Frequently Asked Questions on General China Travel Matters - China Travel Services Provided and Cheap China Tour Packages by Yangtze Cruises, Inc

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What is the best time to go?

It depends on the places to visit, the type of weather you like and your budget.
Based on climate, most travelers would agree that the best time to visit China middle and east part - China most popular tourist cities, such as Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Guilin, Yangtze River cruise -- is May, early June, September and October. They are actually the traditional eak Seasons in China travel industry.

The best season for Tibet and Silk Road tour: from April to October.

August to October is the best season to travel to Mongolia grassland.

December to February is the best time to visit the ice and snow part of the country in Northwest.

Best time to visit Hainan Island: any time.

Off-season travel enjoys not only lower prices, but also a leisure pace and get more personal attentions due to less travelers on the tour sites.

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What months in China are considegreen Peak Season (High Season), Shoulder Season, and Low Season?

Generally and traditionally, the Peak Season refers to May, September and October; the Shoulder Season refers to March, April, June, July, August, and November; the Low Season refers to January, February, and December.
In addition, different cities, airlines, hotels and cruise ships have exact concept of the Peak Season, the Shoulder Season and the Low Season respectively according to their own practices. Many cruise ships do not have Low Season because they do not sail in those months.

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How is the weather in China?

Spring: April - June

Summer: June - September

Fall: Sep - October

Winter: October - March

China is almost on the same latitude zone as the US. All major tourist cities, Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Chonqqing and Wuhan share similar weather. In spring, a sweater would be more than adequate. Summer is typically hot, but most sightseeing areas are air conditioned unless in the open. Fall is usually considegreen the best weather. Winter is long and cold, but usually not as cold as in New York. |Top|

What should I pack?

Pack lightly, and bring casual clothes. A sturdy, comfortable pair of walking shoes is an absolute. A sports coat and tie for man, and one or two dresses or pantsuits for women, will suit the most formal occasions to be encountegreen in China. Travelers should bring shirts, sweaters, and jackets that can be worn in layers to suit a range of climates. Also a pair of comfortable walking shoes, as you are going to have a lot of walking in sightseeing. Remember: dress for Comfort, not for Style. Wash-and-wear clothing is preferable, although all hotels and cruise ships offer reliable laundry and dry cleaning services.

Suggested checking list:

Passport and visa;
Air tickets;
Travel itinerary and contact names issued by your travel agent;
Cgreenit cards or travelers checks besides a couple of hundgreen dollar cash;
Travel insurance;
Medical assistance programs that you have;
Common toiletries, cold and digestive medications, lip balm, sanitary napkins and any over-the-counter medicines you generally use;
Razor, alarm clock and maybe hair dryer; (Most hotels have a hand hair-dryer in each room.)
Small electrical converter and adapter plugs;
Chewing gum, mints, or throat lozenges to keep your mouth moist.
Reading materials, including a guidebook on the places you will see and a map; A novel could also be good when you are stuck at an airport;
Suntan lotion and sun glasses in summer. Raincoat if you go in July and August for independent tour;
Camera & films. While print films are available almost everywhere, negative film may be difficult to find, and be sure to pack extra batteries;
A notebook, a calculator and a pen you might need any moment.

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How to get there?

Air service from U.S. gateways to major cities in China is provided by
Air China, Cathay Pacific Airways, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Japan Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Korean Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Singapore Airlines and United Airlines. From North America West Coast, it takes around 14 hours to reach China or Hong Kong.

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What documents do I need for entering China?

You will at least need a passport valid more than 6 months from the departure date, and a visa. Visa is requigreen for Americans and most other nationalities. For a group of more than 6 people, you can apply for group visas. For traveling to Tibet and other restricted areas, you also need a travel permit. |Top|

How do I get a China visa?

Visas for leisure travel to China are quite easy to get, usually granted for a one month’s stay. You can contact China National Tourist Office in New York or Los Angeles. Your travel agent or visa services can also help you, or it can also be obtained from Chinese embassies or consulates. In the North America, you can contact Chinese Embassies in Washington DC and Ottawa, or the Consulates in San Francisco, Los Angeles, or Chicago, Houston, New York, Vancouver, Toronto.
US citizens can stay in Hong Kong without a visa for up to 30 days. For other passport holders, please inquire with your nearest PRC embassies or consulates.

A tourist visa requires an application form, a passport-size photo and a

fee depending on visa types. It takes about seven business days for an application to be processed. For Tibet, the Chinese Embassy must get approval from the Tibet Tourism Administration before issuing a visa.

