What to Expect
The first thing that strikes visitors to China is its vastness in terms of both geography and population. It is a country with an incredible history of dynastic rule, which was eventually replaced by communist domination and closed to the outside world for many years. However, modern day China has advanced far from the image of uniformly clothed peasant workers on bicycles. The country now has a growing middle class determined to practice their capitalist principles in what is still a communist political system.
In larger cities you may experience the shove of railway station crowds, the noise of construction work and the sight of young entrepreneurs holding mobile phones and eating “fast food”. But venture away from the large cities and you will be rewarded with an experience that stays with you for years after you leave.
From the deserts of Xinjiang, to the Terracotta Warriors in Xian, from the beauty of the Li River near Guilin to the mystery of the “Silk Road”, from the relaxing getaway towns of Yangshuo, Lijiang and Dali to Tibet’s magnificent mountains and monasteries - China’s diversity is more evident than perhaps in any other country in the world.
The travel industry in China has for quite some time now been growing at a rapid pace. However, there are still a number of areas in China where the freshness and novelty of tourism is still evident. Major cities now offer facilities and services at western standards; however traveling in the more remote areas of China may involve road travel on bumpy roads, noisy trains, and the use of clean but basic accommodation. You may also find that attitudes towards customer service may not always be at the standard you would expect in a western country.
Whilst traveling through China please also be prepared for possible changes to tour travel plans. Flight, train and boat schedule changes throughout China are common and are a reality of traveling through this part of the world. Travel Indochina and your tour leader or local guide will keep you fully informed of any changes and amendments to the order of sight-seeing. Be aware that if you plan to travel around Chinese national holidays (listed in this guide), you may experience more disruptions than usual to your normal itinerary.
Visa Requirements
To enter China you will require a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry with at least 2 blank pages. A visa will need to be organized prior to your arrival. For this you will require a completed application form with one passport photo (two for US citizens) and your passport. Allow 5-10 working days for processing. It is your responsibility to ensure all visa and entry requirements are met prior to arrival in China.
Tibet is a part of China and as such the normal China tourist visa applies for Tibet. In addition to the China tourist visa, permits are required for visits to each region of Tibet. Note that permits are arranged by Travel Indochina for client travel to Tibet and thus do not need to be arranged by the client or the agent.
Visitors from most countries, including citizens of the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Canada and Japan, can enter Hong Kong (a Special Administrative Region of China) without a visa for periods of 90 days to six months, depending on nationality. Check with any Chinese embassy or consulate for the latest status.
Listed Chinese Embassy or Consulate in major Countries, for more other countries, please visit the official website of Ministry of Foreign Affaires of the People's Republic of China.
Arrival Instructions
Arrival (and departure) transfers are included for all package tours except other cases which are indicated in your confirmation documents. If you have pre-arranged an airport arrival transfer with us in China you will find a representative from ChinaTravelDepot.com waiting to meet you. Please look for a sign with your name on it (not a hotel sign). The airport arrival area tends to get crowded with lots of people holding signs.
Money
The currency of China is the Renminbi (RMB) or Yuan (or colloquially known as 'kwai' meaning “people’s money”) though you will probably see Hong Kong dollars floating around southern China. ATMs are abundant in most areas of China, and credit cards are widely accepted in metropolitan areas like Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing.
Exchange rates are regulated, so rates are generally about the same anywhere. Approximate exchange rates as follows at the date of 2008/10/27, but you are advised to check current rates prior to your travel. Check out updated currency conversion rate here.
- Y10.73 equals GBP￡1
- Y 6.852 equals US$1
- Y 8.584 equals EUR€1
- Y 4.195 equals AUD$1
- Y 5.2 equals NZ$1
- Y 5.344 CAD$1
While ATMs have become increasingly common and are generally very convenient, traveller's checks remain a viable option in China. They can be exchanged at airports, banks, some large department stores, and many hotels at a rate slightly better than cash. When exchanging money in China, it is important to retain exchange receipts. These are needed to convert Renminbi back into foreign currency when leaving China. You may convert up to half of the amount of Renminbi shown on your receipts. Alternatively you can take currency out of China and convert abroad though exchange rates will mean losses! Note that this only relate to cash exchange receipts. Withdrawal receipts from ATM's will not allow you to convert your RMB's back to foreign currency in China. Credit cards are becoming increasingly popular and and are accepted in most hotels, shops and restaurants as well as in many supermarkets. Cash is king in China though, and cards are generally not accepted for causal expenses. Carrying a reasonable amount of cash to pay for drinks, snacks, buses, taxis and small souvenirs or other small purchases is therefore a sensible precaution.
Baggage & Clothing
Standard sized bags (preferably soft bags), backpacks or soft cases only are permitted on our journeys. Your baggage should be clearly labeled and kept to a reasonable minimum. Luggage limits on airlines are strictly enforced and space on vehicles and trains is limited. Any flights booked through China Travel Depot (domestic and international) have a luggage limit of 20 kilograms per person. You may be required to carry your own luggage at times where porters are not available – you should be capable of carrying your own bags on and off trains, and up and down stairs. If you are doing lots of shopping during your travels, it may be necessary for you to forward any excess to the city where your tour concludes, or ship purchases directly home. Keeping the amount of luggage you carry in check will ensure your safety and comfort, and the safety and comfort of your fellow travelers. Porterage is not included in the cost of your journey. Please ensure you pay porters around $1USD per person for carrying your luggage. Should you wish to avoid such payments, please carry and take responsibility for your luggage.
The time of year you travel to China will affect the clothes that you pack for your trip. Extreme temperatures are common in the winter and summer months, as well as in areas of higher altitude so warm jackets or comfortable casual cotton clothes should be packed accordingly. Packing at least one set of smart casual clothes is advisable. Laundry services are available throughout the country, although hotel laundry costs can be expensive. We suggest you include:
- Flat walking shoes and sandals
- Hat & sunglasses
- Jumper/coat/thermals - if visiting in winter or mountainous high altitude areas
- Bathers
- Money belt
- Raincoat or umbrella
- Basic first aid kit
- Insect repellent
- Alarm clock
- Power adapter
- Women’s sanitary products
- Ear plugs and eye patches for the train
- Day pack – for carrying items on touring days and to be used as an overnight bag
Please note that airlines insist all sharp items (knives, scissors, nail clippers etc.) are packed in your ‘check-in’ luggage.
Alcohol is no longer permitted onboard domestic flights and must also be stored in your check-in luggage. You may be asked to open bottled water at security check-points to take a sip so they can verify the contents.
Electricity
The electric current in China operates on 220 volts. Electric plug types come in at least four sizes and vary throughout the country, however the two narrow-pin type is usable in most parts of the country. You may want to bring a small hair dryer or portable iron. Many but not all of our hotels will have these.
Health & Fitness
Travelers to China should take precautions as they would elsewhere in Asia. Western medical facilities are available in the major cities. In remote areas of China, medical facilities are basic. Some of the diseases known to exist in China include hepatitis A and B, typhoid, tuberculosis, Japanese encephalitis, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, rabies and HIV/AIDS. We recommend you take adequate preventative measures to minimize your risk of exposure to these health risks. We are a travel company and we are not qualified to provide detailed medical information appropriate to your individual needs. We recommend you consult with your local doctor or a specialist travel medical centre for up to date health information on vaccinations and medicine for your trip at least one month prior to departure.
We suggest you bring a simple medical kit. Your doctor should advise you what to include, but as a minimum we suggest you bring: - Aspirin or paracetamol (for pain or fever)
- Antihistamines (for allergies and itches)
- Cold and flu tablets
- Something to stop diarrhoea
- Something appropriate for nausea and vomiting
- Rehydration mixture (to prevent dehydration)
- Insect repellant
- Antiseptic and bandages
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Antibiotics (discuss with your doctor)
As part of our travel registration process at the start of any journey with China Travel Depot, you will be asked to declare any serious pre-existing medical conditions or allergies.
Food/ Water
Chinese food incorporates a number of styles and each region specializes in its own cuisine. Breakfast is included each day on our tours and is usually a mix of buffet and continental style. In the major cities lunch should cost around RMB50 and dinner RMB50-100 - depending on the restaurant. Meals are generally cheaper in small rural towns or more remote regions such as along the Silk Road in Northwest China. Vegetarian meals are available but can be harder to find outside of the bigger cities. Please ensure your tour leader or local guide are aware of special dietary requirements in advance so they can assist you with ordering suitable food. Drinking local tap water is not recommended. Bottled water is cheap and readily available throughout China.
Tipping Policy
If you are happy with the services provided by your local guides, drivers and your tour leader, a tip is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, tipping inspires great service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across the country. As a general guide on Small Group or Special Group Journeys, please allow 2USD to 3USD per day per traveler for each of your local guide, driver and tour leader. If your tour is private, please allow 3USD to 5USD per day per traveler for each of your local guide and driver. Of course you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip. Should you be dissatisfied with the services provided by your local guide, driver or tour leader, please let us know.
Post & Communication
International mail generally takes 10 to 14 days to reach its destination and prices are a little less than western postal charges. Parcels must be inspected by a customs official at the post office before being sealed and boxes are usually available at the post office. Reverse charge (collect) calls are available in many cities. International phone and fax facilities are widely available however they are expensive (RMB20-30 per min). International direct dial is available from most hotels for additional charges but the service is not always reliable.
Email services are inexpensive and available in some tourist areas. Hotels often have internet and email services which are convenient but more costly. In other cases, more and more hotels provide free internet access, some even offer WIFI access, please consult our representatives for details of hotel internet access facilities.
Cell Phone in China
Purchase a prepaid SIM card from China Mobile will save your money on international roaming charges if you bring a cell phone with you in China. This card can be "topped up" if you find that you are running low on credit. There are numerous China Mobile outlets in most cities in China. It would be wise to bring along an inexpensive cell phone (GSM 900) because it can be easily misplaced or lost during your trip. These prepaid SIM card can be bought at the airport, some hotel's kiosk or China Mobile outlets.
Photography
Print film, such as Kodak, Konika or Fuji is widely available and costs approximately RMB30 per roll. China has good and fast processing facilities. A roll of 24 exposures can be developed for approximately RMB40. Slide films, APS and Hi8/V8 video cassettes are not widely available outside major cities. The x-ray machines at all airports are film safe. Digital photography is easily catered for in key cities in China and most film developers are able to place digital photos onto a disc for approximately RMB40 (256mb). Take care to ensure that the memory stick is not wiped after the download.
Tour Guides
All of our tour guides have an in-depth knowledge of China and an enthusiasm for the country that is contagious. Your tour guide is your link with China and is there to ensure the smooth running of the trip. They impart local information about history, customs and culture that can only come from living in the area. Generally, we have a different local guide for each city or region we visit. Thus, local guides are usually only with the group for a few days.
Local Time
China is set to Beijing time: - 8hrs ahead of GMT
- 2hrs behind Australian Eastern Standard Time
- 4hrs behind New Zealand
- 13hrs ahead of Canada Eastern Time
- 16hrs ahead of Canada Pacific Time
- 13hrs ahead of US Eastern Time.
- 16hrs ahead of US Pacific Time.
Shopping
Clothing, paintings, jade, pearls, scrolls, silk, ceramics, antiques and a huge selection of souvenirs are favorite buys for visitors. A few guidelines to follow when shopping: - Except in department stores, bargaining is the norm. To get the best price you will have to haggle hard.
- Export of certain antiques is not permitted. Make sure you are aware of relevant regulations before purchasing.
- Fake reproductions are common. Make sure you know what you are buying - especially in the case of antiques, jade and gems.
Recommended Reading
Books worth reading include those outlined below. Please refer to our website for a wider list of suggested reading.
Guide Books
- Lonely Planet Guide to China
- The Rough Guide to China
- Odyssey Guide to The Silk Road: Xi’an to Kashgar
- Lonely Planet Guide to Tibet
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