Travel Tips for China
China, officially “the People's Republic of China” (PRC), has the third largest land area of any country on earth. Only Russia and Canada are larger. Topographically, China has a land area of 9,600,000 square kilometers (3,700,000 square miles).
Of this land area, 35 percent is mountainous, 27 percent plateau, 8 percent hilly areas, 17 percent basin and desert, and 13 percent plains. Only about 11 percent of the land area is suitable for agricultural production. Beijing, located in the north near the east coast, is China's capital city and its cultural, economic, and communications center.
China's population of 1.265 billion is the largest on earth, about 22 percent of the earth's total population. Population distribution is very uneven. Large areas of mountain and desert have few people, fewer than 10 persons per square kilometer. The highest population concentration is along the east and south coast, where population density averages more than 400 persons per square kilometer (1,040 persons per square mile).
The government is led by the Communist Party of China (CPC). Since the founding of China's modern state in 1949, the Communist Party of China has led a system of consultation and cooperation with the many diverse entities within China. In recent years, China's economy has been growing rapidly. This has brought an improving standard of living to most Chinese, especially those who live in China's rapidly growing cities.
Beijing Airport Information
Basic Phrases
| English | Chinese |
| Welcome | Huan Ying |
| Hello, how do you do? How are you? | Ni Hao, Ni Hao Ma? |
| I am fine, thank you. | Wo Hen Hao, Xie Xie Ni |
| What’s your name? | Gui Xing ( jiao)? |
| Good morning, Good Evening | Zao Chen Hao, Wan Shang Hao |
| Good Bye | Zai Jian |
| Do you speak English? | Ni Hui Jiang Ying Yu Ma |
| I want to buy this | Wo Yao Mai Zhe Ge |
| How much is this all together? | Yi Gong Duo Shao Qian |
| I don’t understand | Wo Ting Bu Dong |
| Here’s to our friendship. Bottoms up! | Wei Wo Men De You Yi Gan Bei |
China Visa information
· All Nationalities require China Visa except those listed below
· Nationalities that do not require visa (for normal maximum stay not exceeding 15 days) are Republic of Singapore, Brunei Darussalam and Japan
· Single entry visa is valid within 3 months
· Duration of the stay after entry into China is 30 days maximum
Basic Requirements for Visa Applications
· Valid passport (at least six months before expiration) with blank visa pages.
· Completed Chinese visa application form, one passport photograph taken in the last six months (either color or black and white).
· False information or failing to complete the application form will cause rejection or delays of your application
Visa-free Access For Ordinary Passport Holders From Singapore, Brunei and Japan
· Ordinary passport holders from Singapore, Brunei and Japan enjoy visa-free access to China for up to 15 days for business, sightseeing, visiting relatives and friends or transit purposes. The duration of 15 days will be counted from the date of entry
· Whoever illegally overstays in China may be subject to penalties by the public security departments or border checkpoints, in accordance with relevant regulations.
You may apply for a China visa with your own valid passport for a single entry. Sometimes the visa officer may ask you to provide invitation letter from one of the tourism departments in China.
Major travel agents worldwide can handle China visa application. Please contact your local travel agent or our official conference manager Swire Travel Limited fcsi2008@swiretravel.com for any enquiries.
Health Requirements
No special vaccinations are required, but those who have traveled from an infected area before coming to China should have vaccination records available for a Health Declaration form upon arrival.
Note: Don't forget to ask the hotel whether the tap water is drinkable or not. Tourists are recommended to drink bottled water when they travel in China.
Electricity
Electrical appliances will require an adapter that can change the shape of the plug prongs, as well as an electrical voltage converter that will allow a normal 110-volt North American appliance to take 220 Volt Chinese current. Throughout China 220 volt is used, although 4 & 5-star hotels are wired for use of 110-volt electrical appliances. Most hotels have a hair dryer in each room.
Safety
China is considered one of the safest countries in the world in which to travel. Crime is very low throughout China, and there are virtually no crimes committed against tourists visiting China. Even during the late evening hours travellers have little to be concerned about. The Chinese are friendly and hospitable, and Chinese law is quite strict.
Please be aware that all Chinese hotels provide an in-room safe or locked security boxes at the front desk. Leave valuables at the hotel. If there is a problem, report it immediately to a security guard or the police.
Special Telephone Numbers
110 - Police
119 - Fire
120 - Emergency
114 - Directory Inquires and Information
Credit Cards and ATMs
At present, the following credit cards are accepted in China: Master Card, Federal Card, Visa, American Express, JCB, and Diners Card. Cardholders can withdraw cash from the Bank of China and pay for purchases at exchange centers of the Bank of China, appointed shops, hotels, and restaurants.
