While in China

Tipping has become customary in China for international visitors. The people working in the international travel industry are very well trained and provide excellent service. Tip amounts are discretionary, but here are some suggested amounts that might help you out.

Tour Groups – You may want to check with your travel consultant for guidance, but generally, it’s up to you, depending on your level of satisfaction of the service provided.

Hotel Service – .US $1-$2 per day for maid service & US $1/piece for luggage handling.

Waiters/Waitresses – Tipping at a restaurant is not necessary and, in fact, some restaurants have a policy against tips, so they may be refused. On the other hand, some upscale restaurants will include a 10-15% service charge on your bill. Normally, you will find a sign at the reception area if such a fee will be applied.

Mail – Many hotels provide postal service.  Check with your concierge desk for postage fee information.

Phones-

• International Direct Dial (IDD) service is available at all major hotels and airports.
• Phone Cards can be purchased at vending machines in airports or hotels.  They are also available at city newsstands and some major attractions.
• GSM Cell Phones can be used in China if you contact your service provider to unlock the SIM card. You can purchase a local number for immediate use at a cost of 100 Yuan, and you can recharge as necessary.
• Skype is a free software program that allows you to make phone calls over the internet.  Skype to Skype phone calls are free and calls to landlines or cell phones are comparatively cheaper.  (For additional information, please refer to http://www.skype.com).

Internet- Most hotels in big cities offer broadband internet connections inside the rooms.  Internet cafes are also widely available. 

WATER

• Most restaurants and hotels will provide complementary bottled water daily.
• It is not a good idea to buy bottled water off the street, especially in remote villages, as the quality cannot be guaranteed.

• Electrical outlets in China use 220 volts.
• Most luxury and medium-grade hotels will have sockets with adapters in the washrooms.  Check with the front desk if you don’t see one.
• Most laptop computers and cell phones have a built in converter that will fit 100-240 volts, but you should check your equipment to make sure. 

Local Market and Street Vendors – Shopping at a local market can be a fun experience, full of unique merchandise and great deals. Sometimes the vendors become pushy and it’s best to ignore their aggressive behavior. The term “Wo Bu Yao”, meaning “I don’t want it”, will also help you get them to back off.  As far as quality is concerned, we wouldn’t recommend purchasing anything of high value.

Souvenir Shops -You can often pick up some really unique souvenirs at specialty shops set up inside private museums, ancient houses, local people’s homes, and even schools.

Friendship Stores- Sponsored by the government, these stores are designed to provide tourists with a pleasant shopping atmosphere. There are less bargaining opportunities at a Friendship Store, but the quality of the merchandise is carefully controlled so you can be confident with anything you take home.

CURRENCY

Renminbi - Renminbi is the currency in China and is often abbreviated at RMB. The basic unit is Yuan. The exchange rate between Yuan and Dollars is approximately 6.5 to 1 (as of May 2011).

Hong Kong Dollars – Hong Kong’s currency is the Hong Kong Dollar, usually referred to as HKD. The exchange rate is approximately 7.8 to 1 (as of May 2011).

As foreign currency fluctuates, please use a currency calculator for current conversion rates before your departure (http://www.x-rate.com/calculator.html).

CREDIT CARDS

The use of credit cards is on the rise throughout China, particularly in major tourist cities.

• Accepted cards include Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB and Diners Club (Discover is not accepted in China yet).
• You can use your credit card in hotels rated three stars and above, Friendship Stores, many department stores and upscale restaurants.
• You must have cash to pay for transportation costs, including flights, as credit cards are not accepted.
• Cash advances on credit cards are generally available at the Bank of China, but there is a 4% commission fee.

TRAVELER’S CHECKS

• Not only are traveler’s checks safer than cash, but they offer a more favorable exchange rate.
• It’s best to stick to major companies, such as American Express and Citibank to make sure your checks will be accepted anywhere.
• They can only be exchanged in banks and hotels.

ATMs

There are more and more ATM machines available across major tourist cities in China.  However, it’s not a good idea to rely on them exclusively.  If you’re planning to use your ATM card while you visit these major cities, we’d advise that you notify your bank.  Some institutions decline foreign transactions if they haven’t been informed beforehand.  You may also want to inquire whether they have a maximum withdrawal amount.