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China at a glance 4
huan ying! A brief history 8
Before you go! 10
C
hina, a mysterious land of red pagodas, cosmopolitan Travel insurance
cities and breathtaking natural scenery, including Visas & Vaccinations
the jagged peaks of Guilin, the Yangtze River’s Health precautions
awesome Three Gorges and Great Walls. Not to mention What to pack
vast terracotta armies, fabulous food, colourful culture and What to budget for
more history than you can shake a stick at. For all the tea When you arrive! 13
in China, could there be any better reason to visit! Customs and Immigration
What you are permitted to bring in
Boasting more than 5000 years of civilisation, where old exists What you are permitted to take out
alongside new, enigmatic China is a nation where rice paddies Lost luggage
have sprouted cities, streets are now full of enterprise; cars, Hotel check-in & out
bicycles and bullocks, but its people remain rooted in a rich, Money, money, money! 14
cultural heritage. They still burn joss sticks for good luck in a Entrance fees & associated expenses
business deal - even as they iron out the details of that deal on Getting around! 16
a mobile phone! China offers the traveller a roller coaster ride Travel by train
through history. Join us in China, see the sights, taste the food Travel by air
and awaken your senses. Cruising the Yangtze River
Shop ‘til you drop! 17
Our A-Z pocket guide is packed with useful tips and Tips before you buy
information, all designed to assist you in getting the most The ‘in’ place to shop
out of your stay in China. To the best of our knowledge, Local costs
the information contained here is accurate. However, things Fabulous food 18
can and do change and on the go cannot be held responsible Chinese delicacies and drinks
for losses or any additional expenses incurred by you in this Must sees, must dos 21
regard. But, if we did get it wrong, please tell us. Beijing, Forbidden City, The Great Wall, Ming Tombs
Datong, Guilin & Yangshou, Kunming, Lhasa, Nanjing,
Please note that most of the prices we have listed are in Shanghai, Suzhou, Terracotta Army - Xi’an,
British Pounds or US Dollars. Should you have any Yangtze & 3 gorges, Yellow Mountain
questions regarding anything Totally China 27
contained in the booklet, please The 20th century & Chairman Mao
consult your travel agent or on Confucius
the go. Chinese Astrology
Useful things to know 30
contents
Newspapers, Maps, Mail, E-mail
Telephoning
International access codes
Mobile phones
Photography
Toilets/Washrooms, Sanitary products & Laundry
Etiquette 32
Women travellers
Gay & Lesbian travellers
Identification
How do you say? 32
Our environmental commitment 33
Troubleshooting 34
Illness
Theft
Timing
Drugs
Arrest
Useful contacts 35
Embassies & Consulates
2
Religion
China was declared an atheist state in 1949. Many places of worship
china at a glance were converted into secular buildings for non-religious use. Religion
was further declared feudalistic during the Cultural Revolution,where
during this period thousands of buildings were destroyed.
The attitude was relaxed in the 1970s and today freedom of worship
is guaranteed by the government. It is thought around only 10% of
the population are followers of any sort of belief, though this figure
possibly vastly under estimates the extent of religious practice as
some adherents may be afraid for various reasons to admit religious
belief. However, Confucianism and Daoism are thought to attract the
majority of believers. The remainder are adherents of Buddhism,
Taoism, Islam and Christianity.
Currency
Chinese Yuan (RMB or CNY). 1 Yuan = 10 Jiao.
The Yuan is non-exportable and available only in China. the Bank of
China issues Renmimbi (RMB), or ‘peoples money’. Bring US dollars to
exchange (not $100 notes as they are hard to exchange).
Exchange rate
1 USD = 7 CNY / 1GBP = 14 CNY / 1 AUD = 6.5 (subject to fluctuation)
Time Zones
China operates on 1 time zone. China is 8 hours ahead of GMT but
abolished Summer Time in 1992, so during the summer months the
time difference is reduced by 1 hour.
Geographical area
9,596,960 sq km (slightly smaller than USA). China is situated in
eastern Asia on the western shore of the Pacific Ocean. China’s
continental coastline extends for around 14,500 kms, and it’s vast sea
surface is studded with more than 5,000 islands. China has beautiful
scenery, with mountains and ranges, highlands, plains and hills.
China has more than 2,000 lakes and rivers totalling 220,000 km
in length, amongst them the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers which are
world famous. China’s highest peak at 8,848 m is Qomolangma -
better known as Mt Everest.
Capital
Beijing (approx. 12.6 million inhabitants)
Population
Approximately 1.29 billion people.
People
Han Chinese plus 55 ethnic minorities
Language
Mandarin Chinese, 6 major Chinese dialects and numerous minority dialects.
4 55
Trading hours
Shops generally trade daily from around 9am to 5pm. Banks, post
offices and monuments are open daily from 9am to 6pm (though times
can vary). Restaurant and bar trading hours vary.
Voltage
Standard voltage is 220V, 50Hz AC. Chinese plugs come in at least 4
designs: 3-pronged angle pins as used in Australia; 3-pronged round
pins as used in Hong Kong; 2-pronged flat pins as used in the USA; or 2
round narrow pins as used in Europe. Best to pack a worldwide travel
adaptor.
Weather
China is a northern hemisphere destination. Broadly speaking, China
experiences hot summers from late May to August in most parts of the
country with great humidity in the south. September and October is
warm to hot and dry across most of the country and it is during this
time that China experiences increased visitor numbers.
Winters (November - March), meanwhile, vary from one geographical
location to the next. Northern China (i.e. Beijing and north)
experience freezing cold winters, whilst Central China (along the
Yangtze) has a short, cold winter. South of the Yangtze, winters are
relatively mild and rarely fall below freezing. In the very south of
China, winters are very warm. If visiting the north in winter, pack
very warm attire. Many of our tours combine both north and southern
China, so you’ll experience two distinct weather patterns for much
of the time. Come April and May, conditions in the north are cool and
dry – perfect conditions for sightseeing, however April can signal the
arrival of sandstorms in Beijing and Inner Mongolia. Down south, it’s
warm to hot and humid again with showers. In what are traditionally
the northern hemisphere summer months, China can be hot and wet
from June to August, though still enjoyable all the same. In all, China
has a great diversity of climates.
66 77
960 - 1126 Northern Song Dynasty
history at a glance 1127 - 1279 Southern Song Dynasty
1279 - 1368 Yuan Dynasty - Kublai Khan finally defeated
the Southern Song in 1279, after his father
(Genghis Khan) captured Beijing in 1215.
