Travel Documents

How do I get a visa?

It will be very easy for you to obtain a China Visa to travel in China, which usually will allow you to stay within China for one month.
If you are from the United States of America or Canada, you have several options of obtaining a China Visa:

1)      contact the China National Tourist Office in New York or Los Angeles,

2) or contact your travel agent or visa services, 

3)or you can obtain it directly from the Chinese embassies or consulates in the following cities:

Washington DC Embassy
2300 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington DC 20008, USA
Tel: 202-328-2517

New York Consulate General
520 12th Ave.
New York, NY 10036, USA
Tel: 212-330-7409

Chicago Consulate General
100 West Erie St.
Chicago, IL 60610, USA
Tel: 312-573-3070

San Francisco Consulate General
1450 Laguna St.
San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
Tel:415-563-9232

Los Angeles Consulate General
443 Shatto Place
Los Angeles, CA 90020, USA
Tel: 213-380-2508

Houston Consulate General
3417 Montrose Blvd
Houston, TX 77006, USA

Tel: 713-524-4311

Chinese Embassy in Ottawa
515 St. Patrick Street
Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 5H3
Canada

Chinese Consulate in Toronto
240 St. George Street
Toronto, Ontario, M5R2P4
Canada

Chinese Consulate, Calgary
100-1011th Ave. SW
Calgary, Alberta, T2P 0W1
Canada
Tel: 403-264-3322

Chinese Consulate in Vancouver
3380 Granville Street
Vancouver, BC, V6H 3K3
Canada

China Visa Office in Hong Kong
5th Floor, Lower Block, China Resource Building
Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Tel: 28271811

If you are not from US or Canada, please inquire with your nearest PRC embassies or consulates

What do I need to have to apply for a visa?

To apply for a tourist visa (Type L), you need an application form, a passport-size photo and a valid passport. It takes about seven business days for an application to be processed. For Tibet, the Chinese Embassy must get approval from the Tibet Tourism Administration before issuing a visa.

A passport-size photo means a photo similar to the one in your passport. Only photos which are head-only, full frontal, with a white background, approximately 1-1/2" by 2".will be accepted. You can obtain this type of photo at any "Passport photo" service. Cut-outs from personal photographs are not acceptable.

What type of visa do I need?

Most people only need to apply for a single –entry visa, which is usually valid for 3 months after the issuing date and will permit you to stay in China for a maximum of 30 days.

Should I need to apply for visa again after leaving and re-entering mainland China?

Yes, you need to apply for a double- or multiple entry visa when you need to leave and re-enter mainland China. Please note that, even when you leave for Hong Kong or Macao from mainland China,you still need to have adouble- or multiple entry visa.

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Entertaiment & Shopping

Are there any entertainments we can go and entertain in each city or area, especially during the night time?

in Beijing, you can watch Peking Opera, in Xi'an you can watch and enjoy Tang Dynasty Show, in Shanghai, you can enjoy the night view by cruising on Huangpu River and watch acrobatic show, while in Guilin & Kunming, you can go and enjoy the minority show.

what kind of souvenirs I can buy in China?

In China, the good buys are: silk, tea, antiques, paintings and calligraphy, Chinese medicines, handicrafts such as cloisonné, paper-cutting, replicas of terra-cotta horses and warriors, jade & pearls, etc.

Will we have chance to shop for souvenirs during our tour in China?

Yes, you will have chance to shop for souvenirs while traveling in China, either you can shop in the Department Stores or friendship stores or free markets, sometimes our tour guides will show you to some factories and workshops in which the local specialties are produced and sold.

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Health issue

Do I need to bring my medical record with me?

Yes, we suggest you take your medical record with you in case that you need it in the event of an emergency, and please also take with you your doctor's name, address and phone number, emergency contact name and phone number, and your insurance company's name, address and phone number.

Do we need vaccinations to travel to China? If yes, what kinds of vaccinations do we need?

 we do suggest you have sorts of vaccinations 4 to 6 weeks before your trip as the following, especially if you choose to go and visit those remote and /or rural areas.

- Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG)
- Hepatitis B

(We suggest 11 to 12–year-old children who did not receive it as infants have vaccination of Hepatitis B.)
- Rabies, if you might have possibility to be exposed to wild or domestic animals.

- Typhoid, for visiting developing countries

If I can't walk properly, can you provide me with a wheelchair or do I need to have my own?

