All visitors entering China are required to complete a health declaration card that is distributed by the cabin crew during the flight to China. Officially, China does not issue entry visas to HIV carriers.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations/inoculations are not required for travel to China except for travelers arriving from or via an infected area. Travelers arriving from or via an infected area must hold a valid certificate of vaccination/inoculation. As health requirements change without notice, please check with your local public health department for current required or recommended vaccinations/inoculations.
If you plan to try the food sold by street vendors, we suggest that you consult your doctor about recommended inoculations.
The restaurants selected by Regent for its tour members maintain high standards of food preparation and the quality of the food served should not cause any concern.
Personal Medical History
If you have any health problems, ask your doctor for a copy of your medical history should you need to consult a Chinese doctor. This information should include your name, address, insurance data, emergency contact, blood type, medical problems and prior hospitalizations, current medications (generic names) and dosages, drug allergies, and immunizations (with dates).
Caution: Chinese people do not have Rh-negative blood, and therefore their blood banks do not store it. Also, type O blood is rare. Thus, persons with these blood types should consult their physician for advice before departing for China.
Prescription Drugs
You may bring your prescription drugs to China. Pack them in your carry-on luggage. Be sure that the medication is clearly marked with a pharmacy label and doctor's instructions. Try to anticipate what you will need and bring an adequate supply for your entire tour. Since brand names in China are different from those used in North America, ask your doctor or pharmacist for the generic name for your prescription drug in case you need a refill while in China.
Medical Care
All hotels on Chinabusinesstravel itineraries maintain a medical clinic staffed by a doctor during the day. There is a nominal charge for the doctor's services.
The most common maladies afflicting travelers in China are respiratory problems such as head colds, bronchial conditions, and sore throats. Diarrhea and constipation are also common. If you are prone to any of these problems, you should bring appropriate medications with you. However, if you forget to bring them with you, our Regent guides will be glad to provide you with Chinese herbal medicines for these common problems at no charge to tour group members.
Even though most Western medicines are available in China, we strongly suggest that you bring common nonprescription medicine with you--e.g., aspirin, cold relief products, anti-diarrheals, laxatives, etc.
If you have insurance coverage for medical expenses and require medicines or medical attention while abroad, keep all receipts since most insurance carriers honor claims for such expenses.
Emergencies
Should you become ill and require hospitalization, medical attention is available for emergencies throughout China. Major hospitals have special wards reserved exclusively for foreigners. Both Western and Chinese medicines are available. Chinese physicians are well trained--many Chinese physicians attended foreign medical schools and earned their internships at foreign medical facilities--and their diagnostic techniques are sophisticated, time-honored, and judicious.
Dental Care
Get a dental check-up prior to your trip. No one wants to endure a toothache while on vacation (especially on an airplane where cabin pressure can cause severe pain). Take precautions by bringing dental necessities.
Wheelchair Availability
Chinabusinesstravel can arrange for wheelchairs at most of the hotels on tour itineraries without charge. If you do require the use of a wheelchair, please advise your China tour specialist of this need in advance of booking your tour.
Special Diets
Airlines can accommodate you with vegetarian meals.
In Chinese restaurants, if you are with a group, meals tend to be served family style. There will be a variety of dishes, and there will always be vegetable-only dishes. If you have any questions about the meals, you can ask your local guide for help.
Meals in China
All meals in China are included on all Regent group tours unless otherwise specified. A typical breakfast is an American-style buffet of cereal (hot and cold), eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, fruit, and yogurt. Breakfast is available at the hotel and is served generally between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Chinese lunches are served at local restaurants en route during your daily activities.
Some suggestions:
a. Do not skip meals. Sightseeing takes energy.
b. Do not overindulge at meal times. You can sample new foods and the seemingly endless array of courses without eating
large portions. You will feel better if you eat small portions throughout the day.
c. If you get tired of Chinese food at a certain point, note that rice will be available at every meal.
d. Eat fruits and vegetables whenever possible. This can help you avoid constipation. Breakfast everyday will provide you
with an ample choice of fruits and juices.
e. Drink plenty of fluids. Mild dehydration, resulting from excessive perspiration, can make you more susceptible to fatigue,
even illness. Keep a bottle of drinking water with you and try to drink even when you are not thirsty. On sightseeing trips, bottled water can be purchased everywhere for about 25 cents per bottle. Alternatives to water include fruit juices and soft drinks. Remember that alcoholic beverages will cause further dehydration.
Drinking water
Do not drink tap water in China. If your hotel room is not furnished with suitable drinking water, simply dial the housekeeping department and the chambermaid will be glad to bring you a thermos of hot water or a carafe of cold drinking water free of charge. Chinese and Western mineral/spring water can be purchased in most hotels. Chinese beer is excellent and is available throughout China. Imported beer, wine, spirits, and Coca-Cola are available everywhere.
Smoking
For nonsmokers and even moderate smokers, an otherwise perfect tour can be spoiled if they are forced to inhale the smoke of other people's cigarettes on a motorcoach. Therefore, smoking is not allowed on Regent motorcoaches. There are opportunities to smoke during the frequent sightseeing and rest stops. Note also that Chinese regulations strictly prohibit smoking on all domestic air flights.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Accommodation
It would be a best choice to make reservation of rooms early enough. Foreign travelers are advised to contact hotels through their receivers, travel agencies or friends or by faxes to make reservation of rooms and to confirm their special requirements on accommodation before they come to China.
So far, major hotels in China have been brought in line with international standards in terms of facilities and services. In particular, most of the superior hotels are Sino-foreign joint ventures. Foreigners are engaged in directly managing some hotels. Meanwhile, the hotels have been graded comprehensively in accordance with the degree of luxuriousness of their auxiliary facilities and standards of services, with the five-star being the highest grade.
Hotels in China are classified into the first class (higher class), the second class (medium class) and the third class (lower class) in line with the number of stars for their grades. The five-star hotels and most of the four-star ones are in the first class. The guestrooms in the first class hotels are all equipped with bathrooms, refrigerators, gradevins, IDD telephone and TV, which is accessible to programs sent out by all TV stations in China and by CNN and BBC received through satellite antenna discs as well as offer closed-circuit TV programs. The temperature in the guestrooms is automatically adjustable by central air-conditioning facilities. Other auxiliary facilities include business centers, conference centers, beauty parlors, sauna bathrooms, foreign exchange counters, bowling centers, disco ballrooms, swimming pools, gymnasiums, restaurants, cafes, shopping centers and bars which open 24 hours a day.
The second class hotels are generally three-star hotels and part of the two-star ones, whose guestroom service facilities are slightly inferior to those of the first class hotels. Tourist groups normally wish to stay in second class hotels.
The third class hotels look much like Motels in Western countries in terms of guestroom service facilities. The hardware facilities in such hotels are of course inferior to those of the second class ones. But they offer prices lower than those of the second class hotels by half or even more. So, many tourists wish to stay in such hotels.
Customers do not have to pay tips for staying in hotels in China.
In China, taxi drivers, hotel attendants, guestroom cleaners, hotel porters and restaurant
waiters are not allowed to accept tips. Where anyone seeks tips from customers, they may refuse or lodge complaints to competent authorities.
