Foreword
Travel to China can be a
rich and rewarding adventure. Whether you are a novice or are an experienced
world traveler, we think that this guide will be of assistance to you as you
plan a safe and enjoyable trip.
Remember: If you
encounter serious difficulties in your travels, American consuls at U.S.
embassies and consulates abroad are there to help you.
If you are planning to
stay for a long period of time, or are visiting an area that is experiencing
political unrest or other problems, please register with the nearest U.S.
embassy or consulate through the State Department's travel registration
website. Registration will make your presence and whereabouts known in case
it is necessary to contact you in an emergency. In accordance
with the Privacy Act, information on your welfare or whereabouts may not be
released without your expressed authorization. Remember to leave a detailed
itinerary and the numbers or copies of your passport or other citizenship
documents with a friend or relative in the United States.
DEPARTMENT
OF STATE PUBLICATION 11005 Bureau of Consular Affairs Revised November
2002
The information in this
publication is in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission.
When this material is reproduced, the Department of State would appreciate
receiving a copy at: CA/P, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC 20520-4818
or e-mail: ca3@his.com. About China
History
China is the oldest
uninterrupted major world civilization, with records dating back over 3,500
years. Successive dynasties developed a system of bureaucratic control which
gave the agrarian-based Chinese an advantage over neighboring nomadic and hill
cultures. Chinese civilization was further strengthened by the development of a
common written language that bridged the gaps among the country’s many local
languages and dialects.
The People’s
Republic of China
The People’s Republic of
China (PRC) was established on October 1, 1949, with Beijing as its capital
city. It is the third largest country in terms of territory, bordering most
Asian countries and Russia. China is undergoing rapid, profound economic and
social growth and development. Political power remains centralized in the
Chinese Communist Party.
The Chinese Government is
subordinate to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP); its role is to implement party
policies. The primary branches of state power are the National People’s Congress
(NPC), the President (the head of state), and the State Council. Under the
Chinese constitution, the NPC is the highest branch of state power in China.
When the NPC is not in session, its permanent organ, the Standing Committee,
exercises state power.
The
People
With well over one billion
citizens, China is easily the world’s most populous country. The largest ethnic
group is the Han Chinese, who constitute about 92% of the total population. The
remaining 8% are Zhuang, Manchu, Hui, Miao, Uygur, Yi, Tibetan, Mongol, and
Korean.
Language
There are several major
Chinese dialects and many subdialects. The Beijing dialect, often called
Mandarin (or Putonghua), is taught in all schools and is the medium of
government. Almost two-thirds of Han Chinese are native speakers of Mandarin;
the rest, concentrated in southwest and southeast China, speak one of the other
major Chinese dialects.
Tourism
Modern tourist facilities
are available in major cities, but facilities in smaller provincial cities and
rural areas are frequently below international standards. (For more information
see the section “Areas of Interest” on page 22.)
How to Prepare
for a Safe Trip
A little planning and
knowledge will go a long way toward making your trip to the PRC go smoothly.
Learning more about China and obeying the laws and respecting the customs will
make your stay as pleasant and incident-free as possible.
Consular
Information Sheets, Public Announcements & Travel
Warnings
The State Department’s
Bureau of Consular Affairs is responsible for providing assistance and
information to U.S. citizens traveling abroad. Consular Affairs issues Consular
Information Sheets, Travel Warnings, and Public Announcements. Consular
Information Sheets are issued for every country in the world. They include such
information as the location of the U.S. embassy or consulate in the subject
country, health conditions, political disturbances, unusual currency and entry
regulations, crime and security information, and drug penalties.
The State Department also
issues Travel Warnings and Public Announcements. Travel Warnings are issued when
the State Department decides to recommend that Americans avoid travel to a
certain country. Countries to which travel is not recommended will have Travel
Warnings as well as Consular Information Sheets. Public Announcements are issued
as a means to disseminate information quickly about terrorist threats and other
conditions overseas that pose significant risks to the security of American
travelers.
How to Access
Consular Information Sheets, Public Announcements & Travel Warnings
By
Internet: The most convenient source of information about travel and
consular services is the Consular Affairs home page on the Internet. The web site address is
http://travel.state.gov.
By
Telephone: Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings may be heard
any time by dialing the office of American Citizens Services at or
1-888-407-4747 or 202-647-5225.
By Fax:
From your fax machine, dial (202) 647-3000, using the handset
as you would a regular telephone. The system will instruct you on how to
proceed.
By Mail:
Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be
obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped business-size envelope to:
Office of American Citizens Services, Room 4811, Department of State,
Washington, DC 20520-4818. On the outside envelope, write the name of
the country or countries needed in the lower left corner.
