Traveling to China on your own: recommendations. Tips on how to prepare for an independent trip to China General questions regarding the preparation of a trip to China

So, you are going to go to China. And they did it right! This country is famous for its centuries-old culture, inventions, natural landscapes, food and much more. Now there are many offers on the tourist market, but they are all of the same type and run along the same well-trodden routes. In addition, they don’t give freedom: look to the right, look to the left ... How about entering a country where they look at you with genuine childish interest, like an alien, where the whole car gets up when they see you)). Or chat with the locals and get to know the life of the country from the inside. All this is provided by independent travel.

Below are the main practical issues related to independent travel in China.

1. Visa to China

The first thing you need for such a trip is a Chinese visa. Visas are of several types, respectively, require different documents, different costs. The simplest is a one-time tourist. You can issue in a travel agency, which naturally will take an additional fee for their work. You can make a visa yourself by taking the documents to one of the consulates of the PRC: in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Irkutsk, Khabarovsk and Vladivostok.

2. How to get to China and move around within the country?

There are several ways to get to the Celestial Empire from Russia: by plane, train or bus, and hitchhiking. It all depends on your budget, where you are going from and what places in China you are going to visit. China, as you know, borders Russia on Far East, from there the path to Beijing is the closest. You can cover this distance by train. From Moscow, St. Petersburg, the European part of Russia, the easiest way is to fly by plane. There are both direct flights and with transfers in Astana, Almaty, Dubai, depending on the airline. Cheap tickets can be found on the website .

Inside China, you can also move in different ways, which is more to your liking. We traveled on trains, bought tickets ourselves at the box office a few days before departure.

3. How much money to take to China?

It is difficult to give an unambiguous answer here - everyone has their own requirements and preferences. I can only provide a link to our

It is better to exchange cash in advance in Russia for dollars, since rubles in China are not changed. Dollars to yuan are changed mainly by the Bank of China, the exchange rate in the spring of 2013 was 6.1 yuan per 1 dollar. You can also use Visa and MasterCard bank cards. A fee will be charged for withdrawing money from the card. It is different for different banks, check with your bank before traveling.

Anya and I applied for ISIC youth cards, and in some places they give a good discount. For example, we saved 90 yuan (450 rubles) on Mount Emeishan.

4. What to take with you to China?

Experience is the son of difficult mistakes)) It’s not clear why we dragged sleeping bags with us, but it turned out that China is full of cheap and comfortable housing.

When collecting, pay attention to what kind of weather awaits you in China. For example, in the spring in the southwestern regions there is a lot of rain and dampness, while in Xinjiang it can be cool but dry. From here, choose what to take. For an independent trip, a backpack is an indispensable and convenient thing that you must have =).

In extreme cases, buy what you need in China, all the clothes are made there anyway!

5. Accommodation in China - where to sleep?

As mentioned above, the choice of accommodation is huge, especially in places popular with tourists. And competition keeps prices affordable. You can book a hotel or inn in advance - this is easy to do on the site. If you prefer to improvise, you can decide on housing already on the spot. I just strongly advise you not to do this if you are traveling on holidays: in early May and in the first half of October.

If you want to stay in an apartment or rent a room from the hosts (often cheaper than a hotel), try Airbnb (follow and get a free $25 on your first booking).

6. Where to go in China, attractions

Here the choice is simply endless, China is an amazing country! At every step waiting for the discovery =).

We visited 4 provinces, or rather , and province , Yunnan and Manchuria. The rest of the districts were simply passed by train.

7. Food

People in China love and know how to eat! Local residents have adopted the rule "War is war, but lunch is on schedule")). The choice of food is very large, although the main products for the Chinese are rice and noodles, as well as additives to them. You can have a bite to eat in local chifans or by buying products in the market or in supermarkets.

It should be noted that Chinese food is very spicy - be careful, especially in the early days.

When organizing an independent trip, mobile applications are very helpful. We wrote .

That's all I wanted to say about traveling to China on my own. Come to China, you will definitely be satisfied! Easy roads!

Before traveling to China, you should decide whether a visa to China is needed for Russians in 2020 and how you can get it. According to the current immigration law of the People's Republic of China obtaining a visa to China is a mandatory procedure for all Russians who is going to visit this state. Exceptions are the cities of Hong Kong and Macau, you can enter there for 14 and 30 days, respectively, without prior permission.

Almost all types of visas to China are made independently through the Visa Application Center or Consulates General (Consular Section in Moscow) of the Chinese Embassy. They are located in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Khabarovsk, Irkutsk.
For those who decide to apply for a visa without refusals, quickly and inexpensively, we recommend the Online Visa Application Center.

China - developing tourist destination, the flow of Russian tourists is growing every year

Visa-free entry

There are situations when you can enter China without a visa. There are territories where you can stay without a permit for some time under certain conditions, while in other places you can get a so-called Chinese visa upon arrival.

Arrival stamp

You can get to China without a visa in advance in a group that is preliminarily made up of several people (the rule does not apply to individual visits). In this case, group lists of citizens who are eligible for such a procedure are submitted to the border service in advance, the lists are sent by a Chinese travel company. Such entry documents are given for groups of more than two people, they can be obtained by arriving at Beijing airport or on about. Hainan. Under such a permit, no more than 21 days are allowed to be in the territory of the state.

You can learn such a stamp in the PRC without buying a tour package, many companies simply include additional people in tourist lists for some money so that the latter have the opportunity not to issue an entry document in advance.

For residents of border areas

A special regime has been established for obtaining a Chinese visa for those Russians who live in regions bordering China. If you have an invitation from the Chinese side, then permission to cross the border is issued directly at the border checkpoint (not all checkpoints fall under the rule, information must be clarified at the Consulates).

Visa free transit

If the traveler arrives at international airports Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu, Dalian, Chongqing, Shenyang, Kunming, Xi'an, Guilin, Wuhan, Hangzhou, Harbin, Xiamen and plans to fly within 72 hours to other states through the same air hubs, he does not need to pre-obtain transit visa to China. In such situations, you need to follow certain rules:

• If a passenger has arrived in the cities of Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou or Chongqing, then he is allowed to enter the city, but it is forbidden to leave its limits;
• It is impossible to transfer to another type of transport (bus, train).