However, this applies only in major cities and they are not always accepted in remote areas. Credit cards are not always accepted for the purchase of rail and air tickets.
ATMs that accept foreign cards are few and far between. Do not rely on them as a way of obtaining cash in Mainland China.
Consult with your bank before departing to make sure that your brand of check or credit card will be accepted.
Tipping & Gift-Giving
Tipping is not customary in China, but visitors should be aware that local attitudes on tipping are changing, and vary with the occasion. Many tourists bring along inexpensive gifts to show their appreciation to guides, drivers or others who have been helpful. To find out what is appropriate, it is best to ask a China tour operator, or check protocol with your guide while in China.
Currency
China's currency is the Renminbi (RMB), usually called the Yuan. Ten Jiao make up one Yuan. At present, the Yuan is worth about CAD $0.18, with slight daily fluctuations. The Bank of China has exchange desks for foreign currency and travellers checks with convenient hours at all hotels, airports, Friendship Stores, and others shopping areas. Visa, Master Card, American Express, Diner's Club, Federal Card, Million Card, and JCB credit cards are accepted at most hotels and state-run shops in the major cities. Some of the cards like Visa and American Express can be used to get cash advance in the main office of the Bank of China. Travellers are advised to pay in Yuan when shopping in smaller shops, at restaurants, and in smaller hotels.
Photography
Bring more films or digital memory cards than you think that you will need, as you will find there is a lot to photograph. Although most major brands of color film are readily available in China, slide or high/low ASA film may be difficult to find. One hour film processing is available in the larger cities, and the print quality is acceptable. All security X-ray machines on Mainland China and at the Hong Kong airport are film-safe. All photographic equipment should be declared upon entry into China.
Points to Remember:
- Do not take photographs at aerodromes, military installations, or other politically sensitive areas.
- Do not take photographs from aircraft.
- Do not take pictures of adults, children, or their possessions without first asking their permission.
- Taking photographs is forbidden in most museums, palaces, grottoes, and temples. These places usually have signs to let you know if taking photographs are not allowed.
Some institutions permit photography with the advance payment of a small fee.
| Restricted Inbound and Outbound Items | |
| Clearance | First Place of Entry |
| Cigarettes/ Cigars/ Tobacco Products Duty Free Allowance | For inbound: 400 cigarettes if staying less than 6 months; 600 cigarettes if staying more than 6 months. For outbound: 4 cartons of tobacco products . |
| Alcoholic Beverages Duty Free Allowance | For inbound: 2 bottles each not exceeding 0.75 litre if staying less than 6 months; 4 bottles each not exceeding 0.75 litre if staying more than 6 months. |
| Chinese Herbs & Patent Medicines | For outbound: Max. 300 Yuan per person to foreign countries. Max. 150 Yuan per person to Hong Kong, Macao. Exceeding the limit on musk and other Chinese herbs and medicines is prohibited. |
| Gifts Items Duty Free Allowance | For inbound: reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use. |
| Gold, Silver & Ornaments | For inbound: amount not exceeding 50 grams. |
| Exporting any of these purchased items (including handicrafts of inlaid gold/silver ware) is only allowed with special invoices issued by PRC. | |
| Cultural Relics | Items for export should be sent to the cultural administrative departments first for verification and issuing of invoice permits or export licenses. |
| Electronic Appliances | For inbound: One each of the following items is allowed: Camera, portable tape-recorder, portable cinecamera, portable video camera, portable computer. |
| Prohibited Articles | For inbound: Arms, imitation arms, ammunition, explosives of all kinds, counterfeit currencies/negotiable securities, printed matter, films, photos, gramophone records, cinematographic. |
Chinese Food
Few people take their food as seriously as the Chinese. Authentic Chinese food is delectable in flavor and astounding in its sheer variety. With 56 ethnic groups contributing recipes cultivated over centuries from every corner of the country, China is justifiably famous for its claim as home to the most popular cuisine in the world.
You would be remiss if you didn't sample as many of China's regional cuisine as possible during your trip to China. For a real change of pace, stop by one of the food stalls at a local "night market" and join neighborhood residents in sampling delicious fresh local foods. You are always welcome to have meals at local restaurants or teahouses in any city or town.
