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| Tourism
in China - General Tourism - Ten Tips |
This page
offers general advice regarding Tourism in China (September
2008) |
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Planning
a Holiday or Visit to China?
Get the information you need here |
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Ten
Tips:
1. Arrival
China has implemented international security measures
at airports and other major terminals to combat terrorism
etc. Please allow for minor delays, baggage checks etc
2. Money.
You can get cash immediately upon arrival from either
ATM machines or bona fide Bureau de Change. China accepts
all major credit cards for cash withdrawals, but clear
use of your card in China before you leave your home
Country. Expect your Bank to still refuse use in China,
so have their 24-hour contact number handy for your
subsequent complaint. Bring some Chinese cash with you,
say Y2, 000 at least. Do not bring Travellers Checks
- they are a nightmare! Most hotels, supermarkets, and
high-class restaurants accept International credit cards.
Most other places deal only in cash
3. Cash
You will receive Y100 RMB banknotes. Please break these
down into smaller notes whenever the opportunity arises.
China is a cash-based society and virtually all currency
is notes, although small value coins do exist. Do not
confuse Jiao with RMB - these notes are worth fractions
of an RMB and are physically about half the size of
regular banknotes
4. Taxi's and Transfers
Normally taxi's are very cheap, and always safe and
reliable. We recommend you pay the fixed-price meter
tariff, which is standard charge. Numbers are clearly
visible in English, although a fuel surcharge of Y1
is common, and often waived for regulars. Try to have
smaller denomination notes handy, especially at shift
changeover times = 7am and 7pm. For longer trips you
can always fix the price first - if your language skills
are good enough? Often it is cheaper to stick with the
meter fare. Taxi's are available 24 hours a day in Cities,
and till until about 3am in small towns - starting again
about 6am. There are also motorbike taxi's, which should
charge about half the car rates - but sometimes try
it on a little. Motor tricycles are usually a rip-off,
and best avoided unless your language skills are pretty
good!
The exceptions are at airports where Taxi's charge horrendous
fees - often a decimal place more than normal. Better
you pre-arrange a Private Driver (We can assist locally)
or use one of the very frequent, modern transfer coaches,
which cost very little. Most hotels also offer free
airport transfers - confirm before your arrival. Ordinary
Chinese people use the frequent and excellent bus and
coach services almost exclusively.
Carry your Hotel
business card with you at all times (Getting a taxi
back yourself) + business cards of other main-street
locations you frequent
5. Shopping
It is common practice to haggle in China, especially
in local markets: exceptions being fixed price shops
such as supermarkets. Do not haggle if the price already
seems cheap
6. Chinese People
By nature, most ordinary Chinese people are very friendly,
welcoming, and curious about you. Those used to contact
with foreigners will speak good English
Most Chinese will know a little English, and like to
practice their linguistic skills at every opportunity.
It is normal to walk down the street and be greeted
- normally the conversation is brief and goes like this:
'Hello', 'Hello, how are you', 'I am fine', 'See you
next time'. This is often said by a 4-year old, and
please do reply in good nature - it is not a crime to
have a brief, public chat in English with a child in
modern China - usually you will note a parent or teacher
nearby urging them on!
7. Toilets
Virtually all hotels and places used to welcoming Foreigners
will provide Western Style toilets you sit upon. Everywhere
else will have a version of a local Chinese toilet =
a hole in the floor you squat over. Individual cubicles
are often for use by either sex, and toilet
paper in never provided - so always carry a
pack of tissues with you! Ask for "WC" or
mine by squatting, only! Virtually all Chinese understand
"WC". Rural toilets come in a variety of 'unique'
designs!
8. Photographs.
Chinese love photography, and having their pictures
taken with a Foreigner is unusually important to them.
It is very common for you to be approached and asked
if they can take your picture, and be pictured with
you. Please note: This is not a con-trick as sometimes
perpetrated in the West. This is a genuine request from
ordinary people who love pictures
9. Translators.
These are often students looking for additional income.
The going rate is around Y100 per day, but they usually
ask for Y300 initially. Pay them what you think it is
worth to you, and related to their level of English.
They may be great for general tourism and local city
knowledge - including sight-seeing and evening recreation.
However, they may not be so good at complex business
negotiations regarding export trade, where the services
of a professional translator may be required. If you
hire a local translator, you are expected to also provide
for their travel and meals, etc
10. General Advice
Come with an open mind and expect a culture very different
from your own. Do not pre-judge unfamiliar practices
Your smile is your biggest resource - use it
generously!
Downloads for information sheets and sight-seeing guides
will be available here shortly - or Contact
Us for immediate first-edit copies |
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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 |
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