Are there any ATM services in China?

ATMs can be found anywhere in major cities. But in some remote rural areas, it is better to bring cash.

Can I use credit cards in China?

International credit cards like Mastercard, Visa, American Express and JCB can be used in big shopping malls, high-end hotels and restaurants in major cities. But most of the restaurants or stores only accept Chinese credit cards or cash payment.

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

No! You have to change into Chinese currency. Currently the following currencies: US Dollar, Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Euros, British Pound, Swiss Franc, Japanese Yen, Hong Kong Dollar, Singapore Dollar, Malaysian Ringgit and Macau Dollar can be changed into Chinese yuan or vice versa.

Where can I exchange money?

You can exchange at banks, most 4-star or 5-star hotels and some international airports such as Beijing Capital International Airport and Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The banks that provide money exchange services are Bank of China (top choice), Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Construction Bank and Agricultural Bank of China.

Do you have any suggestions for carrying cash around?

You may carry some 10 yuan bills with you in case the vendors could not give change for big notes. And notes that are too old or torn can be hard to spend. Do remember to check whether the note is counterfeit or not, before you accept a 50 yuan or 100 yuan note. If you have a problem with a note, you can exchange it for a new one or get small changes at the Bank of China outlets. But counterfeit notes will be confiscated.

Can I change the money back if I still have some Chinese yuan with me before I leave China?

Yes, you can change it back with your passport and the exchange memo given to you when you change your currency into Chinese yuan. So please keep those memos whenever you exchange money.

Should I bring an electric adapter/converter when I travel to China?

220 volt/50 hz is widely used throughout China including Hong Kong. If your electric appliances operate at 110 volts, you will need a converter. Two-phase and three-phase sockets are commonly used in China. You may need an adapter plug as well. If you do not have a converter or an adapter plug, you may ask the front desk personnel to lend you one.

Do hotel staff speak English?

For all 5-star hotels, the receptionists at the front desk speak good English and most of the other staff including room service, restaurant waiters/waitresses speak some English. For most of the 3-star and 4-star hotels selected by Best Asia Tours, the receptionists speak some English.

Is tap water drinkable at hotels?

No! Tap water is not drinkable throughout China. Most of the hotels provide complimentary bottled water in the room.

What are the hotels in China like?

Many of the hotels in China are star rated, namely 3-star, 4-star or 5-star. Hotel star is accessed by China National Tourism Bureau with very strict criteria. Generally speaking, the services and facilities provided by star-rated hotels are as below.

1. WIFI in room and public area, air-conditioner in the room or central air-conditioning system, color TV set, telephone, refrigerator, kettle and double curtain.

2. Private en-suite bathroom with 24-hour hot water, disinfected towels and glasses, toothbrushes and paste, soap, bath lotion, shampoo and toilet paper.

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

4. Round the clock room service

5. Concierge service, money exchange service (at some hotels), post card service and laundry service

6. Business Center and Tour Department

7. Chinese restaurant, Western restaurant (at some hotels), coffee house/bar, meeting room, massage room

8. Souvenir shop and swimming pool (some hotels)

I am a vegetarian. Will you provide vegetarian food?

Sure. We can cater to special dietary needs such as vegetarian food, halal meals, etc. Please tell us your requirements so we can arrange accordingly.

What kinds of meals are included in the tour package?

Generally, all breakfasts included in star-rated hotels are both Chinese and Western buffet breakfasts. But in the off season, some hotels may serve set menu breakfast because there are not many guests. And the lunches and dinners included are usually Chinese table meals, either a set menu or a la cart. If you would like to have western meals, kindly let us know.

Do we eat with our tour guides and drivers when on the tour?

The guide and driver will dine at the same restaurant with you but they won’t join you unless you invite them.

Can I choose restaurants?

Yes, if you have a list of restaurants that you would like to eat at, we can include these restaurants into the tour package. If you prefer to have meals on your own, we will not include any meals.

Can you suggest good restaurants as we have several meals on our own?

Yes, our tour guides will always suggest good restaurants to you if needed.

Do I need a tour guide when traveling in China?

It is not compulsory to have a tour guide when you travel to most areas in China. But when you travel to Tibet, you have to hire a tour guide. For first-time travelers, we suggest you have a tour guide because of the language barrier. Although all Chinese are required to take English courses when they are in primary and middle schools, many Chinese still do not speak English or speak some but not well. So communication can be a problem, especially in remote regions. Having a guide speaking English makes sure that you will have a smooth and worry-free trip.

Will our guide escort us throughout the whole trip?

No. You will have different local guides in each city. So when you do intercity travel via public bus, train or flight, you will be on your own. The local guide will escort you to the bus station, railway station or airport and help you with check-in. When you arrive in the next city, the guide of that city will pick you up at the bus station, railway station or airport. Of course, if you think it is necessary to have such a guide who escorts you from the beginning to the end of the trip, which we call a national guide, we will include. But a national guide can be quite expensive because you have to pay for the guide’s accommodations and transportation outside of his or her city. And a national guide is not quite familiar with all the cities other than the city he or she resides in. Local guides know their own cities better.

How do I recognize my tour guide when I arrive at the airport or railway station?

Sublime China will inform you of the guides’ names and phone numbers a few days prior to your arrival. When you arrive, the guides will be waiting at the airport, railway station, bus station or other designated places, holding a sign with Best Asia Tours and your name on it. If you fail to see the sign, you can always call the phone number of the tour guide.

