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