China Visa

When traveling to mainland China, whether for business or leisure, you are required to purchase a Chinese visa from your Chinese consulate in advance of your trip. A China visa is a permit issued by Chinese visa authorities to non-Chinese citizens for entry into, exit from and transit through China. Most countries are required to obtain a China visa before entering China. China visas are issued according to the purpose of the trip; either tourism or business activities. In general, "tourist" visas are issued specifically for the purpose of travel for pleasure, while a "business" visa generally permits a traveler to engage in normal business-related activities (sales meetings, visiting a factory, negotiating agreements, etc.). The different types of Visas are explained below.

There are three kinds of China visas in regards to entry.
You must obtain one of these visas before you enter China.

Single Entry China Visa - The single entry China visa is good for one time entry and is common for both a tourist China visa and a business China visa. A Single Entry China visa is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. You have 90 days to travel to China. And from the date of your entrance, you can stay in China for 30 days (the duration period is written in the visa label).

Double Entry China Visa - The double entry China visa is only for business travelers. You can enter China and reenter one more time. A Double Entry China visa is also valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. You have 90 days to travel to China. And from the date of your entrance, you can stay in China for 30 days (the duration period is written in the visa label).

Multiple Entry China Visa The multiple entry China visa means you can enter and reenter China as many times as you want within 30 days of your first entry. The multiple Entry Visa is only available to business travelers. A Multiple Entry China visa (Business Only) is good for 6 months from issuance.  Within 180 days, you can enter China and leave China multiple times. And from the date of your entrance, you can stay in China for 30 days (the duration period is written in the visa label). You'll need to ask your business partners in China to contact the local government office to issue an invitation. The invitation has to be issued by the Foreign Ministry of Affairs and should be sufficient for the embassy or consulate to issue the visa. 

China Climate

China has a continental and seasonal climate. Most parts are in the temperate zone but southern areas are in the tropical or subtropical zone while northern areas are in the frigid zone.  Climates in different areas are complicated. For instance, northern Heilongjiang Province has a winter climate the year round without summer, while Hainan Island has a summer climate the year round without winter.  The following is a reference table for tourists to prepare clothing on their trips. 

• Spring: 10-22°C, Western suits, jackets, sports coats, woolen jackets, long sleeve shirts and travel shoes.
• Summer: 22°C and above, T-shirts, short sleeve shirts, skirts, sandals, caps, rain wear.
• Autumn: 10-22°C, Western suits, jackets, sports coats, light woolen sweaters, rain wear and travel shoes.
• Winter: 10°C or lower, overcoat, cotton clothes, lined coats. In very cold areas a cap, gloves and cotton-padded shoes are required.

China can be visited through out the year because of the stretch of its territories nad sites and activities it can offer. Deciding when to visit China depends on which places you wish to visit, what type of weather you enjoy, and how much a bargain you want. China is a huge country with many different climates and types of landscape. Think of it in terms of the United States, which China resembles in size and shape. Traveling along the Golden Route (Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Guilin) is like visiting New York, Chicago, Santa Fe, and Jacksonville, Florida all in one trip.

April, May, September and October are the peak tourist months at China’s most popular destinations when the weather is the most comfortable. Prices drop a bit in the shoulder season, which runs from November through March and from June through August. However, the winter months are peak season for trips to China’s Hainan Island and to the Northeast Harbin for its world-famous ice-lantern festival.  This months are also packed with New Year holidays, Chinese Spring Festival and other national or local happy fairs.  Summer months are great time to explore China’s Far East-Manchuria.

Health & Hygiene       

China is a remarkably healthy country despite its relative poverty and climatic variations. Standards of hygiene varies from place to place so all visitors must be aware of potential hazards and act cautiously. Tap water is not safe; all water consumed must be boiled or filtered unless it is bottled mineral water. Boiled water is available in all Chinese hotels and restaurants. Although food is prepared fresh and cooked or cleaned thoroughly, stomach upsets are possible so it is advisable to take some medicine with you. 

Ailments such as sore throats and chest colds are also possible and can occur at any time of year considering China's climatic extremes. The summer months are brutally hot so it is imperative to combat the harmful summer heat with a sufficient supply of liquids to prevent dehydration. 

Prior to departing for China, it is recommended that you get accident and medical insurance coverage for any medical expenses that may arise during a trip. 

No vaccinations are required for travel to China but it is advisable to check with your doctor for current information. Tetanus and typhoid vaccines are essential for travel anywhere, and rabies and hepatitis vaccinations are recommended. Please note that there is a risk of malaria in remote areas of south China, so take precautionary measures before you go. 

For Health Regulations please check with your local health unit for required vaccinations and inoculations.

Currency      

The Chinese currency is called Renminbi, and is issued by the People's Bank of China. The unit of Renminbi is the yuan and the smaller units are the jiao and fen (10 fen=1 jiao, 10 jiao=1 yuan). Yuan, jiao and fen are issued as paper banknotes but there are also yuan, five jiao and fen coins. Denominations of yuan banknotes are 1 yuan, 2 yuan, 5 yuan, 10 yuan, 20 yuan, 50 yuan and 100 yuan. Jiao banknotes are 1 jiao, 2 jiao and 5 jiao and fen banknotes are 1 fen, 2 fen and 5 fen. The abbreviation for Chinese currency is RMB¥. Many hotels and stores accept major credit cards. At present, the following credit cards can be used in China: Master Card, Visa Card, American Express, JCB, Diners Card. Holders of these cards can draw cash from the Bank of China, buy goods and pay for purchases at exchange centers of the Bank of China, appointed shops, hotels and restaurants.

For the convenience of tourists, the Bank of China can cash travelers' checks sold by international commercial banks and travelers' check companies in the United States, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Britain, France, Switzerland, Germany and other countries and regions. Also the Bank of China sells travelers' checks for such banks as American Express, Citibank, Tongjilong Travelers' Check Co., the Sumitomo Bank of Japan, the Swiss Banking Corporation and others.