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A Guidebook to
China
中
国
11,
Bin Jiang Road, Guilin 541002, China
Tel. (0773)
2810927
Fax: (0773) 2827424/2885308 Some
Important hints Tipping Tipping or gratuities are not common practice in most sectors
of Chinese life, although it has become the norm to tip the tour guide and
driver, hotel bellboy in recognition of their good service. It is not customary
to leave tips at local restaurants. China Highlights does not include tips in our quoted
the tour price. We suggest RMB 40 ($5) to RMB 100 ($10) per adult guest per day
as a tip for tour guide and RMB 25 $3 to RMB 65 $8 to the driver and about RMB
10 $2 for hotel bellboys when traveling in a small party of 2 to 5 members. For example a tour party of 2 staying in Beijing for 3
nights, could tip the guide RMB 120 (US$15) to RMB 240 (US$30) each per adult
– RMB 240 (US$ 30) to RMB 480 (US$ 60) in total. We suggest tours that include
biking, hiking, rafting and other active adventure tours should be double. Please feel free to tip according to the performance of
the guide and driver. We appreciate your feedback regarding their work as they
are our front line. Cultural
Issues Do
not compare Western culture with Chinese culture. The
Chinese people are very proud of their ancient heritage. Many customs will
be very different to Western cultures. It is necessary to be sensitive to these
cultural differences. Dining
in China Food has a special meaning to the Chinese people. Go ahead
and try out all the different specialties of every region. l
Most restaurants provide tea free of charge. l
Cutlery can be ordered if wished. . l
Tipping is not expected. Do you want to venture out
from the tourist area to eat where the locals eat? We have prepared menus in Chinese and English that will give you
freedom to escape the hotels or the tourist beat. Click
here to go to our download page. Taking
a taxi Taking a taxi is the most comfortable, easiest and most
secure way of getting around. There are many taxis in cities large and small.
Simply wave your hand and a taxi will stop for you. Prices vary by city but are
usually very cheap. The meter should always be activated. You can order a taxi
from your hotel and ask the concierge to write down your destination on a card.
Pay the driver upon arrival. Tipping is not the custom. Taking
pictures in China There is no problem in taking photo’s in most areas. Please
refrain from taking pictures of the police and government officials. At some
tourist areas you may have to pay for the privilege of taking a photo. Dress
Code Smart casual and modest Bathrooms Western
Toilets are not
generally available outside hotels and airports anywhere in China. Toilet paper
is not supplied. Tissues are available for purchase almost everywhere
and are inexpensive. It is wise to always carry a supply. Using
the telephone Phone booths are rare in
China. You
can use a public phone at most kiosks instead. Cellular phones from other
countries work in China. These calls can be expensive so it would be wise to
talk to you local provider before leaving your home country. Hotel phones can be
very expensive. l
Phone
calls – International phone calls can be made from most hotels but please be
aware that that the call rates may be expensive. Many
mobile phones have global roaming
which will allow calls to be made as if you are at home. Please check your phone
service provider to obtain call rates. Yangtze
River cruises use satellite phone for communications. To
make an international call from China please use the following procedure:- e.g.
to dial USA 00
(to get an international line) 1 (country code)
(then area code without any zeros)(then ph number)
00 1
215 999 9999
To Holland
00
31
66
333 3333
Domestic calls 0773 999
9999
(area code) (phone number) Email
facilities are available in most hotels and many have internet connections in
the rooms. Internet cafes are plentiful and inexpensive in China Shopping
in China Some Tips: Most travelers want to take home some bargains or
mementos. With so many options available, shopping can be time-consuming,
confusing and exhausting. The following tips may make it easier for you: 1. Don’t buy everything in the first day or two.
Each city has its own specialty. Some
of the best buys are: Beijing: Cloisonné; Fresh water pearls
Xian: Replicas of the Terra Cotta soldiers; Tangsancai ( Tang
Dynasty hand painted China); Antique Furniture Shanghai: Silk carpets Hangzhou: Longjing Tea; Silk Suzhou: The home of Chinese silk Guilin : Scroll paintings; China Southern Sea Pearls Yunnan :
Mounted Butterflies; Pure tea; Dali Batik (tie-dyed
fabric) Xinjiang : Carpets; jade articles Tibet : Thang-ka（tanka）(Sheep skin wall hangings) 2. Don’t
feel obligated to shop. Our guides offer shopping opportunities as a courtesy
but if you’re not interested, say so. Some
of them may be quite enthusiastic, thinking this is what you want, so don’t be
embarrassed to tell them directly and immediately that you don’t want to go
shopping. You’ll often find several attendants trying to help
you make a purchase. This doesn’t mean you have to buy; it’s OK to say no,
or just to look. 3. A few facts Shopping is great in China
and you can expect to be able to buy many things at a much better price that at
home. Please however be
warned that if a bargain price
for a world famous brand seems too good
to be true…….. it probably is! Antique
buyers should know that many experts have been disappointed to find that their
find of a lifetime is beautiful but fake. Antiques should be officially
certified to be exported legally. The penalties are severe. Keep all receipts,
certificates and official documents that are received when you purchase any
antiques. Antiques are those item over 120 years of age. Bargaining
is a national pastime in China so you will find that most retailers except for
department stores will be prepared to bargain. Check the sizing on all clothes purchased. You should check the import restrictions in your home
country as some items may attract tax on arrival in your home country,
especially if it is mailed or shipped separately. Keep your
belongings safe! China is regarded as a safe place
to travel but it is always wise to follow normal precautions. Petty theft is on
the rise so please be conscious of your valuables in crowds and in public
places. Do not carry valuables in backpacks or leave your luggage unprotected. Airline
Luggage Allowances Carry-on baggage The maximum Carry-on baggage allowance for each economy class
passenger is 5kg. First class passengers can have 2 pieces of carry on luggage.
