Picking-up
Picking-up Available after 5 working days. In case of emergency, airline ticket has to be shown and an approval obtained from the visa officer and an extra fee charged: the same day $30, next day $20, and third day $10. Picking up by proxy is permitted with the receipt.
Sending application by mail:
a. application must fully meet the above-mentioned requirement.
b. self-addressed return envelope with sufficient postage for Express Mail.
c. an extra charge $5 for mailing service.
Telephone, Telegram and Telex
Direct phones are very common in China. Usually you can easily call from your room in a hotel, or go to a public telephone booth by street. In some large cities, You can now buy IP phone cards which can save you a lot of the usual fee. Large hotels, post offices and telecommunication centers provide telegram and telex services
Time Difference
Throughout China, there is only one time zone. That is Beijing time. Below is a reference showing the time difference between China and other parts of the world. The fact of daylight-saving time observed in other parts of the world is not taken into consideration.
Health Declaration Form
Foreign tourists are required to fill in a cursory Health Declation Form (distributed before arrival). Those planning on staying in China for a period of over six months may be required to present medical records. It is advisable to have vaccination records if you have been traveling in affected areas previous to visiting China.
Safety
China has a low crime rate, comparing with a lot of other countries; however crime has increased in the past few years, principally in the major cities. Foreigners have seldom been victims of violent crime. It is still wise to be cautious with your personal possession in public place. There are pickpockets active in crowded areas such as stations, markets, shopping areas, etc. Do not show off your money in public. Use your safe in the hotel room and don't bring too much cash with you when you don't need it. If there is any problem, report to the hotel or police immediately.
Emergency Call
If you need emergency services in China, please dial:
114 for local directory assistance
113,173 for long-distance assistance
115 for international assistance
110 for police hotline
119 for fire hotline
112 for medical aid
Workdays in China
Five working days in a week is the official government regulation. Working hours are 8 hours a day, normally from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with one hour break for lunch. All the government offices, institutions, schools,hospitals and other units do not work on Saturdays and Sundays, except some factories whose "weekends" may be within the week to avoid the electricity high peak. The emergency clinic is open when the hospital is closed. Shops are open everyday, normally from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Health Declaration Form
Foreign tourists are required to fill in a cursory Health Declation Form (distributed before arrival). Those planning on staying in China for a period of over six months may be required to present medical records. It is advisable to have vaccination records if you have been traveling in affected areas previous to visiting China.
Restricted Areas
Visitors to China should be aware that Chinese regulations strictly prohibit travel in "closed" areas without special permission. However, over 1,200 cities and areas in China are open to visitors without special travel permits, including most major scenic and historical sites. If you need to know if an area is open to travel without a permit, seek advice from the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate, or, if you are already in China, from the local Chinese public security bureau.
Laundry
The Chinese Laundries are not as popular as in the U.S. There are also no coin-op launduomats. However,laundry services are available at most hotels, usually via the floor attendants. One-day dry cleaning and ironing services are offered at better hotels. Quality of service and price vary. Try a few easily replaceable articles first.
