Things to Know

Etiquette
China has often been referred to as the Nation of Etiquette. According to many westerners, however, Chinese people often act in what appears to be a discourteous manner. The reason for this anomaly lies in the different cultural and historical views of social decorum.

Handshaking
Handshaking is considered formal greeting behavior in China. It is used to show respect, but only if the person is someone important, like a government official or a businessman.

Mianzi (Face)
Mianzi, commonly referred to as ‘face’, is a reflection of a person’s level of status in the eyes of his or her peers. Having ‘face’ means you are viewed by your peers, superiors, and subordinates as one in harmony with the prevailing disposition of society. It is a subtlety that is not openly discussed in Chinese society, but exists as a conversational skill nonetheless. Mianzi can best be understood as the avoidance of embarrassment in front of others.

General
The number Four, which sounds like death in Chinese, is considered an unlucky number in China. You will see that in many buildings, levels 4 and 13 are non-existent for this reason.

When eating with chopsticks, at the conclusion of the meal, do not leave your chopsticks sticking in the rice so that they stand upwards. This is considered unlucky as it looks similar to incense that is often burnt at funerals.

If you want to ‘toast’ your glass with a Chinese person, it is considered a sign of respect to toast the top of your glass lower than theirs.

Best Time to Travel to China
China’s geographic area is slightly larger than the United States, and it covers similar latitudes, with the lion’s share located in the temperate zone. This provides endless year-round variety for visitors, from ice festivals in the north to tropical beach resorts in the south.

Keep in mind the vast distances between destinations when planning your trip. Traveling along the popular Golden Route (Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, Guilin) is the rough equivalent of visiting Chicago, Washington DC, Atlanta, and Miami, all in one trip.

Weather-wise, Shanghai and Guangzhou’s climates resemble those of US southeastern coastal states, while Beijing’s climate is more like Chicago’s.
While China is a year-round destination, the months of May, September, and October are ideal months for travel anywhere in the country.

In the north, the winters are cold, and summers are warm, with moist monsoon air streams making it hot (80% of China’s rainfall occurs between late May and early October, mostly in the Southern regions). June through August is a good time to visit central and northern China and spring and autumn are the best months for travel in Southern China. March and April are the lower-priced shoulder season; while the lowest price, off-season travel is from November through the winter months. This is when adventuresome travelers are rewarded with unbelievably low prices and far fewer fellow tourists.

Autumn
The most comfortable season of the year is early autumn (September to early October). During that period, temperatures are reasonable throughout China (about 50-72 F) with a limited amount of rain. September is the only month when the ancient and valuable paintings of the Beijing Palace Museum are displayed due to proper climate conditions (low humidity and proper temperature).

Spring
Spring can also be delightful, with the average temperatures roughly the same as in autumn (about 50-72 F). The best way to dress is to wear layered clothing that will make you comfortable in chilly and warm weather.

Summer
Summer (from June to the end of August) can be extremely hot with temperatures well above 72 F, especially in the famous ‘four furnaces’ of China: Wuhan, Tianjin, Chongqing and Nanchang. Summer is a rainy season, so bring umbrellas, light raincoats and rubber/plastic shoes.

Winter
Winter can be incredibly cold especially in the north. An off-season visit can offer its rewards. For example, the Harbin Winter Ice Lantern Festival is quite charming.

Before deciding when to visit, check the weather conditions of each city on your itinerary. Remember, the most temperate seasons are also the most crowded. Regardless of the time of the year, a visitor will always be rewarded with charming scenery and experiences.

High Season vs. Low Season

High seasons in China:
* Labor Day (May 1, 3 days duration)
* National Day (October 1, 7 days duration)
* University Holidays: Summer holiday (June-September) and Winter holiday (January-February)
Many people plan a visit during high seasons. However it is not always the best choice. During high seasons tickets for trains, planes, and hotel accommodations are hard to obtain. If you want to travel during the high seasons, consider an organized tour, as you do not have to worry about obtaining tickets yourself.
Compared with high seasons, low seasons couldn’t be a better choice for visits for the following reasons:
* Save money. In low seasons, entrance fees, travel ticket prices, and goods cost less.
* Save time. Low seasons offer you a more tranquil environment. It may take several hours to take a photo during peak times, while in low seasons you can enjoy the beautiful scenery at more leisurely pace.

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS:
Know Before You Go: You need a visa and a passport with at least six months validity to enter China. If you do not have a valid passport and the appropriate Chinese visa, you will not be allowed to enter China and will be fined and subject to immediate deportation. U.S. citizens should apply for a year-long multiple-entry visa. A multiple-entry visa is essential if you plan to re-enter China, especially if you plan to visit either Hong Kong or Macau. Visit the Embassy of China’s website for the most current visa information.

If you are a dual-national U.S. citizen with a Chinese passport and you enter the country on your Chinese passport rather than your U.S. passport, you may encounter problems. China does not recognize dual citizenship, and the Chinese government routinely denies U.S. officials access to arrested or detained U.S. citizens who do not enter China using their U.S. passport.

In general, if you are travelling through China en route to a different country, you do not need a visa as long as you plan to stay in China less than 24 hours and do not leave the airport. If, however, you are a transit passenger and have more than one stopover in China, you must exit the transit lounge at the first stop to apply for an endorsement in your passport that permits multiple stops in China. As long as you have a ticket that continues on to an international destination, the endorsement should be routine. In Shanghai, you can transit through Pudong Airport or Hongqiao Airport and stay in Shanghai for 48 hours as long as you have a valid passport, a visa for your onward destination, and a valid ticket for an international destination.

Other Important Things to Know:

Passport Requirement: Yes.
Visa Requirement: Yes. Visa in Advance.
Best Time To Travel to This Destination: March to May.
This Destination is Best For: History, Culture, Art, and Culinary Experiences.
Is This a Family-Friendly Destination: Yes
Recommended Vaccinations: Vaccination for influenza, typhoid, measles, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and tuberculosis.