Important China information
Click on the links below to take you to the corresponding section:
*Passport and visa
*Currency
*Health
*Safety
*Altitude sickness
*Passport and visa
*Currency
*Health
*Safety
*Altitude sickness
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When to apply for your Visa Chinese Visa's are usually valid for 90 days from the day of issue, for a maximum stay of 30 days within China, so don't get your visa too early. The application process can be very quick or take a few weeks, depending on the time of year so please leave adequate time for your application. Chinese Visa details/requirements can change rapidly, so if in any doubt please contact the Chinese Embassy for up to date details. |
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We had no problem at all travelling through China with only an ATM card, credit card and some cash. You'll be able to visit ATM's at every airport and in every city; it may take a little while to find ATM's with the Maestro or Cirrus trademarks and you may occasionally reach an empty ATM. In these situations it's best to have some spare cash on hand. For instance you could have some traveller cheques or cash as back up currency on you. You'll pay just as much of a service charge for cashing in the cheques as you would pay commission for exchanging foreign currency in China. Credit cards are not accepted at all locations; however they are accepted in hotels, larger stores and restaurants, mainly in cities. Australian Dollars are accepted at nearly all banks and larger hotels. Paying tips for service in hotels, restaurants, drivers and guides is very much appreciated in China. |
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Your health in China
China online has tried to provide as up-to-date and accurate health information as possible. However we also advise contacting medical organisations in your area to find out what the latest information regarding your health in China is.
The information below is meant for travellers who are in good health, not pregnant and who will not stay in China longer than a month. Be sure to research up-to-date medical information pertaining to your own situation.
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Vaccinations for ChinaDTP: Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio. These are advised for most countries outside of Europe, the vaccination is valid for 10 years.Hepatitis A: Choose from either short or long-term protection, long-term protection is possible for 10 years. Typhoid fever This vaccination is advised for any stay longer than 2 weeks in China, excluding Hong Kong. The vaccination is valid for 3 years. Meningitis: Is advised for those spending a longer period of time in China and those in close contact with local inhabitants. Rabies: This vaccination is advised when travelling to remote areas. Bilharzia: As long as you don't swim in still-standing water, you won't have to worry about contracting this infection caused by worms. |
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Malaria Generally the risk of malaria in China is very low, and anti-malarial medication is therefore not required. It's best to check with your own medical professionals and have them advise you on the current situation and then you can decide for yourself what is best for you. Dengue and Japanese B-encephalitis These are both diseases that can contracted by mosquito bites and require the same preventative measures as for Malaria. There is no vaccination available for Dengue; however there is a vaccine for Japanese B-encephalitis and it is advised if you plan on travelling through Asia for more than 6 months. Health precautions prior to departureBe sure to contact your local medical authorities, such as a hospital, physician or other vaccination specialist, prior to departure. Bring along your vaccination documents during your China trip. Naturally it's best to arrange vaccinations as far in advance as possible and to receive information from various medical authorities since prices can vary from to another. Sites such as www.tripprep.com also offer valuable information, but please keep in mind that some of the links on this site are sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry. |
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Additional preparation
Create your own first-aid kit or purchase one. There are also many books available on staying healthy while travelling in the tropics which may prove valuable when travelling through southern China and on Hainan Island. These books also provide you with information on what to take along with you in your first-aid kit. Some medical authorities and travel stores sell first-aid kits and relevant reading material. It's best not to go overboard when reading books on health threats in China; you wouldn't want to be afraid that every headache could indicate a dangerous disease.
If you are taking prescription medication, bring along the information leaflet just to prove that you are not a drug abuser. Also bring along an extra supply of medication in case you lose some and you don't want to go through the hassle of looking for a Chinese pharmacy. Bring along a letter from your doctor with details on your medication just in case this information becomes necessary during your stay for any reason. You may even want to bring along a clean set of a syringe and needles; be sure to bring along a doctor's statement for this as well.
If you wear glasses or contact lenses, bring along an optician's statement or an extra pair of glasses or lenses.
Create your own first-aid kit or purchase one. There are also many books available on staying healthy while travelling in the tropics which may prove valuable when travelling through southern China and on Hainan Island. These books also provide you with information on what to take along with you in your first-aid kit. Some medical authorities and travel stores sell first-aid kits and relevant reading material. It's best not to go overboard when reading books on health threats in China; you wouldn't want to be afraid that every headache could indicate a dangerous disease.
If you are taking prescription medication, bring along the information leaflet just to prove that you are not a drug abuser. Also bring along an extra supply of medication in case you lose some and you don't want to go through the hassle of looking for a Chinese pharmacy. Bring along a letter from your doctor with details on your medication just in case this information becomes necessary during your stay for any reason. You may even want to bring along a clean set of a syringe and needles; be sure to bring along a doctor's statement for this as well.
