijing Railway Station and major hotels. Metered taxis are also available, but it is recommended that passengers have their destination written in Chinese to avoid confusion. Travelling time to the city is about an hour.
Car rental: Car rental is available at the airport.
Facilities: There are several bureaux de change, a bank and ATMs, as well as telephones, tourist information, numerous shops and duty free, and a business centre with Internet access. A food corridor provides a range of eating and drinking options, while an entertainment centre offers everything from films to Chinese massage. Facilities for the disabled are good, but passengers should contact their airlines in advance for more information.
Parking: There is a multi-storey car park with ample capacity.
Departure tax: ¥90 (international flights), ¥50 (domestic).
Shanghai Hong Qiao International Airport
Location: The airport is situated eight miles (13km) southwest of central Shanghai.Time: Local time is GMT +8.
Contacts: Tel: +86 (0)21 6268 8899.
Transfer to the city: Taxis are available outside the airport but finding the right one can be confusing without assistance. Taxi drivers usually do not speak English so it is best to indicate your destination on a map, or have it written down in Chinese. Public buses serve the airport linking to People's Square and the main railway stations. The bigger hotels offer shuttle bus services to and from the airport.
Car rental: Car rental is available.
Facilities: There are ATMs and currency exchange facilities, a post office, and duty-free shops. There is a shopping mall just outside the entrance to the airport. There are also a variety of food outlets, bars, an information counter and business centre.
Departure tax: ¥90 (international flights), ¥50 (domestic).
Pudong International Airport
Location: The airport is situated 19 miles (30km) from central Shanghai.Time: Local time is GMT +8.
Contacts: Tel: +86 (0)21 6834 1000.
Transfer to the city: The airport is linked to Shanghai's metro with a new magnetic levitation train, the Maglev; the journey takes only eight minutes and costs ¥50. Taxis are available and usually the most convenient way to the city, but they are more expensive. Journeys take an hour to most downtown areas. Public buses are also available, but are only advised for hardened travellers. Many hotels meet their guests at the airport.
Car rental: There is a self-drive car hire service available during business hours, and Avis and Hertz have desks in Arrivals.
Facilities: Facilities at the airport include banks, ATMs and currency exchange, a post office, luggage storage, Business Centre and an Internet cafe. There are also several restaurants and shops, including duty free.
Departure tax: ¥90 (international flights), ¥50 (domestic).
