VISAS, ENTRY RULES, CUSTOMS REGULATIONS in China, north
You need a visa to travel to China. To do this, the following documents must be submitted to the consular department of the country’s embassy:
– a foreign passport valid for at least 6 months after the end of the trip;
– 1 photo 3×4;
– A completed application form;
– invitation.
For children inscribed in the parents’ passports, a photo is required.
The period of stay in China on a tourist visa is 30 days.
There is an agreement between Russia and China on visa-free group tourist trips for organized groups. The number of tourists in the group – from 4 people. The period of stay in China on a tourist visa is 30 days. Visa on arrival at the airports of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou can also be obtained in the case of an individual trip, if you are traveling through a travel agency. Upon arrival, tourists are met by a representative of the host company at the gangway of the plane, helps to obtain a visa and pass through passport control. The following documents are required: a photocopy of a foreign passport valid for at least 6 months after the end of the trip, round-trip air tickets, confirmation from the host that a visa will be issued upon arrival. The procedure takes no more than 30 minutes. Payment of the cost of the visa is made directly to the border services.
400 cigarettes can be imported into China duty-free if the period of stay in the country does not exceed 6 months, and 600 cigarettes if it is more than 6 months; 2 bottles of alcoholic beverages, not exceeding 0.75 liters, if the period of stay in the country does not exceed 6 months, 4 bottles of alcoholic beverages, not exceeding 0.75 liters, if the period of stay in the country does not exceed 6 months; a reasonable number of items for personal use; no more than 50 g of gold, silver or precious stones, one camera, tape recorder, computer.
It is forbidden to import weapons, items resembling weapons in shape, explosives, poisonous and narcotic substances, printed, audio and video products that can harm the political, economic, cultural and moral interests of the country.
The import of national currency is limited to 5,000 RMB, and the import and export of foreign currency is not limited. If during your stay in China you have not spent all the local currency, before leaving you can exchange it back for the desired foreign currency by presenting a certificate of the original exchange (the certificate is valid for 6 months).
It is forbidden to export historical documents, valuable objects and works of art, as well as paintings and graphics without a store receipt confirming the legality of the purchase or an export permit from the Chinese Administrative Department for Cultural Property.
All Chinese hotels usually have International Direct Dial (IDD) telephones in their rooms. In hotels of 3-star class and below, a 10% service surcharge is charged for a telephone conversation, in 4-star and 5-star hotels – a 15% surcharge. Typically, telephone charges are included in the total bill. You can also make a call from a pay phone. In Beijing, you can make a phone call at the expense of the called subscriber.
To call from Russia to China, dial 8 – 10 – 86 – area code – phone number.
To call from China to Russia, dial 00 – 7 – area code – phone number.
Emergency Phones in China, south
Police and Rescue Service – 110
Fire Service – 119
Ambulance – 120
Traffic Police – 122
HOLIDAYS AND WEEKENDS
January 1-2 – New Year’s Day
Three days in January or February – Chinese New Year
March 8 – International Women’s Day
March 12 – Planting Day
May 1 – Labor Day
May 4 – Youth Day
June 1 – Children’s Day
July 1 – Founding Day of the Communist Party of China
August 1 – Founding Day of the National Liberation Army of China
September 10 – Teacher’s Day
October 1-2 – Proclamation Day of the People’s Republic of China Duanwu, Zhongqiu (Mid-Autumn) and Chongyang.
The Spring Festival is celebrated at the end of winter. The night before, the whole family gathers together. A plentiful festive dinner is arranged, after which conversations are held on various topics, games. In many families, they stay up all night, this is called “Shousui” – waiting for the New Year. In the morning of the next day, it is supposed to go around the houses of relatives and friends with congratulations and wishes of all the best. On the days of the Spring Festival, traditional mass performances are held: lion dances, dragon dances, round dances of “land boats”, numbers on stilts.
Yuanxiao falls on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar. It coincides with the first full moon of the new year. Yuanxiao is eaten on this day, which is made from glutinous rice with sweet filling and candied fruits. They have the shape of a ball and symbolize the happiness of a close-knit family. Holiday lanterns are also admired on this day, so it is also called the Lantern Festival. By this day, the most diverse, but certainly colorful lanterns are made, which are hung on the streets and in the yards. Holiday evenings are arranged when riddles written on lanterns are solved.
“Qingming” falls on one of the days of April 4-6. Since ancient times, this day commemorated their ancestors. And now, on the Qingming holiday, events in memory of the fallen revolutionaries and fallen heroes have begun to stand up. On this day, their graves are put in order. In “Qingming” it is usually warm, nature blossoms, so many go on country walks, fly kites, admire the spring nature. That is why this holiday is also called “Taqingze” – the day of walking on the first greenery.
It is believed that the Duanwu holiday originated as a memory of the ancient Chinese patriotic poet Qu Yuan. The poet lived in the kingdom of Chu during the era of the Warring States. He was unable to achieve his political goals, was unable to save the kingdom of Chu from destruction, and on the 5th day of the fifth month (after the overthrow of the kingdom of Chu by the kingdom of Qin), Qu Yuan committed suicide by throwing himself into the Milojiang River. According to legend, after the death of the poet, people got into boats and searched for his body for a long time in the river. Since then, every year on the 5th day of the fifth month, in memory of the great poet, boat races shaped like a dragon are traditionally held on the rivers. At the same time, bamboo rings filled with boiled rice are thrown into the river for Qu Yuan. The people also preserved the custom of eating “zongzi” on this day – rice wrapped in reed leaves.
“Zhongqiu” falls on the middle of autumn. Since ancient times, every year on this day, people made gingerbread from flour and brought them as a gift to the god of the moon. At the end of the ceremony, the whole family ate the gingerbread, which symbolized well-being in the family. This custom has survived to this day.
Chongyang falls on the 9th day of the ninth month of the lunar calendar. In ancient times, this day was considered lucky. On this day, the people retain the custom of climbing a mountain, enjoying cakes, drinking beer and admiring chrysanthemums. From the end of the 80s. The holiday has become a significant date for the elderly. Every year on this day, various events are held throughout the country in honor of the elderly, they are invited to solemn meetings and amateur art shows.
USEFUL THINGS
The unit of weight in China is 1 jin, equal to 0.5 kg. The price of the product will be reported to you exactly for 1 jin.
SHOPS
According to lawschoolsinusa, shops are open daily from 9:00 to 19:00. In the largest cities, most shops are open until 22:00.
Tipping
Tipping is officially prohibited in China. 1-2 yuan can be given to porters, maids or for a massage in a hotel.
NATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS
The Chinese are hospitable, helpful and polite. Russian tourists are treated with respect and curiosity, especially in remote places, where the situation, typical for many tourist destinations, is amusingly turned upside down: here the natives themselves often film tourists or take pictures. In large cities, a “white man” can be politely asked to take a picture with him, first of all, this applies to European girls and children.
ELECTRICITY
220V, 50Hz;
HEALTH
According to WHO guidelines, no mandatory vaccinations are required before traveling to China. However, it is recommended to be vaccinated against hepatitis B, typhoid, and tetanus. When visiting certain areas, malaria prophylaxis is recommended.
The cost of medical care in China is low. In the largest hospitals, the staff speaks English. First aid can be obtained at large restaurants and hotels.
