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Time
Difference |
Visa
| Customs Regulations
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Quarantine
& Immunizations
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Currency
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Foreign Exchange
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Climate
& Clothing
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Packing & Checklist
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Baggage
Limit
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Safety
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Related Links
Time Difference
China has only one time zone, the
standard time is BEIJING TIME. China does follow the daylight saving time system from
mid-April to mid-September. When it is 12 Noon in Beijing (standard time), the
standard time in different cities of the world is as follows:
|
City |
Time |
City |
Time |
City |
Time |
|
Accra |
4:00AM |
Karachi |
9:00AM |
Sao Paulo |
12:00PM* |
|
Addis
Ababa |
7:00AM |
Lima |
11:00PM* |
Singapore |
11:30AM |
|
Algiers |
5:00AM |
London |
4:00AM |
Tehran |
7:30AM |
|
Amsterdam |
5:00AM |
Manila |
12:00PM |
Tokyo |
1:00PM |
|
Ankara |
6:00AM |
Moscow |
7:00AM |
Vancouver |
8:00PM* |
|
Baghdad |
7:00AM |
Melbourne |
2:00PM |
Vienna |
5:00AM |
|
Bangkok |
11:00AM |
Montreal |
11:00PM* |
Washington,D.C. |
11:00PM* |
|
Beijing |
12:00PM |
New
York |
11:00PM* |
Zurich |
5:00AM |
|
Belgrade |
5:00AM |
Nairobi |
7:00AM |
|
|
|
Bombay |
9:00AM |
Osaka |
1:00PM |
|
|
|
Bucharest |
6:00AM |
Paris |
5:00AM |
|
|
|
Buenos
Aires |
0:00AM* |
Pyongyang |
1:00PM |
|
|
|
Cairo |
6:00AM |
Seoul |
1:00PM |
|
|
|
Delhi |
9:30AM |
Rangoon |
10:30AM |
|
|
|
Frankfurt |
5:00AM |
Rome |
5:00AM |
|
|
|
Geneva |
5:00AM |
San Francisco |
8:00PM* |
|
|
*
Of the previous day.
Procedures
and Visa
According to the Law of the People's Republic of China
Concerning the Administration of Foreigners Entering and Leaving the
Country, foreign tourists must apply for visas at China's foreign
affairs offices, consulates or other organizations authorized by the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A group of five tourists or more can apply
for a group tourist visa. This is usually handled by a travel agency
organizing groups. People coming to China from countries which have visa
agreements with China (such as agreements which exempt tourist groups
from visas) are treated in accordance with these agreements.
If
you want to go to Tibet for a visit you can apply for a visa only with
the consent of the Tourism Administration of the Tibet Autonomous Region
or any one of its foreign representative offices.
A
passport is required for visa application, the passport shall be valid for at least 6 months beyond
the duration of the tour.
Visa
is required for Canadians, Americans and people of most other
nationalities who travel to China. You can apply it directly at the
Chinese Embassies and Consulate Generals around the world:
For
Canadian and US passport holders, visa is not required 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.
CANADA
Chinese
Embassy in Ottawa
515 St. Patrick Street
Ottawa, Ontario,
K1N 5H3
Canada |
Chinese Consulate
in Toronto
240 St. George Street
Toronto, Ontario, M5R 2P4
Canada |
Chinese Consulate,
Calgary
100-1011th Ave. SW
Calgary, Alberta, T2P 0W1
Canada
Tel: 403-264-3322 |
Chinese
Consulate in Vancouver
3380 Granville Street
Vancouver, BC, V6H 3K3
Canada |
U.S.A.
|
Washington
DC Embassy
2300 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington DC 20008,
USA
Tel:202-328-2517
|
New
York Consulate General
520 12th Ave.
New York, NY 10036,
USA
Tel:212-330-7409
|
|
Chicago
Consulate General
100 West Erie St.
Chicago, IL 60610,
USA
Tel: 312-573-3070
|
San
Francisco Consulate General
1450 Laguna St.
San Francisco, CA 94115,
USA
415-563-9232
|
|
Los
Angeles Consulate General
443 Shatto Place
Los Angeles, CA 90020,
USA
Tel: 213-380-2508
|
Houston
Consulate General
3417 Montrose Blvd
Houston, TX 77006,
USA
Tel: 713-524-4311
|
China
Visa Office in Hong Kong
5th Floor, Lower Block,
China Resource Building
Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Tel: 2827 1811
For
contact information of Chinese embassies and consulate generals
in other countries and regions, please
CLICK
HERE.
Customs
Regulations
Entry: Tourists must fill out a
baggage declaration form (in two copies) and hand it in to customs,
retaining the carbon to show upon exit.
