You usually have to check out by noon. If you check out between noon and 6pm you will be charged 50% of the room price; after 6pm you have to pay for another full night.
Camping
There are few places where you can legally camp and as most of China’s flat land is put to agricultural use, you will largely be limited to remote, hilly regions. Camping is more feasible in wilder and less populated parts of west China.
In certain destinations with camping possibilities, travel agencies and hotels will arrange overnight camping trips or multiday treks, in which case camping equipment will be supplied. Camping on the Great Wall is technically illegal, but the watchtowers are often used for pitching tents or rolling out a sleeping bag (if you do, make sure to clean up after yourself and take care of the Wall).
Courtyard Hotels
Largely confined to Běijīng, courtyard hotels have rapidly mushroomed. Arranged around traditional sìhéyuàn (courtyards), rooms are on ground level. Courtyard hotels are charming and romantic, but are often expensive and rooms are small, in keeping with the dimensions of courtyard residences. Facilities will be limited, so don’t expect a swimming pool, gym or subterranean garage.
Budget Business Chain Hotels
Dotted around much of China, budget business chain hotels can sometimes be a decent alternative to old-school two- and three-star hotels, with rooms around the ¥180 to ¥300 mark. In recent years, however, their once-pristine facilities have sometimes come to resemble the threadbare clunkers they aimed to replace. Still, their sheer ubiquity means you can usually find accommodation (but look at the rooms first). They often have membership/loyalty schemes, or online deals, which make rooms cheaper.
Although most of these branches accept foreigners, the odd branch does not. Chains include:
AHome Inn (www.homeinns.com) Includes the Motel 168 chain.
AJǐnjiāng Inn (www.jinjianginns.com)
Guesthouses
The cheapest of the cheap are China’s ubiquitous guesthouses (招待所; zhāodàisuǒ), often found clustering near train or bus stations (from where touts will take you) but also dotted around cities and towns. Not all guesthouses accept foreigners and Chinese skills may be crucial in securing a room. Rooms (doubles, twins, triples, quads) are primitive and grey, with tiled floors and possibly a shower room or shabby bathroom; showers may be communal.
Other terms for guesthouses:
A旅店 (lǚdiàn)
A旅馆 (lǚguǎn)
A有房 (yǒufáng) means 'rooms available'
A今日有房 (jīnrì yǒufáng) means 'rooms available today'
A住宿 (zhùsù) means 'accommodation'.
Homesteads
In more rural destinations, small towns and villages, you should be able to find a homestead (农家; nóngjiā) with a small number of rooms in the region of ¥50. Bargaining is possible; you will not need to register. The owner will be more than happy to cook up meals for you as well. Showers and toilets are generally communal.
Hostels
If you’re looking for efficiently run budget accommodation, turn to China’s youth hostel sector. Hostelling International (www.yhachina.com) hostels are generally well run; other private youth hostels scattered around China are unaffiliated and standards at these may be variable. Book ahead in popular towns as rooms can go fast.
Superb for meeting like-minded travellers, youth hostels are typically staffed by youthful English-speakers who are also well informed on local sightseeing and transport. The foreigner-friendly vibe in youth hostels stands in marked contrast to many Chinese hotels. Double rooms in youth hostels are frequently better than midrange equivalents and often just as comfortable and better located; these places may be cheaper (but not always), or can arrange better-value tours. Many offer wi-fi, while most have at least one internet terminal (either free, free for 30 minutes or roughly ¥5 to ¥10 per hour). Laundry, book-lending, kitchen facilities, bike rental, lockers, and a noticeboard, bar and cafe should all be available, as well as possibly a pool, ping pong, movies, game consoles and other forms of entertainment. Soap, shower gel and toothpaste are generally not provided, although you can purchase them at reception.
Dorms usually cost between ¥40 and ¥55 (with discounts of around ¥5 for members). They typically come with bunk beds but may have standard beds. Most dorms won’t have ensuite showers, though some do; they should have air-con. Many hostels also have doubles, singles, twins and sometimes even family rooms; prices vary but are often around ¥150 to ¥250 for a double (again, with discounts for members). Hostels can arrange ticketing or help you book a room in another affiliated youth hostel.
Book ahead – online if possible – as rooms are frequently booked out, especially at weekends or the busy holiday periods. In popular destinations, hostels may charge elevated rates on Friday and Saturday.
