China Travel Information

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China Travel Information FAQ
	CHINA VISA		HOTELS
	CURRENCY		MEALS ON TOURS
	HEALTH		LUGGAGE
	DUTY FREE ALLOWANCE		COACH
	TIME DIFFENENCE		BOOKING INFORMATION
	TIPPING		YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE
	INSURANCE		TRANSFERS
	ELETRICITY VOLTAGE		TRAVEL TO TIBET
	SAFTY		CLIMATE
	GUARANTEED DEPARTURE		GROUP SIZE
	MOBILE PHONE		VACCINATION
CHINA VISA
1. Do I need a visa to visit China Yes, visa is required for Australian and most other nationalities 2. What do I need for the visa application? One visa application form, one recent photo, one visa application fee of $40 per person for Australian passport holder / $50 per person for non-Australian Passport Holder except American passport of A$155, and original passport are required for the visa application. Normally it will take 4 working days to process. Please make sure your passport has a minimum validity of 6 months before the travel date. If you apply Chinese Visa via Chinese Visa Application Service Center, an additional service fee of A$38.5 will be applied. 3. Where to apply the Visa? China Bestours will help you to apply the visa after you have confirmed the booking with us. Please send all required documents to China Bestours when paying the tour balance. It will take 4 working days to proceed; or you can also apply it directly at the Chinese Embassy in Canberra, the Chinese Consulates in Sydney, Melbourne or Perth, address as follows: Please Click Here to read the Visa Reqirements before filling the Visa Application Form.
Embassy of P.R. China in Australia (Canberra) 15 Coronation Drive, Yarralumla, ACT 2600 Tel: 02 6273 4783 Fax: 02 6273 5189		Chinese Visa Application Service Center Level 5, 299 Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Tell:02-94758800 Fax: 02-92612088 E-mail:sydcenter@visaforchina.org
Chinese Consulate General in Melbourne 75 - 77 Irving Road, ToorakVic 3142 Tel: 03 9822 0604 Fax: 03-9822 0320		Chinese Consulate General in Perth 45 Brown St, East Perth WA 6004 Tel: 08-9222 0333 Fax: 08-9221 6144
4. Do I need to pay service fee if China Bestours applying China Visa for me? No service fee will apply if you are joining one of our tours to China. But A$20 per person service fee will apply if you won't join any our tours.
CURRENCY		Top
1. What money like in China, and how much for the exchange rate? The Chinese currency YUAN are issued in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 denominations. 1Yuan = 10Jiao (in 1, 2 & 5) = 100 Cents (in 1, 2 & 5). The official exchange rate is around A$1=4.5 Yuan (RMB) as at Jan 2009. Traveler's cheque is the safest way to take money with you on your holidays. Australian dollars can be easily exchanged at the hotels provided on tours by China Bestours. Although US$ is popular in China, there is no need to convert your Australian dollars to US$. Most hotels, restaurants, and major shopping centers welcome major credit cards.
2. What money should I take with me to China? Traveler's cheque is the safest way to take money with you on your holidays. Australian dollars can be easily exchanged at all the hotels provided on tours by China Bestours. Although US$ is popular in China, but there is no need to convert your Australian dollars to US$. Most hotels, restaurants, and major shopping centers welcome major credit cards.
HEALTH
Do I need any immunizations? No immunizations are required for entry into China, unless the traveller is coming from a yellow fever infected area. The Traveller's Medical and Vaccination Center (TMVC ) recommends the all travellers have current polio and tetanus immunizations . For travelling into countryside, immune globulin is also recommended to combat hepatitis A, as is typhoid immunization. It is very important to bring along a supply of wide spectrum Antibiotics, an anti-diarrhoeal agent, and any other prescription drugs required. For most update information, please contact TMVC in Sydney or visit their web site at http://www.tmvc.com.au Please consulate your family doctor as well
DUTY FREE ALLOWANCE
What is the allowance for the duty free concessions? All travelers aged 18 years and over are allowed to bring into China the followings goods duty free: Tobacco: 400 cigarettes Liquor: 2 litres of alcoholic beverages Perfume: Reasonable amount for personal use The above information is for your references only. Customs on your return to Australia. Australian Citizens: All travelers aged 18 years and over are allowed to bring into Australia the following goods duty free. Goods bought overseas or bought duty free before leaving Australia are included when determining duty free concessions. A$900 worth of goods not including alcohol or cigarettes (A$450 for travelers under 18 years of age). 2.25 liters alcohol (including wine, beer or spirits) and 250 cigarettes are permitted to bring in. This information is for reference only, for details, please contact Australian Customs prior to departure on 1300 363 263 or visit their website www.customs.gov.au for more details.
