| Tourism is a burgeoning industry in China | | | | means of transportation throughout China. The |
| making it not only a prime business | | | | trains are affordable, safe and well |
| destination but a must see travel stop. To | | | | maintained operating between major cities; |
| ensure that you enjoy your trip, Chinese | | | | services include Beijing to Guangzhou, |
| Translation Pro has compiled these handy | | | | Shanghai, Harbin, Chengdu and Urumqi. There |
| travel tips as well as useful bits of | | | | are three types of trains, the Express option |
| information to take with you. | | | | being the best of the three. There are four |
| | | | varieties of fare: hard seat, soft seat (only |
| When to Go: If you looking for the lowest | | | | on short-distance trains such as the Hong |
| price on travel, plan your trip during the | | | | Kong to Guangzhou (Canton) line), hard |
| Low Season; December, January and February. | | | | sleeper and soft sleeper. Children under 3 ft |
| The Peak Travel Season pertains to May, | | | | tall travel free and those under 4ft pay a |
| September and October. March, April, June, | | | | quarter of the fare. Train travel is often a |
| July, August and November are perhaps the | | | | comfortable experience albeit, a time |
| best travel months with respect to price, | | | | consuming one, due to the distance between |
| weather and entertainment. | | | | destinations. Domestic plane travel is a time |
| | | | saving alternative. Flights from Shanghei to |
| Getting There: The national airline is Air | | | | Beijing, Hong Kong to Shanghei and Guangzhou |
| China. As is true of any flight, travelers | | | | to Shanghei are approximately 2 hours; |
| should confirm their return flight | | | | however, the roundtrip travel costs average |
| reservations; airline overbooking has led to | | | | $350 USD. Though express train travel between |
| people being stranded in China. Also, be | | | | these cities ranges from 12 to 18 hours, the |
| prepared for a lengthy flight. A nonstop from | | | | prices are decidedly more affordable, between |
| New York to Beijing lasts 14 hours while a | | | | $15 to $30 USD. |
| charter to Shanghai lasts upwards of 18 | | | | |
| hours. | | | | Visa- Don't Leave Home Without It: Visas for |
| | | | leisure travel to China are easy to obtain, |
| There are four airport hubs within China; | | | | granting a one month's stay. The Chinese |
| Beijing/Peking (BJS/PEK), Guangzhou Baiyun | | | | embassy or consulate, your travel agent or an |
| International, Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) and | | | | independent visa service will gladly assist |
| Shanghai Pudong (PVG). Each airport includes | | | | you. In the United States, contact the |
| taxis, public and shuttle buses, duty free | | | | Chinese Embassy in Washington DC or the |
| shops, banks/currency conversions, post | | | | Consulates in San Francisco, Los Angeles, |
| offices, business and internet facilities and | | | | Chicago, Houston or New York. US citizens can |
| bars and restaurants. Important to note is | | | | stay in Hong Kong without a visa for up to 30 |
| the departure tax, which is paid in Chinese | | | | days. |
| currency only. Children under 12 and transit | | | | |
| passengers, proceeding within 24 hours of | | | | Tips on Tipping: Tipping is widely accepted |
| travel, are exempt. | | | | and encouraged by tour guides, hotel staff |
| | | | and car services. In restaurants, if the tip |
| Once There: Once in China, there are several | | | | has not already been figured into the bill, a |
| transportation options via rail, sea and | | | | 10 to 15 percent tip is advisable. |
| automobile. Railways provide the principal | | | | |