Pilgrim Tours

Many seasoned travelers are not aware that their health insurance may not cover them outside of the country. If you need to cancel your trip due to an unforeseen emergency or serious illness, most of your trip may be non-refundable if you are not insured. In the event you become ill during your travels, finding and receiving medical may be very frustrating without insurance. Travel insurance also covers lost baggage and worldwide emergency assistance. Insurance premiums are non refundable as that is a separate contract with the insurance company.

Visa Information

Visas are required by all foreigners entering Mainland China. U.S. citizens also need a valid U.S. passport for entry into China. Make three copies of your passport. Leave one copy at home with your family and carry the other separately from your original. Due to new airline regulations, a copy of your passport must also be sent to Pilgrim Tours.

Health Certificates Language Spoken

Currency

The currency in China is Renminbi (RMB). Check the travel section of your newspaper or the Internet for the most recent exchange rate. American money can most conveniently be exchanged for Chinese currency by your tour guide or at your hotel, which usually charge the official rate. You need to keep your exchange receipts if you want to change any of your remaining RMB at the end of your trip. You cannot exchange Chinese money for American money at the airports or upon return to the United States.

The hotel is also equipped to cash travelers’ checks. Foreign currency and travelers’ checks can also be changed at the main branches of the Bank of China, Friendship Stores and some department stores. Travelers’ checks are useful because the exchange rate is more favorable than that for cash; Thomas Cook, American Express, and Bank of America are most commonly accepted.

Credit cards are gaining ground in China, with Visa, MasterCard, American Express (branches in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Xiamen), JCB and Diners Club the most common. Cards can be used in most mid to top-range hotels and Friendship and department stores, but cannot be used to finance your transportation costs. Cash advances can be made at head branches of the Bank of China (4% commission).

Voltage

Electricity is 220 volts, 50 AC. Plugs can be three-pronged angled, three-pronged round, two flat pins or two narrow round pins. You will need to bring along the necessary converters to operate any 120-volt appliances such as hair dryers, electric razors, etc.

Medication

If you are required to take daily medications, explain your dosage to someone traveling with you in case there is a problem or a medical emergency. Ask your doctor to write an extra prescription to take with you to use if your medication is lost. All medication should be labeled or kept in its original container, including over-the-counter medication.

Baggage Allowance

For air and train travel within China, each passenger may have one carry-on bag, the dimensions of which shall not exceed 45 inches, as it must fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead compartment. For international flights only, two checked bags no more than 70 lbs each and totaling 106 inches in dimension are allowed, along with the standard carry-on. Be sure your checked luggage is clearly marked (using the baggage tags provided). The Pilgrim Tours tag does not take the place of your luggage tag, which should have your name, address, and phone number on it. It is wise to also insert an index card with your name, address and phone number inside your luggage. Important Note - Medicines, items of value or important documents such as passports and traveler’s checks, as well as jewelry, should be carried on your person. Don’t leave any luggage unattended in public areas and DON’T accept packages from strangers to carry on the plane.

The whole of China is set on Beijing time, which is eight hours added to GMT/UTC. China is a day ahead of the U.S.

Climate

City		Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Beijing	Low	15	19	30	45	55	64	70	68	57	45	31	19
	High	34	39	52	67	79	86	87	85	78	66	50	37
Shanghai	Low	32	34	41	51	60	68	76	76	68	58	47	36
	High	45	47	54	65	74	81	88	88	81	72	62	51

City	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Beijing	.1	.2	.4	1.0	1.1	2.8	6.9	7.2	1.9	.7	.2	.1
Shanghai	1.5	2.3	3.2	4.0	4.5	6.0	5.1	5.2	6.1	2.4	2.0	1.4

Pre-Flight

Leave your travel information with a family member or friend, including a copy of your passport, your flight itinerary, travel itinerary, hotel names and phone numbers. In the event of an emergency, family members may contact Pilgrim Tours at 800-322-0788.

Dress comfortably for the flight, wearing clothes that allow freedom of movement and shoes that slip on and off easily.

Check-in time for international flights is normally TWO hours prior to departure. When checking in at the airport, a valid passport is needed as proof of identification for international travelers. Upon departure from China, you will need to fill out an information card which is available before going through security.

In order to avoid jet lag, limit caffeine, alcohol and carbonated beverages. Rather, opt for natural fruit juices and water.

What to Pack

Comfortable, casual clothing that can be layered to match China’s changing weather. Planning your wardrobe around one or two colors is also helpful. Dress throughout is casual. Dress for dinner is not formal, but shorts or bare toes are not considered appropriate. Be sure to include comfortable walking shoes and a lightweight jacket for mornings and evenings.

A raincoat and rain hat (or poncho) is easier to use when sightseeing than an umbrella. A sun hat/rain hat for touring open areas is recommended.

Be sure to keep important items such as documents, money, medications, keys, etc. on your person or in your carry-on luggage. Never pack these items in your checked luggage.

Do not make yourself a target by wearing expensive jewelry. A good way to conceal your money and valuables is by purchasing an inexpensive, lightweight pouch that attaches around your waist and is worn under your clothes. Do not over-pack. Leave room in your suitcase for souvenirs.

If you are traveling with a companion, it is a good idea to cross-pack some of your items. Put half of your items in your companion’s luggage and vice-versa. This will ease the frustration of lost luggage.

Take along a small backpack. When you are touring, fill it with bottled water, tissues, notebook and pen. It will also come in handy for carrying souvenirs.

Don’t forget these travel sized necessities: sewing kit, first-aid kit, tissues, travel clock, toiletries, notebook and pen, pre-printed address labels (for sending postcards), plastic “zip-locking” bags (for storing open bottles and containers). Purchase your film and batteries in the US. Remember to bring extra for your video camera.

Tipping

While tipping is not mandatory in China, we suggest tips in American dollar value as follows: porters $1.00 per bag, tour guides $2.00 per day, drivers $1.00 per day, and maids $1.00 per day. No tips for waitstaff or taxi drivers.

Meals

For meals that are not included on your itinerary, check with your group leader or the front desk at the hotel for suggestions (be sure to mention the price range).

Chinese cuisine is justifiably famous, memorably diverse and generally not for the squeamish. The Chinese themselves like to say they’ll eat anything with four legs except a table. For the most part, however, it’s a case of doing ingenious things with a limited number of basic ingredients. The cuisine can be divided into four regional categories: Beijing/Mandarin and Shandong (with steamed bread and noodles as staples), Cantonese and Chaozhou (lightly cooked meats and vegetables), Shanghainese (the home of ‘red cooking’ and wuxi spare ribs) and Sichuan (spicy, with lots of chilli). Tea, soda, and bottled water are the most common nonalcoholic beverage on sale. For drinking purposes, only drink bottled water.

Communications

There are facilities in hotels for mailing letters, sending telegrams, faxes and e-mail, and making overseas long distance calls. Long distance telephone calls may be made from your hotel room but must be booked at the front desk in the lobby

Shopping

Check with your group leader or the front desk for the best shopping areas. Time for shopping will be arranged during your tours at the various sites. Department stores are open in the evenings in the major cities and many passengers go on shopping excursions after dinner, returning to their hotels on their own or by taxi. Your hotel will give you an address card in Chinese and advise you on which cabs to take.

What to know before you go to

CHINA

Travel Insurance