TIME DIFFENENCE
What is the time difference? Beijing standard time used all over China, it is 2 hours behind Sydney time, and 3 hours difference when daylight saving time is on
TIPPING
Do I need to pay tips in China? Since the open policy to the world, there is more and more foreign tourist visiting China and make it become one of the top ten travel destination in the world. Influenced by American and European travelers, tipping is getting popular in China now. So we suggest total A$6 per client per day for the tour manager, local guides, and coach captains as a gratitude for their service. For group tours, normally the tour manager will collect the tips for the entire journey on the first day of your tour and will manage all the way to the local guides and coach captains
INSURANCE
How can I arrange my travel insurance? There is no insurance covered in our tour price; we strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive insurance cover for cancellation, medical expenses, personal accident, personal baggage, money and public liability before you travel. Please ask your travel agent or China Bestours for the insurance brochure, Or simply just buy your insurance online, click Here
ELETRICITY VOLTAGE		Top
What is the voltage in China?Do I need to bring my own adaptor? The electrical current in China is 220-volts, multi-function power outlets are provided at most of the hotels, Australian electrical appliances are useable there. Adaptors can be provided from housekeeping at the hotel where you can't find the right outlets. Please click here for the picture of the power outlet.
HOTELS
1. What hotel standards can I expect on a China Bestours tour? The hotels selected for group tours are based on 4 star classified by China National Tourist Administration or the local best in some remote areas that provide the best value for money. Of course, different countries have different standards, but China Bestours endeavors to provide our clients with the best available in cleanliness and comfort. Most of the hotels are centrally located in the city or at the convenience place in the tourist area
2. What is the standard room on tour? All bookings are made on a Twin Share basis. This means you will receive two single beds or two double beds depending on what is available and triple share accommodation consists of twin beds (2 single beds) plus a rollaway/fold-up bed. If you want a double bed, this can be requested but not guaranteed. All hotel rooms contain private facilities, air-conditioning, TV & telephone
3. Can I share a room with a stranger? Yes. China Bestours will try to match up singles of the same gender in twin-bedded rooms. For mutual comfort, we do adopt a no-smoking rule in shared rooms. But when finalizing the tour, if we fail for the match-up, a forced single supplement, which is 75% of the normal single supplement surcharge, will apply. Please note this policy cannot be offered for pre and post tour accommodation
MEALS ON TOURS
1. What meals included on tours? Western style full breakfast is always included on our tours, and most lunches and dinners, which are Chinese style, are also included. You will find out quite a few local banquets, like Beijing Duck dinner, Xian Dumpling Banquet etc also included in your itinerary. Please check your itinerary for details. Meal code: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner, SD=Specialty Dinner, WD=Western Dinner. Clients can discover the local cuisine or Western meals when there aren't scheduled meals. We understand that clients may have varied dietary needs. If you have special dietary needs due to religious or medical limitations etc, please advise your tour guide well in advance. Special food cost extra.
2. Can I arrange special dietary requests? While China Bestours understands that clients may have varied dietary needs, such as vegetarian meals, glutton-free meals or special meals due to religious or medical limitations etc, please request when making the reservation, most of the special meals can be assisted to arrange.
LUGGAGE		Top
1. What size luggage is appropriate? We suggest your single check in bag should not have dimensions exceeding 76 x 46 x 26 cm (or 30 x 18 x 10 inches) and weight not exceeding 20 kg. A penalty from airlines might apply for check-in bag weight exceeding 20kg.
