Anyone Visited China ??

[Anonymous]

I'm thinking about going to China this year on Hols.

Found a good Tour that starts in Beijing, goes to Xi'an, down to Nanjing and then Bullet Train to Shanghai.
Takes in all the Tourist Sites / Excursions along the way.

Couple of questions that I'd be grateful if anyone can assist with please:

1) Visa:
How straight-forward is getting the Visa ??
How long does it take to arrive (on average) ??

2) Currency:
I've viewed a couple of Sites that all state different things.
One states you can take up to 20k Yuan in / out of the country with no problem.
Another states you can take up to 6k Yuan.
The third one stated that any attempt to take Yuan in / out of the country would see it ALL confiscated.

Anyone had any issue with the currency i.e. either taking cash / travellers cheques / ATM Card / Etc ??

3) Flight Time:
Direct Flight with British Airways.
Understand this takes around 10 hours ??

4) Xi'an:
Anyone know how this is pronounced please.

5) Tips / Hints:
Any tips / hints that anyone may have that has been before would be most welcome.


Many Thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm thinking about going to China this year on Hols.

Found a good Tour that starts in Beijing, goes to Xi'an, down to Nanjing and then Bullet Train to Shanghai.
Takes in all the Tourist Sites / Excursions along the way.

Couple of questions that I'd be grateful if anyone can assist with please:

1) Visa:
How straight-forward is getting the Visa ??
How long does it take to arrive (on average) ??

2) Currency:
I've viewed a couple of Sites that all state different things.
One states you can take up to 20k Yuan in / out of the country with no problem.
Another states you can take up to 6k Yuan.
The third one stated that any attempt to take Yuan in / out of the country would see it ALL confiscated.

Anyone had any issue with the currency i.e. either taking cash / travellers cheques / ATM Card / Etc ??

3) Flight Time:
Direct Flight with British Airways.
Understand this takes around 10 hours ??

4) Xi'an:
Anyone know how this is pronounced please.

5) Tips / Hints:
Any tips / hints that anyone may have that has been before would be most welcome.


Many Thanks.

I have! Went to Beijing and shanghai!
1, took four weeks and had no problems obtaining it!
2, I took 1000 yan and a samurai sword out so don't think there should be a problem!
3, took 14 hours on the flight is was on but did have to fly to Amsterdam first from newcastle
4, don't quote me on this but I think it pronounced chi an
5, learn mandarin or get a tour guide cause you have no chance if you don't!

 

[Anonymous]

I have! Went to Beijing and shanghai!

1, took four weeks and had no problems obtaining it!
2, I took 1000 yan and a samurai sword out so don't think there should be a problem!
3, took 14 hours on the flight is was on but did have to fly to Amsterdam first from newcastle
4, don't quote me on this but I think it pronounced chi an
5, learn mandarin or get a tour guide cause you have no chance if you don't!

Excellent. Thanks for the responses Daniel :thumbup:

2) Don't think I'll even attempt to take a Samurai Sword anywhere to be honest

4) Ah. Thanks for that. Been calling it "Zian"

5) Good news is that there's a UK Guide (who speaks the Lingo) on the entire Tour, with various "Step On" Guides along the way providing local information (in English).
Given that we're following the "Tourist Trail", I would imagine some English will be understood to a degree :eusa-think:


Thanks again for the heads-up, appreciated.

 

[Tomas_90]

Just a heads up! Very Bad Air in China at the moment!

http://jalopnik.com/5975495/you-may-die ... a-fun-mask

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah that's a problem there always smelt funny when I was there!

 

[Anonymous]

Just a heads up! Very Bad Air in China at the moment!

Wow....never even thought of anything like this.
Wonder if the Tour Company provide some Masks - this scene isn't in any of their Brochure Pictures

 

[Anonymous]

Been to Hong Kong a couple of times.