Sometimes there are such flights in which arrival is carried out at one airport, and departure - from another. In such situations, you can also do without transit visa, but there are mandatory requirements:

• The flight is served by one air carrier;
• The flight is served by different airlines, but all parts of the flight go under a single booking code and are entered on one form;
• The airline is scheduled to arrive at one airport for refueling and depart from another.

In this case, a 24-hour transit corridor (exit from the international air hub area) may be allowed if the appropriate boarding passes are presented, but the final decision will be made by the visa officer.

The rules of visa-free transit also apply to residents of Ukraine (the norm does not apply to Kazakhstan).

Types of entry documents

Any Chinese visa for Russians is issued depending on the purpose of your stay in the state. Documents are divided into several types, each is assigned a certain category.

Tourist (L)

This is a tourist visa to China for Russians, it is requested if the purpose of the trip is to visit the sights that China is very rich in. Gets a tourist visa a large number of compatriots, as this direction is gaining popularity.

China can offer not only beach holiday on about. Hainan, but also interesting excursions, and picturesque hiking trails. Those travelers who want to visit National parks countries or admire the largest panda nursery in the world, should apply for a tourist visa to China for Russians.

Business visa (M)

This is a business visa to China, which is suitable for all possible types of business activities that the applicant intends to set up in the PRC. In connection with the growth of business and trade relations between countries, the number of people wishing to open a business in China has also increased. Traders, entrepreneurs, any people who are going to make a profit must have a business visa to China. Such activities can only be carried out on a business visa, for the use of other categories of documents, you can learn a fine and a lifetime ban on entering China.

Working (Z)

A work visa to China for Russians will be required if the applicant plans to come to China and work under a contract with a Chinese employer (or in a Chinese branch of a foreign company). There is also a special subtype of a work visa, which is assigned category R. It is issued to especially valuable specialists who, in the opinion of the Chinese authorities, have unique and valuable skills and knowledge. A work visa to China for Russians must be obtained by absolutely all categories of employees.

Transit visa (G)

This is a transit visa to China, which is done in advance in Russia, if the conditions for visa-free transit are not met.

Student visa (X1/X2)

A student visa to China is required if you plan to study in China. Student visa X1 allows you to come for a short study / courses / trainings, and X2 allows you to stay in the country for a longer period and already study at a university / school.

Visitor visa (F)

A Chinese visitor visa is required for those persons who enter the PRC for the purposes of study visits, study tours, exchanges, business trips, and so on.

For journalists (J1/J2)

According to this document, foreign journalists, as well as other employees of foreign media, are allowed to enter the state.

For relatives (Q1/Q2)

Such a Chinese entry permit is issued for those who wish to visit their relatives. Also suitable for family reunification purposes (if the family member is a Chinese citizen or a permanent resident).

The term “family member” includes: parents, spouses, children, grandparents, spouses of sons and daughters, grandchildren, parents of wives and husbands.

For foreign guests (S1/S2)

A Chinese visa of this type entitles you to visit foreigners who legally reside/work/study in China, as well as for other private purposes. Considered a guest entry permit.

For airline employees (C)

Issued only to crew members of international aircraft crews.

Permanent residence (D)

According to this document, a foreigner has the right to reside in China. Another name is permanent residence.

Urgent visa

There is no separate concept as an urgent visa to China, any type of entry permit can be obtained under an accelerated scheme. It will be more expensive than the usual procedure, but in some cases you still need to urgently apply for a visa to China, for example, if you have to fly in a couple of days or for some reason the procedure for obtaining an entry visa was postponed until the last moment.

Required documents

There is a general list of documents for a visa to China, as well as an additional one, depending on the type of permit. The requirements for papers are not very strict; collecting them usually does not present any difficulties. The main list is below.

1. International passport. Original required, valid for six months after leaving China;
2. A photocopy of those pages of the passport where personal data is recorded and there is a photo;
3. An appropriately completed application form (can be downloaded in .doc format directly from the Embassy's website from the "Download Forms" section);
4. One photo 3 by 4 or 3.5 by 4.5 cm;
5. Photocopies of previously issued Chinese visa stamps.

For L (tourism)

1. Airline and hotel reservation confirmation, or a written invitation from the Chinese host with information: name, surname and other personal data of the invitee, dates of visit, places of visit, and so on;
2. In case of an invitation - a letter with information about the inviting party with the address, phone number, other data on an official letterhead with the original seal.

For M (Business)

1. Documents with information about the visit: purpose, dates, places of visit, sources of expenses;
2. An invitation from a Chinese partner or another type of invitation with full details of the invitee;
3. A letter containing all the information about the inviters;
4. A copy of the inviter's Chinese identity card, or permanent residence, or a foreign passport (if it is a private person).

For Z (work)

For G (transit)

For a transit visa, you will need a ticket for any transport confirming departure to a third country.

For X1/X2 (student)

1. Original and copy of the document on admission to the educational institution;
2. Original and copy of student visa application (form JW201 or JW202).

For F (guest)

1. An invitation from an authorized organization with comprehensive information about the invitee;
2. Information about the inviting Chinese party;
3. Information about the details of the visit: purpose, dates, financial support, a description of the relationships between the parties, and so on.

For J1/J2 (journalists)

1. Notification letter from the Department of Information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
2. A letter from the employer who employs the journalist.

For Q1/Q2 (by invitation)

1. Invitation with information about the invitee;
2. Information about the person who invites (including a copy of his current identity card);
3. Proof of family ties between parties.

For S1/S2 (at the invitation of foreigners)

For C (airline employees)

1. Letter of guarantee from the airline company.

For D (for permanent residence)

For D, one special document for a visa is required - the original, as well as one photocopy of the document confirming the right to permanent residence, which is issued by the relevant Ministry.

For all foreigners who enter the PRC on documents of type D, J1, Q1, S1, X1, Z, a mandatory rule applies: within thirty days from the moment of crossing the border, apply to the local (territorial) departments of public security organs that are in charge of entry /check out, and register. Ignoring the rule is considered a violation and may result in lifelong expulsion from the state.

