Currency

Chinese currency, called YUAN, is issued in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100. 1 Yuan = 10 Jiao (in 1, 2 & 5) = 100 Cents (in 1, 2 & 5). The official exchange rate is around USD1=6.3 Yuan (RMB) as of March 2012. US dollars can be easily exchanged at the hotel's front desk. Most hotels, restaurants, and major shopping centers welcome major credit cards.

Health

Vaccinations are not mandatory when traveling to China. However, prior to traveling in China, it is highly recommended that you check with your personal physician to determine if there are certain precautions you should take or issues of which you should be aware.

Time difference

Beijing standard time, used all over China, is 16 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time (15 hours ahead of PST during daylight saving time).

Tipping

Influenced by American and European travelers, tipping is becoming popular in China. We suggest USD $7 per client per day for the tour manager, local guides, and coach captains in gratitude for their service. For group tours, for your convenience, the tour manager will collect the tips for the entire journey on the first day of your tour and will distribute the tips to the local guides and coach captains. You also may tip on your own at the end of your visit.

Electricity voltage

The electrical current in China is 220-volts; multi-function power outlets are provided by most of the hotels' housekeeping departments.

Mobile phone

You may bring your own mobile phone into China. Please check with your mobile service provider for the details of international roaming. Prepaid SIM cards are very easy to access; simply ask your local guide to help and enjoy your call.