Travel Tips
China as a travel destination
If you are reading this material then you must be seriously considering visiting China. We believe this information will help make your visit a pleasant one. Here are some interesting facts about China:
- China has one of the lowest crime rates in the world;
- It has a population of 1.3 billion people;
- There is no tipping allowed in China;
- In Shanghai one person can eat very well for $15.00 U.S. per day;
- You can purchase a 6 pack of imported beer or a bottle of wine for less than $2.00 U.S.;
- Visitors to China are not allowed to take antiques/works of art out of the country if they are over 200 years old;
- Drug importers or users are severely dealt with in China;
- Electric hairdryers and razors etc. from other countries may not work in China;
- The Chinese people are very helpful and friendly.
Travel Precautions and Suggestions
OK so you have decided to go to China or any other foreign destination what precautions should you take?
Passport/Visas
Make sure that your passport does not expire for at least 6 months while you are out of your own country. Make sure that you allow for enough time to get a passport and visa before scheduling your trip. Note that due to changes in legislation in North America there are sometimes long waits to get passports. If you travel a lot make sure that your passport has enough blank pages in it to add your current visa. When you get your passport photos always get a few extra copies for your visas and international driver’s license.
International Calls
When you arrive in China you might want to get yourself an international calling card though hotel telephone rates are fairly reasonable.
Local Information
Buy yourself a good travel book on China and study it thoroughly. Look up your destination on the internet and get maps, local sites of interest, etc. Check out Lonely Planet at http://www.lonelyplanet.com/us and Frommer’s World Travel Experience www.frommers.com
Weather Conditions
We strongly suggest you look up a weather site like www. worldweather.org and find out what the weather conditions will be like during your stay. You can then plan what to bring in your suitcase.
Medical/Medicine
See your doctor at least 10 weeks before you leave to ensure that you are in good health and since many vaccinations require several doses over a period of weeks.
-Inoculations, are available through your local travel medicine clinics. See Clinics-Medical in you local yellow pages. You will likely have to pay for your own shots and medication.
- Make sure your doctor fills in your vaccination card and bring it with you along with your other important documents.
- Make sure you carry your state, provincial and /or private health insurance card with you.
Bring your own preferred over-the counter drugs for indigestion, and colds, e.g. Imodium for diarrhea
- If you are bringing prescription drugs, make sure you have a letter from your doctor indicating your need to take this drug, or that the prescription is clearly marked with your name and its content on the container.
Ensure that you can obtain this drug(s) at your destination or bring an adequate supply with you.
Be sure to have an extra pair of prescription eyewear just incase you break or lose them
Personal Documents
It is wise to make photocopies of all your important documents including the following: passport, visas, credit cards, traveler’s cheques, vaccination card, international driver’s license, air tickets, and health cards, travel insurance, prescriptions etc. If they are lost of stolen then you can easily replace them and notify the appropriate people.
Give a copy to a friend or family member and keep one in your luggage and one on your person.
Packing
Select your suitcase or backpack carefully. It should be noted that Chinese cars are mainly compact therefore having a large suitcase can be a problem. Your suite case needs to be light but durable. It should also allow you to lock the major compartments. Leave all jewelry at home and buy yourself a cheap watch.
Pack what you think you will need and then divide it in half. Remember that most clothing can be purchased much cheaper at your destination. The local styles and colours will help you blend into the area; and not stand out as much. It should be noted in China it is very difficult to get extra large shoe or clothing sizes. Make sure you are ready for local weather conditions and the conditions you will face when you return home.
Put your name, address, phone number on anything of value such as cameras, laptops, calculators all your suitcases (inside and out). Don’t forget to remove all old tags from previous trips.
Put all items with liquid in them in plastic bags to avoid accidents.
Talking to strangers
Many very nice people will approach you just to say hi and even to practice their English. Be very leery of anyone wanting to sell you something such as: art work, take you to a special tea ceremony, attractive young girls offering men special favors. The costs will often be outrageous and the victim will often be coerced into paying.
Buying something in a Chinese Market
You can buy many lovely items in a Chinese market at very good prices. Make sure you always keep your eye on the item you are buying. If the vendor has to go too low in price to sell they will sometimes exchange the item and give you an inferior one to take its place. Make sure you examine it before he or she puts it into the bag. Also get a business card or an address and name from them just incase you want to exchange the item or it has a flaw.
Driving in China
- We do not recommend that an inexperienced driver who cannot read Chinese road signs even consider driving in China.
- If you intend to drive in China you will need an international driver’s license. This is usually available through your local branches of the AAA, CAA, etc. The fee is approximately $ 50.00 and you will need a passport photo. Contact your automobile insurer to make certain you are properly insured.
- If you decide to drive make sure you know China’s driving rules and regulations. It should be noted that transportation systems in Shanghai are very safe and inexpensive. You can take a taxi anywhere in the city for only a few dollars.
Newspapers/Television networks on-line
All the national television networks and newspapers have current news on-line.
- CNN at www.cnn.com
- NBC at www.msnbc.msn.com
- CBS at www.cbs.com
- CBC at www.cbcnews.ca
- CTV at www.ctv.ca
- BBC at www.bbc.com
- Europe at www.euronews.net
All of our hotels (except South Shanghai Hotel) have broad band access in the room. In all the hotels you can access the internet for a fee in the hotel’s business center. So contacting home or keeping up with the local news will not be difficult and bringing a laptop may not be necessary.
Language
Consider taking a short Chinese Language course (Mandarin Chinese) with a local language school. The written language of Chinese is very difficult to learn however the spoken language is relatively easy to pick up. It also pleases the locals if you know a few words.
Banking/Currency, traveler’s cheques and credit cards,
It is usually prudent to carry some traveler’s cheques, a small amount of U.S. currency ($100.00) and at least 2 credit cards so you can access cash using a pin number. Before you leave home make sure you talk to your bank to insure you have an appropriate pin number to get cash internationally. Waiting in line to cash traveler’s cheques can be very time consuming, requires that you carry larger amounts of cash and means you need to carry your passport with you to the bank.
Carrying a wallet.
Violent Crime in China is very rare and in fact you are safer in Shanghai than in most large cities in North America and Europe. Keep in mind that in any big city (especially in the Bund and Nanjing Road area at night) you need to be careful as having your wallet or purse stolen is possible. Therefore we recommend leaving your passport and travel documents in the safe in your hotel room.
Carry only the cash that you will require that day. Before you leave your own country, empty your purse or wallet and be sure to leave all unnecessary documents and credit cards at home. Most Asians and Europeans will tell you not to carry a purse or a wallet as it only serves as a target. Simply put your cash in an unused pocket. No one will know where it is except you.
Immigration and Customs
Make sure you check with your countries Customs and Immigration Department to confirm what you are allowed to bring back home.
Check with your airline company to ensure your luggage is not overweight. You are allowed two medium suitcases and one carry on. Take note of the ever changing list of restrictions for carry on luggage.
Water
Like most places in China you cannot drink the water. You should not use the water for anything except bathing and showering. Use bottled water for everything else including, preparing food, making tea and coffee and even brushing your teeth.
E-mail addresses
Make sure that your e-mail address can be accessed in China. Many of the smaller providers simply do not work. We suggest you set up with Yahoo or Hotmail.
Misc.
It is wise to bring some potential souvenirs for locals that you meet while in china. Kids love coins, country flag pins, or t-shirts.
Insurance
It is extremely important that you have proper travel insurance to cover you for sickness and accident, Lost baggage, Flight insurance, etc.
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Oct, 2010 |