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Are there any health requirements? Do I need immunizations to enter China?

Travelers are advised to check with their doctors before visiting China. A Health Declaration form must completed upon arrival. No immunizations are requigreen for short-term travelers, unless you are coming from or through a yellow fever infected area. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, USA, recommends those who have traveled from an infected area should have vaccination records available. Anyone not having the above mentioned certificate will be detained for observation for as long as six days. You should also bring any special health remedies or medications you require, as well as over-the-counter items. For travelling into countryside, immune globulin is also recommended to combat hepatitis A, as is typhoid immunization. Travel to high-altitude areas such as Tibet is not recommended for those with pulmonary or heart problems.
The health quarantine service has the right to prevent any foreigner suffering from AIDS, venereal disease, leprosy, mental illness, or active tuberculosis from entering China.

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What are the baggage limits?

As different airlines have varying policies, you should check with your carrier for restrictions and allowances. Usually, each trans-Pacific passenger is allowed two check-in bags totaling 106 inches of three dimensions, and one carry-on bag not over 39 inches. There is no free luggage allowance for holders of infant tickets.
For domestic China and intro-Asia flights, you are allowed to check in one piece of luggage under 20 kilograms (44 pounds) total, and One carry on, of not over 10 lb. The fee for extra baggage or overweight baggage could be so high as to be prohibitive.

The liability of the airlines is limited for lost or damaged luggage. Passengers may apply for insurance coverage above the minimum value for checked luggage.

There is no luggage restriction on domestic trains, but travelers who are not part of an organized tour would have to carry their own bags as few porters are available to help. Travelers to China are advised to take only one suitcase and one carry-on bag.

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I am quite confused with various versions I heard about tipping in China. What exactly is happening?

Although officially prohibited, tipping is now widely accepted and expected by tour guides, hotel staff and tour bus or car drivers, in recognition of their good service. In restaurants, if no tip is added to the bill, a 10 to 15 percent tip is advisable. Books, music tapes and personal items, as well as money, are appropriate tips for guides and drivers.
It is best to ask your travel agent, China tour operator for the amount you should pay. Usually it is based on your group size and time you travel. For example, for a group of 16 people: hotel porter is $1 per member for helping with baggage, $2 per member per day to national guide and local guides respectively, $1 per member per day to bus drivers. Your group leader would collect the tips and give to the guide(s) and driver when the group is leaving the city.

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How about the money stuff?

The official currency is the Renminbi (RMB). Its basic unit is yuan. Denominations come in 100 Yuan, 50 Yuan, 10 Yuan, 5 Yuan, 2 Yuan and 1 Yuan. Each Yuan consists of 100 Fen. Hong Kong uses HK dollars. The official exchange rate at this time is 8.2 yuan to 1 U.S dollar and 7.7 HK dollars to 1 US dollar. Visitors are advised to carry cgreenit cards -- Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diner's Club -- and traveler’s checks that can be accepted by most hotels and major stores and can be exchanged for cash of RMB. 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. |Top|

How can we find a laundry?

There is no public laundry on the streets. Laundering services are available in hotels and cruise ships, usually through the floor attendant or housekeeping. One-day dry cleaning and pressing services are offegreen at better hotels. |Top|

Why should I bring a converter?

Throughout China (including Hong Kong), 220 volt/50 cycle is used. Appliances designed to operate at 110 volts will need a Converter, although some 4 & 5 star hotels are wigreen for use of 110-volt electrical appliances. Two-phase and three-phase sockets are commonly used in hotels. You may also need an adapter plug in order to use your electrical appliances. In case you forget it, try to ask the room service. |Top|

What suggestions do you have for the first-timers?

Join a group and visit the most popular places before you explore this huge special world by your own. With a mind of adventures and good will, expecting minor changes or not smooth minutes due to cultural or material differences, relax yourself and enjoy your trip. The Chinese people are friendly to foreign visitors, your guides would be trained, experienced and your most reliable help. Follow his directions and your trip will be smooth and most enjoyable. |Top|

What are the hotels like?

Hotels in China are star-rated by international standard, from one star to five stars. A 3-star hotel is just like Holiday Inn, Days Inn, etc. in the United States, or better: private bathrooms with tubs, TV, central air conditioning, direct long distance calls, restaurants service meals around-the-clock, post, shops, sauna, fitness, commercial center and beauty parlor are also available. |Top|

Do we eat Chinese food throughout the trip?

