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CHINA TRAVEL INFORMATION & TIPS

The People’s Republic of China is the third largest country in the world in terms of area, but some have said it isn’t even a country – it’s a different world.

Geographically, it is situated in eastern Asia on the western shore of the Pacific Ocean, with an area of 9.6 million square kilometres. China's continental coastline extends for about 18,000 kilometres, and its vast sea surface is studded with more than 5,000 islands, of which Taiwan and Hainan are the largest. China has shared borders for centuries with Korea, the formerly Soviet Union, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Burma, Laos and Vietnam.

China today offers shop-till-you-drop metropolises, big city attractions, but yet retains its heritage, historical and cultural value through the epic grasslands of Inner Mongolia - with deserts, sacred peaks, astounding caves, imperial ruins, terracotta warriors and so much more.

It will take a lifetime to uncover even a fraction of China, but it certainly is a destination that has long captured the imagination of tourists worldwide.

Airport Taxes
RMBY90. Children under 12 are exempt.

Electrical Appliances
220V

Airport Transfers
Beijing/Peking airport (Capital International Central) is 28km northeast of the city, about 30-40 minutes by bus and taxi to town.

Guangzhou/Canton airport (Baiyun) is 7km from the city, about 20 minutes away.

Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) airport is 15km southwest of the city with a travel time of about 25-40 minutes).

Shanghai Pudong (PVG) airport, in the new eastern financial district is 30km from the city centre. It takes about 30-40 minutes.

Currency Matters
1 Renminbi Yuan (RMBY) = 10 chiao/jiao or 100 fen. Notes are in denominations of RMBY100, 50, 10, 5, 2 and 1, and 5, 2 and 1 chiao/jiao. Coins are in denominations of RMBY1, 1.5 chiao/jiao and 5, 2 and 1 fen.

RMBY is not traded outside China. Foreign banknotes and tavellers cheques can be exchanged at branches of The Bank of China. In hotels and Friendship Stores for tourists, imported luxury items such as spirits may be bought with Western currency.

Special Prohibited Items
Arms, ammunition, censored (photographs in mainstream Western magazines may be regarded as censored), radio transmitters/receivers, exposed but undeveloped film, fruit and certain vegetables, political and religious pamphlets (a moderate quantity of religious material for personal use is acceptable). Any printed matter directed against the public order and the morality of China.

Special Health Regulations
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travellers if arriving from infected areas. Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to China. However, cholera is a slight risk in this country and precautions could be considered. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. A strain of Bengal cholera has been reported in western areas. Poliovirus transmission has been shown by reliable data to be completely interrupted since 1994 through eradication programmes. Malaria risk exists throughout the country below 1500m except in Heilongjiang, Jilin, Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Beijing, Shanxi, Ningxia, Qinghai, Xinjiang (except in the Yili River Valley) and Tibet (Xizang, except in the Zangbo River Valley in the extreme southeast). North of 33°N, the risk lasts from July to November, between 33°N and 25°N from May to December, and south of 25°N throughout the year. The disease occurs primarily in the benign vivax form but the malignant falciparum form is also present and has been reported to be multidrug-resistant. The recommended prophylaxis in risk areas is chloroquine, or mefloquine in Hainan and Yunnan.

Drinking Water
Outside main centres all water used for drinking, brushing teeth or freezing should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised.

Dress Code
Casual clothes are acceptable everywhere, although smarter clothes can gain more respect. Revealing clothes should be avoided.

Travel Wisdom
Serious crime against foreigners is rare. However, crime does occur in both Chinese cities and in the countryside. Do not trek alone in isolated or sparsely populated areas, including those that follow parts of the Great Wall. If you do so, you should leave your itinerary and expected time of return at your hotel/hostel or with a third party. Extra care should be taken when moving around street markets and when visiting popular expatriate bars after dark. Major tourist sites also attract thieves and pickpockets. If you resist a robbery attempt it could lead to serious violence (knives are fairly common).

Areas bordering on Siberia, Pakistan, Vietnam, Laos and Burma are poorly policed. In Yunnan, drug smuggling and related crimes are on the increase. There is also a risk of attack from armed bandits in the more remote areas of China, such as those on the Gansu/Sichuan border. Trans-Siberian express trains are noted for smuggling. Search your compartment and secure the cabin door before departure. Petty theft from overnight trains and buses is common.

Weblinks To Visit

www.chinats.com
Maintained by an Internet service provider, this site is clean and clear in its presentation and affords visitors good and useful information including geography, economic and physical conditions, and other tourist type information. It even provides a comprehensive list of good restaurants for various types of cuisine. However, accommodation listing is missing, although it does provide a contact point for further information. A useful starting point for first time visitors.

www.cnto.org
This is the official China National Tourism Organisation site. As such, it doesn’t provide any commercial propositions – it is only for information – most of which are provided. Visas, climate, geography, history, and tourist attractions. Good guide book to the country, but do not expect any help with hotels and other tourism products.

www.chinatour.com
A US-based tour operator, Access China Tour, which specialises in arranging tours to China and its neighbouring regions, runs this site. Hence, the tours are ex-US, but the site contains good information on the country and possible ideas of educational and cultural tours that can be organised within China.

Source : Abacus Intl

guoguo · Gender: Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Posts: 3 Home Country: NULL