This is Beijing-Beijing English blog

The weather in Beijing is of the continental type, with cold and dry winters, due to the Siberian air masses that move southward across the Mongolian Plateau. The summers are hot owing to warm and humid monsoon winds from the southeast bringing Beijing most of its annual precipitation. January is the coldest month and July is the warmest. Winter usually begins towards the end of October. The summer months, June to August, are wet and hot with about 40% of the annual precipitation.

Tips for travellers

Best season to visit Beijing: Summer (June to August) is considered peak season, when hotels typically raise their rates and the Great Wall nearly collapses under the weight of marching tourists. The autumn months between September and November have the best weather and fewer tourists. Spring is less pleasant – not many tourists but lots of wind and dust. In winter, you’ll have Beijing to yourself and many hotels offer substantial discounts – just remember it’s an ice box outside. Everything is chock-a-block during the Chinese New Year (usually in January or February).

Clothes for traveling: In autumn, jeans and a sweater are usually enough. In the warmer months, T-shirts and light pants or shorts are the best bet. In the colder months, it is wise to dress in layers: long underwear and jeans, shirt, sweater and down jacket. If you want to go local, you can buy a thick cotton army coat (jun da yi) for less than 100 yuan (12 bucks). Rain gear is necessary, especially during the summer months.

Avoid Peak Holidays : It is not a good idea to travel in China during Chinese holidays when it is the time Chinese people are traveling around. The most hottest three national holidays in China are Chinese Spring Festival (usu. in late Jan or early Feb.), International Labor Day (May1 to 7)and National Day(Oct 1 – 7). Spring Festival is an especially Crowded time to travel. The advantage of being in China at this time is that you will get the opportunity to experience “first hand” the significance of these celebrations in Chinese culture.

Others Tips: An umbrella should be taken with in case the unexpected rainfall especially in summer. Sun glass and sun cream are needed to protect yourself from being hurt.

Hotels in China range from the luxurious five-star on the eastern seaboard to street guest houses with very basic conditions, in remote part of China.  As you travel further west to places along the Silk Road or in Tibet, even 3 and 4 star hotels may no have a hairdryer for example, and complimentary drinking water may not be provided.  Mini bars are a moving target, sometimes there and sometimes not, and the level of English spoken will vary.Laundry: Laundry services are available in most hotels. Outside services are not recommended.

Electric Current: China uses a 220 volt 50 Hz cycle system so electric appliances from countries that use 220/240 will operate without any adopter. Appliances requiring 110 volts will need a transformer to operate. Hotels will not always have these. We recommend that you bring a transformer with you. Chinese hotels cater for most plug types.

Bathroom: Western Toilets are generally available except in the remote countryside. Toilet paper is usually supplied.

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Tipping or gratuities are not common practice in most sectors of Chinese life, although it has become the norm to tip the tour guide and driver, hotel bellboy in recognition of their good service. It is not customary to leave tips at local restaurants. Of course you don’t have to.  However, anything you do give will be much appreciated. For some people foreign books/DVD and music CDs, for others perfume or other small gifts are equally appreciated . As a guide, if you would prepared to give a gift in your home country to a friend, the same gift would be acceptable in China. If you wouldn’t give it at home, then it’s probably not acceptable here. Products that are “Made in China” are not seen as special.

Where the tour guide and driver are concerned, tipping become a standard part of this culture, even though it may not be in your home country. The guides are paid commission on sales of products at the shops that they take people too. China Highlights control this situation very strictly so that our customers are not continually taken to tourist traps. China Highlights guides and drivers are paid for their services so our customers are under no pressure to tip. However guides and drivers will always appreciate a sign that their services have been appreciated.

China has tens of thousands of trained and licensed tour guides. Some of them are professors, librarians, and teachers, working part time, but all must pass a strict examination to be qualified to work as a tour guide.China’s travel companies are categorized into three classes. Class 1 can work directly with foreign tour operators. Tour guides working for this class are usually more experienced. English language is the first foreign language spoken by the tour guide. They work according to pre-arranged schedules arranged by the employer.

Generally speaking, tour guides in the less developed areas such as along the Silk Road, in Tibet, in parts of Sichuan and Yunnan are less qualified than those working in the East especially in terms of the quality of their spoken English.

Travelers who purchase full packages from China Highlights will receive a comprehensive guide service provided by our company. A guide who speaks your nominated language will meet you at the airport, deliver you to your hotel and accompany you on your tour in that city. They do not fly (or take train or bus) with you from one city to another. You will have a different guide in each city.