So far, major hotels in China have been brought in line with international standards in terms of facilities and services. In particular, most of the superior hotels are Sino-foreign joint ventures. Foreigners are engaged in directly managing some hotels. Meanwhile, the hotels have been graded comprehensively in accordance with the degree of luxuriousness of their auxiliary facilities and standards of services, with the five-star being the highest grade.
Hotels in China are classified into the first class (higher class), the second class (medium class) and the third class (lower class) in line with the number of stars for their grades. The five-star hotels and most of the four-star ones are in the first class. The guestrooms in the first class hotels are all equipped with bathrooms, refrigerators, gradevins, IDD telephone and TV, which is accessible to programs sent out by all TV stations in China and by CNN and BBC received through satellite antenna discs as well as offer closed-circuit TV programs. The temperature in the guestrooms is automatically adjustable by central air-conditioning facilities. Other auxiliary facilities include business centers, conference centers, beauty parlors, sauna bathrooms, foreign exchange counters, bowling centers, disco ballrooms, swimming pools, gymnasiums, restaurants, cafes, shopping centers and bars which open 24 hours a day.
The second class hotels are generally three-star hotels and part of the two-star ones, whose guestroom service facilities are slightly inferior to those of the first class hotels. Tourist groups normally wish to stay in second class hotels.
The third class hotels look much like Motels in Western countries in terms of guestroom service facilities. The hardware facilities in such hotels are of course inferior to those of the second class ones. But they offer prices lower than those of the second class hotels by half or even more. So, many tourists wish to stay in such hotels.
Customers do not have to pay tips for staying in hotels in China.
In China, taxi drivers, hotel attendants, guestroom cleaners, hotel porters and restaurant
waiters are not allowed to accept tips. Where anyone seeks tips from customers, they may refuse or lodge complaints to competent authorities.
Transportation
I. Bus Transportation
Buses are still major public transportation means in all large cities of China. There are normally dozens of routes of buses in large cities. The buses are generally named with Arabic figures, e.g., Buses of Route 1, Route 15 and Route 320. Given the large numbers of passengers, crowded roads and complicated routes, it is not easy for a foreign newcomer to take a correct bus in China.
Buses in urban areas normally operate between 5:00 local time in the morning and 23:00 local time at night each day. There is normally an interval of 5 to 10 minutes between every two buses. During the rush hour, the interval is shortened to two or three minutes; namely, a bus is dispatched in every two or three minutes.
Passengers shall buy tickets from bus conductors. The prices of bus tickets vary in accordance with different numbers of stops.
Over recent years, some large Chinese cities have started to operate a number of air-conditioned coaches and unwatched buses on busy tourist routes, whose ticket prices are normally two to three times those of general buses but are significant lower than taxi fares. Therefore, such coaches and buses can well be a good choice for tourists.
II. Subway Transportation
The five largest Chinese cities - Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangzhou and Shenzhen - all boast well-equipped subway systems, with all the stations, ticket-booking offices and transit points clearly marked with their names both in Chinese and English. In every subway train, travel information is read alternately in Chinese and English.
The subway transportation operates 18 hours per day, normally between 5:10 and 23:30 local time, with an interval of four to six minutes between every two trains. The hours between 6:30 and 8:30 and between 17:00 and 19:00 are the morning and evening rush hours respectively.
III. Mini-Bus Transportation
Mini-buses are another transportation means in Chinese cities auxiliary to buses and trolley buses, shuttling in major commercial areas, tourist areas, railway stations and major communications trunk lines. One can stop a mini-bus by merely waving the hand while passengers can ask for a stop at any nearest point. Generally, there are fewer mini-bus stations than bus stations. However, mini-buses travel faster than buses. Mini-bus ticket prices are sometimes seasonally adjustable.
IV. Taxi Transportation
With large numbers of taxis running around, it is very convenient to take taxis in all large Chinese cities. It is not very expensive to hire a taxi in China. There are taxi companies in most of the urban areas in Chinese cities. Taxis are available at any time around big hotels, guesthouses, railway stations, airports, major communications trunk lines and busy commercial areas. There is the time taxi service, which is available at any time at the request of passengers. One can also reserve a taxi by phone. However, the time taxi service is more expensive than the general service.
In China, taxi services are normally chargeable according to the mileage completed and the time used. When a passenger embarks on a taxi, the taximeter will begin to indicate a basic rate chargeable. After running four to six kilometers, the fare payable will increase progressively in line with the mileage completed, with the fare chargeable for each kilometer varying according to the size and grade of the vehicle. When the taxi runs at a speed slower than a certain standard, an extra charge will be added to the basic rate chargeable on a minute-counting basis. Besides, a percentage of night driving fee is chargeable for services between 23:00 of each day and 5:00 of the following day.
When taking a taxi, the passenger should first of all ask the driver to switch on the taximeter. When arriving at the place of destination, the passenger should ask the driver to write a receipt to prevent possible unfair charge. Secondly, if anything unhappy involving the service occurs, the passenger can write down the plate number of the taxi and lodge a complaint to competent authorities.
V. Railway Transportation
In the past, it was not very comfortable to take a train in China. Today, things have changed after the Chinese government invested heavily in building and rebuilding railways, increasing the running speed of trains and expanding the transportation capacity of railway systems. Consequently, the operation of railway transportation has been relatively greatly improved. Many slow lines have been changed to "leaving in the morning and arriving at evening," thus improving the travel service, raising efficiency and increasing the competitive edge of the trains.
In China, passenger trains are divided into three classes - the hard-seat class, the hard-couchette class and the soft-couchette class. An adult passenger is allowed to carry 20 kilograms of luggage free of charge each time taking a train, a child 10 kilograms and a diplomat 35 kilograms. The weight in excess of these standards will be chargeable for the luggage consignment fee. Over recent years, in an effort to further protect the safety of passengers, railway stations in some large Chinese cities have newly installed X-ray detecting equipment at the entrance of stations to scan the luggage. Passengers entering the station shall have their luggage checked by the equipment under the guidance of security officers at the station.
Train tickets, particularly tickets for the couchette classes, should normally be booked in advance. Following the coming of the Internet period, train tickets can be booked through Internet in large cities in China, and this no doubt is convenient for passengers. Foreign travelers wishing to take trains can book tickets through travel agencies or hotels.
When travelling in China, there is a great difference in fares in taking different means of transportation. The following table is on fares to various cities for a trip started from Beijing:
VI. Domestic Flights
So far, there have been dozens of airline companies in China, including China International Aviation Company, Northwest Aviation Company, South Aviation Company, Southwest Aviation Company, Oriental Aviation Company, North Aviation Company, Xiamen Aviation Company, Xinjiang Aviation Company, Yunnan Aviation Company, Sichuan Aviation Company, Shanghai Aviation Company, Great Wall Aviation Company, Wuhan Aviation Company, Zhongyuan Avaition Company, Hainan Province Aviation Company, Xinhua Aviation Company and Shenzhen Aviation Company., All of them serve the domestic airlines of China.
1. Reservation of seats: Only after their seats are reserved can foreign travelers embark on planes with their tickets indicating the reservation of seats. Foreign travelers can contact ticket offices of airline companies or airline ticket sales agencies to have their seats reserved. For passengers whose seats have been reserved, they shall have to book their tickets within the prescribed period of time. Otherwise, the reservation of seats shall be canceled.
