Q & A Travel information and Travel Tips
2. What Are The Methods Of Obtaining A China Visa?
China Highlights recommends that you obtain your visa before leaving the country where you live.
The costs and the length of time to process a visa vary from country to country. Please check the website for the Chinese Embassy in your country to find the information applicable to you. Application forms can usually be downloaded from the web site. China Highlights Travel Service can also supply a current visa application form.
please visit the following web and click on the name of the country where you live to obtain this information,http://www.guilinchina.net/customer/get_a_visa.htm
4. How To Get An Invitation Letter From Your Company For My Visa Application?
In order to apply for a visa to our country, you may need an invitation letter from an official travel company. We will supply this letter to our clients after they confirm the tour booking by written form.
Please E-mail us the following information so that we can complete the invitation.
1. Names as the same on the passport;
2. Sex: male or female
3. Date of birth:(Example:SEP.6th, 1962)
4. Passport No:
5. Your fax number
Upon receiving your information, we will fax you your tour confirmation letter on our official stationery with our company seal.
5. What Type Of Visa Do I Need? Should I Apply For Special Visa When Leaving And Re-entering Mainland China?
Single-entry China visas are usually valid for 3 months after the issue date, and will permit you to stay in China for a maximum of 30 days. This visa will allow you to travel as a tourist or conduct general business activities. Most people need only to apply for a single-entry.
You need to apply for 'double' or 'multiple'entry Visa if you need to leave and re-entering mainland China. Please keep in mind that even when you leave for Hong Kong, Macao from mainland China, you still need to have 'double' or 'multiple' entry Visa.
6. How To Have My Visa Extended?
Foreigners who want to stay in China beyond the duration of their visa need to apply for an extension.
The visa extension application should be a form submitted to the Local Public Security Bureau 7 days before the expiration date of the visa.
Visitors traveling with a group on a group visa and who want to stay longer than the group should apply for an individual visa.
Visitors who want their visa to be extended should provide the following evidential materials:
1. Valid passport and visa
2. A completed application form for visa extension
3. Reason for the extension.
The length of the extension depends on the type of visa and Multiple entry visas can not be extended
You are advised not to overstay the duration of your visa or fail to apply for an extension before your visa expires as you risk being heavily fined and have your travel plans disrupted.
Please contact your travel advisor for assistance in visa extensions.
7. Online Visa Appplication
Are you planning a trip to China, but have no time for the visa formalities?
No problem: Chinahighlights.com is offering a Visa-Service for US-Residents Click here to go to our Online Visa Application Center
8. What Do I Need For Visa Application?
Your passport (original, not a copy), which must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel, with at least one blank visa page (amendment pages and pages with bar codes are not acceptable for visa stamping).
One completed, signed Visa Application Form for each passport, with two passport photos. China Highlights Service can supply a current visa application form.
9. What Should I Do If I Lose My Passport During My Stay In China?
If you do lose your passport, call your guide or travel advisor for help and notify the local Public Security Bureau(PSB) immediately. The PSB will then issue you a proof of lost passport, with which, you need to go to the nearest embassy or consulate of your own country to apply for a new passport. To have the replacement, you will need to know all the information previously recorded and show identification and proof of citizenship. With the new passport issued, you can get a new Visa in the PSB, so you can go on your trip or re-enter your country. Please note that in some cases, a replacement may take weeks to process, and it may be valid only for a limited time. So take especial care of your passport in your journey.
10. Should I Apply For Visa Now, Or Should We Wait Until We Are Closer To The Time Of Travel?
The Chinese visa is generally valid for 3 months from the issue date to enter China. Please apply for your visa within 3 months of entry into according to your travel itinerary, and avoid expiry of visa, or extra cost of urgent fee due to lack of application process time. Please also decide the duration of stay in China. The permitted duration of stay of Chinese visas are generally up to 30 days. If you need to stay longer, please apply to the local public security bureau in China for visa extension.
11. What Type Of Visa Should I Apply For My Group? A Group Visa Or Individual Visa?
You should apply for an individual visa. A group visa is usually applicable to an organized group which is arranged by tour companies in the originating country and in China. It requires the tourists to enter and exit the country at the same time as a group, and the Chinese Embassy in your country would ask for a special document that requires an official stamp from the tourism bureau in China. China Highlights does not issue this type of document.
