Travelling to China is a must during a persons life. It can be an exciting, interesting
and rewarding experience. Our team of travel experts want to provide you with some
basic information to assist both novice and experienced travelers.
Currency :
In China the following currencies from 17 countries and regions can be converted
into Chinese RMB.
Australian dollar (A$), Austrian schilling (Sch), Belgium franc (BF),Canadian dollar(Can$),
Danish krone (Dkr), German mark (DM), French franc (Ff), Japanese yen (Y), Malaysian
Ringgit (M$), Dutch guilder(F1), Norwegian krone(Nkr.), Singapore dollar (S$),Swedish
krona(Skr.), Swiss franc (SF), British Pound Sterling (GPB), US dollar (US$) and
Hong Kong dollar (HK$)
For the most favorable rates, change money at banks. You won't do as well at exchange
booths in airports or rail and bus stations, in hotels, in restaurants, or in stores,
although you may find their hours more convenient.
So far the following foreign credit cards are acceptable in China: Master,Visa,American
Express,JCB,Diners.
Note: You cannot obtain Chinese currency outside of China, and you cannot exchange
it back into foreign currency outside of China.
Customs :
You will receive a short customs form either in the airplane or in the terminal
on landing. If you are bringing in more than US$10,000 in cash, you will have to
register it. You are not allowed to import live animals, fresh produce, or printed
matter deemed seditious or pornographic. The former is very broadly defined, of
course, and includes anything that criticizes the Chinese government. Customs officials
do not usually inspect your personal baggage for improper reading matter, but it
could happen. It's best, for example, not to bring a book by a Chinese dissident
with you. Customs inspection is usually fast and painless, unless of course you're
suspected of bringing in the abovementioned items.
When you depart,you are not allowed to take out Chinese antiques over 150 years
old and deemed valuable to the country.
Additional customs information is available from: http://www.customs.gov.cn
China Public Holidays :
The New Year's Day-2 days;
The Spring Festival (usually falling in late January or early and mid-February)-3
days;
The May 1st Labor Day-3 days;
The October 1st National Day-3 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.
Electricity :
To use your U.S.-purchased electric powered equipment, bring a converter and adapter.
The electrical current in China is 220 volts, 50 cycles alternating current (AC);
wall outlets take American-style plugs, with two flat parallel prongs; however they
may not take the converter's one oversized prong, used for grounding, as generally
used in the United States.
If your appliances are dual-voltage, you'll need only an adapter. Don't use 110-volt
outlets, marked "For Shavers Only," for high-wattage appliances such as blow-dryers.
Most laptops operate equally well on 110 and 220 volts and so require only an adapter.
Emergencies & Telephones :
The country code for China is 86. The area code for Guilin is 773. When making a
long-distance call , do not drop the initial 0 from the local area code (as was
formerly the procedure).
Information (PHONE:114)
Ambulance (PHONE:120).
Police (PHONE: 110).
Taxi(PHONE:4644818)
Tourists Assistance (PHONE:3687843?)
Weather: 121
Business Hours :
Banks, offices, government departments, and police stations (known as Public Security
Bureaus or PSB) are open Monday to Saturday. Most open between 8 and 9 AM, close
for lunch from noon to 2 PM, and reopen until 5 or 6. Many branches of the Bank
of China and stores catering to foreigners are open Sunday morning. Some close on
Wednesday afternoon. Museums are open 9 to 4 six days a week.
All businesses are closed on Chinese New Year and other major holidays.
Tipping :
Tipping used to be unheard of, but now the custom is taking hold. In restaurants,
tip about 3% of the bill. Tip bellboys and room service waiters Y10-Y20, or US$1-US$2.
(U.S. dollars are always appreciated as tips.)
It is not necessary to tip taxi drivers, although you might let them keep small
change.
Health:
In China the major health risk is traveler's diarrhea, caused by eating contaminated
fruit or vegetables or drinking contaminated water. So watch what you eat. Stay
away from ice, uncooked food, and unpasteurized milk and milk products, and drink
only bottled water or water that has been boiled for at least 20 minutes. Bottled
water is widely available in the major cities of China. If you're going to rural
areas, bring water purification tablets. Mild cases may respond to Imodium (known
generically as loperamide) or Pepto-Bismol (not as strong), both of which can be
purchased over the counter. Do NOT buy prescription drugs in China, as the quality
control is unreliable. Ask your doctor for an antidiarrheal prescription to take
with you. Drink plenty of purified water or tea-chamomile is a good folk remedy.
In severe cases, rehydrate yourself with a salt-sugar solution (1/2 teaspoon salt
and 4 tablespoons sugar per quart of water).
Pneumonia and influenza are also common among travelers returning from China; many
health professionals recommend inoculations for both before you leave. Be sure you're
well rested and healthy to start with. According to the National Centers for Disease
Control (CDC) there is a limited risk of hepatitis A and B, typhoid, polio, malaria,
tuberculosis, dengue fever, tetanus, and rabies in small cities and rural areas.
In most urban or easily accessible areas you need not worry. However, if you plan
to visit remote regions or stay for more than six weeks, check with the CDC's International
Travelers Hotline. In areas where malaria and dengue, both of which are carried
by mosquitoes, are prevalent, use mosquito nets, wear clothing that covers the body,
apply repellent containing DEET, and use spray for flying insects in living and
sleeping areas. Also consider taking antimalarial pills. There is no vaccine that
combats dengue .
Main Embassies in Beijing:
U.S. (2 Xiushui Dongjie, Chaoyang District, tel. 010/6532-3431 ext. 229 or
010/6532-3831 ext. 264, fax 010/6532-2483).
Australia (21 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District, tel. 010/6532-2331,
fax 010/6532-3101).
Canada (19 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District, tel. 010/6532-3536, fax
010/6532-4972).
U.K. (11 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District, tel. 010/6532-1961, fax 010/6532-1937).