CHINA 9 596 961 km2 of paradise EXCHANGE RATE SEP2016

CHINESE YUAN EURO CHINESE YUAN = 0,13 = 7,48

US DOLLAR = 0,14 = 6,66

JAPANESE YEN = 15,1 = 0,06

SOUTH KOREAN WON = 164 = 0,006

THAI BAHT TABLE OF CONTENTS = 5,18 = 0,192

Who lives here? 5 How things work 5 What you'll need to get in and out 6 WEATHER How to move around 6 Must-sees… 9 is a vast country with a wide spectrum of climatic conditions. However, a few different ……and must-tastes 10 climate zones can be distinguished. In the north, the area of and Xi’an, winters, MONSOONS How much is… 11 CONTINENTAL from December to March, can be very cold, ZONE ZONE while summers, from May to , are very Travel tips 12 hot. In summer and autumn you can enjoy warm : www.global-exchange.com : www.global-exchange.com temperatures. What if I get ill? 12 ALPINE ZONE (the area of and Henan) SUBTROPICAL can get really humid from April to October, while MONSOON ZONE winters can be as hard as in northern areas.

More information More Travel warnings 13 information More Lastly, in southern regions around Shanghai and Who to turn to… 14 Shenzhen, typhoons and peak temperatures are common during summer months. Winter is milder TROPICAL ZONE Must-take pics 15 than in the North and autumn and spring are pleasantly warm. © Copyright Global Exchange Group | Group Exchange © Copyright Global © Copyright Global Exchange Group | Group Exchange © Copyright Global

3 1. WHO LIVES HERE?

_ China's population almost reaches 1.368 billion. _ Most populous cities are Shanghai, with 17,430,000 inhabitants, Beijing, the capital, with 14,230,99 and Guangzhou, with 7,547,460. _ The main religion is Taoism, with around 20 million followers, then Buddhism, with 100 million and then Christianity, with 5 million of Catholics and 15 million of Protestants. _ The official language ismandarin Chinese, but other six important languages are also spoken in the country. It is not easy to find someone speaking English, so it would be advisable to hire an interpreter.

Chunxi Street BEIJING 14 230 99 SHANGHAI 17 430 000

GUANGZHOU While controversy surrounds its political system, what is clear is that China 7 547 46 is a country that preserves ancestral traditions and keeps its essence alive, making it a magical place to visit. Culture shock can be challenging for many, so the best you can do is to get there leaving prejudices behind and being open to experience new feelings and emotions. HOW THINGS WORK

_ China’s capital is Beijing. _ The form of government in China is the Republic, with Xi Jinping as President : www.global-exchange.com : www.global-exchange.com since 14th March 2013 and Li Keqiang as Premier since 15th March 2015. _ The administrative division of China is as follows: 23 provinces, 5 autonomous regions (, , Guangxi, and Inner Mongolia)

More information More and 4 municipalities under the administration of Central government (Beijing, information More Shanghai, Chongqing and Tianjin), and 2 special administrative regions (Hong Kong and Macau). _ The GDP amounts to 7,535 trillion dollars (in 2015). _ The annual inflation rate is at 2.1%. DO YOU WANT TO JOIN US? _ Unemployment rate in 2014 was 4.09%. _ By sectors, agriculture contributes 9.5% of total GDP, manufacture 40% and services 50.5%. © Copyright Global Exchange Group | Group Exchange © Copyright Global © Copyright Global Exchange Group | Group Exchange © Copyright Global

