Air China International
General Information
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General Information
Accommodations
Luxury hotels can be found in China’s major cities and reservations can be made through travel agencies. Within the luxury hotels, you will find hairdressers, and shops carrying personal items. In small cities or remote areas within China, the hotels are clean but not luxury.
Flights
Air China and most major airlines in America and Europe offer flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Guanzhou, and Hong Kong. From these cities you can connect to other Chinese cities. Once you are in China, domestic flights can be booked through the Air China website and hotline as well as local airline offices and hotels.
Business Centers
Most hotels have business centers. Services offered include internet, copying, faxing, translating and drafting documents. In most business centers, you will be able to rent and/or use a computer.
Business Hours
Business hours in Beijing and other large cities are Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5:30pm, usually with a one hour lunch break. Government organizations and businesses are closed on public holidays, the first week of Chinese New Year marked on the lunar calendar, the first week starting from May 1st, and the week long National Holiday Day starting on October 1st. Retail shops, post offices, restaurants and most banks are open seven days a week.
Public Holidays
In China, there are 10 national holidays per year:
- New Year’s Day – 1 day
- Spring Festival (also called Chinese New Year) – 3 days sometime in late January or early to mid February
- May 1st Labor Day – 3 days
- October 1st National Day – 3 days
When there are 3-day holidays, it is customary for people to “borrow weekends” to extend their time-off to a full week. Also, most offices and agencies extend the time-off through the entire week.
Entertainment
Most hotels are in close proximity to cinemas, operas, music halls, discos and other types of entertainment. Gambling, drug and sex-related businesses are prohibited by law.
Electronic Equipment
China uses the European system of 220V. Most hotels have a socket in the bathroom for both 110V and 220V. Outside of the bathroom, you should only connect your 110V appliances if you have a transformer to convert the voltage.
Health Concerns
Consult with your doctor on whether you need any vaccinations to visit China. Also, bring with you any medications that your taking as you may not be able to find them in China.
Travel Insurance
We advise that you have proper medical insurance incase you get sick or have an accident. If you need to be hospitalized in China, you may have to pay first and then file a claim with your insurance company.
Language Information
Most hotels and businesses in major cities should have some English speaking staff. If you are in a remote area, it may be difficult to find someone who speaks English so ask someone at the hotel to provide an English interpreter to assist you if needed.
Internet
In most four and five star hotels, you should find internet service in your room. In other hotels, you should be able to access it in the business center. If you are in a major city, you can also go to an internet café.
English Media
Most four and five star hotel gift shops sell English language newspapers that are published overseas such as the International Herald Tribune and the Financial Times. Most hotels will have complimentary copies of the China Daily which is the only national English language newspaper in China. Most hotels and popular restaurants and bars have free English language magazines that provide many listings.
At major hotels in large cities, you should have some international TV channels such as CNN, BCC, Star TV, ESPN and National Geography which are available via satellite. China Central TV Station offers English programs on Channels 4 and 9. By 2008, there should be approximately 200 international channels in China through international TB signal transmission by eight submarine cables and five satellites.
Guide books and travel maps can be found in most gift stores in major hotels as well as foreign language bookstores in major cities.
Safety
China has a low crime rate however it is still wise to be cautious with your personal belongings while in public places. There are pickpocketers in crowded areas such as stations, markets and shopping areas. Try not to show your money in public and take only what you need with you while out in public areas. Be sure to use your safe in the hotel. If there are any problems, report it to the hotel or police immediately.
Sports
Most hotels have swimming pools and gyms. You should be able to book golf and tennis activities through your hotel and find out where to go horseback riding, sailing and any other activities you may want to do. Bowling alleys and pool tables can be found in most major cities.
Taxis
It’s best to book taxis and limousines through your hotel and agree on the price before you go. For transportation to and from the airport, it’s best to use the hotel shuttles.
You should have no problem finding taxis in China. In larger cities, you will find luxurious sedans but the cost is higher than the regular taxis. Taxi fares vary from city to city and the majority of taxi drivers don’t speak any English although they are encouraged to learn and speak simple English. If you don’t speak Chinese, it is best to get your destination with address written down in Chinese and show it to your taxi driver.
Washrooms
Washrooms in public areas and in some restaurants are poorly managed. We advise that you go to a hotel or large restaurant if you need to use the washroom.
Weather
Most of China is in the temperate and subtropical zones. Generally, the southern area (East China, South China and Southwest China) is warm, humid and rainy. The northern area of China (North China, Northeast China and Northwest China) is dry and windy.
In the spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November), you will need a lined jacket or wool sweater over light clothes. In the summer (June-August), light cotton garments are recommended. In the winter (December – February), a light cotton coat will keep you warm enough in the southern area of China, but in the northern area of China you will need a wool or down coat to keep warm.
Late spring and late summer are often rainy especially in the southern area of China, so it would be wise to bring some rainwear with you. Also, we recommend that you bring a good pair of walking shoes whenever you visit China.
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Temperature Chart for Major Cities
| City |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| Beijing |
-4.6 |
-2.2 |
4.5 |
13.1 |
19.8 |
24 |
25.8 |
24.4 |
19.4 |
12.4 |
4.1 |
-2.7 |
| Shanghai |
3.2 |
4.6 |
8.3 |
14 |
18.8 |
23.3 |
27.8 |
27.7 |
23.6 |
18 |
12.3 |
6.2 |
| Xian |
-1 |
2.1 |
8.1 |
14.1 |
19.1 |
25.2 |
26.6 |
25.5 |
19.4 |
13.7 |
6.6 |
0.7 |
| Chongqing |
7.5 |
9.5 |
14.1 |
18.8 |
22.1 |
25.2 |
28.6 |
28.5 |
23.8 |
18.6 |
13.9 |
9.5 |
| Wuhan |
3 |
5 |
10 |
16.1 |
21.3 |
25.7 |
28.8 |
28.2 |
23.3 |
17.5 |
11.1 |
5.4 |
| Chengdu |
5.5 |
7.5 |
12.1 |
17 |
20.9 |
23.7 |
25.6 |
25.1 |
21.2 |
16.8 |
11.9 |
7.3 |
| Qiangdao |
-1.2 |
0.1 |
4.5 |
10.2 |
15.7 |
20 |
23.9 |
25.1 |
21.4 |
15.9 |
8.8 |
2 |
| Guangzhou |
13.3 |
14.4 |
17.9 |
21.9 |
25.6 |
27.2 |
28.4 |
28.1 |
26.9 |
23.7 |
19.4 |
15.2 |
| Lhasa |
-2.3 |
1.1 |
4.5 |
8.3 |
12.3 |
15.4 |
15.1 |
14.3 |
12.7 |
8.2 |
2.3 |
-1.7 |
| Kunming |
7.7 |
9.6 |
13 |
16.5 |
19.1 |
19.5 |
19.8 |
19.1 |
17.5 |
14.9 |
11.3 |
8.2 |
| Guilin |
7.9 |
9.1 |
13.2 |
18.4 |
23 |
26.2 |
28.3 |
27.7 |
25.6 |
20.7 |
15.1 |
10.2 |
World Meteorological Organization:
http://www.worldweather.org/