12. What's The Weather Like In China?
There's a lot of it, from tropical in the far south to sub-arctic in the far north! China's a big landmass, running from the Pacific to the Himalaya, with latitudes similar to the US. A trip through Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai and Guilin would be like going from New York to Florida via Texas and Wisconsin. It's about 5,500 kilometers from the tropical south to the cooler north, and there can be as much as 40 C difference between them.
In winter the monsoon blows in from Siberia, bringing very cold, dry weather in the north, and weakening as it travels south, while in summer the monsoons bring warm wet weather in from the ocean, and summers can be very hot and humid in many areas. Spring and Autumn usually bring the best weather.
13. When Is The Best Time To Visit China?
Choosing the best time to visit China depends on which places you wish to visit, what type of weather you enjoy. May, September and October are the peak tourist months at China's most popular destinations when the weather is most comfortable, but prices are higher, and everywhere is more crowded. Prices drop a bit in the shoulder season, which runs from late March through April and from June through August. The low season arrives in late November, and continues through the winter when there are fewer crowds and the prices are lower.
14. What Is High Season? What Is The Definition For High Season, Shoulder Season And Low Season?
High season marks the most popular times of the year for travel in China, due to the weather, holiday periods or other reasons. Therefore hotels, airlines and travel agencies are heavily booked, and prices are higher than at other times.
The seasons are usually defined as follows:
High season: April 1 to May 31, Sep 1 to Nov 15.
Shoulder season: June 1 to Aug 31.
Low season: Nov 16 to Mar 31.
However, there may be some variation to these dates by different hotels, airlines or travel agencies in different regions. For example, high season in Tibet is from July 1 to Oct 15 and the rest of the year is considered to be low season.
Travelers should also be aware that the peak holiday periods: first week in May, first week in October, Chinese Spring Festival (often takes place in late January or early February) are particularly busy. Prices and bookings will be even higher than usual.
China Highlights Travel reserves the right to vary prices as a result of seasonal charges being imposed.
15. What Credit Cards Are Accepted In China?
Most of the internationally accepted credit cards are usable in China. They include: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diner's club, and the JCB card of Japan.
Credit cards are accepted only in large shopping malls and stores. Credit card symbols are displayed in the visible place in shops and hotels indicating credit cards are accepted.
17. What Effect Does The Revaluation Of The Chinese Currency (renminbi) Have On The Cost Of My Trip?
The Renminbi was revalued against the US Dollar and other currencies by about 2%. This means that these currencies are now worth approximately about 2% less when converted to the Chinese currency. The simple way to explain the effect is that the cost of your trip will be increased by about 2% and you will receive less money when you exchange foreign currencies for the Renminbi.
18. May I Take Chinese Currency To China For My Convenience? Is It Illegal To Import Or Export Chinese Currency?
General you need not take Chinese currency to China since you can easily exchange you US$ into Chinese Rmb in hotels and banks. However if you would like to have local currency upon your arrival in China, it is okay that you may take a volume of Chinese currency less than 20,000 Rmb without declaration at the customs. You are required to declare your import of Chinese currency exceeding 20,000 Rmb
19. How About The Money Stuff?
China's legal tender is Renminbi (RMB). Foreign currencies can not be used directly in China, though some shops illegally accept foreign currencies.The basic unit of RMB is yuan. 1 yuan (or kuai) =10 jiao (or mao). RMB is available in both paper notes and coins. The denominations of paper notes are 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 yuan; 5, 2 and 1 jiao. The denominations of coins are 1 yuan; 5 and 1 jiao. Hong Kong uses HK dollars. Foreign currencies may be converted into RMB at all banks, bank branches or hotels at the exchange rate quoted on the foreign exchange marker on the day.Black market in foreign currency is forbidden in China. People may approach you in front of hotels, at tourist spots or at banks for a black market exchange. You should be extremely careful. The exchange rate may be attractive--higher than the bank rate--but it is illegal and you risk being cheated. Sometimes these peopldon't give you the right amount, since you don't have time to count the money or, even worse, they may give you fake notes or a bundle of plain paper with a few notes on the top.When you exchange money at the banks, you should ask for a certificate, with which you can change RMB back to foreign currency when you leave the country.The Bank of China is the bank which specializes in handing credit cards issued in foreign countries. They include Visa, MasterCard, Diner's Card, American Express, JCB, Million Card and Federal Card.These cards can be used at major hotels and shopping centres where the Bank of China has branches. In the event that you lose your card, you should report to one of the branches of the Bank of China and apply for a replacement.The Bank of China has an agreement with foreign financial organizations on selling, cashing in and compensating for travelers' cheques.The official exchange rate at this time is 6.829 yuan to 1 U.S dollar. Keep the receipt of the transaction as you might need when you leave China to change your US dollars back in Bank of China at the airport.