4 5 WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO GET IN AND OUT

BUS _ An extensive long-haul bus network connects places that cannot be reached - A passport valid for at least 6 months after the entry date. by train. - A visa, except for the following cases: _ Bus tickets are cheaper and easier to get than train tickets. • If you are going to stay for less than 90 days in Hong Kong or Macau. _ Some rural and provincial areas (especially in the South-East, in the Tibet and • If you are going to visit the island of Hainan with a group of at least 5 people, the tour was in the North-East) are in very poor conditions, so car crashes are frequent. organised by a travel agency, you are not going to stay more than 15 days and during this time _ Long trips can be uncomfortable and noisy. you are not going to leave the island. _ Routes between big cities have large, clean and confortable buses, some of • If you are British and you are transiting by air for less than 72 hours at one of these airports: them even with a restroom, but routes to less popular or far-away destination Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Shenyang, Dalian, Guilin, Kunming, are operated by crowded microbuses. Hangzhou or Harbin. If this is your case, you will only need a transit visa. _ All cities and most of the towns have at least one long-haul bus station. • Find information about the type of visa you will need. _ Frequently, squares in front of train stations serve as bus stops. - Entering or overstaying in China can result in severe penalties, including imprisonment, fines and deportation. - If you are not staying in a hotel, you must register your place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival. If you are staying in a rural area, deadline extends up to 72 hours. If you change your address, you must update information. PLANE _ China’s air network is extensive and growing, but it’s quite straightforward to - Trips to the Tibet are only permitted for groups in tours organised by Tibet tour operators authorised navigate your way terrestrially around China by rail or bus. by the Chinese government. Check the China Tibet Tourism Bureau website to find a list of _ Some of the airlines that you will find in this country are , China authorised agencies. In addition to this, you need a special travel permit. Eastern Airlines or Sichuan Airlines. _ The Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC, Zhōngguó Mínháng) releases a schedule of national and international flights every April and November. HOW TO MOVE AROUND BOAT _ Boat services within China are limited. You are likely to use a boat to reach CAR AND _ In China you cannot drive with an International Driver's Permit. Only a special offshore islands such as Putuóshān or Hainán, or the islands off Hong Kong. permit issued by local authorities is accepted in the country. MOTORCYCLE _ The best-known river trip is the three-day boat ride along the Yangtze (Cháng _ Hong Kong and Macau do allow International Driver's Permits. Jiāng) from Chóngqìng to Yíchāng. The Lí River (Lí Jiāng) boat trip from Guìlín to Yángshuò is a popular tourist ride. _ Driving motorcycles is only allowed to resident foreigners with a Chinese driving licence. _ Hong Kong employs an out-and-out navy of vessels that connects with the territory’s myriad islands and other parts of China, including Macau. _ If you are looking to rent a car, Beijing International Airport and Shanghai International Airport have Vehicle Administration Offices where you can have a _ Boat tickets can be purchased from passenger ferry terminals or through temporary three-month driving licence issued. This will involve checking your travel agents. : www.global-exchange.com : www.global-exchange.com driving licence and a simple medical exam. You will need this licence before you can hire a car. _ Some rent-a-car companies in this country are Hertz or Avis (400 882 1119). _ Cars in China drive on the right-hand side of the road. Be prepared to live a real More information More BIKE _ Bikes are an excellent method for getting around China. information More traffic chaos in the cities. _ Bicycle docks are spotted in tourist places all across the country. They can also _ If you are involved in a serious accident, you may be prevented from leaving be rented in many hotels and youth hostels. the country or detained until the case is resolved. If you are involved in an accident, call the police. If damage is minimal, the parties involved often agree _ Bikes can be hired by the day or by the hour. Rental rates vary depending on a financial compensation on the spot. where you find yourself. Rates start at around ¥10 to ¥15 per day in cities such as Beijing. _ Find more information on routes to make around the country on Bikechina (www.bikechina.com). © Copyright Global Exchange Group | Group Exchange © Copyright Global © Copyright Global Exchange Group | Group Exchange © Copyright Global

6 7 1

TRAIN _ One of the world’s most extensive rail networks, trains get everywhere and high-speed connections are more and more common. _ You will need your passport when buying a ticket. _ Buying tickets around period such as the Chinese can be very difficult. 2

BY LOCAL TRANSPORT MUST SEES...

