Good preparation can make a China Tour more enjoyable and care free. The following information will help clarify what to expect on your China travel vacations, whether it be a 7-Day Beijing or Shanghai tours, a two-week Yangtze River Cruises tours, or a Custom, private China Tour package.
Do before you go
Before leaving on your China Tour, check with the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) this is a MUST READ for all air travelers. Follow instructions to reduce your wait time at the security checkpoint.
Make two copies of your passport identification page. This will facilitate replacement if your passport is lost or stolen. Leave one copy at home with friends or relatives. Carry the other one along with a passport size photo with you in a separate place from your passport.
Leave a copy of your China Tour itinerary and contact information with family or friends at home so that you can be contacted in case of an emergency.
Passport & Visa
All foreign nationals traveling to the People's Republic of China must travel on a valid passport with at least six (6) months remaining validity after the entry date into China. A tourist visa must be obtained prior to entering the PRC. Please read complete details about Passport & Visa. for your China Travel Vacations.
Time Difference
Although P. R. China covers five time zones, only Beijing Standard Time is adopted for the entire country. It is 8 hours ahead of GMT, 16 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time (15 hours ahead of PST in daylight saving time). People in China's far western regions like Tibet follow a later work schedule to keep pace with the official centralized Beijing Time. Please check World Clock for current regional time.
Electricity
China's electrical current is 220V, 50 cycles AC. Plugs and Outlets come in a variety of shapes. You are advised to bring along adapters and converters for any North American appliances. Clients can borrow adapters and converters from Housekeeping at most hotels. Hair dryers and irons are readily available also. Simply contact hotel housekeeping when you need them.
Internet & Fax
Fax and internet access are commonly available at your hotels. Check the Business Centers for details.
Mail
Your China Tour hotels have postal service allowing you to send postcard and letter to overseas. It usually takes more than 10 days for a postcard to reach North-America. The postage is charged in Chinese RMB equivalent to about 50 cents U.S. for a postcard, and 80 cents U.S. for a letter up to 20 grams.
Media
China publishes various newspapers and magazines in English. Among them, China Daily is a popular English newspaper, complimentary at most hotels. Imported publications like Time, Newsweek, and The Economist can be found at certain hotels. BBC, CNN or even HBO are becoming commonly available in most tourist hotels.
Laundry
All hotels on your China Tour have same day laundry service. The price is fairly reasonable.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend you buy travel insurance to protect yourself and your travel investment against the unexpected. Please read more details about Travel Insurance.
Dress
China is a country with few dress taboos. Dress for comfort. Sandals, shorts, and jeans are widely accepted. Coordinate your outfits for multi-tasking. Dress in layers to suit various weather/temperature changes. No formal dress is required. For a Yangtze cruise, "casual smart" should be enough for various occasions such as the Captain's Welcome Party.
Climate
China is a huge country with varied climates. In general, the north is cold and dry in winter. In the south, summer is hot and humid. The rainy season is in July and August. Climate in Hong Kong is sub-tropical, similar to that of Hawaii. Read more on average temperature in China's major tourist cities and their current weather conditions.
