The Chinese Government issues different types of visas according to the purposes of the visitors. Foreigners wishing to travel to China should apply to a local Chinese embassy or consulate for tourist visas(L). In the event of a group tour of more than nine persons, the organizer has to apply for group tourist visas(L). Foreigners requesting to visit Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Xiamen Special Economic Zones may apply directly to visa authorities in these zones for tourist visas to special economic zones. Foreign tourist groups from Hong Kong for a 72-hour visit to the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone are exempt from entry visas. When applying for a visa, foreigners are required to answer certain questions and go through the following formalities: 1)providing a valid passport or any document in place of a passport; 2)filling in a visa application form and handing inup-to-date passport photos; 3)submitting documents needed for visa application and documents which explain one's reason(s) to enter China. A foreigner holding the tourist visa (L) should go to an appointed port of entry or one which is opened to foreigners, receive the examination by a frontier inspection station, submit a valid passport and visa for inspection, and fill in an entry card; entry into China is granted only after the frontier inspection has approved all the documents and stamped them with an entry seal.

Foreigners may travel in places opened to them in China with a valid passport and tourist visa(L). By March 1996, China had opened 1, 220 cities and counties to foreign visitors. Foreigners travelling with their own transport vehicles should apply for approval before they enter China. These include bicycles, motorcycles, cars, boats and aircrafts.

Foreign tourists are not allowed to enter areas not opened to foreigners;violators will be penalized according to law. Foreigners who want to visit an area on business not opened to them should apply to the local public security organ for a Foreigners Travel Permit. When they apply for such a permit, they should show their own passports and valid visas, provide letters which explain the reasons for such a visit, and fill in the Application Form for Foreign Travellers. Only after approval is granted, can they enter the area not opened to foreign visitors. The Foreigners Travel Permit should be used along with the passport.

When applying for lodging in a hotel, guesthouse, school or any other Chinese establishment, a foreign visitor should provide a valid passport and fill in a registration form for temporary lodging. A foreign visitor staying with a Chinese family should apply to the local public security organ within seventy-two hours after arrival with valid identification documents of both the guest and the host. A foreign visitor staying with a Chinese family in a rural area should apply to the local police station or residential administrative organ within seventy-two hours after arrival. This stipulation also applies to a foreign visitor staying in a foreign establishment or with a foreigner's family in China.

A foreign tourist may travel in China within the approved period of time. If he wishes to continue travelling in China after the approved time of his stay expires, he should apply to the local public security organ for the extension of his stay. After he has finished his travel in China, he should fill in an exit document before his visa expires and submit his documents to the frontier inspection station in a port opened to foreigners; he is allowed to leave the country only after his document is stamped with an approval seal.

A foreigner staying in China with a tourist visa (L) is not allowed to engage in activities beyond the capacity as a tourist, such as employment, religious propaganda and illegal journalist interviewing. Violators of this stipulation will be punished. The Chinese Government protects the lawful rights of foreigners in China. On their part, foreigners staying in China should abide by the Chinese laws and respect the Chinese habits and customs, and on no account should they do anything to jeopardize China's national security, public interests and social order.

A foreigner who has lost his passport in China should promptly report to the local public security organ, explain what has happened, apply to the Embassy or Consulate of his own country for an exit document with a certificate issued by the local public security organ, and go through related formalities at an entry and exit inspection department. Only then is he allowed to leave China.

Do I need a visa to visit China?

Answer: Yes, people of non-Chinese nationality need a Chinese Visa to enter China.

How to get a Chinese visa?

Answer: To successfully apply for a Chinese Visa, you need to provide a valid passport, filled application form, and photos in person or through a third person. The process usually takes 5-7 working days.

For our visas, do we need something from you stating we are traveling with your tour company?

Answer: In some cases, our statement is not a necessity but if required, we will be delightful to provide you an official invitation letter, which shows we are the agent arranging your Chinese tours for you.

My China trip starts in 6 months. Could you tell me when I should apply for my Visa?

Answer: Our suggestion is not to apply for your tourist visa too early. The earliest time you should consider is 3 months before your trip starts, as 3 month is the duration of a tourist visa. If you apply too early, your visa will be invalid before you enter China. For example, if your trip starts on Oct 10 and your visa is granted on Jun 2, then by Sep 02 your visa will have expired.