We advise travelers to pack as slightly as possible as most travel necessities can be bought at your in China.The packing list :

1. The passport with all necessary visas and travel authorities, for identification purposes and the visa.
2. Casual outdoor clothing depending on the time of year that you travel and your destination. A pair of good walk shoes is necessary. Many of the tours can involve plenty of walking, sometimes on hard or uneven surfaces, as well as stairs or steps.  Many attractions are also quite exposed to the weather – sun, wind, rain etc; for example the Forbidden City has many large open spaces, and many of the Temples have large courtyards between their halls and pagodas.
3. ‘Carry On’ luggage for air travel in China is limited to 2 pieces for first class travelers and one piece for business and economy class travelers. The dimensions of each shall not exceed 20X40 X55cm and the total weight of the above two pieces shall not exceed 5 kg. The carry on items in excess of the above mentioned shall be checked-in as checked baggage according to regulations.
4. Wallet.
5. Credit cards.
6. Traveler’s checks.
7. Airline, Cruise or Train tickets
8. First-aid kit
9. Medicine and vitamins.
10. Hat, Sunscreen, lip creams and sunglasses, depending on the season and your destination. If you will go to places with high elevation such as Tibet, parts of Sichuan, Yunnan and Xinjiang provinces, these items are vital to protect your skin and eyes as the high altitude and the thin atmosphere allows the sun’s solar radiation to strike the earth with unusual intensity.
11. Address and telephone number list. A list of e-mail addresses, mailing addresses and telephone numbers will help keep you in touch. Type them onto a sheet instead of taking a your whole address book. It will save weight.
12. Itinerary with confirmation numbers and addresses and phone numbers of the places you’ll be staying.
13. Insect repellent. Especially for summer months and for travelers who are visiting rural areas.
14. Do not bring expensive jewelry and watches.
15. Medical records; daily necessities such as bathroom requirements are readily available throughout China and you may wish to save space by purchasing these items while you travel.
16. If you are taking a more adventurous trip, it’s a good idea to take your own silk sleeping bag liner and lightweight travel towel along with a reasonable supply of tissues, torch, personal toiletries.

Foreign visitors should check what vaccinations are required or recommended when planning a trip. Your doctor may also be able to provide you with up-to-date information on the status of disease outbreaks in China.  Most national governments also run travel advisory websites through their State or Foreign Affairs Departments.

Hotels usually have access to a doctor.

In the event of a serious condition which requires hospitalization, your tour guide will do everything possible to ensure that you receive that best treatment possible. Please call your China Highlights Travel Advisor so that we can provide assistance.

The major cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou have hospitals that will reach the standard of foreign hospital however the hospital systems differ considerably. Hospitals in other cities may not offer the same standards of hospitals as foreign countries.

On entering hospital all patients are required to pay a substantial deposit before any treatment will be administered. Nursing care in hospital is strictly limited to medical treatments so patients will require a person who can assist with all other activities. No food is supplied.

We highly recommend that all travelers buy comprehensive travel insurance in their home country before departure.

Reminders on how to stay healthy

• Protect yourself from mosquito bites by using mosquito/insect repellant or spray.
• For prevention of Malaria, starting 4-6 weeks before your trip, start taking an anti-malarial drug. (Please ask your doctor which one he/she thinks is best.)
• Bring over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medicine.
• Bring Ibuprofen, Motrin. Advil, or other types of mild pain relievers for headaches, toothaches, muscular aches, backaches, the common cold, menstrual cramps and fever reducers and mild body pain.
• Don’t handle animals (especially monkeys, cats, dogs), to avoid the risk of rabies.
• Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors.
• Don’t swim in fresh water except for well-chlorinated pools to avoid infection with schistosomiasis.
• Wash hands often with soap or water (and/or instant antibacterial hand wash).

Vaccines/Immunization(4-6 weeks before your trip）

• Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG)
• Hepatitis B if you might be exposed to blood, have sexual contact with the local population, be exposed through medical treatment, or stay longer than 6 months. (Hepatitis B is recommended for infants and for children 11-12 years of age who did not receive it as infants.)
• Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals.
• Typhoid

Although China Highlights takes all precautions possible to make your trip a safe and secure experience situations sometimes arise that are beyond our control.

We strongly advise that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs. Ensure that you insurance covers you for the whole time you will be away and confirm what is included in the policy.