20. Which Traveler's Cheques Are Handled By The Bank Of China?
Issued by Currencies
Thomas Cook USD HKD DEM FRF CAD
AUD JPY CHF GBP
International Payment Co. USD GBP CAD
American Express Co. USD DEM FRF
Citibank USD
Nanyang Commercial Bank USD HKD
Swiss Bank CHF
Bank of Tokyo JPY
Mitsui Bank JPY
Sumitomo Bank JPY
Fuji Bank JPY
If you have any problems, please contact the Bank of China, Beijing Branch (Tel: 63035128).
21. Will The Tour Guide Take Me To Any Factories Or Stores?
We allow guides to take clients to one factory each day. It is quite possible that the factory will include the restaurant where you will eat lunch. Do not feel an obligation to buy. Our guides offer shopping opportunities as a courtesy as well as a way to supplement their income. The factories they select are very usually very interesting and we get good feedback from clients about the demonstrations in these factories. Please do not feel any obligation to buy and if you do not wish to visit a factory you are able to refuse.
22. Could You Give Me Some Tips On Shopping In China?
Most travelers want to take home some bargains or mementos. With so many options available, shopping can be time-consuming, confusing and exhausting. The following tips may make it easier for you:
1. Don't buy everything in the first day or two. Each city has its own specialty. Some of the best buys are:
Beijing: Cloisonn, Fresh water pearls
Xian: Replicas of the Terracotta soldiers; Tangsancai (Tang Dynasty hand painted China); Antique Furniture
Shanghai: Silk carpets Hangzhou: Longjing Tea; Silk
Suzhou: The home of Chinese silk
Guilin : Scroll paintings; China Southern Sea Pearls
Yunnan : Mounted Butterflies; Pure tea; Dali Batik (tie-dyed fabric)
Xinjiang : Carpets; jade articles
Tibet : Thang-ka(tanka)(Sheep skin wall hangings)
2. Where to buy:
Large Department Stores and Shopping Malls
Large department stores and modern shopping malls are commonly seen in China's major cities. Most of them are located in the bustling commercial areas in city hearts. A wide variety of goods are sold including silk, jade, pearl paintings, art crafts, pottery and much more. Prices are usually fixed and a little higher than at the free local markets but the goods are often better quality than the local markets. Language may be a problem but with a little ingenuity, you can usually manage to communicate through a variety of gestures.
Local Markets
China's local markets are a quite interesting place to purchase inexpensive things. The markets usually have many small stalls selling a great variety of items. The motto should be Antiques Stores The state-run antique stores are reliable places to purchase. Bargaining is usually not acceptable when in a genuine antique shop.
23. I Bought A Jade Bracelet For My Daughter At The Jade Factory The Day We Went To The Great Wall And I Found It Elsewhere (same Quality) For Almost A Third Of The Price I Had Paid. Why Didn't Your Guide Tell Me About This?
There is a huge industry in china in the sale of fake or enhanced jade. This is illegal but it does not alter the fact that it is a common practice. The factory outlet that you have been taken to is Government controlled and therefore must sell real products. It is very difficult to tell the difference between real and the other, even experts can be fooled and this is the reason that the Government has licensed particular outlets. In China, as in most other parts of the world, 'if it seems to be too good to be true' well then, it probably is.