Registration
All American citizens
visiting China for a month or more are encouraged to register with the U.S.
Embassy in Beijing or the nearest U.S. consulate. Registration will assist our
posts in China in locating you in the event of an emergency at home or in
replacing a lost or stolen passport.
You should also photocopy
the data page of your passport and keep it in a separate place from your
passport. In the event that your passport is lost, stolen, or in the possession
of government officials, travel agents or tourism representatives, you will have
the requisite information available, as well as proof of your identity and U.S.
citizenship.
Passport Information
Remember to safeguard your
U.S. passport. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport should be reported
immediately to the police in the city where the loss occurs as well as to the
U.S. embassy or nearest consulate general. Americans who give away or sell their
passport in China could lead to arrest and prosecution in both China and in the
United States.
When you get your visa
photos taken, make sure you get two extra copies, so that you can use them as
passport photos so that they will be available in case of loss or theft of your
passport. Keep these extra photos in a secure place separate from your passport.
To obtain a U.S. passport
for a minor under age 14, both parents’ signatures are now required on the
passport application form, or, if only one parent is applying, a signed
statement from the non-applying parent, or evidence proving sole custody of the
minor. For more information, please refer to the Bureau of Consular Affairs’
Internet site at http://travel.state.gov.
Entry and Other Visa
Requirements
To enter the People’s
Republic of China, a U.S. citizen must have a valid U.S. passport and Chinese
visa. Americans arriving without valid passports and Chinese visas are generally
not permitted to enter China and may also be subject to fines. Please do not
rely on Chinese host organizations claiming to be able to arrange visa issuance
upon arrival.
For information about entry
requirements and restricted areas, travelers may consult the Embassy of the
People’s Republic of China (PRC). (See addresses list at the end of this
pamphlet.) For a list of services and frequently asked visa questions and
answers, travelers can view the Chinese Embassy’s web sites at
www.china-embassy.org, or visa@china-embassy.org.
Visas are required to
transit China, even if one is only changing flights at an airport. Persons
transiting China on the way to and from Mongolia or North Korea or who plan to
re-enter from the Hong Kong or Macau Special Administrative Regions should be
sure to obtain visas allowing multiple entries. Permits are required to visit
Tibet as well as many remote areas not normally open to foreigners.
Travelers should note that
international flights departing China are routinely overbooked, making
reconfirmation of departure reservations and early airport check-in essential.
Passengers must pay a RMB 90 airport user fee (approximately $12 US) when
departing China on international flights and RMB 50 airport fee (approximately
US $7.20) for all domestic flights.
Americans who overstay or
otherwise violate the terms of their Chinese visas will be subject to fines and
departure delays and may be subject to detention.
In addition to the
requirements above, long-term visitors to China may be required to provide
evidence of an AIDS test.
Americans who plan to work
in China must obtain a work visa before they begin working. There have recently
been a number of cases where Americans who entered on a tourist visa were found
to be working without the required visa and consequently asked to depart China
after paying a fine. In some cases, employers have asked the Americans to begin
working while promising to obtain the work visa. However, according to the
Public Security Bureau, applying for a change of visa while already working is
considered a violation of the law.
Currency
Regulations
Chinese currency is called
yuan or, more commonly, renminbi (RMB).
Foreign currency (cash or
traveler’s checks) may be exchanged for Chinese currency at licensed exchange
facilities of the Bank of China and other authorized banks.
Money exchange facilities
are available at major airports, hotels, and department stores. Major brands of
traveler’s checks are accepted at such exchange facilities and cash advances
against a credit card can be arranged, a service charge is usually added.
Consult with your bank before departing the United States to be sure that your
brand of check or credit card will be accepted. Major credit cards (American
Express, Mastercard and Visa) are accepted by most major hotels and in many
well-known restaurants. ATMs compatible with US bankcards are also available
throughout Hong Kong and to a limited extent in major Mainland cities such as
Shanghai and Beijing.
Customs Regulations
Items such as watches,
radios, cameras, and calculators imported duty free for personal use may not be
transferred or sold to others. Gifts and articles carried on behalf of others
must be declared to the customs inspector and are subject to duty. Chinese
customs regulations prohibit the import or export of the following items:
(a) arms,
ammunition, and explosives; (b) radio transmitter-receivers and principal
parts; (c) Chinese currency (renminbi); (d) books, films, records,
tapes, etc. which are “detrimental to China’s politics, economy, culture, and
ethics” (e.g. pornographic or religious content) (e) poisonous drugs and
narcotics; (f) infected animal or plant products; and (g) infected
foodstuffs.
