Thanks to the spirit and convictions of the earlier Communist Society, until recently China was a virtually tip free society. Even today tip culture in China is reasonably limited and all together seems fair and not exaggerated. Tips are not obligatory.
Categories of people to give tips to are Hotel personnel, taxi drivers, bar tenders, restaurant personnel and official porters at the Hotel or Station. A special category are tourguides who traditionally work on a commission basis. Humor the guide and make sure he or she is rewarded. Especially in remote regions where economies have less to offer your contribution will be much appreciated.
Everything depends on what you would think is reasonable. But General going rates are listed below:
Taxi Drivers - less than 10% of the total sum.
Restaurant Staff - Less than 10%.
Porters at Hotels - 10 to 2 Yuan per suitcase or item carried, although this seems a pittance.
Giving tips to Porters at high end Hotels depends on practice. Accidentally giving a tip to the Night Concierge may end in your embarrassment.
General Safety and Security in the Peoples Republic of China :
Public TransportinChina :
For complete and up to date information on Public Transport in the Peoples Republic of China and how to get around efficiently, please refer to the dedicated Chapter on (Public) Transportation in the Peoples Republic of China.
JOURNALISM & JOURNALIST/ FILMERS: GUIDELINES FOR JOURNALISM IN CHINA -
TRADITIONALCHINESEMEDICINE(TCM)&ACUPUNCTURE:
MASSAGES:
Entertainment and Leisure :
Passport,Visa, Customs & Border Controls :
Money andMoneyIssues :
Naturally, the amount of Money you'll spend on your Trip to China depends entirely on your length of stay, ambitions and perhaps passion for things Chinese. For the average traveler however there are some general tips that may prove valuable during your journey or travel.
First of all, it is always useful to bring along several modes of payment in case anyone of them fails, or your expenses run unexpectedly high.
The big three are cash, creditcard and your ATM Card. In essence nothing else is needed.
Old modes of International payments such as travelers checks are completely out of style.
CHINESE MONEY:
China's currency is the Renminbi, the Peoples Money, which is also known as the Yuan as this is the basic unit of the currency.This is usually shortened to RMB, or the symbol ¥.
For financial markets and currency exchange the code used is: CNY.
Other in-official names for the currency used by the Chinese themselves are Kuai or Jiao Mao,Other names for the currency used by the Chinese themselves are Kuai or Jiao Mao.
Chinese paper currency comes in bills of 100, 50, 20, 10, 2 and 1 Yuan.
The coins are 1 Yuan, or divisions of the Yuan by 10, the Er Jiao. 1 Er Jiao is the equivalent of 10 'cents'.
Below this there are coins of 5, 2 and 1 Jiao which also come in paper form.
The paper Jiao are much smaller in size than the Yuan Bills and when compared are of inferior quality.
Strictly speaking the Jiao is further subdivided into Fen, of which there are denomination coins and notes of 5, 2 and 1 Fen. Practically however, they're worthless .
ATM:
Although the Chinese Invented paper money, they certainly did not invent the ATM machine. Not too long ago China was not yet fully integrated with world financial markets let alone electronic payments systems. But much can change virtually overnight in China. Where in 2000 AD, China knew only a few ATM's, all of whom were strategically placed to service as many foreign visitors as possible, the Peoples Republic has fully modernized and is now awash in ATM Machines.
Find ATM's or Groups of ATM's at airports, outside or inside large shopping malls, near or at main tourist facilties, inside international hotels, around the Central Business Districts and at Commercial squares.
Warning: A remaining problem is compatibility of all (international) bank cards. If you stick with the bank of China ATM's you will find most if not all international bankcards are accepted. Other banks may not operate internationally (for instance:the Ningxia construction bank) and their ATM's will only accept Chinese (local) cards.
Check the front of the ATM to be sure if your card is supported (CIRRUS, MAESTRO, etc).
In general: the more remote your location, the more likely to not find a Bank of China. Even worse, in marginal towns there may be no ATM at all.
EXCHANGE:
Currencies can be easily exchanged once you have arrived in China. Apart from the first opportunity offered at (most) international airports, money exchange is usually available from large and small International Hotels. In addition Chinese Banks, especially the Bank of China itself offers money exchange services during all opining hours.