1) The Great Wall. You will feel your time there is not _ Underground and light rail: Going underground or using light rail is fast, enough to visit the 8,851 km long Chinese precious efficient and cheap; most networks are relatively recent and can be found in a treasure. What you definitely cannot miss is the breath- rapidly growing number of cities. taking sections which are still standing. _ Pedicabs: They can be usually found near train and bus stations. 2) Xian Terracotta Army. These 8,000 real-size terracotta _ By taxi: Taxis are cheap and easy to find. Congregation points such as long- warriors, overseeing Emperor Qin for over 2,000 years, haul bus and train stations usually have taxi ranks. Taxi drivers rarely speak will leave you breathless. any English – have your destination written down in characters. 3 3) Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. You will be familiar to this one-of-a-kind wonder of nature if you watched Avatar, as it served of inspiration for James Cameron, the director, to create this fictional forest. Source: Lonely Planet (http://www.lonelyplanet.com/china/essential-information) 4) Beijing. What else could be said about the capital of China that hasn’t already? An absolute must-visit. Modern meeting traditional, this city offers wonderful places such as the Temple of Heaven and the Forbidden City. 5) Guilin. Guilin, the fourth most populated city of the New Year's celebration Guangxi region is located in the South of the country 7 and offers mind-blowing karst landscapes such as the Elephant Trunk Hill. 6) Chengdu. In Chengdu, the capital of China's southwest Sichuan Province you can enjoy panda tours in the breeding and research bases devoted to these lovely little animals. 7) Shanghai. This cosmopolitan city will make your jaw drop, especially if you visit it after the capital, Beijing. : www.global-exchange.com : www.global-exchange.com Among other wonders you will find here the Yuyuang Gardens. 8) Fènghuáng. This small town will captivate you with its traditional beauty, its stilt houses and ancient temples. More information More 9 information More 9) Hong Kong. Still inside of China, you feel like you are in a completely different place, where skyscrapers conquer the streets. 10) Macau. Best known globally as the 'Vegas of China', Macau is indeed full of casinos and cultural events. Located very near Hong Kong, it enjoys some independence as this one from . © Copyright Global Exchange Group | Group Exchange © Copyright Global © Copyright Global Exchange Group | Group Exchange © Copyright Global

8 9 6) Dim sum, is a style of prepared with different combinations of meat, vegetables, seafood and fruit served in small steamer baskets or on small plates. 7) Shark fin soup, try this soup if you dare to taste it all. 8) Fried ice cream, the contrast of temperatures it’s kind of a curious thing. 9) Banmian, is a noodle soup served with vegetables, anchovies and some seasoning. 10) Fortune cookies, to find out what the trip holds in store for you, or even what the future holds.

HOW MUCH IS...

_ A single ticket for the underground, bus or commuter train: CNY 2 / EUR 0.27 / USD 0.3. _ A coffee at a café: CNY 25 / EUR 3.3 / USD 3.7. _ A beer in a pub: CNY 15-20 / EUR 2-3 / USD 2.2–3. _ A ticket for the movies on the weekend: CNY 90 / EUR 12 / USD 13.5. _ Renting a room at an average area: CNY 5500 / EUR 735 / USD 824. _ A taxi ride from the airport to the city centre (30 minutes approx.): CNY 70 / EUR 9.4 / USD 10.5. _ A pack of cigarettes: CNY 8 / EUR 1.1 / USD 1.2. _ A ticket for a major museum: CNY 40 / EUR 5.3 / USD 6. _ A newspaper: CNY 2 / EUR 0.27 / USD 0.3.

...AND MUST-TASTES...

1) Wonton soup, made up of wrappers of pork, prawns, sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger and onions. 2) Gong bao or kung pao chicken, a dish where the chicken is made with dried : www.global-exchange.com : www.global-exchange.com red chillies and Sichuan pepper, named after the region it comes from. 3) Zongzi, rice stuffed with different fillings and wrapped in bamboo leaves which is cooked boiled or steamed.