Those who prefer a more familiar meal may be surprised to discover the quality and variety of international dishes available in China today. American, Italian, Japanese, Thai, Indian, Korean, German, and French restaurants can be found at many 4 and 5-star hotels, and in shopping areas around Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong. Travellers with special dietary requests can make advance arrangements with most 4 & 5-star (or international chain-operated) hotels for vegetarian or special dishes.
Souvenirs
There are many exotic and unusual things to buy in China which make wonderful souvenirs and gifts for relatives and friends back home. The following is a sample of the amazing range of goods available.
Silk: Chinese silk is famous all over the world for its magnificent quality, color and variety. Silk products from Hangzhou, Sichuan, Suzhou, and Dandong are particularly good.
Tea: There are hundreds of varieties of Chinese tea. They can be classified into five categories - green tea, black tea, brick tea, scented tea, and oolong tea.
The top ten teas in China are as follows; any of them would make a wonderful gift for your friends.
- Longjing produced near West Lake, Hangzhou, Zhejiang
- Biluochun from Wu County in Jiangsu
- Huangshan Maofeng from Mt. Huangshan in Anhui
- Junshan Silver Needle from Qingluo Island on Dongting Lake
- Qimen Black Tea from Qimen County in Anhui
- Liuan Guapian from Liuan County in Anhui
- Xinyang Maojian from Xinyang in Henan
- Duyun Maojian from Duyun Mountain in Guizhou
- Wuyi Rock Tea from Wuyi Mountain in Fujian
- Tieguanyin from Anxi County in Fujian
Wines and Spirits: Alcoholic drinks, in ancient China, were regarded as sacred and were used only in sacrifices. Today, however, wines and spirits are becoming popular as accompaniments to Chinese food.
The following wines and spirits have won many international awards:
- Yanghe Daqu and Shuanggou Daqu from Jiangsu
- Gujing Tribute Liquor from Anhui
- Maotai and Dong Liquor from Guizhou
- Wuliangye, Jiannanchun and Luzhou Laojiao from Sichuan
- Fenjiu Liquor from Shanxi
Antiques: If you're an antique enthusiast, China is the place for you! Fascinating antique and curio shops and market stalls are to be found in most cities and country towns. Care is needed, however, when buying expensive items to ensure, for example, that the item carries the official red seal of the shop and the sale documents are in order. Chinese law forbids the export of antiques dated earlier than 1795.
Chinese Medicinal Materials: Traditional Chinese Medicine is an integral part of Chinese life and culture. With its unique diagnostic methods, systematic approach, abundant historical literature and materials, Traditional Chinese Medicine has found many adherents in Western countries. The use of traditional herbs and potions lies at the core of Chinese medicine. Mostly made from animal and plant materials, these medicines have proved effective for treating a wide range of illnesses and disorders. Tonics based on herbs are also popular. Examples of the materials used in the preparation of medicines and tonics are ginseng, antler, rhubarb horse-tails, bezoars, angelica, Tianqi, licorice root, apricot kernel and the root of balloon flower.
In recent years, for the sake of protecting endangered animals, the preparation of medicinal materials from rare animals, such as musk, antler, leopard and tiger bone, rhinoceros horn, and elephant skin, has been restricted. Such medicines cannot be exported from China; however, tourists can export Chinese herbs with a total value of less than 300 RMB (per person).
Arts and Crafts: Arts and crafts products make ideal souvenirs and gifts. These include bronze ware, cloisonne, folk toys, jade, kites, lacquer wares, paper-cutting, porcelain, pottery, seal, prints and scrolls, silk, embroidery and printed and dyed fabrics. Cloisonn¨¦ made in Beijing, porcelain made in Jingdezhen in Jiangxi, embroidery from Suzhou, Hunan, Guangdong and Sichhuan, Tang tri-color pottery horses and camels, and batik from Guizhou and Yunnan are all highly recommended.
The "four treasures of study" - namely writing brush, ink stick, ink slab, paper - play an important part in Chinese culture. You may want a set for your own study or to give as a unique gift to your friends. The best writing materials are said to be Xuan paper and Hui ink stick from Anhui, Duan ink slab from Guangdong and Hu writing brush from Zhejiang.
Where to Buy Souvenirs
Friendship Stores
In China, friendship stores were originally set up by the government to provide services to foreign visitors. Now, most are like any modern department store with a variety of goods including silk; jewelry made from gold, silver, pearl, and jade; embroidered tablecloths and blouses; paintings, porcelain, pottery, and handicrafts. Prices are clearly marked on the merchandise. Prices may be slightly higher than at other Chinese stores but the goods are of higher quality and some items are unavailable elsewhere. Government stores have a reputation for honesty. Bargaining is acceptable.