Still not satisfied, try and find a dedicated exchange office at or near a tourist or international hang out, monument or hotspot. Mind you, in this case there is the risk of alternative rates. Avoid them if possible. Otherwise, at the least check the rates and pay attention.
China is a land of sharp businessmen many of whom have no ill feeling about taking a sucker for what he's worth.
The black market is dead, as dead as the Communist System. With the rapid advance of capitalist style economy in the Peoples Republic old ways and thinking have been abandoned. Government regulations on currency and markets are a thing of the past. There are no black market money exchangers, nor other inconveniences of the past. Instead banks are open late, and exchange is electronic and easy.
Health& Health-Care:
Photography- Making Photos and shooting fim & video inChina :
Ethnic (Minority) FestivalsinChina :
Public Holidays :
China has the following National Holidays :
Januari 1 - New Years Day
Second half of Februari / Early of March - Chinese New Year
March 8Th - International Women's Day
May 1st (International) Labor Day.
May 4Th Youth Day
June 1st - International Day of the Child
July 1st - Birthday of the Chinese Communist Party
August 1st - Birthday of the Peoples Liberation Army (P.L.A.)
October 1st - National Day
Notorious times of Travel are the period just before the Celebration of the Chinese New Year and around the May 1st Holiday, which is known as 'Golden Week'.
The Chinese New Year is an occasion for which traditionally every Chinese heads home to his Family. A unique and yearly recurring event. In this period over 300 million people take to the road, and usually all airline tickets, railroad seats, and other transports have been booked full in advance. Unless, you are looking for the crowds, travel in this period is best kept to a minimum.
Although usually slightly less crowded than the New Years Period, the May 1st Labor Day and its associated week-long Holiday have grown almost equally notorious among travelers in China. At this time, now yearly more affluent Chinese take to the roads and skies to enjoy what is still somewhat of a novelty: inter-provincial travel and (usually home) tourism. In recent years internal tourism has rapidly increased in China, which is mainly expressed in the May Holiday Period. When traveling within China in this period, prepare to be patient, joining long lines and finding popular sites awash with the visiting public. Naturally everyone brings along their camera and a few friends.
PopularTouristDestinations in China :
Time and Time difference :
This page was last updated on: 1/5/2017
Hotels & Booking throughout China :
List of all Great Wall of China Locations & GPS coordinates :
Officially the Peoples Republic of China only uses one time zone, which means that the time of the day is the same everywhere in the Nation. Lhasa and Kashgar in the far West therefor have the same Time as Beijing in the East.
Another noteworthy fact is that the Peoples Republic of China does not know or use a winter- and summer-time. This means, that depending on season your time difference with China will vary by one hour (unless your country does not know summer- and winter-time neither).
Depending of your home location or point of origin time difference will differ. For correct information please refer to the adjacent Map of world nations and cities and world time zones. -Click Map to Enlarge-
For an overview listing and further information and backgrounds on Traditional and Ethnic Minority Cultural Festivals within the Peoples Republic of China, please refer to the Section: Ethnic Minorities in China, or follow below link directly to the List.
PHOTO'SANDPHOTOGRAPHY-
Photography within China is not forbidden or bound to any other rules than in most of the world's nations. Among things, it is forbidden to photograph or otherwise observe and record military objects, bases and strategic locations or buildings. Violation of this law may result in serious consequences. Apart from this, officially there is a longstanding ban on photography inside religious buildings and shrines. In case of this Ban, much depends on location and venue. At many 'high value' cultural sites and locations, photography is forbidden and the ban actively enforced by zealously watching attendants. One officially given reason for this is that this ban is enforced in order to protect relics from damage by over-abundant use of flashlights. However, the true reason may be the economic benefit from copyrights and on-site sale of memorabilia. In other cases, motivations may be of a more political nature. Notorious in case is the Chairman Mao Mausoleum at Tian'AnMen SquareinBeijing, where a total ban of photography is enforced and a breaking of the ban might cause an International Diplomatic incident.
It is true, sometimes photography in China can be difficult. Much depends on a friendly, open but modest attitude. In other cases nothing helps. Notorious among Photographers who work in China are the ever present lone security guards, who usually are unfriendly and immediately try to prevent any taking of photographs, regardless the subject, seemingly just because they do not know any other sentence to utter.
