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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

A visa is required for Canadians, Americans and people of most other nationalities who travel to China.  Access China Tours may help process your visa application on your behalf.  Detailed instructions and a visa application form will be sent to you upon receipt of your tour deposit.  You may also find some useful information about Chinese visa application on www.MyChinaVisa.ca. Here is a list of the Chinese   Embassies and the Chinese Consulates in North America:

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, M5R 2P4
Canada

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

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For Canadian and US passport holders, a visa is not required for Hong Kong if your stay is less than 90 days as a tourist. For other passport holders, please consult with your nearest PRC embassy or consulate.

China Visa Office in Hong Kong
5th Floor, Lower Block, China Resource Building
Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Tel: 852 2827 1811

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There are no particular immunizations required for entry into China, unless the traveler is coming from a yellow fever infected area. The Canadian and US disease control and prevention authorities recommend that all travelers have current polio and tetanus immunizations. For traveling into the countryside and remote areas, immune globulin is also recommended to combat hepatitis A, as is typhoid immunization. It is very important that you consult your own doctor or local clinic for more information.  We advise that you bring along a supply of antibiotics, an anti-diarrhea agent, and any other prescription drugs required by your current medical condition.

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China can be visited throughout the year because of the stretch of its territories, sites and activities it can offer. Deciding when to visit China depends on where you wish to visit, what type of weather you enjoy, and how much of a bargain you want. China is a huge country with many different climates and types of landscape. Think of it in terms of the United States, which China resembles in size and shape. Traveling along the Golden Route (Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Guilin) is like visiting New York, Chicago, Santa Fe, and Jacksonville, Florida all in one trip.

April, May, September and October are the peak tourist months at China’s most popular destinations when the weather is most comfortable. Prices drop a bit in the shoulder season, which runs from November through March and from June through August. However, the winter months are peak season for trips to China’s Hainan Island and to the Northeast Harbin for its world-famous Ice-Lantern Festival.  These months are also packed with New Year holidays, Chinese Spring Festival and other national or local fairs.  Summer months are a great time to explore China’s Far East-Manchuria.

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CITY JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Beijing -4.1
25		 -1.6
29		 4.9
41		 13.6
57		 20
68		 25.2
77		 27.9
82		 26.6
80		 20.3
69		 12.7
55		 4.2
40		 -2.2
28
Chengdu 5.5
42		 7.4
45		 11.7
53		 16.7
62		 20.9
70		 23.6
75		 25.3
78		 24.9
77		 21.2
70		 16.7
62		 11.4
53		 7.1
45
Chongqing 7.5
46		 9.1
48		 13.8
57		 18.4
65		 21.8
71		 24.7
77		 28.3
83		 28.3
83		 23.4
74		 18.4
65		 13.6
57		 9.1
48
Dalian -4.5
24		 -2.9
27		 2.4
36		 9.5
49		 15.6
60		 19.7
67		 23
73		 24
76		 20
68		 13.7
57		 5.8
42		 -1.0
30
Datong -11
12		 -7.4
19		 0
32		 8.5
47		 15.7
60		 19.9
68		 21.8
71		 20
68		 14.4
58		 7.5
45		 -1.4
29		 -8.8
16
Guangzhou 13.2
56		 14.1
58		 17.8
64		 22
72		 25.6
78		 27.4
81		 28.7
84		 28.5
83		 27.1
81		 23.8
75		 19.3
67		 15.1
59
Guilin 7.8
46		 9
48		 12.9
55		 18.5
65		 23
73		 26.2
79		 28.1
83		 27.8
82		 25.5
78		 20.5
69		 15.2
59		 10.2
50
Hangzhou 3.9
39		 5.2
42		 9.3
48		 15.4
59		 20.3
69		 24.3
76		 28.5
83		 27.9
82		 23.3
74		 17.7
64		 12.2
54		 6.3
43
Hong Kong 15.8
60		 15.9
61		 18.5
65		 22.2
72		 25.9
79		 27.8
82		 28.8
84		 28.4
83		 27.6
81		 25.2
77		 21.4
70		 17.6
64
Huangshan -2.8
27		 -1.6
29		 2.3
36		 7.7
46		 11.9
53		 14.9
59		 17.6
64		 17.3
63		 13.7
57		 9.2
48		 4
39		 -0.6
31
Kunming 7.9
46		 10
50		 13.2
56		 16.6
62		 19.1
67		 19.6
67		 19.7
67		 19.0
66		 17.2
63		 14.6
58		 11.1
52		 8
46
Lhasa -2.1
28		 0.9
34		 4.5
40		 8.1
46		 11.8
53		 15.7
60		 15.3
59		 14.4
58		 12.7
55		 8.2
46		 2.1
36		 -1.6
29
Luoyang 0.4
33		 2.7
37		 8.4
47		 15.4
59		 21.2
70		 26.3
79		 27.3
81		 26
79		 21.1
70		 15.3
59		 8.3
47		 2.3
36
Nanjing 2.1
36		 3.9
39		 8.5
47		 15
59		 20.1
68		 24.6
77		 27.9
82		 27.4
81		 22.4
72		 16.6
62		 10.2
50		 4.3
40
Qingdao -0.7
31		 -0.4
31		 4.7
40		 10.5
51		 15.9
60		 20
68		 23.8
75		 25.2
77		 21.5
70		 16.1
61		 8.9
48		 2
35
Sanya 4.7
40		 8.2
46		 13.4
56		 18.5
65		 22.9
73		 27.2
81		 27.5
82		 24.1
76		 18.8
66		 12.8
55		 6.9
44		 4
39
Shanghai 4.7
40		 8.2
46		 13.4
56		 18.5
65		 22.9
73		 27.2
81		 27.5
82		 24.1
76		 18.8
66		 12.8
55		 6.9
44		 4
39
Suzhou 3.2
38		 4.3
40		 8.6
47		 14.5
58		 19.6
67		 23.8
75		 28
82		 27.7
82		 23.1
73		 17.7
64		 11.9
53		 5.6
42
Urumqi -13.9
7		 -11.6
11		 -1.8
29		 9.8
50		 16.9
62		 21.8
71		 24.2
76		 22.7
73		 16.7
62		 7.6
46		 -3.1
26		 -11
12
Wuhan 3.2
38		 5.2
42		 9.8
50		 16.3
61		 21.5
71		 25.6
78		 28.7
84		 28.2
83		 23.2
73		 17.4
63		 11.2
52		 5.4
42
Xian -0.5
31		 2.5
37		 8.4
47		 14.6
59		 19.6
67		 25
77		 26.4
80		 24.8
77		 19
66		 13.3
56		 6.3
43		 0.7
33
CITY JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