If you wear glasses or contact lenses, bring along an optician's statement or an extra pair of glasses or lenses.
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Your health in ChinaAside from the vaccinations you can take prior to departure and being in the best possible health when travelling to China, it's also important to prevent disease while travelling. Try to remain vigilant; when in doubt, consult a local physician. If you run into any language barriers, our local agents in the larger cities of China are only a phone call away to assist you.Thrombosis Thrombosis can be caused by long periods of sitting still, make sure during your flight make sure you regulary get up and move around the cabin. Jet lag "Jet Lag" is caused by a disturbance of your "biological clock", your body's sleep rhythm etc., which is caused by travelling through several time zones. The first days after your flight, your body will have to adjust to the new bio-rhythm which will cause you to be tired and a bit out of sorts. The best remedy against jet lag: try to avoid coffee and alcohol during your flight and try not to over exert yourself for the first two to three days after your arrival in China. Furthermore, it's important to adjust to the new sleeping rhythm as soon as possible. When we travel we usually take a one-hour nap and then stay awake until local (children's) bedtime. |
DiarrhoeaChanges in your daily rhythm, the climate and your diet (especially digesting more spicy dishes) can make your intestines go nuts. As long as this only results in slight diarrhoea without any other symptoms, it's best to simply take it easy and drink a lot of water. You could also take some ORS (Oral Rehydration Salts) diluted in water to make sure that you do not dehydrate; this is especially necessary for children and senior travellers. If you're on the road you may want to take some loperamide. This will stop the peristaltic movement of the intestines, so that it will seem as if the diarrhoea is over. This is not a medicine; it is simply a temporary aid to stop diarrhoea during difficult moments such as during a 6 hour bus ride. If the diarrhoea continues for more than 2 days or if you have any other symptoms such as fever, blood in your stools or other symptoms, contact a physician immediately. Chinese physicians are more apt to provide patients with antibiotics than they European physicians. Antibiotics may help resolve the situation at hand; however they could leave you with other digestive problems by destroying your intestinal flora. In support of your intestines you could take Acidophilus-capsules (ask for them at a herbal nutritionist's or pharmacist's). Keep in mind that alcohol and antibiotics do not mix and that birth control pills do not work adequately when combined with antibiotics. This is a photograph of a Chinese toilet and these are pretty much the same anywhere you go. After seeing this you'll want to prevent diarrhoea even more. You may also want to bring along paper towels and toilet paper. |
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Diarrhoea preventionOnly drink water and other drinks from closed/ sealed bottles, from cans or which have been boiled such as tea or coffee. Ice cubes (made of water) are usually safe if they are round and have holes in them. Fruit juices are only safe if no water has been added to them. All foods, especially meat and fish, should be well cooked, broiled or fried. It's not always safe to eat foods from a street vendor in China. Try to select street vendors that have many customers; more food will be purchased and therefore it won't be left in the elements for long before a new batch is prepared. Enjoy meals in restaurants that have a well maintained appearance. It's also best not to eat meats sold by street vendors later in the day; this meat may have been outside all day. A home remedy against diarrhoea is coca-cola and broth (not necessarily taken at the same time). Coca-cola is available everywhere and most hotels have water cookers available for you to prepare broth. |
More (semi-)medical tipsSkin careTake any wounds you may have on your skin seriously. Keep an eye on them and apply disinfectant and possibly even wear a band aid during the day. Be sure to apply sunscreen to skin that is exposed to the sun. Brightly coloured or black clothing, strong perfumes, deodorants and after shave attract insects; it's best not to look too much like a flower. Wash or disinfect your hands after every visit to the toilet and try not to bite your nails. Sunstroke Prevent sunstroke by wearing a hat, cap or bandana and possibly even a pair of sun glasses. Always have a bottle of water with you, especially when travelling through nature in areas where drinking water isn't easy to come by. If you think that you have sunstroke (you'll feel lightheaded and you'll have a headache) have a drink, sit in the shad and rest for a while. Vitamin B tends to help as well, but its best not to take too much of it. Your health when you return home If after your China trip (and this can also happen several months later) you have a fever, intestinal complaints or anything else that seems quite odd, contact your physician and tell him where in China you travelled and for what amount of time. A Mantoux test (TBC test) may be worthwhile. |
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Safety
China is one of the safest countries in the world; despite having a population of more than 1,2 billion people, you won't have any problems walking down the street at night in cities or towns. For up to date information, you could also have a look at the smart traveller web site.
Avian Flu
The WHO (World Health Organisation) has not issued any negative travel advice regarding Avian Flue and travel to China at this moment. For up to date information on countries that have had Avian Flu outbreaks, have a look at www.who.int.