24. What Vaccinations Do We Need To Travel To China And Do You Have Any Other Medical Suggestions?
There are no particular immunizations required for entry into China, unless the traveler is coming from a yellow fever infected area. If traveling to countryside and remote areas, hepatitis A, typhoid and rabies could be considered. It is very important that you consult your own doctor or local clinic for more information. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website is below and provides information specifically about China.
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationChina.aspx#vaccines
25. Medical Treatment In China
Hotels usually have access to a doctor.
In the event of a serious condition which requires hospitalization, your tour guide will do everything possible to ensure that you receive that best treatment possible. Please call your China Highlights Travel Advisor so that we can help in any way possible.
The major cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou have hospitals that will reach the Standard of foreign hospital however the hospital systems differ considerably. Hospitals in other cities may not offer the same standards of hospitals in foreign countries.
On entering hospital all patients are required to pay a substantial deposit before any treatment will be administered. Nursing care in hospital is strictly limited to medical treatments so patients will require a person who can assist with all other activities. No food is supplied.
We highly recommend that all travelers but comprehensive travel insurance in their home country before departure.
26. Health Precautions While Travel In China
Drink only boiled or bottled water or carbonated drinks in cans or bottles. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks. (also see Is the tap water drinkable?)
Great food is often available from street vendors but please take the normal precautions if you wish to try food bought of the street.
Don't handle animals (especially monkeys, cats, dogs), to avoid the risk of rabies.
Don't swim in fresh water (excluding well-chlorinated pools) in some parts of China to avoid infection with schistosomiasis.
27. Do I Need To Bring My Medical Record?
We recommend that travelers carry a copy of relevant medical records. In the event of an emergency your medical records could be of great assistance. The medical record should include your blood type, immunization record, allergies, and any medications you are currently taking (both prescription and non-prescription), You should also include your doctor's name, address, phone number, emergency contact name and phone number, and your insurance company's name, address and phone number.
28. How Can I Get The Health Service In Beijing?
Hotels usually have access to a doctor if you need one. If your condition is serious, you will be taken to hospital. In emergency, you may call:
SOS First Aid Centre
Qianmen West Street
Tel: 66014433 /120
There are also two private clinics offering Western qualified doctors, medicines and treatment. Both run a 24-hour service and doctors and nurses can speak English. These clinics are not cheap, but they will accept payment by credit card.
International Medical Centre (IMC)
Lufthansa Centre (Ground Floor)
Room 5106 50 Liangmaqiao Road
Tel: 64651561
Asia Emergency Assistance (AEA)
International 14 Liangmahe
South Road 1/F Chaoyang District
Tel: 64629100
29. Is It Safe For Women To Travel Alone In China?
China is regarded as a safe place to travel for both men and women, however female travelers are sometimes more likely to encounter harassment, but uncomfortable situations can often be avoided by taking the following precautions.
Dress conservatively. Although short skirts and tank tops may be comfortable, they may also encourage unwanted attention. Avoid walking alone late at night or in questionable neighborhoods. Do not agree to meet a person whom you do not know in a secluded place.
Be aware that some men tend to mistake the friendliness of foreign women for romantic interest. Be wise and it is unlikely that you will experience any difficulty.
30. Is It Convenient To Travel By Train With Heavy Luggage?
It is not very convenient.
First, at most of China's railway stations, there are many steps between platforms and entrances. Passengers who take heavy luggage need to make great efforts to carry it during the section. This can be more difficult for the senior citizens. Porters at the station may be helpful at extra expense but they are not always available when you need a helping hand.
Second, some trains only stop for 3 or 4 minutes at a station. You have to get on or get off the train in haste. You may lose your luggage if there are lots of others who are doing the same thing with you.
China Highlights suggest you take a plane instead of train when travelling in China because it is much safer and more convenient, especially for the senior citizens and the passengers who travel with their children. Book a China Flight
31. Is The Sichuan Area Open For To Accept Tourist?
The Sichuan Tourism Bureau stopped all groups from going to Sichuan province in areas badly affected by earthquake. Groups in the region have been urged to leave. No date has been set to reopening as yet.
Tourists are permitted in Chengdu and the Panda Research Station is open and receiving guests. China Highlights will keep customers informed and publish the news after we receive it.
