Best Practical Tips For Your China Tour

Make sure your passport is up to current and is valid through the next 6 months. Also, ensure make sure you’ve been granted a visa to China.

Create a photocopy from your visa and passport pages. Store it somewhere secure in your bag (apart from the passport). Take a copy of your birth certificate or a valid driver’s license to assist in getting an updated passport in the event that it is stolen or lost. You can get various chinese names using the chinese name generator.

Practical Tips

• Money

Visa and MasterCard are able to cash withdrawals from ATMs in major cities. There is a maximum of RMB2000 per day, per transaction. Usually, there is a fee for cash advances. is charged.

Foreign currency is exchangeable at banks as well as in hotels. It is necessary to show your passport at the time of making an exchange.

Bigger purchases in department stores can be made with International credit cards notably Visa or MasterCard. Some stores will accept American Express as well. Conversion fees for the foreign currency may apply to your purchases with credit cards subject to your credit card bank’s conditions and terms. It is advisable to consult the terms and conditions with your card’s bank(s) before deciding which card(s) you will use during your travel. 

Then, you should inform the credit card companies prior to when you depart to let them know that you’ll be in China during your tour dates and make sure they are aware that the transactions you make correspond to your foreign travel plans. If not, credit card companies might take the incoming charge as fraudulent or stolen and block the account by the card(s) during your trip. 

Take a copy of the back and front of the credit card being utilized. Store it in a secure location, like your carry-on bag. If your card gets stolen or lost and you don’t have it, you’ll be able to find the number of your credit card and security code and the number to dial to ask for a “stop” on purchases.

• Air Travel – Flight Arrival Time and Flight Number

We need to the airline you are flying with in advance and flight arrival time and the flight number. Your guide will be at the airport to greet you with a sign that has your name which will allow you to locate them.

When you arrive at the customs office in China at the time of your arrival, you will be required to fill out an entry form. The form is then handed over to the customs official along and your travel document.

• Health

Have a basic first aid kit. Certain medications are difficult or impossible to acquire in China. You might want to include: cold and diarrhea treatments, allergy medications painkillers, insect repellents feminine hygiene products when required, anti-bacterial wipes or gels, etc. Bring at least a half dozen sachets of rehydration, as well as tissues for personal hygiene as toilet paper isn’t always readily available. They can be bought at your local convenience store. However, it is recommended to carry one for the first time.

• Travel Insurance and Medical Insurance

It is highly recommended to have travel insurance when traveling to China. Make sure that your travel insurance or medical insurance is in good standing.

• Itinerary

Keep a copy of your travel itinerary along with your contact information for your journey to China with a family member or a friend, in the event they require contact with you during your time traveling.

• Electrical Voltage

China utilizes 220V/50 Hz. In China, the following kinds of outlets are in use. You should prepare a converter in line with the above (see this on the left).

Since the electrical plugs vary between locations in China Make sure you have an adapter set for international use for those who require power sources for your video phones, cameras, etc.

• Internet

The internet is restricted in China. You require a VPN to be able to view Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube as well as verify your Gmail. Many hotels offer basic, free wired internet. Cafes and restaurants that are well-known offer free Wi-Fi access to their patrons.

• Baggage Allowance

There is a limit of 1 check-in piece of luggage, and 1 carry-on item, as well as an item for personal use like bags, purses, or computer bags. Although the allowance for international luggage could be up to 50 pounds. per piece of check-in baggage Domestic carriers in China restrict the weight limit to up to 44 pounds. Carry-on bags are limited to 11lbs. and the dimensions must not exceed 20x40x55cm. These can be quite strict, particularly for check-in pieces.

• Packing

Be aware that the demands of traveling in China could make you carry your luggage up and across train platforms, transfer the luggage onto busses, or in some instances, you may have to carry the bag on your back! Include plastic bags with your luggage (these are a multitude of possible applications).

Bring a new outfit in your luggage for carry-on in the event of delays on your flight or lost luggage.

• Clothing and Footwear

In general, in winter, you should wear thermals, wool socks, gloves, and a top hat. Jackets with waterproofing are essential and a great umbrella. In summer, temperatures can be extremely high. take a few light clothes, shorts, t-shirts or light cotton tops, pants, trousers or an evening skirt. In the spring and autumn temperatures, they can differ and we recommend the use of a sweater, long-sleeved blouses, and a light rain jacket.

