What You Need to Know
Visas
| You will require a visa to enter China.
All tourists must complete the application form found at the Chinese Embassy's website and together with your valid passport, at least 6 months prior to its expiry, send it to your local Peoples Republic of China embassy for processing. A fee is required and usually the processing time is one week. Please apply for your visa at least two months prior to leaving on our tour to make sure you have everything you need before arriving on your experience of a life time trip to Beijing. More information about China and your visa requirements can be found at the Chinese Embassy's website. Please make sure you comply with all regulations to ensure safe and speedy passage through immigration when you arrive in Beijing. |  |
Packing
When packing for your journey of a lifetime be very circumspect about what you pack, remember you are going on a shopping holiday and suitcase space is at a premium. Always remember that if you forget something you can always buy it in Beijing.
Recommended General Packing List
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Clothes and Footwear
Weather wise, the heat in northern China where Beijing is situated will have finally begun to let off as September leads the way to autumn. It's also significantly dryer in September than in the summer months. Nevertheless you can expect some hot days, the following information will help you prepare for your journey to Beijing.
However, the following is just a guide for your consideration:
- Light versatile clothes – cotton and quick drying (dark colours recommended)
- Underwear/socks
- Swimwear
- Comfortable walking shoes – trainers/sandals
- Smart/casual outfit for evenings out.
Medication
If you need to take medication please ensure you have sufficient with you for the entire length of your trip away from home-it is not always easy to get prescriptions filled in Beijing.
The following are recommendations only:
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Money & Bargaining
The old standby used to be traveller’s checks but times have changed. While ATMs are everywhere, the credit card is not nearly as ubiquitously used as in the West although will be accepted in most hotels and larger restaurants. Find out the best way to manage your cash in China, as well as how to spend it...don't forget prices are negotiable!
When exchanging money in China, it is important to retain exchange receipts. These are needed to convert Renminbi back into foreign currency when leaving China. You may convert up to half of the amount of Renminbi shown on your receipts. Alternatively you can take currency out of China and convert abroad though exchange rates will mean losses! Note that this only relates to cash exchange receipts. Withdrawal receipts from ATM's will not allow you to convert your RMB's back to foreign currency in China.
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Tipping
Tipping is not a part of Chinese culture or tradition, and several establishments actually have a strict no tipping policy. This includes restaurants, massage studios, etc. Likewise, taxi drivers in Beijing, Shanghai and most other Chinese cities are not accustomed to tipping at all because they are required by the law to give a receipt to every passenger. Therefore, no tip necessary.
The only place where a tip might be expected is at a high-end hotel catering to western tourists. And the only reason tipping is expected there is because western tourists have conditioned the behaviour.
Ten Basic Rules - Getting the most out of the experience
IEC Rule 1: Always try to learn a few catch Chinese phrases
Nothing opens the door for you like a "Ni hao ma?" (How are you?) or a "Duo shao qian?" (How much?). Don't worry, you will not be plunged headfirst into a Chinese conversation. Nothing is bought or sold without the ubiquitous large format calculator. Whole transactions can be wordless as you hand the calculator back and forth. But opening with some Chinese will ease you up to the bargaining table and will put a smile on the vendor's face.
IEC Rule 2: How to really bargaining-start at a fraction of the asking price
Bargaining is an art and great fun too, so deciding on how low to begin your side of the bargaining depends on what you're shopping for. Typically, if shopping for inexpensive items, start at perhaps 25-50% of the asking price. For example, if you are shopping for something which should probably be about 25rmb (US$ 3) and the seller asks for 50rmb, then best to offer 15rmb and work up from there. If the item is very expensive, it's better to start lower, say 10% of the asking price, so you have more room to manoeuvre. There's nothing more disappointing in a bargaining game than starting too high.
IEC Rule 3: Have a good first and practice a little on inexpensive items
Before you have your heart set on something, practice bargaining a little for something to which you are less attached and can therefore walk away if need be. Small inexpensive items like tea pots, fans and chopsticks can all be good things to buy for souvenirs. Warm up a little before you get into the higher ticket items.
IEC Rule 4: Don’t rush-Take your time
Being in a rush is the bane of the bargainers’ existence, it is also pointless. Time is not on your side: the vendor has all the time in the world; he can sell his trinket tomorrow. So if you are on a plane tomorrow morning and you've left yourself an hour to do your shopping don’t buy something you have had your heart set on and really want but don’t have the time and the money to pay what’s asked without being able to bargain..
If you can, take time and don't be rushed. If the seller isn't coming down on the item you want, walk away and peruse other stalls. You might find it cheaper elsewhere and you can use the price to drive the other vendor down as a starting price, this will give you a guide as to the real value of the item..
IEC Rule 5: Know your budget and decide how much you're willing to spend on an item
A good way to defend yourself against the shopping demons that force you to pay too much for stuff you didn't really want is to decide as you look at something what its worth to you. With everything I pick up, I say to myself "I'd pay $XX for this." This helps me focus my bargaining and when the price goes over what I want to pay, and then I walk away (see next).
IEC Rule 6: Use the Walk Away Technique (WAT!)
I love the Walk Away technique (WAT) and I find in big touristy places like Yashow or Hong Qiao it usually works quite well. After you reach an impasse and the price is still too high give your final offer and walk away slowly but looking pointedly at other items. Usually you will be called back. Occasionally it doesn’t happen and that’s an opportunity to learn for next time. Or if you are desperate to have that item you may have to just swallow your pride and go back and pay the higher price.
IEC Rule 7: Don't feel sorry for the seller
Vendors love to play like you've ruined their day with your hard bargaining. You'll hear everything from "Now my child won't have any dinner," to "You are getting this for less than I paid for it!" or “You are killing me”! Lies! All lies! Don't worry the vendor is making a profit. They are not going to sell you anything out of the goodness of their hearts. It's a game and its fun to play. So play right back and say something like "Yes, but now I can't afford to have any dinner either!"
IEC Rule 8: Warning! Be careful with your belongings
Crowded markets are a pick-pocket's haven. If you can, divide your cash up in several places (front pockets, money belt, wallet, and purse) and don't carry your passport unless you have to.
IEC Rule 9: Cashing up
Certainly, the vendor likes to peer into your wallet to see how many 100rmb (US$ 18) notes you have stacked inside, but they are not going to suddenly change their price when they see you could have paid double. It’s never been an issue getting change or being yelled at for having more money than I claimed. However, be careful with your cash, remember IEC Rule 8.
IEC Rule 10: Enjoy your experience of a life time
Shopping and being in China is so different from anywhere else, so enjoy it, make the most of the experience and don’t get annoyed or frustrated with hassling vendors, it’s their job, if you don’t like this sort of thing, then perhaps this is not the holiday for you!