Hotels
Hotels vary wildly in quality within the same budget bracket. The star rating system employed in China can also be misleading: hotels may be awarded four or five stars when they are patently a star lower in ranking. The best rule of thumb is to choose the newest hotel in each category, as renovations can be rare. Deficiencies may not be immediately apparent, so explore and inspect the overall quality of the hotel – viewing the room up front pays dividends.
China has few independent hotels of real distinction, so it’s generally advisable to select chain hotels that offer a proven standard of international excellence. Shangri-La, Marriott, Hilton, St Regis, Ritz-Carlton, Marco Polo and Hyatt all have a presence in China and can generally be relied upon for high standards of service and comfort.
Note the following:
AEnglish skills are often poor, even in some five-star hotels.
AMost rooms are twins rather than doubles, so be clear if you specifically want a double.
AVirtually all hotel rooms, whatever the price bracket, will have air-conditioning and a TV.
AVery cheap rooms may have neither telephone nor internet access.
AWi-fi is generally ubiquitous in hostels and midrange and top-end hotels (but might be available only in the lobby).
ALate-night telephone calls or calling cards from ‘masseurs’ and prostitutes are still common in budget and lower midrange hotels.
AAll hotel rooms are subject to a 10% or 15% service charge, though the price quoted usually is the final price and includes this.
APractically all hotels will change money for guests, and most midrange and top-end hotels accept credit cards.
AA Western breakfast may be available (certainly at four-star establishments).
AThe Chinese method of designating floors is the same as that used in the USA, but different from, say, that used in Australia. What would be the ground floor in Australia is the 1st floor in China, the 1st is the 2nd, and so on.
AThe number '4' is considered unlucky in China and the number '8' lucky. So you may find that your room on the 4th floor (or any level) starts with the number '8', even though it isn't on the 8th floor.
In China, there are several words for 'hotel':
Abīnguǎn (宾馆)
Adàfàndiàn (大饭店)
Adàjiǔdiàn (大酒店)
Afàndiàn (饭店)
Ajiǔdiàn (酒店).
Children
More comfortable in the large cities of Hong Kong, Běijīng and Shànghǎi, children are likely to feel out of place in smaller towns and in rural areas. With the exception of Hǎinán, China is not famous for its beaches.
Ask a doctor specialising in travel medicine for information on recommended immunisations for your child.
Customs Regulations
Chinese customs generally pay tourists little attention. ‘Green channels’ and ‘red channels’ at the airport are clearly marked. You are not allowed to import or export illegal drugs, or animals and plants (including seeds). Pirated DVDs and CDs are illegal exports from China – if found they will be confiscated. You can take Chinese medicine up to a value of ¥300 when
you depart China.
Duty free, you’re allowed to import:
A400 cigarettes (or the equivalent in tobacco products)
A1.5L of alcohol
A50g of gold or silver.
Also note:
AImportation of fresh fruit and cold cuts is prohibited.
AThere are no restrictions on foreign currency, but you should declare any cash exceeding US$5000 or its equivalent in another currency.
Objects considered antiques require a certificate and a red seal to clear customs when leaving China. Anything made before 1949 is considered an antique, and if it was made before 1795 it cannot legally be taken out of the country. To get the proper certificate and red seal, your antiques must be inspected by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage (Guójiā Wénwù Jú; GOOGLE MAP ; %010 5679 2211; www.sach.gov.cn; 83 Beiheyan Dajie; h8.30am-5pm; bLines 6, 8 to Nanluoguxiang, exit B or Line 5 to Zhangzizhonglu, exit D) in Běijīng.
Discount Cards
Seniors over the age of 65 are frequently eligible for discounts and 70-and-overs get free admission, so make sure you take your passport when visiting sights as proof of age.
An International Student Identity Card (ISIC; www.isic.org; GBP £12/USD $25) can net students half-price discounts at many sights, but you may have to insist – and you may have as much luck with your home country's student card.
Electricity
There are three types of plugs used in China – three-pronged angled pins, two flat pins (the most common) or two narrow round pins. Electricity is 220 volts, 50 cycles AC.
