China Travel Guide

Full Name

People's Republic of China

Former Name

None

Capital City

Beijing

Government Type

Communist state

Area Size

total: 9,596,960 sq km

Time Zone

UTC/GMT +8 hours

Climate

China is characterized by a continental climate. The latitudes span nearly 50 degrees, its southern part is in the tropical and subtropical zones, and its northern part near the frigid zones. The northern part of Heilongjiang province has long winters but no summers; while Hainan Island has long summers but no winters. The Huaihe River valley is marked by distinctive seasonal changes, but it is spring all year round in the south of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. China's high tundra zone is situated in Qinghai-Tibet, where the temperature is low in all four seasons.

Geography

China's land drops off in the escarpments eastward to the ocean, letting in humid air currents and leading many rivers eastward. Among the rivers totalling 220,000 kilometres in length in China; the Yangtze and the Yellow are the two major ones.

Languages

Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghaiese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages (see Ethnic groups entry)

History

For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War II, the Communists under MAO Zedong established an autocratic socialist system that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people. After 1978, his successor DENG Xiaoping and other leaders focused on market-oriented economic development and by 2000 output had quadrupled. For much of the population, living standards have improved dramatically and the room for personal choice has expanded, yet political controls remain tight.

Travel Information

The flag carrier is Air China (CA). Beijing Capital International (PEK/BJS) airport is 28km northeast of the city. Buses and taxis area available (journey time - 40 minutes). An Airport Express subway line from the airport to central Beijing will open in 2008. Guangzhou Baiyun International (CAN) airport is 12km north of Guangzhou (journey time - 25 minutes). Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) airport is 13km southwest of the city (journey time - 25 to 40 minutes). It is mainly served by domestic flights. Shanghai Pudong (PVG) airport, in the eastern financial district, is 30km from the city centre. Buses and taxis are available (journey time - 50 minutes). Pudong is a major international airport with the Maglev magnetic levitation train and an underground link . The Maglev takes passengers to Longyang Road, where it is possible to connect to the Shanghai Metro. All the above airports include duty-free shops, banks/bureaux de change, ATMs, post offices, business facilities, Internet, bars and restaurants. Departure Tax ¥90. Paid in Chinese currency only. Children under 12 and transit passengers are exempt. Main ports: Fuzhou (Foochow), Guangzhou (Canton), Hong Kong/Kowloon, Qingdao (Tsingtao) and Shanghai. Several major cruise lines offer cruises to China. There are regular ferry services linking Chinese ports with Kobe in Japan and the west coast of Korea (Dem Rep). There are regular ferries between Shanghai and Osaka in Japan. International services run from Beijing to Moscow, on both the Trans-Mongolian Railway (via Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia) and the Trans-Manchurian Railway (via Zabaikalsk in northern China). The Trans-Siberian Express operates two weekly services, a train to Russia servicing Moscow and Beijing via Harbin and a China train via Ulaanbaatar. A service operates between Nanning, in Guangxi province, and Hanoi, Vietnam. A regular train service runs from Hong Kong to Guangzhou (Canton). There are several trains daily. Further information on rail services is available from the Chinese Ministry of Railways. The principal road routes into China follow the historical trade routes through Myanmar, India, the former Soviet republics and Mongolia. It is also possible to travel from Pakistan to Xinjiang on the Karakoran highway.

Accommodation

A new generation of Chinese managed hotels is the cornerstone of a highly developed, traveler-friendly tourism infrastructure. China now has a complete range of hotel choices in all price categories, from luxurious five-star suites to deluxe mid-priced hotels and clean, comfortable rooms even in the budget category. Today, every major city in China can provide discriminating travelers with a wide selection of modern, world-class properties that meet, and often exceed, international standards.

