Entering the Country: Chinese Customs and Immigration

Traveling to China is easy, whether you are a veteran of foreign travel or a novice. Upon your arrival in China, follow the signs to immigration, passport and visa inspection. After leaving the immigration area, follow the signs to baggage claim and claim your checked baggage. As you leave the baggage claim area, you’ll enter customs, where you’ll be asked to present a “Customs Declaration” form that you were asked to fill out onboard the aircraft prior to  your arrival. The form has two parts: The custom official will take the original copy and provide you with a carbon/duplicate. Please keep this with you as you will be required to return it to customs officials again when you depart China. Please follow the signs to the outlet/waiting area, where you will find a China Century Tour guide, holding a sign with your name on it, awaiting your arrival.  Your guide will transport you to your hotel


Luggage and Packing

The secret to an enjoyable trip in China is to restrict your luggage to one manageable suitcase, carry on, or pack.
If you plan to travel via airlines within China, keep in mind that you are restricted to one checked piece of baggage that can weigh no more than 44 pounds (20 kilos). Excess baggage weights and numbers of bags are extremely expensive and can exceed 1 US dollar per pound. Check your international carrier, as most will allow 50 pounds for coach class when traveling to and from China to the USA, plus your carry on bags. We advise our clients to keep their souvenir shopping for large or bulky items toward the end of their trip. Some take minimal clothing to China and purchase what they need once there, which allows them ample room to obtain items while traveling.


Weather

China is a large country, and its weather parallels that of the USA, with its many variations from being cool and crisp in the north to tropical in the south. Of course, exact temperature depends on the time of year and the region you’ll be visiting. Call us for details on what to expect for the regions of your tour.

What to Wear:  Clothing

Wear what you would normally wear in the USA for the type of region you’ll be visiting, keeping in mind seasonal requirements. Formal dress is not required for dinner or any meals during your stay. We recommend a raincoat and compact umbrella with collapsible handle, one that you can easily store in your carry on or day bag. Do not wear new shoes on the trip. Wear quality walking shoes that you have properly broken in at home. Dress in layers, meaning a light jacket and sweater is far more versatile than one large coat. Wear pants such as polyester that require a minimum of cleaning and pressing, and that are quick to dry.


Meals and Dining

Each morning, you’ll have a chance to enjoy some of the great culinary treats in China at a complete Chinese breakfast bar. For those a bit more reserved, there is also a western buffet breakfast. Your guide will advise you of lunch and dinner options, most of which will take place at your hotel or during one of the tours if they are taking place a distance from your hotel. Alcoholic beverages are available for a nominal fee. Drinking water should be filtered or use the bottled water in your room. Tap water is suitable for brushing your teeth, and for making coffee and bathing.


Plugged In: Voltage

While many modern electronics with adaptors are capable of handling China’s 220-volt current,  we recommend a plug in “knock down” converter  for those electrical items that are not suited for direct plug in to 220.  Bring a selection of adaptors for China, as plug-in receptacle configurations differ from region to region.


Currency and Money Exchange

The currency local Chinese people use is called "renminbi", or "RMB". The local unit of currency is called the yuan. You can easily exchange US dollars to RMB upon your arrival or at hotels, banks or tour offices.. At most established tourism destinations, stores and hotels, credit cards are readily accepted. We recommend travelers checks as the safest means of carrying any currency. We recommend carrying small amounts in local yuan, for that special purchase that always seems to be available at a  roadside vendor who only deals in RMB.
Here’s a breakdown of Chinese currency. There are one hundred "fen in a yan and ten fen in a jiao. There are 1,2, and 5 fen coins and different size and colored bills for 10 and 50 fen, and for 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 yuan. If traveling to Hong Kong please be aware they still use Hong Kong dollars, so don’t count on using Chinese renminbi.

Credit cards are accepted in major cities and tourist hotels and stores. Traveler checks from any bank are recommended as the safest and most convenient way to carry your funds.


Photography and Cameras

Your guide will tell you of any photo restrictions on your tours, but for the most part, you are free to photograph and videotape all aspects of your trip. Before taking photos of others not associated with your group, it is a common courtesy to ask for permission, or have your guide assist in communication or in taking the photo. While digital cards and batteries are readily available, be sure to take extra. You’ll need them.


Transportation in China

China Century Tours uses modern and well maintained buses or vans in all its tours. When buses are not used in group tours, an air conditioned or heated vehicle or van and private driver will provide transportation to and from your destination. If traveling anywhere by taxi, ask the hotel the general round-trip cost via taxi or subway. Most taxis are fast and reliable, and are on a metered system that is easily seen from the passenger seat. Also, for your return trip, have the hotel staff or your guide write in down in Chinese the name of your hotel and its location, as well as your destination.  Always have the guide or hotel’s phone number with you at all times.


Tipping Advice

Tipping in China is encouraged for excellent service, and China Century Tours offers the best guides. The going rate is about $5 to $10 per person per day. You have several guides on a trip, which may include your group tour guide or national guide (which can be tipped once for the entire trip) as well as local guides and drivers that you will encounter at each city. A tip at the end of the day, or tour, is satisfactory. All hotel staff can be tipped, as is customary in the USA. Tips for waitresses or waiters and other restaurant help is not expected.  


Shopping China

While souvenirs are commonplace, the value of specialty items might be beyond the knowledge of your tour guide. Consult on the internet and in chat groups about the pricing of such items, and stick firmly within your price range once you begin to bargain. For expensive items, always request an official receipt for your custom declarations and entry into the USA.


Health and Medications

Prior to leaving the USA, please obtain sufficient amounts of all medications to last the entire trip, as refills may be hard to obtain while in China. While no inoculations are required by the USA  to visit China, consult with the World Health Organization or your local physician for any updates prior to departing,  

We hope you have a wonderful trip and thank you for choosing China Century Tours for your travel arrangements!