CHINA TRAVEL FAQ    

You may exchange Chinese Yuan (RMB) at most of major hotels or banks. Some large hotels and stores also accept MC or Visa; But most places outside major cities, the only way to conduct business is with Cash or local bank card.

You may call direct from your hotel phone, but it's cheaper if you buy a phone card to make international call. Cell phone coverage and service level are very high in China, you may want to bring a GSM tri-band phone, just buy a local SIM card and charge airtime as you go.

Internet services are avaiable in most tourist hotels, and there're many neighorhood internet cafes all around where you can use their service that cost very little.

It's not customary to tip taxi drivers and restaurant servers in China, however if they went out of their way to help your, you may want to show a little gratitude at your discretion. Some establishment such as tour group/hotels/restaurants that frequented by foreigners may expected a tip for their services.

What are the public holidays ?

Public holidays are 
  New Year - Dec 30, Dec 31, Jan 1
  Lunar New Year - Feb 6,7,8,9,10,11,12 
  Qingming - Apr 4,5,6
  May Day - May 1,2,3
  Duanwu - Jun 7,8,9
  Mid-Autumn - Sep 13,14,15,
  National Day - Sep 29,30, Oct 1,2,3,4,5

Unless you enjoy crowdness, it's generally not adviserable to travel in China during long holiday period, espcially around May Day and the National Day, as most of transportation means and tourist sites will likely to be overloaded.

How do I use airport shuttle service ?

While taxi is still most conveninent mean to get to where you want to go, almost all Chinese airports has frequent and conveninent public transit to move passengers between airport and city center. most shuttle lines are numbered according to geographic region and major hotels, a good command of Chinese words would be helpful; You need to do some home work ahead of time.

Because China uses 220 volt power, and with different outlet socket, you may want to bring power convertor for your electronic gadgets. Most of personal effects and electronic goods are readily avaiable and in fair quality in China; Food and drink served and sold there are reasonablely safe and clean, however you may want to bring your common illness medicine along. A good map and travel guide is a must if you do not know how to speak Chinese.

Innner city subways are available in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, in other cities, you may take taxi or bus, but try aviod bus during rush hour. Most public transit cost a 1-3 RMB regardless distance, taxi ride usually runs 20 RMB for a 15 minutes trip.

For inter-city travel, you may choose to take flight, train or long distance bus. China Railroad network is very extensive and bus schedule very frequent, they are both a economic way to travel around in China, however as you will encounter, English signs and speakers are hard to come by outside tourist area, so ask hotel staff to help you arrange transportation.

Generally China is a safe place to visit, however as in any tourist area, you need to be aware of your sourounding, mindful of your belonging in crowded area; a good map and your hotel/attraction list will be helpful to avoid confusion. If you take a taxi, member the taxi badge number so you can complain to authority later on if you feel you are getting rid off.

Thoughout China, Police Emergency call is 110, medical emergency call is 120.

This's a subjective question, however based on popularity and internet survey:

1. Greate Wall (Badaling/Mutianyu/Jinshanling, Beijing City)
2. Forbidden City (Beijing City)
3. Terra Cotta Soilders (Xian, Shanxi Province)
4. Potala Palace (Lahsa, Tibet SAR)
5. Guilin/Yangshuo(Guilin region, Guangxi SAR)
6. Lijiang (Lijiang, Yunnan Province)
7. Three Gorges on Yangtze (Sichuan Province)
8. West Lake (Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province)
9. Jiuzhaigou Valley (Sichuan Province)
10. Suzhou Gardens (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province)