All other passengers can carry on only one piece. The size may not exceed
20x40x55cm. Carry on baggage in excess of the limit is subject to an excess
baggage fee and must be carried as checked baggage. Adults and children are entitled to a free checked baggage
allowance of 40kg, for first class, 30kg, for business class, and 20kg, for
economy class while traveling on domestic airlines in China. No free baggage
allowance is granted to infants. The following items are prohibited and cannot be carried in checked
or carry on luggage:- Flammable, explosive, corrosive, poisonous, radioactive,
polymerizable and magnetized materials. Passengers are forbidden to carry arms,
sharp or lethal weapons during flight.
Credit
Cards Credit
cards are only accepted at most hotels and some tourist shops and department
stores. Expect to pay in cash. Exchanging
Money Changing
Money can be done in
a number of ways. Most hotels will have a foreign exchange service and will
exchange cash and travelers checks. As with hotels everywhere, the exchange rate
will not be the official bank rate. Most large banks will exchange money and
travelers checks. It is a requirement that you produce your passport to complete
the transaction. Banks will only accept foreign bank notes that are undamaged.
Notes that are even slightly torn will be rejected. Travelers Checks can be a
secure solution if traveling for a longer time. Cash
withdrawals from Visa and MasterCard
credit/debit card are possible at the main branches of the Bank of China in each city. A small fee is charged by the Bank and
charges are also applied by the bank/credit card provider. Bank
of China ATM machines are compatible
with Cirrus and Pulse so cash withdrawals are easy to complete using these
machines. Only use ATM’s that
display the Visa and MasterCard
symbols. An English menu will appear when you insert your card. The exchange
rate that is applicable through ATMs is good and this can be a very convenient
way to organize your money. Locations for ATMs are available from your card
issuer. Limits for withdrawals on
each transaction differ but US$250 per transaction is common. Western
Union is available
in China although fees apply to transactions. Check the Western Union website
for locations. http://www.westernunion.com/info/selectCountry.asp Local
currency The Chinese Money is called RenMinBi (People’s Money).
Locals often refer to the Yuan as Kuai.. The Mao (or Jiao) notes or coins are
denominated 1, 2, or 5. (10 Mao = 1 Yuan) .
Note
Numeration Yuan
(Kuai, notes of usual size, feature Mao Tse Dong) 1 (reddish brown or light green) -- equal to 10 Mao 2 (green) 5 (purple) 10 (blue) 20 (bright brown) 50 (bright green) 100 (pink) Mao
(notes are very small, features the pictures of workers and farmers) 1 (brown) --
equal to 10 Fen 2 (green) 5 (blue) There are also coins in circulation. . You can exchange your money at most branches of the
China Bank. Please take your passport along. It is a lot easier and more
comfortable to change money at your hotel. Medical
Issues While
traveling with China Highlights, we take every precaution to provide a safe and
healthy environment for you. We choose restaurants and hotels that are clean,
safe, and we always keep your needs and interests in mind. Vaccines/Immunizations
(4-6 weeks before your trip): Vaccination
is particularly recommended for those who will be traveling in smaller cities,
villages, and rural areas off the usual tourist track. Travelers should be
cautioned that typhoid vaccination is not 100% effective and is not a substitute
for careful selection of food and drink. -
Hepatitis A -
Hepatitis B for those in “at risk” categories (Hepatitis B is recommended
for infants and for children 11-12 years of age who did not receive it as
infants.) - Rabies,
if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals. - Typhoid,
for visiting developing countries. Medical
Treatment in China Hotels
usually have access to a doctor. In
the event of a serious condition which requires hospitalization, your tour guide
will do everything possible to ensure that you receive that best treatment
possible. Please call your China Highlights Travel Advisor so that we can help
in any way possible. The
major cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou have hospitals that
will reach the standard of foreign hospital however the hospital systems differ