Filling out an application for a visa to China

The China visa application form can also be downloaded in English. You must answer all questions, accurately indicate your personal data, sign in the required places and attach to the collected package of documents. It is necessary to pay special attention to the error-free filling of the form. It's very convenient that application form for a visa to China can be filled in Russian.

Photo Requirements

There are certain visa photo requirements for China that you need to consider when photographing. So, the visa photo must meet the following criteria:

• Light background;
• color;
• The absence of hats, wigs, glasses, makeup, which distorts the appearance beyond recognition;
• Full face;
• Size 3 by 4 or 3.5 by 4.5 cm.

The process of making your own

You can learn about how to apply for a visa to China on your own from the numerous experiences of tourists who visited China. Entry documents are made by many agencies (intermediaries) that have the service of issuing visas to the PRC of any type, even without providing a full package of papers. This way will be convenient for those citizens who want to get a type of visa of a certain category, but they, for example, do not have a complete package of necessary documents.

If the task is to apply for a visa to China on your own, then this is quite possible. You can learn how to get a visa to China on your own and not resort to the services of intermediaries from the algorithm described below:

1. Determine the type of entry visa requested;
2. Collect all documents: first obtain the necessary permits, invitations, certificates, and so on;
3. Download and fill in the application form;
4. Submit the entire package to the Consular Section of the Embassy or the Visa Application Center (reception is conducted only on weekdays, from Monday to Friday);
5. Get a stamped passport.

There is nothing difficult in obtaining a visa to China on your own, the percentage of approvals for applications is very high.

Visa to China for a child

The procedure for obtaining a visa to China for children is almost the same as for their parents. Additionally you will need:

1. Visa application form to be completed by the parents;
2. Copy of birth certificate;
3. Original permission to travel outside the Russian Federation, timely certified by a notary, signed by one / both parents (copies of the parent / parents' passports will be required);
4. A copy of the entry permit of the person accompanying the child (if the child is traveling without parents).

Price

To obtain a document, all applicants pay a visa fee. The actual cost of a visa to China is determined by two factors: the urgency of production and the number of allowed entries.

Information on how much a visa to China costs can be found in the table.

Along with the cost of a visa to China, a bank commission of at least 2.5% is taken from each person.

Dates of issuance

The processing times for applications are linked to the cost of the visa. The time interval can be from one to five days:

• The usual time is 5 days;
• Accelerated (urgent) consideration - 2 days;
• Express review - within one day (issuance on the day of application).

Validity periods

The validity of a Chinese visa depends on the number of entries allowed.

Possible failure

Despite the fact that applying for and obtaining a visa to China is a fairly simple process, and visa officers are loyal to applicants from Russia, there are also refusals. Standard Reasons:

• Recorded violations of visa laws, in this case, the authorities can impose a ban on entry for life;
• Suspicions aroused by the applicant's documents;
• Something is wrong with the documents themselves.

conclusions

The main thing you need to know a tourist in China

If everything is usually simple with traveling to Europe, since the life of Europeans is very similar to ours, and even if you don’t know the language, you can navigate in housing and transport, as well as buy something in the store. But with trips to Eastern countries the situation is more complicated, since in many countries they don’t speak at all and don’t understand not only Russian, but even English, it’s impossible to guess what all these local hieroglyphs mean, plus there are some local features that you should definitely take into account who decided to go on an independent trip to China or any other of the eastern countries.

1. Difference in time zones

Immediately count that China has a different time zone. The first few days will be spent on adaptation to new conditions. Therefore, you should take care in advance to set your internal clock to the PRC time. Long flights and a sleepless night at the airport “help” me - I arrive without getting enough sleep, go to bed in the evening local time, wake up in the morning, and then I have no problems with another time zone.

A sleepless night at the airport is the best cure for jet lag.

2. Other air

Air. Due to the fact that China has a large number of factories and a fairly high population density, the air is noticeably different from the usual European and CIS countries.

Smog is clearly visible in the cities of the northern zone of China. In the southern zone, due to the fact that there are fewer factories, it is not so clearly visible. But the consequences are being felt. Among them, high drowsiness and problems in people with respiratory failure can be noted. You can catch clean air only after rain.

3. Language barrier

The language barrier. Firstly, in China they do not speak English well. You can face this problem both at the airport and in a taxi. The only place where you can count on knowledge of the language is in high-class hotels. Or among people professionally studying foreign languages. Some take an interpreter - it helps, but you need to be careful. For example, often all the interpreter does is to ask “Iga dosha chen?” (How much does it cost?) and they ask $50 a day. Drive such people right away, even if they were imposed on you by the company.

Secondly, all signs, names, signs, stops are written only in Chinese (i.e. hieroglyphs, no English transliteration). The main advice is to write down on a piece of paper phrases that may come in handy: “destination” for a taxi, the necessary stops for public transport, currency exchange, a store, a pharmacy, and so on. An important nuance is that you will not be able to read the name of the stop, that is, you will have to compare the inscriptions externally. Therefore, writing should be as legible and close to the original as possible.

Important! If you do not speak Chinese at a sufficient level, do not try to speak it. Features of the language - each sound has four tones of pronunciation, radically changing the meaning of any word. One word in different keys can have different meanings, including offensive ones. Each province in China has its own accent. A Chinese from the north will not always understand a Chinese from the south. So don't be surprised by the difference.

4. Food in China

Food. Dine in big cafes in China is unprofitable. Even ordinary tea exceeds average European prices. So there are a few food options.

The first is small eateries, where the main nuance is the uncertainty of the conditions in which food is prepared. No one can guarantee compliance with sanitary standards. On the other hand, if you are not afraid for your stomach, then the pricing policy of such places will pleasantly surprise you and will match the wallet of any tourist. When you place an order in a restaurant or cafe, be sure to specify the degree of spiciness of the food.

The second is buying food in the market. Here, prices will be half that even in eateries, but again the question arises of sanitary conditions and the impossibility of guaranteeing your further health after eating this food. That's why the best option If your hotel does not provide meals, buy food from the store and cook yourself.

Solving problems with unsanitary conditions: Buy at the market only those fruits that need to be peeled - bananas, oranges, mangoes, etc.

