|
Hong Kong
has long been the primary gateway to China; home to an ancient
and rich culture as well as stunning natural beauty.
Travel to
China is better and easier than ever before. Frequent air links
from Hong Kong's international airport, efficient rail services
and some of the world's largest fleets of high-speed and
overnight ferries make China easily accessible.
Some of the
world's greatest sites - the Great Wall, the Silk Road, The Bund
in cosmopolitan Shanghai, the mighty Yangtze River and the
rugged and magical landscape of Guilin are all within reach of
Hong Kong. So why not take advantage of Hong Kong's proximity
and step through the exciting gateway to China for a few days.
Following
is useful information for traveling to China.
Language
Most Chinese people speak Mandarin. Although most tourist hotels
employ staff who are fluent in foreign languages, visitors may
find it difficult to make themselves understood by local people
on the street. It is advisable to have addresses or instructions
written down in Chinese. All major streets have signposts in
pinyin - the Chinese system of phonetics - which makes it easier
to get around with the help of a map.
Many Chinese, especially young people, are now
studying English and welcome the opportunity to practice their
English with foreigners. Don't be afraid to ask for directions
from people on the street. You will usually be rewarded with a
polite and often heroic attempt to help.
Visas
Visas are required for all foreigners entering mainland China. A
standard tourist visa is valid for a 30-day visit. They can
usually be obtained from Chinese embassies or consulates in your
own country. You can organise your trip to China from Hong Kong
through a travel agent. Express visas for mainland China can
sometimes be obtained within 24 hours. For
more information on how to obtain a visa, click
here.
 Currency
The standard unit of currency in China is the renminbi (RMB),
also known as the yuan. The smaller units are the jiao and the
fen. One yuan is equivalent to 10 jiao, and one jiao equals 10
fen. The following denominations are available in both notes and
coins: one, two, five, 10, 50 and 100 yuan; one, two and five
jiao; and one, two and five fen.
Foreign currency and traveller's cheques can be
changed at Bank of China money exchanges, located at airports,
hotels and tourist stores. The exchange rate fluctuates
according to international market conditions. Traveller's
cheques are generally exchanged at a better rate than cash.
If you want to change any RMB back to your local
currency on departure, you will need the form you filled out
when changing the money. Most money exchanges are open seven
days a week from 9:00 to 17:00.
Time
The whole of China is set at GMT/UTC plus eight hours.
Weights & measures
Metric
|