Note: Videotapes may be
confiscated by Chinese customs to determine that they do not violate
prohibitions noted in item (d), above. Tapes are sometimes held for several
months before being returned. (There is no guarantee that they will ever be
returned.)
Export of the following
items is also prohibited:
(a) valuable
cultural relics and rare books relating to Chinese history, culture, and art;
(b) rare animals, rare plants and their seeds; and (c) precious metals
and diamonds and articles made from them.
Antiques and imitations
approved for export are marked with a red wax seal.
According to the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration, improper glazing of some dinnerware for sale in China
can cause lead contamination in food. Therefore, unless you have proof of its
safety, dinnerware purchased in China should be used for decorative purposes
only. Chinese commercial shipments of dinnerware to the United States are tested
to conform to U.S. safety standards.
Movie cameras and
videotaping equipment should be declared upon entry into China.
Chinese customs officials
encourage the use of an ATA (Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission) Carnet
for the temporary admission of professional equipment, commercial samples,
and/or goods for exhibitions and fair purposes. ATA Carnet Headquarters, located
at the U.S. Council for International Business, 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New
York, NY 10036, issues and guarantees the ATA Carnet in the United States. For
additional information, please call telephone (212) 354-4480, or send e-mail to
atacarnet@uscib.org or visit http://www.uscib.org for details.
Information concerning
regulations and procedures governing items that may be brought into China is
available through the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the United States. (See
the Chinese Embassy and consulates addresses listed at the end of this
pamphlet.)
Crime
China has a low crime rate;
however crime has increased in the past few years, principally in the major
cities. U.S. citizens and other foreigners have seldom been victims of violent
crime. For up-to-date information get the latest Consular Information Sheet for
China. (See section under How to Access Consular Information Sheets, Public Announcements
& Travel Warnings on page 4.)
Legal
Matters
Remember: while in China,
you are subject to Chinese laws and regulations. Laws in China sometimes differ
significantly from those in the United States and do not afford the protections
available to the individual under U.S. law. Please exercise caution and
carefully obey local laws. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe
than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating the law, even
unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned.
Chinese laws prohibit public
demonstrations without a valid permit obtained from the Chinese Public Security
Bureau in the city where the demonstration is planned.
Chinese authorities have
seized documents, literature, and letters which they deem to be pornographic or
political in nature or those which are intended for religious proselytizing. If
you seek to enter China with religious materials in a quantity greater than what
is considered needed for personal use, you could be detained and fined.
Religious proselytizing or
passing out of religious materials is strictly forbidden. Americans suspected of
engaging in such activities have been fined, arrested or deported.
Magazines with photographs
considered commonplace in Western countries, including some advertisements, may
be regarded as pornography. Books, films, records, tapes, etc., which are
“detrimental to China’s politics, economy, culture, and ethics” will be seized
by Chinese Customs to determine that they do not violate these prohibitions.
Foreign visitors and
residents in China have sometimes been detained and heavily fined for having
improper sexual relations with Chinese citizens. In most of these cases, the
foreigners involved had invited Chinese citizens to their hotel rooms. Any U.S.
citizen who is detained by Chinese authorities for questioning regarding this or
any other violation of Chinese law or regulations should notify the U.S. Embassy
or nearest U.S. consulate as soon as possible.
Criminal penalties for
possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs in China are strict. Convicted
offenders may receive severe jail sentences and fines.
Consular
Access
Under the U.S. -P.R.C.
Consular Convention of 1980, U.S. consular officers shall be notified if a U.S.
citizen is arrested or detained no later than four days after the arrest or
detention.
Under the Convention, U.S.
consular officers must be informed upon request of the reasons for the arrest or
detention and have a right to visit the citizen after a formal request is made
by the consular officer. U.S. consular officers cannot serve as attorneys or
give legal advice. They can, however, provide a list of local English speaking
attorneys you may retain and help you find legal representation.
You are encouraged to carry
photocopies of your passport data and photo pages with you at all times so that,
if questioned by PRC officials, proof of U.S. citizenship is readily available.
(Do not carry your original passport around with you. Your passport and other
valuables should be placed in a hotel safety deposit box.)
U.S. citizens have rights to
consular access under the U.S. - PRC Consular Convention and should insist upon
contact with the U.S. Embassy or one of the U.S. consulates general. If you are
denied this right, continue to protest.
Dual Nationality
China does not recognize
dual nationality. If you are a citizen of both China and the U.S., you may
experience difficulty entering and departing China on your U.S. passports. In
some cases, U.S. passports have been seized by Chinese authorities. Dual
nationals may be subject to Chinese laws which impose special obligations. Such
persons are often required to use Chinese documentation to enter China.