Embassies & Consulates
Embassies are located in Běijīng, with consulates scattered around the country. There are three main embassy areas in Běijīng: Jiànguóménwài, Sānlǐtún and Liàngmǎqiáo. Embassies are open from 9am to noon and 1.30pm to 4pm Monday to Friday, but visa departments are often only open in the morning. For visas, you need to phone to make an appointment.
Australian Embassy Běijīng (澳大利亚大使馆; Àodàlìyǎ Dàshǐguǎn MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %010 5140 4111; www.china.embassy.gov.au; 21 Dongzhimenwai Dajie; 东直门外大街21号 h9am-noon & 2-3.30pm Mon-Fri; bLine 2 to Dongzhimen, exit B), Hong Kong ( GOOGLE MAP ; %852 2827 8881; http://hongkong.china.embassy.gov.au; 23rd fl, Harbour Centre, 25 Harbour Rd, Wan Chai; h9am-5pm Mon-Fri; mWan Chai, exit C), Shànghǎi (澳大利亚领事馆, Àodàlìyǎ Lǐngshìguǎn MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %021 2215 5200; www.shanghai.china.embassy.gov.au; 22nd fl, CITIC Sq, 1168 West Nanjing Rd; 南京西路1168号22楼 h8.30am-5pm Mon-Fri; mLine 2, 12, 13 to West Nanjing Rd), Guǎngzhōu (澳大利亚驻广州总领事馆; Àodàlìyàzhùguǎng Zhǒuzhǒng Lǐngshìguǎn GOOGLE MAP ; %020 3814 0111; 12th fl, Development Centre, 3 Linjiang Dadao)
Canadian Embassy Běijīng (加拿大大使馆; Jiānádà Dàshǐguǎn MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %010 5139 4000; www.china.gc.ca; 19 Dongzhimenwai Dajie; 东直门外大街19号 h8:30-11am Mon-Fri & 1.30-3pm Tue & Thu; bLine 2 to Dongzhimen, exit B), Hong Kong ( GOOGLE MAP ; %852 3719 4700; 5th fl, Tower 3, Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Central; mCentral, exit A), Shànghǎi (加拿大领事馆, Jiānádà Lǐngshìguǎn MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %021-3279 2800; www.shanghai.gc.ca; 8th fl, 1788 West Nanjing Rd; 南京西路1788号8楼 h8.30am-noon & 1-5pm; mLine 2, 7 to Jing'an Temple), Chóngqìng (%023-6373 8007; Suite 1705, 17th fl, Metropolitan Tower, 68 Zourong Lu), Guǎngzhōu ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %020 8611 6100; Suite 801, China Hotel Office Tower, Liuhua Lu)
French Embassy Běijīng (法国驻华大使馆; Fàguó Zhùhuá Dàshǐguǎn MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %010 8531 2000; www.ambafrance-cn.org; 60 Tianze Lu; 天泽路60号 bLine 10 to Liangmaqiao, exit B), Hong Kong ( GOOGLE MAP ; %852 3196 6100; www.consulfrance-hongkong.org; 26th fl, Tower II, Admiralty Centre, 18 Harcourt Rd, Admiralty; mAdmiralty, exit C2), Shànghǎi (法国领事馆; Fǎguó Lǐngshìguǎn GOOGLE MAP ; %021 6010 6050; www.consulfrance-shanghai.org; 8th fl, Bldg A, Soho Zhongshan Plaza, 1055 West Zhongshan Rd; 中山西路1055号中山广场A座18楼 h8.15am-12.15pm Mon, 8.45am-12.15pm Tue-Fri), Chéngdū (法国驻成都总领事馆; Fàguózhù Chéngdūzǒng Lǐngshìguǎn MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %028 6666 6060; www.ambafrance-cn.org/-Chengdu-Consulat-; 30th fl, Times Plaza, 2 Zongfu Lu; 总府路2号时代广场30楼 h9am-5pm), Shěnyáng, Guǎngzhōu ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %020 2829 2000; Rm 810, 8th fl, Main Tower, Guǎngdōng International Hotel, 339 Huanshi Donglu), Wǔhàn (%027 6579 7900; rooms 1701-1708, New World International Trade Center, 568 Jianshe Dadao; 建设大道568号 )
German Embassy Běijīng (德国大使馆; Déguó dàshǐ guǎn MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %010-8532 9000; www.china.diplo.de; 17 Dongzhimenwai Dajie; 东直门外大街17号 bLine 2 to Dongzhimen, exit B), Hong Kong ( GOOGLE MAP ; %852 2105 8788; www.hongkong.diplo.de; 21st fl, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Admiralty; mAdmiralty, exit C2), Shànghǎi (德国领事馆; Déguó Lǐngshìguǎn MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %021 3401 0106; www.shanghai.diplo.de; 181 Yongfu Rd; 永福路181号 ), Chéngdū (德国领事馆; Déguó Lǐngshìguǎn MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %028 8528 0800, emergency only 137 3060 0952; www.chengdu.diplo.de; 25th fl, Western Tower, 19 Renmin Nanlu 4th Section; 人民南路4段19号威斯顿联邦大厦25层 h9am-5pm)