1368 - 1644 Ming Dynasty - the longest and most stable
period. The Great Wall of China is built,
Beijing becomes the capital, the Forbidden
City is built.
1644 - 1911 Qing Dynasty - period of military expansion,
White Lotus Rebellion occurs and Empress
Dowager Cixi rules from behind the scenes.
1912 Abdication of Pu Yi - signalling the end of
Imperial China
1921 Founding of the Chinese Communist Party,
1935 Mao Zedong becomes leader of the Chinese
Communist Party.
1937 Japan invades and takes much of Northern China
1945 End of World War II and Japan defeated
1947 Civil war breaks out in China
1949 Mao announces the Peoples Republic of China.
Agricultural productivity was increased,
industry was built, land was redistibuted and
8000BC Neolithic period first settlements, mainly arranged marriages being outlawed
primitive agricultural settlements 1958 Great Leap Forward - large communes formed
5000 - 3000BC Yangshao civilisation, noted for their to produce food and provide childcare,
earthenware, based along the Wei River resulting in greater productivity. Unrealistic
3000 - 1700BC Longshen civilisation, noted for their black ceramics targets hid the failure of Mao’s experiment, but
1600- 1050BC First dynasty in China, the Shang Dynasty, with evenutally the agricultural failure was widespread.
evidence of writing dating from 1300BC 1965 Mao launches the Cultural Revolution,
(inscriptions on oracle bones). intellectual works destroyed and the Gang of
1066 - 771BC Western Zhou were in power, responsible for Four organised attacks on writers and high
introducing writing on bronze and eventually officials. Children were encouraged to destroy
onto silk and bamboo. family photograhs and even to denounce their
771 - 221BC Eastern Zhou period, which was a time of own parents.
unrest, politically and socially and led to the 1976 Mao dies and the Cultural Revolution ends
emergence of Daoism and Confucianism. 1978 Deng Xiaoping becomes leader, implementing
551 - 479BC Life of Confucius economic reforms which gave the economy a
221 - 206BC Qin Dynasty, with the burning of the books in much needed boost. Political freedom was
the unification process in 213BC. however stifled.
206BC - 9AD Western Han Dynasty 1989 Tiananmen Square demonstration
25 - 220AD Eastern Han Dynasty 1993 Jiang Zemin becomes president and the Three
220 - 589 Period of Disunity, with warring kingdoms and Gorges Dam construction begins
a succession of ruling houses, known as the 1997 Hong Kong is handed back to China by the British.
16 Kingdoms. 1999 Macau is handed back to China
581 - 618 Sui Dynasty which proved to be a short rule 2001 China becomes a member of the World Trade
618 - 907 Tang Dynasty, a golden age of China with Organisation
expansion, political stability and prosperity. 2003 China launches the first manned spacecraft
Art and literature from this period is 2003 Hu Jintao becomes president and attempts to
considered to be amongst China’s best. move China towards balanced growth, including
907 - 960 Five Dynasties & Ten Kingdoms - no dynasty the redress of social inequality and environmental
lasted for more than three successive reigns in issues associated with economic growth.
the north and in the south, the situation was 2008 China hosts the Olympic Games in Beijing.
just as unstable.
8 9
before you go!
Travel insurance
All passengers must be fully insured for travel in China. If you choose
to purchase insurance independently, please ensure that the policy
provides adequate cover for hospital treatment, repatriation flights
home in the event of you being too ill to continue the tour, tour
cancellation for personal reasons, personal accident, personal baggage
and associated valuables.
IMPORTANT: In a time of emergency, you would need to have your
travel insurance 24-hour medical emergency phone number to hand.
Please bring details of this number with you to China.
Cancellation cover must commence as soon as the policy is issued. This
will allow you to lodge a claim with your insurer if you have to cancel
your journey prior to travel. Please provide on the go with a copy of
your travel insurance policy with your booking form, prior to
departure.
Visas
All Western visitors to China require visas. You can only apply for your
Chinese visa within 3 months of your intended arrival. on the go will
provide an invoice/itinerary indicating that you are travelling in China
on a pre-arranged holiday. Visa application forms and instructions for Vaccinations
completion will be sent to you in your confirmation package. To save It is recommended that you be vaccinated for Tetanus and Polio, if
you taking time off work and the hassle of queuing at the Chinese you haven’t had a booster in the last ten years. Food and waterborne
Embassy (often for a very long time), we also offer a convenient visa diseases are more common, so we recommend vaccinations for Typhoid
courier service whereby we will get your visa sorted out for you. (valid 3 years) and Hepatitis A (validity varies). There is a malarial risk
NOTE: Your passport must possess at least 2 blank pages and have at in remote southern areas of China, so do check the current situation
least 6 months validity remaining after date of intended exit from when visiting your health care professional.
China. Charges for obtaining a China visa can be found on our website,
www.onthegotours.com and also in the letter sent to all confirmed Visa requirements – IMPORTANT: Though correct at time of printing,
passengers. all visa information is subject to alteration without notice. Visa
procurement remains the responsibility of the passenger and not that
IMPORTANT NOTE: The Chinese Embassy entertains same day issue of on the go.
tourist visas only if a ‘same-day’ ticket or itinerary is presented.
Health precautions
Purchase bottled mineral water, for drinking and performing
Visa requirements – Hong Kong ablutions. Upset stomachs and diarrhoea are a common occurrence
Most Western visitors to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region among travellers in foreign countries, and China is no exception. We
(HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China do not require a tourist visa recommend that you pack a personal first aid kit containing anti-
issued in advance of travel. Currently, nationals of Australia, Canada, diarrhoea and headache tablets, Band-Aids, antiseptic cream, handy
Republic of Ireland, most other EU countries, New Zealand and the US antiseptic wipes etc. If you are currently prescribed medication, take
do not require a visa for a stay not exceeding 90 days. UK nationals an ample supply. Some dispensary items may not be available in China.
can stay up to 180 days, whilst holders of RSA passports can remain for
up to 30 days. Customs and Immigration
Upon arrival in China, a simple health form and a landing card must
Visa requirements - Tibet be completed (usually distributed aboard one’s flight into China).
All Western visitors to Tibet require a permit, that we will organise Customs formalities are swift and efficient. China operates a Red
for you in China (for a small fee which is payable locally). It is not & Green Customs Declaration Channel, similar to that in other
possible to arrange your own Tibet permit prior to travel. Western countries.
10 11
when you arrive!
