Chinese Cuisine
The vastness of Chinas geography and history echoes through the polyphony of Chinese cuisine. To begin, it is best to divide Chinese cuisine, with all the appropriate disclaimers and caveats, into that of four major regions: the northern plains, including Beijing; the fertile east, watered by the Yangtze River; the south, famous for the Cantonese cooking of the Guangdong Province; and the fecund west of Szechwan and Hunan Provinces.

Drinking water
Tap water is not potable, but you can find bottled water or boiled water in thermos readily available.

Beverage
Mineral water, soda water, soft drinks and beer can be bought everywhere, especially beer which is brewed by almost every city locally. To the surprise of some tourists, some of the local beers are really tastier. Chinese alcoholic drinks or Chinese sake at round 50 proofs is extremely popular with Chinese, even with ethnic Chinese.

Weather
China lies mainly in the temperate and subtropical zones. Generally, its southern part (East China, South China and Southwest china) is warm, humid, and rainy; its northern part (North China, Northeast China, and northwest China) is dry and windy.
- Spring:10-22C, Western suits, jackets, sports coats, woolen jackets, long sleeve shirts and travel shoes.
- Summer:22C and above, T-shirts, short sleeve shirts, skirts, sandals, caps, rain wear.
- Autumn:10-22C, Western suits, jackets, sports coats, light woolen sweaters, rain wear and travel shoes.
- Winter:10C or lower, overcoat, cotton clothes, lined coats. In very cold areas a cap, gloves and cotton-padded shoes are required.

Time Difference
China has only one time zone, the standard time is BEIJING TIME. China does follow the daylight saving time system from mid-April to mid-September.

Power voltage in China
It's 220V in our country that must be stepped down or up according to your electric or electronic appliances. We suggest that a converter and an adapter plug be packed.

Public Conveniences
Western-style toilets are not available sometimes except in star-rated hotels, while Chinese-style washrooms without toilets charge users slightly, so always have some petty cash ready.

TV/Radio Program
Satellite-fed TV program are popular, but western program are prohibited from being received except in star-rated hotels. To follow the latest world news during your trip, we recommend that a short-wave radio be packed.

Transportation
To travel by train or by bus in China is the most common way for Chinese, because of the price. You can go to many destinations either by rail or roads nationwide, but take the following into account: less service, few comfortable seats, little or no air-conditioning, namely, no comparison with those in Europe. Soft-seats on trains and big coaches on expressway between large cities are the exception.

Driving
Steering wheels are equipped on the left-hand side of auto.

Taxi
China enjoys adequate taxi service. In most cities, the taxi tends to be a small local-made car painted in either red or yellow. In large cities, there are luxurious sedans at a higher rate. Taxi fares vary from city to city but they are always clearly marked on the taxi window.
Most taxi drivers do not understand much English, although those in tourist cities are encouraged to learn and speak some simple English. Non-Chinese speaking visitors are advised to have their destinations written down in Chinese and show the address to the cab driver.

Tipping Practice for Visitors to China
It is a common practice for visitors to tip the tour guide and driver in recognition of their good service. Hotel bellboy expects your tips as well. It is not customary to leave tips at hotel or local restaurant as the bill usually includes 10-15% service charge.

Foreign Exchange
Foreign currency cannot be circulated within the Peoples Republic of China or used to determine the price and settle accounts. At present, China will accept and convert into Chinese Renminbi such foreign currencies as the US dollar, British pound, Euro, Japanese yen, Australian dollar, Austrian schilling, Belgian franc, Canadian dollar, HK dollar, Swiss franc, Danish Krone, Singapore dollar, Malaysian ringgit, Italian lira, Macao dollar, Finnish markka, and Taiwan dollar. Exchange rates are issued every day by the State Administration of Exchange Control and only can be changed in Bank of China only or in tourist hotels or on tourist cruisers.Before leaving China, unused Chinese Renminbi can be converted back into foreign currency with a "foreign exchange certificate" which is valid for six months.

Camera Film
100 DIN is in wide use in China. High light-sensitive film is in occasional use, along with slide film that can be purchased at camera shops.

Entrance Fee
Usually nowadays there is 1 price for both domestic Chinese and overseas tourists. But there used to be 2 prices marked at the entrance, the lower one for domestic Chinese tourists, the higher for overseas tourists, but not a large difference.

Paper & magazine
China Daily and some English-version magazines published weekly, monthly, even quarterly by Chinese government can be found mostly in star-rated hotels where some overseas publications are also available sometimes.

Medicine
Chinese medicines, even western medicines are sold in any pharmacy in China, thanks to the building of production joint-ventures with some large western pharmaceutical companies.

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 Chinas 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.

Immunization
There are no particular immunizations required for entry into China, unless the traveler is coming from a yellow fever infected area. The Canadian and US disease control and prevention authorities recommend the all travelers have current polio and tetanus immunizations. For traveling into the countryside and remote areas, immune globulin is also recommended to combat hepatitis A, as is typhoid immunization. It is very important that you consult your own doctor or local clinic for more information. We advise you to bring along a supply of antibiotics, an anti-diarrhea agent, and any other prescription drugs required by your current medical conditions.

Quarantine
In accordance with the details for the Implementation of Regulations of the Peoples Republic of China Concerning Frontier Sanitation and Quarantine, people coming to China from certain countries must produce valid documents showing they have been inoculated against smallpox, cholera, or yellow fever. People from countries newly declared as infected areas must show corresponding vaccination documentation. (Inquiry may be made for details at Chinese embassies abroad or at Chinese public health departments.)

Insurance
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.

Emergency Medical Service
The clinics in large hotels and restaurants offer medical and first aid services to travelers. If you feel uncomfortable while on a tour, you may call the outpatient department of a local hotel, or ask your guide to take you to see the doctor.

Emergency
In case of emergency or crime, dial the special telephone number 110 wherever you are, or report it to local police station immediately

Safety
China is a relatively safe country. Travelers should be conscious of pick pocketing and bag snatching.

Telephone and Postal Service
In towns and cities, IDD service is provided at all hotels and post offices. Phone cards are available in post offices inside hotels or in the streets. Even more conveniently, most newsstands in major cities also carry phone cards. Telephone booths in the streets are mostly for local calls.

Tourist hotels provide postal services. If you want to send important items such as antiques and cultural relics that are under customs control, you will have to ask for the help of the local branch of the international post office, instead of the small post office in a hotel.

Shopping
Travelers can enjoy great convenience in China. You can buy anything you want in small shops, supermarkets and modern malls.

Souvenirs recommended
China is a treasure house of arts and crafts which are an important part of the Nations cultural inheritance. Products such as carving, embroidery, pottery and porcelain, glassware and dyeing, replicas of ancient cultural relics are all exquisitely crafted. Other well-known crafts are weaving, printing and dyeing.
Other popular Chinese products include: silk, tea, liquors and wines, TCM (traditional Chinese medicine)

Credit cards
Using credit cards in China is not as popular as in western countries. But, nowadays, it becomes commonly used in some star-rated hotels and shopping malls.

Chinese daily expression
In a foreign country, language is the biggest barrier for travelers. If travelers can have command of daily expression, it must make travel easier and enjoyable. Travelers can buy the related Chinese daily expressions books in some bookstores.