How to Prepare for your Trip to China

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How to Prepare for your Trip to China

• March 31, 2009

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2 sections

• What to prepare before you get to China?
• What to know when you are in China?

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Visas

• A Chinese visa is a permit issued by the Chinese
  visa authorities to an alien for entry into, exit
  from or transit through China.
• Tourist visas- L visa.
• Make 2 copies of the first page of your passport
  and visa. Carry a copy with you.

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What to Pack

• 1.       Passport and Visa (Also make two copies
  of the valid pages of your passport and visa)
• 2.     Credit cards or ATM card ( VISA or Master
  cards are most commonly accepted in China. Tell
  you banker that you are going to use your money
  in China during what time before you leave)
• 3.       Personal IDs (University ID, Drivers
  License, etc.)
• 4.       copies of relevant documents
• 5.       Some photos (the same as appeared in
  your passport or visa)
• 6.       Important contacting information
  (Address book, telephone book,etc.)
• 7.      Clothing- easily washable and easily
  packable. Rain jacket, umbrella.
• 8.     Nice outfit for banquets.
• 9.      Camera and batteries.
• 10. Medicine, first-aid, vitamins sunscreen
  (diarrhea, colds)
• 11. Small bookbag- for day trips or gifts that
  you buy.
• Everything can be bought cheap in China, so
  dont worry if you forget something.

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Gifts

• Bring some pre-wrapped gifts for your hosts.
• Some small gifts for friends that you will make,
  travel guides, etc.
• Gifts that represent your culture (postcards, key
  chains, local gifts)
• Gifts are not usually opened in front of the
  person unless they gesture you to do so.
• Gifts are usually exchanged at end of banquet or
  meeting.

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Electrical Outlets GL

• Throughout China (including Hong Kong), 220
  volt/50 cycle is used.
• Appliances designed to operate at 110 volts will
  need a Converter.
• Two-pronged and three-pronged sockets are
  commonly used in hotels.
• You may also need an adapter plug in order to use
  your electrical appliances. In case you forget
  it, try to ask the room service.
• An electrical multi adaptor is a must if you plan
  on bringing electrical appliances.
• Ladies- Cheap to buy hairdryer in China.

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Weight for Luggage GL

• Check-in Baggage Allowance from USA to China and
  Return
• Two Pieces of baggage weight of each does not
  exceed 50lbs (23kgs) for economy class and 70lbs
  for business class (32kgs).
• Checked baggage for Domestic Flights in China
• Economy- One bag of 44lbs. (20kg) free of charge
  (checked and carry-on baggage). You can pay a
  small fine if your luggage exceeds this weight.

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Money

• Following credit cards are accepted in China
  Master Card, Federal Card, Visa, American
  Express, JCB, and Diners Card.
• Tell bank you will be traveling to China ahead of
  time.
• Cardholders can withdraw cash from the Bank of
  China. Not all areas have ATMS, especially rural
  areas.
• China is a CASH economy.
• Bring some US cash, that you can exchange in the
  airport for needed money once you get to China.
• Bring some Travelers Checks.
• Save receipts when you exchange USD to RMB, you
  will need these if you want to exchange RMB back
  to USD at the end of your trip.
• Dr. Z.

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Cell Phones- 2 options GL

• Unlock US phone, buy SIM card in China
• Buy phone in China, buy SIM card in China

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Unlock Cell Phone ( before China) GL
Unlock the Cell Phone 1. Call their phone
carrier ( ATT, or Verizon) customer service, and
ask to unlock their phone so they will be able to
use it in China. 2. The customer service rep
will verify their account information. If they
are not the account holder, they need to contact
the account holder. 3. Once the account
information is confirmed, and the phone
registration information shows up in the system,
the customer rep will give them a code to unlock
the phone. Instruction can be done on the phone
or by email. It won't take long to have it done.
4. If the phone registration is not found in the
system immediately, it can take a little longer
to have the phone unlocked.
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What to do in China? GL

• Buy Phone SIM Card in China
• After you arrive in China, you can buy phone SIM
  card from major mobile phone carriers such as
  China Mobile or China UniCom.
• We recommend a specific card ???(shen2 zhou1
  xing2) by China Mobile. Ask staff from the
  university or hotel where is the most convenient
  place to buy it.
• Buy a card with a face value of 50 Yuan or more
  depending on their calling need.
• The phone plan charges differently for local
  calls and long distance.