What should we do if we have plentiful free time on our own?

You can always ask the tour guides for information on things to do in their cities. Before you leave your hotel, remember to have the hotel address and telephone number written down in Chinese on a piece of paper in case you get lost.

What kinds of vehicles are provided during our trip?

If you book a private tour package, a private air-conditioned car/van/bus with cushioned seats will be provided based on the number of travelers in your party. We will make sure the vehicles are clean and in good condition. If you book group tours, you will share the vehicle with other travelers. These vehicles are also air-conditioned, clean and in good condition and have cushioned seat.

Is tipping a common practice in China?

It is not a common practice. But usually, tour guides, hotel bellboys, housekeepers and waiters and waitresses in western restaurants will expect to receive tips from travelers. But this is not mandatory.

What are baggage regulations when we take domestic flights within China?

Free baggage allowance for domestic flights

Checked baggage

Economy class: 20kg (44 pounds), 1 piece, 40cm*60cm*100cm

Business class: 30kg (66 pounds), 1 piece, 40cm*60cm*100cm

First class: 40kg (88 pounds), 1 piece, 40cm*60cm*100cm

Carry-on baggage:

Economy class: 5kg (11 pounds), 1 piece, 20cm*40cm*50cm

Business class: 5kg (11 pounds), 1 piece, 20cm*40cm*50cm

First class: 5kg (11 pounds), 2 pieces, 20cm*40cm*50cm

Articles that cannot be baggage include flammable, explosive, corrosive, poisonous, radioactive, polymerizable and magnetized materials, arms, sharp or lethal weapons as well.

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

Articles that should be put in checked baggage include knife, scissor and bottled or tinned alcohol wine.

The checked baggage should be packed perfectly with a lock, tied up firmly and can be piled on.

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 RMB50 yuan per kg. The amount of compensation shall be paid as per the actual value of the loss.

A passenger may declare the value of his baggage if it is over RMB50 yuan per kg. The maximum value declared is RMB8000 yuan.

Passengers and their baggage including checked and carry-on baggage are subject to security inspection before boarding the flight.

What is train travel like in China?

Train travel in China is economical and convenient. But there are some factors that passengers should be aware of before traveling by train in China.

1. Passengers have to handle their baggage by themselves when they travel by train in China. This means when they board the train, they have to carry their baggage from the waiting lounge to the train and when they get off, they should carry their baggage off the train as well. This may include a few minutes walking up/down steps with the baggage.

2. Railway stations can be more crowded and chaotic than airports.

3. Currently China has high-speed trains (train number starts with the letter D, C or G) and normal speed trains (train number starts with letter K, Z or T or there is no letter but just digital numbers). We strongly suggest you travel by high-speed trains because they are very modern, clean, fast and comfortable.

4. Toilets on normal-speed trains are squatting type. Toilets on high-speed trains are both western and squatting types and they are much cleaner. Usually no tissue is provided on the trains.

5. Train ticket price doesn’t include food. Most of the trains offer simple Chinese box meals at extra cost and there is usually a restaurant car on a train which offers a la carte Chinese meals. And constantly, there will be attendants wheeling food trolleys through carriages, selling fruit, snacks, drinks, etc.

Soft sleeper

Comfortable 4-berth compartment with two upper & two lower berths. Bedding is provided and there is a lockable door.

Hard sleeper

Open-plan bunks in bays of 6 (upper, middle & lower on both sides). Bedding is provided. There is no door.

Soft seat & hard seat:

Similar to first- & second-class seats on a European train. Although they are named hard seats, they are padded and comfortable.

Deluxe soft sleeper

2-berth compartment with private toilet. It is the best option for overnight stay on the train. But it is only available in a limited amount on some trains. Bedding is provided and there is a lockable door.

1st & 2nd class

Compared to 2nd class whose seats are usually arranged 2+3 across the car width, 1st class has larger seats arranged 2+2 across the car width.

Business class

It is more spacious and offers better views. Its seats are arranged 2+1 across the car width and can be reclined to flat beds. Usually complimentary tea, juice, or similar and snacks are served at the seat. But it is very expensive.

Can I travel independently in Tibet?

No! Foreign travelers and travelers from Taiwan are not allowed to travel independently within Tibet. They have to take a guided tour through a travel agency in China.

Do I need a travel permit to visit Tibet?

Yes! Foreign travelers and those from Taiwan are required to apply for a Tibet travel permit in order to visit Tibet. As a travel agency based in China, our tour packages to Tibet all include the Tibet travel permit.

What’s your advice on preventing altitude sickness?

Our suggestions are as below.

1. Take medications such as Acetazolamide

2. Drink a lot of water. The dry air and evaporation of sweat may cause dehydration.

3. Do not drink alcohol or smoke as it may increase the risk of dehydration.

4. Walk slowly and avoid strenuous physical exercise.

5. No sedatives, please.

6. Do not visit Tibet if you catch a cold.

7. Eat plenty of carbs, to aid ventilation and efficient use of oxygen

8. Do not take a bath on your first day in Tibet

What’s the weather or climate like in Tibet?

In fact, the climate in Tibet is not as harsh as imagined. The comfortable travel season extends from April till the beginning of November. But sun radiation can be extremely strong in Tibet Plateau. Thin air can neither block off nor retain heat so the temperature extremes can be met in daytime and the same night respectively in Tibet. May, June and September are the peak season for tourism in eastern Tibet. Most annual rainfall comes in June, July, August and September.