 What cannot be taken into China?
Can I just bring a copy of my passport to enter China?
Where do I change money for RMB in China?
What is China's time zone?
What is the baggage allowance in China?
Shall I bring cash or Travelers' Cheques?
Can I use credit cards in china? If I can, what kinds of cards can be used?
Is safety a problem in China?
What time is better to travel in China?
Are there any forms to be filled upon arrival in China?
What are the Chinese hotels like?
Is there Internet service in the hotels?
What cautions should foreigners take when buying Chinese antiques?
Is there an airport tax in China?
Is it convenient to make phone calls in China? What kind of phone card is available to foreign travelers?
What if I lost my passport when traveling in China?
What should I do if I have problem with safty?
 What cannot be taken into China?
 Weapons, ammunition or explosives;
Forged currencies or forged valuable securities;
Printed, audio, video, computerized and other materials which are harmful to China's political, economic, cultural and ethnic life;
Various poisons;
Opium, heroin, marijuana and other addictive drugs;
Plants, animals or other products which may carry diseases, viruses, parasites, etc;
Foodstuffs, medicines or other products which may cause harm to human or animals, which come from areas with epidemics or which may spread diseases or contamination.
Can I just bring a copy of my passport to enter China?
No. You must bring your original passport, valid at least 60 days beyond your return from China. While in China, you are also required to show your passport when you check into hotels, make plane reservations, or prove your identity. But you are encourage to bring your original passport and copies of your passport, visa and airline tickets, because if you lose your passport, you can use them to prove your identity.
Where do I change money for RMB in China?
Money exchange facilities for both currency and travelers' cheques are available at major airports, hotels, and department stores. Please note that hotels may only exchange money for their guests . Exchange rates fluctuate in line with international financial market conditions and are published daily by the State Exchange Control Administration. The rate is the same everywhere. Keep your currency exchange receipts, because you will need to show them when you change RMB back to your own currency at the end of your visit to China . Currency rather than credit cards is essential in remote areas, and you should ensure that you carry sufficient RMB and travelers' cheques to cover your requirements.
What is China's time zone?
All of China observes Beijing Time, GMT+8. China doesn't observe daylight saving time in the summer as some countries do.
What is the baggage allowance in China?
For China flights, check-in luggage no more than 20 kg (44 pounds) per person is allowed. One standard carry-on is also allowed per person. . If you do travel with more than 20 kg per person, you may be charged excess baggage fees by domestic transportation officials. Internationally you are permitted two pieces of checked luggage per person weighing up to 70 pounds per piece. All luggages should be locked while traveling.
Shall I bring cash or Travelers' Cheques?
You may bring a small amount of cash less than CNY20, 000 or foreign currencies in cash with a value less than US$ 5,000. Travelers' Cheques are safer and command a slightly higher exchange rate than cash.
Can I use credit cards in china? If I can, what kinds of cards can be used?
Credit cards are accepted at most hotels, tourist souvenir stores and state-run shops in major cities. Most of the internationally accepted credit cards can be used in China , such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diner's Club, Million Card, Federal Card and the JCB card of Japan .
Is safety a problem in China?
China is a very safe place 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. We recommend the following 15 tips for ensuring safety:
Take sufficient money with you, and prepare for all kinds of emergency
Take a valid passport and secure a valid visa
Insure your life and precious items
Check your air tickets and other travel documents
Ensure treatment for chronic diseases during the trip
Tie your luggage tightly to prevent spills
Keep vigilant about your surroundings
Keep important phone numbers handy
Always lock your room and close windows
Do not wear flashy clothes or expensive jewelry
Do not lose your keys in public places
Bring a map with you when taking a taxi
Do not change money with individuals
Learn some local expressions, such as greetings
Walk in street lamp-lit areas at night
Above all, of course, it is very important to choose a travel agency and tour guides with a good reputation.
What time is better to travel in China?
In general, April, May, early June, September, October and early November. However these are the travel peak seasons when the tour price is at its highest. In most of China, Summer is hot and rainy with an average temperature of 26 degree C in June while winter is cold and dry with an average temperature of 0 degree C. in January. Spring from March to May and autumn from September to November would be the best seasons to visit China.
Are there any forms to be filled upon arrival in China?