At others times, photographing incredible scenes is outright easy and one may find oneself invited to photograph as much as one desires. The famous Palace Museum of Beijing allows photography nearly everywhere, and many other large museums are equally proud to share of their treasures as much as they can.
Although many Chinese do not like to be photographed themselves, or be treated asa tourist attraction, Chinese parents are usually right proud of their sparse offspring, so in case one shows genuine enthusiasm they are easily 'suckered' into posing with the Child.
Listed below are some common issues related to environment, personal health and healthcare which may arise for- or affect anyone traveling within the Peoples Republic of China (PRC).
Mentioned on this Page are only the most general issues which go for all travelers.
For a specific List of small Health Problems and important Infectious Diseases that may be encountered when traveling around this largest Asian Nation, please refer to the Specific Chapter on Medicine, Health and Healthcare.
The main air pollution in China, occurs as elsewhere inside the increasingly large cities. Where before 1999 hardly anyone in China possessed a private car, today car ownership is booming. Everyone wants a car, so no one is going anywhere. On top of this common phenomenon comes the problematic pollution from industrial sources.
Regions in China that suffer from air pollution are difficult to list because there simply are too many such locations. In general however, it can be said that air pollution is worst were heavy industry is supported by coal fired electrical plants, or where manufacturing industries are concentrated.
The first situation occurs mainly in the North in Hebei, Shanxi, Inner-Mongolia AR, and parts of Ningxia AR and Gansu Provinces. Especially troubling is Shanxi (and impoverished North and Central Henan Province) where coal mining, coal fired electricity plants and chemical industries combine to create what has been called the most toxic air on the planet. For years on end, the industrial City of Linfen, just south of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Pingyao, ranked number one as the world's most polluted city.
The latter situation mainly occurs in central and southern provinces, especially there where large conglomerates of industrial parks have arise. Notorious are both Guangdong and Zhejiang Province, however in practice it could be said that the entire southern half of the Peoples Republic has this problem. This problem has been dubbed Asia's Brown Cloud and is not restricted to China but includes the air over entire India as well. Air pollution from China reaches as far as Alaska and California on the American continent.
Satellite Image overview of South and Central China clearly showing the extend of the air pollution on a regular day. A 'brown cloud' covers most of the nation.
It should be noted that depending on location, air pollution and long range visibility may be affected by local geography and climatic factors. For instance, in some parts of China 'fog' or mist is very common. Especially during the 'monsoon' or rainy season, such weather with accompanying effects are quite normal and have, in essence, nothing to do with air pollution. Just think of the famous Chinese landscape paintings in which foggy clouds drift in a landscape of mountains. This type of weather effect is only found in the southern half of China.
In other parts of China, mainly the west, the north and the north-east, yellowish air is not quite unusual. That is to say yellowish dust collected by winds from the fertile but dust-ridden yellow river is taken through the air across large distances in order to finally deposit somewhere else. This phenomenon is also know as 'yellow cloud'. It is in fact a mild form of sand or dust storm. Severity varies.
Satellite Image Overview of entire Great Wall of China. All structures, all locations, all passes and side-walls.
by China Report :
AIRPOLLUTION:
Air pollution in China is notorious and was much discussed in advance of the Beijing 2008 Olympics. Although the gargantuan environmental problems in China, including the smog and air pollution, can hardly be ignored, that is however not to say that the skies are clogged with filth all the Time all over China. Certainly not. In such a large nation there are plenty of pristine spots where one can still enjoy a remarkable purity and unspoiled nature.
VIDEO -
For making video's and filming in China there are certain extra rules to keep in mind.
Although in general making a home video of your China Travel experience for your family and friends is without a doubt no problem, it must be noted that the making of (lengthy) films, scripted films or even more importantly the conducting of video interviews is (officially) subject to special rules concerning the media. This is not to say that it would be impossible to travel around conducting interviews or making films without detection.
Most important to note is that serious problems may arise or result from the making of politically oriented films or films that touch on important or taboo subjects (as decreed by the Central Government). Producing a politically critical film on China may see you threatened, mishandled, deported, expelled, declared persona non grata, arrested, imprisoned or worse.
Another circumstance that should be taken into account is the effects for the interviewees.