Visa Requirements

Visa is required by nationals of the EU, Australia, Canada and USA. Exceptions: Transit passengers (except nationals of the USA, who always require a visa) continuing their journey by the same or first connecting plane to another country within 24 hours who hold valid onward documentation and do not leave the airport. Passengers (not including nationals of USA or UK) who transit through Pudong or Hongqiao airports only, with all necessary documentation, within 48 hours. Passport must be valid for at least six months for a single or double entry within three months of the date of visa issue; at least nine months for multiple entries within six months. Those wishing to visit Tibet are strongly advised to join a travel group. Individual travellers need an Alien's Travel Permit issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau. Applicants will need to show their Chinese Visa also. China does not recognise dual nationality (eg US-Chinese, Canadian-Chinese). HIV-positive travellers are not permitted to enter the country. Nationals not referred to above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements. Tourist, Business and Group visas are normally valid for three months from the date of issue (single- and double-entry). Multiple-entry visas are normally valid for six months, 12 months or two to five years. The validity of Business visas varies. Transit visas are generally valid for up to seven days. Apply to Consulate or consular section at embassy. Group visas will usually be obtained by the tour operator or travel agent.

Getting Around

Most long-distance internal travel is by air. Air China, China Southern and China Eastern Airlines. China's airlines operate about 1,000 domestic routes, serving nearly 150 cities. Tickets will normally be purchased by guides and the price will be included in any tour costs. Independent travellers can also book through the local Chinese International Travel Service (CITS). Departure Tax ¥50, usually included in the air fare. All major rivers are served by river ferries, especially the Yangtze. Coastal ferries operate between Dalian, Tianjin (Tientsin), Qingdao (Tsingtao) and Shanghai. There are regular ferry services between mainland China and Hong Kong, conditions on which vary. Railways provide the principal means of transport for goods and people throughout China. The routes are generally cheap, safe and well maintained. Routes operate between major cities; services include Beijing to Guangzhou, Shanghai, Harbin, Chengdu and Urumqi. Children under 1m (3ft) tall travel free and those under 1.3m (4ft) pay a quarter of the fare. Traffic drives on the right. It is possible to reach 80% of settlements by road. Roads are not always of the highest quality and driving standards are erratic. Distances should not be underestimated and vehicles should be in prime mechanical condition. Reasonable bus services are operated between the main cities. Buses are normally crowded, but reach parts of the country that trains do not. There are some more expensive luxury buses. The main long-distance bus station in Beijing is Liuliqiao. There are metro systems in Beijing, Shanghai and several other cities including Tianjin, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Nanjing. Hong Kong has its Mass Transit System, and tramways and trolleybuses operate in a number of other cities. Taxis are available in large cities from most hotels and shopping districts, and are permitted to stop at the passenger's signal. It is best to check if the taxi is metered. If not, then it is important to agree a fare beforehand, especially at railway stations where it is best to bargain before getting into the taxi. Visitors should have their destination written down in Chinese characters before starting any journey as most drivers do not speak English. Most people travel by bicycle or public transport. In most cities, bicycles or other types of rickshaws are available for short rides.

Health & Safety

No special vaccinations are required, but those who have travelled from an infected area before coming to China should have vaccination records available for a Health Declaration form upon arrival. Note: Don't forget to ask the hotel whether the tap water is drinkable or not. Tourists are recommended to drink bottled water when they travel in China. China is considered one of the safest countries in the world to travel. Crime is very low throughout China, and there are virtually no crimes committed against tourists visiting China. Even during the late evening hours travelers have little to be concerned about. The Chinese are friendly and hospitable, and Chinese law is quite strict.

National Holidays

1 Jan - New Year. 18-20 Feb - Spring Festival, Chinese New Year. 1-3 May - Labour Day. 1-3 Oct - National Day.

Currency

Chinese Yuan (CNY)

Electricity

220v AC

Working Hours

Business hours from 8.00am to 5.00 pm (Some cities may vary). Offices are closed for lunch break of one hour, generally between 12.00 noon to 1.00 pm.

Emergency Numbers

999/120(Beijing)(Amublance) 119(Fire) 110(Police)