What you are permitted to bring in
Passengers are permitted to import up to 400 cigarettes, or 100 cigars,
or 500 gms tobacco, plus up to 2 litres of hard liquor. Additionally,
passengers can carry a camera, mobile phone and other electronic
equipment such as a digicam, MP3 player or laptop. Anything
exceeding this must be declared. Limitless cash and securities may be
imported. If you’re prescribed drugs, such as insulin, ensure you have
a covering letter from your doctor in advance of travel.
What you are/are not permitted to take out
An amount exceeding Yuan 6000. Cultural relics such as antiquities
(including the works of deceased painters and calligraphers). An
appraisal by the Chinese Administrative Department of Cultural Relics
is required and must accompany the article being exported. One would
also have to declare the item(s) to Customs in advance of departure.
What to pack
• Frameless backpack or wheeling suitcase. Please be aware that
porterage service is non existant in most places. Lost luggage
• Smaller day bag for your camera and i-Pod, etc. on the go is not responsible for luggage lost, mislaid or damaged
by your airline en route to China. If possible and at our discretion,
• Summer - China experiences hot summers from late May to August,
we may be able to assist you in lodging a claim for the loss and
so lightweight cotton clothing is recommended, with something
subsequent tracing of your luggage. However, we stress we are by
warmer for the evenings.
no means responsible for arranging transport back to the airport to
• Winter - (November - March) In the North, winters are freezing cold,
reclaim located luggage or for requesting a continued trace on your
whilst Central China has a short cold winter and Southern China
luggage. Luggage, its loss or damage remains the responsibility of you
has very mild winters (rarely drops below freezing) - please pack
and your chosen air carrier – and not that of on the go.
accordingly and ensure you have enough warm clothes.
• Comfortable walking shoes for the Great Wall.
Pack flip-flops/thongs/jandals to wear aboard the cruise boat.
Hotel check-in and out
Check in is generally between 1400 and 1500hrs.
• Personal first aid kit (Please see ‘Health precautions’).
Check out is always before 12.00 noon.
• Sunglasses, hat and umbrella.
• Eye mask and neck pillow for the overnight train journey/flights.
Timing
• Mosquito repellent, money belt, universal adaptor. As you’ll appreciate, we have a schedule to keep. Your tour leader will
• High factor sunscreen if travelling in summer. advise at what time the group must be ready each day or at various
• Anti-bacterial hand gel/wet wipes, flat pack tissues. points. It is your responsibility to be on time. on the go will leave
• Two spare passport photos and a photocopy of your passport in latecomers behind rather than inconvenience the rest of the group.
case of loss or theft. Anyone who is late will then need to rejoin the rest of the group later,
• Spare camera batteries, especially if you possess a digital camera at a rendezvous point, at their own cost.
which requires specialist high-power batteries.
• Spare film (for 35mm/SLR cameras).
• Your luggage should not exceed 20kg (44 pounds). Pack as light as
IMPORTANT: If your flight arrives between 0100 and 0900hrs, you should
possible to leave room for souvenirs!
consider purchasing an extra night’s accommodation, so that
you may check straight into your hotel room. Equally,
What to budget for if you wish to have possession of your room after
Bring funds to cover meals that aren’t included, optional excursions of 12 noon on your departure day, you may also
your own choosing, shopping and souvenirs. The amount spent really wish to consider purchasing an extra night’s
depends on you. However, we suggest a comfortable budget of around accommodation. Please see our current
USD40-50 per day. This will cover the meals not included in our tours, brochure or call us for pre/post tour
drinks, any independent sightseeing you wish to undertake, postcards, accommodation rates.
cabs etc. Please set aside extra if you plan to shop or eat at lavish
establishments!
12 13
Tipping is an entirely personal gesture, and you are not forced to have
to embark upon ‘tipping made easy’. If travelling on a group tour with
money, money, money! less than 6 participants or on a tailor made China holiday, in place of
‘tipping made easy’ we recommend the following amounts per person
per day be allocated to cover tips paid directly by you to - bellhops,
luggage handlers, your driver and local guides - GBP£4/CNY60 total.
Entrance Fees
On group or special selection tours or city stays, entrance fees are
not an inclusion. All entry fees must be budgeted for by you and
they range from USD $25 - USD $130 dependant on the tour. To make
budgeting for entry fees easy, please refer to the Go Guide for your
The Basics
specific tour, where costs are detailed. Entry fees are subject to
• Pound Sterling, US Dollars, Euro and other major currencies can
change and amounts given are approximate, in the guides. The entry
be converted into Chinese Yuan locally, as the Chinese Yuan is
fees can be paid in full on day ONE of your tour to the tour leader.
exchangeable only in China.
• The Chinese Yuan comes in the following denominations: NOTE: If undertaking a customised tailor-made tour (ie. a tour
1 & 5 Jiao, CNY1, CNY5, CNY10, CNY 20, CNY50 & CNY100. individually designed by you and not featured in our brochure)
• Smaller denomination fen (10 fens make 1 Jiao) is almost worthless entrance fees will be included in your tour package.
and is rarely accepted.
• Debit cards with the Cirrus, Maestro or PLUS logo and Visa or Change for children
Mastercard credit cards can be used at ATM machines Change for Children - a few yuan, dollars or
• ATM machines are found in larger cities and some five-star hotels. cents. It all adds up. We support the Bu Yang
• Credit cards are becoming widely accepted in large tourist shops, village kindergarten in Shandong Province,
hotels and restaurants but check before your purchase to make sure China. The centre’s facilities are limited to
that your card will be accepted! say the least, whilst endeavouring to offer a
• Take a mixture of ‘cash-ready’ funds in Pounds or US dollars and your basic education to more than 200, 3 - 6yr
debit/credit card. olds from the surrounding villages.
• You can exchange currency at most banks and international airports
-make sure you keep your exchange receipts so that you exchange on the go provide all passengers with an envelope to place inside
any left-over Yuan back before leaving China. all their unwanted currency. on the go will then put this money to
• Banking hours are usually 09:00 to 12:00hrs and 14:00 to 16:30 hrs work by purchasing teaching aids, educational supplies and other
Monday to Friday. desperately needed items for the centre.
• Hong Kong Dollars are exchangeable and available to purchase prior
to your arrival.
Tipping
Tipping is not a natural part of many Western cultures and many of
us feel uncomfortable, or unsure, about when, or how much, to
tip. However, in China, tipping makes up a significant part of many
people’s wages so it’s important that we get it right. For this reason
we’ve developed a simple system to take all the hassle out of tipping.
With our ‘tipping made easy’ policy, a nominal pre-determined amount
(in Chinese Yuan or foreign equivalent) is collected from all group tour
participants to cover tips en-route, payable on the morning of day 2.