Department Stores
Most department stores are run by the state with some being run by individual or joint venture. The merchandise available in Chinese department stores is similar what you would expect to find in department stores anywhere in the world. Bargaining is seldom acceptable. Look for sales.
Factories
Every arts and crafts factory has a showroom where visitors can buy what is made there. Marked prices may be more expensive than similar items elsewhere but deep discounts of 40 to 50% are common.
Markets
Markets are an ideal place to search for inexpensive items. Markets with many similar shops or stalls have the cheapest prices and it is possible to sometimes find merchandise of good to very good quality. You will need to be extremely careful but those name brand items just might be genuine. They could be seconds or factory overruns. Check everything carefully. The prices are flexible and you should practice your bargaining skill there.
Hotel stores
Most luxury hotels have their own shopping mall where various souvenirs and daily articles offered. Stores in these hotels are not cheap, but you can find some very fine quality clothing, fabrics, and antiques there.
Antiques
Antique stores run by the government are the most reliable but you can forget bargains for genuine antiques. The Chinese are very knowledgeable about their cultural heritage and it's value.
- Do not buy any antiques that date before 1795 as they cannot be legally exported.
- Make sure that the antiques you bought carry a red wax seal indicating that it is authentic and is able to be exported from China.
- Keep all purchase receipts, especially that of Chinese medicine herbs, antiques, gold and silver articles, jade ware and etc. You may be asked to produce these by customs when leaving China.
- Do not buy those articles made form rare wild animals. All the contraband articles will be confiscate without compensation.
Note: In China, shops are open every day of the week:
8:30 am - 8 pm (summer)
9 am - 7 pm (winter)
Etiquette
Chinese courtesies have always been formal to follow strict rules, although sometimes Chinese people seem to be impolite according to Western norms in public places.
To understand Chinese culture well, some concepts should not be ignored:
1. Mianzi (Face)
The idea of shame, usually expressed as 'face' could be loosely defined as the 'status' or 'self-respect' in Chinese and by no means alien to foreigners. It is the worst thing for a Chinese to lose face. Never insult, embarrass, shame, yell at or otherwise demean a person. Since all these actions would risk putting a Chinese in a situation that he might lose face. Neither try to prove someone wrong nor shout at him in public. In order to get a successful effect without letting a Chinese lose face, any criticism should be delivered privately, discreetly, and tactfully.
2. Guanxi (Relationships between People)
Throughout much of Chinese history, the fundamental glue that has held society together is the concept of guanxi, relationships between people. It is very important for the Chinese to have good relationships. They often regard good social relations as a symbol of personal ability and influence. Someone who has no connections would be despised and is only half-Chinese.
3. Keqi
Keqi not only means considerate, polite, and well mannered, but also represents humbleness and modesty. It is impolite to be arrogant and brag about oneself or one's inner circle. The expression is most often used in the negative, as in buyao keqi, meaning "you shouldn't be so kind and polite to me," or "you're welcome."
Besides, Chinese seldom express what they think directly and they prefer a roundabout way. Neither show their emotions and feelings in public. They rarely greet people with a handshake, though it is very popular among foreigners, tosay nothing of embracing or kissing when greeting or saying good-bye. Consequently, it is better not to behave too carefree in public, even though you are well-intentioned. Also, it is advisable to be fairly cautious in political discussions. Do not particularly push yourself forward, or you could be seen as unwelcome.
To sum up, when in Rome, do as the Romans do, but you need not worry about these cultural barriers since most Chinese are hospitable and amiable and will not mind your nonproficiency.
Chinese Language
China has eight major dialect groups: Putonghua (Mandarin), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan and Hakka and many sub-dialects. The language spoken in Beijing is often referred to as Mandarin or Putonghua. Putonghua, which means "common language" is the country's predominant language and is widely used by more than 70 percent of the population. Putonghua is variously referred to as the "Han language" (hanyu), "Mandarin", or simply Chinese. About two-thirds of the Han people are native speakers of Putonghua, while Han people who come from the southwestern and southeastern sections of China often speak Putonghua as well as their own dialects, such as Shanghaiese and Cantonese.
Various groups such as the Mongolian, Tibetan, Naxi, Yi, Uygur, as well as many other ethnic groups have their own "native" languages. Because of the increasing economic and cultural flow across China during the past twenty years, the use of Putonghua has also increased.