33. Will The Earthquake Affects My Trip To China Next Month?
Damage in the main area of the earthquake (Sichuan Province) is unbelievable and aftershocks were felt in many other parts of China. Some minor damage has been sustained in these areas but generally this is minimal. We want assure you that your safety is always our first concern and we would not suggest you continue if we had any concerns about safety. We have been in contact with our local people in all of the places that our tours go and there is no problem.
34. Has Chinahighlights Been Affected By The Earthquake?
There has been no physical damage in Guilin where our office is located however the staff are devastated by the terrible effects of the earthquake have had on the people of Sichuan Province. The company has launched an appeal for funds to be sent to the people, many of whom have lost everything.
35. I Am A Vegetarian; Can I Get My Preferred Food In China?
China is a gastronomically well-endowed country and vegetarian food has commanded great importance of Chinese food culture. Chinese vegetarian food is generally divided into three types - the Monastery Vegetarian Food, the Court Vegetarian Food and the Folk Vegetarian Food.
The variety ingredients include soyabean protein extract, taro powder, mushrooms, fresh vegetables and tofu(bean curd). Some of the famous dishes include Vegetarian
It is easy to find vegetarian restaurants in the bigger cities like Beijing, Shanghai, xi'an ,Guilin, etc.
Please be advised if you will have your tour arranged by a travel agency, please let them know that you are a vegetarian. For those carefree travelers, please click the link below for more information http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/menu/index.htm
36. I Heard That Some Restaurants In China Have Dog On The Menu. Is That True?
We have to say it is true. Dog is eaten in certain areas in China, as it is in a number of other Asian countries. Restaurants that serve dog usually specialize in this dish, so you are unlikely to encounter dog on the menu unless you go looking and then only in particular areas of China.
37. What Are The Top Tourists Destinations In China?
For your first visit, we recommend
38. Where To Find An Example Of Traditional Chinese Life?
China is a country steeped in complex and distinctive culture. Some of the visitors here, however, lament the presence of the booming skyscrapers and eight-lane high way in big cities. Yet traditional Chinese life is presented in many places. When traveling in China, Hutong in Beijing, or the small water village of Qingpu near Shanghai will show you vivid traditional Chinese lifestyle. If have time and really want to see traditional relatively untouched traditional culture, you can go to the remote western areas. Dali and lijiang in Yunnan province along with Tibet are great places where age-old traditions are well preserved.
39. How To Get To Beijing
40. How To Contact My Family When I Travel In China?
You can always use the hotel telephone. But be aware that it could be as expensive as US$3 per minute. On the Yangtze cruise ships, it could be $20 per minute as they are using satellite telephone.
Suggestions:
1. Leave phone numbers at home and ask them to call you.
2. Send faxes from the business centers at the hotels and ship.
3. Send emails from those business centers at the hotels and ships.
4. Take a mobile phone and buy a Chinese SIM card for about $10 or an IP card for about $4 per 30 minutes of call time.
5. Use Skype (or similar) if there are internet cafes and computers online at hotels with talk programs and webcams.
6. Use public phones in corner shops, the rate is about US$1 per minute for international calls.
41. What Kind Of Electrical Adaptor Should I Bring?
Electricity in China is 220V, 50 Hz, AC. The adaptors used in China are for Type A (2-pin), type B, (3-pin), type C (2-pin) and type I(3-pin) sockets. The adaptor used in Hong Kong and Macau is type G, which is three-pin socket, UK standard. Most of the hotels have a socket in the bathroom for both 110V and 220V. Most hotels have built-in converters in bathrooms for shaving, hair dryers, etc. Outside of the bathroom, only 220V sockets are provided so a converter will be required to change the voltage from 220V to 110V and well as an adaptor to allow different pins to be used. Most hotels will have adaptor, but it is always wise to be prepared if you have some piece of electrical equipment which you want to use.
43. What To Pack?
1. The passport with all necessary visas and travel documents. We recommend that a copy of all documents be kept separately to the original documents in case original document are lost. Copies are very useful for identification purposes.