Yes. On arrival in Beijing or Shanghai from abroad, foreigners have to go through the following procedures, just as in other countries. To save time, you will be given some forms to fill in on board before landing. They include the Entry Registration Card , Health Card and Custom Luggage Declaration Form .
Health Check Upon arrival, the first check you have to pass is the Quarantine Check. At the checkpoint, you show your passport and the form you filled in on board. Anyone with listed diseases such as yellow fever, cholera, VD, leprosy, infectious pulmonary tuberculosis or AIDS will be forbidden to enter or be sent to the airport clinic for further checking. Those arriving from areas with epidemics yellow fever must show their valid certificates of inoculation against this disease. Those with symptoms of fever, diarrhea, vomiting or rashes must declare this information accurately. For those who are going to stay longer in China , they have to show their quarantine certificate issued by an authorized health department abroad.
Border Entry After passing through the Health Check, you come to the border control area (equivalent to the immigration control in the West) where you show the officer your passport and the Entry Registration Card. Your passport should be valid with a visa to China . A tourist visa is necessary and easy to apply for. You can apply for one at the Chinese embassies or consulates in your own country. Without a valid visa, you will find it difficult to enter the country. China does not normally issue at-the-border-visas, so you risk being sent back.
Customs After collecting your luggage, you will pass through the Customs. There are two channels, red and green. If you have nothing to declare, go through the green channel, otherwise take the red channel. If you are not sure which channel you should take, then you should take the red channel. If you take things listed on the Customs Luggage Declaration Form in the red box such as computers, cameras, video cameras, gold and silver, printed or recorded materials, or anything more than you need during your travel in China, or something that you will not take out of China when you leave, you have to fill in the Customs Luggage Declaration Form which you are given on the plane or at the Customs. Then you take the red channel and the Customs officer will check it to see whether you have to pay duty or you have to deposit the things at the Customs, or whether you can take them into China but have to take them out on your departure. Please keep the stamped form with you and do not lose it, because you will be asked to give it back to the Customs officer for checking on your departure. If you do not take out all the things that you have brought in and you filled in the form, you will probably be asked to pay duty.
What are the Chinese hotels like?
Chinese hotels offer internationally standard services. Tourists who have been to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Xi'an note that hotels in these cities match any tourist hotels in New York, London, Paris or Sydney in services and facilities. In a recent poll, many foreign tourists rated very highly service at Chinese hotels.
Is there Internet service in the hotels?
Yes, most major hotels provide convenient Internet service with reasonable fees.
What cautions should foreigners take when buying Chinese antiques?
Chinese antiques consist of the following six categories: Porcelain; calligraphy and paintings; books; jewelry; curios; and furniture.
The first thing to consider is whether the antiques are allowed out of China . According to Chinese laws, only antiques dated after 1797 (during the reign of Emperor Jiaqing of the Qing dynasty) can be traded and taken out of China . Antiquities to be taken out of China must bear a wax seal certified and be stamped by the National Administration for the Preservation of Cultural Relics, or secure a license for exit. The Administration has officers stationed at various department stores and antique markets to help shoppers verify their purchases.
If your schedule permits, we advise you to buy antiques in Xi'an , Beijing , Nanjing , Hangzhou , or Luoyang.
Is there an airport tax in China?
If you are taking Chinese domestic flights, an airport construction fee of RMB 200 per person per stop is required. If you are flying out of China , including Hong Kong and Macao , a departure tax of RMB 400 per person per stop is required. These fees should be paid by cash. Children under 12 needn't pay.
Is it convenient to make phone calls in China? What kind of phone card is available to foreign travelers?
IDD service is available at all hotels and post offices. China country code is 86 and outgoing international code is 00.
It is very convenient to make phone calls in China now. Telephone booths can be seen everywhere, in hotels, restaurants, airports as well as on the streets.
What if I lost my passport when traveling in China?
We suggest you make copies of your passport, visa and airline tickets. If you do lose your passport unfortunately, you should report immediately to your embassy or consulate in China. Your tour guide is also supposed to help you solve the problem.
What should I do if I have problem with safty?
If you have any problems with safety or any legal matters you should report them to your local PSB (Public Security Bureau), because they are responsible for public safety and order.
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