Time Difference

Beijing standard time is 8 hours ahead of G.M.T..

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Health Matters

There are lots of matters requiring attention when travelling, health protection is one of them, to have a good time, it is important to keep fit both physically and mentally, here are some suggestions as follows:
Protect yourself from cold: The weather is very changable in spring and autumn. Don't take off too many clothes and take umbrella with you in spring. The temperature of daytime and night is much different in autumn, make sure you have enough clothes, especially when you are overage, your immunity and disease resistant ability become weakened. Don't stay out in the wind for a long time.
Stay in comfortable, quiet room: To sleep soundly for at least 6~8 hours every day,as poor sleep would make you tired, weak and even sick.
Pay attention to food hygiene: To prevent constipation, you'd better take light foods, vegetable and fruit, Your digestion slows down without enough activity, don't eat too much when you are traveling by train, plane or boat, otherwise your stomach will be over-burden. Don't drink water directly fron the fountain, pool and river. Have your meals in the hotel restaurant where you stay as much possible as you can. If you eat out, you'd better choose a good and clean restaurant. Don't make yourself too tired: Travel according to your capability, don't go beyond what you can. Try your best to keep normal routine.

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Climate and Clothing

China lies mainly in the temperate and subtropical zones. Generally, its southern part (East China, South China and Southwest china) is warm, humid, and rainy; its northern part (North China, Northeast China, and northwest China) is dry and windy.
In spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) you will need a lined jacket or woolen sweater over light clothes. In summer (June to August) cool cotton garments are recommended. In winter (December to February) a light cotton-patted coat will keep you warm enough in the south; but in the north a heavy woolen coat or down parka is a must.
Late spring and late summer are often rainy especially in the southern part of China, so you would be wise to bring some rainwear with you. And of course good walking shoes are essential at any time of year.

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The Chinese Currency -

Renminbi, the Chinese currency, is issued by the state bank, the People's Bank of China.
The standard unit of the Renminbi is yuan, with jiao and fen as the subsidiary units. Thus one yuan equals ten jiao and one jiao equals ten fen. Yuan, jiao and fen are issued both in bills of exchange and coins. Renminbi features the following denominations: one, two, five, ten, fifty and a hundred yuan; one, two, and five jiao; and one, two and five fen. The abbreviation for Renminbi is RMB.

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Foreign Currency Conversion

Conversion services are available in China for the following foreign currencies: US Dollar, British Pound Sterling, French Franc, Deutsche Mark, Japanese Yen, Australian Dollar, Austrian Schilling, Belgian Franc, Canadian Dollar, Hong Kong Dollar, Swiss Franc, Danish Krone, Guilder (or Florin) , Norwegian Krone, Swedish Krone, Singapore Dollar, Malaysian Ringgit, Italian Lira, Macao Pataca, and Finnish Markka.
The Chinese bank handles conversion of the above-mentioned foreign currencies into Renminbi or vice versa.
China's law governing foreign exchange bans the circulation of foreign currencies and the settling of accounts with foreign currencies in the People's Republic of china. For the convenience of foreigners and compatriots from Kong Kong, Macao and Taiwan travelling in the mainland of China, the Bank of China and other designated Chinese banks handles the conversion into Renminbi of foreign traveller's cheques and credit cards as well as the conversion of twenty-two foreign currencies and the New Taiwan Dollar in cash. Again for the conveinence of travellers in China, some hotels, restaurants and stores in China also handle the conversion of foreign cash into Renminbi. A foreign traveller may have the remaining amount of Renminbi converted back into foreign cash and brought out of China within a grace period of six months prior to departure from China, but in doing so he has to display a foreign currency conversion receipt.
Different conversion rates are applied under different circumstances. Buying prices are applied for the conversion of traveller's cheques, credit cards and remittances; selling prices are applied for the conversion of Renminbi into foreign currencies (cash included); and buying prices are used for the conversion of foreign cash into Renminbi.
So far the following foreign credit cards are acceptable in China:
1)Master;
2)Visa;
3)American Express;
4)JCB;
5)Diners.
Please do NOT exchange foreign currency at black market, and allow strangers to enter your room in name of exchanging foreign currency.

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Electricity Supply

Electricity supply in China is 220 volts, but sockets with abaptres are available in the washrooms of many luxury and medium-grade hotels.