2. Ticket-booking: For foreigners, overseas Chinese and Chinese compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, they can book tickets with their valid passports, the "Return-Home Card" for Hong Kong and Macao compatriots, Taiwan Compatriots Card," "Residence Permit," travel papers or other valid identity papers issued by Chinese public security authorities. In booking tickets, they shall be required to fill in the "Passenger Reservation Record."
3. Reconfirmation of reservation: For passengers holding through tickets or round-trip tickets with seats reserved, where they are staying for 72 hours or longer at a stopover on the through trip or round trip, they shall have to reconfirm their reservation by 12:00 two days before the departure of the flight from the stopover airport. Otherwise, the original reservation shall be automatically canceled.
4. Term of validity of tickets: Passenger tickets of normal prices shall be valid for one year counted from the date of starting the journey. The term of validity of tickets of special prices shall be defined separately.
5. Children fare: A child between 2 and 12 years of age is charged at 50% of the adult fare. A separate seat will be provided for each child enjoying such fare.
6. Infant fare: An infant under 2 years of age not occupying a separate seat is charged at 10% of the adult fare. One adult passenger is entitled to accompany one infant enjoying such fare. Infants of less than 14 days old shall not be allowed to take planes.
7. Check-in procedure: Passengers shall generally be required to arrive at the airport for departure 90 minutes before the time of departure, and go through the check-in formalities with their passenger tickets and valid identity papers. The check-in counter shall be closed 30 minutes before the time of departure.
8. Modification: After the booking of tickets, where passengers ask for changing an flight or date of departure more than 72 hours before the time of departure, the airline company concerned shall handle the modification free of charge under the circumstance that there are seats available. Where passengers ask for a change within 72 hours before the time of departure, the airline company concerned shall handle the modification free of charge only once in line with relevant regulations. Where passengers ask for changes for a second time, they shall be liable to pay a handling charge for the modification which is equal to 5% of the ticket price.
9. Refund: Where passengers ask for a refund 24 hours before the time of departure as indicated on the tickets, they shall be liable to pay a cancellation fee equal to 5% of the original fare. The rate will increase progressively to 10% for refund between 24 hours and 2 two hours before the time of departure, and to 20% for refund within 2 hours before the time of departure. Where passengers ask for a refund after the time of departure as indicated on the tickets, they shall be viewed as having missed the flight and shall be liable to pay a no-show fee equal to 50% of the original fare. Tickets for children booked at a rate of 10% of the adult fare may not be refunded.
10. Carry-on luggage: Passengers holding first class tickets may carry 2 pieces of articles, and passengers holding business or economy class tickets may carry one piece of article only. The volume of either one or two pieces should not be more than 20 x 40 x 55 centimeters and with a total weight not exceeding 5 kilograms. Carry-on luggage in excess of the above limit of number, volume and weight should be checked in for consignment according to relevant regulations.
11. Free luggage allowance: Passengers holding adult-fare or half-fare tickets are entitled to free luggage allowance of 40 kilograms for the first class, and 30 kilograms for the business class, and 20 kilograms for economy class. No free luggage allowance is granted to infants. Each piece of luggage for consignment may not exceed 50 kilograms in the maximum weight, and 40 x 60 x 100 centimeters in size.
12. Overweight luggage: Where the luggage of a passenger is in excess of the free luggage allowance in terms of the weight or volume, the passenger shall be liable to pay an overweight fee, which is chargeable at a rate of 1.5% of the normal economy class fare for every one kilogram.
Besides, children under 12 years of age shall be accompanied by adults, or can take a flight alone with consent from the carrier. A seriously-ill patient shall hold a hospital certificate indicating that he is suitable for travel by air, and can book a ticket and take a flight with consent from the carrier. Passengers may not carry arms, edge tools, weapons or lethal articles with them in taking flights.
To provide convenience for passengers, many aviation companies have set up flight information desk or hot phone lines to book tickets, and their phone numbers can be secured through "114" information desk at various cities.
VII. International Airports
In the past few years, China's air transport network has been continuously expanded, and there are now 1,122 regular lines, including 131 international ones and 143 airports. Its international airlines connect with 57 cities in 31 countries and regions.
So far, more than 40 overseas airline companies have been allowed to operate regular passenger and cargo transportation services in China, in addition to the dozens of Chinese airline companies which also operate international air transportation services. The overseas air companies operate nearly 900 flights to China each week, with stopovers in a dozen and more international airports in China, namely the international airports of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Shenyang, Dalian, Harbin, Qingdao, Hangzhou, Xiamen, Shenzhen, Kunming, Huhhot and Urumqi. All these airports are equipped with various forms of complete service facilities, including service counters for changing currencies at any time, airport information counters and taxi service counters. There are public telephone booths in many parts of the airports. Users can dial to their receivers after paying a small fee by following the steps indicated on the telephone set. There are IDD telephone call service counters at large international airports.
There are generally smooth communications from the airport to the city proper, with many types of transportation means available at the passengers' choice, which mainly include: 1. taxis provided by airport taxi service counters; 2. time shuttle buses to the city proper provided by airline companies; and 3. mini-buses shuttling between the airport and the city proper.
Along with rapid development in the construction of communications facilities in China over recent years, many cities have built expressways from the airport to the city proper, greatly saving the traveling time for passengers.
Buses are still major public transportation means in all large cities of China. There are normally dozens of routes of buses in large cities. The buses are generally named with Arabic figures, e.g., Buses of Route 1, Route 15 and Route 320. Given the large numbers of passengers, crowded roads and complicated routes, it is not easy for a foreign newcomer to take a correct bus in China.
Buses in urban areas normally operate between 5:00 local time in the morning and 23:00 local time at night each day. There is normally an interval of 5 to 10 minutes between every two buses. During the rush hour, the interval is shortened to two or three minutes; namely, a bus is dispatched in every two or three minutes.
Passengers shall buy tickets from bus conductors. The prices of bus tickets vary in accordance with different numbers of stops.
Over recent years, some large Chinese cities have started to operate a number of air-conditioned coaches and unwatched buses on busy tourist routes, whose ticket prices are normally two to three times those of general buses but are significant lower than taxi fares. Therefore, such coaches and buses can well be a good choice for tourists.
II. Subway Transportation
The five largest Chinese cities - Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangzhou and Shenzhen - all boast well-equipped subway systems, with all the stations, ticket-booking offices and transit points clearly marked with their names both in Chinese and English. In every subway train, travel information is read alternately in Chinese and English.
The subway transportation operates 18 hours per day, normally between 5:10 and 23:30 local time, with an interval of four to six minutes between every two trains. The hours between 6:30 and 8:30 and between 17:00 and 19:00 are the morning and evening rush hours respectively.
III. Mini-Bus Transportation
Mini-buses are another transportation means in Chinese cities auxiliary to buses and trolley buses, shuttling in major commercial areas, tourist areas, railway stations and major communications trunk lines. One can stop a mini-bus by merely waving the hand while passengers can ask for a stop at any nearest point. Generally, there are fewer mini-bus stations than bus stations. However, mini-buses travel faster than buses. Mini-bus ticket prices are sometimes seasonally adjustable.