This then saves you the hassle of when and how much to tip bellhops,
luggage handlers and other support staff through the tour. The tipping
kitty ranges from CNY350 - CNY700 dependant upon which tour you are
on. Please refer to the Go Guide for your specific tour, which advises
on how much to budget for your tipping kitty. You will receive a Go
Guide with your tour documentation and the guides are also available
to view and print off our website, at www.onthegotours.com.
Please note that the tipping kitty doesn’t include tips for your tour
leader. As a guideline, we would suggest USD$3.50 per day multiplied
by the duration of your tour. Naturally, the amount is up to you.
14 15
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getting around shop ‘til you drop!
Tips before you buy
• Bargain for everything. On most occasions you should only pay
30 - 40% of the original asking price.
• Take your time! Be firm, but polite. And smile!
• Don’t offer a price for something unless you intend to buy it.
• Do some research before bargaining for it.
• Be careful about buying antiques, don’t forget it may not be
genuine and paperwork will be needed for export.
The ‘in’ place to shop
Travel by train The markets in Beijing and Shanghai are a shoppers paradise! Top buys
Fast and efficient, China’s first rail lines were laid in the 19th include silk products, embroidery, Chinese calligraphy and paintings,
century, and today, the government continues to invest heavily in ceramics, jade and stone carvings, lacquer ware, Chinese tea,
this crucial mode of transport which connects many parts of the Cloisonne, Chinese medicine, Mao reproduction propaganda souvenirs
country. When travelling during the day, ‘soft’ seats, that is to say such as the famous ‘Red Book’, caps and buttons, personalised ink
‘upholstered’ seats are provided. For overnight travel, clients are seals and clothing of every kind. Markets in Beijing and Shanghai
accommodated in ‘soft class’ sleeper cabins. Aboard each wagon commonly sell top quality ski jackets and leisure attire by big name
are 9 compartments that comprise 4 bunks per compartment. brands. Additionally, copied goods such as handbags, jewellery and
Four people of mixed sex share one compartment. On occasion, shoes are available in plentiful supply in these markets. Ethnic crafts
dependent upon group size, you may get the opportunity to share are a speciality in some regions including Xi’an and Kunming.
with local people on the overnight journey, though sometimes
dependent upon how the Chinese Railways Booking Office configure
the bookings, the cabin may be filled with four of our passengers. Look out for
• Chairman Mao ‘Red Book’
A dining wagon serves reasonably priced Chinese food of the noodles • Jade, stone and ceramic carvings and Silk
and rice variety, along with snacks and drinks. A very simple menu • Chinese Tea & Chinese medicines
is published in English. On the Beijing - Xi’an service, there is also • Ink seals (personalised)
a small bar serving drinks including alcohol. Each wagon offers a • Cloisonne (combination of copper and enamel)
WC and hand basin facility. At one end, is a Chinese squat-style
WC, whilst at the other end is a modern Western-style WC. Cabins
are lockable from the inside and luggage is stowed in overhead Cost of living
compartments and under the bottom bunk. Bed linen and slippers By international and certainly British standards, China
are supplied, and often there is a TV mounted on the wall at the end represents good value for money. Eating and drinking
of each bed. Most channels are broadcast in Mandarin, excluding one is reasonably priced. Bottled mineral water, beers,
English channel, which has little of interest on it! snacks and other travellers needs are widely available
at reasonable prices. Souvenirs, postage and other
sundry holiday expenses are also very reasonable
Travel by air when compared with the UK.
On a number of our tours, some travel is undertaken by air to
alleviate a long and uncomfortable journey and to get us from A
to B that much quicker. Travel is in economy class on reputable Local costs
domestic Chinese air carriers that operate with all safety checks • Can of coke, 330ml 3 - 5 CNY
in place and fly modern fleets such as Air China, China Eastern • Mineral water 2 - 5 CNY
Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Yunnan Airlines, • Chocolate candy bar 5 - 8 CNY
Dragon air and others. On most sectors, a snack or meal (usually • Local Beer 4 - 10 CNY
hybrid Chinese/Western) will be served. • Meal for 2 120 CNY
Cruising the Yangtze River
Cruising the Yangtze River, whilst taking in the stunning Three Gorges,
we accommodate our clients aboard Yangtze River cruisers. Offering
cosy, air-conditioned twin bedded cabins with colour tv, phone, radio
and en suite bathrooms, your onboard cabin is a floating hotel room.
Guest facilities aboard include a Chinese restaurant, bar, indoor and
outdoor recreation decks, beauty salon, medical clinic, recreation
room, foreign exchange and laundry service. Three meals a day are
included aboard the cruise.
16 17
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Mains/Entrees
• Peking Duck: Sliced duck with cucumbers, spring onions, Hoisin
fabulous food sauce, all wrapped up in pancakes
• Mu Shu Pork: Stir-fried tiger lily buds, scrambled eggs, black
mushrooms and shredded pork, served with pancakes
Chinese cuisine has a long history, and is one of China’s cultural
treasures and one of the country’s most famous exports to the world. • Mongolian Hotpot: Lamb, vegetables and noodles dipped in
‘Chi fan le ma?’ which translates to ‘Have you eaten yet?’ is a form of boiling water, with a range of tasty sauces
greeting and said perhaps almost as readily as we say ‘How are you’.
• Lion’s Head: Pork meatballs braised with Chinese leaf, arranged
It is this Chinese phrase that perhaps illustrates where traditional
to form a lion’s head!
