Do I require a Visa to enter China?

A visa is required for Canadians, Americans and people of most other nationalities who travel to China.   Detailed instructions and a visa application form will be sent to you upon receipt of your tour deposit.  You will find useful information about Chinese visa application procedures at http://www.chinaembassycanada.org/eng/. Here is a list of the Chinese  Embassies and Consulates in North America:

                                                                                   CANADIAN OFFICES

                                                                             AMERICAN OFFICES

Will I require a visa to enter Hong Kong?

Canadian and US passport holders do not require a visa for Hong Kong if your stay is less than 90 days as a tourist. For other passport holders, please consult with your nearest PRC embassy or consulate.

       What about baggage allowances?      

For International flights you are usually allowed two pieces of checked luggage. Remember as an International traveler you will want to pack light for your trip and will most likely only want to bring one large suitcase as checked baggage. Most articles of clothing that you will want you will be able to purchase in China. (Please check with your commercial airline as baggage limitations and restricted items change all the time). Our tours allow one piece of checked baggage to be handled by the company.

For China domestic flights, you are allowed to check one piece of luggage. The limitation is 20 Kilograms (44 pounds) total. You can also take one hand carry-on plus a backpack or tote bag, all of which should fit in the overhead compartment or under your seat. A fee may be imposed for extra pieces or excessive weight.

           Is immunization required to enter China?

Currently there are no particular immunizations required for entry into China, unless the traveler is coming from a yellow fever infected area. The Canadian and U.S. disease control and prevention authorities recommend that all travelers have current polio and tetanus immunizations. For traveling into the countryside and remote areas, immune globulin is also recommended to combat hepatitis A, as is typhoid immunization. It is very important that you consult your own doctor or local clinic for more information.  We advise that you bring along a supply of antibiotics, an anti-diarrhea agent, and any other prescription drugs required by your current medical condition. When bringing your own medications it is good to bring along a letter from you family Doctor noting what medications you require.

         What about hospitals in China?

Most hospitals in China have excellent Doctors and many of them are Western trained. In the cities our tours are conducted there is very little worry about hospitals and Doctors. It is recommended and highly advised that you purchase emergency travel insurance in addition to any other Provincial or Private plan that you are currently covered under. 

          What should I pack to bring to China?

The rule of thumb is to bring casual clothes and pack lightly. A sturdy, comfortable pair of walking shoes is an absolute must (especially walking the Great Wall). A sports coat and a nice shirt for man, and one or two dresses or pantsuits for women will suit the most formal occasions to be encountered in China. Travelers should bring shirts, sweaters and jackets that can be worn in layers to suit a range of climates. Shorts (for both men and women) are fine for summer days though not recommended when visiting religious shrines. Remember, dress for Comfort, not for Style.

Checklist:

• Electrical converter and adapter plugs. China's electrical system operates at 220 volts.
• Common toiletries, cold and digestive medications, lip balm, sanitary napkins and any over-the-counter medicines you generally use.
• Prescription medications you normally take (it is a good idea to bring along a Doctors letter stating what you are taking).
• Chewing gum, mints or throat lozenges to keep your mouth moist.
• Reading materials, including a guidebook on the places you will see.
• Sunscreen lotion and sunglasses.
• Depending on the time of year and where you are traveling bring a light raincoat or an umbrella.
• A good camera & film. Most travelers are using digital cameras now and extra memory cards are nice to have along.  Be aware that while print film is available in most places, slide film may be difficult to find. Batteries are readily accessible but if you use a battery charger you will need an adaptor.
• A notebook to keep track of all the exciting things happening on the trip.
• Most hotels will have hair dryers and either alarm clocks or a wake-up service, while you may decide to bring your own, remember the electrical current is 220 volts.

          What should I be concerned about regarding currency?

The local currency in China is called Renminbi (RMB) Yuan, one Canadian dollar is 7.15 Yuan, and one US dollar is about 7.94 Yuan. We recommend that you bring your major credit card, traveler's cheques and cash. Some hotels and large shops in big cities accept major credit cards. 

Cash is easy to exchange at the Bank of China while we have found that exchanging travelers cheques into local currency in China is very time consuming. Therefore we recommend that you exchange your money at a Currency Exchange in the International Airport when you depart or when you arrive in China. Sometimes you can change your traveler's cheques into local money at the hotel exchange counter. The exchange rate is a bit higher than using cash. Remember to keep your currency exchange paper that you get at the Chinese mainland airport. If you dont keep it, you will find it is almost impossible to exchange your Chinese money back to another currency unless you exit China via Hong Kong.

The Bank of China ATM's usually accept debit cards up to a daily maximum of 3000 RMB (renminbi).  Any banking machine displaying Interac or Plus will dispense cash in Chinese currency.

Personal cheques are not accepted. In Hong Kong, the local currency is in HK dollars. One Canadian dollar is 7.0 HK dollars, and one US dollar is about 7.7 HK dollars. Please note exchange rates fluctuate and information provided here is for your reference only, please consult your local bank.

          What is the weather like in China?

Great differences in climate are found from region to region due to China's extensive territory and complex topography. Hainan Island in the south has a long summer but no winter, while the northern part of Heilongjiang Province in the northeast has long winters but no summer.   The western part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is covered by snow all year round and the Huaihe River valley features four distinct seasons, and. The southern part of the Yunan-Guizhou Plateau is spring-like in all seasons; and the northwestern inland regions could see great variations of temperature within the day.

From September and October to March and April the following year monsoons blow from the Mongolian Plateau and Siberia  into China and decreases in force as it goes southward, causing dry and cold winters in the country and a temperature difference of 40 degrees centigrade between the north and the south. The temperature in China in the winter is 5 to 18 degrees centigrade lower than that in other countries on the same latitude in winter. Monsoons blow into China from the ocean in summer, bringing with them warm and wet currents, thus rain.  Annual precipitation also varies greatly from region to region, which is as high as 1,500 millimeters along the southeastern coast, and as low as 50 millimeters in the northwest.

Please refer to our temperature guide below for seasonal averages.

(Temperatures are in both Celsius and Fahrenheit).