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Customs Regulations

Entry: Tourists must fill out a baggage declaration form (in two copies) and hand it in to customs, retaining the carbon to show upon exit.
Personal belongings will be admitted duty free, including food, two bottles of liquor and two cartons of cigarettes. Wristwatches, radios, tape recorders, cameras, movie cameras, and similar items may be brought in for personal use but cannot be sold or transferred to others and must be brought out of China.
Gifts for relatives or friends in China, or articles carried on behalf of other, must also be declared.
Visitors can bring in an unlimited amount of foreign currency and Chinese renminbi traveler's checks, and the unspent portion can be taken out.
Bringing in the following articles is prohibited:
1. Arms, ammunition, and explosives of all kinds
2. Radio transmitters-receivers and principal parts
3. Renminbi (Chinese currency) in cash
4. Manuscripts, printed matter, films, photographs, gramophone records, cinematographic films, loaded recording tapes and videotapes, etc. which are detrimental to China's politics, economy, culture, and ethics
5. Poisonous drugs, habit-forming drugs, opium, morphine, heroin, etc.
6. Animals, plants and products thereof infected with or carrying germs and insect pests
7. Unsanitary foodstuffs and germ-carrying food-stuffs from infected areas
8. Other articles the import of which is prohibited by state regulations
Exit: On leaving China, tourists must again submit the baggage declaration form for customs inspection (the second copy). Travelers by ship are exempted.
Items purchased in China with RMB converted from foreign currencies may be taken out or mailed out of the country after receipts are presented for customs inspection. In cities where a Customs Office does not exit, this can be arranged through the local Friendship Store.
Taking out the following articles is prohibited:
1. Arms, ammunition, and explosives of all kinds
2. Radio transmitters-receivers and principal parts
3. Renminbi (Chinese currency) in cash and negotiable securities in RMB
4. Unratified foreign currency, foreign notes or drafts
5. Manuscripts, printed matter, films, photographs, gramophone records, cinematographic films, loaded recording tapes and videotapes, etc. which are detrimental to China's national security
6. Rare and precious copies of books about Chinese revolution, history, culture and art that are not for sale
7. Valuable animals, plants, and seeds
8. Precious metals, pearls, and jewels (things declared to the customs are exempted)
9. Other articles the export of which is prohibited by state regulations

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Public Holidays

In China there are 11 days of national public holiday out of the year:
The New Year's Day-2 days;
The Spring Festival (usually falling in late January or early and mid-February)-7 days;
The May 1st Labor Day-7 days;
The October 1st National Day-7 days.
It is customary for people to "borrow" weekends to make three-day holidays into three week-long holidays.
Offices and agencies in China follow the five-day week system

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Quarantine

In accordance with the details for the Implementation of Regulations of the People's Republic of China Concerning Frontier Sanitation and Quarantine, people coming to China from certain countries must produce valid documents showing they have been inoculated against smallpox, cholera, or yellow fever. People from countries newly declared as infected areas must show corresponding vaccination documentation. (Inquiry may be made for details at Chinese embassies abroad or at Chinese public health departments.)

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Table Manners

Of course, the main difference on the Chinese dinner table is chopsticks instead of knife and fork, but that's only superficial. Besides, in decent restaurants, you can always ask for a pair of knife and fork, if you find the chopsticks not helpful enough. The real difference is that in the West, you have your own plate of food, while in China the dishes are placed on the table and everyone shares. If you are being treated to a formal dinner and particularly if the host thinks you're in the country for the first time, he will do the best to give you a taste of many different types of dishes.
Food is mainly served with Chinese style as daily meals.
The meal usually begins with a set of at least four cold dishes, to be followed by the main courses of hot meat and vegetable dishes. Soup then will be served (unless in Guangdong style restaurants) to be followed by staple food ranging from rice, noodles to dumplings. If you wish to have your rice to go with other dishes, you should say so in good time, for most of the Chinese choose to have the staple food at last or have none of them at all.
Perhaps one of the things that surprises a Western visitor most is that some of the Chinese hosts like to put food into the plates of their guests. In formal dinners, there are always "public" chopsticks and spoons for this purpose, but some hosts may use their own chopsticks. This is a sign of genuine friendship and politeness. It is always polite to eat the food. If you do not eat it, just leave the food in the plate.
People in China tend to over-order food, for they will find it embarrassing if all the food is consumed. When you have had enough, just say so. Or you will always overeat!

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Drinking Water

Not all the tap water in China is potable, but bottled mineral water is on sale everywhere.