2. What about hand luggage? Please note that airlines have restrictions on the size of the hand carry luggage Baggage Dimensions, the total dimensions are measured by adding together the depth, height and length of the bag, which is: 115cm = 56cm (L) + 36cm (H) + 23cm (D) for details of all luggage regulation, please visit http://www.qantas.com.au/info/flying/beforeYouTravel/baggageAllowance

COACH
1. Does the coach have an on-board toilet? There is no on-board toilet on the coach when on tours. For the long journey, our guides and drivers will make enough rest stops on the way for your convenience.
2. Is smoking permitted on the coach? For the comfort of all on board, smoking is not permitted on the coach. There are, however, plenty of opportunities to smoke during the frequent comfort stops.
BOOKING INFORMATION		Top
1. How do I make a booking? Please click here for the details, then simply contact your travel agent or China Bestours, and have your Booking Form sent to us with the deposit. Please click here to download the Booking Form.
2. How can I book two group tours together? Some clients might like to book two group tours as one journey to make full use of the holidays. First of all, please choose two tours you like to join, you can choose the first departure with International air while the second one is Land Only. You might need to pay the internal flight or extra hotel for the connection between the two tours. Please talk to our experienced staffs for help.
YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE
All standard cabins on Yangtze River Cruise have windows facing towards the river. For dress, smart casual is good for the banquet on cruise.
TRANSFERS
1. Will I be met at the airport for my transfer? China Bestours offers a transfer service for all the passengers who join group tours. For those who join land only and book air tickets separately on your own, please advise your flight details for the arrival & departure transfers.
2. How do I meet CTS tour guides at the airport / train station? Upon arrival at the airport or train station, please put your CTS Badge on your chest, our CTS guide will greet you at the exit. For individual traveler(s), our guide will hold a welcome sign with your names on to welcome you.
CAN I TRAVEL TO TIBET INDEPENDENTLY
According to Chinese official regulation, you cannot travel to Tibet independently .You have to book a tour package to Tibet through a tour company. You need a special travel permit to enter Tibet in addition to a valid China visa. China Bestours has designed several flexible and affordable packages. Please contact us for further details
SAFETY China is generally safe, and there has been no evidence of a threat from global terrorism. Serious crime against foreigners is very rare.
CLIMATE China covers extensive territory and has a complex topography, therefore the weather differs from region to region. The south east, below the Nanling Mountains, tends to be very wet with high temperatures all year round. In the central Yangtze and Huaihe river valleys there are four distinct seasons with very hot summers and extremely cold winters, and rain all year round. The dry north experiences a short but sunny summer, with long bitterly cold winters. The coast is humid and experiences monsoons during summer. The following is a reference table for tourists to prepare clothing on their trips. · Spring: 10-22°C, Western suits, jackets, sports coats, woolen jackets, long sleeve shirts and travel shoes. · Summer: 22°C and above, T-shirts, short sleeve shirts, skirts, sandals, caps, rain wear. · Autumn: 10-22°C, Western suits, jackets, sports coats, light woolen sweaters, and travel shoes. · Winter: 10°C or lower, overcoat, cotton clothes, lined coats. In very cold areas a cap, gloves and cotton-padded shoes are required
Guaranteed Departures at Group Prices At China Bestours, all our group tours are guaranteed departures, whether the group be two or twenty-two people, we guarantee the departure dates at low group prices. You can be confident in knowing your travel plans are set and then relax and prepare for a marvelous holiday. *All guaranteed departure tour programs required a minimum of two persons to qualify for a guaranteed departure. China Bestours reserves the right to cancel a departure that does not meet this requirement.
Group Size Most of our groups are between 10-20 people; it might be popular in some departures in April, September and October, for your most comfort, the maximum No. of group will be 28 people.
Mobile Phone in China You can bring your own mobile phone into China, please check with your Mobile Service provider in Australia for the details of roaming. Prepaid SIM card is very easy to access, simply ask your local guide to help and enjoy your call there.
Vaccination Please consult your family doctor well in advance for the travel vaccination. Or please call International Travel Vaccination Center on 1300 55 70 70 or visit their website www.travelvaccines.com.au for details.

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