Do not eat exotic food on the street. Such as insects, scorpions, spiders of various kinds. The Chinese themselves hardly eat this, it is made specifically for tourists, and is not always safe for an unprepared stomach.
Get ready in advance that when buying food in the store there will be no dairy products or it will cost quite a lot of money. There may be problems with bread, because. The Chinese do not eat baked goods, so if you want to replace it with something, steamed flatbread is the best. The closest you can find in China is bread.

5. Transport in China

Transport within the country. The most popular means of transport within the city are buses and taxis. When traveling by bus, be sure to remember which stop you need. The main thing is not to forget that buses run strictly until 23:00 and not a minute later.

Important: in China, any transport, including taxis and buses, is not late, and no one will wait for you!

In some places, you can try out some exotic transport, for example, in floating villages, look at boat houses and ride a small boat along the market in this village.

If you use taxi services, order it to a specific place and at a specific time, you should not be late for more than five minutes. The taxi driver has the right to leave if the client is late for the required time. Look carefully at the counter and pay only for it. Don't take drivers at their word.

The most popular means of moving around the country is trains. When buying tickets, be very careful. There are three categories of tickets - seated, standing, on the floor. Depending on the category - a different pricing policy. Most expensive places- seated. When buying, be sure to specify which place you need. Be careful when traveling on holidays.

6. Buying souvenirs

Souvenirs. Never buy souvenirs in places of interest. Their price is usually one and a half to two times higher than outside cultural places.

I also want to separately mention the shopping streets with souvenirs. It is believed that it is important to bargain with the Chinese on prices. When you are on a shopping street, this is a mistake. Since souvenirs are almost identical in all shops, their prices are also identical. Therefore, if you buy souvenirs on a shopping street - do not argue with the seller and do not disgrace yourself, but buy at a set price. If you want cheap souvenirs and the opportunity to bargain, look for a unique product that has no competition, or look for small shops outside the shopping streets and attractions. Then you can bring down the purchase price by one and a half to two times.

7. Hotels and accommodation in China

Housing. When you look for accommodation on Booking or another site, immediately close the cheapest offers. Yes, in major cities In China, you can find rooms for 150 yuan, but you won’t want to live in them - dirt, torn linen, no refrigerator or fan, no bathroom, with windows overlooking the corridor, and even in some hole. You will find more or less normal rooms in which you can live only for 200-300 yuan. It will already be, though poor, but clean, tidy, with a shower, hairdryer, towels, normal beds, and so on. And for 350-600 yuan you already get excellent rooms with beds with orthopedic mattresses, silk sheets and mattresses, air conditioners, coffee with Chinese buns in the morning and other pleasant things.

Cheap doesn't mean bad, but it doesn't mean good either. Choose a hotel by photo, rating and feedback from visitors.

Be sure to print the hotel business card with Chinese characters, otherwise you risk not getting to the place (how else to explain to the taxi driver where you need to go?)

These seven tips apply to traveling to China on your own, but don't forget to consider general travel tips as well. For example, read the article about . An incredible choice of formats, designs and the ability to create your own unique style.

A self-planned trip abroad can be much more interesting than the offers of travel agencies. The main problem is ignorance of the language, so at the preparation stage it is worth considering all the nuances of the trip.

An independent trip on a tourist visa to China is issued in advance so that the traveler has the confidence that his vacation will be as comfortable as possible.

Officially, Russian citizens need a visa to travel to China on their own. The cheapest single-entry visa will cost the traveler 1,500 rubles for 2020. At the same time, he gets the opportunity to stay in the territory of the Celestial Empire for a total of 30 days from the corridor to 90. Similar conditions apply when processing documents at the consulate.

To obtain a visa, you will need to provide:

• international passport with a margin of 6 months before the expiration date;
• a copy of the internal passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation;
• a questionnaire with a color photo;
• insurance;
• confirmation of financial solvency for citizens who do not work;
• tickets in both directions;
• invitation.

An invitation can be issued by a citizen of the host state or a travel agency. In the case of a personal invitation, you will need to provide the details of the host (copy of passport and ID). An invitation from a travel agency is confirmed by a hotel reservation for the entire stay in the country.

An exception to the official rules for issuing a visa is made for residents of border areas who can apply for Required documents directly at the ground crossing point. Also, other conditions are provided when applying for a visa at the airport at the place of arrival, but it is worth clarifying whether there is such a possibility at all. Without a visa, you can only visit Suifenhe and the border trade zone for up to 15 days, with the obligation not to leave the city. This is where many entrepreneurs go for goods.

For those who have previously visited the Celestial Empire, it is additionally required to provide a copy of the old passport with the appropriate notes. And confirmation of financial viability is an account statement. Regardless of the expected expenses, the account must have an amount not less than $ 100 per day of stay in a foreign country.

Transport to destination and within the country

Most travelers prefer to get to China from Russia using airlines, although you can cross the border by any transport. There are frequent buses from Vladivostok, as well as the border areas, which provide a fairly quick border crossing for residents of the respective regions.

Before buying a ticket, you need to roughly outline a travel plan if you need to visit several cities. However, it is best to enter and exit from the same airport.

You can travel within the country using any convenient transportation: planes, trains, ferries, buses and even taxis. In large cities, the best way to get around is by bus or metro. To do this, it is enough to buy a travel card, which you can return at the end of the visit and get a cash deposit back for it. The travel card is a plastic card that needs to be replenished periodically. The cost of one trip to public transport will be about 30-50 cents.

Tip from an experienced traveler! Taxis are quite cheap in China, and tourists who come here for the first time prefer to use this particular type of transport. However, after about a month of life, the inhabitants of Russia often realize that they have to spend too much on transport. In many cities, it is more convenient to get around on foot or on a rented bike.

How to choose housing?

When applying for a visa through a travel agency, a hotel reservation is required for the entire stay in China. But often hotels do not meet the traveler's expectations, so long-term booking has unpredictable consequences. It is much more convenient to arrange it for only 1-2 nights. This will provide an overnight stay at the hotel, but it can be changed if the conditions are not to your liking.

Most often, travelers face the same problems when choosing a hotel:

Poor soundproofing

In some buildings, you can easily hear the conversation of people from the next room, even if they do not raise their voice.

Bad location. Often it is not that the hotel is not located in the center or difficult to find. The problem lies in the fact that it is in close proximity, for example, you can find a hotel in front of a landfill.

Conditions in the room

Foreigners choose their place of residence according to the description of the room and photographs, but they often do not correspond to the real state of affairs. Rooms can be much smaller than indicated and sometimes only a bed is inside.

Those who do not want to face such inconveniences are advised to pay attention to the reputation of the institution before booking. The best service is provided by network companies that operate in several cities. However, their cost of housing will be an order of magnitude higher, so it is necessary to prioritize: price or quality.

For most citizens, booking a hotel is the only available accommodation option if they plan to travel to China on their own. If there are no restrictions in this direction, you can look for an alternative. Short-term rental of apartments in Asian countries is not practiced, since a standard contract is drawn up for a year. But if you wish, you can find specialized sites with intermediaries through which you can rent an apartment for a shorter period.

Price double room in a medium or low quality hotel will be about 10-15 dollars per night. In chain hotels, the minimum price tag is set at about $30. Renting an apartment for a month will cost about $400-500.

This column of expenses most of all affects how much it costs to go to China. The final amount of vacation will vary from 1000 to 2000 dollars for two adults for 10 days. The difference lies mainly in the payment for housing.

Nutrition

It is important to know! Chinese food is very different from what is ordered in Russia with home delivery. Get ready for a bright and very unusual taste that will lead to an upset stomach. The aroma from most street cafes is quite unpleasant without being used to.

Be prepared for the fact that Chinese food is very different from what we are used to.

There are several food options:

• in establishments under a well-known brand;
• in local cafes;
• self-preparation of food from products bought in the supermarket.

In the Celestial Empire, you can easily find establishments with a worldwide reputation. For example, McDonald's. Many tourists are accustomed to eating in such restaurants, as employees carefully monitor sanitary standards, and the menu is identical almost everywhere. The disadvantage of this method is rather high prices.

You can eat a hearty meal in eateries for only $ 1.5. However, unlike food networks, here it is necessary to mention the language barrier. Not all cafes have menus with Latin names or photographs, so ordering food is at your own risk. In addition, small restaurants with local cuisine almost do not adhere to hygiene standards, which is bad for the health of a visitor.

In all Chinese cities many street cafes. But finding an English-speaking waiter is almost impossible.

Nevertheless, it is worth trying the local cuisine, as it is an integral attribute of the Celestial Empire. Surprisingly beautiful and interesting snacks can be bought even from street vendors. And if you have concerns about your health, you should find out about restaurants run by Chinese Muslims. These are the cleanest establishments. Having decided to go to China on your own, you first need to find out the address and reviews about them on the Internet.

Eateries sometimes provide an interesting form of serving dishes: like a buffet or churrasco. However, even in a simple cafe, portions are very large. Some dishes are only served for two.

Tourists who are not suitable for these methods need to take care of their own food. Buying food in Chinese supermarkets without knowing the language will be a difficult quest, so it is recommended to go out for food with a dictionary downloaded to your phone. Without clues, only certain types of fruit can be identified. By the way, vegetables and fruits may differ depending on the area, because the territory is very large. Tourists should try exotic fruits, especially from the southern part of the state. Some of them cannot be tasted in Russia, as they do not tolerate transportation. It is not advisable to buy sausages or sausages, as they are made from soy and taste completely different from the usual food.

Outwardly, Chinese supermarkets differ little from ours. But it is difficult to buy anything without a dictionary.

Not all travelers have the opportunity to cook hot meals on their own. Not all apartments are equipped with a kitchen. Most ordinary residents use portable stoves that run on gas or electricity.

By the way, the price of traveling to China from travel companies does not always include meals at the hotel. Because of this, a solo trip can be much more profitable than exorbitant agency prices.

Additional costs: the mentality of the locals

All Chinese are very emotional and noisy, so the hum does not stop for a minute on the streets of large and small cities. You can get used to this pretty quickly, especially since visitors often join in with everyone's screams with pleasure.

Chinese streets are always very crowded and noisy by our standards.

Most of all, the Chinese make noise in the markets, where even an inexperienced tourist can bargain. Locals are in a hurry to cash in on foreigners, so feel free to knock down the price several times. Such actions are the norm for all Chinese stores. The Chinese on their fingers show numbers differently than in other countries, which means that you should familiarize yourself with the rules of the account before trading.

It is best to pay in cash, as Visa or Maestro cards are not accepted in all shops and cafes. Here is another system that simply cannot make a transaction with a foreign card. You can withdraw money from ATMs. Cash and valuables must be constantly monitored, as petty theft is very common here.

Yuan is the national currency

In the Middle Kingdom, it is rare to find Chinese who speak English well, so be sure to take a phrase book with you and download several translation programs. Even without basic knowledge of the language, these tricks will help you communicate with other people. In addition to phrasebooks, it is worth downloading several applications with maps of the cities you plan to visit.

Visitors use the Internet only via Wi-Fi. It can be found everywhere. Mobile Internet and communication during a trip of several days will be too expensive both with a native SIM card and a local one. Buying a foreign SIM card will cost more than $40 and you will need to know the language to understand its conditions. If you wish, you can buy a SIM only in specialized communication stores.

A self-prepared trip to China with children or a loved one will be an interesting experience. This is the only way to truly see the country from the inside, so don't be afraid to experiment!

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You need to arrive at the airport 2.5 hours before departure. Remember the norm free transportation baggage and surcharge for excess baggage. The tickets indicate local time. To board a flight you need:

• Pass customs inspection, for which fill out a customs declaration. If you have less than 3,000 US dollars per person and you do not have items to declare, then you do not need to fill out a declaration. When filling out the form, do not forget to indicate the entire amount of foreign currency that you took with you. Keep the customs declaration until your return to Russia.
• Check in for your flight at the check-in counter and receive your boarding pass. The check-in desk number is indicated on the central board opposite your flight number. All questions about your seat number on the plane are resolved only at the check-in desk.
• Pass border control in any cabin.
• Board the aircraft through the exit number indicated on the boarding pass.

Passengers of international flights go through customs, passport control, as well as security control, after which they await the departure of the flight in the sterile zone of the gallery of international airlines. Passport and boarding pass are presented at the checkpoint.

