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