priorities lie. Food, pure, simple and not so simple. Simply, although
by no means comprehensively, Chinese cuisine falls into four major • Beggars Chicken: Whole chicken stuffed with vegetables and
regional categories: Cantonese (Guandong), Shandong, Szechuan herbs, wrapped in lotus leaves and encased in clay before baking
(Sichuan) and Huaiyang. To these four, can be added four more:
Hunan, Fujian, Anhui and Zhejiang. Sometimes, Beijing and Shanghai • Stir-fried Kidney Flowers: Pork kidneys cut into “flowers” and stir-
cuisine are also counted. The variety and style of cooking in China is fired with bamboo shoots, water chestnuts and black mushrooms
amazing, as are the ingredients. • Three-layer Shreds: Steamed ham, chicken and pork, shredded,
with bamboo shoots and black mushrooms
It is important to understand that Chinese cooking in China is different
from Chinese food served in the West. Fish is usually cooked whole • Eight-treasure Buddha’s: Special Aromatic vegetarian dish that
after removing the guts and entrails. The head remains on, and if can contain any number of different vegetables
anything, takes on a decorative appearance to the dish. The cheek of
the fish is considered a delicacy that meal participants will vie for. • Fresh Water Crabs: Steamed with leeks, ginger, soy, sugar and vinegar
It’s not uncommon to find the pigeon’s head, feet and sundry vitals • Squirrel Fish: Usually bream, filleted and deep fried in batter,
floating in the soup tureen. Bones are often cut up into the food served with a sweet and sour sauce
rather than removed. In many restaurants, dishes of food are placed
onto a glass rotating ‘lazy Susan’ for the table of diners to share. • Lobster with Ginger & Leek: Lobster braised with spices and
Steamed rice, if ordered is usually served near the end of the meal, served on soft noodles
whilst fried rice is considered a ‘main course’. • “White-cut” Chicken: Whole chicken blanched in boiling water,
then left to cool in the liquid for 6-8 hours
On our tours, you’ll have the chance to sample many Chinese
specialities including the famous Peking Duck, typically served with • Lamb in Sweet Bean Sauce: Lamb cooked in a sweet bean paste
wafer-thin pancakes, spring onions and Hoisin sauce. The Chinese with vinegar - a lovely sweet and sour taste
excel at noodle-based dishes. They appear in soups, boiled, crispy,
short, long, fat or thin. Every conceivable type and cut of meat is used
including offal, and seafood is highly recommended. Vegetables feature Regional Variations
in all dishes and fruit usually forms the very last course of a banquet. Shaanxi Province is famous for it’s noodles, and on most visits to Xi’an
you’ll get a chance to see the preparation of noodles by trained
chefs to actually trying them in delicious soups. Every conceivable
Vegetarians type and cut of meat is used including offal, and seafood is highly
Vegetarians are for the most part, well catered for with many
recommended. Vegetables feature in all dishes. Here is a snapshot
vegetarian versions of popular meaty dishes. The phrase “Wo chi su” (I
of the four principal regional categories and some top dishes:
eat vegetables) is useful!
• Cantonese (Guandong) - Light stir-fried dishes. Stir-fried shrimp,
mushrooms in oyster sauce, crisp skin roast pork.
Western food • Shandong - Soups and seafood reign supreme. Sea cucumber with
Regular Western style food and drinks are available in all major cities braised onion, sharks fin soup.
for the not so adventurous, with Italian the most common.
Chinese delicacies
Starters include pickled vegetables, ten thousand year old eggs,
seasoned jellyfish and cold roasted meats.
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• Szechuan (Sichuan) - The cuisine that gave the world ‘hot and
spicy’ and ‘sweet and sour’. Spicy pork shreds, Szechuan chicken,
bean curd with chilli, fried carp Huaiyang - light, fresh dishes.
Beggar’s chicken, sweet and sour.
must sees, must dos
Beijing
Deserts China’s capital city, host of the 2008 Olympics, is also China’s
Hot candied apples - and a fresh fruit platter signals the end of the meal. political, economic and cultural centre. Established in 1045 BC,
for 800 years alone it served as the capital of several powerful
Snacks dynasties. A heady mix of old and new, with stunning sights,
Ha gow (shrimp dumplings), Cha siu bau (steamed barbecue pork excellent shopping at Silk Alley market and the traditional
bun), Lao mai kai (sticky rice with egg, pork and mushroom) and Sin Hutongs, with alleys and courtyards sandwiched together in
chok kuen (pancakes stuffed with vegetables). the old back lanes.
Water
• It is recommended to drink bottled mineral water to avoid gastric
upsets. This includes brushing your teeth. Also avoid ice.
• Water is inexpensive and widely available.
• Always make sure that the sealing on bottles is not broken.
Soft drinks
Iced tea is very popular, as well as local fruit juices. More exotic ones
include pomegranate, hawthorn, lychee and sugar cane juice. Take
care that water hasn’t been added.
Tea and coffee
Tea is the most popular drink in China, with green tea being the
most common. Try flower tea (a mix of flower petals with green
tea) or Babaocho which includes dates and wolfberry amongst its
many ingredients. Red tea is black tea which has coloured during the
fermentation process, ending up with a reddish brew. Coffee is slowly
growing in popularity, with a Starbucks in Beijing!
Alcohol
International brands of alcohol, whilst generally available in bars Forbidden City
and some hotels, are relatively expensive. Instead, rely upon your Built between 1406 and 1420, The Forbidden City served as the
Duty Free quota. However, when purchased at a government- imperial palace for the Ming and Qing dynasties and is said to contain
run Friendship store, prices are really quite reasonable when 9999 rooms. Residence of the emperors and focal point of the empire,
compared to the UK or Europe. Chinese beer, such as the famous entry was forbidden to all those, except on imperial business until
Tsingtao brand from Qingdao is very palatable and inexpensive. 1911, when the last emperor, Puyi was overthrown. It is a giant
Each city usually has its own brewery and China is now the complex, dominated by vast gates, temples, halls and palaces, replete
world’s largest beer brewer. China also produces liquor, and with imperial yellow tiled roofs, surrounded by a protective moat.
various types of wine such as yellow wine and fruit wine. The
most famous Chinese liquor is Maotai, a 55% spirit made of wheat
and sorghum that, for centuries, has been produced in Maotai
Town, Guizhou province. Rice wine varies in strength from the
15-16% alcohol, up to a hefty 38%! It’s best drunk warm.
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Guilin & Yangshuo
Renowned for it’s striking, if bizarre scenery: vast areas of karst
must sees, must dos limestone outcrops that rise up from flat rice paddy fields, Guilin
is often the subject of Chinese painting. The Lijiang River cruise
is a true pleasure that offers an endless procession of peaks and
simple villages. Cruising at a sedate pace along the often misty river,
local village boys paddle out to the river boats with all manner of
souvenirs, whilst local fishermen use trained cormorants to catch fish.
Charming Yangshuo, a river town lined with cafes and little shops
selling handicrafts, clothing and curios offers gentle respite far from
the madding crowds of the cities. In Guilin, Reed Flute Cave offers
the chance to walk inside a gargantuan and deep limestone cave that
features innumerable stalactites, stalagmites and rocky outcrops.
Kunming
Kunming, an ancient cultural city and home to many of China’s ethnic
minorities, is the capital of Yunnan Province. The name ‘Yunnan’
actually means ‘Beyond the Clouds’ in Chinese. This is perhaps quite
apt, for Kunming sits at an elevation of some 1,900m. Kunming is
surrounded by gorgeous mountain scenery including the unique Stone
Forest, which comprises a unique 270-million-year-old limestone karst
formation of bundled rocky grey outcrops, resembling a petrified
forest. With an annual mean average temperature of 14.5 degrees
Celsius, it is also known as the ‘City of Perpetual Spring’. Kunming
The Great Wall itself offers an interesting market, temples, pagodas and stores selling
An enduring symbol of Chinese civilisation and genius, the UNESCO unique ethnic handicrafts. Tucked into side streets, many of Kunming’s
protected Great Wall of China was built as a defensive structure. traditional teahouses have survived.
Some 20 states and dynasties were involved in its immense
construction over a period of 2,000 years. Snaking some 6700 kms Lhasa
across barren hills, deserts, mountains and plateaux, the now The mythical and beautiful city of Lhasa, is isolated from the rest of
partially ruinous Great Wall stretches east to west in northern China. the world, perched high upon the Tibetan plateau and surrounded
At one time, the wall was garrisoned by nearly 1 million soldiers by majestic mountain ranges. Known as the ‘ground of the Gods’ ,
and featured over 1,000 fortified passes and 10,000 beacon towers. this spiritual city never fails to enchant visitors. Potala Palace - the
Today, a visit offers a healthy, if steep and vertiginous walk on poignantly empty winter home of the Dalai Lama, is the dominant
perhaps one of the world’s most legendary attractions. landmark of Lhasa. Towering 117 metres above the city, it’s a
masterpiece in design. The 7th Century Jokhang Temple is another
Ming Tombs highlight of any visit; housing a solid gold shrine of the enlightened
The Ming Tombs are a group of mausoleums of some thirteen Ming Buddha, the exterior of the temple isn’t exceptional but the
emperors, their empresses and concubines. There are three tombs electric atmosphere and buzz of activity inside is truly captivating.
usually open including Dingling, tomb of the 13th century emperor Other attractions include the ancient Sera Monastery and the
and the only excavated tomb; Changling, the largest, tomb of the bustling Barkhor Bazaar.
third emperor and Zhaoling.
Datong
An ancient cultural city dating back more than 2,000 years, Datong is
located in Northern Shanxi Province. Datong region’s biggest attraction
is the UNESCO-listed Yungang Caves. Built more than 1,500 years ago,
the 53 caves are a treasure trove of ancient Buddhist art, comprising
of a fine collection of carved-sandstone Buddhist figures. In all, some
51,000 statues were created, though today there aren’t quite as
many. Some structures defy the rules of architecture and gravity. The
‘Hanging Temple’ also located outside of Datong was constructed some
1,500 years ago on a precipitous rock face. Literally hugging the cliff,
the temple is a total spectacle. Datong has an interesting old area.
Draw cards here are the impressive Nine Dragon Screen (a 50-m glazed
ceramic wall depicting a fire-breathing dragon), Huayan Monastery and
Shanghua Monastery.
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Nanjing Suzhou is the charming Venetian-like town of Zhouzhuang. Surrounded
Nanjing (Nanking), capital of imperial China under the early Ming as well as divided by lakes and rivers, various stone bridges offer
dynasty and of Republican China under the nationalists from 1911 amazing views of this pretty town that is popular with Chinese artists.
to 1949 is a great city that offers an even mix of imperial and
revolutionary China. Famed for it’s City Wall (one of the longest Terracotta army - Xi’an
in the world), Nanjing offers many points of interest including the The discovery of Emperor Qin’s army of 2,200 year old terracotta
impressive Mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the great pioneer of the warriors was made in 1974 by a local farmer who happened to
Chinese Revolution, the ruins of the Ming Palace – a model for Beijing’s be digging a well. More than 7,000 life-sized warriors stand in
Forbidden City, the Tomb of Zhu Yuanzhang, the first Ming Emperor and military formation in excavated pits under the cover of a modern
the Yangtze River Bridge. The Russians said it couldn’t be done, but protective hanger. Made of local clay, no two faces are alike
Chinese ingenuity won through, the result being that the vast bridge – each is said to be an individual portrait. Delicate excavation
now links South with North China. There is also a memorial hall to the continues on site, where hundreds of warriors remain smashed like
thousands of Chinese massacred by invading Japanese troops during eggs, not due to the passage of time but rather a peasant revolt
the “Rape of Nanjing” in 1939. after the emperor’s death.
Shanghai Yangtze & 3 gorges
Pre – 1949, cosmopolitan Shanghai was a magnet for seekers of Although the river and life along the banks are fascinating in
wealth, idle colonialists, explorers and the dispossessed. A legacy themselves, centre stage on a Yangtze cruise is the awesome journey
of these heady times, is Shanghai’s Bund, where on and around through the Three Gorges on a cruise from Chongqing to Wuhan. The
this waterfront promenade, are a vast series of grandiose pre-1949 Three Gorges (Qutangxia, Wuxia and Xiling) were formed around 70
buildings. After four decades of austerity, economic reforms million years ago during movements in the earth’s crust. Towering
implemented by Deng Xiaoping reawakened Shanghai. Just across perpendicular cliffs and sharp gorges give way to the Yangtze below.
the Huangpu River is the new Shanghai, a high-tech development of Despite China’s controversial Yangtze dam project, where the waters
sky scrapers, the centre piece of which is the rocket-shaped Oriental are set to gradually rise until 2009, creating the world’s largest dam,
Pearl TV tower. Mercedes and BMW cars cruise the neon-lit streets, it is thought the Gorges will still be as breathtaking, although some
modern department stores rub shoulders with cool bars and Shanghai villages and landmarks will ultimately disappear.
is staking it’s claim to being China’s foremost metropolis.
Yellow Mountain
Suzhou Considered the most beautiful mountain in China, Yellow Mountain
Suzhou, a 2,500-year-old cultural city is located in an area of rivers or Huangshan is one of a range of 72 peaks in Anhui Province.
that crisscross the Yangtze River Delta of southeastern China. In the Set amidst rural landscapes and with it’s slopes clad in pine, the
city, boats bob along waterways interwoven with small bridges that ethereal scenery is nothing short of breathtaking. Some 9,000 steps
run parallel to the streets and traditional houses built along them. have been carved into the mountain, for those that want to walk up
Coupled with a stunning collection of UNESCO-listed gardens and the most stunning stairwell on Earth. If this sounds all to energetic,
famed for it’s silk, Suzhou is an oriental treasure. Just southeast of there is an option to travel to the summit by cable-car.
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totally china!
The 20th Century & Chairman Mao
During the 20th century, China was shaken and stirred by a series
of major upheavals, brought about the struggle to modernise the
nation after around 2,000 years of imperial rule. Naturally, the
process was rocked by ideological battles, importantly between the
conservative nationals and the communists who believed in forging
a new Chinese order, based on the principle of common ownership
of property and resources.
