CURRENCY
Chinese currency is called renminbi.
The standard unit is the yuan (dollar), which is divided into 10jiao or 100 fen.
Exchange rate are approximately
CAD$1.00 |
=CNY$5.00 |
USD$1.00 |
=CNY$8.00 |
Currency exchange is available at all
major hotels, and both U.S. and Canadian currency or travelers cheques are accepted.
Purchases or cash withdrawals can also be made using major credit cards.
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VISA
REQUIREMENTS
Visitors to China must carry a passport valid for at least
6 months after tour conclusion. tourist visas are also required for entry into
China. Entry and exit visas for individual travellers are stamped into passports.
Upon entering China, any jewellery, cameras, or electronic
gadgets in your possession must be listed. Keep your copy of the Customs Declaration
safe with your passport. It will be collected upon your departure from the country,
and a customs officer may ask to see the articles listed. Loss of this copy may
result in fines being assessed. Visitors may bring in video cameras for their own
use only. Antiques over 150 years old are not permitted out of the country.
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LANGUAGE
The official language is the Beijing dialect, or Mandarin,
but China also has many local dialects in different areas. Apart from local guides
and hotel staff, English is seldom spoken and it may often be difficult for travellers who
wish to do sightseeing independently.
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FOOD
Chinese cuisine is famous for its amazing
variety of flavors and ingredients.
There are four major styles of cuisine:
Beijing & Shangdong |
Sichuan |
Shanghainese |
Cantonese |
Western food is largely
restricted to major hotels, although some "Fast food" outlets and restaurants
can be found in larger cities.
Please be aware that local restaurants in
China may not always be up to North American health standards, and English is seldom
spoken. Travellers may wish to ask local guides to recommend a good local
restaurant, or restrict their dining to hotel establishments. Hotel restaurants
serve a wide variety of international and local cuisine, and usually have English menus.
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DRINKING
WATER
Tap water should not be consumed in China.
Hotel rooms usually provide a flask of boiled water, and bottled water is available
for purchase in mini-bars and local shops. (It's a good idea to bring bottled water along
on sightseeing tours.)
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PUBLIC
TRANSPORTATION
Taxis are available at major cities, and can be found
outside hotels, major stores, and Friendship Stores. Restaurants and tourist stores
should also be able to call for service. Some taxis are metered - however, be sure
to check and agree upon a fare before boarding. (Few taxi drivers speak English so
you should have address written in Chinese. ) Buses are very inexpensive but are
crowded and drivers will not speak English.
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SHOPPING
China is famous for its silk, artwork, carpets, handicrafts, and
antiques. A good selection of better quality merchandise can be found in state
Friendship Stores or in a growing number of hotel arcade shops.
Visitors should exercise caution and be discriminating when making major
source of income in China, and visitors may be subjected to undue sales pressure from
vendors and shop owners. Street vendors are now common at all major tourist sites.
Travellers who plan to ship larger items home should be aware that it may take 3-6
months for delivery and goods are sometimes lost or damaged en route. Therefore,
patronize only reputable companies and retain all receipts and documentation.
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TIPPING
Many hotels are now adding a 10% service
charge to restaurant bills, but tipping is usually not required for hotel staff.
Tipping to local guides and drivers is not required but is customarily expected.
Recommended guidelines are:
(PER
PERSON PER DAY) |
Local
guides |
National
guide |
Drivers |
GROUP
TOURS |
USD $2 |
USD $2 |
USD $1 |
FIT
INDIVIDUAL TOURS |
USD $4 |
USD $2 |
Above is for information only.
Tipping is NOT mandatory and is at the discretion of each tour member.
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WEATHER
China has a great diversity in climate, and visitors
will encounter different types of weather depending on the areas included on their tour.
Northern China is hot in summer and very cold in winter. Shanghai is somewhat
milder, though high humidity is expected in summer. Southern China is much milder,
but typhoons are occasionally experienced along the south China coast from April to
September.
Average Temperature in Major cities('C)
|
Beijing |
Shanghai |
Xian |
January |
-4 |
3 |
-2 |
February |
2 |
7 |
4 |
March |
8 |
9 |
8 |
April |
14 |
15 |
15 |
May |
21 |
19 |
17 |
June |
25 |
25 |
25 |
July |
26 |
27 |
26 |
August |
25 |
27 |
24 |
September |
21 |
24 |
21 |
October |
13 |
18 |
14 |
November |
4 |
13 |
6 |
December |
-1 |
6 |
1 |
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WHAT TO WEAR In general, lighter clothing and jackets are appropriate for the
milder months of spring and fall (Mar-May, Sep-Nov). For the hot summer months,
bring loose, comfortable cotton clothing as most of the sightseeing spots will not be
air-conditioned. (It would also be wise to bring protection against the sun.)
Heavy clothing is necessary for the harsh winter weather in northern areas, especially
headwear against the biting winds. A good rule of thumb is to layer your clothing to
adapt to variable weather conditions and to dress for comfort. Good walking shoes
are an absolute must.
The Chinese are relatively informal when it comes to dress
- bring casual, practical clothing. Men need nothing smarter than a sports jacket
(unless on business), and women may wear slacks on any occasion if they wish.
Attitudes toward dress are becoming more relaxed in China; however it is wise to avoid
overly flamboyant or scanty apparel. |
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