When transporting animals or plants, it is necessary to pass phytocontrol / veterinary control.

Rules for conducting pre-flight and post-flight inspections

In accordance with Appendix No. 1 of the Rules for conducting pre-flight and post-flight inspections, approved by order of the Ministry of Transport Russian Federation July 25, 2007 No. 104 forbidden to carry on board the aircraft by passengers in the checked baggage and in the belongings of the passengers, the following hazardous substances and items:

Permitted to carry on board the aircraft by crew members and passengers, in compliance with the required conditions, the following items and substances:

• in checked baggage in the cargo and baggage compartments of an aircraft with isolated passenger access to baggage during the flight:
  • crossbows, spearguns, checkers, sabers, cleavers, scimitars, broadswords, swords, swords, bayonets, daggers, hunting knives, knives with ejected blades, with locking locks, imitators of any type of weapon;
  • household knives (scissors) with a blade (blade) length over 60 mm; alcoholic beverages containing more than 24%, but not more than 70% alcohol by volume in containers with a capacity of not more than 5 liters, in containers intended for retail trade - not more than 5 liters per passenger;
  • liquids and alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of not more than 24% by volume;
  • aerosols intended for use for sports or domestic purposes, the outlet valves of which are protected by caps from spontaneous release of contents in containers with a capacity of not more than 0.5 kg or 500 ml - not more than 2 kg or 2 liters per passenger;
• in things carried by passengers:
  • medical thermometer - one per passenger;
  • mercury blood pressure monitor in a standard case - one per passenger;
  • barometer or mercury manometer, packed in a sealed container and sealed with the seal of the sender;
  • disposable lighters - one per passenger;
  • dry ice for cooling perishable products - no more than 2 kg per passenger;
  • 3% hydrogen peroxide - no more than 100 ml per passenger;
  • non-hazardous liquids, gels and aerosols: in containers with a capacity of not more than 100 ml (or an equivalent capacity in other volume units), packed in a securely closed transparent plastic bag with a volume of not more than 1 liter - one bag per passenger.

Liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 100 ml will not be accepted for carriage even if the container is only partially filled. Medicines have an exception for transportation, baby food and special dietary needs.

Liquids purchased at duty-free shops at the airport or on board the aircraft must be packed in a securely sealed (sealed) plastic bag that allows identification of the contents of the package during the flight and has reliable confirmation that this purchase was made at airport duty-free shops or on board the aircraft on the day(s) of travel. Keep your proof of purchase. Do not open the package either before boarding the cabin or during the flight.

The administration of the airport, airline, operator has the right to decide on the introduction of additional measures to ensure aviation security on flights with increased danger, as a result of which it is prohibited to carry the following items in the aircraft cabin:

• corkscrews;
• hypodermic needles (unless medical justification is provided);
• knitting needles;
• scissors with a blade length of less than 60 mm;
• folding (without latch) travel, penknives with a blade length of less than 60 mm.

Upon arrival at Sanya and Haikou airport

1. Upon arrival at the Sanya airport, you must go through passport control (a foreign passport is presented).
   From April 30, 2018, a new rule for passing border control at the Sanya airport is in force(Hainan Island China, international terminal). All tourists between the ages of 14 and 70 who arrive on the island by direct charter flights under the visa-free list, the following procedures will additionally be carried out:
   1. Removal of fingerprints;
   2. Biometric face photo.
   Also, selectively, some tourists may have their mobile devices checked for prohibited materials ().
   If the tourist refuses to go through this procedure, the airport border control has the right to deport the tourist. All deportation costs are borne by the tourist.
2. Get your baggage. The monitors above the baggage belts indicate the flight from which baggage will be issued on this belt.
3. At the exit of the airport building, go to a TEZ TOUR representative and ask for the number of your transfer bus. To do this, name the hotel where you will rest. The name of the hotel is on your voucher.
   Our representatives are wearing yellow shirts with blue ties and blue trousers/skirt.
4. Go to the parking lot, find the transfer bus you need, check in with the TEZ TOUR representative accompanying the bus, giving your last name, put your luggage in the luggage compartment of the bus.
5. Listen carefully to the information that the escort (transferman) will report on the way to the hotel. Also, the attendant (transferman) will inform you about the meeting time with your hotel guide.

Upon arrival at the hotel

1. Come to the TEZ TOUR counter to the hotel guides.
2. Fill out the registration card in English.
3. Hand over your passport and voucher (1 copy of 3) to the hotel guide. Passport is required for registration compulsory registration all tourists, it will be possible to pick it up in a day.
4. Expect settlement. Check-in at the hotel takes place at 15.00. Upon check-in, you will be given the keys to your room.
5. After checking into your room, check the information provided by the hotel. Pay attention to what services are paid and how much they cost (as a rule, the information is in a folder and lies on a table or bedside table).

Meeting with the hotel guide

The time of the meeting with the hotel guide will be reported to you by the accompanying person (transfer) on the way to the hotel. At the appointed time, you must approach the hotel guide, who will be waiting for you in the hotel lobby. Take your passport, voucher, air ticket for the return flight with you to the meeting.

For all questions and problems, please contact the hotel guide or the hotel reception. The guide's coordinates (photo, name, mobile phone) and the hours when the guide is directly at the hotel are indicated on the TEZ TOUR information stand in the hotel lobby.

The day before the flight home

1. Go to reception, check if you have unpaid bills for Additional services(use of mini-bar, telephone, etc.). If you have debts, pay them off.
2. In the evening, go to the TEZ TOUR information stand or the hotel guide and check the time of departure and departure from the hotel. To do this, you need to know the number of the return flight on which you are departing.

Departure from the hotel

On the day of departure, you must vacate the room before 12:00, return the keys and cards for towels.

You can leave your luggage in the hotel's storage room.

In order to avoid various complications, please do not be late and come to the transfer at the specified time.

Arrival at Sanya and Haikou airport for departure

1. Upon arrival at the airport, go to the check-in counter, where your flight number is indicated (the numbers of the counters will be additionally reported to you by the attendant (transfer) on the bus on the way to the airport).
2. Check in for the flight (provide your passport and ticket).
3. Drop off your luggage at the check-in desk.
4. Get your boarding pass. Pay attention to the exit number and the time for boarding the aircraft (in the boarding pass, the exit is indicated by the word GATE, the time is TIME).
5. Go through passport control (provide a foreign passport, a completed migration card for departure).
6. Proceed to the departure hall where you will be waiting for your flight boarding announcement.