Personal belongings will be admitted duty free, including food, two
bottles of liquor and two cartons of cigarettes. Wristwatches, radios,
tape recorders, cameras, movie cameras, and similar items may be brought
in for personal use but cannot be sold or transferred to others and must
be brought out of China.
Gifts for relatives or friends in China, or articles carried on behalf
of other, must also be declared.
Visitors can bring in an unlimited amount of foreign currency and
Chinese Renminbi (RMB) traveler's checks, and the unspent portion can be
taken out.
Bringing in the following articles is prohibited:
-
Arms,
ammunition, and explosives of all kinds
-
Radio
transmitters-receivers and principal parts
-
Renminbi (RMB)
in cash
-
Manuscripts,
printed matter, films, photographs, gramophone records,
cinematographic films, loaded recording tapes and videotapes, etc.
which are detrimental to China's politics, economy, culture, and
ethics
-
Poisonous
drugs, habit-forming drugs, opium, morphine, heroin, etc.
-
Animals,
plants and products thereof infected with or carrying germs and
insect pests
-
Unsanitary
foodstuffs and germ-carrying food-stuffs from infected areas
-
Other
articles the import of which is prohibited by state regulations
Exit: On
leaving China, tourists must again submit the baggage declaration form
for customs inspection (the second copy). Travelers by ship are
exempted.
Items purchased in China with RMB converted from foreign currencies may
be taken out or mailed out of the country after receipts are presented
for customs inspection. In cities where a Customs Office does not exit,
this can be arranged through the local Friendship Store.
Taking out the following articles is prohibited:
-
Arms,
ammunition, and explosives of all kinds
-
Radio
transmitters-receivers and principal parts
-
Renminbi
(Chinese currency) in cash and negotiable securities in RMB
-
Unratified
foreign currency, foreign notes or drafts
-
Manuscripts,
printed matter, films, photographs, gramophone records,
cinematographic films, loaded recording tapes and videotapes, etc.
which are detrimental to China's national security
-
Rare and
precious copies of books about Chinese revolution, history, culture
and art that are not for sale
-
Valuable
animals, plants, and seeds
-
Precious
metals, pearls, and jewels (things declared to the customs are
exempted)
-
Other
articles the export of which is prohibited by state regulations
Quarantine
& Immunizations
Those
who carry such special articles as microorganisms, human body tissues,
biological products, and blood and its products, should declare to a
quarantine department, and subject these articles to quarantine
inspections. Passengers from yellow fever-infested areas should, when
entering China, display to the quarantine department effective
certificates showing that they have been inoculated against yellow
fever. He who does not have such a valid certificate shall be retained
for observation for six days beginning from the day he left the infested
area, or he shall be inoculated and retained until the certificate comes
into effect. It is the task of the Chinese quarantine authorities to
prevent foreigners suffering AIDS, venereal diseases, leprosy, mental
diseases and open tuberculosis from entering China.
There
are no particular immunizations required for entry into China, unless
the traveler is coming from a yellow fever infected area. The Canadian
and US disease control and prevention authorities recommend the 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 you to bring along a supply of antibiotics, an anti-diarrhea
agent, and any other prescription drugs required by your current medical
conditions.
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Currency
The
Chinese currency is called
Renminbi,
and
is issued by the People's Bank of China. The unit of Renminbi is the
yuan and the smaller units are the jiao and fen (10 fen=1 jiao, 10 jiao=1
yuan). Yuan, jiao and fen are issued as paper banknotes but there are
also yuan, five jiao and fen coins. Denominations of yuan banknotes are
1 yuan, 2 yuan, 5 yuan, 10 yuan, 20 yuan, 50 yuan and 100 yuan. Jiao
banknotes are 1 jiao, 2 jiao and 5 jiao and fen banknotes are 1 fen, 2
fen and 5 fen. The abbreviation for Chinese currency is RMB¥. Many
hotels and stores accept major credit cards. At present, the following
credit cards can be used in China: Master Card, Visa Card, American
Express, JCB, Diners Card. Holders of these cards can draw cash from the
Bank of China, buy goods and pay for purchases at exchange centers of
the Bank of China, appointed shops, hotels and restaurants.
For
the convenience of tourists, the Bank of China can cash travelers'
checks sold by international commercial banks and travelers' check
companies in the United States, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan,
Britain, France, Switzerland, Germany and other countries and regions.
Also the Bank of China sells travelers' checks for such banks as
American Express, Citibank, Tongjilong Travelers' Check Co., the
Sumitomo Bank of Japan, the Swiss Banking Corporation and others.