In recent years, as tourism to China has been increasing, the use of English has been sweeping across the country. Most of the service staff in hotels and many stores can speak fluent or basic English. Now, there is no longer any reason to have language concerns when visiting China. Of course, it will be interesting and fun for you to learn some basic Putonghua. Below are charts to help you with pronunciation followed by simple words and phrases you might actually use during your trip.
A. 23 letters in Pinyin:
| Letter | Pronunciation | Letter | Pronunciation | Letter | Pronunciation |
|
B |
As in bay |
G |
As in go |
Sh |
As in shirt |
|
P |
As in pay |
K |
As in kit |
R |
As in leisure |
|
M |
As in may |
H |
As in hit |
Z |
As in reads |
|
F |
As in fat |
J |
As in jeep |
C |
As in hats |
|
D |
As in dad |
Q |
As in cheer |
S |
As in say |
|
T |
As in time |
X |
As in she |
Y |
As in yes |
|
N |
As in nay |
Zh |
As in junk |
W |
As in way |
|
L |
As in lay |
Ch |
As in church |
|
|
Useful Words and Phrases
1. Orientation and Geography
| Pinyin | English | Pinyin | English | Pinyin | English |
| dong | East | hu | lake | qu | canal |
| xi | West | he | river | jie | street |
| nan | South | shan | mountain | lu | road |
| bei | North | hai | sea | xiang | lane |
| wan | gulf |
2. Number
| Number | Pinyin | Number | Pinyin | Number | Pinyin |
| 1 | yi | 9 | jiu | 100 | yi bai |
| 2 | er | 10 | shi |
200 |
er bai |
| 3 | san | 11 | shi yi | 1,000 | yi qian |
| 4 | si | 12 | shi er | 10,000 | yi wan |
| 5 | wu | 20 | er shi | ||
| 6 | liu | 21 | er shi yi | ||
| 7 | qi | 30 | san shi | ||
| 8 | ba | 31 | san shi yi |
3. Useful phrases: Pronouns
| English |
Pinyin |
English |
Pinyin |
| I | Wo | hello | Ni hao |
| we/us | Wo men | goodbye | Zai jian |
| you | Ni /Ni men(plural) | thank you | Xie xie |
| he / she / it | Ta | please | Qing |
| they / them | Ta men | you're welcome | Bu ke qi |
| Excuse me | Qing ni | I'm sorry | Dui bu qi |
| English | Pinyin | English | Pinyin |
| How much is it? | Duo shao qian? | train station | huo che zhan |
| That's too expensive. | Tai gui le | airport | fei ji chang |
| My name is... | Wo jiao... | bus station | qi che zhan |
| I'm from... | Wo shi cong...lai de. | hotel | jiu dian / fan dian |
| Where is the...? | ...zai na li | hospital | yi yuan |
| I'm lost. | Wo mi lu le. | restaurant | can ting / fan dian |
| What's the time? | Ji dian le? | shop | shang dian |
| I fell ill. | Wo bu shu fu. | police | Jing cha |
| Could you help me? | ni ke yi bang wo ma? | Restroom | ce suo |
| I would like... | wo xiang yao... | Train | huo che |
| I need... | Wo xu yao... | Taxi | chu zu qi che/chu zu che |
| I want to go to... | Wo yao qu... | Bank | yin hang |
| Do you have...? | You mei you...? | Book | shu |
| Here is my address | Zhe shi wo de di zhi | Map | di tu |
Time Zone
China uses Beijing time as the standard time for the entire nation. When it is 12 at noon in Beijing the standard time in other cities around the world are as follows:
| City | Time | City | Time | City | Time |
| Berlin | 05:30 | Honolulu | 18:00 | Rio de Janeiro | 01:00 |
| Brussels | 04:00 | Karach | 09:00 | San Francisco | 20:00 |
| Bucharest | 06:00 | Khartoum | 06:00 | Sydney | 14:00 |
| Budapest | 05:00 | Kuala Lumpur | 11:30 | Seoul | 13:00 |
| Buenos Aires | 01:00 | Leningrad | 07:00 | Singapore | 11:30 |
| Calcutta | 09:00 | London | 04:00 | Stockholm | 05:00 |
| Melbourne | 14:00 | Moscow | 07:00 | Mexico City | 21:00 |
| Geneva | 05:00 | New York | 23:00 | Vancouver | 20:00 |
| Hanoi | 11:00 | Paris | 04:00 | Washington | 23:00 |
| Havana | 23:00 | Prague | 05:00 | Tokyo | 13:00 |