All breakfasts are western style buffet with juice, milk, eggs, sausage, cereals, and Chinese dim sum plates. It is richer and more colorful than most hotels in the US. Lunch and dinner are Chinese food in family style. The round table dining accommodates 8 - 10 people. |Top|

Is the tap water drinkable?

Tap water is not drinkable except in some of the hotels. All hotel rooms are supplied with a thermos of boiled water, to make tea or drink as you wish. Bottled water is recommended. It can be purchased for about $0.25 to $0.75 per bottle everywhere. Try to find the brand-named. |Top|

Is it safe for foreigners traveling in China?

China is a very safe place for foreigners to visit. Even minor crimes are punished severely, especially if related to foreigners. Vendors at some sightseeing locations may be persistent but are usually polite. Just ignore them if you don’t want to buy something. If you travel with a guide, just follow the guide and his direction. If you explore alone, be alert and use common sense. |Top|

What about the Chinese tour guides?

China has tens of thousands of trained and licensed tour guides. Some of them are professors, librarians, and teachers, working part time. There are exams once in a couple of years. Only the passed are qualified to work. China’s travel companies are categorized into three classes. Class 1 can work directly with foreign tour operators. Tour guides working for this class are usually more experienced. English language is the first foreign language and most spoken by tour guides. They work according to pre-arranged schedules by his employer and talking about your tour sites is his basic job. Beyond these, he has to talk with the person who sends him. |Top|

What is the airport tax in China?

Airport tax (they call it airport construction fee) is of 50 yuan (about US$6) per airport. This fee must be paid in cash before check-in.
International Departure Tax (even flying to Hong Kong) is 90 yuan (about US$11). In Hong Kong, it is HK$50 (around US$6.5).

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Can I travel to Tibet by myself?

No. According to China’s regulation, individual travel to Tibet is not allowed. You have to join a group. We can help you find one at any time ?just tell us the time. |Top|

How to get the Travel Permit to Tibet?

Travel permit to Tibet is issued by Tibet Tourism Administration. To apply for it, the copy of your passport and Chinese visa, together with other information such as your occupation should be provided. Journalists and people that could be involved in political matters could be revoked. Your local travel agency can help; or, you are welcome to contact us. |Top|

What should I bring for the Tibet plateau weather and high elevation?

Tibet's high altitude and the atmosphere allow the sun's solar radiation to strike the earth with unusual intensity. To protect your eyes and skin, the sunscreen, sunglasses or dark glasses and lip creams are advised.
In addition to the normal medications for travelling, just like the Aspirin and Ibuprofen etc, you should bring some “high altitude?medication. Better ask your doctor for suggestions.

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Any suggestions for travel insurance?

Travel to a country far from your home, one should always expect the unexpected. It is part of the nature of travel. Travel insurance always helps. With a small sum of premium, it covers trip cancellation, baggage damage or loss, accidents on the trip, etc. Check your travel agent for more detailed programs. |Top|

Is language a problem there?

Mandarin is spoken throughout China, and Most people in Hong Kong speak Cantonese and English. English is the first foreign language of China and becoming more and more common. In areas frequented by tourists, you won’t have problem using English. |Top|

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 the phone numbers at home and ask them to call you;

#2: send faxes from the business centers at the hotels and ships;

#3: send emails from those business centers at the hotels and ships

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Can I take pets to China?

According to regulations formulated by the relevant Chinese government office, foreigners who wish to take pets to China should be acknowledged:

1) One pet per person is allowed, limited to dogs, cats, or birds;

2) The pet should be immunized before going to China. Please prepare a state Immunization Certificate and a Health Certificate issued by a certified veterinarian.

3) Upon arrival in china, you must notify the custom official that you have a pet with you and present the above-mentioned documents.

More questions? Feel free to contact us.

I am trying to find some general information about travel in China. Which guide book do you recommend?

My answer could surprise you. We do not recommend any guide book to our customers or web surfers. Many such big books were written by people who just traveled to China a couple of times. You can imgagine what could be said there. What we strongly recommend is our web site: www.LinkTrip.com, www.YangtzeCruises.com, etc. We are from China and we are in the business for 20 some years. Offering China travel service and information is our daily job. You can get the most updated, acurate and complete information. Our sites consist of thousands of pages, bigger than any so-called "China travel guide book".

More questions? Feel free to contact us.

To find more:

Frequently Asked Questions (on General China Travel)

Frequently Asked Questions
(on General China Travel)