You'd better have your own, though in some cities we can provide you with a wheelchair that usually we rent from the hotels where you are going to stay, we can not guarantee any wheelchair assistance or accessibility in all the areas where you are going to visit.

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Baggage

 What are the things I need to pack?

Here is some advice for your packing list:

1) Print out the confirmation letter and itinerary you get from us and bring one copy with you.

2) The passport with all necessary visas

3) Airline tickets/train tickets

4) Wallet & Credit cards & Traveler's checks

5) Your medical record & First-aid kit & Medicines & Vitamins

6) Clothes suitable for the season (please check the weather of your destination before you come) & Comfortable shoes

7) The Dress standard for most places in China would best be described as"smart casual", if your tour involves some formal occasions, then a set of formal suits would be recommended.

8) Raincoat and/or umbrella

9) Hat, Sunglasses & Sunscreen , depending on the season and your destination

10) Insect repellent. Especiall for summer months and for travelers who are going to visit rural areas.

11) If you wear glasses, we suggest you bring two pairs with you.

12) Some small and cheap gifts from your hometown.

13) Address and telephone number list on a sheet.

14) Converter if you have one or it is necessary for you to have one

Note:Try to make your check-in luggage light, because according to the regulation in China, the luggage allowance for the first class ticket holders is 40 kilos(88 pounds) per person, 30kg(66pounds) per person for business class ticket holders, 20 kilos (44 pounds)per person for economy class ticket holders (adults), and some of the airports are very strict.

"Carry On" luggage for air travel in China is limited to 2 pieces for first class travelers and one piece for business.and economy class travelers.The dimensions of each shall not exceed 20X40X55cm and the total weight shall not exceed 5 kg. The carry on items in excess of the above mentioned piece,weight or dimension shall be checked-in as checked baggage according to regulations.

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About Tibet

Do I need permits to Tibet?

Yes, you do need permits to go to Tibet. We can help you get these permits. There is a service charge (by the government) 0f 7-10 US dollars per person.

If you only go to Lhasa, a Tibet permit will be sufficient but, if you want to go further to the "unopened" areas, you also need an Alien's travel permit issued by the PSB of Tibet.

If you have not booked a tour, the travel agencies can not help you get the permits. No travel agency can provide "permit-only" service. Here is a note from Lonely Planet:

"Lhasa PSB will not issue travel permits to individuals and will direct you to a travel agency. Agencies can arrange a travel permit to almost anywhere but only if you book a Land Cruiser, driver and a guide."

It is impossible for a travel agency to SELL you a Tibet permit if you have not booked a tour with them. Do not "buy" a travel permit only or you may get in trouble!
Most people can obtain a Tibet permit through their travel agency except diplomats, journalists and government officials who should travel to Tibet under the arrangement by the Foreign Affairs Office of the Tibet Government.
4) If you want us to help you with your Tibet permits, you need to give us your information including: full name, gender, date of birth, passport number, nationality and occupation.

How to get permits to Tibet in Hong Kong?

Tibet permits can be obtained in Hong Kong through the office of CITS Tibet.
2nd Floor of Yixing Mansion
118, Zhuang Road
Wangzi, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2922 1028
Office hours: Mo-Fri 9:00- 18:00, Sat 9:00- 13:00

How to prevent acute mountain sickness?

Drink water as much as you can

Avoid alcohol,avoid sedatives,avoid sedatives,walk slowly,an oxygen bag is need.eat half as what you usually eat.

What is the requirement for traveling to Tibet so far as health is concerned?

If you are to travel to Tibet, you are required to provide a doctor's certificate stating that you are fit to travel and your blood pressure and heart condition are normal in case that the very high altitude have the possible effects on you.

What is the weather like or climate in Tibet?

Good time for travel to Tibet from April to the beginning of November, and the best time is August and September. But if you only stay in Lhasa, anytime of the year you can go there. Tibet is very dry. Sun radiation is extremely strong in Tibet. The sunlight in Lhasa is so intense that the city is called Sunlight City.it is not impossible to visit the holy snow land. May, June and September are the tourism season in east Tibet.

Most annual rainfall comes in the rainy season that starts from June to September.Mt. Everest Area: Early May and early October are the best time to visit Mt. Everest. Due to the clear weather, you have great chance to see Mt. Everest's true face (if you are lucky). From December to February, you'd better not to go to this area because it is too cold - except you are real Great Adventure People.
Northern Tibet: With the average altitude of 4,500m, this area offers very limited time for tourists. Summer (July to August) is the prime time to enjoy the great plain in northern Tibet.

