Renminbi or Yuan is available in the UK, although it is recommended that you pre-order in advance from major foreign exchange companies. Each individual is allowed to take 6000 (around GBP 400) into China. Exchange desks can be found at all international airports within China and at the majority of hotels and banks. Some establishments in China accept USD traveller¡¯s cheques and credit cards, although in the more remote locations, such as routes along the Silk Road, the Trans Siberian Route and in Tibet you may find exchanging any type of currency difficult, if not impossible, so ensure that you carry Yuan notes with you. In some remote areas, USD notes may be accepted as payment but do not expect a favourable exchange rate. When trying to change Yuan back into UK pounds you will have to show your original exchange receipts and often this can only be done at the bank where the original transaction took place, so try to avoid changing large sums of money that you may not need, especially towards the end of your vacation.

In is not generally safe to drink the tap water in China, even in the finest of hotels. Hotel rooms often feature a separate water dispenser, which delivers both cool and hot potable water. However, some of hotels have no water dispenser but are instead equipped with a water heater/hot pot, which you must use to boil tap water before drinking it.
In some cases, hot water is provided in a thermos in the guest room, and four or five-star hotels may supply high-quality mineral water for free or for a minimal charge. Ordinary bottled mineral water and various beverages are commonly sold in many street shops, supermarkets, restaurants and hotel stores for about 3 Yuan per bottle.

China¡¯s electrical current is on the mainland and in Hong Kong. Electrical plugs come in a variety of shapes but usually with two flat pins so an adaptor will be necessary.

The risks to health whilst travelling will vary between individuals and many issues need to be taken into account, e.g. the activities while abroad, the length of stay and the general health of the traveller. It is recommended that you consult with your General Practitioner or Practice Nurse who will assess your particular health risks before recommending vaccines and or antimalarial tablets. This is also a good opportunity to discuss important travel health issues including safe food and water, accidents, sun exposure and insect bites. Many of the problems experienced by travellers cannot always be prevented by vaccinations and therefore other preventive measures need to be taken.

Before travelling confirm all primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain - including vaccines given to special groups because of risk exposure or complications (e.g. hepatitis B for health care workers, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines for the elderly).
Courses or boosters usually advised: diphtheria; tetanus; hepatitis A.
Vaccines sometimes advised: typhoid; Japanese B encephalitis; rabies; tuberculosis; hepatitis B; cholera.

China has nine national holidays, some more important than others and during these times many establishments close for the duration. Hotel availability can be severely limited during these periods and accommodation often attracts a surcharge, please ask for details. Transportation can also be very crowded as many Chinese nationals travel around the country during the public holidays so it is therefore recommended that you try to avoid these dates wherever possible.

Public Holidays in 2008

Tipping which was once frowned upon in China is now becoming increasingly accepted as common practice, as it is elsewhere in the world. In most Chinese cities, but especially the internationalised metropolis of Hong Kong and Macau, tipping is very common, it is not a must but will be greatly appreciated. Since tipping is a personal matter, please do not feel uneasy about it, deciding what and when to tip depends entirely on how you rate a service, you are not under any obligation to do so if the service levels do not meet your expectations
Tipping frequently occurs when you are in a tour group and we have included a nominal tip for the guide and driver in the price of the tour.
Remember that it is not necessary to tip in roadside eateries or snack stalls and in some locations the bill may have already included a 5% - 15% service charge.
Another way, in which you can express your appreciation of the service received from your tour guide or driver, is to offer a small gift such as foreign cigarettes, wine, candies, hats or T-shirts, even a lipstick or nail polish.

A Chinese visa is required for all visitors to mainland China, although not Hong Kong, these are easy to obtain from the Chinese Embassy in London. We recommend that you apply for your visa in good time, ideally one month before departure although it is not possible to obtain a visa more that 3 months prior to the intended entry date.
Chinese Tourist Visas are valid for entry into China from all points specified by the Chinese Government. Duration of stay for a visa may vary, single or double entry visas are normally valid for 90 days and you must enter China before the date specified on the visa. Please note that your passport must be valid for a minimum of 9 months.

Chinese Embassy
49 ¨C 51 Portland Place
London
W1B 1JL

Tel: 020 7299 4049
www.chinese-embassy.org.uk