The United States requires
that all U.S. citizens enter and depart the United States on U.S. passports.
Dual nationals who enter and depart China using a U.S. passport and a valid PRC
visa retain the right of U.S. consular access and protection under the U.S.-PRC
Consular Convention. The ability of the U.S. Embassy or consulates general to
provide normal consular services would be extremely limited should a dual
national enter China on a Chinese or other passport.
China does not recognize the
U.S. citizenship of children born in China, when one of the parents is a PRC
national. Such children are required to depart China on PRC travel documents.
Children born in the United States to PRC national parents, who are neither
lawful permanent residents nor U.S. citizens, are not recognized as U.S.
citizens under Chinese nationality law. Although Chinese consulates have
frequently issued visas to such individuals in error, they are treated solely as
PRC nationals by Chinese authorities when in China.
Before traveling to China,
dual nationals should contact the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at (202)
647-6769 or the U.S. Embassy in Beijing (see address at end of this booklet) for
additional information.
Passport Confiscation and Business
Disputes
If you are planning to
conduct business in China, please be vigilant in investigating the companies you
plan to work with to ensure they are reputable or to learn whether a prior
history of disputes exists.
The confiscation of foreign
passports of persons involved in business disputes has increased in China in
recent years, frequently resulting in individuals being placed under house
arrest or being unable to leave China until the dispute is satisfactorily
resolved. As a valid Chinese visa is required in order to depart China,
obtaining a replacement for a confiscated U.S. passport will not facilitate
exiting the PRC and the Chinese government will block your departure.
Family Issues
Adoptions
After completing lengthy
pre-adoption procedures in the United States, Americans wishing to adopt a child
in China can expect to spend at least two weeks there to complete the adoption.
Once in China, and after the
adoption has been completed, the U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou will
process the immigrant visa to enable you to bring your newly adopted child back
to the United States.
The “Child Citizenship Act
of 2000” became effective on February 27, 2001. This law greatly streamlines the
process by which foreign-born children (including adopted children) of U.S.
citizen parents can become U.S. citizens when they did not acquire citizenship
at birth.
The Child Citizenship Act,
which applies to both adopted and biological children of U.S. citizens, amends
Section 320 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (“INA”) to provide for the
automatic acquisition of U.S. citizenship when certain conditions have been met.
Specifically, these conditions are:
- One parent is a U.S.
citizen by birth or through naturalization;
- The child is under the age
of 18;
- The child is residing in
the United States as a lawful permanent resident alien and is in the legal and
physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent; and
- If the child is adopted,
the adoption must be final.
Under the previous law,
internationally adopted children of a U.S. citizen did not automatically become
citizens upon their admission into the United States as immigrants.
Abductions
In an effort to prevent
international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at
entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of the
relationship between the child and an accompanying adult and, when the child’s
parent(s) or legal guardian is not traveling with the child, permission from
that adult for the child’s travel. By having such documentation on hand, even if
not required, you may facilitate your entry and departure.
You can find current
information on adoptions, international parental child abductions, and
international child support enforcement issues can be obtained by calling the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Children’s
Issues at (202) 736-7000, or by visiting the Consular Affairs Internet site
at children’s_issues.html.
Health
Tourist travel in China can
be extremely strenuous and may be especially debilitating to someone in poor
health. Tours often involve walking long distances and up steep hills. All,
especially those with a history of coronary/pulmonary problems, should have a
complete medical checkup before making final travel plans. It is very important
to schedule rest periods during your touring activities. China discourages
travel by persons who are ill, pregnant, or are of advanced age. Visa applicants
over 60 are sometimes required to complete a health questionnaire. If medical
problems exist, a letter from your physician in the United States explaining
treatment and, if relevant, copies of your most recent electrocardiograms, would
be helpful in case a medical emergency occurs in China.
China lacks
handicapped-accessible facilities. Even travel to popular destinations such as
the Great Wall and the Forbidden City can present problems to persons with
disabilities. If you require such facilities, you may want to discuss this with
your travel agent or host well in advance of your proposed travel.
Air pollution in the large
cities is severe, particularly in winter, and respiratory ailments are common.
Be aware that HIV has become
a significant concern in China. You should always ask doctors and dentists to
use sterilized equipment and be prepared to pay for new syringe needles in
hospitals or clinics.
Do not to drink tap water in
China. Hotels almost always supply boiled water that is safe to drink. Buy
bottled water and/or carbonated drinks. Make sure you carry water purification
tablets to use when neither boiled water nor bottled drinks are available.