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• Things to help you
• while you are in China

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Tips to help prevent jet lag

• Maintain a sensible bedtime schedule prior to
  your trip. Do not avoid sleeping in order to make
  yourself tired.
• When you arrive at your destination in Asia, stay
  awake until it is time to go to bed (do not take
  a nap). Typically jet lag is much worse after one
  returns from the trip, so it is wise not to
  schedule too much during the first week after the
  trip.
• Consider going to bed earlier for a couple of
  nights before leaving if you are traveling east.
  Go to bed later for a couple of nights if you are
  traveling west.
• Drink plenty of liquids, but avoid alcohol and
  caffeine on the airplane.
• If you exercise regularly, continue to do so at
  your destination.

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Laundry

• Bring clothes that are easy to wash- no heavy,
  thick clothes.
• University should have laundry service
• No dryer- dry clothes naturally
• Buy detergent and hand wash items
• Dry cleaning

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Weather

• Hot and Humid
• Pack light clothes that can be washed easily and
  are cool and comfortable.
• Will be doing a lot of walking- bring comfortable
  shoes, umbrella , rain gear.
• Pollution

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Calling Home GL

• Calling from China (to the U.S.) 00 1 Area
  Code Tel
• Expensive to call from your hotel
• Buy international calling card (IP card) at
  newsstand or post office and can call from cell
  phone or hotel phone, will have PIN number.
• Calling to China 011 86 (china country code)
  Area Code Tel

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Internet GL

• University might have internet connections or
  cheap internet café in the markets

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Safety

• China is considered one of the safest countries
  in the world for personal security. But petty
  crime has increased in recent year, especially in
  and around the major cities
• Keep enough money for your immediate need in your
  pocket, and hide the rest on your body or leave
  your backup supply in a safety places(for
  instance deposit box at your hotel).
• Dont carry your original passport/visa or other
  travel documents in your bag (bring a copy).
• Ensure that you aware of the value of different
  local banknotes to avoid being deceived.
• Be particularly cautious about your personal
  items in crowded areas such as at local
  festivals, markets, tourist sites, railway, bus
  stations, on trains and buses.
• Always let your hotel or guides or someone in
  your delegation / group know if you decide to go
  off separately from the others.
• Respect the customs of the local ethnic groups.
• Avoid traveling in any areas or sites that are
  not open to foreigners.
• Do not voice publicly any opinions contrary to
  China's laws and code of ethics and morals
• Dr. Z.

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Bargaining

• Bargaining is normally accepted in most
  independent shops, but not in department stores.
  Sometimes, bargaining is more enjoyable than the
  purchase itself.
• When you prepare to buy an article, you'd better
  check the price in different shops to get a
  general idea about the price.
• Offer half of the asking price and start from
  there
• Try to find some flaws on the article as an
  excuse of depreciation (or you can say that you
  found it cheaper elsewhere)
• Be stubborn and persistent when bargaining, but
  keep smiling
• Walk away if you find the price unacceptable, you
  can always come back later.
• If the shop man detains you, it may mean he is
  close to accepting your offer, and with a little
  more discussion will accept.
• Once the shopkeeper accepts your price, do not
  try to beat him down again since it would be
  unfair. After all, the shopkeeper has agreed to
  the price you have proposed.
  
  
  
• It is really enjoyable to buy at a price you are
  satisfied with, but make sure that the article
  you take is the one you want since there are some
  dishonest shop keepers who will replace the
  purchased products with shoddy ones.
• Many shopkeepers use a calculator during
  bargaining, as these can help overcome the
  language barrier.

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Toilets

• Carry tissue paper with you, most restaurants
  outside of the hotel dont have toilet paper
• Different style of toilet squatty potty

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Bicycles

• Cheap to purchase a bike
• Buy a lock
• Many accidents on bikes
• Many people riding, cars- be careful
• Bells and horns are used to let you know someone
  is there or to move out of the way
• Dr. Z.

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Alcohol Consumption

• Drinking is apart of Chinese culture
• No age-limit
• Represent NC State, the Chinese university you
  are staying with and American culture so be
  respectful and dont engage in disruptive and
  dangerous behavior
• Dr. Z.

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Drinking Water Dr. Z.

• Dont drink the water or ice
• Buy bottled water- very cheap
• Can even brush teeth with bottled water
• Drink plenty of water as it will be hot

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Have fun and Enjoy China!

• Representing NC State and the Chinese university
  you are staying at
• Visitor in another country
• Be respectful
• Learn and have the experience of a lifetime