In 1912, the last emperor, 6-year old Puyi was forced to abdicate and
leave his throne. The Chinese Republic was declared and Sun Yat-
sen, the leader of the reformist movement was elected Provisional
President. He wanted to create a new China, but Yuan Shikai had
other plans. Yuan grabbed hold of the presidential reins and China
entered a grim phase, when various warlords who controlled sections
of the Chinese army, battled against one another for supremacy over
Northern China and the possession of Beijing. Meanwhile, Sun Yat-
sen busied himself with reform in Canton.
When Sun Yat-sen died in 1925, Chiang Kaishek took his place as
leader of the Nationalist Party. Preparing for armed rebellion, the
nationalists were conditioned and trained by advisers from the
newly created USSR, who were working to shape China’s political
situation. Meanwhile, in Shanghai, Soviet revolutionaries were
actively preaching the good of communist ideals and the Chinese
Communist Part was subsequently formed in 1921. In 1923, the
communists joined forced with the nationalists but strong tensions
existed between the two parties.
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Confucius
To understand the great man, you need to understand the meaning
of Confucianism! Confucianism is an ethical and philosophical
system, founded on the teachings of Confucius. Confucianist
doctrine remained mainstream Chinese orthodoxy for two
millennia, until the beginning of 20th century, when it was
vigorously repressed by Chinese Communism. Despite this, Chinese
people still profess Confucianist and other beliefs today. Born in
551 BC in Qufu (Shandong Province), Confucius was concerned for
the poor and dispossessed, and the belief that the goal of mankind
was happiness. He gave high value to learning and devotion to
family (including ancestors), peace and justice.
Chinese Astrology
Chiang Kaishek knew that his goals for reform would mean turning
There are 12 animal signs, and each year is associated with one of
to the West and foreign governments, and the Marxists were having
them. It is believed that people born under a particular sign will
none of this. Chiang led his army north in 1927, declaring a new
have some of the characteristic of the animal.
nationalist government in Nanjing. He swiftly banned the Communist
Party and purged his party of left-wingers. Many were killed during Rooster Refinement, courage, assertiveness,
this period, as communists fought to keep the nationalists at bay. To benevolence & reliability
escape the purge, the communists undertook an arduous 23 200km Dog Lucky
trek, heading through China’s west in 1935, known as the Long Pig Fertility and virility
March. Of the 100,000 who took part, only around 10,000 survived. Rat Protector and wealth
The veterans of this march included their leader Mao Zedong who Ox Philosopher
would go on to form an elite arm within the Communist Party that Tiger King of the animals
would eventually rule China. Rabbit Longevity
Dragon Emperor
Eight years of war with the Japanese had sapped the nation but Snake Clever, cunning
Horse Freedom
taught the communists how to survive in extreme hardship. The
Sheep Peace and creativity
communists outclassed the nationalists in every aspect of the fierce
Monkey Fun and genius
civil war that began in 1946 and end in October, 1949, when Mao
Zedong stood with his supporters at the gates of the Forbidden City
in Beijing. Meanwhile, Chiang Kaishek fled to offshore Taiwan where
he set up a rival government.
Better known as Chairman Mao, Mao Zedong or Mao Tse-tung (1893 -
1976) was the founder of the People’s Republic of China. Still revered
as a true statesmen to the people, he transformed China into a
Communist nation. Land was redistributed, industry was absorbed by
the state and, most unfortunately, opposition was not tolerated.
Tibet was bought under control in the 1950s. When Mao wanted to
wipe the slate clean and construct a totally new China, thousands of
intellectuals, teachers and others were imprisoned or killed during
the Cultural Revolution of 1966-1970. Despite the conclusion of the
Cultural Revolution in 1970, oppression continued until his death in
1976. At that point, Deng Xiaoping, Mao’s long term political enemy
emerged as China’s new leader. With his new communist ideals and
wish for economic reforms, China strengthened and blossomed.
A blot on China’s history books occurred in 1989 in the form of the
Tiananmen Square massacre, which translated to the world that
democracy was a distant dream and that China is still an autocratic
state. However, the introduction of a comparatively free market has
allowed China to trade and present itself on the world’s stage. Today,
Shanghai is one of the world’s most exciting cities. Development
continues at an amazing rate there and elsewhere. In 2008, all eyes
will be on Beijing, during the hosting of China’s first Olympic Games.
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• Queuing for anything is uncommon.
• Don’t engage in political conversations that could offend Chinese
useful things to know people or their government. It’s not wise!
• Spitting and blowing one’s nose onto the ground (without a
handkerchief) is an accepted local practice.
Travel to far - flung corners of the earth, involves lifestyles and • In China – speaking very loudly, shouting across the table, waiters
conditions that are sometimes very different from what you are leaning over you whilst serving food, is all part of the Chinese
used to back home. You must come prepared to cope with unusual way of life.
situations, local inadequacies and unpredictable events as and when • When ordering room service/ house keeping to your room, it is
they occur. Foreign travel is definitely not suitable for people who normal for the server to walk directly into your room, unabashed
expect or demand everything to go exactly as planned. With the without invitation. Many aspects of life that we would consider
greatest respect and in the interest of your ultimate enjoyment, you private are for public viewing in China.
must understand this. Things can and do change in foreign countries!
Toilets/Washrooms
Newspapers Public toilets, when found, are usually ‘squats’ - holes in the ground
China’s most widely distributed English language publication is with footrests at either side and often don’t possess a door! The
The China Daily. Foreign news publications are often available in the custom is to wash with water from a jug or little pipe attached to the
Friendship Store and upmarket hotels. Keep your eyes peeled for the toilet using your left hand. Doesn’t appeal? Here are some hints!
Shanghai Star, Beijing This Month and also South China Morning Post -
Hong Kong’s English daily. There are also expatriate/tourist • Time yourself with the hotels you are staying at.
publications such as City Edition, Metro, Beijing Journal, This Morning • If you are out and about, find the nearest hotel, restaurant, fast
Beijing and Beijing Weekend. food outlet, or toilets at tourist attractions, which all tend to have
Western style facilities.
Maps • Ask your tour guide to make a stop.
Complimentary city maps are sometimes available in the lobby of • Pack a roll of toilet paper and anti-bacterial wipes for your
better hotels (mostly in the capital) but this can’t be relied upon. Buy own comfort.
some concise city maps prior to your visit. Guidebooks often reproduce
good examples.
Sanitary products
Sanitary products for women are not readily available. Tampons are a
Mail more foreign concept and are rarely available in China, except in big
The Chinese postal system is efficient. Post offices can usually be hyper marts. Don’t get caught short. Ladies, bring a supply with you.
found on main streets, at railway stations, at the airport and at
major scenic spots - just look out for large green emblems. They are
open daily from 9am - 5pm. The International Post Office in Beijing is Laundry
located on Jianguomenwai Dajie, not far from the Friendship Store. The most convenient place to get your laundry done is at your hotel.
You may also mail postcards from most hotels. Ask the concierge or front desk of your hotel. Failing that, your tour
leader may be able to assist.
Email
Internet cafes are easy to find in tourist areas and in better hotels
(with business centres) in China. The Chinese government has a
censorship policy though, so access to sites with ‘dangerous’ political
content including those of Western newspapers and universities is
blocked. However, you should have no trouble picking up your emails!
International access codes – China – 00
When calling overseas from China, dial the international access code
(00), then the country and city codes, then the number. Omit any
zeros from the city code. For example, to dial the on the go London
office, dial 00 44 207 371 1113. On Mobiles, dial the + key followed by
the country code.
All part of the culture
• Do look out for bicycles! They’re everywhere.
• Foreigners may attract curiosity in the form of staring, especially in
the countryside. It can be a little unsettling, but it’s harmless. Many
Chinese find it unusual to encounter Westerners.
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etiquette our environmental commitment
Despite the inevitable ups and downs of travelling abroad, you will
generally be shown reasonable hospitality across China. In return,
Preserving the natural beauty of the areas we pass
please demonstrate sensitivity and respect for local customs. It is through is essential. Please read on and see how you
accepted etiquette aboard public transport to offer your seat to can do your bit:
those less able. It is always polite to ask permission before taking
photographs of people wherever you may be. • Take no relic with you. It is illegal.
• If instructed not to touch – don’t touch!
Women travellers • Stick to designated paths.
China is a safe destination for women travellers. Women are unlikely
to experience sexual harassment on the streets in most parts, though • Do not attempt to enter areas that are cordoned off or out of bounds.
sexual stereotyping remains strong. • Take all personal litter with you.
• on the go promotes the recruitment, training and employment
Gay & Lesbian Travellers of local people in tourism. Understanding today, ensures
Although the gay and lesbian scene is growing in the main cities of preservation of China for tomorrow and employing local people
China, homosexuality is largely disapproved of and misunderstood. and frequenting locally owned establishments ensures that the
Although it is not unlawful, discretion is advised. benefits of tourism reach the right places.
• If looking to offer donations or gifts to local people – in particular
Identification children, please do so discreetly and without show. Despite
It is suggested that you carry your passport or a copy of the data pages as
generous acts of goodwill, people still like to retain their dignity.
a means of identification. Conceal your passport in a pocket of your bag
or on your person and keep a separate photocopy in case of loss or theft. • Useful gifts to consider include educational items such as books,
pens and pencils. Don’t allow your visit to change the lifestyles of
local people and communities unless they want it.
how do you say?
• Our Western ways may not always be a hit in other countries and
amongst other cultures.
English Mandarin
Hello/Goodbye Nihao/Zaijian
How are you? Ni hao ma?
Thank you Xiexie ni
You’re welcome Bu yong xie
Please Qing
Yes/No Shi/Bushi
Excuse me/sorry Duibuqi/baoqian
Do you speak English? Ni hui jiang yingyu ma?
I don’t understand Wo bu mingbai
How much is it? Ta yao duoshao qian?
This is expensive Tai gui le
May I see the menu? Qing gei wo kankan caidan?
The bill, please Qing ba zhangdan kaigei women
My name is ... Wo Jiao ...
Big/Small Da/Xiao
Coffee (with milk) Jia niunai kafei
Water Shui
1 Yi
2 Er
3 San
4 Si
5 Wu
6 Liu
7 Qi
8 Ba
9 Jiu
10 Shi
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troubleshooting useful contacts
see ‘Embassies’ for details. You can insist on communicating with
These things will most likely never happen, but it’s good to be
them without delay. Be polite at all times! Having to deal with
prepared if they ever do. Here are a few tips to keep your trip hassle-
the authorities regarding any unruly behaviour will be your own
free...
responsibility and not that of on the go.
Illness
To avoid the dreaded tummy bug:- on the go in China
• Don’t eat at dodgy looking restaurants or food stalls Jin Jiang 86-(0)531-86590160 (office) 86-(0)13001734809 (mobile)
• Never drink tap water, even to brush your teeth Yucai Wang 86-(0)531-82607659 (office) 86-(0)13906407659 (mobile)
• Drink bottled water only
• Beware of sunstroke - the sun can be ferocious
Embassies
Australia 21 Dongzhi Men Wai Dajie, Beijing Tel (010) 6532 3536
If you get ill, please alert your tour leader or our ground-handlers so
Ireland 3 Ritan Dong Lu, Beijing Tel (010) 6532 2691
that immediate medical provision can be made. Pharmacies in China
UK 11 Guanghua Lu, Beijing Tel (010) 6532 1961
are identified by a green cross and are usually open from 0900hrs
USA 3 Xiushui Bei Jie, Beijing Tel (010) 6532 3831
to1800hrs. Western and Chinese medicines are both stocked in many
pharmacies.
Theft
China is generally safe and foreign visitors are unlikely to be targets
for crime. The biggest problem seems to be petty theft, including
pick-pocketing and bag snatching, usually occurring on buses and
trains. Why not minimise your chances of being robbed?
• Carry only a small amount of cash
• Leave valuables in the hotel safe deposit or better still, at home
• Carry your passport on your person or a photocopy as ID
• Carry your bag close to your person rather than over your shoulder
• Travel in a group or pair, especially if you are female
• Never drink anything offered to you in the street, unless you
opened it yourself
Please note on the go will not be held liable for loss or damage to
personal property under any circumstances.
Timing
As you’ll appreciate, we have a schedule to keep. Your tour leader
will advise at what time the group must be ready each day or at
various points. It is your responsibility to be on time. on the go will
leave latecomers behind, rather than inconvenience those that
are on time. It will then be your responsibility and at your cost to
rendezvous with the group at a later point.
Drugs
Please note that drugs and narcotics will not be tolerated on tour
with on the go. Members found to be in possession of any, will be
removed from the tour without recourse or refund.
Arrest
If you are detained for illegal behaviour (illicit drug dealing or
consumption), the Chinese authorities are obliged to inform
your embassy or consular representative immediately. Please
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