|
|
|
Spring and Fall are considered by many China experts to be the most pleasant times of the year for travel. May is after the freezing (and we mean COLD) winter season and before the heat of summer and vice-versa in October--so if the gods are smiling on us, we will have absolutely perfect weather. Just in case, though, it's advisable to bring a warm sweater or jacket for those possibly chilly evenings! You will find more information about what to bring and what to leave at home below. Make sure your passport is in order. It is strongly suggested that you apply for your China visa by the 1st week in April (for May tour) or by the 1st week in September (for the October tour). It takes about two weeks to receive your visa. Be sure to read all this information carefully to insure an enjoyable, comfortable and memorable trip! INCLUDED IN TOUR: All meals in China* (please let us know if you would prefer vegetarian or standard), one serving of your choice of beverage with each meal, all classes and tuitions, English speaking guides, accommodations, transportation in China, transfers and permits, performances, entrance fees to temples, sacred sites, tips (approx. $100.00 US) etc. No refunds will be made for unused portions, meals, excursions, etc. *Please see the detailed itinerary of your chosen tour for specific meal details. NOT INCLUDED IN TOUR: International airfare (unless purchased through us), airport departure/arrival taxes (there is an apx. $10.00 fee, local currency, for departing Shanghai or Beijing Airport on return). All passport applications, fees and visa to China are the responsibility of the tour participant. Not included are items of a personal nature such as hotel amenities, mini bar, room service, laundry, telephone/fax, camera/video fees (if any), extra meal-time beverages and medical expenses. CERTIFICATION: You will receive a certificate indicating your completion of Feng Shui Immersion in China for the Feng Shui Programs. A certificate from the Beijing Massage Hospital will be awarded to those completing the Tuina Massage Program. Other certifications to be announced. HEALTH: It is advisable to check with your physician before departing on any overseas excursion. For the areas in China we will be visiting, the only vaccines that are recommended at this time are for Hepatitis, but it is not mandatory (information subject to change). Check to see if your Tetanus immunization is up to date. The website for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is http://www.cdc.gov/travel/eastasia.htm. Consult for the latest advice. It is important to let them as well as your doctor know what areas of China you will be visiting, as the advice can be very different depending on climate. We recommend a flu shot at least 2 weeks before departure, but again check with your physician. Bring familiar cold remedies, anti-diarrhea medications, etc. As these can be difficult to find. Most tours will not be overly strenuous, but some will consist of considerable amounts of walking and stair climbing as we tour various sites. Some sites are more strenuous than others. You should be in reasonably good physical shape. If you are taking prescription medications, make sure you have enough to last well longer than the duration of the trip. Grapefruit seed extract has been a proven preventative in travelers diarrhea, check out the info at www.puregse.com It should be easily available at your local health food store. By the way, the tablet form is easier on your taste buds! TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: All tour participants must hold a valid passport whose expiration date is at least six months after the end of the tour. All tour participants must obtain a visa to visit China. The China visa is only valid for 90 days, so it is best to apply for it 30-45 days before departure. Make sure your passport has an empty visa page! You may also contact your nearest Chinese Consulate. There are also several private travel companies that will take care of the visa process for you for a small additional fee. We use and recommend eChina Visa at www.echinavisa.com or call 1-866-498-1363, ask for visa department. We recommend starting passport process as soon as possible to avoid any last minute problems. INSURANCE: Travel insurance is recommended. Purchased through your local travel agent, it can protect your investment if for some unforeseen reason you must cancel. It should also protect you in medical emergencies while traveling and for lost baggage. CSA Travel Insurance is our recommended carrier. Call 1-800-551-2482 for an application or click below.
