| China is a large country at a size of 9,596,960 sq | | | | Avoid travel in China during peak holiday seasons |
| km. China was only partially open to the world | | | | or book tickets well ahead. |
| from 1980 onwards and has been a communist | | | | Local Hotels |
| country for many decades. Although there is | | | | There is a good choice of hotels in China ranging |
| much progress in the travel industry and | | | | from one star to the most luxurious 6 stars. Most |
| infrastructure of China, there remain areas that | | | | of the time, the rooms are safe and clean and in |
| need to be improved before it can match the | | | | my opinion, cheap does not mean bad. |
| level that most tourist would require. | | | | There are many websites selling China hotel |
| However, much of the fun remain that it is | | | | rooms on the internet. You can also check out |
| different from the rest of the world. China will be | | | | the travel counters which are available in most |
| the host nation for the Olympics in Year 2008. | | | | train, bus stations as well as airport. |
| Travel facilities and infrastructure will be improving | | | | Book ahead if travelling in peak seasons. |
| quickly as we approach Year 2008. | | | | Peak Tourist Seasons |
| China is rich in culture and history. Visit the Great | | | | Chinese New Year: Date varies but generally late |
| Wall of China in Beijing, sip Chinese tea in Xiamen, | | | | January or early February. |
| dance with ethnic tribes in Yunnan, check out 19th | | | | May Day: First two weeks of May |
| Century European buildings in Qingdao - there are | | | | China National Day: Middle two weeks of October |
| just so much to do and see in China! | | | | Avoid travelling during these period. Book rooms |
| Below are some travel tips to make your travel | | | | and travel modes way early if need to travel. |
| in China easier: | | | | Believe me, the crowds during these period of |
| Entry Visa | | | | time will be scary. What do you expect when the |
| China require entry visa from most countries. | | | | entire Chinese nation of 8 billion people are on |
| Apply at the Chinese consulate or through your | | | | holiday as well! |
| travel agent before travelling to China. | | | | Chinese Food |
| Climate | | | | Local food is absolutely fabulous. Try as much |
| Extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in | | | | Chinese food as your wallet or stomach can |
| north. Be prepared with the right seasonal clothing. | | | | afford. Restaurants are available everywhere and |
| Foreign Exchange | | | | open to late hours. Most restaurants will have a |
| The unit of currency is known as | | | | menu that include photographs of the various |
| Renmembi(RMB) or Yuan. Get some Chinese | | | | dishes. Better yet, simply point at the food that |
| Yuan in your local country before travelling. When | | | | your next door table is having, especially if it looks |
| in China, exchange foreign currency for local | | | | delicious! |
| currency in the banks or at the hotel. Banks tend | | | | However, avoid street side stalls and drinking |
| to give slightly better rates than hotels. Take note | | | | directly from the taps if you have delicate |
| that some banks close for a noon siesta between | | | | stomach. |
| 12-2pm. | | | | Telecommunications |
| Payment facilities | | | | Mobile phone coverage in China is good in most |
| Most better class hotels and shopping centres | | | | locations. Global auto-roaming within China is not a |
| take Credit Card or Travellers cheques. Smaller | | | | problem. |
| hotels and shops take cash only. Once out of the | | | | Internet |
| bigger cities, credit card and ATM cards tend to | | | | There are cyber-cafes everywhere in China, |
| be almost impossible to utilize. Cash is still king in | | | | especially in tourist areas. Most are patronised by |
| Chinese business and trade. | | | | young people playing online games but you still can |
| Counterfeit notes are common in China. Check | | | | check your Hotmail, Yahoo or Gmail. Access may |
| carefully before accepting change, especially if it | | | | be a bit slow for international websites. |
| consists mostly 100RMB notes. You can feel a | | | | You will need to show your passport as China has |
| texture difference where counterfeit notes is | | | | tight regulations at Internet Cyber Cafes. |
| concerned. | | | | Toilet facilities |
| Understanding of English | | | | One of the worst experience many has with |
| Most civil servants, custom officials, police, hotel | | | | China is the atrocious toilet facilities. Things has |
| staff and men in the street do not speak English | | | | improved very much but it may still be a good |
| or at best a smattering of English. | | | | idea to empty your stomach or bladder at every |
| Most signboards and notices will carry both English | | | | opportunity in a hotel, restaurant or departmental |
| and Chinese. However, be aware that some | | | | store. Public toilets and toilets in small shops can |
| translations can be so notorious that one can | | | | be a nose hazard! |
| hardly understand what was it's original Chinese | | | | * Useful China travel tips * |
| intention. | | | | Try to get a English speaking tour guide at every |
| Do not expect hotels or shops to understand | | | | opportunity you can. China has a rich and |
| English. Only the very big hotels will have staff | | | | wonderful history and culture and without a guide, |
| that will understand English. | | | | somehow, the flavour and significance of most |
| Most young people can understand basic English if | | | | tour sites can be lost. |
| you speak slowly. | | | | *Sneaky tip: Hang around a group that has a |
| Social Security | | | | English speaking guide if you cannot afford one! |
| China is generally a safe country. However, hang | | | | Always ask for a receipt from a taxi driver so |
| on tight to your wallet especially in crowded, | | | | that you can complain if you have been cheated |
| popular tourist sites in tourist cities such as Beijing | | | | or for tracing purposes if you happen to leave |
| and Xian. | | | | your camera behind in the taxi. |
| These tourist cities also has a lot of touts in the | | | | Try to take the namecard for each hotel that |
| streets touting tourist from currency exchange to | | | | you are staying at as these cards will have a |
| jewelleries to female companionships. Avoid at all | | | | Chinese address and the map of your hotel |
| cost! | | | | location. This is useful if you need to seek |
| Domestic Travel | | | | assistance to find your way back as the English |
| Bus, train, ferries and domestic flights are quite | | | | version or pronounciation of a hotel or a street |
| well developed. Avoid the crowd at the stations | | | | name may be quite different from the Chinese |
| and book your tickets through the hotel tour desk | | | | version. |
| or the nearest tour agent. Prices are likely to be | | | | After a tiring day, check out Chinese foot |
| competitive and tickets will be delivered to your | | | | reflexology or Chinese TuiNa (Chinese massage). |
| hotel room. Again, avoid ticket touts who | | | | Wonderful for the body after a hard day and |
| approach you in the streets. | | | | very cheap to boot. Simply look out for shop |
| Local buses are cheap (US$0.10 or YS$0.20) and | | | | signs that shows two feet! They are everywhere. |
| you may want to try out. Taxis are convenient | | | | Make friends with the Chinese whenever you can. |
| and are available at all hours. Starting fares differ | | | | They love to meet foreigners and will make good |
| from each city and may be as cheap as US$0.70 | | | | tour guides. Just buy a small present as a small |
| in Weihai and US$1.50 in Shenzhen. | | | | token of appreciation. |