|
|
| Useful
Advice for Tourists Visiting China |
This page
offers general advice for Tourists Visiting China
(September 2008) |
|
| The
aim of this section is to give those travelling to China
for the first time the general information they require
to enjoy their stay |
|
Hotels:
China does offer some excellent hotels and apartments,
although we are not convinced the Star Rating System
is perfect. You may find some 2 Star hotels offer far
superior rooms to 4 and 5 Star establishments at a great
saving. However, they may not have business services,
restaurant, or bar.
Quality Hotels 5*
5 Star and some better 4 Star Hotels will be to International
standards, and are normally located near city centres.
Some are located near major exhibition centres, or at
airports and other central locations. There are also
special Golf Hotels and resorts for enthusiasts set
in rural locations nearby.
All quality hotels will offer a business centre, travel
services, choice of restaurants, bar, and usually an
integral shopping mall. Most have conference facilities
ranging from large auditoriums to smaller private suites.
They will include projectors and sound systems, with
computer control via any standard Windows interface.
They may not be compatible with the new 'Vista' operating
system, as China tends to only do XP and Windows 2000
Restaurants cater for breakfast, lunch and dinner having
quite a large time window for each. Snacks are usually
available at all other times via Room Service. Breakfast
will usually have versions for Full English, Continental
and Chinese. These hotels often provide evening entertainment
in the form of a live band or other act. Nearby you
will usually find Western style Bars and clubs, and
some proper Foreign restaurants such as Indian, Italian
or French.
Rooms are charged per night, not per person, and usually
feature a King Size bed or larger. If you prefer twin
beds, then you do need to specify this in advance. They
will have internet access as standard, and computer
hire will also be available. Suites will have a separate
living area with mini bar, kettle and drinks, snacks,
and TV with Cable
The Business Centre will offer full support services
for photocopying, faxing, and other office services.
They will also arrange transportation to Trade Fairs,
and free airport transfers (If you are patron for your
entire visit). Many hotels also double as inter-city
coach and ferry connection centres, with tickets bookable
from the Business Centre. You may need to book early
morning departures the day before, or just get on the
coach and pay the fare directly - but this does not
ensure seats for further connections, such as ferry
to Hong Kong
Basic Hotels 2*
These are very adequate for most foreigners, and will
have a Western style sit on toilet, usually accompanied
by a shower. It is unlikely they will have a bar or
restaurant facilities, but you can usually find these
nearby on local streets. Normal Chinese beds are very
hard and standard in basic hotels. However, the cost
of a suite can be exceedingly cheap, so you need to
balance your requirements carefully
Rooms are always clean, kettle, towels provided, and
bedding changed daily. You will also have a TV with
Cable, mini bar, and usual bathroom amenities such as
toothbrush and paste, soaps etc. Better hotels (Regardless
of Star rating) will have rooms with internet connection,
and often computer hire per day. Hotels that do not
offer restaurant or bar facilities will usually have
a supply of snacks, pot noodles and drinks available
at extra charge
It is highly unlikely you will stay in a Chinese style
cheap hotel - as you would never recognise what it actually
is from the outside. These are very cheap and basic,
and have a Chinese 'hole in the floor' toilet for squatting
over. If all you need is a bed and shower + TV and kettle,
then these are clean and great value for money
3 Star Hotels
This is where the Star rating system gets a bit out
of sinc. 3 Star and lower 4 Star hotels are deemed so
because of the general facilities they offer guests,
particularly restaurants or breakfast, bar, evening
entertainment, business centre and conference facilities.
This does not mean the actual rooms are of a higher
standard than a good 2 Star, and many are in fact worse!
Some of these offer more convenient locations, especially
for business or major sight-seeing attractions.
Apartments
Short rent Apartments are booked like hotels, and usually
located a bit out from the city centre. These are ideal
for mixed parties and staff, and come complete with
a number of bedrooms, living area, kitchenette with
fridge and some cooking facilities etc. These normally
have cleaning services and are similar to a basic hotel
in most respects. Most cities will have one or two of
these complexes. Whilst these are ideal for stays of
a few weeks, if you plan on staying for many months
you may be better advised to rent a proper apartment
from a local Estate Agent
Hostels
For those on tighter budgets, there are many hostels
all over China offering dormitory based accommodation,
some with meals or cooking facilities. We cannot be
specific, as these depend largely upon your destination,
but most National Tourist hot-spots have them. These
are mainly Chinese Youth Hostels which mimic their Western
equivalents. We know these are available in Xi'an, plus
many other cities
Schools
Most educational establishments also provide dormitory
accommodation for students. Often schools run without
full capacity and a dormitory can be rented directly
from the Head Master. These will include school meals
also. Whilst they may be exceedingly cheap, you may
be asked to guest and interact with the children occasionally
Universities
Universities are virtually always boarding type establishments,
and many offer dormitory type rooms and also special
visitors apartments for use by foreign teachers and
students. Meals will be included for a set fee, and
costs are usually very reasonable. Contact the Principle
or the International Office for availability and details
General
Some hotels may charge a premium at busy periods, such
as during the biannual Canton Fair. Otherwise haggle
for a discount, which should be immediately forthcoming
We have stayed in numerous hotels all over China, and
never once had a problem with petty pilfering or things
going missing. If you are at all concerned, then please
lock your cases and get a small padlock to secure hand
luggage. Virtually all hotels will offer safety deposit
services from the main reception desk
Most hotels offer family rooms, with extra beds. These
also often have convertible sofa's for extra sleeping
arrangements. Better quality hotels will be more reluctant
to offer rooms for groups of people or provide convertible
bed-settee's. As stays are charged per room, and not
per person; there is no problem with additional guests
staying overnight occasionally
Check-in and check-out times vary, but the general rule
is leave before midday and arrive after midday. They
will normally ask for a deposit on arrival, and a credit
card is fine for this. They will also need to see your
passport, which is returned to you immediately. The
hotel will fill in a temporary residency form for you
to comply with Chinese law, and you are unlikely to
see this = it is done automatically by staff on your
behalf.
For a Chinese visa you may need to supply a 'Hotel Booking
confirmation', confusingly also called an itinerary.
This is a mere formality, and does not even count as
a confirmed booking. Confirmed reservations always require
a deposit |
|
| This
information is as supplied by the Chinese Embassy in
UK, as dated 20th June 2008, and/or other reliable sources.
Please check this information yourself as it may alter
without notice, and whilst we try our best to ensure
it is correct, please do not hold us responsible for
any errors - this is intended as a simple guide only |
|
| Search
this Website |
|
|
| Our
Friends |
Excellent
& Free Online Chinese Language Portal
Thousands of free print-friendly Chinese reference sheets,
tests and revision aids.
Easy Learning format &
Listen to Spoken Words |
British Foreign Office
Resource and Advice for Travellers Worldwide |
Chinese Embassy in UK
Information About China
International Relations
Visa & Consular |
UK Embassy in China
Information About UK
International Relations
Visa & Consular |
|
Excel
Education |
Languages Courses
Study Abroad
Employability
Summer Camps
Information for Teachers |
|
Excellent and relaxing base to
explore this most beautiful of regions in all China! |
Down The Road.org
How We Traded Our Ordinary Lives For a Global Bicycle Touring Adventure
See
Us in China |
Empowering Disadvantaged Children
& Their Communities = Worldwide |
Based in Shangri-la,
Yunnan
Province
Dedicated to Exploring Remote Areas of China
Committed to Nature Conservation and Preserving Ethnic
Cultures & Traditions
|
Based in Xi'an,
China's Premiere Travel Agency and International Travel
Community -
Committed to providing:
Best travel deals & current information for all
International Travellers |
Pearl Dragon
Vast
Online Trading and Information Resource
Link goes to Chinese Tourism and Galleries Section |
|
