China is a large country at a size of 9,596,960 sq km. China
was only partially open to the world from 1980 onwards and has
been a communist country for many decades. Although there is
much progress in the travel industry and infrastructure of China,
there remain areas that need to be improved before it can match
the level that most tourist would require.
However, much of the fun remain that it is different from the
rest of the world. China will be the host nation for the Olympics
in Year 2008. Travel facilities and infrastructure will be improving
quickly as we approach Year 2008.
China is rich in culture and history. Visit the Great Wall
of China in Beijing, sip Chinese tea in Xiamen, dance with ethnic
tribes in Yunnan, check out 19th Century European buildings
in Qingdao - there are just so much to do and see in China!
Below are some travel tips to make your travel in China easier:
Entry Visa
China require entry visa from most countries. Apply at the
Chinese consulate or through your travel agent before travelling
to China.
Climate
Extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north.
Be prepared with the right seasonal clothing.
Foreign Exchange
The unit of currency is known as Renmembi(RMB) or Yuan. Get
some Chinese Yuan in your local country before travelling. When
in China, exchange foreign currency for local currency in the
banks or at the hotel. Banks tend to give slightly better rates
than hotels. Take note that some banks close for a noon siesta
between 12-2pm.
Payment facilities
Most better class hotels and shopping centres take Credit Card
or Travellers cheques. Smaller hotels and shops take cash only.
Once out of the bigger cities, credit card and ATM cards tend
to be almost impossible to utilize. Cash is still king in Chinese
business and trade.
Counterfeit notes are common in China. Check carefully before
accepting change, especially if it consists mostly 100RMB notes.
You can feel a texture difference where counterfeit notes is
concerned.
Understanding of English
Most civil servants, custom officials, police, hotel staff
and men in the street do not speak English or at best a smattering
of English.
Most signboards and notices will carry both English and Chinese.
However, be aware that some translations can be so notorious
that one can hardly understand what was it's original Chinese
intention.
Do not expect hotels or shops to understand English. Only the
very big hotels will have staff that will understand English.
Most young people can understand basic English if you speak
slowly.
Social Security
China is generally a safe country. However, hang on tight to
your wallet especially in crowded, popular tourist sites in
tourist cities such as Beijing and Xian.
These tourist cities also has a lot of touts in the streets
touting tourist from currency exchange to jewelleries to female
companionships. Avoid at all cost!
Domestic Travel
Bus, train, ferries and domestic flights are quite well developed.
Avoid the crowd at the stations and book your tickets through
the hotel tour desk or the nearest tour agent. Prices are likely
to be competitive and tickets will be delivered to your hotel
room. Again, avoid ticket touts who approach you in the streets.
Local buses are cheap (US$0.10 or YS$0.20) and you may want
to try out. Taxis are convenient and are available at all hours.
Starting fares differ from each city and may be as cheap as
US$0.70 in Weihai and US$1.50 in Shenzhen.
Avoid travel in China during peak holiday seasons or book tickets
well ahead.
Local Hotels
There is a good choice of hotels in China ranging from one
star to the most luxurious 6 stars. Most of the time, the rooms
are safe and clean and in my opinion, cheap does not mean bad.
There are many websites selling China hotel rooms on the internet.
You can also check out the travel counters which are available
in most train, bus stations as well as airport.
Book ahead if travelling in peak seasons.
Peak Tourist Seasons
Chinese New Year: Date varies but generally late January or
early February.
May Day: First two weeks of May
China National Day: Middle two weeks of October
Avoid travelling during these period. Book rooms and travel
modes way early if need to travel. Believe me, the crowds during
these period of time will be scary. What do you expect when
the entire Chinese nation of 8 billion people are on holiday
as well!
Chinese Food
Local food is absolutely fabulous. Try as much Chinese food
as your wallet or stomach can afford. Restaurants are available
everywhere and open to late hours. Most restaurants will have
a menu that include photographs of the various dishes. Better
yet, simply point at the food that your next door table is having,
especially if it looks delicious!
However, avoid street side stalls and drinking directly from
the taps if you have delicate stomach.
Telecommunications
Mobile phone coverage in China is good in most locations. Global
auto-roaming within China is not a problem.
Internet
There are cyber-cafes everywhere in China, especially in tourist
areas. Most are patronised by young people playing online games
but you still can check your Hotmail, Yahoo or Gmail. Access
may be a bit slow for international websites.
You will need to show your passport as China has tight regulations
at Internet Cyber Cafes.
Toilet facilities
One of the worst experience many has with China is the atrocious
toilet facilities. Things has improved very much but it may
still be a good idea to empty your stomach or bladder at every
opportunity in a hotel, restaurant or departmental store. Public
toilets and toilets in small shops can be a nose hazard!
* Useful China travel tips *
Try to get a English speaking tour guide at every opportunity
you can. China has a rich and wonderful history and culture
and without a guide, somehow, the flavour and significance of
most tour sites can be lost.
*Sneaky tip: Hang around a group that has a English speaking
guide if you cannot afford one!
Always ask for a receipt from a taxi driver so that you can
complain if you have been cheated or for tracing purposes if
you happen to leave your camera behind in the taxi.
Try to take the namecard for each hotel that you are staying
at as these cards will have a Chinese address and the map of
your hotel location. This is useful if you need to seek assistance
to find your way back as the English version or pronounciation
of a hotel or a street name may be quite different from the
Chinese version.
After a tiring day, check out Chinese foot reflexology or Chinese
TuiNa (Chinese massage). Wonderful for the body after a hard
day and very cheap to boot. Simply look out for shop signs that
shows two feet! They are everywhere.
Make friends with the Chinese whenever you can. They love to
meet foreigners and will make good tour guides. Just buy a small
present as a small token of appreciation.
About The Author
Ken Cheong lived and worked in China for 5 years. He has come
to admire the Chinese for their tenacity after suffering from
war and civil strife for so many years. He continue to work
with Chinese people and businesses and has two websites dedicated
to Chinese culture and services http://www.chinese-culture.net
and http://www.quick-pain-relief.com.
floatingzen@gmail.com
Health, Wealth, Travel and Technology Magazine