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China Travel Information & Facts

China is one of the world’s oldest civilizations— a country of immense size and diversity. Visitors are often surprised at how modern and open China really is. Its vastness adds to the excitement of planning a trip here . The capital, Beijing, features royal gardens, ancient architecture and modern structures— and is the perfect gateway to the Great Wall. On the ancient Silk Road, Xi’an was once the capital of 13 dynasties. Hundreds of palaces and temples were built here, including the famous Tomb of Emperor Qin Shihuang, with its Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses. A city both ancient and modern, Nanjing has many places of interest, such as the Confucian Temple and the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. China’s largest metropolis, Shanghai is a paradise for shopping and dining. Of course, no visit to China would be complete without a cruise on the stunning Yangtze River, with its renowned Three Gorges.

China Facts: China FAQ

Population:
1.25 billion

Capital City:
Beijing (12.6 million)

Language:
Chinese. 

Weather:
Spring (Mar-Apr) and autumn (Sep-Oct) are the best times to visit China.

In the north - Around Beijing, during the summer (May to August), it can get quite hot and humid with temperatures rising to 85 or 95 degrees Fahrenheit; however the average temperature is generally cooler. Winter (December to March) can be extremely harsh and cold with chilly temperatures often below 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Some snowfall and frost during mid winter is not uncommon. Spring and autumn have warm days and cold nights with average temperatures 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Central China - Shanghai, Nanjing, and sections of the Yangtze experience brief cold winters where temperatures can slip below 30 degrees Fahrenheit.  Summer between April and October are long and humid.

In the south - Summer is generally wet, hot and humid. Winter is short and chilly and can get down to 30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit but is generally milder than the north. Spring and autumn has pleasant temperatures around 70 to 80 degrees, but can be wet.

Safety:

China is a relatively safe country. Travelers should be conscious of pick pocketing and bag snatching.

Health:
Western medical facilities are available in the major cities. In remote areas of China, medical facilities are basic. We strongly recommend you consult your preferred doctor for the most up to date advice on the best health precautions at least one month prior to travel. Travel Insurance must be purchased as a condition of travel.

Visas:
A Chinese visa must be obtained PRIOR to departure.  It must be obtained IN PERSON or through a visa service agency.  See the visa section of this website for full details. Passports must have more than 6 months validity. Please note if you leave and re-enter China you will need to obtain a double or multiple entry visa for China.


Money:
The currency in China is known as the Renminbi (RMB) or “people’s money”. This basic unit of currency is formally known as the Yuan (Y).  You are advised to carry a mix of cash and travelers’ checks (US$ & CAD$ are accepted throughout China). Travelers’ checks can be exchanged at most major hotels. Credit cards can be used in many of the hotels and in some shops and restaurants in major cities; however they are not widely accepted in more rural areas. Visa and MasterCard are the most commonly accepted in cards.  Cash advances can be obtained using these cards at most Bank of China offices. ATM access is available throughout the country at Bank of China particularly in the bigger cities.

Departure Tax:
International departure tax is RMB90 (approx USD$12pp) and domestic departure tax is RMB50 (approx USD$7pp) per flight.

2007 Public Holidays & Festivals

Jan 1 New Year’s Day
Late Jan/Early Feb Chinese New Year
May 1-3 International Labor Day
Late May Dragon Boat Festival
Mid-September Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival)
Oct 1-3 National Day

 

Electricity:
220W.  Two-rounded pin standard Asian plugs are used in most parts of the country.         


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