If you are planning to rent
an apartment with gas appliances while in China, be aware that in some areas
natural gas is not scented to warn occupants of gas leaks or concentrations.
Also, heaters may not always be well vented, thereby allowing excess carbon
monoxide to build up in living spaces.
There have been fatal
accidents involving American citizens, so make sure all gas appliances are
properly vented or install gas and carbon monoxide detectors in your residence.
These devices are not widely available in China, and they should be purchased
prior to arrival.
You can obtain information
on vaccinations and other health precautions for travelers in the United States
from local health departments, private doctors, travel clinics, and the Centers
for Disease Control & Prevention at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax
1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via the CDC’s Internet site at
http://www.cdc.gov.
Medical
Facilities
You can select hospitals in
major Chinese cities that have so-called VIP wards (gaogan bingfang). These
wards feature reasonably up-to-date medical technology and physicians who are
both knowledgeable and skilled. Most of these VIP wards also provide medical
services to foreigners, feature English-speaking doctors and nurses, and may
even accept credit cards for payment.
Even in the VIP/Foreigner
wards of major hospitals, however, American patients have frequently encountered
difficulty due to cultural and regulatory differences. Physicians and hospitals
have sometimes refused to supply American patients with complete copies of their
Chinese hospital medical records, including laboratory test results, scans, and
x-rays. Physicians have also frequently discouraged Americans from obtaining
second opinions from outside physicians. Hospitals have sometimes been reluctant
to release patients for medical evacuation in cases where they would prefer to
keep the patient for an extended stay.
Ambulances do not carry
sophisticated medical equipment, and ambulance personnel generally have little
or no medical training. Therefore, injured or seriously ill Americans should
take taxis or other immediately available vehicles to the nearest major hospital
rather than waiting for ambulances to arrive.
In rural areas, only
rudimentary medical facilities are generally available. Medical personnel in
rural areas are often poorly trained and are often reluctant to accept
responsibility for treating foreigners, even in emergency
situations. Foreign-operated medical providers catering to expatriates and
visitors are available, though their services are usually considerably more
expensive than hospitals and clinics operated by local government health
authorities.
SOS International, Ltd.,
operates clinics and provides medical evacuation and medical escort services in
several Chinese cities. For medical emergencies anywhere in mainland China,
Americans can call the SOS International, Ltd., 24-hour “Alarm Center” in
Beijing at (86-10) 64629100 or in Shanghai at (86-21) 62950099 for advice and
referrals to local facilities. SOS International Alarm Centers can also be
contacted in Hong Kong at (852) 24289900 and in the United States at (1-800)
523-6586.
The Australian firm,
GlobalDoctor, Ltd., has opened clinics staffed by English-speaking doctors
within the VIP wards of government-run hospitals in Chengdu, Nanjing, and
Beijing and plans to open additional facilities within several months in Xian
and Shenzhen. GlobalDoctor can be reached by telephone from China at (61-8)
92263088 or on the Internet at www.eglobaldoctor.com.
Additional information on
medical providers specializing in treating foreigners, including dental and
orthodontic clinics, is available on the U.S. Embassies web page at
www.usembassy-china.org.cn.
Medical
Insurance
Americans are advised to
travel to China with both health insurance and medical evacuation insurance
(often included in so-called “travel” insurance and provided as part of a tour
group package). U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the
United States. Even when insurance does cover services received in China, it
will usually be necessary to pay first and then file for reimbursement with the
insurance company upon returning to the United States.
Supplemental insurance with
specific overseas coverage, including provision for medical evacuation, is
strongly recommended and can be purchased in the United States prior to travel.
Some insurance policies also
include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the
event of death.
Recent medical evacuations
by air ambulance from China to nearby areas have cost over US $50,000. Most
standard U.S. medical insurance policies do not cover the cost of such medical
evacuations.
Two private emergency
medical assistance firms, SOS International, Ltd., and Medex Assistance
Corporation, offer medical insurance policies designed for travelers and also
have staff in China who can assist in the event of a medical emergency.
Disclaimer: The U.S. Department of State provides this information as a
service to U.S. citizens but cannot specifically recommend any medical
assistance firm or guarantee the quality of services offered by private
companies.
SOS International, Ltd.
(formerly known in some areas as Asia Emergency Assistance) Beijing Clinic
address: Building C, BITIC Leasing Center, No. 1 North Road, Xingfu Sancun,
Sanlitun, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100600.
Beijing SOS International
Clinic, telephone: (86-10) 6462-9112, Fax (86-10) 6462-9111.