2. Casual outdoor clothing depending on the time of year that you travel and your destination. A pair of good walking shoes is necessary. Most tours involve plenty of walking, sometimes on hard or uneven surfaces and stairs.Many attractions are also quite exposed to the weather – sun, wind, rain etc; for example the Forbidden City has many large open spaces, and many of the Temples have large courtyards between their halls and pagodas.
3. 'Carry On' luggage for air travel in China is limited to 2 pieces for first class travelers and one piece for business and economy class travelers. The dimensions of each shall not exceed 20X40 X55cm and the total weight of the above two pieces shall not exceed 5 kg. The carry on items in excess of the above mentioned shall be checked-in as checked baggage according to regulations.
4. Wallet
5. Credit cards
6. Traveler's checks
7. Airline, Cruise or Train tickets
8. First-aid kit
9. Medicine and vitamins
10.Hat, Sunscreen, lip creams and sunglasses, depending on the season and your destination. If you will go to places with high elevation such as Tibet, parts of Sichuan, Yunnan and Xinjiang provinces, these items are vital to protect your skin and eyes as the high altitude and the thin atmosphere allows the sun's solar radiation to strike the earth with unusual intensity.
11.Address and telephone number list. A list of e-mail addresses, mailing addresses and telephone numbers will help keep you in touch. Type them onto a sheet instead of taking a your whole address book. It will save weight.
12.Itinerary with confirmation numbers and addresses and phone numbers of the places you'll be staying.
13.Insect repellent. Especially for summer months and for travelers who are visiting rural areas.
14.Do not bring expensive jewelry and watches.
15.Medical records, daily necessities such as bathroom requirements are readily available throughout China and you may wish to save space by purchasing these items while you travel.
16.If you are taking a more adventurous trip, it's a good idea to take your own silk sleeping bag liner and lightweight travel towel along with a reasonable supply of tissues, torch, personal toiletries.
17. Chargers for your mobile phone, digital camera etc. An electrical transformer could be useful. China uses 220V electricity for 110v devices cannot be used on this system.
44. Do Lots Of People Speak English In China?
English is taught in all Chinese schools but most of the population can not speak English. It takes years of full time study for most people to be able to speak English so that they can be understood. Even in the big cities English is very limited so part of our job is to make it easier for our customers to get the most out of their tour by reducing the communication gap as much as possible. We also want to assure that Chinese people want to communicate with you. Its amazing how much can be achieved with signs and gestures when buying and bargaining for your souvenirs.
This a short guide to what level of English can be expected as you explore China.
Tour Guides: All English speaking guides have to have passed a national exanimation and should be quite fluent English speakers. The standard of English spoken by guides in more remote areas like Tibet or the Silk Road may not be as high. Drivers rarely speak English.
Hotels
Tourist Class: Limited English may be available at the reception desk but it is unlikely that any other employees will speak English.
Deluxe Class: English should be available at the reception desk and other employees may speak limited English.
Superior Class: English will may be available at the reception desk and other employees should be able to speak English.
Local Restaurants: Little or no English is spoken at most local restaurants, however some may have English menus. Our guides will be available to assist when you visit a local restaurants as part of your tour.
Taxi Drivers: As a rule taxi Drivers do not speak English. Always carry the "Take me to" card from the hotel or ask the hotel to write a note.
Tourist Attractions: As a rule staff at tourist attractions do not speak English. Our guide will always be available to take care of admission and guiding you though the attraction.
45. Is Train Travel Comfortable And Convenient In China?
Traveling by train in China is one of the cheapest ways to travel some of the long distances in China and is used widely by the local population. It is important to know what to expect if you decide to travel by train in China.China Highlights have included detailed information on China Train Travel and please click here to read it.
46. Air Condition In China
On the byproducts of economical development and urbanization is pollution and China's nation's water and air quality have suffered. In the large industrial cities of the north, pollution can be quite bad and this occurs even in some famous tourist cities including Beijing, Shanghai,Xian Hangzhou and Guilin.