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Trip Insurance:

We strongly recommend passengers traveling to China to take trip insurance, which covers cancellation, interruption, health emergencies, accidents and baggage loses. There are many programs in the markets. You may do your own research or contact our office for suggestions.

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Tipping:

Tipping is not a custom is China. However, those who works in the travel and hospitality industries are now expected to be tipped. The amount is discretionary. It commonly ranges from U.S $ 8-10 per person per day for the guides and $ 3-5 per person per day for the drivers. Luggage handling is $1-2 for the whole service.
It is not required to tip waiter and waitress. To acknowledge good service, you may tip up to 5%.

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Luggage Allowance:

The free luggage allowance by weight for every passenger holding a ticket with full fare or half fare for an international or regional flight is 40 kg for a first-class ticket, 30kg for a business class ticket, and 20kg for an economy class ticket. Domestic flights are limited to check-in one piece of luggage per passengers.

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Carry-on Baggage:

2 pieces for a passenger holding a first-class ticket; and 1 piece for a passenger with a business or an economy-class ticket. The dimensions for each piece of luggage allowed should not exceed 20×40×55cm, and the maximum weight shall not exceed 5kg. You'll have to pay if you bring more luggage aboard than is allowed in terms of piece or weight.

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Getting a Visa for Your Journey to China

The Chinese Government issues different types of visas according to the purposes of the visitors. Foreigners wishing to travel to China should apply to a local Chinese embassy or consulate for tourist visas(L). In the event of a group tour of more than nine persons , the organizer has to apply for group tourist visas(L). When applying for a visa, foreigners are required to answer certain questions and go through the following formalities: 1) providing a valid passport or any document in place of a passport; 2)filling in a visa application form and handing in up-to-date passport photos; 3)submitting documents needed for visa application and documents which explain one's reason(s) to enter China. Foreigners travelling with their own transport vehicles should apply for approval before they enter China. These include bicycles, motorcycles, cars, boats and aircrafts.
A foreign tourist may travel in China within the approved period of time. If he wishes to continue travelling in China after the approved time of his stay expires, he should apply to the local public security organ for the extension of his stay. After he has finished his travel in China, he should fill in an exit document before his visa expires and submit his documents to the frontier inspection station in a port opened to foreigners; he is allowed to leave the country only after his document is stamped with an approval seal.
A foreigner who has lost his passport in China should promptly report to the local public security organ, explain what has happened, apply to the Embassy or Consulate of his own country for an exit document with a certificate issued by the local public security organ, and go through related formalities at an entry and exit inspection department. Only then is he allowed to leave China.
Passports ( with a six months validity after the date of return) along with a passport type photo and a completed Chinese Visa Application form must be submitted to a Chinese consulate in person or through a representative.
Please contact your local China Embassy or consulate.

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" China Embassy in the US and Australia"

http://www.china-embassy.org
http://au.china-embassy.org/eng
Chinese Visa Form (PDF file)

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Visiting Tibet:

If you have heart disease, high blood pressure, or asthma, you should consult your doctor before you take a trip to Tibet or any other plateau.
Anyone who plans to visit Tibet must be careful about plateau reaction. Due to the reaction to the altitude, you may find it hard to breathe and may emerge symptoms including feeling dizzy, thirsty, nervous, pasting, rapid heart beating, nose bleeding and muscle pain. It is always a good idea to allow at least one afternoon to rest completely and acclimate.
Besides, you should avoid tight schedule and do not carry heavy luggage while touring around. It is a good idea to eat more vegetable and fruit when entering Tibet.
As soon as plateau reaction happens, you have to stop traveling and take oxygen at once. You can buy the oxygen bag in the hotels. If you have slight reaction, you can recover quickly after breathing oxygen. If it is getting serious, you should tell your guide immediately and ask he / she to assist transfer you to the hospital.

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Shopping for Souvenirs

Shopping in China is getting more convenient. For those who are staying in the country for more than just a few days, they may need their choice brands of daily necessities which can be found in most of the large department stores and shopping malls which are springing up in the country. Western retail companies have established outlets in major cities in China which carry both domestic and imported goods.
For those who want to shop for souvenirs to take home, they can look around, apart from large department stores and shopping malls, in some of the open markets . Unlike large department stores where the prices are fixed, these places are where you can and you must bargain. Your local tour guides or hosts are the best help when you go to these places. They will prove essential in finding the real stuff and bringing the prices down!

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