Helpful information

Medical service

To receive free medical care, you must contact the numbers indicated in the medical policy of the insurance company. When contacting a medical institution without a referral from an insurance company, the tourist pays for the services on his own.

Vaccinations for travel to China are optional. You should not drink tap water. Use guaranteed safe water and drinks (boiled water, drinking water and drinks in factory packaging). Be sure to wash raw vegetables and fruits. Try to avoid food of "dubious origin", even if it looks attractive and appetizing, such as food prepared by vendors right on the street. Do not eat meat dishes not subjected to heat treatment.

Traditional Chinese medicine is rooted in ancient times, is an independent system that includes the theory of the occurrence of diseases, diagnostic methods and methods of treatment. There are four main methods of diagnosis: inspection, listening, questioning and palpation.

As for the treatment itself, there are currently the following main methods. Firstly, it is the use of drugs of natural origin: 80% - of plant origin, the remaining 20% ​​- of animal origin and minerals. Next comes acupuncture and moxibustion. In addition to exposure to needles, cauterization or heating with wormwood is also used.

Well-known clinics in Sanya Yukang, Longevity Garden, Taiji.

first aid kit

Before the trip, form and take a first aid kit with you, which will help you with minor ailments, save you time looking for medicines and get rid of the problems of communicating in a foreign language, in addition, many medicines can different countries bear different names.

General information on China

Political system. The political structure of the People's Republic of China - the Communist regime.

Time. The whole country lives according to Beijing time, while being located in five time zones. Time difference with Moscow: in winter + 5 hours, in summer + 4 hours.

Language. The official language is Chinese. The common script is Chinese hieroglyphics.

General information on Hainan Island

O. Hainan is a huge tropical island located in the very south of China. Hainan is washed by the waters of the South China Sea. The average annual temperature is +24°С, the amount of precipitation per year is 1500 mm. The climate of Hainan Island is mild, tropical, summer reigns on the island all year round. In summer, the air temperature during the day is usually around 33 degrees.

The true gem of the island is the year-round resort town Sanya. Most of the hotels and recreation areas are located in the three main bays of the city - these are Yalongwan (Dragon Bay), Dadonghai (Great East Sea) and Sanyabei.

Visa

Entry into the territory of China is carried out on the basis of a visa issued in advance at the Consulate of China or on the basis of a group visa-free list.

Time

Time ahead of Moscow by 4 hours.

Mains voltage

Mains voltage 220 V.

Tips

Tipping is not accepted in China, but it is enough to leave change in a restaurant. For drivers and maids, it is enough to leave a purely symbolic amount.

Customs

The amount of imported foreign currency is not limited. When importing more than $ 5,000, you must declare this in the customs declaration. The amount of RMB moved across the border should not exceed 6,000 RMB. Allowed duty-free import of 600 cigarettes, alcoholic beverages not more than 1.5 liters, jewelry for personal use.

Items prohibited for import:

• weapons and items imitating weapons;
• explosives;
• drugs and psychotropic drugs;
• pornography;
• religious literature with extremist content, political materials, audio and video materials related to racial discrimination, terrorism, military topics;
• materials that may harm the politics, economy and culture of China.

• canned food (meat and fish)
• meat (fresh, dried, ice cream, sausages, frankfurters, poultry, etc.)
• fish (dried, smoked, etc.) and seafood
• vegetables fruits

It is forbidden to export historical documents, valuable objects and works of art, as well as paintings and graphics without a store receipt confirming the legality of the purchase, or an export permit from the Chinese Administrative Department for Cultural Property under the Ministry of Culture of the PRC.

Power Bank (charger) with a capacity of more than 10000 Amp (amps) cannot be exported from China. We recommend that you do not bring these chargers with you, as customs may not allow / seize the Power Bank at the departure from the country.

It is forbidden to take lighters out of China, even in luggage.

Medicines are allowed to be exported only in luggage, if there is a receipt with a seal and an export permit or a prescription.

Money

Yuan (CNY) (1 yuan = 10 jiao = 100 fen). Banknotes of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 yuan are in circulation. The yuan exchange rate is set by the state. In colloquial speech, when denoting the price, instead of the word "yuan", "kuai" is also used, and instead of "jiao" - "mao". Yuan is in circulation in the form of paper bills and coins.

Within the PRC, circulation of foreign currency and settlement in it are prohibited. Foreign currency exchange is carried out at the branches of the Chinese Bank (Bank Of China), which are available at all airports, hotels and large stores. Currency exchange in the markets and streets is not recommended due to the increased risk of banknote substitution. Major credit cards accepted are American Express, JCB, Visa, Master Card and Diners Club. However, many expenses within the country, including transport, are paid only in cash.

Please note that when paying by cardMastercardmay have problems!

The shops

State-owned stores are open seven days a week from 9:30 to 20:30, private ones from 9:00 to 21:00, and often even longer. Markets usually open at 7:00 (some even at 4:00) and work until 10:00-12:00.

Unit of weight in China - 1 jin = 0.5 kg, the price of the product will be reported to you exactly for 1 jin.

In large state-owned stores and food stalls, prices are fixed. You have to bargain in the markets. Even if the product has a price tag, it is nothing more than a “landmark” indicating the order of the purchase price. The choice of souvenirs is huge, but many of them are of low quality. Chopsticks, beautiful china, cups, lacquer boxes, seals and scroll cases can be bought at every turn. Hangzhou and Suzhou are famous for their excellent tea and silk. Real antiques are sold, as a rule, only in state-owned stores and are expensive. When buying it, you must definitely obtain an export permit from the seller.