Indian Embassy Běijīng (印度大使馆; Yìndù Dàshǐguǎn GOOGLE MAP ; %010 8531 2500; www.indianembassy.org.cn; 5 Liangmaqiao Beijie; 亮马桥北街5号 hvisa office 9.30-10.30am Mon-Fri; bLine 10 to Liangmaqiao, exit B), Hong Kong ( GOOGLE MAP ; %852 3970 9900; www.cgihk.gov.in; Unit A, 16th fl, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Admiralty; h9am-5.30pm Mon-Fri)
Irish Embassy Běijīng (爱尔兰大使馆; Ài'ěrlán Dàshǐguǎn MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %010 8531 6200; www.irishembassy.cn; 3 Ritan Donglu; 日坛东路3号 h9am-12.30pm & 2-5pm Mon-Fri; bLine 1 to Yonganli, exit A1), Hong Kong ( GOOGLE MAP ; %852 2527 4897; www.dfa.ie/irish-consulate/hong-kong; 33 Des Voeux Rd Central, Sheung Wan; h10am-noon & 2.30-4.30pm Mon-Fri; mCentral), Shànghǎi (爱尔兰领事馆, Ài'ěrlán Lǐngshìguǎn MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %021 6010 1360; www.embassyofireland.cn; 700a Shànghǎi Centre, 1376 West Nanjing Rd; 南京西路1376号700a室 h9.30am-4.30pm Mon-Fri; mLine 2, 7 to Jing’an Temple; Line 2, 12, 13 to West Nanjing Rd)
Japanese Embassy Běijīng (日本大使馆; Rìběn Dàshǐguǎn MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %010 8531 9800; www.cn.emb-japan.go.jp; 1 Liangmaqiaodong Jie; 亮马桥东街1号 h9-11.30am & 1-4.30pm; bLine 10 to Liangmaqiao, exit B), Hong Kong ( GOOGLE MAP ; %852 2522 1184; www.hk.emb-japan.go.jp; 46-47th fl, 1 Exchange Sq, 8 Connaught Pl, Central; mCentral, exit D1), Shànghǎi (日本领事馆; Rìběn Lǐngshìguǎn GOOGLE MAP ; %021 5257 4766; www.shanghai.cn.emb-japan.go.jp; 8 Wanshan Rd; 万山路8号 h9am-12.30pm & 1.30-5.30pm Mon-Fri), Qīngdǎo ( GOOGLE MAP ; %0532 8090 0001; 59 Xianggang Donglu; h9-11am & 1.30-4pm)
Kazakhstan Embassy Běijīng (哈萨克斯坦使馆; Hāsàkè Sītǎn Shǐguǎn MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %010 6532 6182; www.kazembassy.cn; 9 Sanlitun Dongliujie; bLine 10 to Liangmaqiao, exit B), Ürümqi
Kyrgyzstan Embassy Běijīng ( GOOGLE MAP ; %010 6468 1348; www.kyrgyzstanembassy.net; 18 Xiaoyun Lu, 10/11 H District, King's Garden Villas; 霄云路18号京润水上花园别墅H区10/11 happlications 9am-11am Mon, Wed, Fri; bSanyuanqiao), Ürümqi (吉尔吉斯斯坦共和国驻; Jí'ěrjísī Sītǎn Gònghéguó Zhù GOOGLE MAP ; 38 Hetan Beilu; hnoon-2pm Mon-Fri)
Laotian Embassy Běijīng (老挝大使馆; Lǎowō Dàshǐguǎn MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %010 6532 1224; [email protected]; 11 Sanlitun Dongsijie; 三里屯东二街11号 bLine 10 to Agricultural Exhibition Center, exit D2), Hong Kong ( GOOGLE MAP ; %852 2544 1186; 14th fl, Arion Commercial Centre, 2-12 Queen’s Rd West, Sheung Wan), Kūnmíng (老挝领事馆; Lǎowō Lǐngshìguǎn %0871 6316 8916; Ground fl, Kūnmíng Diplomat Compound, 6800 Caiyun Beilu; 彩云北路6800号 ), Jǐnghóng
Mongolian Embassy Běijīng (蒙古大使馆; Ménggǔ Dàshǐguǎn MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %010 6532 1203; www.beijing.mfa.gov.mn; 2 Xiushui Beijie; 秀水北街2号 bLine 1 to Yonganli, exit A1) (has a separate visa section ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %010 6532 1203, 010 6532 6512; www.beijing.mfa.gov.mn; 2 Xiushui Beijie; 秀水北街2号 hvisa application 9am-noon Mon-Fri, passport collection 4-5pm Mon-Fri; bLine 1 to Yonganli, exit A1)). Other offic
es are located in Hohhot and Erenhot.
