By Heldi Yudiyatna
China is a big country with an area of about 9,596,960 sq km. China is only partly open to the world from 1980 onwards and has become a communist country for decades. Although there are a lot of progress in the travel industry and infrastructure of China, there are still areas that need to be repaired before it can match the level that most tourist needs.
However, most of the fun remain that it is different from the whole world. China will have to host the Olympics in Year 2008. facilities and infrastructure has been and continues to increase rapidly.
China's rich culture and history. We can visit the Great Wall of China in Beijing, sip tea in Xiamen, dance with ethnic tribes in Yunnan, visit the 19th century European buildings in Qingdao - there's so much to do and visit in China!
You are interested in visiting China, Here are some travel tips to make your travel in China easier:
Entry Visa
China require visas from most countries. Apply at the Chinese consulate or through your travel agent before making a trip to China.
Climate
Very diverse; tropical in the south to subarctic in the north. Be prepared with the right seasonal clothing.
Foreign exchange
The unit of currency is known as Renmembi (RMB) or Yuan. China Yuan get some local country before you travel. While in China, exchange foreign currency for local currency at banks or at hotels. Banks tend to give slightly better rates than hotels. Note that some banks to close the afternoon nap of 12-2.
Payment Facilities
Most better class hotels and shopping centers to take Credit Card or Travelers checks. Small hotels and shops accept only cash. Once out of the big cities, credit cards and ATM cards tend to be almost impossible to use. Cash is king in China is still a business and trade.
Common counterfeit notes in China. Check carefully before accepting the change, especially if it consists mostly 100RMB notes. You can feel the texture difference where counterfeit notes is concerned.
Understanding English
Most civil servants, customs officials, police, hotel staff and men in the street do not speak English or at least a handful of English.
Most of the boards and notices will carry both English and Chinese. However, aware that some translations can be so notorious that one can hardly understand what the original Chinese intention.
However, most of the fun remain that it is different from the whole world. China will have to host the Olympics in Year 2008. facilities and infrastructure has been and continues to increase rapidly.
China's rich culture and history. We can visit the Great Wall of China in Beijing, sip tea in Xiamen, dance with ethnic tribes in Yunnan, visit the 19th century European buildings in Qingdao - there's so much to do and visit in China!
You are interested in visiting China, Here are some travel tips to make your travel in China easier:
Entry Visa
China require visas from most countries. Apply at the Chinese consulate or through your travel agent before making a trip to China.
Climate
Very diverse; tropical in the south to subarctic in the north. Be prepared with the right seasonal clothing.
Foreign exchange
The unit of currency is known as Renmembi (RMB) or Yuan. China Yuan get some local country before you travel. While in China, exchange foreign currency for local currency at banks or at hotels. Banks tend to give slightly better rates than hotels. Note that some banks to close the afternoon nap of 12-2.
Payment Facilities
Most better class hotels and shopping centers to take Credit Card or Travelers checks. Small hotels and shops accept only cash. Once out of the big cities, credit cards and ATM cards tend to be almost impossible to use. Cash is king in China is still a business and trade.
Common counterfeit notes in China. Check carefully before accepting the change, especially if it consists mostly 100RMB notes. You can feel the texture difference where counterfeit notes is concerned.
Understanding English
Most civil servants, customs officials, police, hotel staff and men in the street do not speak English or at least a handful of English.
Most of the boards and notices will carry both English and Chinese. However, aware that some translations can be so notorious that one can hardly understand what the original Chinese intention.
Do not expect hotels or shops to understand English. Only a very large hotels will have staff that will understand English.
Most young children can understand basic English if you speak slowly.
Social Security
China is a safe country in general. But wait tight your wallet especially in crowded, popular tourist sites in tourist cities such as Beijing and Xian.
This resort town also has a lot of brokers in the streets touting tourist from currency exchange to jewelleries to female companionships. Avoid at all costs!
Domestic Travel
Buses, trains, ferries and domestic flights well enough developed. Avoid crowds at the station and book your tickets through the hotel tour desk or the nearest travel agent. Prices tend to be competitive and tickets will be delivered to the hotel room. Again, avoid ticket touts who approach you on the street.
Local buses are cheap (U.S. $ 0.10 or YS $ 0.20), and you may want to try. Taxis are convenient and available at all hours. Different rates starting from each city and can be as cheap as U.S. $ 0.70 in Weihai and U.S. $ 1.50 in Shenzhen.
Avoid travel in China during peak holiday seasons or book tickets well in advance.
Local Hotels
There is a good choice of hotels in China ranging from one star to the most luxurious 6 stars. Most of the time, rooms are clean and safe and in my opinion, cheap does not mean bad.
There are many websites selling China hotel rooms on the internet. You also can check the trip counters are available in most train, bus stations and airports.
Book ahead if traveling in peak season. You Can book Hotel Here at Hotel Combine
Peak Tourist Seasons
Chinese New Year: Date varies but generally late January or early February.
May Day: the first two weeks of May
Chinese National Day: Middle two weeks of October
Avoid traveling during this period. Book rooms and travel modes way early if need to travel. Believe me, the crowds during this time period will be scary. What do you expect when the entire Chinese nation of 8 billion people on holidays, too!