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The rule of thumb is to pack lightly, and bring casual clothes. A sturdy, comfortable pair of walking shoes is an absolute. A sports coat and a nice shirt for man, and one or two dresses or pantsuits for women will suit the most formal occasions to be encountered in China. Travelers should bring shirts, sweaters and jackets that can be worn in layers to suit a range of climates. Shorts (for both men and women) are fine for summer days though not recommended when visiting religious shrines. Remember, dress for Comfort, not for Style.

Checklist:

  • Electrical converter and adapter plugs. China’s electrical system operates at 220 volts.
  • Hair dryer, razor, alarm clock.
  • Common toiletries, cold and digestive medications, lip balm, sanitary napkins and any over-the-counter medicines you generally use.
  • Chewing gum, mints or throat lozenges to keep your mouth moist.
  • Reading materials, including a guidebook on the places you will see.
  • Sunscreen lotion and sunglasses.
  • A light raincoat or an umbrella except in winter months.
  • Camera & film. Be aware that while print film is available in most places, slide film may be difficult to find. And be sure to pack extra batteries.
  • A notebook to keep track of all the exciting things happening on the trip.

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No, it is not.  The voltage is 220 Volts and you should pack an adaptor if you decide to bring any electronic unit with you during the trip.

 

The local currency in China is called Renminbi (RMB) Yuan.  Recently the Chinese Yuan has gained much value and is on the change all the time.  Please check for the most current exchange rate before you leave for your China trip.  As of January 2008, one US dollar is about 7.2 Yuan, and one Canadian dollar 7.07 Yuan. We recommend that you bring your major credit card, traveler’s cheques and a small amount of cash. Most hotels and shops in big cities accept major credit cards. You can change your traveler’s cheques into local money at the hotel exchange counter. The exchange rate is a bit higher than using cash. Personal checks are not accepted. In Hong Kong, the local currency is in HK dollars. One US dollar is about 7.8 HK dollars, and one Canadian dollar 7.6 HK dollars. Once again, the exchange rate fluctuates and information provided here is for your reference only.

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For China domestic flights, you are allowed to check one piece of luggage. The limitation is 20 Kilograms (44 pounds) total. A fee may be imposed for extra pieces or excessive weight. You can also take one hand carry-on plus a backpack or tote bag, all of which should fit in the overhead compartment or under your seat.

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Although many locals do drink the tap water, we recommend that you drink only bottled water or boiled water. Bottled water is available everywhere. You may use the tap water to brush your teeth as long as you remember to rinse your mouth once or twice after brushing.

 

It is a common practice for visitors to tip the tour guide and driver in recognition of their good service. A hotel bellboy expects your tips as well. It is not customary to leave tips at hotels or local restaurants as the bill usually includes a 10-15% service charge. Detailed information about tipping practices is included in your Welcome Packet.

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We highly recommend that you protect your travel investment with

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Access China Tours
1-800-788-1399
info@AccessChinaTours.com

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