What to bring from Hainan Island:

• Pearl. Pearls are the pride of Hainan Island. Hainan pearls are a variety of the most famous "Nanzhu" pearl, which means southern pearl. It is generally accepted that the best pearls are mined in the South China Sea, which washes the island of Hainan.
• Tea. Rare and elite varieties of tea grow on the island. In teahouses, you can try different types of tea, learn about the art of brewing tea, and buy various varieties of healing tea.
• Silk. Gifts purchased here for your relatives and friends, whether it be silk clothes, silk bed linen or always fashionable silk paintings, will be remembered for a long time, because the art of silk has been living for more than one millennium.
• Crystal. Crystal in Hainan is rightly called the third treasure of the island after pearls and tea. The island has the largest deposits of rock crystal in China. Hainan crystal is considered the purest, so it is used to make jewelry and even glasses for glasses. Crystal carving is highly valued. For example, the sarcophagus of Mao Zedong was made from Hainan crystal.
• Shark oil. Back in the early 20th century, a Japanese doctor discovered a special substance in shark fat - squalene, which can act as a natural antibiotic. In addition, scientists have found that shark oil contains another important compound - alkoxyglycerides, which have a powerful effect on the immune system. Among other things, shark fat is the best supplier of valuable vitamins A, E, D - these are vitamins-fighters with age-related changes in the body. They improve vision, the condition of the skin, hair, strengthen blood vessels and bone tissue.

Hotels

Mandatory deposits in hotels in China (on the day of arrival)
When checking into most hotels in China, tourists may be charged a cash deposit for the safety of the contents of the room and minibar. Upon check-out from the hotel, the deposit is fully returned to tourists. The deposit must be paid on the day of arrival. The deposit can be made either in cash or blocked from a bank card*. Visa, Mastercard, Maestro cards are accepted.

*Attention! In the case of a bank card, when the funds are released by the hotel, the transaction does not go through immediately and in some cases can last 30 days (funds are returned to the owner's account within a month).

You are not allowed to bring your own drinks into the hotel restaurant.

It is not allowed to take food taken from the buffet outside the restaurant.

Beaches

All beaches in Hainan are municipal, when choosing a hotel, pay attention to the description, not all hotels have their own beach area with free sunbeds and umbrellas.

A tan. It is better to sunbathe before 11 am, otherwise overheating and sunburn threaten. Excessive exposure to the sun can ruin your entire vacation. Use sunscreen with high UV protection. Do not neglect headgear while for a long time in the sun

Transport

The main means of transportation in China are buses and taxis. To move around the city, it is better to use a taxi. On the roof of the car there is a sign "TAXI", and on the glass there is a payment for 1 km of the way, payment is made according to the meter. The fare for a taxi less than 2 km is 10 yuan, then 2 yuan for each kilometer. During holidays, the fare increases by 5 yuan.

The bus is the most economical mode of transport, bus routes provide connections throughout Sanya and the suburbs.

Main shuttle buses:

• Bus number 2: East station - Dadonghai - city center - Technical school
  Dadonghai Square - Xiazhi Department Store - Luhuitou Square - Sanya City Hall (Shidai Hai'an Bar Street) - First Market Crossing (Sanya International Trade Square) - Yifan Department Store - Public Parking Lot (Pedestrian Street) - City People's Hospital - Mingzhu Department Store - Nongken Hospital
• Bus No.15: Yalongbei Bay - Dadonghai Bay - City Center - Sanyabei Bay - West Station
  Yalunbey Bay - Club Hotel sea ​​world- Yalongbei Square - LiuPan Village - TianDu Village - NonSha Village - Ojiayuan Village - East Station - Dadonghai Bay - Palm Hotel - Luhuitou Square - Sanya City Hall (Bar Street) - Gangmen Village - High school Practices - People's Insurance Company - Taixing Hotel - Central Asia Hotel - Chinese Medicine Hospital - Shuili Building - General Parking (Pedestrian Street) - Red Salt Restaurant - TianDu Hotel - Chinese Bank - ShenYi Hotel (Sanyabei Bay) - Zinwei Hotel - 425 Hospital - Friendship Street - Nongken Hospital - West Station

Rent a Car
Since the international driving license is not valid in China, car rental is only possible "complete" with a driver. This is all the more convenient because driving in China is, to put it mildly, specific.

culture

Behavior rules. China is a country with centuries-old traditions and culture, so it is better not to violate social and religious norms so as not to offend the locals.

• You can not photograph military, strategic objects and government buildings, as well as people without first asking their permission.
• In China, it is not recommended to argue about political topics, especially about Mao Zedong, student unrest, and so on.
• You can not express dissatisfaction with the culture and history of China, as well as show disrespect for them.
• You can't litter, you can be fined for it.
• Do not show aggression or irritability towards the Chinese.
• Most Chinese treat tourists kindly, so be prepared for the fact that many locals will greet you and, perhaps, even point a finger - react calmly to this.
• It is not allowed to touch a woman, take her by the arm.
• It is not customary to open the door in front of a woman or give her a place, because. women and men in China have equal rights.
• You should refrain from smoking in hotels, parks, squares and on the street, and drinking alcoholic beverages is also prohibited in these places.
• Take food with chopsticks from a plate should be silent.
• Noodles need to be pulled in with noise - this is what all the Chinese do, this indicates how tasty you are.
• You can’t stick chopsticks (or appliances) vertically into a bowl of food - this resembles incense smoking in a temple, and therefore evokes thoughts of a transition to another world.
• In no case should you string pieces of food on sticks - this will offend every Chinese.

Phones

Upon arrival in China, it is most profitable to buy a local SIM card, because. calls will cost less than if you call from the hotel. cellular distributed in China almost throughout the territory. When buying a SIM card, you should make sure that the selected tariff plan has international roaming. In addition, it is better to ask the seller on the spot to activate it, because. doing it yourself can be difficult without knowing Chinese. You can buy a SIM card at China Telecom, China Mobile, China Unicom offices. You can also purchase cards for international calls with per-minute payment.

For calls to Russia, you need to dial 007 (Russian code) + city code + the phone number you need.

When dialing a Chinese landline number from your mobile phone, you need to dial: + 7 + 86 (China code) + area code + the phone number you need.

Useful Phones

• International help desk(in English): 115
• Police and rescue service: 110
• Fire department: 119
• Ambulance: 120
• Traffic police: 122
• Information Service for Foreigners in Critical Situations:
  in Shanghai 8-10-86-21-6-439-06-30,
  in Guangzhou 8-10-86-20-8-667-74-22

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