IV. Taxi Transportation
With large numbers of taxis running around, it is very convenient to take taxis in all large Chinese cities. It is not very expensive to hire a taxi in China. There are taxi companies in most of the urban areas in Chinese cities. Taxis are available at any time around big hotels, guesthouses, railway stations, airports, major communications trunk lines and busy commercial areas. There is the time taxi service, which is available at any time at the request of passengers. One can also reserve a taxi by phone. However, the time taxi service is more expensive than the general service.
In China, taxi services are normally chargeable according to the mileage completed and the time used. When a passenger embarks on a taxi, the taximeter will begin to indicate a basic rate chargeable. After running four to six kilometers, the fare payable will increase progressively in line with the mileage completed, with the fare chargeable for each kilometer varying according to the size and grade of the vehicle. When the taxi runs at a speed slower than a certain standard, an extra charge will be added to the basic rate chargeable on a minute-counting basis. Besides, a percentage of night driving fee is chargeable for services between 23:00 of each day and 5:00 of the following day.
When taking a taxi, the passenger should first of all ask the driver to switch on the taximeter. When arriving at the place of destination, the passenger should ask the driver to write a receipt to prevent possible unfair charge. Secondly, if anything unhappy involving the service occurs, the passenger can write down the plate number of the taxi and lodge a complaint to competent authorities.
V. Railway Transportation
In the past, it was not very comfortable to take a train in China. Today, things have changed after the Chinese government invested heavily in building and rebuilding railways, increasing the running speed of trains and expanding the transportation capacity of railway systems. Consequently, the operation of railway transportation has been relatively greatly improved. Many slow lines have been changed to "leaving in the morning and arriving at evening," thus improving the travel service, raising efficiency and increasing the competitive edge of the trains.
In China, passenger trains are divided into three classes - the hard-seat class, the hard-couchette class and the soft-couchette class. An adult passenger is allowed to carry 20 kilograms of luggage free of charge each time taking a train, a child 10 kilograms and a diplomat 35 kilograms. The weight in excess of these standards will be chargeable for the luggage consignment fee. Over recent years, in an effort to further protect the safety of passengers, railway stations in some large Chinese cities have newly installed X-ray detecting equipment at the entrance of stations to scan the luggage. Passengers entering the station shall have their luggage checked by the equipment under the guidance of security officers at the station.
Train tickets, particularly tickets for the couchette classes, should normally be booked in advance. Following the coming of the Internet period, train tickets can be booked through Internet in large cities in China, and this no doubt is convenient for passengers. Foreign travelers wishing to take trains can book tickets through travel agencies or hotels.
When travelling in China, there is a great difference in fares in taking different means of transportation. The following table is on fares to various cities for a trip started from Beijing:
VI. Domestic Flights
So far, there have been dozens of airline companies in China, including China International Aviation Company, Northwest Aviation Company, South Aviation Company, Southwest Aviation Company, Oriental Aviation Company, North Aviation Company, Xiamen Aviation Company, Xinjiang Aviation Company, Yunnan Aviation Company, Sichuan Aviation Company, Shanghai Aviation Company, Great Wall Aviation Company, Wuhan Aviation Company, Zhongyuan Avaition Company, Hainan Province Aviation Company, Xinhua Aviation Company and Shenzhen Aviation Company., All of them serve the domestic airlines of China.
1. Reservation of seats: Only after their seats are reserved can foreign travelers embark on planes with their tickets indicating the reservation of seats. Foreign travelers can contact ticket offices of airline companies or airline ticket sales agencies to have their seats reserved. For passengers whose seats have been reserved, they shall have to book their tickets within the prescribed period of time. Otherwise, the reservation of seats shall be canceled.
2. Ticket-booking: For foreigners, overseas Chinese and Chinese compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, they can book tickets with their valid passports, the "Return-Home Card" for Hong Kong and Macao compatriots, Taiwan Compatriots Card," "Residence Permit," travel papers or other valid identity papers issued by Chinese public security authorities. In booking tickets, they shall be required to fill in the "Passenger Reservation Record."
3. Reconfirmation of reservation: For passengers holding through tickets or round-trip tickets with seats reserved, where they are staying for 72 hours or longer at a stopover on the through trip or round trip, they shall have to reconfirm their reservation by 12:00 two days before the departure of the flight from the stopover airport. Otherwise, the original reservation shall be automatically canceled.
4. Term of validity of tickets: Passenger tickets of normal prices shall be valid for one year counted from the date of starting the journey. The term of validity of tickets of special prices shall be defined separately.
5. Children fare: A child between 2 and 12 years of age is charged at 50% of the adult fare. A separate seat will be provided for each child enjoying such fare.
6. Infant fare: An infant under 2 years of age not occupying a separate seat is charged at 10% of the adult fare. One adult passenger is entitled to accompany one infant enjoying such fare. Infants of less than 14 days old shall not be allowed to take planes.
7. Check-in procedure: Passengers shall generally be required to arrive at the airport for departure 90 minutes before the time of departure, and go through the check-in formalities with their passenger tickets and valid identity papers. The check-in counter shall be closed 30 minutes before the time of departure.
8. Modification: After the booking of tickets, where passengers ask for changing an flight or date of departure more than 72 hours before the time of departure, the airline company concerned shall handle the modification free of charge under the circumstance that there are seats available. Where passengers ask for a change within 72 hours before the time of departure, the airline company concerned shall handle the modification free of charge only once in line with relevant regulations. Where passengers ask for changes for a second time, they shall be liable to pay a handling charge for the modification which is equal to 5% of the ticket price.
9. Refund: Where passengers ask for a refund 24 hours before the time of departure as indicated on the tickets, they shall be liable to pay a cancellation fee equal to 5% of the original fare. The rate will increase progressively to 10% for refund between 24 hours and 2 two hours before the time of departure, and to 20% for refund within 2 hours before the time of departure. Where passengers ask for a refund after the time of departure as indicated on the tickets, they shall be viewed as having missed the flight and shall be liable to pay a no-show fee equal to 50% of the original fare. Tickets for children booked at a rate of 10% of the adult fare may not be refunded.
10. Carry-on luggage: Passengers holding first class tickets may carry 2 pieces of articles, and passengers holding business or economy class tickets may carry one piece of article only. The volume of either one or two pieces should not be more than 20 x 40 x 55 centimeters and with a total weight not exceeding 5 kilograms. Carry-on luggage in excess of the above limit of number, volume and weight should be checked in for consignment according to relevant regulations.
11. Free luggage allowance: Passengers holding adult-fare or half-fare tickets are entitled to free luggage allowance of 40 kilograms for the first class, and 30 kilograms for the business class, and 20 kilograms for economy class. No free luggage allowance is granted to infants. Each piece of luggage for consignment may not exceed 50 kilograms in the maximum weight, and 40 x 60 x 100 centimeters in size.
12. Overweight luggage: Where the luggage of a passenger is in excess of the free luggage allowance in terms of the weight or volume, the passenger shall be liable to pay an overweight fee, which is chargeable at a rate of 1.5% of the normal economy class fare for every one kilogram.
