Travel Tips

What to Pack

We strongly suggest you PACK LIGHT and bring casual clothes. Laundry service is available in most hotels with reasonable charges. Here is the list:
A pair of sturdy, conformable walking shoes.
A sports jacket and tie for men, and one or two dresses or pantsuits for women, will suit the most formal occasions while in China.
Sweaters, shirts and jackets that can be layered to suit a range of climates.
A lightweight raincoat.
Warm woolen clothing, down overcoat, hat and gloves are recommended if you travel in winter season. Cottons are the best in summer time.
Electrical converter and adapter plugs. China's electrical system operates at 220 volts.
Hair dryer, razor, alarm clock.
Common toiletries, pocketsize tissue, lip balm, suntan lotion and sun glasses.
Camera, films and extra batteries. Negatives with regular speed are available in most places, slides can be difficult to find.
Reading materials, including a guidebook about the places you will visit.
A notebook to log your travel journals.

Meeting Your Guide

The tour must have 10 people in order for a national guide to be assigned. A national guide stays with you throughout the trip, but as you travel to each city, your tour will be enhanced by the insights provided by a new local guide. In rare cases where a tour does not have 10 people, local guides will ensure that you arrive and depart from each city smoothly. If you need a national guide but less than 10 people in tour, please contact us.

Medications or Medical Supplies

We suggest that you bring along the following extras for your own comfort and convenience: Antibacterial ointment (e.g. Neosporin), Antihistamines, Antibacterial hand sanitizer, Anti-nausea medication, Decongestants (Pseudoephedrine), Antidiarrheal medication (Loperamide), Insect Repellent containing DEET, Hydrocortisone cream for itches, Ibuprofen or other pain-relievers, Sunscreen (30+ protection factor). Always pack enough prescription medications for the entirety of the trip. It is recommended that you bring an extra weeks supply in a different spot, to be on the safe side.

Currency

The Chinese legal tender is renminbi (RMB). The basic unit of RMB is YUAN. Jiao (10 Jiao equals one Yuan) and Fen (10 Fen equals one Jiao) are of nominal value and best treated like U.S. pennies. Currently, one U.S. Dollar equals approximately ￥6.81Yuan (based on national exchange rate posted on Oct. 9, 2008). Currency can be changed at all airports, most hotels, banks and friendship stores. However, you must show your passport during each transaction. Retain all currency conversion receipts if you wish to convert Yuan back into USD or another foreign currency when leaving China . It is also not advisable to have a large amount of cash in hand at all times. For larger purchases, use your credit cards. Please contact your banks and credit card companies for any international usage charges. Most hotels, friendship stores and other commercial stores accept major credit cards (Visa, Master Card and American Express).

Shopping

China is a bargain-shoppers paradise, offering a marvelous selection of high quality, crafted gifts such as jade, porcelain, ceramics, cloisonné, jewelry, carpets, silks, embroideries, furniture and more. In most shops, prices are clearly marked and clerks speak English. During each tour, you will have many opportunities to enjoy shopping at friendship stores, factory gift shops, hotel shopping arcades, "free markets" and China's many new joint venture shops. Insured shipping on heavy items is readily available. Take advantage of the incredible variety of unique and treasured arts and crafts found only in China. Please take a business card from the hotel you are staying if you plan to go around on your own. That way you will get back to the right place.

Startravel will be glad to assist with any shopping requirements, however, we are not responsible for any items purchased while on tour. All transactions between the customer and vendor are to be handled directly with the shop you purchased from. We strongly urge for you to save all receipts and to use a credit card whenever possible for recourse purposes.

Water

Tap water is not safe to drink in China. All hotel rooms provide a container of sterilized water for your use, and many hotels have an electric heater for you to boil water on your own. Additionally, bottled water is inexpensive and readily available throughout China. We will provide safe bottled water for all of our clients.

Tipping

Tips are not included in your tour fare. Tipping is customary and not mandatory. Our guides and drivers are extremely conscientious and work to provide our travelers with excellent service; making their experience in China one that they will always remember fondly. Please remember to show your appreciation for their dedication. Our recommendation Tipping is $7 a day per passenger, which covers the drivers, local guides, porters, maids and national guide.

Food Allergies or Specific Food Preferences

Normally our travelers try a great variety of foods along the trip - there is always something that each person loves! We can absolutely accommodate your dietary needs. Because of our close relationships with restaurants and local guides, we can change menus based upon our guests' needs. In areas off the beaten track, it may be more difficult to make substitutions, but is still usually possible. If you have concerns, you can always contact one of our knowledgeable trip advisors.

Communications

International Direct Dial (IDD) is available at most hotels in China. Check with the operator of the hotel or with your national guide on how to dial IDD calls. Rates for international phone calls are generally expensive. It's best to purchase phone cards in China because you get more minutes for the dollar.

Travelers with Disabilities

Most Startravel trips are not wheelchair-accessible, as wheelchair assistance or accessibility in international destinations cannot be guaranteed. Be sure to ask your Travel Counselor. If your trip is wheelchair-accessible and you require a wheelchair, you must provide your own small, collapsible wheelchair. On some tours, travelers requiring walkers or crutches may have difficulty moving around due to cobblestones or other uneven terrain, and should consider other Startravel destinations. Startravel cannot accommodate motorized scooters of any kind. If you are unable to travel without assistance, you must be accompanied by an able companion. If you have a condition which requires special equipment or treatment, you must bring and be responsible for all necessary items related to your condition.