Travel in China

1. Currency and Credit Card

? What’s the exchange rate?
Ans: The exchange rate may vary in a few days, for the lasts, please refer to Currency Conversion
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/tour/currency-converter.htm

? Are there any tips about exchanging money?
Ans: Please keep the following points in mind.
1. Choose a bank which is the nearest to your hotel if you are going to exchange a large amount of money or you can exchange in your hotel directly if it offers this service.
2. Do not exchange money in the street or the small shops which are mostly illegal and sometimes forgeries may be given.

? What are the main notes used now?
Ans: Currently, the paper money used is 1 Jiao, 5 Jiao, 1 Yuan, 5 Yuan, 10 Yuan, 20 Yuan, 50 Yuan, and 100 Yuan. The coin used is 1 Yuan and 5 Jiao. Jiao can be referred to as Mao in oral Chinese, and Yuan as Kuai.

? I heard that the PIN number of Chinese card is 6 digital, but mine is 4 digital. If I withdraw money from the ATMs, can they recognize my card?
Ans: The PIN number of Chinese card is 6 digital. You can put two zero before you four digital PIN to see if it works. Some of the banks also accept the four digital PIN. However, It is advised to check with your bank first. Keep in mind not to make more than three incorrect number attempts, or your card will be locked.

2. Costs

? Is traveling in China very expensive?
Ans: No, travel in China is affordable compared with in other countries. Everything from meals to train or plane tickets are much cheaper than in most western countries. Some average costs for ordinary activities are listed as followed:
Meal: 10 ~ 30 Yuan （$ 1.5 ~ $5）
Hostel: 50 ~150 Yuan （$8 ~ $23）
Transportation：2 Yuan（Bus）; 10 （Flag-Down Rate for taxi）;
Plane and train fares vary according to different distances.

? Can I use my student card in China?
Ans: Foreign student cards issued by your local school or organization, are currently unacceptable in China.
However, if you have an ISIC (International Student Identity Card), you can enjoy some preferential prices in Hong Kong, Macau and some cities in South China. For instance, you can get a discounted ticket on airplanes, buses, trains and ferryboats. In addition, you can save money visiting the world's leading museums and cultural sites. Some attractions and entertainment places may even accept it. ISIC is obtainable in your own country through a travel agency or a relevant institution. For more information:
http://www.isic.org/

3. Health

? What are the common illnesses a foreigner may feel in China?
Ans:

  • Disagreeing with a new environment: You may find yourself having poor appetite, trouble sleeping. In this case, more fruit and avoiding greasy food will help. Vitamin B2 is good for this condition too.
  • Heatstroke: The summer in Hangzhou and some other places in China are quite hot. You should take good sun protective measures; otherwise, you will suffer heatstroke. It is strongly recommended to drink more water during your travels.
  • Diarrhea: Frequently affecting travelers, it is generally caused by a change of diet, or sometimes by contaminated food or water. It is wise to carry some anti-diarrhea capsules, such as Imodium. Should your symptoms persist, seek professional advice to stop the problem from becoming serious.
  • Altitude sickness: Some regions of China, including Tibet, Xinjiang, Sichuan and Yunnan have very high altitudes. These can put strain on your health. People with heart disease or high blood pressure are advised not to travel in these areas in view of the serious physical problems that can occur. However, you don’t need to worry about this in Hangzhou.

Some other tips:

  • Never drink water that has not been boiled.
  • Avoid eating food being sold by the roadside and raw or undercooked food.
  • Wash your hands frequently and keep them away from your mouth!
  • Proper precaution should be taken against exposure to strong summer sun.
  • Fruit and vegetables should be washed thoroughly in purified water, then peeled or boiled.
  • Toilets off the beaten tourist track tend to be primitive so it is useful to bring along your own sanitary necessities and moist towels when venturing outside your hotel.

? Is the tap water drinkable in China?
Ans: No. Tap water should be boiled before drinking. However, in some big cities, purified water can be found on the streets, in train stations and airport, which are drinkable.

4. Communication

? Where can I buy a local SIM card?
Ans: You can get a SIM card at any of the cell phone shops with a copy of your ID card. Usually, a new SIM card user is required to install a certain amount of money (100 CNY at most) in the card. You need to activate the national roaming service, if you want to travel to more than one province. International service needs to be activated too. You need to go to the business hall of your supplier to activate the service with your ID card presented and there must be 500 CNY installed at least.

? Can I access the internet in hotels?
Ans: In hotels of three-stars or above, you should be able to access the internet. In your room there should be provision for you to connect a laptop to the internet through a network interface. Some hotels also have a Business Center, where internet service is provided. In the Youth Hotels internet is also often available.
Note: It is free to use the internet service in some hotels, especially the bigger ones. However, do ask in advance, because some will charge and the fee may be extremely expensive!
There are many local internet cafes in China, where you see the Chinese character "网吧 (wangba)". Be aware that the condition of internet cafes can vary widely. The cost will vary from city to city, but generally it is 1-5 Yuan per hour.

Warnings for surfing in an internet bar:
1. Take care of your personal belongings in case of theft.
2. To avoid fraud never use an online banking facility in an internet bar.

5. Embassies in China

Embassy of the Republic of Chile
Tel: (86-010) 6532 1591

Consulate General of Germany in Shanghai
Tel: (86-21) 6433 6951
http://www.shanghai.diplo.de/Vertretung/shanghai/de/Startseite.html

Embassy of India
Tel: (86 21) 6270 1728 / 62090993 /6275 2913
http://www.indianembassy.org.cn

Consulate General of the United States in Shanghai
Tel: (86-21)3217 4650
http://shanghai-ch.usembassy-china.org.cn/