Do I need a visa for a visit to Hong Kong?

Answer: Passport holders of certain countries or holding certain passports DO NOT need a visa during the specified visa-free period. Travelers who are not from those countries or those who want to stay longer need to apply for the appropriate visa or entry permit from the nearest Chinese Embassy. As an alternative, you may submit your visa or entry permit application to the HKSAR Immigration Department either directly by post or through a local sponsor.

More detailed information can be accessed at the website of the Immigration Department of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region at the following page: http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas_4.htm

Question: Do I need a visa to enter Macau as a traveler?

Answer: There are more than 50 countries and territories, whose passport holders can enter Macau without a Visa within the 'visa-free period'. For those who need visas, they can get visa approved upon arrival at the airport. For details, please visit the website of the Government of Macao Special Administrative Region at the page:http://www.dsi.gov.mo/index_e1.html

Question: I notice you also organize tours to regional countries around China, so can you handle the Visas for us?

Answer: We suggest our clients handle their own visa applications both for China and other countries, as requirements may vary across the different countries of our visitors. For visas to any other countries you may wish to visit, please contact each country's local Embassy or Consultants for detailed information just as you would for your Chinese Visa.

Question: Is it safe to travel in China?

Answer: Yes. China is still one of the safer travel destinations in the world. Although petty crime, such as pick pocketing and purse snatching is on the increase, especially in major cities, serious crime against foreigners is rare. Also, the Chinese government guarantees the safety of the foreign travelers, even if relations between the visitor's home country and China are poor.

Considering all this, it doesn't mean that you shouldn't be as cautious in China as you would be anywhere else.

Question: What is the best way to visit China - join a pre-packaged tour or travel independently?

Answer: Most visitors to China prefer to take a tour arranged by travel agents, since it is the simplest, most efficient and the most comfortable way of traveling. Independent traveling, though more flexible and easier to customize, is difficult. Problems may arise due to cultural and language barriers for travelers who attempt to arrange accommodations, meals, sightseeing, and transportations for themselves.

Question: When is the best time to visit China?

Answer: In general, April, May, early June, September, October and early November are the best time to visit China.

Question: Do I need vaccinations to enter China?

Answer: Only yellow fever vaccination certificates are required from travelers from infected area. We do suggest travelers follow the suggestions of the World Health Organization and their doctors. We also suggest travelers bring along the international certificate of vaccination, which is often required at the customs.

Question: What health condition do I need to travel to China? Do I need to bring my medical record?

Answer: Generally speaking, there are no special health requirements for travel to China. But for those pregnant, elderly, disabled and child travelers as well as travelers with poor health, special care should be taken. Elderly travelers, or those with medical problems, are advised to make a thorough physical examination before visiting China. Travel to high-altitude areas such as Tibet is not suitable for those with pulmonary or heart problems and hypertension.

All travelers are encouraged to bring along their medical records, which will be of great help should an emergency occur. A complete medical record should include your blood type, vaccination record, allergies, medications you are currently taking (both prescription and non-prescription), your doctor's name, address, phone number, emergency contact name and phone number, and your insurance company's name, address and phone number.

Question: What should I pack?

Answer: We suggest you pack lightly, as most of the daily articles are available in China.

Question: May I take Chinese currency to China for my convenience?

Answer: Yes, you can take CNY to China, but you are limited in the value you can bring in accordance with the regulations of the General Administration of China Customs published on Jul 1st, 2005. According to the regulation, passengers who carry over CNY20, 000 in cash or foreign currencies in cash with a value exceeding US$ 5,000 shall be dealt with by the Customs according to relevant regulations currently in force. In the case that passengers carry foreign currencies exceeding US$ 5,000 in cash, and the intension is to take this money out of the country at the end of their stay, the passengers must complete Customs Declaration Forms in duplicate, one copy of which shall, after being endorsed by the Customs, be returned to the passengers for relevant procedures at the time of their exit.

It is quite easy to exchange your currency into CNY at your arrival airports, as well as hotels and banks in China, so it is not really necessary to bring Chinese currency to China.