Besides, children under 12 years of age shall be accompanied by adults, or can take a flight alone with consent from the carrier. A seriously-ill patient shall hold a hospital certificate indicating that he is suitable for travel by air, and can book a ticket and take a flight with consent from the carrier. Passengers may not carry arms, edge tools, weapons or lethal articles with them in taking flights.
To provide convenience for passengers, many aviation companies have set up flight information desk or hot phone lines to book tickets, and their phone numbers can be secured through "114" information desk at various cities.
VII. International Airports
In the past few years, China's air transport network has been continuously expanded, and there are now 1,122 regular lines, including 131 international ones and 143 airports. Its international airlines connect with 57 cities in 31 countries and regions.
So far, more than 40 overseas airline companies have been allowed to operate regular passenger and cargo transportation services in China, in addition to the dozens of Chinese airline companies which also operate international air transportation services. The overseas air companies operate nearly 900 flights to China each week, with stopovers in a dozen and more international airports in China, namely the international airports of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Shenyang, Dalian, Harbin, Qingdao, Hangzhou, Xiamen, Shenzhen, Kunming, Huhhot and Urumqi. All these airports are equipped with various forms of complete service facilities, including service counters for changing currencies at any time, airport information counters and taxi service counters. There are public telephone booths in many parts of the airports. Users can dial to their receivers after paying a small fee by following the steps indicated on the telephone set. There are IDD telephone call service counters at large international airports.
There are generally smooth communications from the airport to the city proper, with many types of transportation means available at the passengers' choice, which mainly include: 1. taxis provided by airport taxi service counters; 2. time shuttle buses to the city proper provided by airline companies; and 3. mini-buses shuttling between the airport and the city proper.
Along with rapid development in the construction of communications facilities in China over recent years, many cities have built expressways from the airport to the city proper, greatly saving the traveling time for passengers.
Communications
In China, the telephone services are classified into three types - the local telephone service, the domestic direct dial (DDD) telephone service and the international direct dial (IDD) telephone service. The manually connected telephone services are chargeable by a basic calling time of three minutes while the direct dial services by one minute.
1. Local telephone service
Local telephone sets are generally installed at public telephone booths in urban areas, with the calls limited to the local region only. Each call is chargeable at a rate of 0.30 Chinese yuan for every three minutes. If no more coins are given after three minutes, the call will be automatically cut off.
2. Domestic direct dial telephone service
The domestic direct dial telephone service is simply referred to as the DDD, which is automatically connected to the receiver through direct dialing. Using a telephone set with the DDD function, one can directly dial the area code and the telephone number of the receiving end before getting through to the receiver. In making a DDD call, the user should firstly dial a "0" to get out of the local area, secondly the area code and thirdly the telephone number of the receiver in a sequence. DDD telephone sets are available at hotels, restaurants and airports as well as in all parts of urban areas, making it easy for users to find one. The DDD telephone service has been able to connect more than 1,400 Chinese cities to one another. The DDD provides convenient, quick and time-saving communications service for users.
The call rates of telephone services are set in line with the distance between the calling and receiving ends. Where the distance between the two ends is less than 800 kilometers, the standard call rate will be 80 Chinese cents for every one minute. Where the distance exceeds 800 kilometers, the rate will be 1 Chinese yuan for every one minute, together with a long-distance call rate of 10 Chinese cents for every one minute.
Over recent years, along with rapid development of the telecommunications sector, China has begun to apply a system of cutting down rates for midnight long-distance calls.
3. Direct dial, or IDD, telephone service to other countries as well as to Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan
The international direct dial telephone service to other countries, as well as to Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan is referred to as the IDD on a unified basis. Using a telephone set with the IDD function, the user can contact directly more than 200 countries and regions by dialing "00" to get out of the country, secondly the country or regional code, thirdly the relevant area code and fourthly the telephone number of the receiver in a sequence and without a break. IDD telephone sets are available at hotels, restaurants and airports as well as in commercial areas, providing convenience for users.
Likewise, IDD calls are also chargeable at basic rates calculated by the minute, and according to different period of time, with preferential rates for calls at night as well as on Saturday, Sunday and official holidays.
Telephone call cards are available for sale at telephone exchanges, big hotels and guest houses. Telephone call cards are in two types - the magnetic cards and IC cards, which are separately used on different types of phone sets. Using a telephone call card, one can make local, DDD or IDD calls. The denominations of call cards are 10 Chinese yuan, 20 Chinese yuan, 30 Chinese yuan, 50 Chinese yuan, 100 Chinese yuan and 200 Chinese yuan.
Following the continued development of the telecommunications sector in China, people are becoming accessible to advanced telecommunications services, such as the conference telephone and visual telephone services.
The IDD call rates have been simplified into two kinds: 1. Except the Middle East region, it is 12 Chinese yuan per minute for other Asian countries (11.60 Chinese yuan for Vietnam, 5.40 Chinese yuan for Korea, and 5.30 Chinese yuan for Mongolia); 2. It is 15 Chinese yuan for other countries and regions.
It is five Chinese yuan per minute to call from various domestic places (except Guangdong) to Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.
4. IP telephone service
Following the development of Internet in China, IP telephone has been chosen by the people for it is cheaper than ordinary telephone calls. It is 0.3 yuan/minute to make a domestic long-distance call, 4.8 yuan/minute to make a call to other countries and 2.5 yuan/minute to make a call to Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. So far, IP telephone service has been operated in a dozen big cities in China, connecting 150 countries and regions, including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, Asia, Europe, South and North America and Pacific regions, and it is free to surf through phone among these open cities.
5. Internet
In the past few years, China has seen a rapid development in the post and telecommunications network, various companies such as China Telecom, Union Telecom, Jitong and China Wangtong have competed fiercely with each other, making it easy for clients to use internet and the price continues to go down. One may say that Internet has entered every corner of the country. Those who tour China or make a business trip to China may easily enter the Chinanet, which will be a great help to them.
1. Local telephone service
Local telephone sets are generally installed at public telephone booths in urban areas, with the calls limited to the local region only. Each call is chargeable at a rate of 0.30 Chinese yuan for every three minutes. If no more coins are given after three minutes, the call will be automatically cut off.
2. Domestic direct dial telephone service
The domestic direct dial telephone service is simply referred to as the DDD, which is automatically connected to the receiver through direct dialing. Using a telephone set with the DDD function, one can directly dial the area code and the telephone number of the receiving end before getting through to the receiver. In making a DDD call, the user should firstly dial a "0" to get out of the local area, secondly the area code and thirdly the telephone number of the receiver in a sequence. DDD telephone sets are available at hotels, restaurants and airports as well as in all parts of urban areas, making it easy for users to find one. The DDD telephone service has been able to connect more than 1,400 Chinese cities to one another. The DDD provides convenient, quick and time-saving communications service for users.
The call rates of telephone services are set in line with the distance between the calling and receiving ends. Where the distance between the two ends is less than 800 kilometers, the standard call rate will be 80 Chinese cents for every one minute. Where the distance exceeds 800 kilometers, the rate will be 1 Chinese yuan for every one minute, together with a long-distance call rate of 10 Chinese cents for every one minute.
Over recent years, along with rapid development of the telecommunications sector, China has begun to apply a system of cutting down rates for midnight long-distance calls.
3. Direct dial, or IDD, telephone service to other countries as well as to Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan
The international direct dial telephone service to other countries, as well as to Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan is referred to as the IDD on a unified basis. Using a telephone set with the IDD function, the user can contact directly more than 200 countries and regions by dialing "00" to get out of the country, secondly the country or regional code, thirdly the relevant area code and fourthly the telephone number of the receiver in a sequence and without a break. IDD telephone sets are available at hotels, restaurants and airports as well as in commercial areas, providing convenience for users.
Likewise, IDD calls are also chargeable at basic rates calculated by the minute, and according to different period of time, with preferential rates for calls at night as well as on Saturday, Sunday and official holidays.
Telephone call cards are available for sale at telephone exchanges, big hotels and guest houses. Telephone call cards are in two types - the magnetic cards and IC cards, which are separately used on different types of phone sets. Using a telephone call card, one can make local, DDD or IDD calls. The denominations of call cards are 10 Chinese yuan, 20 Chinese yuan, 30 Chinese yuan, 50 Chinese yuan, 100 Chinese yuan and 200 Chinese yuan.
Following the continued development of the telecommunications sector in China, people are becoming accessible to advanced telecommunications services, such as the conference telephone and visual telephone services.
The IDD call rates have been simplified into two kinds: 1. Except the Middle East region, it is 12 Chinese yuan per minute for other Asian countries (11.60 Chinese yuan for Vietnam, 5.40 Chinese yuan for Korea, and 5.30 Chinese yuan for Mongolia); 2. It is 15 Chinese yuan for other countries and regions.
It is five Chinese yuan per minute to call from various domestic places (except Guangdong) to Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.
4. IP telephone service
Following the development of Internet in China, IP telephone has been chosen by the people for it is cheaper than ordinary telephone calls. It is 0.3 yuan/minute to make a domestic long-distance call, 4.8 yuan/minute to make a call to other countries and 2.5 yuan/minute to make a call to Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. So far, IP telephone service has been operated in a dozen big cities in China, connecting 150 countries and regions, including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, Asia, Europe, South and North America and Pacific regions, and it is free to surf through phone among these open cities.
5. Internet
In the past few years, China has seen a rapid development in the post and telecommunications network, various companies such as China Telecom, Union Telecom, Jitong and China Wangtong have competed fiercely with each other, making it easy for clients to use internet and the price continues to go down. One may say that Internet has entered every corner of the country. Those who tour China or make a business trip to China may easily enter the Chinanet, which will be a great help to them.
Passports and Visas
All foreigners must take their valid passports with them when entering China; They should also apply for an visa in China's diplomatic institutions, consular offices and Chinese institutions authorized by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After they have obtained such visas, foreigners can travel in all the open cities across China.
Port visa is a necessary supplement in handling visa by Chinese diplomatic institutions stationed abroad, and enables those foreigners who want to enter China for emergency matters but fail to apply for a visa before hand, to obtain a visa in the port at where they arrive.
To provide convenience for foreigners who come to China on matter of urgency, China has set up port visa institutions in some open cities and regions. Foreigners, having letters or telegrams authorized by Chinese units, passports of countries with diplomatic relations or official trade relations with China, and must come to China at once but have no time to apply for a visa at Chinese diplomatic institutions stationed abroad, may apply for a visa at ports designated by the relative institutes of the Chinese government.
Those under the following conditions may apply for a visa at ports.
(1)At a provisional decision of the Chinese side to come to China to attend trade fairs;
(2) Invited to China to take part in bidding or formal signing of economic and trade contracts;
(3) According to contracts to come to China to inspect import and export commodity inspection or check contracts;
(4)Invited to take part in installation or emergency engineering repairing;
(5)Invited by the Chinese side to solve the problem of indemnity;
(6)Invited to China to provide technological consultation;
(7) Delegations or groups that have arrived in China with visas, but have to make changes with the approval of the Chinese side;
(8)Looking after invalids who are critically ill or attending funeral arrangements;
(9) Those who just pass through China but cannot leave within 24 hours with the original plane due to irresistible cause or should leave China through other means of transportation ;
(10) Invited to China but really have to time to apply for a visa with Chinese diplomatic institutions stationed abroad and with letters or telegrams of designated departments agreeing them to apply for a visa in ports.
Ports designated to handle visa by the Ministry of Public Security are the following: Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Dalian, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Xi'an, Guilin, Hangzhou, Kunming, Guangzhou (Baiyun Airport), Shenzhen (Luohu, Shekou), Zhuhai (Gongbei), Haikou City, Sanya City, Qingdao City, Yantai City, and Weihai City.
No visa is necessary for foreign passengers with through tickets who transit China by international flight or passengers who stay in China's airports for less than 24 hours.
The types of visas can be classified into: diplomatic visa, courteous visa, service visa and general visa according to the status and types of passports held by aliens coming to China. Among them, general visas are divided into:
1. D visa for aliens who are permitted to immigrate to China;
2. Z visa for aliens who come to China for a public post or employment as well as their family members traveling with them;
3. X visa for aliens who come to China for over six months of study, training and internship;
4. F visa for aliens who come to China for visit, inspection, lecture, business, scientific, technological or cultural exchanges or less than six months of training or internship at the invitation of Chinese organizations;
5. L visa for aliens who come to China for tourism, visiting relatives or other personal affairs. Among them, tourist groups of over nine members can be granted team visas;
6. G visa for people who transit China;
7. C visa for crew members in international trains, airplanes or ships and their spouses on entourage;
8. J-1 visa for foreign journalists who serve as resident correspondents in China, J-2 visa for foreign journalists in China for short stays.
Aliens must answer inquiries related and present the following documents:
1. Valid passports or their equivalent certificates;
2. Fill in visa application forms and present two recent half-length, full-face and bareheaded photos;
3. Present documents associated with applying for entry and transit.
Port visa is a necessary supplement in handling visa by Chinese diplomatic institutions stationed abroad, and enables those foreigners who want to enter China for emergency matters but fail to apply for a visa before hand, to obtain a visa in the port at where they arrive.
To provide convenience for foreigners who come to China on matter of urgency, China has set up port visa institutions in some open cities and regions. Foreigners, having letters or telegrams authorized by Chinese units, passports of countries with diplomatic relations or official trade relations with China, and must come to China at once but have no time to apply for a visa at Chinese diplomatic institutions stationed abroad, may apply for a visa at ports designated by the relative institutes of the Chinese government.
Those under the following conditions may apply for a visa at ports.
(1)At a provisional decision of the Chinese side to come to China to attend trade fairs;
(2) Invited to China to take part in bidding or formal signing of economic and trade contracts;
(3) According to contracts to come to China to inspect import and export commodity inspection or check contracts;
(4)Invited to take part in installation or emergency engineering repairing;
(5)Invited by the Chinese side to solve the problem of indemnity;
(6)Invited to China to provide technological consultation;
(7) Delegations or groups that have arrived in China with visas, but have to make changes with the approval of the Chinese side;
(8)Looking after invalids who are critically ill or attending funeral arrangements;
(9) Those who just pass through China but cannot leave within 24 hours with the original plane due to irresistible cause or should leave China through other means of transportation ;
(10) Invited to China but really have to time to apply for a visa with Chinese diplomatic institutions stationed abroad and with letters or telegrams of designated departments agreeing them to apply for a visa in ports.
Ports designated to handle visa by the Ministry of Public Security are the following: Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Dalian, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Xi'an, Guilin, Hangzhou, Kunming, Guangzhou (Baiyun Airport), Shenzhen (Luohu, Shekou), Zhuhai (Gongbei), Haikou City, Sanya City, Qingdao City, Yantai City, and Weihai City.
No visa is necessary for foreign passengers with through tickets who transit China by international flight or passengers who stay in China's airports for less than 24 hours.
The types of visas can be classified into: diplomatic visa, courteous visa, service visa and general visa according to the status and types of passports held by aliens coming to China. Among them, general visas are divided into:
1. D visa for aliens who are permitted to immigrate to China;
2. Z visa for aliens who come to China for a public post or employment as well as their family members traveling with them;
3. X visa for aliens who come to China for over six months of study, training and internship;
4. F visa for aliens who come to China for visit, inspection, lecture, business, scientific, technological or cultural exchanges or less than six months of training or internship at the invitation of Chinese organizations;
5. L visa for aliens who come to China for tourism, visiting relatives or other personal affairs. Among them, tourist groups of over nine members can be granted team visas;
6. G visa for people who transit China;
7. C visa for crew members in international trains, airplanes or ships and their spouses on entourage;
8. J-1 visa for foreign journalists who serve as resident correspondents in China, J-2 visa for foreign journalists in China for short stays.
Aliens must answer inquiries related and present the following documents:
1. Valid passports or their equivalent certificates;
2. Fill in visa application forms and present two recent half-length, full-face and bareheaded photos;
3. Present documents associated with applying for entry and transit.
Customs Declaration
When entering China, foreign travelers shall declare their articles of luggage to Chinese customs authorities on their own initiative and clear the luggage through customs.
I. Declaration of Inward Articles
Travelers entering China of the following categories shall declare their articles of luggage to customs authorities, and show the declaration form to customs authorities in going through the formalities for carrying the luggage into China.
Travelers carrying articles of Categories 2, 3 and 4 listed in the "Table for Classification of Articles of Luggage Carried by Travelers Entering or Leaving China" (excluding cigarettes and alcoholic drugs exempted from import duties by limited quantities) which are liable for import duties, or which are exempted from import duties by limited quantities;
Non-resident travelers and resident travelers holding the re-entry visa of the country (or region) of destination who are carrying articles for their own use during the journey in excess of the following category of articles they are allowed to carry - a camera, a portable radio recorder, a small-size cine camera, a hand-held TV camera and a portable word-processing computer;
Travelers carrying a sum of Chinese currency in excess of 6,000 Chinese yuan in cash or carrying gold or silver or their products in excess of 50 grams in total;
Non-resident travelers carrying a sum of foreign currencies in cash equal to 5,000 U.S. dollars or more;
Resident travelers carrying a sum of foreign currencies in cash equal to 1,000 U.S. dollars or more;
Travelers carrying goods, sample products and articles in excess of the reasonable quantity of articles of luggage for their own use;
And, travelers carrying species of fauna or flora or their products which are controlled under relevant provisions of the "Fauna and Flora Quarantine Law of China," or carrying other articles which are subject to customs examination and approval for entry into China.
II. Declaration of Outward Articles
Travelers leaving China of the following categories shall declare their articles of luggage to customs authorities, and show the declaration form to customs authorities in going through the formalities for carrying the articles of luggage out of China.
1. Travelers carrying a camera, a portable radio recorder, a small-size cine camera, a hand-held TV camera, a portable word-processing computer, etc., for their own use that need to be brought back to China;
2. Travelers who are not carrying the original articles they brought into China that shall be taken out of the country in exiting from it, or who are carrying articles they brought into China which are temporarily exempted from import duties and which have not been cleared through customs;
3. Travelers carrying foreign currencies, or gold or silver or their products without a valid certificate of outward clearance or in excess of the total declared in the customs declaration form filled out in entering China;
4. Traveler carrying Chinese currency in cash in excess of 6,000 Chinese yuan;
5. Travelers carrying antiques;
6. Travelers carrying goods or sample products;
7. Travelers carrying articles out of China in excess of the value or quantity limited by customs authorities, or carrying other articles falling into the category of articles whose exit is restricted;
8. And, travelers carrying species of fauna or flora or their products which are controlled under relevant provisions of the "Fauna and Flora Quarantine Law of China," or carrying other articles which are subject to customs examination and approval for exit from China.
I. Declaration of Inward Articles
Travelers entering China of the following categories shall declare their articles of luggage to customs authorities, and show the declaration form to customs authorities in going through the formalities for carrying the luggage into China.
Travelers carrying articles of Categories 2, 3 and 4 listed in the "Table for Classification of Articles of Luggage Carried by Travelers Entering or Leaving China" (excluding cigarettes and alcoholic drugs exempted from import duties by limited quantities) which are liable for import duties, or which are exempted from import duties by limited quantities;
Non-resident travelers and resident travelers holding the re-entry visa of the country (or region) of destination who are carrying articles for their own use during the journey in excess of the following category of articles they are allowed to carry - a camera, a portable radio recorder, a small-size cine camera, a hand-held TV camera and a portable word-processing computer;
Travelers carrying a sum of Chinese currency in excess of 6,000 Chinese yuan in cash or carrying gold or silver or their products in excess of 50 grams in total;
Non-resident travelers carrying a sum of foreign currencies in cash equal to 5,000 U.S. dollars or more;
Resident travelers carrying a sum of foreign currencies in cash equal to 1,000 U.S. dollars or more;
Travelers carrying goods, sample products and articles in excess of the reasonable quantity of articles of luggage for their own use;
And, travelers carrying species of fauna or flora or their products which are controlled under relevant provisions of the "Fauna and Flora Quarantine Law of China," or carrying other articles which are subject to customs examination and approval for entry into China.
II. Declaration of Outward Articles
Travelers leaving China of the following categories shall declare their articles of luggage to customs authorities, and show the declaration form to customs authorities in going through the formalities for carrying the articles of luggage out of China.
1. Travelers carrying a camera, a portable radio recorder, a small-size cine camera, a hand-held TV camera, a portable word-processing computer, etc., for their own use that need to be brought back to China;
2. Travelers who are not carrying the original articles they brought into China that shall be taken out of the country in exiting from it, or who are carrying articles they brought into China which are temporarily exempted from import duties and which have not been cleared through customs;
3. Travelers carrying foreign currencies, or gold or silver or their products without a valid certificate of outward clearance or in excess of the total declared in the customs declaration form filled out in entering China;
4. Traveler carrying Chinese currency in cash in excess of 6,000 Chinese yuan;
5. Travelers carrying antiques;
6. Travelers carrying goods or sample products;
7. Travelers carrying articles out of China in excess of the value or quantity limited by customs authorities, or carrying other articles falling into the category of articles whose exit is restricted;
8. And, travelers carrying species of fauna or flora or their products which are controlled under relevant provisions of the "Fauna and Flora Quarantine Law of China," or carrying other articles which are subject to customs examination and approval for exit from China.
Arrival and Departure
For foreigners coming to China for visit, sightseeing and business, they will normally be required to fill in three forms when entering the country - the "Traveler's Luggage Declaration Form," the "Traveler's Health Declaration Card" and the "Entry-Exit Registration Card."
First of all, foreign travelers shall be required to show Chinese quarantine authorities the "Traveler's Health Declaration Card" when entering the country. For travelers who are not coming from regions of infectious diseases including cholera and yellow fever, they will not be required to take inoculation of vaccines. For foreigners planning to stay in China for six months or longer, they shall be required to show the documentation proving they are negative for the HIV.
When entering China, foreign travelers shall be required to provide Chinese frontier authorities with their passports, Chinese visas and the "Entry-Exit Registration Card" for verification. They will be allowed to enter the country after Chinese frontier authorities verify their passports, Chinese visas and the "Entry-Exit Registration Card" and affix on them official seals for verification.
For foreigners carrying gifts, sample products or goods whose import is restricted by Chinese customs authorities or carrying major articles taxable or exempted from import duties, they shall earnestly declare them in the "Traveler's Luggage Declaration Form" and clear customs through the "Red Passage." For travelers carrying articles for their own use only, they can clear customs through the "Green Passage."
Appendix: Articles Whose Entry into the People's Republic of China Is Prohibited and Restricted
1. Articles Whose Entry Is Prohibited
Various types of weapons, articles in emulation of weapons, ammunitions and explosives;
Counterfeit currency bills and fake securities;
Printed matters, films, photos, phonograph records, movies, audio tapes, video tapes, laser optic discs, computer memory media and other articles which are harmful to China's politics, economy, culture and morality;
Various types of acrid poisons;
Opium, morphine, heroin and marijuana as well as other narcotics and spiritual drugs which can make people addicted to them;
Animals and plants and their products carrying dangerous disease germs, pests and other harmful living things;
And, foods, drugs and other articles which are harmful to the health of human beings or animals, which come from infectious disease-stricken regions or which are capable of spreading diseases.
2. Articles Whose Entry Is Restricted
Radio transceivers and secure communication devices;
Cigarettes and alcoholic drugs;
Endangered species of fauna and flora (including their specimens) as well as their seeds and reproductive materials;
The national currency of China, with every traveler restricted to carrying a total of 6,000 Chinese yuan in the maximum each time when he enters the country;
And, other articles whose entry is restricted by customs.
II. Departure
For foreign travelers leaving China, they shall be required to go through the formalities for customs clearance and consignment of luggage by showing their passports, air tickets (or train, bus or ship tickets) and the "Traveler's Luggage Declaration Form." For those leaving by air, they shall be required to pay an airport fee (50 Chinese yuan for traveling within China and 90 Chinese yuan for exiting from China). In go through these formalities, they shall also be required to get a registration card and accept border exit examination. Those to depart by air shall accept a security check.
Appendix: Articles Whose Exit from the People's Republic of China Is Prohibited and Restricted
1. Articles whose exit is prohibited
All those listed in the category of articles whose entry into China is prohibited;
Manuscripts, printed matters, films, photos, phonograph records, movies, audio tapes, video tapes, laser optic discs, computer memory media and other articles whose contents are related to State secrets of China;
Rare antiques and other antiques whose exit is prohibited;
And, endangered species of fauna and flora (including their specimens) as well as their seeds and reproductive materials;
2. Articles whose exit is restricted
Valuable metals, including gold and silver, and their products;
The national currency of China, with every traveler restricted to carrying a total of 6,000 Chinese yuan in the maximum each time when he exits from the country;
Foreign currencies and securities in foreign currencies;
Radio transceivers and secure communication devices;
Precious traditional Chinese medicinal materials;
General antiques;
And, other articles whose exit is restricted by customs.
First of all, foreign travelers shall be required to show Chinese quarantine authorities the "Traveler's Health Declaration Card" when entering the country. For travelers who are not coming from regions of infectious diseases including cholera and yellow fever, they will not be required to take inoculation of vaccines. For foreigners planning to stay in China for six months or longer, they shall be required to show the documentation proving they are negative for the HIV.
When entering China, foreign travelers shall be required to provide Chinese frontier authorities with their passports, Chinese visas and the "Entry-Exit Registration Card" for verification. They will be allowed to enter the country after Chinese frontier authorities verify their passports, Chinese visas and the "Entry-Exit Registration Card" and affix on them official seals for verification.
For foreigners carrying gifts, sample products or goods whose import is restricted by Chinese customs authorities or carrying major articles taxable or exempted from import duties, they shall earnestly declare them in the "Traveler's Luggage Declaration Form" and clear customs through the "Red Passage." For travelers carrying articles for their own use only, they can clear customs through the "Green Passage."
Appendix: Articles Whose Entry into the People's Republic of China Is Prohibited and Restricted
1. Articles Whose Entry Is Prohibited
Various types of weapons, articles in emulation of weapons, ammunitions and explosives;
Counterfeit currency bills and fake securities;
Printed matters, films, photos, phonograph records, movies, audio tapes, video tapes, laser optic discs, computer memory media and other articles which are harmful to China's politics, economy, culture and morality;
Various types of acrid poisons;
Opium, morphine, heroin and marijuana as well as other narcotics and spiritual drugs which can make people addicted to them;
Animals and plants and their products carrying dangerous disease germs, pests and other harmful living things;
And, foods, drugs and other articles which are harmful to the health of human beings or animals, which come from infectious disease-stricken regions or which are capable of spreading diseases.
2. Articles Whose Entry Is Restricted
Radio transceivers and secure communication devices;
Cigarettes and alcoholic drugs;
Endangered species of fauna and flora (including their specimens) as well as their seeds and reproductive materials;
The national currency of China, with every traveler restricted to carrying a total of 6,000 Chinese yuan in the maximum each time when he enters the country;
And, other articles whose entry is restricted by customs.
II. Departure
For foreign travelers leaving China, they shall be required to go through the formalities for customs clearance and consignment of luggage by showing their passports, air tickets (or train, bus or ship tickets) and the "Traveler's Luggage Declaration Form." For those leaving by air, they shall be required to pay an airport fee (50 Chinese yuan for traveling within China and 90 Chinese yuan for exiting from China). In go through these formalities, they shall also be required to get a registration card and accept border exit examination. Those to depart by air shall accept a security check.
Appendix: Articles Whose Exit from the People's Republic of China Is Prohibited and Restricted
1. Articles whose exit is prohibited
All those listed in the category of articles whose entry into China is prohibited;
Manuscripts, printed matters, films, photos, phonograph records, movies, audio tapes, video tapes, laser optic discs, computer memory media and other articles whose contents are related to State secrets of China;
Rare antiques and other antiques whose exit is prohibited;
And, endangered species of fauna and flora (including their specimens) as well as their seeds and reproductive materials;
2. Articles whose exit is restricted
Valuable metals, including gold and silver, and their products;
The national currency of China, with every traveler restricted to carrying a total of 6,000 Chinese yuan in the maximum each time when he exits from the country;
Foreign currencies and securities in foreign currencies;
Radio transceivers and secure communication devices;
Precious traditional Chinese medicinal materials;
General antiques;
And, other articles whose exit is restricted by customs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
