China

Accommodation

For the comfort and convenience of our clients, we have selected superior quality hotels in China. All rooms have modern facilities, private bathrooms and normally have two twin beds rather than one double bed (double can be requested but is not guaranteed). Triple share accommodation consists of two single beds plus a rollaway/fold-up bed and is not normally recommended. Some of the hotels used are recently opened and offer superior standards of service and facilities. In some remoter areas, hotels may be of a lower standard as no international class hotels may have been built at this stage but we do use the best available accommodation in this category.

Beverages in China

While Chinese tea is the most commonly served drink, there is a variety of soft drinks, local beers and Chinese wines available. International brand beers and wines can also be purchased at larger hotels and restaurants. Note: drinks are not included in the cost of tour packages although, on occasion, one complimentary drink may be provided with meals.

Please don’t drink the tap water. Always drink bottled water - inexpensive and on sale in and around your hotels. On tour, however, there may be times when you cannot readily purchase suitable cold drinks so we recommend you always carry some bottled water with you.

Climate & Clothing

The climate in China ranges from cold, dry winters to hot, humid summers. Northern China is generally warm to hot from late May to September with the southern regions experiencing hotter conditions. The north can be very cold during winter with temperatures often dropping below zero so, for those travellers who don’t like weather too hot or too cold, March to May and September to November are generally the ideal months to tour in China. Casual wear is acceptable at all times although, while the Chinese are increasingly adopting colourful and Western-style fashions, clothes that are too revealing are frowned upon. Remember to take clothing appropriate to the season - for example, sweater, warm overcoat, hats and boots in winter, and light cotton clothing in summer. Comfortable walking shoes are important for sightseeing.

Currency

Chinese currency is known as RENMINBI (RMB) and the basic unit is the YUAN (made up 100 Fen). Notes are issued in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Yuan, as well as 1, 2, 10 and 50 Fen. There are also coins in denominations of 1, 2 and 50 Fen and 1 Yuan.

International travellers cheques can be exchanged for Chinese currency at your point of entry into China or at banks and hotels within the country. Major foreign credit cards are acceptable in designated shops, hotels and large restaurants in many cities throughout China. Australian dollar travellers cheques are recommended for most travel throughout China although, in remoter areas in Yunnan Province or along the Silk Road, US currency is more readily recognised.

Meals in China

Most of our hotels serve a buffet-style western breakfast while others provide a choice of a set western or Chinese breakfast. If you choose the latter, expect a more traditional fare of congee (rice porridge), noodles and a variety of sweet and savoury dumplings. During the day, your lunch venue varies and lunch may be Chinese with 6-8 dishes including meat, rice, vegetables and fish, or sometimes a Western buffet meal.

Your evening meals will be a little more flexible as, for most tours, we have included only one dinner in each city you will visit. China is renowned for her varied cuisines and we want you to be able to sample local specialities. The traditional regional cuisines can be generally divided into four styles: Cantonese from the south (found most extensively abroad) using fresh seafood, pork, chicken, vegetables and rice that may be steamed, boiled or stir-fried; Beijing (or Mandarin) in the north offering hotpots and tending towards steamed dumplings and noodles rather than rice (and of course the famed Peking Duck!); Shanghainese dishes concentrating on spicy seafood and soya and brown-sugar sauces with vegetable platters; and Sichuanese, the fiery chilli-spiced cuisine of the west.

In Beijing, and Xian, on the evenings that your dinner is included you will be treated to a banquet of authentic local dishes. In other cities, included dinners still offer plentiful and varied courses of Chinese cuisine, or occasionally Western fare. If you are not a great lover of Chinese food, these tours leave many evenings free for you to arrange your own dinners and you can choose from prestigious restaurants in the more upmarket hotels (where prices are comparable to similar standard hotels in Australia) or try the coffee shops and restaurants at other hotels. Or why not mingle with the diners in the many local restaurants found along the streets - it’s an experience of fun and discovery. And you certainly should have become expert in the use of chopsticks by the end of your tour!

[Please keep in mind that, if you require special meals due to religious or medical limitations, this can at times be difficult as meals within China are often inflexible in this regard].

Entertainment

For your enjoyment, we have included in your programme evening cultural shows for those group tours which visit Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Lijiang, Suzhou (except in winter) and Guilin. Nightlife in China has progressed so far that you will have difficulty choosing what to do. If you prefer the more traditional entertainment, Chinese opera provides spectacular performances of dance, song and martial arts. Check for local acrobatic shows, circuses or puppet shows as they provide an inexpensive but entertaining night out. If you prefer a more Western-style night, many hotels have discotheques, nightclubs and lounge bars.

Fitness to travel

Travelling in China can be quite demanding as full day sightseeing tours are included and a lot of walking is involved. Consequently, it is essential that all travellers are in good health and prepared for these conditions. If you are joining a tour to Tibet, Yunnan or Jiuzhaigou where the high altitude of the region affects even the fittest, we recommend you have a medical check before travelling. We also strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance and are confident your chosen insurer is experienced in promptly handling any medical emergency that may occur within China.

Porterage

Your trip may involve an amount of personal baggage handling as porters are often not available except in larger hotels. You may need to carry your own baggage between hotels/ airports/train stations and transfer vehicles and should not expect there to always be assistance at airports and stations, so please take only what you are able to comfortably carry yourself.

Shopping & Bargaining

We all know that traditional items like cloisonné, porcelain, handicrafts, silks, tablecloths and exquisite embroidery are favourite souvenirs of China. But did you know that Western-style men’s suits, leather ware, sports shoes, ladies’ and men’s casual wear, cashmere sweaters, washable silk shirts and even designer fashion labels are now very popular and offer excellent quality and value for money?

Government department stores have fixed prices while in privately-operated local markets and at roadside stalls you are expected to bargain - start from less than half the asked price and work your way up! Should you purchase large items from a government store or similar (carpets, furniture, rosewood chests, etc.) most will arrange for shipment to Australia.

Helen Wong’s Tours makes no recommendations for particular stores or markets you may visit during your tour, whether independently or with your local guide. Helen Wong’s Tours will not take responsibility for the quality or authenticity of any items you may purchase.