|
[ FAQ ] [ Travel
Tips ] [ Tour Suggestions
] [ Safety ]
Travel
Tips
To ensure that you have an enjoyable trip to China,
PTS has developed these Travel Tips, which will address
your key questions and assist you in your preparations.
Customs Upon Arrival
When you arrive in China, you will be required
to pass through Customs. You will be requested to complete
a declaration form, on which you will list all of your
valuables, i.e., money (cash and travelers checks),
camera, jewelry, etc. The original form is stamped by
an officer and a copy is given back to you. It is critically
important to keep your customs declaration form in a
safe place. You will be required to return your declaration
when you depart from China. Customs offer may check
whether you are taking all of the items you declared
upon entry. The loss of your form will result in delayed
departure and a stiff fine. At the time of arrival,
you will also be requested to complete a health form,
which will ask for the details of your health. You will
also be requested to fill out an entry card, which will
state the duration of your stay in China.
Entry Regulations
Valid visas are required. Without a proper
visa, entry will be prohibited. Please consult with
HEF for either individual or group visa information.
HEF has the ability to obtain either individual or group
visas for a nominal fee.
Exiting China
When departing from China, visitors must complete
an Exit Registration Card. Your passport and visa will
be checked. Everything, which you declared on your Customs
Luggage Declaration Form upon entry, should be taken
with you when you depart. If any item is missing, a
certificate from the appropriate department is required.
For instance, if you have lost an item and wish to claim
the item was lost and stolen, you must be prepared to
provide the right certificate from the Police Department.
If the proper document cannot be provided, you will
be required to pay the import duty for all missing items
according to Customs regulations.
If you wish to convert your Chinese Yuan to US dollars
at the airport before departing China, you will be required
to show the exchange receipt, which was provided to
you at the time of your initial exchange from US dollars
to Chinese Yuan. It is important for you to retain such
receipts in a safe place.
The inability to produce the right documents will result
in unnecessary delays and fines.
Climate
Most area in China has four distinct seasons. There
can be distinctive climate changes resulting from monsoons.
It is generally warm and humid in southeastern and central
China. The north and northeastern China are relatively
dry.
The best time to travel through China is in the spring,
or in the fall. The weather is mild and you will see
the seasonal changes through flowers in blossom and
colorful leaves.
For seasonal temperatures throughout China, please
refer to the "Yearly and Current Weather Info at
the back of this guide.
Tipping
At the major hotels and superior posh restaurants,
it is acceptable to tip the waiter or waitress. However,
if you eat at a local restaurant, it is not customary
to tip the waiter or waitress. Tour groups often eat
American breakfasts at the hotel. Meals, such as lunch
and dinner, are often served at local fine restaurants,
unless the tour includes a special dinner, i.e., Beijing
Duck Banquet. If you attend a special dinner, i.e.,
Beijing Duck Banquet, it is a good idea to tip.
Money Considerations
The China's currency is called Renminbi or
people's currency. The basic unit of currency is the
yuan. Ten jiaos equal one Yuan. Ten fens equal one jiao.
100 fens equal one yuan. Currency notes are issued for
1,2, 5, 10, 50, and 100 yuan. Coins include 1 yuan,
5 jiao, and 1, 2 and 5 fen. The current rate of exchange
is $1US is equivalent to 8.3 yuan.
US dollars are accepted at banks and hotels.
( i.e., American Express, Visa, Diners Club, and MasterCard).
Many credit cards are widely accepted in major cities.
Photography
Photographs or video filming of military installations
is prohibited. Photographs may be taken at most places,
however, the Tomb of Qin Shihuang (terra cotta army)
in Xian does NOT permit photographing or filming of
the indoor exhibitions. Filters are advisable for outdoor
filming because the atmosphere in China can get hazy.
Color print film is widely available, however, black
and white print film and slide film are not. Video film
can be found, however, it is not abundant. The security
x-ray machines in airports in China and Hong Kong are
film safe. Cameras must be declared when arriving in
China. If video or movie cameras are used for professional
purposes, a special permit is required.
Post and Telecommunications
Domestic delivery of the mail is very efficient
and inexpensive. There is often same day delivery within
some major cities. Between major cities, the delivery
is usually over night. International delivery is processed
in a very efficient manner. At all major hotels, postal
services are provided. Major hotels also provide mailboxes,
sell postage stamps for letters, post cards, and small
parcels. Post offices can be found on main streets,
railway stations, airports, and major scenic sights.
The post offices are open seven days per week from 9:00AM
to 5:00PM.
Express mail services are available via DHL, UPS, EMS,
TNT, and Federal Express. Most of these firms have services
offered at the major hotels and office buildings.
Local calls made from the hotels are usually free-of-charge.
Direct long-distance dialing (DDD) can be made from
the major hotels to approximately 2,000 locales throughout
China. International calls, which are made from the
major hotels, normally incur surcharges of (10% - 20%).
There are kiosks with an identifiable IDD and DDD sign
throughout China. Calls can be made from these kiosks
for much less. If calls are made from 9:00PM to 7:00AM,
the rate is usually much lower.
The country code for China is 86 in the event you would
like to reach relatives, friends or while you are abroad.
Area codes can be obtained at hotel front desk or directory
assistance.
Special Considerations
Traveling with children in China presents
no problems or difficulties. The Chinese people are
very fond of children, and will be most helpful. It
is important to note that disposable diapers and bottled
baby food are not readily available. Therefore, it would
be prudent to remember this in the packing process.
Childcare is available at the major hotels. A fee is
charged for such service. Extra beds are available for
a nominal charge, however, cribs are not available.
If the infant or toddler stays with the parents in the
same hotel room, there is no extra charge.
For the disabled, in major hotels there are facilities,
which take this matter into consideration. However,
beyond the hotels, there may be some difficulty in getting
around. Although wheel chairs are available, there are
no lifts on the tour buses. Maneuvering around the sidewalks
of many of the major cities can also pose problems due
to the congestion attributable to numbers of people.
Special trips can be arranged for the disable, where
special arrangements can be made. Please contact HEF
for such trips and arrangements.
Foreign students with student cards, who are studying
in China, may travel at a reduced cost. However, other
foreign students, who are not studying in China, even
though having student I.D. cards, will not benefit while
traveling in China.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations are not required for entry into
China; however, it would be best and wise to check with
your physician if you should have certain inoculations.
What to Bring
It is best to pack your necessary items, such
as tooth brush, tooth paste, mouth wash, hair brush,
comb, shampoo, deodorant, facial items, and hygienic
products. Such items are available in major cities,
however, it is wise to pack them because you don't want
to spend time looking for such items during your trip.
You might want to make a preliminary list before packing
what you will want to take with you.
You might want to bring an umbrella if traveling during
the rainy seasons.
What to Wear
Simple and appropriate clothing is highly
recommended. In the summer months, cotton apparel is
advisable. Visitors may want to bring clothing, which
can be layered for comfort and warmth in the evening.
Footwear should be comfortable and durable. Visitors
are advised to bring an extra pair of shoes to be used
in case of a sudden change of weather to tropical rain
and storm. Visitors will be doing a great deal of walking
in some sites.
For evenings, most Chinese wear ordinary clothes to
performances, i.e., Beijing opera or acrobatic performances.
It is recommended that tourists follow the local customs.
|
|