More information More 4) Chop suey, the landmark of Cantonese cuisine, is made of chicken, calf, prawn information More or pork and vegetables such as celery, peppers or green beans and is served with boiled white rice. 5) Wonton noodles are noodles with vegetables and roasted pork served with a hot soup, soy sauce or oyster sauce in a separate bowl. © Copyright Global Exchange Group | Group Exchange © Copyright Global © Copyright Global Exchange Group | Group Exchange © Copyright Global

10 11 TRAVEL WARNINGS... TRAVEL TIPS - China is quite a safe country general, so normal safety precautions will be enough. - Public holidays in China: 1st January (New Year’s Day), 8th February (Spring Festival-), 29th - Illegal taxis. Legal taxis have a meter and show identification on the inside. April (), 9th June (), 16th - Fake notes are relatively common, especially in denominations of RMB 100, September (Mid-autumn day) and 1st October (National sometimes even withdrawing cash from an ATM. Day). - Xinjiang has been subject to some security threats, and violent events and - Voltage in China is 220V and plugs have two or three flat terrorist attacks against the police and the Chinese government have occurred. pins or two round ones. - The area of the Tibet could also pose some security-related risks, due to its - Shops usually have extensive opening hours, and shopping political situation. centres, supermarkets and restaurants usually open from 9am to 10pm. Banks usually open from 9am to 7pm, - Beijing suffers from serious air pollution. To check air pollution levels of the Monday to Friday. city, you can download a free app called China Air quality Index. - Mainland China’s official currency is Chinese yuan - Tap water is generally not safe to drink. You should drink only bottled water. (CNY), also called (RMB), while Hong Kong and - Due to government restrictions, some social networks such as Facebook, Macau have their own currencies: Hong Kong dollar and Youtube or Twitter may not be available in China. Other websites that could be Macanese pataca, respectively. blocked as well as Google or Gmail. - Outside major cities, credit cards are not always accepted, - China is prone to earthquakes as it is located in a seismic hazard zone. The and ATMs are not available in some areas. areas of most seismic activity are Heilongjiang, Yunnan, some areas around - Prices are set out by the government and you cannot the Yangtze, the province of Hebei and Beijing. haggle. You can do it street markets, though. - Typhoons. The typhoon season in China is May to October, affecting areas in the - In China it is not necessary to tip. coastline of South .

WHAT IF I GET ILL?

- As of September 2016, there is not any mandatory vaccination, although tetanus and poliomyelitis are highly advisable in general, and diphtheria, typhoid fever : www.global-exchange.com : www.global-exchange.com and hepatitis A and B are for some areas. Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. t - Make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance covering healthcare, as More information More information More medical bills can be very high. - Medical care is generally good in major cities, depending on the hospital. Outside large towns and cities, the standard of healthcare is variable; sometimes poor, especially in rural or remote areas. - Take into consideration that most of Chinese hospitals do not have English speaking staff. - Malaria risk exists in Yunnan and the island of Hainan according to the WHO, so avoid mosquito bites as much as possible. © Copyright Global Exchange Group | Group Exchange © Copyright Global © Copyright Global Exchange Group | Group Exchange © Copyright Global

12 13 WHO TURN TO...

- If I need to make a call to the country: dial +86 except for Hong Kong, which is +852 and MUST-TAKE PICS for Macau, which is +853. To call from a Chinese province to another, dial 0 before the province prefix. - If I have an emergency: Call 120 (mainland China), 999 (Hong Kong) and 993 (Macau). Everest - If I need to call the police: Dial 110. - If I need to extend my visa: • In Hong Kong: Consular Department Office 3rd Floor, China Resources building, 26 Harbor Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong Email: [email protected] Website • In Macau: Consular Department Office 992, Avenida do Dr. Rodrigo Rodrigues, Macau Email: [email protected] Website - Useful resources:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China Foreign and Commonwealth Office Lonely Planet Guide World Health Organisation (WHO)

Forbidden city : www.global-exchange.com : www.global-exchange.com More information More information More © Copyright Global Exchange Group | Group Exchange © Copyright Global © Copyright Global Exchange Group | Group Exchange © Copyright Global

14 15 Sky temple

Li river

West lake

Mount Sanqing : www.global-exchange.com : www.global-exchange.com More information More information More © Copyright Global Exchange Group | Group Exchange © Copyright Global © Copyright Global Exchange Group | Group Exchange © Copyright Global

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