Prior to departure
Visa
Be sure to get the correct visa from the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in your country; be aware that overstaying your visa can lead to a heavy fine or even detention. Check the details of your visa requirements with the Chinese embassy.
Make sure you have the right visa. If your travel plans involve a round-trip to, for example, Hong Kong or Singapore, you will require a double or multiple-entry visa to re-enter the mainland. If the Chinese Embassy in your home country has not issued you a double or multiple entry visa to China and you still wish to visit Hong Kong and re-enter China a second time afterwards, you will need to apply for a new Chinese visa during your stay in Hong Kong. Kindly take into consideration that this might take some time.
For your convenience, we strongly recommend applying for an individual visa rather then travelling on a group visa; having your own visa avoids complications when, for instance, someone needs to leave the group and return home separately.
Health/Medication
Check which vaccinations you need at least six weeks before you go; remember vaccination requirements vary depending on which area(s) of China you are visiting.
Consider whether you need to take extra health precautions. The air quality can be poor in the summer months, so those with existing respiratory problems should take extra care.
Some international hospitals have their own pharmacies with imported medication. However, not all western medicine can be found in China and will in most cases be very expensive. You are strongly advised to bring a sufficient supply of your own medication.
If you take special medication make sure to carry the doctor’s prescription. You will be able to import your own medication into China only if accompanied by a valid doctor’s prescription or Doctor’s note.
Travel health insurance
A comprehensive international health insurance is strongly recommended. It is crucial to check what your policy covers as well as being aware of any exclusions and conditions.
Accommodation
Make sure you have a hotel booking confirmation; you should not arrive in China without a hotel reservation or a reliable confirmation of the place you are going to stay. Be careful with online bookings and/or lodging arrangements with persons that you do not know. Remember that most hotels in “Olympic cities” have been booked up months in advance.
Olympic Games tickets
You have to buy your ticket before departure; no tickets will be available at venues.
To ensure your ticket is genuine, purchase only from an official supplier. You can find the suppliers for tickets in the Member States at the following internet website: http://media.tickets.beijing2008.cn/en-cn/img/static/docs/GSANOC2008.pdf
Already there
Your valuables
You must carry your passport with you at all times as the police are entitled to carry out random checks.
Make copies of all your documents (passport, insurance, travel tickets, itinerary, contact details, etc.) and keep them separate from the originals.
Health services
Medical treatment and medication usually has to be paid immediately (by cash or credit card). In case of illness you may go to any of the hospitals listed below where staff speak languages in addition to Chinese.
Mobile telephones
A Chinese prepaid SIM card together with a tri-band, unlocked GSM mobile will give you a local number to use during your trip
SIM cards (“sim ka”) are available on arrival at the airport and from mobile phone shops around major cities.
Internet
The internet is available in most hotels and in Internet cafés around the city. Most internet bars are clearly indicated on the outside with the sign 网吧.
Currency/credit cards/cash
The basic unit of currency is the yuan, which is divided into ten jiao, which is again divided into ten fen. Notes are issued in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 1 yuan, 5, 2 and 1 jiao and 5, 2 and 1 fen. In spoken Mandarin Chinese, yuan is referred to as “kuai” and jiao is referred to as “mao”.
Do not accept torn notes as shops and restaurants will refuse them.
You can withdraw money in China directly from the ATM with your international credit card or with your debit card at the ATMs of Chinese banks carrying the Maestro or Visa Logo. There is a limit (usually 2500 RMB, ie 250 EUR) per withdrawal; but you can make multiple withdrawals consecutively. Credit cards are widely accepted but practice varies so check before buying.
Write down the number of your bank account, EC and credit cards, the telephone number of your bank and of the credit card company in case you suffer loss or theft.
Registration:
Please follow the instructions available upon entry to China regarding registration at the police authorities. Your hotel reception/lodger should be able to give you accurate information in this issue and assure proper registartion procedure is carried out.
Getting around
Taxis (“chu zu che” 出租车 OR “da di” 打的) are easily identifiable, plentiful and generally safe and inexpensive. Always carry the name card of your hotel with you; it carries the hotel name and address in Chinese and will help your taxi driver to know where to take you.
At airports, hotels, train stations and tourist spots, always take a taxi from the designated queue. All taxis have meters, so be wary of anyone trying to negotiate a price before your journey.
Most taxis and private cars will be banned from the Olympic Games areas, so it is advisable to use public transport, which is accessible and affordable.
Get yourself a Taxi Book - available at most bookshops. Just show your taxi driver where you want to go and, if he/she cannot read, use the Pinyin version found on the same page.
The relatively modern Underground (”di tie” 地铁) is a very cheap, safe and green way to get around the city. Buy a ticket at the kiosk before getting on the train.
It is only possible to rent a self-drive car with a valid Chinese driving licence.
Laws and customs
Ensure that you are aware of and respect local laws and customs.
Be aware that, unless you have the Government’s authorisation, involvement in any kind of demonstration or distributing political leaflets, for example, is not tolerated and you could be arrested.
Public displays of drunkenness are generally not acceptable and are likely to cause offence.
Possession and consumption of illegal drugs are prohibited. There are severe penalties for drugs offences in China, including the death penalty.
Not many Chinese speak foreign languages and the use of English is not common.
Food and drink
Food is varied and generally good and inexpensive. Where serving staff don’t speak English, choose a restaurant that has a menu with photographs.
If you have any allergies or dietary requirements, ask someone to translate this into Chinese characters for you and show it to restaurant staff.
It is advisable to pay restaurant and other bills in front of the cashier.
As with anywhere, keep your drink close to you when drinking in bars to reduce the chance of it being tampered with.
Bottled water is widely available; tap water should be boiled before drinking.
Tipping
It is not customary to tip anywhere in China. However, if you are on an organised tour, the company may suggest appropriate gratuities for your guides or drivers.
Shopping & bargaining
There are lots of bargains to be had in China and shopping is a national pastime. But top-brand clothing, cigarettes, cosmetics, DVDs, etc offered in the street at knock-down prices are almost certainly copies. Counterfeiting is illegal, and such products could be confiscated when you return home. Additional fines might be charged by the national custom authorities.
Be prepared to bargain at market places, stalls and small shops. Some sales pitches may seem intimidating, but respond patiently and pay only what you consider reasonable.
Bargaining is not usual in department stores, but you can always ask for a discount.
Antiquities that do not have the red seal of the Chinese authorities cannot be exported.
In case of …
… loss of your passport
1) Report the loss to the nearest police station (Public Security Bureau “gongan paichusuo” 公安派出所). They will issue a police report and certificate (confirmation of loss report 护照报失证明).
2) Contact the Embassy or Consulate for a temporary passport or emergency travel document for your return journey. You will need to bring the following documents to the Embassy:
- proof of identity (e.g. ID card, driver’s licence, copy of your passport)
- passport photographs
- certificate of loss of passport (police report)
- passport fee
3) A new “exit” visa needs to be issued. As soon as you have your new passport or travel document, you need to take it to the Exit and Entry Administration Office of the local Public Security Bureau (PSB), together with the note issued by the Embassy. Be aware that process of issuing an exit visa may take up to five working days.
… emergency
The general emergency number in case of accidents/incidents is 110. An English language service will also be available.
You say: “Please get the police!”
Qing Nin zhao jingcha! Da yao yao ling!
请您找警察! 打110!
… traffic accidents
If you are involved in a traffic accident, however small, you should immediately stop, remain with the vehicle and wait for the police.
Call general emergency number 110, or 122, and press 1 for English service.
You should fully co-operate with the police. However, if you are required to sign any documents do so, but write clearly in your own language on the same page that you do not understand what you are signing.
… medical emergency
To call a medical service you need to dial 120. Be aware, however, that only a Chinese language service is available. We therefore recommend contacting one of the international hospitals instead.
You say: “Please call a doctor!”
Qing Nin zhao yisheng! Da yao er ling!
请您找医生! 打120!
… lost or stolen money
In case of loss or theft of funds, you need to contact friends or family so that they can quickly transfer money to you through Western Union. The person depositing the money is given a reference number and you can collect the money by presenting your passport and quoting the reference number.
Useful telephone numbers and websites:
Police or PSB:
General emergency Number 110
International hospitals:
Beijing United Family Hospital 和睦家医院
Jiangtai Lu
Tel: +86 (0) 10 6433 3960; Emergency: +86 (0) 10 6433 2345
SOS International SOS 北京国际SOS救援中心
Suite 105, Wing 1, Kunsha Building, No. 16 Xinyuanli
Tel: +86 (0) 10 6462 9112; Emergency: +86 (0) 10 6462 9100
Anzhen Hospital (Cardiology) 安贞医院
Andingmenwai, Anzhenli
Tel: +86 (0) 10 6441 9691 / 6442 9194
Beijing Intech Eye Hospital (Ophthalmology) 北京英智眼科医院
No 12 South Panjiayuan Road
Tel: +86 (0) 10 6773 2909
Elite Dental Clinic
No 5 Changchunqiao Lu, Room 206, Bldg. 2 New Garden
Tel: +86 (0) 10 8256 2566
Exit & Entry Administration Office of the Beijing PSB:
2 Andingmen Avenue (East), Dongcheng District, Beijing
(Southeast of BeiXiaoJie Bridge, 2nd Ring Road)
东城区安定门东大街2号(二环路北小街桥东南侧)。
Information desk Tel: (+86 010) 8402 0101
Customer Service Line Tel: (+86 010) 8401 5300 or 8401 5316
Websites
Your Embassy and Consulate:
The 2008 Summer Olympics will take place in Beijing, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Shenyang, Tianjin, Hong Kong and Qingdao.
In China, there will always be an Embassy or Consulate of a Member State which will be able to give you help if you need it. The contact address, numbers and website of your embassy and consulate are listed in the Annex.
You say: “Please contact my Embassy!”
Qing nin lianxi woguo de dashiguan.
请您联系我国的大使馆!
Disclaimer:
The purpose of this brochure is to provide useful information to help EU nationals travelling to China for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. It has been prepared by the EU Member States and the European Commission. While every care is taken to provide accurate and complete information, the EU Member States and the European Commission do not assume any responsibility, including legal responsibility, as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the data included.
Annex
Hungarian Embassy
Consular offices