For medical emergencies,
call the SOS International Alarm Center at (86-10) 6462-9100 from anywhere in
Mainland China. If you are calling from Hong Kong, dial (852) 2428-9900. If you
are calling from the U.S., dial 1-800-468-5232. Their phone lines are answered
24 hours by SOS International Alarm Center personnel.
For information on
purchasing health or travel insurance from SOS International, please call in the
U.S. at 1-800-523-6586 or visit their web site at www.intsos.com.
International has
correspondent arrangements with hospitals in several Chinese cities. Persons in
China should first call the Alarm Center in Beijing at (86-10) 6462-9100.
MEDEX Assistance
Corporation, Regus Office 19, Beijing Lufthansa Center, No. 50 Liangmaqiao Road,
Chaoyang District Beijing 100016. You can visit their web site at
www.medexassist.com.
MEDEX U.S. telephone:
(1-800) 537-2029 or (1-410) 453-6300 (24 hours). Beijing Office Fax: (86-10)
6465-1240 or (86-10) 6465-1269. Email: medexasst@aol.com (Baltimore,
Maryland).
Medex members calling with a
medical emergency call: (1-800) 527-0218 or (1-410) 453-6330. Medex members in
China, who are calling with a medial emergency should call Medex-Emergency at
(86-10) 6465-1264.
More useful information on
medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided
in the Department of State’s, Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure, Medical
Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via the Bureau of Consular
Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov, or autofax: 1-202
647-3000.
Travel Arrangements Within China
Package tours, while often
more expensive than self arranged travel, will insulate you from the
difficulties of booking travel by air, rail, bus or car in China. Transportation
systems have not expanded as fast as the number of Chinese and international
travelers has increased. Planes and trains are often overbooked.
Tickets or reservations for
onward travel should be reconfirmed at each stop. Hotels, for a fee, will assist
in making reservations and purchasing tickets.
Train travel can be
difficult to reserve, even for the experienced traveler. Round trip rail tickets
are not generally available without the services of a travel agency. Beware of
counterfeit train tickets. Unethical entrepreneurs manufacture and sell such
tickets at railway stations.
Areas of Interest
Modern tourist facilities
are available in major cities in China. China is full of natural and man-made
wonders. Its great rivers include the Yellow and the Yangtze.
Hong Kong SAR is
cosmopolitan and highly developed, and a popular destination.
Macau SAR has well developed
tourism facilities. Gambling and tourism are some of the major factors in
Macau’s economy.
There are also many mountain
ranges including the Himalayas along the southern border of Tibet and the Kunlun
Mountains stretching east and west along Tibet’s northern edge. Part of the Gobi
desert is located in China’s Inner Mongolia.
China’s most popular
man-made wonder is the Great Wall. The Great Wall was built in the 3rd century
B.C. (completed in 204 B.C.). It extends for about 1500 miles from Gansu
province to the Bohai Gulf. The wall averages 20 to 50 feet high and 15 to 25
feet thick. The actual length, including branches and windings, is more than
2000 miles.
Additional
Information
Hong Kong
Hong Kong, a Special
Administrative Region (SAR) of the People’s Republic of China, enjoys a high
degree of autonomy, except in the areas of defense and foreign policy, and
retains its own currency, laws, and border controls. It is composed of three
geographic areas: the New Territories, Kowloon Peninsula, and Hong Kong Island.
Entry/Exit Requirements
A passport and evidence of
onward/return transportation by sea/air are required. A visa is not required for
tourist visits by U.S. citizens of up to 90 days. An extension of stay may be
granted upon application to the Hong Kong SAR Immigration Department. U.S.
citizens must have passports with at least four months’ validity for entry into
Hong Kong.
A departure tax of 80 Hong
Kong dollars (approximately $10.30 U.S. dollars), unless included in the
airfare, must be paid at the airport. Visas are required to work or study.
Public transportation from Hong Kong’s International Airport at Chek Lap Kok to
Central Hong Kong (about 25 miles) is readily available, as are taxis. Travelers
should exchange sufficient money for transportation at the airport exchange
facility located immediately outside the baggage claim area.
For the most current
information concerning entry and exit requirements, travelers can consult the
Hong Kong SAR Immigration Department, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road,
Wanchai, Hong Kong, Tel. (852) 2829-3001, fax (852) 2824-1133, Internet home
page: www.info.gov.hk/immd/), or the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.
(See Embassy’s address on page 26.)
Macau
Macau, a Special
Administrative Region (SAR) of the People’s Republic of China, enjoys a high
degree of autonomy, except in the areas of defense and foreign policy, and
retains its own currency, laws, and border controls.
Macau’s revenue from tourism
exceeds exports. Macau, population 437,000, covers a thirteen-square-mile area
on the mainland of China bordering the South China Sea and the small, adjacent
islands of Taipa and Coloane.
Entry/Exit
Requirements
Passports are required. A
visa is not required for tourist visits of up to 30 days. For further
information on entry requirements, please consult the Macau Tourist Information
Bureau’s U.S. Representative Office (operated as Integrated Travel Resources
Inc.) at 5757 West Century Boulevard, Suite 660, Los Angeles, CA 90045-6407,
Tel: (310) 568-0009 or Fax: (310) 338-0708. You can also check the Macau
Government home page at www.macau.gov.mo, or contact the Embassy of China. (The
Embassy’s address is at the end of the booklet).
The pataca (US $1.00 to
approximately 7.80 patacas) is the official currency in Macau. Included in the
cost of ferry tickets from Macau to Hong Kong is a departure tax of 20 patacas.
The airport departure tax for flights from Macau to China is 80 patacas, and 130
patacas for flights to other
destinations.
Tibet
Virtually all of the Tibetan
autonomous region, much of Qinghai and Xinjiang, and parts of Sichuan, Yunnan,
and Gansu are above 13,000 feet (4,000 meters) in altitude. Some main roads in
Tibet, Qinghai, and Xinjiang go above 17,000 feet (5,200 meters), where
available oxygen is only half of that at sea level.
Conditions in Tibet are
primitive, and travel there can be particularly arduous. Medical facilities are
practically nonexistent. Many otherwise healthy visitors to the high altitude
areas may suffer severe headaches, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, or a
dry cough. These symptoms usually disappear after a few days of acclimatization.
However, if symptoms
persist, sufferers should descend to a lower altitude, or seek medical
assistance as soon as possible. Visitors with respiratory or cardiac problems
should avoid such high altitudes. Consult a physician before making the trip.
Entry/Exit
Requirements
Permits are required to
visit Tibet as well as many remote areas not normally open to foreigners. Travel
arrangements to Tibet can be made from outside of China, but once in China,
travelers wishing to visit Tibet must join a group, which can be arranged by
almost any Chinese travel agency. The travel agency will arrange for the
necessary permits and collect any fees.
The Chinese Government
requires foreigners (including U.S. citizens) wishing to visit Tibet to apply in
advance for approval from the Tourist Administration of the Tibetan Autonomous
Region.
More information is
available from the Chinese Embassy or one of the Chinese consulates in the
United States (See the Chinese Embassy and consulates addresses listed at the
end of this pamphlet), or, while in China, from the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S.
Consulate General. (The U.S. Embassy and consulates addresses are listed at the
end of this pamphlet.) Recently, some Americans with long-term Chinese visas
have experienced difficulty obtaining permits to visit Tibet.
Trans-Siberian
Express
If you wish to take the
Trans-Siberian railway from Beijing to Europe, you must obtain visas for
Mongolia, Russia and other countries en route. Plan ahead. The Mongolian
Consulate in Beijing is only open a few hours per
week.
Restricted Areas
Visitors to China should be
aware that Chinese regulations strictly prohibit travel in “closed” areas
without special permission. However, over 1,200 cities and areas in China are
open to visitors without special travel permits, including most major scenic and
historical sites. If you need to know if an area is open to travel without a
permit, seek advice from the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate, or, if you
are already in China, from the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, the nearest U.S.
consulate, or the local Chinese public security bureau. (The U.S. Embassy and
consulates addresses are listed on pages 27 and 28.)
* * * *
*
Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the United
States www.china-embassy.org
Embassy of the
People’s Republic of China 2300 Connecticut Avenue,
NW Washington, D.C. 20008 (202) 328-2517
Visa
Section of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of
China 2201 Wisconsin Avenue, NW Washington,
D.C. 20007 (202) 338-6688)
Chinese Consulate
General 100 West Erie Street Chicago, Illinois
60610 (312) 803-0095
Chinese Consulate
General 3400 Montrose Boulevard Houston, Texas
77006 (713) 524-4311
Chinese Consulate
General 443 Shatto Place, Suite 300 Los
Angeles, California 90020 (213) 807-8006
Chinese Consulate
General 520 12th Avenue New York, New York
10036 (212) 868-2078
Chinese Consulate
General 1450 Laguna Street San Francisco,
California 94115 (415) 674-2940
U.S. Embassy and Consulates in
China www.usembassy-china.org.cn
U.S. Embassy in
China 2 Xiu Shui Dong Jie Beijing
100600 Tel: (86-10) 6532-3431, 6532-3831 After-hours: (86-10) 6532-1910
Fax (86-10) 6532-4153, 6532-3178 The Embassy consular district includes
the following provinces/regions of China: Beijing, Tianjin, Shandong, Shanxi,
Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Qinghai, Xinjiang, Hebei, Henan, Hubei,
Hunan, and Jiangxi.