Foreign
Exchange
Foreign
currency cannot be circulated within the People's Republic of China or
used to determine the price and settle accounts. At present, China will
accept and convert into Chinese Renminbi such foreign currencies as the
US dollar, British pound, Euro, Japanese yen,
Australian dollar, Austrian schilling, Belgian franc, Canadian dollar,
HK dollar, Swiss franc, Danish Krone, Singapore dollar, Malaysian
ringgit, Italian lira, Macao dollar, Finnish markka, and Taiwan dollar.
Exchange rates are issued every day by the State Administration of
Exchange Control. Before leaving China, unused Chinese Renminbi can be
converted back into foreign currency with a "foreign exchange
certificate" which is valid for six months.
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Climate
and Clothing
China
has a continental and seasonal climate. Most parts are in the temperate
zone but southern areas are in the tropical or subtropical zone while
northern areas are in the frigid zone.
Climates in different areas are complicated. For instance,
northern Heilongjiang Province has a winter climate the year round
without summer, while Hainan Island has a summer climate the year round
without winter. The
following is a reference table for tourists to prepare clothing on their
trips.
-
Spring:
10-22°C,
Western suits, jackets, sports coats, woolen jackets, long sleeve
shirts and travel shoes.
-
Summer:
22°C
and above, T-shirts, short sleeve shirts, skirts, sandals, caps,
rain wear.
-
Autumn:
10-22°C,
Western suits, jackets, sports coats, light woolen sweaters, rain
wear and travel shoes.
-
Winter:
10°C
or lower, overcoat, cotton clothes, lined coats. In very cold areas
a cap, gloves and cotton-padded shoes are required.
China
can be visited through out the year because of the stretch of its
territories nad sites and activities it can offer. Deciding when to
visit China depends on which places you wish to visit, what type of
weather you enjoy, and how much a bargain you want. China is a huge
country with many different climates and types of landscape. Think of it
in terms of the United States, which China resembles in size and shape.
Traveling along the Golden Route (Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Guilin) is
like visiting New York, Chicago, Santa Fe, and Jacksonville, Florida all
in one trip.
April,
May, September and October are the peak tourist months at China’s most
popular destinations when the weather is the most comfortable. Prices
drop a bit in the shoulder season, which runs from November through
March and from June through August. However, the winter months are peak
season for trips to China’s Hainan Island and to the Northeast Harbin
for its world-famous ice-lantern festival.
This months are also packed with New Year holidays, Chinese
Spring Festival and other national or local happy fairs.
Summer months are great time to explore China’s Far
East-Manchuria.
Average
Temperatures (Centigrade/Fahrenheit) in Major Cities
|
CITY |
JAN |
FEB |
MAR |
APR |
MAY |
JUN |
JUL |
AUG |
SEP |
OCT |
NOV |
DEC |
|
Beijing |
-4.1
25 |
-1.6
29 |
4.9
41 |
13.6
57 |
20.0
68 |
25.2
77 |
27.9
82 |
26.6
80 |
20.3
69 |
12.7
55 |
4.2
40 |
-2.2
28 |
|
Chengde |
-9.2
15 |
-5.5
22 |
2.1
36 |
11.5
53 |
18.4
65 |
22.3
72 |
24.3
76 |
22.8
73 |
17.1
63 |
10.0
50 |
0.4
33 |
-7.2
19 |
|
Chengdu |
5.5
42 |
7.4
45 |
11.7
53 |
16.7
62 |
20.9
70 |
23.6
75 |
25.3
78 |
24.9
77 |
21.2
70 |
16.7
62 |
11.4
53 |
7.1
45 |
|
Chongqing |
7.5
46 |
9.1
48 |
13.8
57 |
18.4
65 |
21.8
71 |
24.7
77 |
28.3
83 |
28.3
83 |
23.4
74 |
18.4
65 |
13.6.
