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China FAQ

Is tipping customary in China?

Generally, tipping is not expected on mainland China, although leaving spare change at restaurants and giving a small amount to porters or bar staff is becoming more commonplace (although not mandatory). Some large hotels and restaurants may already include a 10%-15% surcharge within the bill. The culture of tipping is different in Hong Kong, where taxi drivers and restaurants will usually round up the bill, and service staff like porters will generally expect a tip.

What is the internet access like in China?

Travellers can access the internet via internet cafes and Wi-Fi hot spots in China's cities. Internet access is less available in rural and remote areas. Please note that some web sites are censored in China.

Can I use my mobile/cell phone while in China?

Mobile phone coverage is generally very good in China's cities, but less so in remote and rural areas. Ensure global roaming is activated before leaving home if you want to use your phone.

What are the toilets like in China?

Most of China's toilets are squat toilets, although flushable toilets can sometimes be found in modern hotels and restaurants. Be sure to carry your own supply of toilet paper and soap, as these are rarely provided.

What will it cost for a…?

Metro ride = 3 RMB
Can of soft drink = 3-5 RMB
Bottle of beer = 7-10 RMB
Basic lunch = 15 RMB
Basic rice or noodle dinner 25 RMB
Three-course dinner = 80 RMB

Can I drink the water in China?

Drinking tap water isn't recommended in China. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Fill a reusable water bottle or canteen with filtered water. Ask your leader where filtered water can be found; some hotels we stay in may have drinking water available. It's also advisable to avoid ice in drinks and peel fruit and vegetables before eating.

Are credit cards accepted widely in China?

Credit cards are accepted by China's large stores, hotels and restaurants, but less so by smaller vendors and market stalls where cash is usually the only payment option. Carry both modes of payment to be sure.

What is ATM access like in China?

Travellers will be able to access ATMs in China's large cities and regional centres. Rural and remote areas will have less ATM access so ensure you have other payment modes before venturing out of the city.

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before travelling in China?

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

What public holidays are celebrated in China?

Jan 1 New Year's Day
Feb 10 Spring Festival/Chinese New Year
Apr 4 Qing Ming (Tomb Sweeping) Festival
May 1 Labour Day
Jun 10 Dragon Boat Festival
Sep 19 Mid-Autumn Festival
Oct 1 National Day

Please note these dates are for 2012. Further holidays may be celebrated in regional parts of China. For a current list of public holidays go to: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/china/public-holidays

Do I need a visa to travel to China?

Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. The visa requirements for your trip vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. As a general rule most countries expect that you will have at least 6 months' validity on your passport. On arrival visitors may be asked to present return tickets and evidence of means to cover your intended stay.

We keep the following information up to date as much as possible, but rules do change - it's important that you check for yourself. Residents from other countries must consult the relevant embassies or your travel agent.

  • Citizens from Singapore, Brunei and Japan are allowed up to 15 days stay without a visa. All other nationalities require a visa. When filling out the visa application form, please list the hotel in China specified in the start, continuing or finishing point listed in the Trip Notes as the "company or person to visit in China". You require a single entry visa to complete this trip.

    If submitting your visa form in person with your local consulate, please check beforehand whether you need to make an appointment.
  • CHINA:
    Australia: Yes - in advance
    Belgium: Yes - in advance
    Canada: Yes - in advance
    Germany: Yes - in advance
    Ireland: Yes - in advance
    Netherlands: Yes - in advance
    New Zealand: Yes - in advance
    South Africa: Yes - in advance
    Switzerland: Yes - in advance
    United Kingdom: Yes - in advance
    USA: Yes - in advance

    When filling out the visa application form you will be asked to complete a section "company or person to visit in China" or "Residence(s) and phone number(s) during your stay in China" (in a time sequence). It's only necessary to enter one hotel in China, and use the hotel details specified in the start, continuing or finishing point hotel information listed in the Trip Notes. You require a single entry visa to complete this trip.

    You will be required provide a copy of the trip notes and flight itinerary. Some consulates may ask for a hotel booking confirmations, please contact us if this is required. Should you be asked to provide a personal statement of your daily itinerary you will need to use the hotel booking confirmation document that we can provide for you.

    If submitting your visa form in person with your local consulate, please check beforehand whether you need to make an appointment.

    Intrepid also requires you to provide a clear scanned copy of the front page of your passport (photo page) at the time of booking for relevant train journey bookings. Intrepid must receive the passport copy at least 30 days prior to travel. Please make sure that this copy is for the passport that you will be travelling on. If you have to renew your passport please bring your old passport with you as well.
  • HONG KONG:
    Australia: No - Not required
    Belgium: No - Not required
    Canada: No - Not required
    Germany: No - Not required
    Ireland: No - Not required
    Netherlands: No - Not required
    New Zealand: No - Not required
    South Africa: No - Not required
    Switzerland: No - Not required
    United Kingdom: No - Not required
    USA: No - Not required

    Please note that Hong Kong isn't considered part of China for visa purposes.
  • CHINA/TIBET:
    Australia: Yes - in advance
    Belgium: Yes - in advance
    Canada: Yes - in advance
    Germany: Yes - in advance
    Ireland: Yes - in advance
    Netherlands: Yes - in advance
    New Zealand: Yes - in advance
    South Africa: Yes - in advance
    Switzerland: Yes - in advance
    United Kingdom: Yes - in advance
    USA: Yes - in advance

    All nationalities require a visa for stays of over 15 days in China. When filling out the visa application form you will be asked to complete a section "company or person to visit in China" or "Residence(s) and phone number(s) during your stay in China" (in a time sequence). It's only necessary to enter one hotel in China, and use the hotel details specified in the start, continuing or finishing point hotel information listed in the Trip Notes. You require a single entry visa to complete this trip.

    Travel within Tibet is still considered a sensitive issue and is closely monitored by the Chinese authorities. To obtain a tourist visa for China for your trip, we recommend that you refrain from mentioning Tibet as part of your planned itinerary. Mentioning Tibet on your application form will result in your visa application being rejected as consulates will only accept applications that mention Tibet if you have booked on a tour operated by the official government tourism agency.

    Some consulates may ask for a hotel booking confirmations, please contact us if this is required.

    If submitting your visa form in person with your local consulate, please check beforehand whether you need to make an appointment.
  • As your China visa won't specify the areas which you'll be visiting in country it's sufficient to list Beijing as your destination in China on your application form. Your Chinese visa needs to be valid until at least Day 16 of the tour.
  • IMPORTANT - TIBET PERMIT:
    Once you have obtained your Chinese visa you must provide a clear colour copy of your passport page and Chinese visa to your booking agent. This should be in JPEG format and Intrepid must receive this at least 30 days prior to travel in order to apply for your group's Tibet permit. Please make sure that this copy is for the passport that you will be travelling on. If you have to renew your passport please bring your old passport with you as well. If we do not receive these documents from you by this time your name and passport details will not be listed on the group permit and you will not be able to board the train to travel to Lhasa with the group.

    Due to the political sensitivity of this region it is important to understand that there are sometimes unexpected difficulties in obtaining Tibetan permits which are out of Intrepid's control. Three times during 2011 and 2012, and without official announcement by the government authorities controlling permit issue, the region of Tibet has been closed to visitors, or permits denied. It is impossible to predict when or if these sudden changes will occur again in the future. Of course Intrepid and our local ground teams will do everything we can to obtain permits or warn our travellers if they will be affected by last minute closures.
  • CHINA - SILK ROAD:
    Australia: Yes - in advance
    Belgium: Yes - in advance
    Canada: Yes - in advance
    Germany: Yes - in advance
    Ireland: Yes - in advance
    Netherlands: Yes - in advance
    New Zealand: Yes - in advance
    South Africa: Yes - in advance
    Switzerland: Yes - in advance
    United Kingdom: Yes - in advance
    USA: Yes - in advance

    When filling out the visa application form, please list the hotel in China specified in the start, continuing or finishing point listed in the Trip Notes as the "company or person to visit in China". You require a single entry visa to complete this trip.

    As this trip travels to Xinjiang province, a politically sensitive region of China, we recommend that you only list Beijing and Xi'an as the destinations to be visited on your Chinese visa application. Once you have obtained your visa there are no restrictions on visiting the destinations outside of these cities when on your tour.

    If submitting your visa form in person with your local consulate, please check beforehand whether you need to make an appointment.
  • IMPORTANT:
    If you wish to return to mainland China after to your trip, either on another Intrepid tour or independently you must either arrive in China with a double entry Chinese visa or obtain another single entry Chinese visa while in Hong Kong before you will be able to travel to China.
  • CHINA (DRAGOMAN OVERLAND):
    Australia: Yes - in advance
    Belgium: Yes - in advance
    Canada: Yes - in advance
    Germany: Yes - in advance
    Ireland: Yes - in advance
    Netherlands: Yes - in advance
    New Zealand: Yes - in advance
    South Africa: Yes - in advance
    Switzerland: Yes - in advance
    United Kingdom: Yes - in advance
    USA: Yes - in advance

    Please apply for your China visa in advance. Please note that only UK and EU passport holders are able to get this visa
    in the UK. The visa is valid for 3 months from the date of issue and has a validity of 30, 60 or 90 days. All nationalities
    should check with the respective embassies for more information and costs.

    You require a single entry visa. Please list the destinations you will visit in China in chronological order on your application form but do not mention Kashgar, Turpan or Tibet anywhere on your application form as this could delay the process. Should you require a Hotel List or Invitation Letter for your application please contact us.

    The following information can be used for your application if requested:

    Name of Host/Inviting Organisation:
    Jason Tours
    Sichuan China YTS, 2nd Floor, 19 Dongchenggeng Street
    Chengdu 610031
    CHINA
    Tel: +86 (28) 8907 5414

    IMPORTANT:
    Tibet permits will be arranged en route with the help of our local agent. You will need to send Dragoman a qualityscanned
    copy of your passport and a copy of your Chinese visa in order for us to arrange this approx 2 months before
    departure or as soon as possible.

    Please also be aware that a sudden change in the political situation can especially for Tibet lead to an immediate
    change in Visa issuance policy:
    - This can create unforeseen delays, as authorities suddenly require additional information from visitors,
    - Or sudden unforeseen price increases for visa issuance.
  • STAYING IN CHINA LONGER THAN 30 DAYS:
    1. Get a double or multi entry visa but will have to leave china

    2. May be possible to special request and extended Chinese tourist visa direct with embassy with itinerary proof of exact trip details (which Beijijng can do) Never include Tibet

    3. If it is just an extra day - eg 31 days total then some border crossings/exits may be lenient with the payment of a fine - however we don't recommend as rules can change any time
  • CHINA:
    Australia: Yes - in advance
    Belgium: Yes - in advance
    Canada: Yes - in advance
    Germany: Yes - in advance
    Ireland: Yes - in advance
    Netherlands: Yes - in advance
    New Zealand: Yes - in advance
    South Africa: Yes - in advance
    Switzerland: Yes - in advance
    United Kingdom: Yes - in advance
    USA: Yes - in advance

    When filling out the visa application form you will be asked to complete a section "company or person to visit in China" or "Residence(s) and phone number(s) during your stay in China" (in a time sequence). It's only necessary to enter one hotel in China, and use the hotel details specified in the start, continuing or finishing point hotel information listed in the Trip Notes. You require a single entry visa to complete this trip.

    You will be required provide a copy of the trip notes and flight itinerary. Some consulates may ask for a hotel booking confirmations, please contact us if this is required. Should you be asked to provide a personal statement of your daily itinerary you will need to use the hotel booking confirmation document that we can provide for you.

    If submitting your visa form in person with your local consulate, please check beforehand whether you need to make an appointment.

Shortlist

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China at a glance

  • 62
  • Beijing (population 13 million)
  • 1.3 billion
  • Mandarin, Cantonese and many dialects
  • CNY
  • (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
  • Type A (North American/Japanese 2-pin), Type C (European 2-pin), Type I (Australian/New Zealand & Chinese/Argentine 2/3-pin)
  • +86

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