U.S. Consulate
General Number 4 Lingshiguan Road Section 4, Renmin
Nanlu, Chengdu 610041 Tel: (86-28) 558-3992,
555-3119 After-hours (86-0) 13708001422. Fax (86-28) 558-3520 This
consular district includes the following provinces/regions of China:
Guizhou, Sichuan, Xizang (Tibet), and Yunnan, as well as the municipality of
Chongqing.
U.S. Consulate
General Number 1 South Shamian Street Shamian Island
200S1 Guangzhou 510133 Tel: (86-20) 8121-8000 or (86-20)
8121-8418 After-hours: (86-0) 13902203169 Fax: (86-20) 8121-8428 This
consular district includes the following provinces/regions of China:
Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, and Fujian.
U.S. Consulate
General 1469 Huaihai Zhonglu Shanghai 200031
telephone: (86-21) 6433-6880 after-hours: (86-21) 6433-3936 fax:
(86-21) 6433-4122, 6471-1148 This consular district includes the following
provinces/regions of China: Shanghai, Anhui, Jiangsu, and
Zhejiang.
U.S. Consulate
General No. 52, 14th Wei Road Heping
District Shenyang 110003 telephone: (86-24) 2322-1198,
2322-0368 after-hours: (86-0) 13704019790 fax (86-24) 2322-2374 This
consular district includes the following provinces/regions of China:
Liaoning, Heilongjiang, and Jilin.
U.S.
Consulate in Hong Kong http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov
U.S. Consulate
General Hong Kong 26 Garden Road Central Hong
Kong telephone: (852) 2523-9011 after-hours: (852) 2523-9011:
follow prompts fax: (852) 2845-4845 Email: acshnk@netvigator.com This
consular district includes Hong Kong and Macau.
Planning Another Trip?
Consular Affairs also
publishes the following pamphlets:
General travel
information:
A Safe Trip Abroad —
contains helpful precautions one can take to minimize the chance of becoming a
victim of terrorism or crime.
Tips for Americans Residing
Abroad — offers information for U.S. citizens living abroad on dual
citizenship, tax regulations, voting, and other consular services.
Travel Tips for Older
Americans — contains special health, safety and travel information for older
Americans.
Travel Tips for
Students — contains safety and travel information for Americans
student.
Tips for Women Traveling Alone — offers safety and travel
information that is especially useful for women who are traveling
alone.
Your Trip Abroad — offers tips on obtaining a passport,
considerations in preparing for your trip and traveling, and other sources of
information.
Country Specific
Information:
The following travel tips
brochures contain information on currency regulations, customs, and dual
nationality for specific areas of the world:
Tips for Travelers to Canada Tips for Travelers to the
Caribbean Tips for Travelers to
Central & South America Tips for
Travelers to Mexico Tips for Travelers to the Middle
East & North Africa Tips for
Travelers to Russia Tips for
Travelers to South Asia Tips for Travelers to Sub-Saharan
Africa Tips for Travelers for
Business Travelers to Nigeria
They can be purchased from the
*U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO). Copies of Consular
Affairs’ publications are available for $1 -
$2 each from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC 20402, Tel: 202/512-1800, fax: 202/512-2250. Internet:
www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs.
Copies of the following
publications are available for $1 each from
the Federal Consumer Information Center , Pueblo, CO
81009. Internet: www.pueblo.gsa.gov
Advance Fee Business
Fraud — contains useful information for persons engaging in
business abroad
Passport: Applying
for Them the Easy Way — provides information on how, were and the
best time to apply for a U.S. passport.
Tips for Women
Traveling Alone — contains safety and travel information for women
traveling alone in foreign countries.
Travel Smart/Travel
Safe — contains general safety tips and travel
information.
Travel Tips for
Students — contains safety and travel information for students
studying, residing and/or traveling abroad.
(*Prices and
availability are subject to change without notice. Please check with the GPO for
up-to-date information.)
Consular Affairs’
publications can be obtained by accessing any of the following
systems:
Internet.
Consular Affairs’ Internet address is: http://travel.state.gov
Automated Fax
System. Consular Affairs’ automated fax system can be accessed by
dialing from your fax phone 202/647-3000.
April 2003
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