Recommended insurance company

Europe, Australia & New Zealand: If you a resident of Europe, Australia or New Zealand we suggest you to insure your vacation with Globelink. Globelink is a independent insurance agency providing a sensible level of coverage for reasonable costs. Web site: http://www.globelink.uk.com/

United States of America, Canada: For Residents of the United States and Canada we suggest Insuremytrip. Insuremytrip offer a wide range of travel insurance packages. Compare them to choose the best one for you. Web site: http://insuremytrip.com/myquote-6661-0-0-0.html

Overall China is a safe country, and most people you meet will be friendly, honest and trustworthy. However, travel and living conditions are different from your home country,  so be alert.

Crime

By and large China is safe, but petty crime is on the increase and tourists are particularly vulnerable. Take precautions and use common sense, particularly at night, and particularly around the tourists areas and in crowded places like markets.

Try not to carry large amounts of money or obvious symbols of wealth, and keep your wallet or purse out of sight (back pockets are a big no no). Pickpockets tend to operate in crowded areas, for example the public bus, so in busy areas make sure that you carry your bags where you can see them –  for example a backpack, even a small day pack, is extremely vulnerable. Wallets, mobile phones, cameras, jewelry and laptops are tempting targets for thieves. Do not flash a wallet around when paying for purchases and carry some loose change for beggars.

Be alert of some common scams. Be cautious if somebody approaches you and invite you for a drink at a tea house or bar nearby to “practice English”. There have been reports of tourist being ripped off in this way. Do not pick up “roll of bills” found on streets. ATM crime is on the rise recently. There are continual reports of ATM scams including using fake ATM’s or other methods to steal the user’ card. You are advised to use the ATM when accompanied and during daytime.

Valuables

Make sure that you protect your passport, tickets, visa documents etc by carrying them on your person, preferably underneath clothing in a pouch or money belt. Never leave valuables lying around your hotel room or in your car. And if you are backpacking or staying in hostels buy a padlock so that you can secure your possessions in lockers, or enquire about a safe deposit at the hotel. Carry a photocopy of your passport and other vital documents separately be particularly careful at night. At all times try to stick to busy, well-lit places.

Local laws

Be aware that local laws and penalties, even those which may seem harsh by your home country standards, do apply to you.  For example, there are strictly enforced laws which prohibit demonstrations unless they have prior approval from the government.  Penalties for drug offences are severe, and include the death penalty, as do certain other serious crimes.

National disaster

The rainy season occurs between March and April in southern and eastern China (eg Guilin, Suzhou, Hangzhou), from June until August in the west (eg Yunnan Province and Tibet), and between May and September for the areas near the Yangtse River (eg, Chongqing and Yichang). During these times severe rainstorms can cause landslides in Shangrila and remote areas in Tibet which may interrupt essential services. Rural areas near the Yangtse River may be subject to flooding. Typhoons can occur during the wet season along the southern and eastern coasts. You should monitor weather reports if traveling in affected areas. If a natural disaster occurs you should follow the advice of the local authorities.

CSC takes charge of the applications for and management of the Chinese government scholarships for foreigner’s study in China, takes charge of the application and enrollment of candidates recommended by overseas academic institutions, educational organization or non-governmental friendly associations, and takes charge of individual application to study in China as self-financed student. However, for those individual applicants to apply as self-financed, a better and quicker way is to contact the institutions by themselves. On http://www.csc.edu.cn you can find the specific contact information of Chinese institutions accepting foreign students.

In this modern world today, we can not live without internet now, at least i think so. And i think most of the travellers will consider the internet access when they are out. Internet access will not be a problem for you in Beijing.

Most hotels provide internet service, either in the hotel-lobby (where you can expect to pay anything from 10 yuan and hour to 30) or in your room (usually 100+yuan for 24 hours). However, if you are visiting Beijing on a shoe-string, don’t be discouraged from heading out onto the streets to search for a bar. Look for the characters 网吧 (wangba) on the signs on shop fronts and around the streets. In most of these cafes internet should cost as little as 3 to 5 yuan an hour which will also include use of a plethora of violent and addictive computer games.

If you are planning to stay in Beijing long enough to warrant renting accommodation then getting broadband internet installed into your residence is simplicity itself. Most modern accommodation will have internet connections installed. To be connected simply let your landlord or estate agent know you want to use the internet before moving in.

The speed of the internet will be very good, but for some reason, some sites are blocked. So if you can not log on some special websites, check if it is available in China.