| China is a large country at a size of | | | | clean and in my opinion, cheap does not mean |
| 9,596,960 sq km. China was only partially | | | | bad.There are many websites selling China |
| open to the world from 1980 onwards and has | | | | hotel rooms on the internet. You can also |
| been a communist country for many decades. | | | | check out the travel counters which are |
| Although there is much progress in the travel | | | | available in most train, bus stations as well |
| industry and infrastructure of China, there | | | | as airport.Book ahead if travelling in peak |
| remain areas that need to be improved before | | | | seasons.Peak Tourist SeasonsChinese New Year: |
| it can match the level that most tourist | | | | Date varies but generally late January or |
| would require.However, much of the fun remain | | | | early February. |
| that it is different from the rest of the | | | | |
| world. China will be the host nation for the | | | | May Day: First two weeks of May |
| Olympics in Year 2008. Travel facilities and | | | | |
| infrastructure will be improving quickly as | | | | China National Day: Middle two weeks of |
| we approach Year 2008.China is rich in | | | | OctoberAvoid travelling during these period. |
| culture and history. Visit the Great Wall of | | | | Book rooms and travel modes way early if need |
| China in Beijing, sip Chinese tea in Xiamen, | | | | to travel. Believe me, the crowds during |
| dance with ethnic tribes in Yunnan, check out | | | | these period of time will be scary. What do |
| 19th Century European buildings in Qingdao - | | | | you expect when the entire Chinese nation of |
| there are just so much to do and see in | | | | 8 billion people are on holiday as |
| China!Below are some travel tips to make your | | | | well!Chinese FoodLocal food is absolutely |
| travel in China easier:Entry VisaChina | | | | fabulous. Try as much Chinese food as your |
| require entry visa from most countries. Apply | | | | wallet or stomach can afford. Restaurants are |
| at the Chinese consulate or through your | | | | available everywhere and open to late hours. |
| travel agent before travelling to | | | | Most restaurants will have a menu that |
| China.ClimateExtremely diverse; tropical in | | | | include photographs of the various dishes. |
| south to subarctic in north. Be prepared with | | | | Better yet, simply point at the food that |
| the right seasonal clothing.Foreign | | | | your next door table is having, especially if |
| ExchangeThe unit of currency is known as | | | | it looks delicious!However, avoid street side |
| Renmembi(RMB) or Yuan. Get some Chinese Yuan | | | | stalls and drinking directly from the taps if |
| in your local country before travelling. When | | | | you have delicate |
| in China, exchange foreign currency for local | | | | stomach.TelecommunicationsMobile phone |
| currency in the banks or at the hotel. Banks | | | | coverage in China is good in most locations. |
| tend to give slightly better rates than | | | | Global auto-roaming within China is not a |
| hotels. Take note that some banks close for a | | | | problem.InternetThere are cyber-cafes |
| noon siesta between 12-2pm.Payment | | | | everywhere in China, especially in tourist |
| facilitiesMost better class hotels and | | | | areas. Most are patronised by young people |
| shopping centres take Credit Card or | | | | playing online games but you still can check |
| Travellers cheques. Smaller hotels and shops | | | | your Hotmail, Yahoo or Gmail. Access may be a |
| take cash only. Once out of the bigger | | | | bit slow for international websites.You will |
| cities, credit card and ATM cards tend to be | | | | need to show your passport as China has tight |
| almost impossible to utilize. Cash is still | | | | regulations at Internet Cyber Cafes.Toilet |
| king in Chinese business and | | | | facilitiesOne of the worst experience many |
| trade.Counterfeit notes are common in China. | | | | has with China is the atrocious toilet |
| Check carefully before accepting change, | | | | facilities. Things has improved very much but |
| especially if it consists mostly 100RMB | | | | it may still be a good idea to empty your |
| notes. You can feel a texture difference | | | | stomach or bladder at every opportunity in a |
| where counterfeit notes is | | | | hotel, restaurant or departmental store. |
| concerned.Understanding of EnglishMost civil | | | | Public toilets and toilets in small shops can |
| servants, custom officials, police, hotel | | | | be a nose hazard!* Useful China travel tips |
| staff and men in the street do not speak | | | | *Try to get a English speaking tour guide at |
| English or at best a smattering of | | | | every opportunity you can. China has a rich |
| English.Most signboards and notices will | | | | and wonderful history and culture and without |
| carry both English and Chinese. However, be | | | | a guide, somehow, the flavour and |
| aware that some translations can be so | | | | significance of most tour sites can be |
| notorious that one can hardly understand what | | | | lost.*Sneaky tip: Hang around a group that |
| was it's original Chinese intention.Do not | | | | has a English speaking guide if you cannot |
| expect hotels or shops to understand English. | | | | afford one!Always ask for a receipt from a |
| Only the very big hotels will have staff that | | | | taxi driver so that you can complain if you |
| will understand English.Most young people can | | | | have been cheated or for tracing purposes if |
| understand basic English if you speak | | | | you happen to leave your camera behind in the |
| slowly.Social SecurityChina is generally a | | | | taxi.Try to take the namecard for each hotel |
| safe country. However, hang on tight to your | | | | that you are staying at as these cards will |
| wallet especially in crowded, popular tourist | | | | have a Chinese address and the map of your |
| sites in tourist cities such as Beijing and | | | | hotel location. This is useful if you need to |
| Xian.These tourist cities also has a lot of | | | | seek assistance to find your way back as the |
| touts in the streets touting tourist from | | | | English version or pronounciation of a hotel |
| currency exchange to jewelleries to female | | | | or a street name may be quite different from |
| companionships. Avoid at all cost!Domestic | | | | the Chinese version.After a tiring day, check |
| TravelBus, train, ferries and domestic | | | | out Chinese foot reflexology or Chinese TuiNa |
| flights are quite well developed. Avoid the | | | | (Chinese massage). Wonderful for the body |
| crowd at the stations and book your tickets | | | | after a hard day and very cheap to boot. |
| through the hotel tour desk or the nearest | | | | Simply look out for shop signs that shows two |
| tour agent. Prices are likely to be | | | | feet! They are everywhere.Make friends with |
| competitive and tickets will be delivered to | | | | the Chinese whenever you can. They love to |
| your hotel room. Again, avoid ticket touts | | | | meet foreigners and will make good tour |
| who approach you in the streets.Local buses | | | | guides. Just buy a small present as a small |
| are cheap (US$0.10 or YS$0.20) and you may | | | | token of appreciation.Ken Cheong worked and |
| want to try out. Taxis are convenient and are | | | | live in Mainland China for 5 years. He has |
| available at all hours. Starting fares differ | | | | great admiration for the Chinese people who |
| from each city and may be as cheap as US$0.70 | | | | has suffered for many years from war and |
| in Weihai and US$1.50 in Shenzhen.Avoid | | | | political unrest to become a up and coming |
| travel in China during peak holiday seasons | | | | economy today. He shares his experience in |
| or book tickets well ahead.Local HotelsThere | | | | China with people interested in visiting or |
| is a good choice of hotels in China ranging | | | | working in China in his chinese culture |
| from one star to the most luxurious 6 stars. | | | | website. |
| Most of the time, the rooms are safe and | | | | |