Visa

All visitors to China must have a visa. Generally three types: a group visa, an individual tourist visa and an individual business visa. Tourist visas may be obtained either through a travel agent or directly from the Chinese Embassy or consulate. Visitors intending to go to China for business purposes should be in possession of an invitation from a host organization and should apply for visas directly to the Chinese Embassy. Passports must be valid for at least six months before your travel to china.

Health

No special shot is required for short-term travelers with the exception of those coming from or via an infected area. All visitors may be asked to complete a health form to indicate if they have symptoms of yellow fever, cholera, typhoid, or other communicable diseases.

Customs Regulations

upon entering China, travelers must complete a customs declaration form listing the valuables or amount of foreign currency being brought into the country. A copy of the form will be collected upon exit.

Group travel

The easiest way to get to China is by joining a group tour on a full package or a mini-package service. Your travel agent will be able to recommend many tour options. Most group tours include three meals daily, hotel accommodations, intercity transportation, visa service, sightseeing arrangements, porterage and English-speaking guides throughout the trip.

Independent travel

FIT (foreign independent travel) programs to China are growing in popularity. We market modular FIT packages that offer most of the services of a group tour but without the group. FIT programs come in two types the "fully inclusive" tour, with all the inclusions of a standard group tour, and the "mini-package", with key inclusions like hotels, certain meals, and a pre-determined sightseeing schedule.

Seasonality

In China's most popular tourist areas, the peak tourist season is spring and fall (May and September through the first half of November). Shoulder season runs from March to April and from June through August. The off-season arrives in mid-November and lasts through winter..

Currency

The unit of Chinese currency is yuan, divided into ten jiao ,which arc again divided into ten fen. 1 yuan = 10 jiao = 100 fen. Chinese currency renminbi denominations:1, 2, 5, 10, 50 and 100 yuan; smaller 1, 2 and 5 jiao, and tiny 1, 2 and 5 fen. There are also 1 and 5 jiao coins; and 1, 2 and 5 fen coins.

Convertible currencies

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 sterling pound, US dollar US$),and Hong Kong dollar (HK$).

Money & Credit Cards

Tourists can exchange their money in China for renminbi (RMB).Visitors would be wise to take traveler's checks as they command a slightly higher exchange rate than cash. The Bank of China operates exchange desks at all hotels, airports and Friendship Stores. At present, most major credit cards such as American Express, Visa, Million Card, Master card, Diners Club, Federal Card, East Americard-Visa, Pacitic card and JCB Card can be used in China .

Business hours

Shops: Open day from 9am to 8pm (some to 9pm). Banks: Currency can be exchanged at banking counters, in hotels and stores. There are no standard hours of business for the exchange counters in hotels.

Main voltage

220 volts, 50 cycles AC. Most hotels have built-in convectors in bathrooms for shaving, hair dryers, etc. Otherwise, come equipped, as there is a variety of plug types in use.

Airport tax

All passengers who take domestic airlines will be charged 50 yuan for airport tax and those on international or regional flights outside China will pay 90 yuan.

Drinking water

Do not drink water from the tap in China. Most hotels supply boiled water in a thermos and flask or a glass of tumbler with cold water, and mineral water in plastic bottles is readily available in most cities.