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