Apart from sensitive subjects, any filming or Videography on non-sensitive subjects in China should be possible without encountering any problems. in fact, when properly asked one might frequently count on the enthusiastic support of local Chinese.
SPECIALTIPS-HiddenDangers:
A proud father posing with his son in Xi'an in November 2004.
CLEANWATER:
Most modern tourist hotels in large cities and common tourist destinations provide limited clean bottled drinking water in room for hotel guests. Apart from this many if not all of the better hotel rooms have an in-room device for boiling water and making tea. It in ancient and in this case convenient tradition.
It is advisable to boil water before use, even in large cities. What better way to do it than prepare tea?
Bottled waters are available virtually everywhere in the Nation where inhabited and somewhat civilized.
ARRIVAL:
Upon your arrival in China you will be asked to fill out two forms. You are obliged to turn them in at customs.
The first form, the 'passenger's health declaration' is a basic health declaration which is usually handed out on board the arriving aircraft and requires passengers to declare any symptoms of infectous diseases such as fever, nausea, diarrhea, etc. Upon reaching customs you will be asked to turn in the form, which will help determine if you are a immediatly health risk the Nation. Just think of SARS or bird flu. This screening is only intended to stop epidemics.
The second form is the Arrival & Departure Card. The important think to remember is that the 1st part of this is used immediatly at customs, the second one you are required to keep safe until your departure. Don't loose this important document !
CUSTOMS:
For information on Chinese Traditional Health treatments such as Herbal Medicine, Acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion and the like, please refer to the dedicated Chapter on Medicine, Health and Healthcare in China.
The Great Wall of China is China's most famous historic Monument and Landmark, however it is an unusual landmark in the sense that it is not built on one specific location but rather to connect many points and unite them into one single line and fortified structure. The Great Wall of China runs through 6 Provinces and Three Autonomous Regions and is now held to be over 7.200 kilometers in length.
To give an easy general overview of the extend of the The Great Wall of China and make specific information on each specific visitable location easily accessible the China Report includes a number of Maps and Information Pages on the Great Wall of China.
For information on each part, section or location please navigate the links on the maps and in the text. Or refer to each Province for access to each location, foto's and backgrounds.
China Report - Map of the Great Wall during the Ming Dynasty
Satellite image of China and North-East Asia, with a super-imposed schematic Map of the location and Path of the Great Wall as constructed during the Reign of the Ming Dynasty. Included for reference are City names, geographical features of landscape, Names and locations of Passes on the Great Wall of China.
Rough Schematic Depiction of the Trans-Eurasian Trade Routes that later became known as the Silk Road. The first Routes to the West were opened during the Han Dynasty Era (206 BC -220 AD).
The ancient land-bound Silk Road is another tourist magnet and romanticized relic of the past, but it too cannot be recognized as a landmark, and as with the Great Wall the Silk Road spans thousands of kilometers. From a Chinese perspective it begins in Chang'An (Xi'An) in Shaanxi Province of Central China and spans across China and beyond all the way to Athens and Rome. The Story of the Silk Road is 2000 years old, continent wide and spans across cultures and national borders. Due to the complexity of the subject the Silk Road is described and included into this website and report in a variety of ways.
Navigate the Silk Road through Historic and other Maps, or refer to each Province, Town and location for more details and backgrounds.
Introduction toTravel in China(Index/Menu)
ChinaReport.comat
The Peoples Republic of China
In order to enhance your travel experience and help you avoid unnecessary troubles and discomforts, the China Report includes a section with general information relevant to Travel in China . Please read through the below introductory text to find out about the most common issues encountered when traveling to- or within China; From serious issues such Money, Customs & Visa, plus Health and Safety to helpful subjects such as Public Transport, Public Holidays and Special Festivals, to a complete holiday feeling with general tips for Leisure and Entertainment and a full overview of The Great Wall of China,TheSilkRoad and other non-regionalhistorical and cultural landmarks.
Anything you'll need to know plus a bit more. Find it all below and use this page as your main menu for all information and tips related to travel in China.
ApartfromtheriskofrunningafoulwithPoliceandvariouslocalGovernments,theotherenemyofthePhotographerinChinaarecriminalsandindustryownerswhodonotlikeanyone,nativeorforeignrecordingtheiroperationsanddealings.Onewouldhoweverbe unlucky to accidentally run into this problem. Far more likely is to be muggedorrobbed. The risk is increasingly high in large modern Cities. Notorious in case is the City of Shenzhen (Guangdong Province), where in 2008 motorcycles were temporarily banned because their widescale use in robberies and violent attacks. Depending on time of day and location, try to be aware of your expensive equipment and behave accordingly with caution.
In the countryside beware of Dogs. Dogs can be found at or near just about any remote farm. Often strays run wild in the country-side, which may lead to unexpected and dangerous encounters.
Rabies (Mad Dog Disease) is a continuing problem throughout Chinese Provinces, so make sure not to be bitten. Better be safe than sorry in this case !
Mind you, there are strict Government regulations for anyone planning to do serious filming, photography and particular interviewing within the Peoples Republic of China. A good general rule to start off with is to ask yourself if and whether what you will be doing can be construed or perceived as conducting either serious journalism or some kind of surveillance or spying. If this is clearly not the case stop worrying.
Apart from this there are places one is not allowed to Photograph, or where one might better not. Use your common sense, perhaps read the signs and you'll be fine.
RULES & REGULATIONS FOR JOURNALISTS AND FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS :
Foreign correspondents on temporary assignments in China should submit applications for visa in advance to Chinese embassies or consulates, relevant FAOs or the government units that are hosting them. Once approved, and after obtaining journalist visas, they may come to work in China.
Resident foreign correspondents can only engage in news reporting in accordance with the identity and scope of work they have registered with the Information Department. They may not conduct reporting under the name of a foreign news agency for which they have not registered, or conduct activities outside their registered scope of business.
Foreign correspondents accompanying delegation invited by government departments may only conduct press activities within the scope of the delegation's visit. If they wish to do reporting outside this scope, they should apply in advance through their hosts to the FAOs of the relevant provinces, centrally administered municipalities or autonomous regions.
Details on - Journalist Visa (J-1, J-2) :
The long stay visa, J1 is for resident journalists, the short say, J2, is for those who are visiting for short term assignments. These are rather specialist visas and there are several extra requirements including approvals, invitations from the Chinese media authorities, or itineraries. There are extra requirements if you want to bring filming equipment into China. You will find the full details on the visa application form.
The J-1 visa is only for 30 days from the date of arrival during which time you and your local organization must seek a Temporary Residence Permit for the duration of your contract, to a maximum of 12 months.
PLEASE NOTE: For Resident Journalist Visa (J-1 Visa) or Temporary Journalist Visa (J-2 Visa), the applicant should get the approval from relevant Chinese media authorities before submitting visa application. For further information, please contact the Press Section of the Chinese embassies or consulates.
! For latest requirements and details: contact your nearest Chinese Embassy, Press Office !
To be complete, the regulations for Journalist and Journalism within the Peoples Republic have been loosened dramatically in recent years (2008 Olympic Games), however don't count on any leeway in Tibet Autonomous Region and Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region, both the scene of bloody ethnic riots and uprisings in the last few years.
Anyone who is not strictly speaking a Journalist, meaning affiliated and supported by some larger press organization, but who would like to film or conduct interviews within China still needs to apply for permission from the Chinese Government. The best thing to do is contact your nearest Embassy and ask for information and perhaps support. Depending on your intentions, you may find the Embassies Cultural Office quite willing to help you further on your way.
At this Time the story and backgrounds on the mightyYellowRiver (Huang He) ,the ancient cradle of China's civilization and eversince its blessing as well as sorrow, is under research and editing. Important basic information is already online however. Have a Preview of the Yellow River Introduction, which
Health Inspection and Border Control checkpoint at Beijing's Capital Airport before its pre-Olympic Modernizations.
Chinese customs are generally efficient, polite, never talkative and reasonably fast.
Depending on your time and season of travel arrival lines at customs may be long. This is not due to the slow pace of Chinese border checks, but usually rather to the large number of fresh arrivals.
Expect no longer than one hour in line presuming your VISA and person are in order.
ALLOWED TO IMPORT:
400 sigarettes or Tobacco equivalent
2 Liters of Alcoholic Drinks & Beverages
1 Bottle of Perfume
Filmers/Photographers: 1000 meters of Film (reel),
72 Photo-film rolls
There are no regulations for digital camera's and camcorders.
Import any memory space you like or buy them in China.
ABSOLUTE NO'S:
Fresh Fruits !
Endangered species, hides of parts of rare indigenous animals.
As in all nations around the World it is absolutely forbidden to travel with Explosives, (Illegal) Drugs and Fire-Arms. Smuggling or possesion of any of these will generally lead to serious legal problems, jail time and not unlikely the death penalty.
Slightly less problematic but still a serious issue is the trade or smuggling of Antiques. This is traditionally an problem which comes up when travelers leave China and head for home.
Please note: anything that looks like an antique will be stopped by customs and confiscated unless it is proven that a) it is not an antique, or b) you have permission to export it.
Don't expect any sympathies from the customs officers. Policy on this point is strict and has been for decennia.
Best ways to handle this problem are relatively simple.
Basicly, first judge the souvenirs you intended to take home for yourself. If any of them look like they could be antiques, realize this may lead to last minute questions at customs.
New, meaning, recently produced replica's (which are widely available in shops) can be exported and need no extra paperwork. Just make sure you have the proof of your purchase ready for customs to check. Usually, the price and store make clear what is the case.
Real Antiques may not be exported from China, unless with special permission which can be aquiered at the Customs Desk. Basicly you will need to show proof of purchase, make known the supposed nature of the object in case, and state your reason for export. In case of minor antiques permission may be given. Major relics may not leave the Nation and will likely be confiscated.
Any relic that was not officially purchased at an antique's trader or store may land you in serious problems. Illegal trade in China's National Treasures is taken as a serious affront. There is however a lively and lucrative market for Chinese Antiques which has so far proven hard to eradicate.
Chances are however truly minimal that you will be offered an illegally excavated imperial treasure, big or small. This is a very specialized market which usually operates through back-channels. It is more likely a dark playground for the rich and super-rich.
However, even a 'smuggling' attempt of a minor relic may cause you grave problems when discovered. Don't do it. Get a different souvenir.
SPECIAL VISA OR CUSTOMS REQUIREMENTS:
Several Area's and regions of China may have their own rules for Travel. Check the news for an idea of what is possible.
In General there are a few noteworthy exceptions that should be taken into account when traveling around the Peoples Republic. These are:
First of all, Hong Kong is now a Chinese City, however technically it is not yet a full part of China. Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) organized with China in what is known as: 'One Country, Two Systems'. For this reason travel from mainland China to Hong Kong still requires an additional VISA.
Secondly, the Autonomous Region of Tibet (Xizhang or Tibet AR) and adjoining Tibetan ethnic regions have been a politically troubling region eversince their not-so peaceful Liberation by The Peoples Republic of China. For a long Time after the forceful inclusion of Tibet (1951 AD) and the 1959 AD uprising in Lhasa NO travel permissions or special Visa were given to Foreigners. Today however, travel to this region is possible. Travel to Tibet requires a special (additional) Visa and travel permit which may be revoked at any time.
In 2008 and 2009 large scale uprisings plagued Tibet Autonomous Region and the Tibetan regions in the Provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu and Qinghai. Tensions are still high. Since may 2010 foreign tourist are once more admitted to Tibet. Count on a high police presence and strict regulations for lone dwelling tourists.
Inside Tibet Autonomous Region closed-circuit camera's will monitor your every move, as required by law now also inside (all!) Hotels that lodge foreign guests. A bit 1984-ish? 100% correct. Expect hidden camera's and microphones inside your room. Filmers and photographers can expect to be followed by plain-clothes police officers.
In July of 2009 AD heavy ethnic clashes and a crushed uprising against the Han National majority occured in Kashgar City, then spread rapidly throughout Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region. Clashes between Han and Uyghur Minority members also occured in Guangdong Province. As a result, for a long time a travel ban was in force for this region. Although at this Time, NO special Visa requirements are in place, keep in mind that the situation may change at any time.
General tips and information on the rich Chinese Tradition of massage are coming soon !
