Travel to China - general guideline

China is a big and great country with more than 5,000 years history. Chinese people is kind and friendly to the foreigner, and even English is rarely spoken, they will always try to speak to foreigners using some words like "hello" and "thanks".

Chinese Visa required

Type of Visa. Before coming to China you need to apply and get a Chinese visa. There are basically two types: Tourist Visa (F), Working Visa (Z), each of them having other subcategories, but process and requirements for each one is basically the same.

Invitation Letter. For working visa you need an invitation letter from a company registered in China, issued in both English and Chinese, can be provided by any Chinese provider or event organizer in China. For other general requirements (bank statements, air-tickets, itinerary, photography, etc.) you have to check with the local Chinese Embassy in your country.

Length of Stay and Entries. Visas are usually issued for 3 months length and several entries (under request), however, in most of the cases, the authorized length of stay in China mainland is 30 days per entry, having to exit the country and re-enter as many times as allowed in your visa number of entries.

Please note that if you plan to visit Hong Kong, it counts as one more entry as it is a "Special Administrative Region" of China and so requires visa when entering China from Hong Kong.

Entering China

Registration at Local Police. All foreigner entering China is required to be registered at the local police department into next 24 hours of arrival. If you are visiting China as part of an event or as tourist, usually the Hotel you stay in takes care of it. However, if you come on your own, take special attention to this, as it can get you serious troubles if ommited.

Currency. Currency in China is RMB (Yuan), US dollars are only accepted in few places such as hotels and main restaurants, however can charge you high exchange rates for it, so it is recommended exchange your money to local notes at airport after arrival or at any Chinese bank (Bank of China is the main one).

Taxis. Besides tourist places and big hotels, people in China only speaks and reads chinese, so have the address printed in chinese ready to show to the taxi driver. Taxis may charge you an extra airport fare they have to pay to enter the zone, and for long distances, any toll gate fare associated.

During your stay

Tips. Tips is not needed in China, even due to increase of tourists, some places started accepting. However, is a common rule that if you even want to tip some one, the person will walk away and even feel bad or scared. So, unless you are very greatful, you don't need to offer tip, nobody will point at you for that, and for the contrary, people will watch if you do.

Security. Pick pocketing is common at crowded places, so be special carefuly when going to supermarkets, airports, etc. Always watch out at your mobile, as this is the most common object stolen, even if you are walking in the street. Besides this, violence is low in China, people is friendly so don't afraid to ask for help if you need.

Scams. This is more common in China, and one specially targeting male foreigners is when a chinese girl approaches to you and after talking good things about you for while, she asks you to invite her to drink tea. After a nice hour of chat at the tea place you are presented with a high and long bill for hundreds of US dollars.

Currency counter-fait. Is also very common despite strong efforts by the government to eliminate it. Is more common on high notes of 50 and 100 RMB. Most of places always check the notes before accepting. One simple tip to verify the authenticity is looking at the quality of paper, fake notes are printed in normal bond paper, you can also shake it, real notes have a distinctive sound.

Bargain. Is part of the system, and if you don't do it you may "loose face". If you go shopping on the street or at small places, always expect an increased price (even looks cheap compared to your country), so no matter the price or what the seller tells you, always ask for discount, if not, just walk away, most of the cases the seller will call you back and give you a better price. How much is good? it all depends on the place and the article, but you can sometimes get up to 50% off the initial price.

Enjoy

These is general information based in our experience (of locals and foreigners living in China), but the main thing you need to do is come to enjoy, China is a great country, with friendly people, great prices and several beautiful places to visit... enjoy!

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