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Hotel

Can I use my electrical appliances in the hotel rooms without a converter?

Throughout China (including Hong Kong), 220 volt/50 cycles is used. If your appliances are designed to operate at 110 volts, then you will need a Converter. Two-phase and three-phase sockets are commonly used in hotels. You may also need an adapter plug in order to use your electrical appliances. In case you forget to bring your own, you can always ask the housekeeper to lend you one.

Can the hotel staff understand English?

For all the 5 star hotels, the receptionists at the front desk can speak good English, and most of the other staff (room service, restaurant servants, etc) can speak some English,more or less,For most of the 3 star and 4 star hotels, especially the hotels selected by China Odyssey Tours, many hotel staff can understand English and some can speak English well.If you need help, you can always go and ask the receptionists at the front desk, who will be happy to be at your service.

What are the hotels like in China?

There are lots of hotels in China, quite a few of them are above three star, hotel star in China is assessed by China National Tourism Bureau with a very strict criteria. Generally speaking, the services and facilities offered by the hotels above three-star include:

Central control air-conditioner, a color TV,telephone,refrigerator and a double curtain in the room.A private bathroom with 24-hour hot water, disinfected towels & glasses, tooth brushes &paste, soap, bath lotion & shampoo and toilet paper.

One or two beds, a wardrobe, and a dressing table, with ceiling lamps, bedside lamps.

An electrical water boiler, with which you can boil the water to drink.

Concierge service & Bank service of exchanging money & post card delivery service

Business center & Tour Department

Chinese and Western restaurants, coffee shops, bars, banqueting halls, conference rooms, multi-function halls, ballrooms, beauty parlors, massage rooms.

Is the tap water drinkable in hotels?

Tap water is not drinkable . In hotel rooms there will be an electrical water boiler with which you can boil water by yourself. Bottled mineral water is recommended, you can get it easily in everywhere.

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Meal

 Do our tour guides and drivers have meals with us?\=

The guide and the driver in each destination will dine at the same restaurant as yours. But, they will not join you unless you invite them.

I am a vegetarian, will you provide vegetarian (including no chicken / seafood) meals for me?

Sure, we can always make the arrangement according to your requirements.

 What kind of meals will be included in your package tours?

all breakfasts included in 3 to 5 star hotels are western style, Lunch and dinner are usually Chinese food (set table).

Will we be able to try some local food in different places we are going to visit?

A&G tour always take you to experient the true China. So tasting the local food is one of the “must” in your trip in China.

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Travel issue

Can we get a tour guide who can speak our language?

Most of our tour guides speak English which is the first foreign language in China, and we also have guides speaking other foreign languages such as German, French, Spanish, Japanese, Italian and etc.

Do I need tour guides when traveling in China?

If it is the first time for you to come and travel in China or the first time to visit new areas, we suggest that you have tour guides,can give you more information and knowledge about the places you are going to visit.

Does the quotation you offer include tipping?

No, the quotation we offer does not include tipping as tipping is a personal matter.

How can I know who will be my tour guide when I arrive at airport or railway station?

Our guide will meet you at arriving gate of each airport or railway  station by holding a board with your name on it so it will be very easy for you to recognize our guide when you arrive.

Is tipping a common practice in China?

Yes, tipping for tour guides and drivers in recognition of their good service has become a common practice. Hotel bellboys and house keepers expect your tips as well.

What about your tour guides?

All our guide are perfessional licensed tour guide. There is a nationwide examination for qualified tour guides once a year, only those who pass the examination will be certificated by the national tourism administration and be able to work in this field.
Our guides are friendly, knowledgeable and experienced.

What are the luggage regulations when we take domestic flights in China?
For the check-in luggage, passengers holding an adult fare or half fare ticket are entitled to a free baggage allowance of 40kg(88 pounds) for first class, and 30kg (66pounds) for business class, while20kg (44 pounds) for economy class. No free baggage allowance is granted to infants. If your luggage is over the limitation, you will need to pay for the excess weight, and some of the airports in China are quite strict with this.

