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Useful Tips
Calling
Telephoning is relatively easy if you adhere to the procedures provided by your hotel.
Throughout China, the standard cost for calls to the United States is about $1.02 per
minute which is usually much better than using your MCI or AT&T card. The easiest way
to place a call is from your hotel room. In many cities there are now public phone booths
where you can make calls with a phone card.
Getting Around
Very few people in China speak English. There are several languages spoken in China. The
most common is Mandarin, but everyone can read written Chinese. Whenever you leave your
hotel, make sure you have a hotel business card with you so you can get back to the hotel.
Get the name of the place you are going to written in Chinese to show taxi drivers. Many
guidebooks have the names of tourist attractions written in Chinese just for this purpose.
Also, if you are staying at a nicer hotel (most of the less expensive hotels do not have
anyone who speaks English), you can get the concierge to write your destination in Chinese
for you.
Diet
If you are a vegetarian or have any dietary restrictions, you will need to get them written in Chinese. The translator can send you a Chinese note outlining your dietary restrictions to use at restaurants if you like.
Leaving Tunxi
If you are traveling on your own, make sure the translator reconfirms your plane tickets at least 48 hours prior to departure.
There is a domestic luggage weight restriction of 44 lbs. total per person for checked
luggage. You can check two bags per person, but the total weight is 44 lbs. This is a
problem especially if you purchase any gifts, therefore you may decide to mail some things
home. Also, you will be carrying a piece of carry-on luggage full of Chinese medicine that
Zhou Hong has prescribed. This medicine is cooked and made into packages. It is heavy. It
is possible that Zhou Hong could prescribe as much as 30-lbs. worth, but usually it should
be around 20 lbs. China Eastern still allows two carry-on bags. Put as much weight as
possible in your carry-on luggage. Remember you must board the plane outside and climb up
the stairs to the plane door. If you go over the checked weight limit, sometimes the translator
can get the fee reduced or even waived.
Your International Return Flight
If you are traveling on your own and need hotel reservations in your departure city, the translator can help you with this. He
can also help you with transportation to your hotel from the airport or give you a note
with the hotel and address written in Chinese for your taxi driver.
If you are traveling on your own, remember to reconfirm your international flights if necessary. The translator can help with this as well.
The weight limits on most international flights is about 70 lbs. per bag. You can check two bags. Remember that now you can only have one carry-on piece and a purse or brief case
on flights coming to the United States. Check with your airline to confirm luggage
restrictions.
We suggest you carry your medicine on the international flight, but so long as your
luggage is not lost, it is relatively safe to check the medicine. It is possible for the medicine to leak, but if you have the medicine in zip lock bags, it will not spoil your luggage. Take lots of large zip-lock bags if you intend to check your medicine.
If you are traveling on your own, after checking in at the airport, you will need to purchase your airport tax. The
international airport tax is 90 RMB. After you purchase your airport tax, you can spend
any extra time shopping or eating. There are more shops and food before you pass through
security to the gates. Sometimes the security lines take a long time to get through.
Schedule your time to allow for this.</P>
You can change your yuan (RMB) back to U.S. dollars before you go to the gates. All the shops and restaurants near
the gates take credit cards, and they usually take U.S. dollars.
Vaccinations
Special vaccinations are not required. Still, travelers may wish to contact the Center for Disease Control (CDC) hotline at 1-888-232-3228 or check their website at www.cdc.gov for updates on health concerns for international travelers.
Packing List
Please remember to pack light because of luggage weight restrictions on domestic flights
within China. See Luggage Restrictions below. The clothing you pack should be simple,
durable, and comfortable. Women in Tunxi dress a little more conservatively than women
in larger cities. See the Weather in Tunxi section before packing for your trip. The
following is a sample packing list:
- two pairs of sturdy cotton pants (a dress or skirt is optional)
- shirts
- underwear and socks
- hat (to keep the head warm or sun out)
- two pairs of sturdy comfortable shoes
- personal toiletries
- passport
- a photocopy of your passport's front page and two passport-size photos
- money belt
- small calculator
- one carry-on size piece of luggage to bring back herbal medicine
- A box of large zip-lock baggies for transportation of herbal medicine
- A copy of your Medical History Form
Other items to consider
- a sterile syringe (if you are likely to require a medical injection of any kind)
- any necessary prescription medications
- glasses and/or contacts and contact solution
- thongs (for shower or as slippers)
- robe, nightgown, or pajamas
- jacket, gloves and scarf (for winter travel)
- raincoat or windbreaker
- a sweater or fleece pullover during cooler months
- notebook and pens
- address book
- camera and film
- Swiss army knife
- sunglasses
- flashlight
- umbrella
- towel (may be useful for overnight stays in remote side-trip locations)
- travel alarm clock
- sewing kit
Luggage Restrictions
The weight restriction for checked luggage on domestic flights within China is a total
of44 lbs. per person. Because it is necessary to take a domestic flight to reach Tunxi, it
is recommended that travelers follow these guidelines. Those who do not can expect to pay
a fee of 1.5% of the ticket fare for every 2.2 pounds of extra weight. The translator may be able to get this fee waved or reduced in Tunxi. The weight
restriction for checked luggage on international flights is usually about 70lbs. per bag,
but you should check with your airline. You are allowed two pieces of checked luggage on
domestic and international flights. China domestic flights allow for two pieces of carry-on luggage.
International flights to the United States from China allow for only one piece of carry-on
luggage and one personal item such as a purse.
Money
Regardless of the tour package that you have selected, take enough money for shopping,
miscellaneous purchases, and any side trips you want to take. We suggest that each person
tip the translator about $7.00 a day. You will be able to use your credit card at most high-end
hotels and in major shopping centers.
If you are traveling on your own, how much money you need depends on where you travel
and what comfort levels you select. See Tour Package Options and Getting There On Your
Own.
It is highly recommended that you purchase traveler's checks before coming to China.
You can easily cash them in airports, major hotels, and at many branches of the official
Bank of China. Make sure to bring along the traveler's check receipts. Remember that your
passport is always required for currency exchanges. Foreign ATM cards do not work well in
China at this time. We do not recommend using them. Always take sufficient local currency
when you leave the hotel for dining, shopping, or touring.
Currency and Exchange Rate
China's currency is called renminbi (RMB). Renminbi comes in denominations from RMB 1 to
RMB 100, with smaller bills and coins for change. In the streets, RMB are called yuan or
kuai. Numbers on most bills are in English. The current exchange rate is about 807 yuan
for $100, but traveler's checks get a better rate of 820 yuan for $100. Save your currency
exchange receipts. You will need to show them if you have any money to change back at the
end of your trip. By law the exchange rate is the same throughout China. It is easy to
change money at airports, major hotels, and banks.
Airport Taxes
If you are traveling on your own, remember to save money for the airport taxes, 50 RMB for
domestic flights and 90 RMB for international flights.
Safety in China
It is very safe to walk in most cities, especially Tunxi, during daytime hours. However,
guests are still encouraged to be mindful of their passports and other valuables.
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