Myanmar Embassy Běijīng (缅甸大使馆; Miǎndiàn Dàshǐguǎn MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %010 6532 0359; www.myanmarembassy.com/english; 6 Dongzhimenwai Dajie; 东直门外大街6号 bLine 10 to Agricultural Exhibition Center, exit D2), Kūnmíng
Nepalese Embassy Běijīng (尼泊尔大使馆; Níbó'ěr Dàshǐguǎn MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %010 6532 1795; www.nepalembassy.org.cn; 1 Sanlitun Xiliujie; 三里屯西六街1号 h10am-noon & 3-4pm Mon-Fri; bLine 10 to Agricultural Exhibition Center or Liangmaqiao, exit D), Hong Kong ( GOOGLE MAP ; %852 2369 7813; 715 China Aerospace Tower, Concordia Plaza, 1 Science Museum Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui; mHung Hom, exit D1), Lhasa.
Netherlands Embassy Běijīng (荷兰大使馆; Hélán Dàshǐguǎn MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %010 8532 0200; http://china.nlembassy.org/; 4 Liangmahe Nanlu; 亮马河南路4号 h9am-12.30pm & 2-5.30pm Mon-Fri; bLine 10 to Liangmaqiao, exit B), Hong Kong ( GOOGLE MAP ; %852 2599 9200; http://hongkong.nlconsulate.org; Room 2402B, 24th fl, 23 Harbour Rd, Great Eagle Centre), Shànghǎi (荷兰领事馆; Hélán Lǐngshìguǎn GOOGLE MAP ; %021 2208 7288; http://china.nlembassy.org; 10th fl, Tower B, Dawning Center, 500 Hongbaoshi Rd; 红宝石路500号东银中心东塔10楼 h9am-noon & 1-5.30pm Mon-Fri), Guǎngzhōu ( GOOGLE MAP ; %020 3813 2200; http://china.nlembassy.org; Teem Tower, 208 Tianhe Lu)
New Zealand Embassy Běijīng (新西兰大使馆, Xīnxīlán Dàshǐguǎn MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %010 8531 2700; www.mfat.govt.nz; 3 Sanlitun Dongsanjie, 三里屯东三街3号 h8.30am-5pm Mon-Fri; bLine 10 to Agricultural Exhibition Center, exit D2), Hong Kong ( GOOGLE MAP ; %852 2525 5044; www.eit.ac.nz; Room 6501, 65th fl, Central Plaza, 18 Harbour Rd, Wan Chai; h8.30am-1pm, 2-5pm Mon-Fri; mWan Chai, exit C), Shànghǎi (新西兰领事馆; Xīnxīlán Lǐngshìguǎn GOOGLE MAP ; %021 5407 5858; www.nzembassy.com; 2801-2802A & 2806B-2810, 5 Corporate Ave, 150 Hubin Rd; 湖滨150号 h8.30am-noon & 1-5pm Mon-Fri), Guǎngzhōu ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %020 8667 0253; Rm 1055, China Hotel Office Tower, Liuhua Lu)
Lonely Planet China Page 209