Chinese Food
Local food is amazing. Try as much Chinese food as your wallet or stomach can afford. Restaurants are available everywhere and open to late hours. Most restaurants will have menus that include photos of various dishes. Better yet, just point at the next table to the foods you are experiencing, especially if it looks delicious!
However, avoid street side stalls and drinking directly from the tap if you have a soft belly.
Telecommunications
Phone coverage in China is good in most locations. Global auto-roaming in China is not a problem.
Internet
There are cyber-cafes everywhere in China, especially in tourist areas. Most young people patronised playing online games but you still can check your Hotmail, Yahoo or Gmail. Access may be a bit slow for an international website.
You will need to show your passport as China has strict regulations on Internet Cyber Cafes.
Toilet facilities
One of the worst experience many has with China is a horrible toilet facilities. The things that have improved very much but still be a good idea to empty the stomach or bladder at every opportunity in the hotel, restaurant or department store. Public toilets and toilets in small shops can be a danger nose!
* Useful China travel tips *
Try to get the English-speaking tour guide at every opportunity you can. China has a rich history and culture and beautiful and without a guide, somehow, the sense and meaning of most tour sites can be lost.
* Sneaky tip: Hang around a group of English-speaking guide if you can not afford one!
Always ask for a receipt from a taxi driver so that you can complain if you have been cheated or for tracking purposes if you have left the camera on the back of the cab.
Try to take namecard for every hotel you stay at as this card will have a Chinese address and map location of your hotel. This is useful if you need to seek help to find your way back as the English version or pronunciation of a hotel or a street name may be very different from the Chinese version.
After a tiring day, check the foot reflexology or TuiNa china china (Chinese massage). Good for the body after a hard day and very cheap to boot. Simply look out for shop signs that shows two feet! They're everywhere.
Friends with China whenever you can. They are happy to meet foreigners and will make a good tour guide. Just buy a small gift as a token of appreciation.
Most young children can understand basic English if you speak slowly.
Social Security
China is a safe country in general. But wait tight your wallet especially in crowded, popular tourist sites in tourist cities such as Beijing and Xian.
This resort town also has a lot of brokers in the streets touting tourist from currency exchange to jewelleries to female companionships. Avoid at all costs!
Domestic Travel
Buses, trains, ferries and domestic flights well enough developed. Avoid crowds at the station and book your tickets through the hotel tour desk or the nearest travel agent. Prices tend to be competitive and tickets will be delivered to the hotel room. Again, avoid ticket touts who approach you on the street.
Local buses are cheap (U.S. $ 0.10 or YS $ 0.20), and you may want to try. Taxis are convenient and available at all hours. Different rates starting from each city and can be as cheap as U.S. $ 0.70 in Weihai and U.S. $ 1.50 in Shenzhen.
Avoid travel in China during peak holiday seasons or book tickets well in advance.
Local Hotels
There is a good choice of hotels in China ranging from one star to the most luxurious 6 stars. Most of the time, rooms are clean and safe and in my opinion, cheap does not mean bad.
There are many websites selling China hotel rooms on the internet. You also can check the trip counters are available in most train, bus stations and airports.
Book ahead if traveling in peak season. You Can book Hotel Here at Hotel Combine
Peak Tourist Seasons
Chinese New Year: Date varies but generally late January or early February.
May Day: the first two weeks of May
Chinese National Day: Middle two weeks of October
Avoid traveling during this period. Book rooms and travel modes way early if need to travel. Believe me, the crowds during this time period will be scary. What do you expect when the entire Chinese nation of 8 billion people on holidays, too!
Chinese Food
Local food is amazing. Try as much Chinese food as your wallet or stomach can afford. Restaurants are available everywhere and open to late hours. Most restaurants will have menus that include photos of various dishes. Better yet, just point at the next table to the foods you are experiencing, especially if it looks delicious!
However, avoid street side stalls and drinking directly from the tap if you have a soft belly.
Telecommunications
Phone coverage in China is good in most locations. Global auto-roaming in China is not a problem.
Internet
There are cyber-cafes everywhere in China, especially in tourist areas. Most young people patronised playing online games but you still can check your Hotmail, Yahoo or Gmail. Access may be a bit slow for an international website.
You will need to show your passport as China has strict regulations on Internet Cyber Cafes.
Toilet facilities
One of the worst experience many has with China is a horrible toilet facilities. The things that have improved very much but still be a good idea to empty the stomach or bladder at every opportunity in the hotel, restaurant or department store. Public toilets and toilets in small shops can be a danger nose!
* Useful China travel tips *
Try to get the English-speaking tour guide at every opportunity you can. China has a rich history and culture and beautiful and without a guide, somehow, the sense and meaning of most tour sites can be lost.
* Sneaky tip: Hang around a group of English-speaking guide if you can not afford one!
Always ask for a receipt from a taxi driver so that you can complain if you have been cheated or for tracking purposes if you have left the camera on the back of the cab.
Try to take namecard for every hotel you stay at as this card will have a Chinese address and map location of your hotel. This is useful if you need to seek help to find your way back as the English version or pronunciation of a hotel or a street name may be very different from the Chinese version.
After a tiring day, check the foot reflexology or TuiNa china china (Chinese massage). Good for the body after a hard day and very cheap to boot. Simply look out for shop signs that shows two feet! They're everywhere.
Friends with China whenever you can. They are happy to meet foreigners and will make a good tour guide. Just buy a small gift as a token of appreciation.
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