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China
Getting Started & Practical Information
When to Visit
It's always the perfect time to visit China depending
on what you're looking for. If you want tropical weather and coastlines, the
weather in the south and on Hainan island is hot nearly year round. If you want
snow and skiing, northern China, near the border with Siberia, offers both for a
few months every year. The western part of the country is quite mountainous and
at elevation making winters cold and summers crisp. Also, during the winter the
snow in some areas, like the Himalayas, prevents travel so plan your trip accordingly.
Due to its vast size, temperatures in China vary greatly.
Hong Kong, in the south average about 60˚ F (15˚
C) during the coldest months, but for most of the year it averages about 80˚ F (27˚
C) and is humid, whereas Harbin averages -2˚ F (-18˚ C) in January, and only the
mid-70's (about 22˚ C) in July.
The busy tourist season for foreigners visiting China is
the summer, typically July & August. The Chinese are becoming avid travelers,
particularly during major holidays, like Chinese New Year (usually falling in January
or February), meaning the entire country seems to be traveling and tourist sites
tend to shut down. However, due to its size and numerous attractions, any time outside
of festivals (if you don't plan on attending the festivals) is a good time to
visit. The spring and fall (autumn) offer shorter lines, but also cooler temperatures.
Large cities like Beijing and
Hong Kong will be busy year round.
Before booking your trip, review China's Holiday Schedule.
Weather
Although weather can be generalized based upon years past, for more up to date weather
patterns and predicted future weather patterns, visit weather websites like weather.com; many local news sources also have information
for international weather forecasts.
Tours & Cruises
If you're looking for a pre-arranged trip that involves little effort on your
part, you should consider going on an organized tour or cruise. Organized tours
and cruises vary from all expenses included to only daily tours and perhaps hotels
included in the price. All the options below will help you arrange all the details
of your trip so you don't have to worry about finding the best deal or right
hotel.
Note - Travel to Tibet requires
that all foreigners are on an organized tour, so even if you don't want to go
on a tour, if you plan on visiting Tibet, you'll have to arrange at least that part
of your trip with a tour company. Many of the below tour companies offer tours to
Tibet.
China Highlights:
Reputable local company offering dozens of tours from single-day to multiple weeks.
Contiki Tours:
A tour company that only offers tours to 18-35 year olds; known as offering fun
and social tours for young singles and couples.
Gap Adventures:
Known best among young adults, Gap Adventures provides local transportation, housing,
and food, which cuts costs and introduces the local culture, but can also be challenging
for those seeking luxury.
Gecko's Adventures: Active in "responsible" tourism, Gecko's
Adventures provides local transportation, housing, and food in smaller group settings.
Holland America Cruises: Cruises for all ages and families.
Intrepid Travel: Boasts
more "off the beaten track" destinations; do your research though since
some tours are very adventurous and involves camping and local hotels.
Oceania
Cruises: Cruises for "mature and discerning travelers"
Princess Cruises: Cruises for all ages and families.
Road Scholar: For older adults, Road Scholar offers tours
with an educational emphasis; formerly known as Elder Hostel.
Royal Caribbean Cruises: Cruises for all ages and families.
Guidebooks
If you are just traveling on business and have little free time or are already familiar
with China, you may not need anything more than SafariTheGlobe.com's
Free Mini Guide to China!
However, if you need more detailed and up to date information, there are a number
of great country-wide, region-wide, and city-wide guidebooks available for travel
to China.
Eyewitness Guides: Incredible pictures and detailed maps
of popular tourist sites including museums. Those living abroad can't put these
books down.
Fodor's:
Good maps and information for the major tourist locations, but has little information
for anyone heading off the beaten track. Great for those on organized tours.
Frommer's:
Incredible number of lists, which divide travel into various categories based upon
your interests. Travelers looking to spend most of their time in a single location
or on organized tours enjoy these books.
Lonely Planet:
Great maps and updated often with comprehensive housing information, restaurants,
& transportation options. Backpackers and adventurers love these guidebooks.
National Geographic Traveler: Almost more of an information
book about China, than a guidebook; offers great pictures, maps, history, and culture.
Popular with armchair travelers and history buffs on organized tours.
Visas
Many foreign nationals need a visa to enter China, however
the requirements for citizens of different nationalities varies. Plus, there are
also different visa requirements going to mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau;
plus Tibet needs an additional visa to enter. To learn more about who needs visas,
what type of visa is needed, what requirements are needed to obtain a visa, and
visa costs, please visit the Website of Your Local Chinese Embassy.
Note - It's important to note that most Tibetan travel agencies
recommend not mentioning your intention to visit Tibet
on your Chinese Visa Application form. The Chinese government has been known to
turn down Chinese visa applicants who mention this destination on their Chinese
visa application. It is easier to obtain your Tibetan visa through a travel agent
after you already have a Chinese visa.
Health & Insurance
Every part of the world has different health concerns and diseases, including China. Before traveling, consult with a physician to learn
more about your destination and what steps you can take to prevent illness. At the
time of writing, China didn't have any health immunizations that are required
prior to arrival, although a number of immunizations are strongly recommended.
Many health insurance providers don't cover health care that is provided outside
your home country. Before going abroad check with your health insurance to see if
they cover international care. If not, consider purchasing an international medical
insurance option, preferably from a company that specializes in international medical
insurance.
Transportation
Unless you're on an organized tour or working with a travel agent, you will
have to arrange some transportation. The below links can greatly help you start
your planning, first by finding a flight to China, then
with domestic airlines and car rental agencies. If you don't know where to begin,
try the "Flight & Rental Car Search Sites" to learn competitor's
prices.