Comfortable, sturdy, and waterproof shoes are essential particularly when you travel through the country. Be sure to wear the shoes prior to traveling to China.

• Air Pollution

Beijing is the place where pollution is the most severe. Bring any medication you be taking for respiratory or coughing problems, like asthma. It’s also possible to carry a mask. The amount of pollution is different each day. When people go home on weekends, it appears to reduce. If it’s a little cool, it could aid in clearing the air. Make sure you have all things you might require in the manner mentioned.

• Toilets

The hotel rooms are all western in style and come with western-style toilets. They can also be found in big tourist areas and in places in big cities. There will there be “squat” style toilets in certain public areas and local eateries, so be sure to bring tissues and hand sanitizer. Squat toilets are designed to be cleaner as they don’t touch any object. Make sure to make use of the Western ones in the areas where they are accessible prior to leaving for the day.

• Water

Make sure you drink bottled water or boil water, which could be found in thermos bottles found in hotel rooms. Make use of it to clean your teeth too in order to ensure your safety. The tour guide will put bottles of water for you on the couch throughout the day.

• Night Shows

The shows aren’t mandatory, but I recommend going to at least one of them to enjoy an enjoyable cultural experience. It’s not necessary to make a decision right now, but local guides should know about a day or two prior to the show to be able to purchase tickets. The price of tickets will depend on the area and the seating. Better located seats cost more.

• Food

Food is served family-style, with dishes shared, however it may contain items that are not familiar to you. A part of traveling is savoring the various cuisines of a particular culture. If you suffer from food allergies, please inform your travel advisor prior to departure. Drinks and beverages are typically an additional cost. Beverages aren’t always cold, but they are warm instead. Beware of drinking ice when it’s not purified or bottle-sealed water. (Chinese believe that cold drinks are harmful to the body.)

• Guides

Local bilingual tour guides for each city. They will greet us when we arrive and will ensure we leave in a safe manner to another city. A lot of the guides are English majors at college. Tipping is a discretionary practice.

• Tipping

Tipping is not commonly expected or even required In Mainland China. In the case of hotels with a high standard and restaurants that cater to western guests staff like room service, porters and waiters may have become accustomed to receiving small amounts of tips. If you want to tip cash or small gifts from your home country could be appreciated, like books, music CDs and perfumes, sweets and so on.

• Hotels

It is generally believed that US two or three dollars will suffice to pay the room attendant if you are staying at this hotel for just a few days. For porters, US$ 1 for the luggage they carry by you could be sufficient. Tipping in inns or hostels is not required.

• Restaurants

There is no need to leave a pay a tip at fast food eateries or stand-bys on the road. In fine dining establishments in larger cities, if pleased with service give small amounts of change to the waiter or offer either one or two dollars as an amount of tip. It all depends on your opinion about the service. If you’re satisfied with the service, or no if not.

• Taxi

It is not necessary to pay the taxi driver. If the driver helps with your luggage that is heavy or uses special steps to reach your destination in time and on time, then a couple of dollars is fine.

• Tour Guides and Drivers

Our guides and drivers pay plus a performance bonus However, we recognize that some clients would like to pay a guide or driver for their services. 

The guidelines are the following:

Driver:

• The smaller group of 6 pax $15 USD per group per day
• A group of 6 or more up to $2 USD for each person, per day.
• Hotel bellboys need the tip of around CNY10 for each bag. It is not mandatory to give a tip in restaurants.

• Shopping

Some tour companies have mandatory shopping stops at shops and factories, in which the guides or tour operators are compensated to do so. This tour does not have mandatory stops, but I’m sure that you’ll get the chance to buy some souvenirs during the trip. Be aware of an absolute weight limit for luggage throughout the journey until we arrive in Hong Kong. After that, you can purchase an additional luggage or “shop till you drop,” according to your return airline’s baggage policies.

• Language

The official language of China of the country is Chinese Mandarin. If you are traveling on your own be sure to carry the Chinese business card from the hotel you are staying in, and also a credit paper or Chinese characters for the destination. If you do, the bus or taxi driver is able to assist you. A couple of phrases of Mandarin acquaintance would be helpful as well.