57 |
9.1
48 |
|
Dalian |
-4.5
24 |
-2.9
27 |
2.4
36 |
9.5
49 |
15.6
60 |
19.7
67.0 |
23.0
73 |
24.0
76 |
20.0
68 |
13.7
57 |
5.8
42 |
-1.0
30 |
|
Datong |
-11.0
12 |
-7.4
19 |
0
32 |
8.5
47 |
15.7
60 |
19.9
68 |
21.8
71 |
20.0
68 |
14.4
58 |
7.5
45 |
-1.4
29 |
-8.8
16 |
|
Guangzhou |
13.2
56 |
14.1
58 |
17.8
64 |
22.0
72 |
25.6
78 |
27.4
81 |
28.7
84 |
28.5
83 |
27.1
81 |
23.8
75 |
19.3
67 |
15.1
59 |
|
Guilin |
7.8
46 |
9.0
48 |
12.9
55 |
18.5
65 |
23.0
73 |
26.2
79 |
28.1
83 |
27.8
82 |
25.5
78 |
20.5
69 |
15.2
59 |
10.2
50 |
|
Hangzhou |
3.9
39 |
5.2
42 |
9.3
48 |
15.4
59 |
20.3
69 |
24.3
76 |
28.5
83 |
27.9
82 |
23.3
74 |
17.7
64 |
12.2
54 |
6.3
43 |
|
HongKong |
15.8
60 |
15.9
61 |
18.5
65 |
22.2
72 |
25.9
79 |
27.8
82 |
28.8
84 |
28.4
83 |
27.6
81 |
25.2
77 |
21.4
70 |
17.6
64 |
|
Huangshan |
-2.8
27 |
-1.6
29 |
2.3
36 |
7.7
46 |
11.9
53 |
14.9
59 |
17.6
64 |
17.3
63 |
13.7
57 |
9.2
48 |
4.0
39 |
-0.6
31 |
|
Kunming |
7.9
46 |
10.0
50 |
13.2
56 |
16.6
62 |
19.1
67 |
19.6
67 |
19.7
67 |
19.0
66 |
17.2
63 |
14.6
58 |
11.1
52 |
8.0
46 |
|
Lhasa |
-2.1
28 |
0.9
34 |
4.5
40 |
8.1
46 |
11.8
53 |
15.7
60 |
15.3
59 |
14.4
58 |
12.7
55 |
8.2
46 |
2.1
36 |
-1.6
29 |
|
Luoyang |
0.4
33 |
2.7
37 |
8.4
47 |
15.4
59 |
21.2
70 |
26.3
79 |
27.3
81 |
26.0
79 |
21.1
70 |
15.3
59 |
8.3
47 |
2.3
36 |
|
Nanjing |
2.1
36 |
3.9
39 |
8.5
47 |
15.0
59 |
20.1
68 |
24.6
77 |
27.9
82.0 |
27.4
81 |
22.4
72 |
16.6
62 |
10.2
50 |
4.3
40 |
|
Qingdao |
0.7
31 |
-0.4
31 |
4.7
40 |
10.5
51 |
15.9
60 |
20.0
68 |
23.8
75 |
25.2
77 |
21.5
70 |
16.1
61 |
8.9
48 |
2.0
35 |
|
Sanya |
21.2
70 |
22.2
72 |
24.2
76 |
26.6
79 |
28.3
83 |
28.5
83 |
28.5
83 |
28.0
82 |
27.3
81 |
26.1
79 |
24.2
76 |
21.9
71 |
|
Shanghai |
4.7
40 |
8.2
46 |
13.4
56 |
18.5
65 |
22.9
73 |
27.2
81 |
27.5
82 |
24.1
76 |
18.8
66 |
12.8
55.0 |
6.9
44 |
4.0
39 |
|
Suzhou |
3.2
38 |
4.3
40 |
8.6
47 |
14.5
58 |
19.6
67 |
23.8
75 |
28.0
82 |
27.7
82 |
23.1
73 |
17.7
64 |
11.9
53 |
5.6
42 |
|
Urumqi |
-13.9
7 |
-11.6
11 |
-1.8
29 |
9.8
50 |
16.9
62 |
21.8
71 |
24.2
76 |
22.7
73 |
16.7
62 |
7.6
46 |
-3.1
26 |
-11
12 |
|
Wuhan |
3.2
38 |
5.2
42 |
9.8
50 |
16.3
61 |
21.5
71 |
25.6
78 |
28.7
84 |
28.2
83 |
23.2
73 |
17.4
63 |
11.2
52 |
5.4
42 |
|
Wuxi |
2.8
37 |
4.0
39 |
8.4
47 |
14.4
58 |
19.6
67 |
23.8
75 |
28.0
82 |
27.6
82 |
22.8
73 |
17.2
63 |
11.3
52 |
5.0
41 |
|
Xiamen |
13.0
55 |
13.4
56 |
15.5
60 |
19.7
67 |
23.2
73 |
25.9
79 |
27.6
82 |
27.2
81 |
25.5
78 |
22.2
72 |
18.6
65 |
14.6
58 |
|
Xian |
-0.5
31 |
2.5
37 |
8.4
47 |
14.6
59 |
19.6
67 |
25.0
77 |
26.4
80 |
24.8
77 |
19.0
66 |
13.3
56 |
6.3
43 |
0.7
33 |
|
CITY |
JAN |
FEB |
MAR |
APR |
MAY |
JUN |
JUL |
AUG |
SEP |
OCT |
NOV |
DEC |
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Packing
and Checklist
|
