HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS GUIDE TO CHINA - Trailfinders

HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS
GUIDE TO CHINA
Trailfinders prides itself on the first-hand knowledge that we can pass on to our clients. We want
you to benefit from our experience and have as carefree a holiday as possible so please take a
few moments before you go to read through our “Holiday Essentials”. If you know what to expect
in advance it will allow you to pack and plan accordingly thus ensuring you have an enjoyable
trip. We suggest you take this guide with you in your hand luggage since it has useful contact
numbers and information you might need.

China provides a diverse spectrum of travelling experiences and fascinating places to visit from
the cities of Shanghai and Beijing to the rural landscapes of the Yangtze River and Yangshuo.
Your trip has been planned to maximise your enjoyment and you will have the support of our
local representatives at each destination.

Visa & Immunisations
Please refer to the Essential Information on your booking confirmation for important details of visa
requirements and immunisation recommendations. The Trailfinders Visa Service and Travel Clinic
can provide further information and advice.
Trailfinders Visa Service – in the UK please call 020 7368 1504 or visit trailfinders.com/visas
and in Ireland call 01 8814949 or visit trailfinders.ie/visas. Enjoy a discount off our service
charge as a valued Trailfinders client.
Trailfinders Travel Clinic – receive a discount of 20% off immunisations when you book your
travel with Trailfinders. Our clinic is based at 194 Kensington High Street, London W8 7RG and
no appointment is required. In the UK please call 020 7938 3999 or visit
trailfinders.com/services.
Insurance

At Trailfinders we believe that comprehensive travel insurance is an essential part of your travel
package. Please contact your travel consultant for a personalised quote. Regardless of whether or
not you choose Trailfinders Travel Insurance, please ensure you are comprehensively covered for
the duration of your holiday.

Itinerary & Guides

Our local representatives will meet you on arrival at each destination and accompany you to your
hotel. Where your arrangements include a private car and driver for your sightseeing you will be
accompanied by an English speaking guide. If you are flying or taking the train between
destinations as part of your tour you will generally have a different driver & guide in each area.

Your guide will be aware of the itinerary planned for that day but there is flexibility so you can
start earlier or later, skip sites, cut visits short or linger longer depending on your mood and you
can discuss with your guide what impact this will have on subsequent visits. You cannot add or
substitute places since the tour will have been priced according to the original itinerary. Guides
may appear reluctant to omit a planned visit or trip for fear of not delivering your itinerary as
planned and you may have to be firm with your request. Whilst it may not always be possible to
rearrange an itinerary en route our representatives will, where possible, make every effort to
accommodate your requests but additional charges may apply and refunds may not be available

for pre-paid visits. In the very unlikely event that your driver/guide is not understanding or
adhering to your wishes please call our local representative listed at the bottom of this document.

Air Travel

China’s air network is extensive and airports are being built and upgraded all the time. Internal
flights are sometimes subject to short notice delays and cancellations which are beyond our
control, however we will do all possible to minimise the inconvenience should delays occur.
Remember to keep your baggage receipt label on your ticket as you will need to show this when
you collect your luggage. Planes vary in style and comfort. You may be served a hot meal or you
may only be given a small piece of cake so perhaps take a few snacks along with you in case of
the latter.

On domestic flights the free baggage allowance is 20kg in economy, 30kg in business class and
40kg in first class and you are allowed 5kg of hand luggage (less than 20x40x55cm in size).
Excess baggage charges are steep, generally 1.5% of the full fare for each kilogram. It is worth
noting that both the free baggage allowance and excess charges are subject to change at short
notice; please speak with your travel consultant if you require further information.

All lithium and mini-sized batteries including portable power sources must be kept in your hand
luggage and are not permitted to be placed in checked baggage. Any large sized batteries must
be checked for approval by the airlines. Please inform your travel consultant should you be
travelling with large battery packs and they will advise further.

Road Travel

Road travel in China is largely restricted to travel around a city/town and not as a means of
travelling from city to city when the distances are such that it is generally necessary to fly or travel
by train. Traffic and congestion are often a problem in cities particularly at rush hour when
motorbikes and cars are all jostling for position on busy roads. Journey times are listed within
your itinerary, these are approximate and based on the average travel time for a particular route.
Please be assured your driver will be familiar with local conditions and is trained to drive with
due care and attention.

Train Travel

Although sometimes crowded, trains are a great way to travel in reasonable speed and comfort,
particularly on the new network of high speed trains. Trains are very punctual and have a good
safety record. We book 2nd class seating or above for all trains where passengers will have an
assigned seat.

Many train stations require that your luggage is X-rayed before you enter the station. Stringent
security procedures at certain train stations and on certain underground networks across the
country mean that we strongly recommend you do not carry liquids exceeding 100ml in your
hand luggage and that any liquids in your main luggage do not exceed 600ml. There will be a
food cart on the train where you can buy tea, coffee, bottled water and snacks and depending
on the service there will also be train staff passing through the carriages selling snacks and
water. You should keep an eye on your belongings and you may want to travel with a bicycle
lock to secure your entire luggage to the overheard racks when on longer journeys. Please note
that all trains in China have a baggage allowance of 20kg per person.

According to Chinese rail authority rules only passengers with a valid ticket can access the
platform, this means your driver/guide can only accompany you as far as the ticket barrier.
Whilst they will help you as much as they can and will direct you to your platform, beyond the

ticket barrier you will need to locate your carriage and seat yourself. Stations are well signposted
and there are usually attendants around the platform on hand to help. When you disembark the
train at your destination your driver/guide will be waiting for you outside the ticket barrier to take
you on your onward journey.

Taxis

There may be occasions when you want to take a taxi, perhaps during some free time and these
can easily be hailed on the street, at a hotel or at other tourist spots. Taxis are metered,
inexpensive and plentiful however, few taxi drivers speak English so it is advisable to have your
destination written in Chinese. Always make sure that you have the name & address of the hotel
in Chinese with you when you venture out on your own.

Travelling With Children

If you are travelling with young children please speak to your consultant about infant or booster
seats. It is generally accepted that children aged 5 years and under do not have a good concept
of danger. Children must be supervised at all times, especially when near any type of pool, when
on a boat or near water in general.

Climate

Northern China including Beijing is hot in summer (June to August) but be prepared for rain with
June and July having the most rainfall. Shanghai is warmer than Beijing in both summer and
winter (November to February) but it can rain here at any time. Winters can be cold, particularly
in the north, and spring and autumn are the mildest seasons. Guangzhou in southern China is the
warmest and wettest part of the country in the summer because it is so close to the tropics and
there is very heavy rainfall between June and August. During these months the southern coast also
often experiences typhoons.

Altitude

The health conditions caused by the effects of altitude are known collectively as altitude sickness
or acute mountain sickness (AMS). Mild symptoms may be experienced by some people at
destinations such as Zhongdian (Shangri-La region) and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain outside
Lijiang which are both above 2,800m. Symptoms tend to be worse at night and include
headache, dizziness, lethargy, nausea, loss of appetite, irritability and difficulty sleeping. If you
start to feel any of these symptoms please tell your guide immediately.

What to take with you

We suggest you take important items in your hand luggage in case of delay/loss of bags on
international flights. We recommend your main luggage is packed in one bag but that you also
take a light shoulder bag for day trips and sightseeing.

Western brand toiletries may be hard to come by, except in the high-end hotels, so we
recommend you travel with your own toiletries such as soap and shampoo.

For train travel we recommend you take toilet paper, a bicycle lock to secure your luggage and
some snacks and water – refer to the section on train travel for more information.

Accommodation

Accommodation in China is little cause for excitement and although hotels are clean, comfortable
and functional, they generally lack character and can be rather sterile. China has few
independent hotels of real distinction but chain hotels offer proven quality. For travel off the
beaten track, accommodation choices are usually very limited so will be more modest and basic
than elsewhere.

Hotels in China typically take a deposit of between CNY 500 - CNY 1,000 per room per night
from your credit card at check-in to cover incidentals during your stay. Some hotels may require a
higher deposit, this may also be the case if staying in a higher room category. This is refunded
upon check-out (although it may take several days for the credit card company to process the
refund). Please ensure that you have a sufficient credit limit to cover this deposit. A cash deposit is
also accepted.

Food & Drink

Cuisine in China varies considerably across the country. The three main staple foods are rice,
wheat and noodles but the geographic features of the country including the rivers, forests,
mountains and deserts influence what local ingredients are available. China is home to soy
sauce, but other popular seasonings include oyster sauce, fish sauce and hoisin sauce.

Food in the north of China is generally simple and salty with less vegetables whereas eastern
Chinese dishes are lighter and sweeter and include a great deal of seafood. In central China
food is quite hot and spicy whereas southern Chinese cuisine contains lots of preserved foods
including pickled vegetables and tofu which gives it its sour flavour. Peking roast duck is Beijing’s
most famous dish, but Cantonese cuisine from the east is widely served around the world and
noted for its dim sum. Other popular dishes include Sichuan hotpot and Kung Pao chicken from
the central region and Yangshuo beer fish from the south.

Most hotels offer a wide variety of international style food but during the day when you are out
and about sightseeing most meals will be Chinese and served in local Chinese restaurants.
Chopsticks are standard but cutlery is available on request. Please inform your representative if
you have any special dietary requirements, in particular if you are vegetarian since vegetarianism
is not very widespread in China.

It is not recommended that you drink the tap water. Sealed bottled water, carbonated soft drinks
and fruit juices are widely available.

Language

The spoken language in China is PuTongHua (Mandarin). Visitors might find it difficult to make
themselves understood by people on the street. It is advisable to have addresses or instructions
written down in Chinese for taxi drivers or others.

Money
The Chinese currency is Renminbi (RMB) or “people’s money” and the basic unit of RMB is the
Yuan (CNY). Please check with your bank or local travel exchange bureau for an up to date
exchange rate.

There are ATMs in large towns and cities and Visa and Mastercard credit cards are widely
accepted in hotels, larger shops and top end restaurants, however smaller shops and restaurants
may only accept cash. We recommend you obtain some smaller notes and change for tips when
exchanging money. Unlicensed moneychangers can be found in major tourist centres but they are

uncompetitive and reliable so we recommend you use ATMs instead. Travellers' cheques are
increasingly difficult to exchange so we suggest you avoid using them.

Tipping

Tipping is customary, but not obligatory. You may feel you wish to tip your driver/guide at the
end of your tour. We recommend an amount of CNY 160 - 200 per couple per day for guides,
CNY 80 – 100 per couple per day for drivers and CNY 5 per bag for porters.

Tipping at restaurants is optional but is always appreciated for good service and we would
recommend a tip of 5-10% on top of restaurant bills. In some more upmarket hotels and
restaurants a 10% service charge will be added to your bill, in which case additional tipping is
at your discretion. Tips should be paid in local currency.

Social Graces & Customs

Both men and women should dress modestly, especially outside of the main cities, although shorts
and t-shirts are acceptable. When visiting temples and religious buildings, knees and shoulders
should be covered and hats, shoes and socks removed.

You should always ask permission before taking anyone’s photograph. Photography is prohibited
at airports, museums and military installations.

Public Holidays & Festivals

Chinese New Year (Spring Festival), May Festival and Golden Week (National Day) are 3 of
China's most important public holidays. During these holidays, many shops and local businesses
close as people return to their home-towns and villages to celebrate with their families. With so
many people on the move, this results in airport congestion, heavy traffic on the roads and public
transport will be very busy. Tourist destinations and attractions can also become very crowded
and long queues should be expected.

Chinese New Year (Spring Festival)

An annual celebration, held on the first day of the first lunar month, Chinese New Year is
regarded by the Chinese people as the most important annual event, similar in many ways to
Christmas in predominantly Christian countries. The period of celebration lasts one week and
whilst the actual date changes every year, in 2019 Chinese New Year will be celebrated from 3 -
12 February.

May Festival

China's version of International Labour Day is a 3 day event from 1-3 May. During this time
public parks and plazas often host open-air events and are gaily decorated with beautiful
flowers.

Golden Week (National Day)

China's National Day commemorates the founding of the People's Republic of China. As such, it
is a festival of great importance nationwide. Beijing sees the ceremonial raising of the national
flag and crowds congregate around Tiananmen Square. Similar activities are held in each region
of the country, many involving spectacular firework displays. This week long national holiday is
celebrated from 1 - 7 October every year.

Shopping

In China shopping and bargaining are a national way of life and can be an enjoyable part of
your visit. Within your itinerary many of the tourist sites include visits to places close by where
you will be able to see traditional arts and crafts being made and these items will also be for
sale. You should not feel under pressure from staff or your guide to view or make any purchases;
simply tell your guide when you are ready to move on.

Safety

China is a reasonably safe travel destination and crime against tourists is very rare. However it’s
sensible to take basic precautions against petty crime as you would anywhere else. Keep your
money and documents close to you, keep photocopies of your passport and travel documents
elsewhere in your luggage, use the hotel safes and don’t put all your money in one place.

Time

The whole of China is 8 hours ahead of GMT and does not observe daylight saving.

Electricity

The electrical current is 220V and there are 4 types of plugs so be sure to bring universal plug
adaptors.

Communication

China has strict laws in place where the use of certain search engines including Google and
popular social media websites are banned meaning you will not be able to access them from any
computer, laptop or mobile device. Please also note that Google services and applications will
be inaccessible on certain mobile devices.

Local Contact Details

In the event of any problem or concern please contact our representative on the office numbers
below or on the emergency mobile numbers out of office hours. Please note, if calling from a land
line within China or from a Chinese mobile phone please drop the country code 86 and replace
with 0.

CITS

Office open Monday – Friday (except public holidays) from 0900 to 1700.

Beijing Head Office: +86 10 8522 8137

Weekends/public holidays & 24 hour emergency contacts (mobiles):

Xin Yan: +86 152 0121 6479

Zhang Yingbing: +86 138 0135 0930

705 20/03/2018