Where in the recent past most of China, if not all, was entirely safe to travel for foreigners, in recent years the situation has rapidly worsened. What was once a mainly agricultural and rural based has transformed into a Nation which has for the first time seen more City dwellers than rural farmers and peasants. The Rise of the Cities, and the Rise of materialism and capitalism have gripped Chinese Society and for tourist and travelers this can lead to danger. In general it is however Chinese citizens who bare the brunt of this nuisance.
The main problem for tourists remain pick-pockets, however now muggers and robbers have joined their ranks in some parts. Sharks and profiteers are everywhere however.
Much depends on location, that is rural area's are generally safe, the inhabitants more traditional and friendly. Inside the city of Beijing, the Capital, a virtual army of Policemen & women, supported by Armed Police generally keep crime low, although in outlying corners incidents may happen. There are 40.000
An overview of common forms of entertainment and leisure encountered by travelers in China will be published soon.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
Every arriving visitor is required to have:
- a passport that is valid for 6 additional months AFTER LEAVING the Peoples Republic of China.
- enough empty pages in the passport to print the visa on (in fact, a sticker is used).
- one recent color photo (passport format).
Without these basic three, acquiring a Visa is impossible.
Travel Visa for the Peoples Republic of China are awarded by it's Embassies. Contact and visit your nearest Embassy or have your Travel Agency assist you in getting one.
Mind you: A multiple entry Visa will e required when visiting 'mainland China' (The Peoples Republic), then Hong Kong, and returning to the mainland. An additional Visa is required for Hong Kong (& Tibet).
VISA:
After gaining an entry Visa, the Visa (entry permission) MUST be used within three months of its date of issue. The Visa is activated upon your entry into The Peoples Republic. Various Visa options are available. From 30 Day tourist Visa, to multiple entry, 90 day Visa's etc.
Recently multiple entry visa's and one year Visa have been restricted. It can be difficult to get them.
describes its path in as much detail as is currently possible, includes clear geographical maps and satellite images, plus gives acces to further pages with even more information on the Yellow River. The History of the Yellow River page is still in creation due to the many written sources that must be checked and double checked to have the correct information.
YouTubeVideo:StreetRobberiesinGuangzhouChina.
police security cameras in Beijing, further reducing your chance at unwanted criminal attention.
The Cities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou on the other hand are notorious for their bag-snatchers and even motorcycle-born robbers. For a long time the police seemed powerless.
Incidents of robbery and street crime have been on the rise throughout the Nation.
Special Crimes against Foreigners :
In the past several Foreigners have seen legal cases arise against them due to various incidents in China. Notorious are purposely caused traffic accidents, caused in the hope of extorting cash payments from supposedly (more) affluent Foreigners.
In practice it is difficult to avoid, but at least be aware of the possibility.
General Rules:
When dealing with the Jing Sha - Chinese Police best be polite and serious. In case of misbehavior by Foreigners the Police is not tolerant.
Be warned never to lose your patience, become rude or yell or raise your voice. Getting angry will not resolve anything and may well turn sympathies against you.
Police as well as Judiciary are known generally to rule in favor of natives, at the disadvantage or exclusion of Foreigners.
Bottom Line: Keep dealings with the Police to a minimum and don't expect a special positive treatment.
Not that you might not get one. The Chinese Police can be quite helpful and friendly.
Overview of the World Air Pollution Density clearly showing the hazard from dry dusty regions such as deserts, and in other cases over-population and industrial pollution.
Although the 'yellow cloud' strictly speaking is not a form of air pollution, it can cause short term and even long-term health damage. In general, lengthy exposure may cause your eyes to sting and possibly your nose to clog up. Those at risk of asthma attacks may have difficulty breathing or a sore throat.
One is advised to stay indoors during the worst episodes, regardless of general health. Breating in small sandy dust particles during sand storms or volcanic eruptions may lead to silicosis, or 'miners lung'. Effects are debilitating.
Rain combined with yellow cloud may ruin your clothing for the day.
This page was last updated on: May 1, 2017
My Great Web page
China Report - Online Film & Video Library :
Before traveling to any location or destination within China (P.R.C.) you may find it useful to pick up some of the necessary backgrounds by browsing through DrBen's YouTube-Video Library. All the documentaries, video & film footage and other materials found, researched and filed by DrBen in the process of creating www.ChinaReport.com, his Full Travel Guide to China and beyond.