For the carry-on luggage, total weight of carry-on baggage for each passenger may not exceed 5kg (11 pounds). First class passengers may carry up to 2 pieces. All other passengers may carry on only one piece. The size may not exceed 20x40x55cm. Carry- on baggage in excess of the limit is subject to an excess baggage fee and must be carried as checked baggage.

Note:Articles which cannot be taken as baggage: flammable, explosive, corrosive, poisonous, radioactive, polymerizable and magnetized materials, and arms, sharp or lethal weapons as well.

Articles which cannot be packed in the checked baggage : important documents, classified materials, diplomatic mail bags,negotiable securities, currencies, money orders, valuables, vulnerable perishables and articles and other articles needed in the special custody of somebody.The carrier will not be liable for the loss of or damage to the aforementioned.

Articles which should be put in check-in baggage: knife, scissors and bottled or tinned alcohol/ wine.

The checked baggage should be packed perfectly with a lock, tied up solidly and be able to withstand pressure to a reasonable extent. Carriers may refuse to accept for carriage if the baggage packing does not meet the requirements.

The carrier will be liable to compensate for the loss of or damage to the checked baggage due to the carrier's fault. The norm of compensation shall not exceed RMB 50 yuan per kg. If the value of the baggage is less than RMB 50 yuan per kg, the amount of compensation shall be paid according to its actual value of the loss.

What is the train travel like in China?

Chinese trains carry four classes of accommodation, namely, soft-sleeper, soft-seat, hard-sleeper and hard-seat (the more important inter-city trains just provide soft class seats, e.g.soft sleepers have comfortable 4-berth (2 upper &2 lower) compartments with full bedding provided.Hard sleepers provide bunks in open-plan dormitory cars,usually arranged in bays of 6 (2 upper, 2 middle and 2 lower) on one side of the aisle, with pairs of seats on the other side of the aisle for daytime use.Each compartment has two washrooms at both ends of it, which is about 1 square meter large,with a separate room beside it for you to clean your hands and face.Hot water will be provided from water boilers at both ends of compartment free of charge. Meals and drinks can be purchased in the train's restaurant carriage which is in the middle of the train, and the staff may sell things like drinks, books, meal boxes etc.from one compartment to another with pushcart.

Though train travel within China may be fun, interesting and very unusual; you still need to pay attention to the following facts, especially if it is the first time for you to travel in China:

The railway stations and trains will be crowded; they will be very crowded during the special occasions we mention above and if the trains go between important cities.

The broadcast of each stop along the way will be in Chinese, at present, very few trains can provide broadcast in English.

always take your valuable things with you when you take the train which is stop a lot on the way.

The interval time of stopping at each station differs from one station to another and from 3 minute to 15 minutes, time is very tight for passengers get on and off the train. Please give yourself enough time to prepare for getting on and off.

Toilets on the train are not that clean and not big, which will be locked before the train pulls in a station and reopened after the start-up.

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Money

Can I use credit cards in China?

Master Card, Visa, Diner's Card, American Express and JCB only can be used to purchase goods in large shopping malls and stores in the big and medium cities in China.

Can I use US dollars or other foreign currencies in China?

you can use US dollars / Euros/ English pounds/ in the hotels to pay for the bill, in the friendship stores, to buy things from the street vendors.

How can I pay you? What kinds of payment ways do you accept?

credit card - both by Paypal payment gateway and faxed authorization form

PayPal

Wire Transfer

Western Union transfer

Is there counterfeit money in China? If yes, how can I distinguish the real one from the fake one?

Yes. Like all the modern country in the world, you can not avoid the counterfeit money here. You may get it from vendors. All the counterfeit money are big note. Like 50 yuan and 100 yuan. So let’s better to use small note.

But how to distinguish the real one from the fake one. The watermark on counterfeit money is also not clear. On real bills the outline of the model worker or the Great Helmsman (on the 100 bill of the old copy) or Maozedong (on the new copy) is fairly distinct. The way to test the paper is to look at it under a black light. Originally, the way to tell real from fake was to see if the words "YIBAI" or "WUSHI" (depending on the denomination) appeared in fluorescent letters under the light. But the counterfeiters have found a way to imitate this. Now the true test is to see the color of the paper itself under the black light. If the paper appears bright, then it is fake. If it appears to absorb the black light, then it is real.

When I finish my tour in China, if I still have some local money, what can I do?

Upon leaving China, if you still have some local money, you can change them back to foreign currency with your passport and the exchange memos given by the banks or money exchange counters. So please keep those exchange memos well whenever you change money.

Where can I change our money into your currency?

You can exchange traveler's checks or cash at most banks, and most hotels in the cities, the exchange rate in the hotels is the same as that in the banks. To change money, you have to have your passport at hand. If you want to change money in a hotel, you usually have to be a guest there. Sometimes if you are not a guest in a hotel but need to change money there, you can just say a random room number, but this doesn't always work.

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The Yangze Cruise

What does your price of the cruise include?

Included:

Shipboard Accommodations, Meals, Shore Excursions, Onboard Entertainment, Staff shows, Featured Entertainers, Daily Activities, 24-Hour Room Service, Port Charges

Not Included:

Personal Expenses, Gratuities, Alcoholic Beverages, Sauna/Massage Treatments, Specialty Restaurants

What is the difference between upstream and downstream sailings?

The downstream sailings take less time,For the downstream sailings, the ship will drop anchor at midnight, and starts sailing in the early morning,while it keeps sailing both at day and night for the upstream sailing. Thus when sleeping the noise is much less and you get better sleep.

For many ships, the downstream cruise is more expensive than the upstream cruise. The excursion sites are also different.

What should I pack for my Yangtze River cruise?

central air conditioners are installed inside of the cruise ship. woollen coat, jacket, rainproof coat with a cap, comfortable walking shoes are recommended to take in spring and fall because of outdoor excursion. light cotton T-shirt, shorts, sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, rainproof coat with a cap, comfortable walking shoes in summer. fur coats, jacket, windproof coats with a hood, comfortable walking shoes in winter.

 you need to prepare some nice clothes for the cocktail party and the banquet which will be held on cruise ships.

What is the weather like on Yangtze River?

The Yangtze River is situated in the subtropics with about 30 degree North latitude., featuring strong wind, humid and less sunshine.The average temperature is 30 C(90F) in July and 10 C(50F) in January.In summer, dramatic thunderstorms and heavy rains often happen to make the water level high between July and September, while winter is short and cold. Thus, spring and autumn are the best seasons for taking the cruise.

What's the cabin like on ships?

Most of 4-star & 5-star cruisers have 1 or 2 presidential suites, several deluxe suites, all of the cruisers will have quite a few staterooms, some of which have balconies. All the suites and cabins feature remote-controlled satellite color TV, central air conditioning, acoustics, in-cabin IDD, private bathroom with hair-dryer and extension phone

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Something about China

How about the public transportation in China?

Public bus. Subway. Taxi. All of those are getting easy and convience for people

For public bus. There is english annoucment for each stop.

For subway. Beijng. Shanghai. Guangzhou.those modern city are available to use it.

For taxi. there are quite a lot taxis available, which are cars painted either in red or yellow or green. Taxi fares may vary from city to city but they are supposed to be marked on the taxi window, and the taxi drivers are supposed to use taximeter when you get on the taxi. Most taxi drivers do not understand English, it is better for you to have your destinations written down in Chinese so that you can show the address to the taxi driver, and don't forget to ask for a receipt or remember the number of the taxi in case you leave something in the taxi.

What are my rights and obligations when I travel in China?

The Constitution of RPC Article 32 indicates: "The People's Republic of China protects the lawful rights and interests of foreigners within Chinese territory, and while on Chinese territory foreigners must abide by the law of the People's Republic of China."

What are the public holidays in China?

Jan. 1st ---- New Year's Day, 1 day holiday
Jan/Feb ---- Spring Festival (Chinese lunar New Year); 4-day holiday

Mar. 8th ---- International Women's Day,1/2 day holiday for women only
Apr 4th/5th ---Tomb Sweeping Day, 1-day holiday
May 1st ---- International Labors' Day, 1-day holiday

May 5th in lunar year, 1-day holiday

Jun. 1st ---- International Children's Day, is a festival for children.
School children normally have 1 day or 1/2 day holiday.
Sep/Oct ---- Mid Antumn Day, 1-day holiday
Oct. 1st ---- National Day, 3-days holiday

What's the weather like in China and what is the best season to visit China?

generally speaking, spring is from April to June, summer from June to September, fall from September to October, while winter is from October to March, and usually it is colder and drier in the north in winter, and hotter and more humid in the south in summer.
May, September and October are the best months for you to travel to China when the weather is the most pleasant all over China.

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