2008 China Search Marketing Tour Travel Tips

Before You Leave

1. Phone your Credit Card Company and Bank to let them know that you will be travelling to China, and tell them the dates. Otherwise, your cards will be disabled as soon as you try to use them there.

2. Check the back of your Debit/Check Card for the networks it works with. You want as many networks as possible: InterAc, Plus, Star, Interlink, Cirrus, etc. If you don't have any networks (or only one or two) there is a chance that your debit/check card will not be able to connect – get one that does. Usually Visa or MasterCard Check cards are OK.

3. Check your passport expiry date and make sure it doesn't expire until 2009 or after. Also, make sure you get a Chinese Visa!!!! Although we will be on a business related trip, you will be travelling as tourist, not business for this purpose. 

4. Things to pack:
 - Comfortable (not new!) walking shoes,
 - Kleenex/toilet paper (public toilets often don't have it)
 - tums/pepto bismal and painkillers like Advil, Tylanol, etc.
 - Any prescription medication you need should be in the original bottle – also bring the prescription just in case.

5. Make sure any electrical equipment (ie laptops, hairdryers, etc) are rated for 220V (you will usually see a range like 105-240V or something – as long as the range encompasses 110 and 220, you are OK). Also, you'll need adaptors for China: mainland China uses one that is identical to that used in Australia, and Hong Kong uses on identical to that in England. China also uses others, so the safe bet is to get one adaptor rated for China+Australia, and another for China+UK.

6. China is very much a cash-based society – bring a money belt or clothing with secure pockets, because you'll need to carry around a fair amount of local cash (credit cards, debit cards and travellers checks are only useful in hotels and banks in mainland China).

7. It's a good idea to scan/copy your Passport and tickets , then save the printout in a separate bag, with a travelling companion or online.

8. US medical authorities recommend shots for Tetenus and several other diseases prior to taking a trip.

9. Considering getting your business cards translated, it is a sign of respect. We would be more then wiling to help you with this, just let us know.

While in China

1. Drinking tap water isn't possible, but hotels generally provide free bottled water in the bathroom. Be wary of venturing out, particularly for a long day, without carrying some water with you.

2. It's wise to bring along a plastic bag with toilet paper, as this is generally unavailable in many less touristed parts of both cities and countryside. 

3. Watch out for counterfeit bills - they run rampant throughout the tourist vendors of the cities. (50RMB and 100RMB notes are the most popular) Look for the shiny, interwoven vertical strip, the proper watermark and compare, if possible, compare bills you've received from a bank.

4. Merchants, banks and hotels often reject bills that have been damaged in any way. The smallest tear or missing corner will cause difficulty with street vendors and established businesses alike. So make sure your bills are near perfect.

5. Carry a handkerchief or bandanas this can substitute for hand towel. Often, after washing your hands, there will be no way to dry them.

6. Pollution can get very rough, especially in interior cities like Beijing. Don't be surprised if you wear contact lenses and return to the hotel at then end of your day covered in a thin film of black/gray dust. However, since you will be traveling very close to the 2008 olympics, the pollution will be minimal.

7. Internet access is fairly cheap and reliable in every hotel. Two things to be aware of, however, are the slow speed and blocked sites by the Chinese government.

Venturing Out Alone

1. If you are out and about by yourself, remember cars always have the right of way - a crosswalk, even a walk sign, doesn't mean the same thing it does in the rest of the world. Be very careful crossing the street - tourists do get hit.

2. Always carry a hotel card with you. You can get these at the front desk. In case you get lost, all you have to do is grab a cab and give him your hotel card, they'll know where to bring you.

Common Airport Scams

1. The popular airports feature two particularly troublesome types of scams - the "un-official" help who will assist with bags, ticketing, or "accompany" you to the right counter, gate, restaurant, etc. then demand excessive compensation. In Beijing's airport the security guards will often back up these semi-officially dressed scammers, making it very hard to refuse the $10-$20 US demanded.

2. The second scam - taxi cab drivers inside the airport use a traveler's lack of knowledge of the taxi pickup station (honestly, just follow the signs with the picture of taxis on them) to proposition a ride into the city for a rate of 2-10X the true cost from a licensed taxi. Since they're technically providing private "limo" service, my understanding is that it's not against the law, just foolish to engage in. Since you will be escorted from the airport by a China tour guide, this will not apply to you.