47. I'd Like To Bring Something As Small Gifts To The People I Will Meet In China, What Will Be Alright?
If you will just send something to some one who has helped you, things like postcards of your country will be fine, nothing expensive and they will be really happy about that. If you meet lovely little kids, you may give them something like a balloon bought on street, and some little items. They might be quite shy to accept it. Don't worry about that, Chinese people are quite friendly to foreigners. Bringing gifts to Chinese is not really a must. And if you could take photos with them and give them a copy, they will be very happy.
48. Can I Connect To The Internet Using My Own Laptop Notebook?
Yes, most major hotels provide Internet access. Some provide free internet. Please check on arrival at the hotel. China uses 230v electricity so a transformer may be needed. You may need an adapter plug to accommodate plug types”A” “I” and “G” .Mobile Wireless Broadband also available in more than 100 cities throughout China. It is possible to purchase a separate USIM card/USB mobile card for your computer in China. Chinese operators use some different technology to other countries. So please check the specification before coming if you wish to use this technology. For your information, China Mobile use TD-SCDMA , China Unicom use WCDMA and China Telecom use CDMA2000 EV-DO. Your guide can assist you in purchasing a card on arrival.
49. Brief Traffic Status In China
Although China's is trying hard to improve its transportation infrastructure, it is still struggling to meet the demands of its huge population. It is not uncommon that travelers will see crowded, sometimes chaotic traffic jams in China's larger cities, including some important tourist cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Xian. It is also very common to see packed public transportation facilities like trains, public buses.
Unfortunately Chinahighlights can not change this problem but we do provide excellent driver who take great pride in the service they provide. We believe that you are in safe hands when you travel with us.
50. What Are The Public Holidays In China?
There are three key national holiday periods in China, when a large part of the population is on the move – all travel bookings are extremely tight at these times, hotels generally increase their rates and flights and trains can be very crowded. The main, week-long holidays are: Chinese New Year in February; International Labour Day the first week of May, and to celebrate National Day the first week in October.
51. What Lawful Rights And Interests And Obligations Are Foreigners Entitled To In China?
The General Principles of Constitution of PRC indicate definitely that
1) Within Chinese territory, the legitimate rights and interests of the foreign visitors are protected by the People's Republic of China. And the freedom of person of the foreign visitors is inviolable as that of the Chinese nationals. And likewise, all foreign visitors must abide by the law of the People's Republic of China. Any activities that disrupt public order, disserve public security and infringe upon the interests of the state, of society and of the collective would be punished according to the laws of China.
2) Within the period of validity of their visas, foreign visitors can freely travel the areas open to foreigners. But they should respect the folkways and customs of local areas. While, those who what to visit areas that are not opened to foreigners should apply for a Foreigners Travel Permit from the local public security organ. Only after the approval is granted, can they enter the area legally.
54. Will I Have All The Same Facilities That I Have At Home?
China is a developing country with traditions, culture and habits that are very different to many foreign countries. We are sure that we can give you a great Chine experience and we will assist you over most of the problems but it good to be aware that differences exist between our countries.As few important things.
1. Most people do not speck English. Our guides will be available in most case but please be patient and you will achieve your goals.
2. Chinese food is one of the most popular cuisines worldwide but we understand that you may want a change sometimes. Your evening meal is not included so that you can choose the food of your choice.
3. Toilet paper will not be available in most toilets including trains and some small hotel.
55. What Are The Traditional Festivals In China?
Traditional festivals of China are colorful and rich in content. This is an important part of Chinese culture. We have included all the major traditional Chinese festivals in our travelguide page. Please click here to read.
56. When Will I Be Transferred To The Airport On My Departure Day?
Domestic Flight - Passengers must arrive at the airport 1 hour prior to departure.
International Flights - Passengers must arrive at the airport 2 hours prior to departure.
Our tour guide and driver will take you to the airport 2 or 3 hours (domestic/international) ahead of departure. They will always consider likely traffic conditions or other problems like a flat tire. If you arrive at the airport earlier than expected it is because it is better to be a little early than miss the flight, which creates larger problems.
57. What Do I Do When I Am Harassed By Beggars And Hawkers While I Am Visiting The Attractions?
The beggars around the well known attractions are usually people getting money by misrepresentation. They often work in gangs and if you give to one, others may be attracted to you. Likewise, hawkers sell low quality products and discounted services and are not trustworthy.
