Travel Information 

Passports      (back to top)
Visitors should be sure to carry their passports while in China as they are needed to check into hotels, make plane or train reservations, exchange money or establish the holder's identity.

Loss of a passport should be reported immediately to the holder's embassy or consulate, and the Beijing Municipality Public Security Bureau, Foreigners Section, 85 Beichizi Jie, tel. 553102.

Foreign Embassies      (back to top)
Your national embassy in Beijing (some also have consulates in Shanghai and Guangzhou) can assist with problems such as lost passports, as well as offering advice about doing business in China. They are also there in the event of an emergency.

Customs      (back to top)
All visitors entering China must fill out customs declaration forms upon arrival. The departure copy will be stapled in your passport and must be submitted as you exit China. Reasonable amounts of money (currently up to $5,000 US), alcohol and cigarettes, cameras, and tape-recorders can be brought into China. Certain valuable items, such as amateur video and camera equipment, computers, and gold, must be declared on the form or else import duty will be charged on them.

Tourists may bring 8mm, 1/2 inch VHS, or small-format digital video camcorders by declaring the equipment upon entry-provided that the tapes produced in China are not intended for commercial use. But professional video or audio recording equipment requires special authorization. Importing arms and ammunition, narcotic drugs, and printed or video material "detrimental to China's politics, economy, culture, or ethics" is forbidden. It is also forbidden to take out any of these items, or endangered species of animals or plants and antiques without export permits.

Health Requirements      (back to top)
Visitors to China must complete a Health Declaration form upon arrival. No special vaccinations are required, but those who have traveled from an infected area before coming to China should have vaccination records available. Although China does have excellent preventative healthcare products available and modern healthcare systems in major cities, travelers should bring with them any special health remedies or medications they require, as well as over-the-counter items. Elderly travelers, or those with medical problems, are advised to check with their healthcare professional before visiting China. Travel to high-altitude areas, such as Tibet, is not recommended for those with pulmonary or heart problems.

What to Pack?      (back to top)

Pack lightly, and bring casual clothes. A comfortable pair of walking shoes is a must (break them in first!). Bring a couple of shirts, sweaters, and a jacket (depending on the season) that can be worn in layers to accommodate China's range of climates. Wash-and-wear clothing is preferable, although all hotels offer reliable laundry and dry cleaning services.

When packing accessories, decide what's really important and take only the items you'll really use. (Keep in mind that there will be opportunities to buy clothes to wear during your trip). Don't forget to take along a travel alarm.

Electrical      (back to top)
Throughout China 220 volt/50 cycle is used. Although 4 & 5 star hotels are wired for use of 110 volt electrical appliances. Most hotels have a hand hair-dryer in each room. However, we recommend you bring your own converter for any appliances.

Tipping      (back to top)
Tipping is customary in China and many tourists bring along inexpensive gifts to show their appreciation to guides, drivers or others who have been helpful.  Our standard tipping policy is $4-$5 per person, per day, to give to all of the guides, bus drivers, and hotel personnel.

Language      (back to top)

All Chinese people speak Putonghua (Mandarin), the national language based on the Beijing dialect. Many students and young people study English or other foreign languages (there are daily television language classes), however few have a chance to practice speaking them.

Tourist hotels employ staff fluent in English, Japanese and other languages.

Time      (back to top)
All of China observes Beijing Time, GMT+8, which is adjusted to daylight savings time during the summer. When it's 12 NOON in Beijing, it's-
12 PM in Hong Kong
2 PM in Sydney and Guam
4 PM in Auckland
6 PM in Hawaii and Anchorage
8 PM in Los Angeles and Vancouver
9 PM in Denver
10 PM in Chicago
11 PM in New York and Montreal
4 AM in London
5 AM in Paris
6 AM in Cape Town
7 AM in Moscow

Working Hours      (back to top)
Shops open seven days a week, from 8 or 8.30 AM to 7.30 or 8 PM. Restaurants in hotels have similar hours to those in Western countries, however most eating places outside the hotels close much earlier, with people eating breakfast before going to work, and having lunch some time between 11.30 AM and 2 PM, between which times restaurants are closed. Dinner is traditionally taken around 6 or 7 in the evening.

China observes few public holidays. The most important is the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year), when most people take off work for three days. They also celebrate National Day on October l, International Labor Day on May 1, and to a lesser degree, the Ching Ming, Dragon Boat and Mid-Autumn Festivals.

Medical Services      (back to top)
Most hotels have their own clinics or have access to a doctor (or acupuncture practitioner). They can also help guests purchase medicine (either western or Chinese) or if necessary enter a hospital.

Telephones      (back to top)
There are public phones in hotels, in restaurants, shops and on the street, in all major cities.

International calls can be made direct from hotel rooms with IDD phones. Otherwise you call 115 for the international operator. Hotels usually add a service charge.

You can use your telephone calling card at most hotels to place overseas calls. AT&T customers must first dial 11810, then follow the instructions; MCI customers must dial 11812; Pacific Bell customers must dial 10816. Customers of other long distance carriers should contact their company for information.