Omni Country Guide for
China
TABLE OF CONTENTSSection1Contact Addresses
2Overview
3General Information
4Money
5Duty Free
6Public Holidays
7Health
8Accommodation
9Sport & Activities
10Social Profile
11Business Profile
12Climate
13History and Government
1 Contact AddressesLocation: East Asia.
Country dialling code: 86.
China National Tourism Administration (CNTA)
9A Jianguomennei Avenue, Beijing 100740, People’s Republic of China Tel: (10) 6520 1114. Fax: (10) 6512 2096. E-mail: bsite:
China International Travel Service (CITS)
CITS Building, No.1 Dongdanbei Avenue, Beijing 100800, People’s Republic of China Tel: (10) 6255 2991 or 8522 7930. Fax: (10) 6522 2862. E-mail: Website:
Tibet Tourism Administration
18 Yuanlin Road, Lhasa, Tibet 850001, People’s Republic of China Tel: (891) 633 5472. Fax: (891) 633 4632.
Tibet Tourism Office
Room M021 Poly Plaza, 14 Dongzhimen Nandajie, Beijing 100027, People’s Republic of China Tel: (10) 6500 1188 (ext 3423) or 6593 6538. Fax: (10) 6593 6538 or 6503 5802. E-mail: ebsite:
Tibet Tourism Bureau Shanghai Office
Suite B, 2/F, QiHua Tower, 1375 Middle Huaihai Road, Shanghai 200031, People’s Republic of China Tel: (21) 6431 1184 or 6321 1729. Fax: (21) 6323 1016. E-mail: ebsite:
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
49-51 Portland Place, London W1B 1JL, UK Tel: (020) 7299 8426. Fax: (020) 7436 9178. E-mail: bsite: hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1230 and 1330-1700. Consular and Visa section: 31 Portland Place, London W1B 1QD, UK Tel: (020) 7631 1430 (telephone enquiries: 1400-1600 only) or (09001) 880 808 (recorded visa and general information; calls cost 60p per minute). Fax: (020) 7636 9756. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1200.
Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China
Denison House, 49 Denison Road, Rusholme, Manchester M14 5RX, UK Tel: (0161) 225 5355 or 248 9304. Fax: (0161) 257 2672.
E-mail: bsite:
Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China
55 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh EH12 5QG, UK Tel: (0131) 337 9896 or 3220. Fax: (0131) 337 7866. E-mail: Website:
China National Tourist Office (CNTO)
71 Warwick Road, London SW5 9HB, UK Tel: (020) 7373 0888 or (09001) 600 188 (brochure request and general information; calls cost 60p per minute). Fax: (020) 7370 9989. E-mail: Website:
British Embassy
11 Guang Hua Lu, Jian Guo Men Wai, Beijing 100600, People’s Republic of China Tel: (10) 5192 4000. Fax: (10) 6532 1937/8/9. E-mail: (commercial section). Website: section: 21st Floor, Kerry Centre 1, Guang Hua Lu, Jian Guo Men Wai, Beijing 100020, People’s Republic of China Tel: (10) 8529 6600. Fax: (10) 8529 6080. E-mail: Consulates General in: Chongqing, Guangzhou and Shanghai.
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA Tel: (202) 328 2500. Fax: (202) 328 2582. E-mail: bsite: Visa section: Room 110, 2201 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA Tel: (202) 338 6688. Fax: (202) 588 9760 (visa section). E-mail: Consulates General in: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco.
China National Tourist Office CNTO
Suite 6413, 350 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10118, USA Tel: (212) 760 8218 (information and trade enquiries). Fax: (212) 760 8809. E-mail: Website: also in: Los Angeles.
Embassy of the United States of America
3 Xiu Shui Bei Jie, Beijing 100600, People’s Republic of China Tel: (10) 6532 3831. Fax: (10) 6532 5141 or 3178 (consular/visa section). E-mail: or Website: in: Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Shenyang.
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
515 St Patrick Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 5H3, Canada Tel: (613) 789 3434. Fax: (613) 789 1414 (visa section and 24-hour recorded information line).Website: General in: Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver
China National Tourist Office (CNTO)
480 University Avenue, Suite 806, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1V2, Canada Tel: (416) 599 6636 or (866) 599 6636 (toll-free in Canada). Fax: (416) 599 6382. E-mail: ebsite:
Canadian Embassy
19 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Chao Yang District, Beijing 100600, People’s Republic of China Tel: (10) 6532 3536 or 6532 3031/2 (immigration). Fax: (10) 6532 3034 or 1684 (immigration) or 5544 (consular section). E-mail: or (consular section) or (visa section).Website: Consulates in: Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Mongolia (emergencies only) and Shanghai.