TIDBITS ABOUT CHINA TRAVEL: Though many people in China can handle basic communication in English, it is very helpful and fun to be able to talk to them in their native language. There are numerous dialects spoken in China for the same written Han language. In recent years the most widely used dialect is Putonghua (the common language of Mandarin), the local dialect of Beijing that became the national language. The tour will have at least one English-speaking guide throughout. Following are some useful phrases to have fun with and get you around in China. These simple phrases are spelled using no accepted system such as Pinyin, just simple phonetics. (Chinese scholars, please excuse!) HELLO / HOW ARE YOU? Nee How? GOOD-BYE Dzai Gee-en THANK YOU Shay Shay I'M SORRY / EXCUSE ME Dway Boo Chee HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? Dwor Shao Chee-n? NO, WE/I DON'T HAVE May Yo I WANT Wor Yow I DON’T WANT Wor Boo Yow GOOD How BAD Boo How RESTAURANT Fhan Dee-n I DO NOT UNDERSTAND Wor Boo Dong MISS/ MADAME Shaow Jay TAXI Chew Zoo Chee Chuh HOTEL Bing Guan TOILET Tsuh Swor ONE Ee TWO Are THREE Sahn FOUR Sur FIVE Woo SIX Leo SEVEN Chi EIGHT BA (*like BA-gua) NINE Jyo TEN Shir FOOD: You may choose either the vegetarian or standard meal plan. Vegetarian dishes may include some eggs along with usual vegetarian fare of tofu, wheat gluten, meat substitutes, fresh vegetables and noodles. All meals offer a choice of several dishes and courses. Bringing your own chopsticks is OK. Chinese custom and the number of people in the group, dictates that two tables will be served--one vegetarian and one standard. CURRENCY: Called "ren men bi" (RMB), the exchange (at time of printing) is approximately 8.21 to $1.00 US. For current exchange rates check: CLICK HERE FOR CURRENCY CONVERTER. The numbers on most of the bills are in English. It is important to know that China is a cash society. Few transactions are done with credit cards, especially in the countryside. Traveler’s checks are highly recommended. These are easily cashed in larger hotels or at the Bank of China. ATM’s (or other similar cards) are not recommended, as cash machines are sometimes difficult to find. Your passport is always required for money exchanges. It is preferable to have traveler’s checks in amounts of $100 US or less in denomination, as when you exchange these you will have quite a stack of bills to carry. Large hotels and department stores will usually accept MasterCard, VISA and sometimes, American Express cards. ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: On the flight you will be handed an entry card and customs declaration to be filled in. These will be shown along with your passport and visa to a customs agent upon arrival. These papers should be kept in your passport for departure. You will have to fill out a duplicate for departure. Keep receipts from all purchases! Bags that are easy to carry or have wheels are a big help in the airport! BUSINESS CARDS: Business cards are impressive to the Chinese. It is preferred to have them printed with English on one side and Chinese on the other. There are usually a few printers in "Chinatown" areas that will print these. BARGAINING: Bargaining is expected in small shops and street stalls- but be polite- a smile and an attempt to speak their language works wonders! LAUNDRY: Most of the hotels we will be staying in will have laundry services. It tends to be more expensive in the large cities, but is also more organized and the quality is better. The best advice is to bring clothes that are easy to hand wash and dry in your hotel room. WHAT TO BRING: As little as possible! "Lightweight and compact",-- keep repeating it! Carrying Bags: Most of the trip your bags will be transported from hotel to bus by porters. Occasionally you will have to carry the luggage yourself, so again think lightweight and comfortable. A daypack is essential for exploring and collecting souvenirs during the day out. Do not use fanny packs for your passport, traveler’s checks and valuables. A security pouch that can go over your chest or worn under your shirt and / or around your waist is best. Look for these in travel stores or catalogs. Clothing: Bring clothes that are easy to hand wash and dry. Silk shirts are warm and wash easily. Think layers. Dark colored clothing allows you to not wash every day. Remember that you can purchase almost any kind of clothing in China. A good pair of comfy, well broken in, hiking shoes are highly recommended. Previous travelers recommended the following items: Small umbrella (that can fit in a daypack), Light jacket or rain slicker, Inflatable neck pillow (for air flight and for bus rides), Extra duffel bag (for goodies), Toilet tissue (small packs of tissues work great), Hand wipes (the wet ones), Small sweet treats from home, Slide film 200- 400 ISO (difficult to find in China), Mini recorder and tapes (for lectures), Ear plugs (for bus ride traffic noise), Eagle Creek "Pack It" cubes (work wonders) check travel sources. Journal or pen and pads, Female personal items (not easily found), Postcards or "souvenirs" from home (for gifts), Powdered detergent, Travel clock or watch with alarm, Small sewing kit, Ziplock bags, assorted sizes (very handy), Swimsuit, Small locks for luggage, Contact lens supplies, Breakfast bars-power bars etc. Aromatherapy candle or atomizer for hotel rooms (50% of Chinese people smoke), Pre-printed address labels (for postcards). Extra camera battery, Razor & blades, Sunscreen, toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, deodorant, shampoo, nail clipper, tweezers, mosquito repellent, vitamins, special medicines and small medical kit. FOOD AND WATER: Do not drink or brush your teeth with tap water. Every hotel will furnish you with treated water. Bottled water is also available in mini bars and shops everywhere. Tea and coffee are OK since the water is boiled at a high temperature. Salads and fruit that you have not peeled are best avoided. RESTROOM FACILITIES: Hotel rest rooms are western style and very clean. However, public toilets are not the healthiest looking places! Usually a porcelain, flushable hole to squat over, and you must have your own paper. At least you won’t have to worry about touching it! There is usually a picture of a male or female head on the door to designate.
|
|
|
© 1999 Feng Shui Designs, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact: