•When to come?
•Weather
•What to pack
•Money
•Tipping
•Communications
•Voltage requirements
•Presents and souvenirs
•Medical help and prescription medicine

When to come

China’s is slightly larger than the U.S.A; it covers similar latitudes. This provides endless year-round
variety for visitors to the country, from ice festivals in the north to tropical beach resorts in the south.

To most travellers, we recommend visiting during the spring or Autumn, so between the months April – May and September- October. The weather is most suitable for travel during these periods: average temperatures, little rain and additionally, you’ll be avoiding some of the crowds by not travelling during peak tourist season.

Weather

China has a climate dominated by monsoon winds. It features clear temperature differences in winter and summer. In winter, northerly winds coming from high latitude areas are cold and dry, and in summer, southerly winds from sea areas at lower longitudes are warm and moist.

The climate really depends on the region because China is large and one place may be completely different from another. Along with the seasons, latitude and altitude affect the temperature dramatically, with temperatures as low as -40°C in the north and as high as 40°C in the south. Distance from the monsoon rains of the tropics, generally defines the amount of rainfall in China, along with distance from the Pacific Ocean and the presence of mountains.

What to pack

If you are planning to go to China for traveling, there are some things which must to be packed. Here under are some tips on packing just for your reference. Remember that the packing should be light and compact. Leave more space to make your trip comfortable and pleasant.
• The passport with all necessary visas and travel authorities, for identification purposes and the visa.
• Casual outdoor clothing depending on the time of year that you travel and your destination.
•  Electrical converter and adapter plugs. China’s electrical system operates at 220 volts.
•  Medicine and vitamins.
•  Reading materials, including a guidebook on the places you will see.
•  Sunscreen lotion and sunglasses.
•  A light raincoat or an umbrella except in winter months.
• Camera and be sure to pack extra batteries.
•  A notebook to keep track of all the exciting things happening on the trip.

Money

The Chinese currency is called Renminbi (RMB).(In Chinese, the people’s money). The unit of currency is Yuan (, popularly called Kuai. The smaller denominations are the Jiao (popularly called Mao) and the Fen. One Yuan equals ten Jiao and one Jiao equals ten Fen. Notes include 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 Yuan, 5, 2 and 1 Jiao and 5, 2 and 1 Fen.

Credit cards are accepted in most establishments as a form of payment trough out the country. Master Card, Visa Card, American Express Card, JCB and Diners Card are the most used ones.

You can also withdraw RMB at branches of the Bank of China, ATMs (Automatic Teller Machine) or some appointed shops with your credit card or with your European EC (electronic cash) card. We suggest you inform yourself at your local bank for further information.

There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency you bring to the country but you must declare this amount when entering China.

You can only exchange money with your original passport at officially appointed banks and shops. Keep the exchange receipts. You will need them when having the RMB converted back into your own currency when leaving China.

Tipping

Tipping for tour guides and drivers in recognition of their good service has become a common practice. Hotel bellboys and house keepers expect your tips as well. It is not customary to leave tips at hotel or local restaurants as the bill usually includes 10-15% service charge.

Communications

Cell Phones
Having a mobile phone during your stay in China can be extremely practical, especially if you’re traveling on business. China has both GSM and CDMA networks, though the former is far more popular. You can bring your tri-band phone from home and it’ll work with the Chinese networks, though any calls you make will be considered long distance. A cheaper option, and one that is especially attractive to people who visit frequently, is to acquire a local telephone number. To do so, simply buy a SIM card, which is a telephone number, at any mobile phone store and insert it into your phone – don’t forget to replace it with your original card when you go home. (Incidentally, cell phone numbers which contain lucky digits, like “8”, which sounds like “wealth” in Chinese, are more expensive than those with unlucky ones, like “4” which sounds like “death.”) Once you have a local number, purchase a prepaid calling card, they come in denominations of RMB 50, 100, 300 and 50–add it to your SIM card and start dialing.

Internet
You can use the Internet service in the business center of the hotels; some rooms of certain hotels have the Internet access, in which you can use your own computer. And Internet cafes are a booming business in China and you should have no difficulty in finding one in cities, big or small, the charges in those Internet cafes may be cheaper, but please don’t go and stay there for too late for the sake of safety.

Voltage requirements

Voltage in China is 220V, 50 HZ. Furthermore there are two kinds of sockets, flat blade plug and V-shaped flat prongs. In any case we recommend you bring a plug adapter with you if your plugs don’t match this description.

Presents and souvenirs

As wonderful mementos and gifts for your friends and relatives, special merchandise of various kinds, including Chinese silk, tea, antiques, paintings and calligraphy, Chinese medicines, jade and pearls, handicrafts, among others, are always available for your choice.

Distinctive things are mainly sold in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guilin, Chengdu, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Lhasa, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and especially Hong Kong, the city which is reputed world wide as a ‘Shopping Paradise’. It is the shopping destination that tourists most long to visit. Different Chinese cities have different local specialities: Beijing is noted for cloisonne enamel and fresh water pearls; Shanghai is renowned for jade; Xian is celebrated for antiques and rugs, while Guilin is famous for scroll paintings. Particularly, Suzhou and Hangzhou are well known for silk and tea. All will provide plenty of ideas for fulfilling your shopping trip.

Medical help and prescription medicine

The Chinese medical system comprises mostly of public and private hospitals. Small and personalized clinics are still uncommon.Big cities in China like Beijing and Shanghai have hospitals,clinics and dentists established for foreigners.

Many of them are a part of local hospitals.Most hospitals in China practise the Western medical treatment system while a good percentage practise Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Increasingly, a large percentage of hospitals also practise a mixture of Western and Chinese medicine. Some can offer a full range of medical services such as operations, check-ups and in-patient facilities while other smaller clinics may simply be able to diagnose the symptoms of minor ailments.