2 Overview‘Cultural treasure-house of East Asia’China’s cultural riches and 5000 years of tumultuous history place it, without doubt, among the world’s greatest travel destinations. The Great Wall, X’ian’s Terracotta Army, the Forbidden Palace and Tiananmen Square: the very names reverberate with history and legend. China’s paradoxes are many: Shanghai’s skyscrapers contrast with Beijing’s historical treasures, while in rural provinces, mechanisation has not yet reached many traditional farming villages. Celebrated places and sights abound this is the land of the Yangxi River, the Silk Route and the bamboo forests of the panda. Spectacular Guilin brings the vistas of rivers and misty peaks in traditional ink paintings to life, while far to the west, the fabled Tibetan city of Lhasa beckons pilgrims to ‘the roof of the world’. Chinese food from noodles to Imperial banquets ranks among the world’s great cuisines. From acrobatics to martial arts, calligraphy to Chinese opera, the vibrant, distinctive culture of this great land is everywhere to be seen. Now reunited with the mainland, visually stunning Hong Kong offers a warp-speed ‘shop till you drop’ lifestyle combined with enclaves of tradition and tranquil outlying islands. Nearby, exotic Macau is a gambler’s paradise with colonial Portuguese flair. China’s tourism infrastructure is rapidly improving, but flexibility and patience are still required. In return, China rewards visitors with memories to be treasured for a lifetime.Lucy Moss
3 General InformationArea: 9,572,900 sq km (3,696,100 sq miles).
Population: 1,284,530,000 (official estimate 2002). Roughly a quarter of the world’s population lives in China.
Population Density: 134.2 per sq km.
Capital: Beijing (Peking). Population: 10,839,000 (2000). The largest city in the country, Shanghai, has a population of over 12 million and, as of 2000, 22 other cities had a population of over two million and 42 cities had a population of one to two million.
GEOGRAPHY: China is bordered to the north by Russia and Mongolia; to the east by Korea (Dem Rep), the Yellow Sea and the South China Sea; to the south by Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, India, Bhutan and Nepal; and to the west by India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. China has a varied terrain ranging from high plateaux in the west to flatlands in the east; mountains take up almost one-third of the land. The most notable high mountain ranges are the Himalayas, the Altai Mountains, the Tian Shan Mountains and the Kunlun Mountains. On the border with Nepal is the 8848m-(29,198ft-) high Mount Qomolangma (Mount Everest). In the west is the Qinghai/Tibet Plateau, with an average elevation of 4000m (13,200ft), known as ‘the Roof of the World’. At the base of the Tian Shan Mountains is the Turpan Depression or Basin, China’s lowest area, 154m (508ft) below sea level at the lowest point. China has many great river systems, notably the Yellow (Huang He) and Yangtze Kiang (Chang Jiang). Only 10 per cent of all China is suitable for agriculture.
Government: People’s Republic. China comprises 22 Provinces, five Autonomous Regions, two Special Administrative Regions and four Municipalities directly under Central Government. Head of State: President Hu Jintao since 2003. Head of Government: Premier Wen Jiabao since 2003. Jiang Zemin, however, retains much actual power in China.
Language: The official language is Mandarin Chinese. Among the enormous number of local dialects, large groups speak Cantonese, Fukienese, Xiamenhua and Hakka in the south. Mongolia, Tibet and Xinjiang, which are autonomous regions, have their own languages. Translation and interpreter services are good. English is spoken by many guides.
Religion: The principal religions and philosophies are Buddhism, Daoism and Confucianism. There are 100 million Buddhists and approximately 60 million Muslims, five million Protestants (including large numbers of Evangelicals) and four million Roman Catholics, largely independent of Vatican control.
Time: GMT + 8. Despite the vast size of the country, Beijing time is standard throughout China.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin sockets and some three-pin sockets are in use.
Communications:
Telephone
IDD is available. Country code: 86. Outgoing international code: 00. Antiquated internal service with public telephones in hotels and shops displaying a telephone unit sign. It is often easier to make international phone calls from China than it is to make calls internally.
Mobile telephone
GSM 900 and 1800 networks provide coverage in Beijing, Guangzhou (Canton) and Shanghai; GSM 900 networks also exist in most other major urban areas in the southeastern and eastern regions including Chengdu and Chongqing. Networks are operated by China Mobile and China Unicom (website:
Fax
A growing number of hotels offer fax facilities but are often incoming only. Rates are generally high. Faxes can also be sent from Internet cafes.
Internet
ISPs include Eastnet China Ltd (website: There are Internet cafes in main towns.
Post
Service to Europe takes from between two days and one week. Tourist hotels usually have their own post offices. All postal communications to China should be addressed ‘People’s Republic of China’.
Press
The main English-language daily is the China Daily. There is also the weekly news magazine Beijing Review, with editions in English, French, German, Japanese and Spanish. National newspapers include The Guangming Daily and The Worker’s Daily, with many provinces having their own local dailies as well.
Radio: BBC World Service (website: and Voice of America (website: can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.
Passport/Visa
Passport Required? / Visa Required? / Return Ticket Required?British / Yes / Yes / Yes
Australian / Yes / Yes / Yes
Canadian / Yes / Yes / Yes
USA / Yes / Yes / Yes
OtherEU / Yes / Yes / Yes
Japanese / Yes / 1 / Yes
Note: (a) China does not recognise dual nationality (eg US-Chinese, Canadian-Chinese). (b) Travellers are required to complete a health declaration certificate on arrival in China. HIV-positive travellers are not permitted to enter the country.
PASSPORTS: Required by all. Passport must be valid for at least six months for a single or double entry within three months of the date of visa issue; at least nine months for multiple entries within six months.
VISAS: Required by all except:(a) 1. nationals of Brunei, Japan and Singapore for stays of up to 15 days;(b) transit passengers (except nationals of the UK and USA, who always require a visa) continuing their journey by the same or first connecting plane to another country within 24 hours who hold valid onward documentation and do not leave the airport.
Types of visa and cost: Tourist/Business/Transit (UK nationals): £30 (single-entry); £45 (double-entry); £60 (multiple-entry for business visas only; six months); £90 (multiple entry for business visas only; 12 months and two to five years). Group (at least five people): £24 per person. Visa charges for other nationals vary; check with Embassy for further information.
Cost of Visa Conversion Table: £10US$18£20US$36 £30US$55£40US$73 £50US$91 £60US$109 £70US$127£80US$146 £90US$164£100US$182 £110US$200 £120US$218 £130US$236£140US$255 £150US$273
Validity: Tourist, Business and Group visas are normally valid for three months from the date of issue (single and double-entry). Multiple-entry visas are normally valid for six months, 12 months or two to five years. The validity of Business visas varies. Transit visas are generally valid for up to seven days.
Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section. Visas should be applied for in person at least one month before departure. Group visas will usually be obtained by the tour operator or travel agent.
Application requirements: (a) Completed application form. (b) One recent passport-size photo. (c) Valid passport with at least one blank page. (d) Fee (payable in cash or by postal order only). Tourist: (a)-(d) and, (e) Return airline ticket or travel information about itinerary and confirmation of hotel reservation in China. Business: (a)-(d) and, (e) Official invitation (letter/fax) from a Chinese government department or a government-approved company indicating duration of stay and purpose of visit (original copies must be submitted for multiple-entry visas). Student: (a)-(d) and, (e) JW_201 or JW_202 form issued by the Ministry of Education of China, and letter of admission from Chinese university/college. Group (five people or more): (a)-(d) and, (e) Confirmation letter or fax from an authorised Chinese travel company. A list of all group members should be presented in triplicate. Photocopies of all group passports with the visa form number for each member. The serial number given to group members should be listed in order on the group visa form. There should be a front page covering information about the group. Transit: (a)-(d) and, (e) Visa for the next country of destination and letter from employer (if applicable).
Working days required: Three (72 hours). Two weeks for Group visas. Applications should be made at least one month in advance. A same-day service may be available at an extra cost of £20 per person, or a 48-hour service at £15 per person. Visas, however, cannot be issued on the same day unless the same-day airline ticket or itinerary is presented.
Note: (a) The majority of visits to China tend to be organised through the official state travel agency CITS (China International Travel Service). This liaison with CITS is generally handled by the tour operator organising the inclusive holiday chosen by the visitor, though it is possible for individuals to organise their own itinerary. Once the tour itinerary details have been confirmed to the visitor or visiting group, finances to cover accommodation and the cost of the tour must be deposited with CITS through a home bank. Once again, for package trips, all the necessary formalities for a visit to China can be handled by the tour operator concerned. (b) Those wishing to visit Tibet are strongly advised to join a travel group. Individual travellers need a special permit and should obtain permission to visit Tibet or Xinjiang by fax from the following organisation before applying for a visa: Tourist Bureau of Tibet (see Contact Addresses section).
Temporary residence: Enquiries should be addressed to the Chinese Embassy.
4 MoneyCurrency: 1 Renminbi Yuan (RMBY) = 10 chiao/jiao or 100 fen. Notes are in denominations of RMBY100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1, and 5, 2 and 1 chiao/jiao. Coins are in denominations of RMBY1, 5 and 1 chiao/jiao and 5, 2 and 1 fen.
Currency exchange: RMBY is not traded outside China. Foreign banknotes and travellers cheques can be exchanged at branches of The Bank of China. In hotels and Friendship Stores for tourists, imported luxury items such as spirits may be bought with Western currency. Scottish and Northern Irish banknotes cannot be exchanged.
Credit & debit cards: American Express, Diners Club, East-American Visa, Federal Card, JCB Card, MasterCard, Million Card and Visa are valid in major provincial cities in designated establishments. However, the availability of ATMs is often limited, and the acceptance of credit cards is often unlikely.
Travellers cheques: To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars.
Currency restrictions: Import and export of local currency is limited to RMBY20000. Import of foreign currency is up to US$1000 (US$5000 for non-residents). Higher amounts should be declared upon arrival. Export of foreign currency is limited to the amount imported and declared.
Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Renminbi against Sterling and the US Dollar:DateMay '04Aug '04Nov '04Feb '05£1.00=14.7815.2415.6715.65$1.00=8.288.278.288.29
Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700, Sat 0800-1130.
5 Duty FreeThe following items may be imported into China by passengers staying less than 6 months without incurring customs duty: 400 cigarettes (600 cigarettes for stays of over six months); two bottles (up to 75cl) of alcoholic beverages (four bottles for stays of over six months); a reasonable amount of perfume for personal use.
Prohibited items: Arms and ammunition (prior approval may be obtained courtesy of the travel agency used), pornography (photographs in mainstream Western magazines may be regarded as pornographic), radio transmitters/receivers, exposed but undeveloped film, fruit and certain vegetables (tomatoes, aubergines and red peppers), political and religious pamphlets (a moderate quantity of religious material for personal use is acceptable). Any printed matter directed against the public order and the morality of China.
Note: Customs officials may seize audio and videotapes, books, records and CDs to check for pornographic, political or religious material. Baggage declaration forms must be completed upon arrival noting all valuables (such as cameras, watches and jewellery); this may be checked on departure. Receipts for items such as jewellery, jade, handicrafts, paintings, calligraphy or other similar items should be kept in order to obtain an export certificate from the authorities on leaving. Without this documentation, such items cannot be taken out of the country.
6 Public HolidaysJan 1-2 2005 New Year. Feb 9-11 Spring Festival, Chinese New Year. May 1 Labour Day. Oct 1 National Day. Jan 1-2 2006 New Year. Jan 29-31 Spring Festival, Chinese New Year. May 1 Labour Day. Oct 1 National Day.
Note: In addition to the above, other holidays may be observed locally and certain groups have official public holidays on the following dates:Mar 8 International Women’s Day. May 4 National Youth Day. May 23 Tibet Liberation Day. Jun 1 International Children’s Day. Aug 1 Army Day.
7 HealthSpecial Precautions / Certificate Required
Yellow Fever / Yes / 1
Cholera / Yes / 2
Typhoid and Polio / 3 / N/A
Malaria / 4 / N/A
1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travellers arriving within six days of leaving an infected area.
2: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to China. However, cholera is a slight risk in this country and precautions could be considered. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. For more information, see the Health appendix. A strain of Bengal cholera has been reported in western areas.
3: Poliovirus transmission has been shown by reliable data to have been completely interrupted since 1994 through eradication programmes.
4: Malaria risk exists throughout the country below 1500m except in Beijing, Gansu, Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, Jilin, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shanxi, Tibet (Xizang, except in the Zangbo River Valley in the extreme southeast) and Xinjiang (except in the Yili River Valley). North of 33°N, the risk lasts from July to November, between 33°N and 25°N from May to December, and south of 25°N throughout the year. The disease occurs primarily in the benign vivax form but the malignant falciparum form is also present and has been reported to be multidrug-resistant. The recommended prophylaxis in risk areas is chloroquine, or mefloquine in Hainan and Yunnan.