ELECTRICITY:
The electricity supply in China is 220 volts, but sockets
with adapters are available in the bathrooms of most hotels.
WATER:
Do not drink the tap water anywhere in China. Most restaurants
provide boiled water as do the hotels. You can also buy
bottled water at most of the places you will visit. Just
make sure that the bottle cap is sealed. Some vendors will
refill bottles and try to sell them as new.
LAUNDRY:
Laundry and dry-cleaning services are available at each
of the hotels. The service is usually fast and of good quality.
Coin laundry is generally not available in China.
TAXI:
In most of the big cities in China finding a taxi is fairly
easy. Taxi fares vary from city to city, ranging from 1
to 2 Yuan per km. You should always be charged based on
the figure shown on the meter. However, there are some cases
where taxi drivers tend to try and take advantage of tourists
by over charging them, especially when they do not speak
Chinese. You should always choose a taxi with a business
permit, and before you leave the cab ask the driver for
a receipt. If you need a taxi, ask the hotel staff or the
tour guide to help you get a taxi instead of finding one
yourself. The taxis that the hotels contract with are a
little bit more expensive, but they are regulated and safer.
Most taxi drivers do not understand
English. Thus, it is always a good idea to have your destination
written down in Chinese. Always bring a copy of the hotel's
brochure or business card with you. Usually the hotel can
provide you with a “Please take me to this hotel…”
card in Mandarin to present to the taxi drivers for your
return trip.
TIPPING:
Tipping is generally not a custom is China. However, some
of those who work in the travel and hospitality industries
are now expected to be tipped. The amount is discretionary,
but commonly ranges from U.S $5-6 per person per day for
the guides and $2-3 per person per day for the drivers.
Luggage handling is $1-2 for the service (not per bag).
It is not required to tip waiters, waitresses or taxi drivers.
LUGGAGE
ALLOWANCE: for the Chinese airlines, the free luggage
allowance by weight for every passenger holding a ticket
with full fare or half fare for an international or regional
flight is 40 kg for a first-class ticket, 30kg for a business
class ticket, and 20kg for an economy class ticket. Domestic
flights are limited to check-in one piece of luggage per
passenger.
CARRY-ON
BAGGAGE: 2 pieces for a passenger holding a first-class
ticket; and 1 piece for a passenger with a business or an
economy-class ticket. The dimensions for each piece of luggage
allowed should not exceed 20x40x55cm, and the maximum weight
shall not exceed 5kg. You will have to pay extra if you
bring more luggage aboard than is allowed in terms of piece
or weight.
IMMUNIZATIONS:
Currently, there are no required immunizations for entry
to China. However, it is best to consult your physician
or international health advisories from the US State Department
services Bureau of Consular Affairs in Washington.
You can visit their Web site at: www.travel.state.gov/travel.
TRIP
INSURANCE: We strongly recommend passengers traveling
to China to take trip insurance, which covers cancellation,
interruption, health emergencies, accidents and baggage
loss. There are many programs in the markets. You may do
your own research or contact us for suggestions.
MISCELLANEOUS
ITEMS OF NOTE:
Your passport ALWAYS goes with you
wherever you go! Do not lose you passport!
Don’t flash your cash! If you need to count out cash
in public to pay for a purchase, do it discreetly.
If you shop at any of the local
vendors or free markets be aware that you can bargain, but
be cautious of the quality. As in any place, you get what
you pay for. If you are offered a priceless 500 year-old
Ming Vase for $10 you will probably find that it was made
500 days ago.
All sales in China are final! They
do not have the same exchange and return policies as found
in the U.S.
Please remember to pack your common
sense! Follow your normal safety practices that you would
in any big city. For example, don’t walk unescorted
on darkened streets at 3:00a.m., don’t leave your bags
unattended, be aware of beggars, etc.
In China, for domestic flights,
airlines require that all check in luggage be locked (this
is the exact opposite of current U.S. policy). So bring
ample luggage locks with you. Of course you can always buy
them in China, but the price is always better if you buy
before you need them.
If you buy any fruits from local
markets or vendors always be sure to wash them thoroughly.
Of course any fruits served during your meals at restaurants
will have already been properly cleaned and prepared.
Check-in baggage X-ray machines
will ruin film. Always carry your undeveloped film in your
carry-on. You can even ask to have it hand inspected to
totally avoid the security machines if you like.
You will have plenty of opportunities
for photos. Just keep in mind that there are some places
where photography is forbidden for religious or preservation
reasons. These places will have signs; please respect them.
When in doubt it is always safer to ask first! This includes
taking pictures of local people. Just as in any country,
some won’t mind and some will. Your guide can help
you as well.
SUGGESTED READING:
There are many good travel guides out in circulation and we recommend that you do some research to find the one that best suits your travel style. Amazon.com at www.amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.com at www.barnesandnoble.com are both great resources for researching books.
However, for general guides with good information you usually cannot go wrong by sticking with the top names in travel guides:
