| Chinacyber.com |
|
TRAVEL FACTS |
|
TRAVEL LINKS |
|
|
|
China Travel Guide |
Essential facts
When to go
China is a vast country with wide-ranging climatic conditions, so decide about when to go based on the regions your trip will cover. Standard tours usually take in a little of everywhere, so the most comfortable seasons are late spring (May) or early autumn (September to early October). There are other considerations, however: blossom in the north appears in April, orchids in the south in February. Some national holidays (see opposite) may be attractions or deterrents. Bear in mince that accommodations at these times can be heavily booked.
Climate
Broadly speaking, summers (late May to August) are
extremely hot everywhere (except at high altitude, as in Tibet) and very
humid in the south. Winters vary from one part of China to another:
central China, along the Yangtze, has a short, cold winter (late November
to mid-Marcii) while the regions to the north are very cold and, in
Beijing and northward, well below freezing. South of the Yangtze
temperatures rarely fall below freeziiig but vary from cool to warm in the
lowland southwest, winters are very warm. The rainy season runs from May
through August. In April sandstorms sometimes occur in Beijing and Inner
Mongolia.
Crime and the police
Until recently China was one of the safest places in the world for foreign visitors. It remains very safe compared to almost everywhere else but you are advised to take sensible precautions: - keep valuables in safe boxes where available; do not leave valuables in hotel rooms; conceal money and valuables when out on the streets; lock your suitcases.
Violent crime against foreigners is rare but recent reports of muggings may indicate that this is changing. Unless the crime is serious enough to reflect badly on China, swift action is unlikely. Nonetheless, report cases of theft to the police or the nearest Foreign Affairs branch of the Public Security Bureau for insurance purposes. If you feel a serious crime is being ignored, you should contact your embassy or consulate.
Emergency telephone numbers
The emergency travel assistance number of CITS is Beijing (01 0) 66031185 or 65130828.
Other emergency numbers are:
Police 110;
Fire 119;
Ambulance 120
Embassies and consulates In Beijing
Australia: 21 Dongzhirneilwai Dajie (tel. (01 0) 6532 2331)
Canada: 19 Dongzliimenwai Dajie (tel. (010) 6532 3536)
New Zealand: 1 Ritan Donger Jie (tel. (010) 6532 2731)
United Kingdom: II Guanghua Lu, jiai-tguomenwai (tel.
(010) 6532 1961)
United States: 3 Xiushui Beijie, jianguomenwai (tel. (010) 6532 6057)
In Guangzhou (Canton)
Australia: Main Bldg., Citic I'laza, 339 Huanshi Donglu (tel. 8331 2738)
France: China Hotel, Liuhui Lu (tel. 8667 7522)
Japan: Garden Hotel Tower, 368 Huanshi Donglu (tel. 8333
8999)
Thailand: White Swan Hotel, Shamian (tel. 8888 6968)
United States: White Swai-t Hotel, I Shamian Nanjic, Shamian Island (tel. 8888 89 1 1)
Vietnam: 13 Taojin Beilu (tel. 8358 1000, ext. 101)
In Shanghai
Australia: Rm 401, Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nanjing Xilu (tel. 6437 4580)
Canada: West Tower, Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nanjing Xilu (tel. 6279 8400)
France: Ruijin Bldg., 205 Maoming Nanlu (tel. 6472 3631)
United Kingdom: RM 301, Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nanjing Xilu (tel. 6279 7650)
United States: 1469 1 fuaihai Zhonglu (let. 6433 6880)
Lost property (shiwu zhaotingchu) If you lose anything, inform your hotel there is every chance that it will have been handed in to Reception. Then speak to your guide for further advice.
If credit cards or traveler's checks have been stolen, inform the issuer as soon as possible. In serious difficulty, get in touch with your embassy.
Health, vaccinations, and pharmacies Health Considering its comparative poverty and its climatic extremes, China is a remarkably healthy country. The Chinese are fairly punctilious about hygiene, particularly where food and drink are concerned.
Tap water is not safe, but any water you are offered to drink is sure to have been boiled; mineral water is widely available. Food ingredients are always fresh and cooked or cleaned thoroughly, but, stomach upsets are possible so take a proprietary medicine with you.
More common ailments are sore throats and chest colds, which can strike a tiny time of year. The summer heat can seriously affect your health, and a steady supply of liquids is essential to prevent dehydration.
Hospital care is, on the whole, reasonable, and in major cities foreigners receive special attention (for special pi-ices). Usually payment is made afterwards, but some hospitals may ask for payment in advance; in any case it is sensible to check the cost beforehand.
Traditional Chinese medicine can be efficacious but requires patience.
For minor ailments, hotels frequently have their own clinics.
Vaccinations Currently no
vaccinations are required, but you should check with your doctor for up-to-date information. 'f'etanus and typhoid injections are essential for travel anywhere, and it is advisable to consider vaccinations against rabies and hepatitis. There is a risk of malaria in south China in the remoter areas, and it is recommended that you check on the situation before you go.
Pharmacies Pharmacies in the big cities are well stocked with both Western and Chinese drugs. Without a prescription, however, it will be difficult to explain what you want, so if you are already taking a course of prescribed drugs, bring your own supply.Women are advised to stock up on personal hygiene items such as tampons if visiting remoter areas.
|
|