Largest International Airlines: Air France, American
Airlines; British Airways;
Cathay Pacific; China Southern Airlines;
Delta; Emirates;
KLM; LAN; Lufthansa;
Qantas; Singapore Airlines;
United Airlines.
Largest Chinese Airlines: Air China;
Cathay Pacific; China
Eastern; China Southern;
Hainan Airlines; Hong Kong Airlines.
Largest Rental Car Agencies in China: Avis & Payless.
Flight & Rental Car Search Sites: FlyChina.com;
Expedia.com; Farecast.com;
Kayak.com; Orbitz.com; &
Travelocity.com.
Housing
Housing options are numerous in most tourist destinations, but every individual
seeks out something different when it comes to housing. The below links should help
you get started, with low- to high-end hotels, hostels, and camping information.
Popular International Hotel Chains: Accor Group (various price ranges); Choice Hotels (low- to mid-price range); Hilton (various price ranges); Hyatt (high-end to resorts); InterContinental Group (mid- to high-price
range); Marriott Family (various
price ranges); Starwood Hotels
(high-end); Wyndham Hotels
(low- to mid-price range).
Hotel Search Sites:
Expedia.com; Kayak.com;
Orbitz.com; & Travelocity.com.
Hostels: Although there are many hostel websites, some of the most
popular and reputable include hostels.com,
hostelworld.com, &
hostelbookers.com.
Camping: There is very little information available for camping
options in China. Visit the website of the locations you
plan to visit to determine camping requirements, what permits (if any) are needed
to camp, and to determine what camping costs are.
Opening Hours, Expenses, & Tipping
China is on the same time schedule as much of northern
Europe. Shops and tourist attractions tend to open at
about 8:00-9:00 am and close at about 5:00 pm, but inconsistencies are everywhere.
Most places close an hour or two for lunch, while shops and attractions may open
late, close early, or shut down mid-afternoon based upon whose working that day
and what their personal schedules look like. Having said that, all major tourist
attractions are on a set schedule (typically open 7 days a week) and don't tend
to shift based upon whose working. Most places close on weekends, which are Saturdays
and Sundays in China, although most restaurants and some public institutions, like
the post office, are open seven days a week.
Restaurant hours vary; most Chinese eat three meals a day,
although if they are busy they may only have two larger meals; this is especially
common in the rural areas during busy farming seasons. In tourist locations restaurants
tend to be open all day or are on the Northern European
or North American eating time schedule (lunch at
about 11:30 am-2:00 pm and dinner anywhere from 5:00-9:00 pm).
Bars in China fall into a number of categories. What Europeans consider a bar or pub can be found, however
they tend to be in tourist cities and cater to foreigners. Most of the locals go
to karaoke bars and all who enter are expected to sing at least one song. Bars open
late and tend to close later (about 9:00 pm-2:00 am).
China is currently on three currencies: the Chinese yuan,
the Hong Kong dollar, and the Macanese pataca. It is easy to exchange yuan, or any
other currency, in both Hong Kong and Macau,
while exchanging money (including the Hong Kong dollar and Macanese pataca) in mainland
China is more difficult; banks are your best place to exchange money and ATM machines
are common everywhere.
China is relatively inexpensive on European
standards, however prices can add up quickly if you plan on doing any cross-country
travel or sign up for an organized tour. Hostels and even decent hotels can easily
be found for about 100 yuan ($15) a night per person (make sure they have air conditioning
included if you're in the south during the summer), while business and western
hotels in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong can be well over 1,500 yuan/1,800
Hong Kong dollars (HKD) ($230) if a meeting's in town or you're near the
tourist sites. Food can range greatly from street food for about 20 yuan/HKD ($3)
and up; average prices are about 100-150 yuan/HKD ($15-20) for a good meal in a
clean restaurant. Local transportation costs in China are reasonable if you take
buses and the subway; however due to the country's size, many times flying is
your best and most convenient option. Domestic flights are similar to what you'd
pay in Europe or North America (based upon similar
flight times), being about 650-2,600 yuan/800-3,000 HKD ($100-400) for a one way
flight. The great variation is dependent on the distance being traveled and whether
or not you are flying out of or into any of the semi-autonomous regions (Hong Kong,
Macau, or Tibet), which increases the price
to the high end of that spectrum.
In general there is no tipping in China, however there
are a couple exceptions. First, whatever the taxi meter reads in most places, the
driver will demand 1 yuan more, this is not a tip, it is a gas charge and even the
locals pay it (and you may also be charged a 10 yuan airport fee if coming from
or going to an airport). No additional tip is expected for taxi drivers. Organized
tour drivers and guides also expect tips in addition to what you pay for the tour.
Guides should receive about 80-150 yuan ($12-22) a day and drivers should receive
40-75 ($6-11) a day, but these tips should only be given when their service warrants
it. Western hotels expect a tip for the bell hops, 5-10 yuan (or Hong Kong dollars)
a bag is sufficient. Hong Kong, and to a lesser
degree Macau tip more often since they were under foreign rule for so many years.
Generally, restaurants in these cities will add 10% service charge to their bills.
If service was excellent you may add another 10-20 yuan/HKD, but this is by no means
necessary. No other restaurants in China expect tips.
Crime & Safety
China is a relatively safe place to visit, however has
its share of crime. Major cities, tourist locations, and public transportation are
breeding grounds for pick pocketers so keep your passport and wallet protected at
all times if they're not locked away in your hotel safe. Violent crime is rare,
especially against foreigners, but is increasing, particularly against foreigners
who display their wealth and against solo travelers in the countryside.
There are also numerous scams, particularly among fake travel agencies and black
market money exchangers so be careful before putting yourself in these situations.
Spitting and children urinating on the cities' sidewalks is common so watch
where you step.
This page was last updated: June, 2011