considerably. Hospitals in other cities may not offer the same standards of
hospitals as foreign countries. On
entering hospital all patients are required to pay a substantial deposit before
any treatment will be administered. Nursing care in hospital is strictly limited
to medical treatments so patients will require a person who can assist with all
other activities. No food is supplied. We
highly recommend that all travelers buy comprehensive travel insurance in their
home country before departure. Guide
Service
Travelers who
purchase full packages from China Highlights Travel will receive a comprehensive
guide service provided by our company. A guide who speaks your nominated
language will meet you the airport, deliver you to your hotel and accompany you
on your tour in that city. They do not fly (or take train or bus) with you from
one city to another. You will have a different guide in each city. Laundry
Laundry services are
available in most hotels. Outside services are not recommended. Mail
Postcards are available in many shops and hotels. Postage
services are available at most hotels and most post offices will have an
employee who can read English. ELECTRIC
CURRENT China uses a 220
volt 50 Hz cycle system so electric appliances from countries that use 220/240
will operate without any adopter. Appliances requiring 110 volts will need
transformer to operate. Hotels will not always have these. We recommend that you
bring a transformer with you. Chinese hotels cater for most plug types. Chinese
Dictionary Prologue Chinese
is not only a language, it is a culture. The Chinese people are very proud of
their long heritage and you cannot expect that everyone you meet will speak
English. This has little to do with insufficient education. Areas that have a
large tourism industry will have many more English speakers, generally English
is not widely spoken by average people. We designed this dictionary as a tool to
assist you while you are in China. Pronounciation
The Chinese language is a tonal language of sound. Many words
sound very similar but a slight tonal difference changes the meaning of the
word. Every word has a different Chinese character. In order to
differentiate between these syllables it is important to know the right
pronunciation. For this, Chinese has 4 different tones.. There are 5 tones: 1.
Tone: steady
- 2.
Tone: rising
/ 3.
Tone:
falling and rising
◡ 4.
Tone: falling
∖ The most common example is the word `ma´, which can have 5
different meaning, depending on the pronunciation. Mā
-- Mother
妈 Má
-- Hemp
麻 Mă
-- Horse
马 Mà -- to
insult
骂 Dictionary
We have prepared an extensive list of words and phrases that may be
useful to you as a traveler in China. By showing a Chinese person the Chinese Characters matching the
English word, you will be able to communicate simple requests or have a short
conversation. Greetings:
Good Morning
早
上
好
！ Hello/Good Evening
你
好
/
晚
上
好
What is your name?
您
贵
姓
？
How are you?
您
好
吗
？
Good bye!
再
见
！
Important sayings
Right, true
是
/
对
Agreed
正
确
No, wrong
不
对
！
No, thanks
不
用
了
,
谢
谢
！ Thank you
谢
谢
！
You are welcome
不
用
谢
！
Excuse me
对
不
起
（
打
扰
一
下
） Pardon me?
您
说
什
么
？
Could you please speak slower?
可
以
说
慢
一
点
吗
？ I do not understand.
我
不
明
白
. Do you speak German?
你
说
德
语
吗
？
Do you speak English?
你
说
英
语
吗
？
I speak a little Chinese.
我
说
一
点
汉
语
. understood.
我
明
白
了
！
I would like...
我
要
......
I like it
我
喜
欢
......
I do not like it
我
不
喜
欢
......
No thanks, I do not want to buy
it.
不
,
谢
谢
!
我
不
买
. How much?
多
少
钱
? Too expensive!
太
贵
了
！
Traffic
How much is it to...?
到
...
多
少
钱
？ Taxi
出
租
车
Train
火
车
Airplane
飞
机
Car
汽车
Bycicle
自行车
Motorcycle
摩托
Bus
公交
车
Subway
地铁
Where is....
......
在
哪里
Bus stop
停
车站
Train station
火车站
Airport
飞机场
Street
街道
House
房屋
Building
建筑
One ticket to ..., please.
请
买
一
张
到
......
的
票
Which bus goes to...?
有
哪些
车
到
..... Taking a taxi
Take me to...
到
......
Please turn on the meter
请
打开
计时
表
！ Stop here, please
请
在
这里
停
车
Turn left
左
Turn right
右
Go straight
前
At the airport
One flight ticket to..., please.
请
买
一
张
到
......
的
机票
Where is my Gate?
入口
在
哪里
What is my time of departure?
什么
时候
起飞
？ What is my time of arrival?
什
么
时
候
到
达
？
At the station When does the train depart?
什么
时候
发车
？ At the restaurant Restaurant
饭馆
Teahouse
茶馆
Table
桌子
Plate
盘子
Glass
杯子
Teapot
壶
Chopsticks
筷子
Cuttlery
餐具
I would like to use cutlery 我 | |||||
