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China Travel Requirements
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Railways
China's railway system is quite developed, with services in
the domestic and also some international areas. Different-speed
trains are available in different domestic areas. Tickets
are sold at local railways, travel services, hotels and train
ticket agencies.
Water Transport
China has a vast sea area. The Bohai Sea is the country's
inner sea, and the rest being the Yellow Sea, South China
Sea and the East China Sea. Visitors can arrange for bookings
at the sea ports where visitors can travel internationally
or to go ashore for sightseeing.
Highways
There are over 70 national highways, of which there are more
than 1,600 provincial highways. Great efforts are being made
to develop the expressways for the convenience of the people
of China.
Airlines
Beijing is the main entry point into China, but there are
many other points of entry. Flights to Hong Kong usually cost
far less than flights to Beijing, so travelers area advised
to check that option before flying direct to Beijing.
China's major airline is CAAC, which is divided into seven
subsidiaries, the popular ones being Air China, China Eastern
Airlines, and China Southern Airlines. Dragonair a joint venture
between Cathay Pacific Airlines and the Chinese government,
is another alternative.
Buses
Buses are a cheap means of travelling but it is very crowded
most of the time. Minibuses are also available, and are considered
to be more convenient and relatively cheaper.
Bicycles
Visitors can rent bicycles in China. The rental is very cheap
and it is a great way to discover China. Every bicycle should
come equipped with a lock. However, visitors who have rented
bicycles without locks should buy their own lock to avoid
theft.
Currency
The currency for China is called Renminbi or RMB and is issued
by the People's Bank of China. The abbreviation of RMB is
yuan (Y). The fractional currency are jiao and fen, where
10 fen=1 jiao and 10 jiao=1 yuan.
Visas
Foreign visitors can obtain individual or group visas from
Chinese embassies and consulates, or China Travel Service
offices in Hong Kong, usually within a day or two. Most tourists
are included in group visas, not inserted into passports.
For individual travelers, single-entry visas are valid for
entry within three months. For business people and other regular
visitors there are multiple-entry visas good for six months
at a time. Each visa is valid for a stay of 30 or 60 days,
and can be extended while in China.
Visitors should be sure to carry their passports while in
China as they are needed to check into hotels, make plane
or trane reservations, exchange money or establish the holder's
identity.
Loss of a passport should be reported immediately to the holder's
embassy or consulate, and the Beijing Municipality Public
Security Bureau, Foreigners Section, 85 Beichizi Jie, tel.
65252503 / 65255021 / 65255980 / 65255186.
Customs
All visitors must fill out customs declaration forms to present
on arrival. The copy should be kept, to hand in on departure.
Reasonable amounts of currency(including RMB) can be brought
in, along with alcohol and cigarettes for personal use, cameras,
radios, computers and tape-recorders.
Certain valuable items, such as video cameras, office machines,
computers and gold declared on the form must be brought out
of China or else import duty will be charged on them.
Prohibited imports include arms, ammunition an explosives;
printed matter, film or tapes detrimental to China; dangerous
or narcotic drugs; infected animals, plants or foodstuffs.
It is also forbidden to take out any these items, or endangered
species of animals or plants and antiques without export permits.
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