Altitude sickness
What is altitude sickness?Altitude sickness (also known as soroche) is caused by a lack of oxygen in the body. If you travel from an area located at an altitude of 1000 metres and land in a location above an altitude of 2500 metres, such as Lhasa in Tibet, due to the thin air your body has access to much less oxygen. At first, you'll only notice that your breathing will quicken; however other symptoms differ per person. Symptoms of increasing severity are: headache, insomnia, lack of appetite, nausea, dizziness, severe exhaustion, decreased urine, vomiting, and an overall slowing down of the reflexes.The risk of altitude sickness is mostly based on three factors: |
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1. The speed of the climb. Altitude sickness rarely occurs during a climb of less than 300 metres per day. If you climb more rapidly, chances that you'll experience altitude sickness are higher when you're travelling at an altitude of 2500 metres or more. 2. The altitude at which you sleep. If you climb rapidly on one day, for instance 1000 metres, yet descend that very same day... you won't experience altitude sickness. It usually takes 6 - 12 hours for symptoms to ensue, so if you return to a lower laying area within that time frame you shouldn't get ill. If you spend the night at a higher altitude, especially after climbing more than 600 metres within one day, you can get sick. Approximately 25% of all climbers get slightly ill for a short period of time between an altitude of 2500 and 3500 metres. Approximately 65% of those who climb to an altitude of between 3500 and 5500 metres have more serious altitude sickness and practically all of those who climb to higher altitudes experience altitude sickness. Xiahe in China lies at approximately 3000 metres, Zhongdian lies at 3200 metres and Lhasa lies at 3600 metres. 3. Genetics. Some people are more susceptible to altitude sickness than others. Unfortunately there are no tests to determine whether or not altitude sickness will be experienced, you won't know until it happens. Once you've experienced altitude sickness, chances are you'll experience it again in the future. |
We suggest travelling along a route that takes you from a low-altitude location to a high-altitude location. This will give your body adequate time to acclimatize. If your holiday takes you to a high-altitude location by plane, plan at least 3 rest days for your body to acclimatize. After about a week your body will adjust to the altitude; however you will continue to tire easily after exertion due to the lack of oxygen in the air.
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Children aren't necessarily more susceptible to altitude illness; however they are less likely to understand and vocalize their complaints. That is why it is best not to bring children with you on trip exceeding an altitude of 2500 metres. High altitude travel, without climbing activities or other strenuous activity, shouldn't be a problem for someone experiencing a healthy pregnancy without prior complications. However we do advise against travelling to Tibet, Zhongdian and Xiahe during a pregnancy. The hospitals in these areas have very limited facilities and hygiene and nutritional meals are not always prevalent. Senior citizens are not more susceptible to altitude illness than a younger person. However, senior travellers do tend to have more health concerns and are more quickly tired than others. Therefore it's best to consult a physician if you are above the age of 50 and about to embark on high-altitude travel. |
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Altitude sickness remedy.... descendIf you start to feel ill at a location above an altitude of 2500m, even if you're not sure, it's safe to assume that you have altitude sickness or soroche. Mild complaints (headaches that lessen when pain medication is taken) can be treated by taking a day off from travelling. If you feel genuinely ill, consult a physician immediately. Altitude sickness can become fatal if left untreated.If some time out doesn't alleviate your altitude sickness, there's only one remedy left which is sure to help: climb back down the mountain. If you're staying in Lhasa for a journey through Tibet, you will have to leave the country. Lhasa is the lowest lying area in Tibet at an altitude of 3600m. |
Altitude illness prevention
Having an excellent level of physical fitness is useful for climbing mountains, however it does not protect against altitude illness. It's also impossible to prevent altitude illness by taking a pill or syrup and there is no technology available to assess your risk of altitude illness prior to your departure. If anything, people who have a high level of physical fitness tend to climb too quickly, therefore increasing their risk of contracting altitude illness. Over exertion can also increase the risk of altitude illness; therefore even if you can climb quickly and you feel up to being up an about, be sure to rest out after a considerable climb.| The higher you tend to climb, the more your appetite will tend to disappear and yet you must eat to keep up your strength. Try to eat sufficient carbohydrates (bread, pastas, rice, etc.); this is even more important than eating proteins and fibres. Fatty foods will digest slowly, causing you to feal ill when you exert yourself. It's best not to eat solid foods, or only to eat a little, before a particularly difficult climb. Foods filled with fibres are also best avoided before a climb; they can cause your colon to work overtime and could make you nauseous. Remember to drink large amounts of water and other fluids, since you'll lose extra fluids at high altitude. Dehydration could lead to a problematic stomach - colon working and could have negative effects on a climber. It doesn't matter what you drink, as long as it tastes good (otherwise you probably won't drink enough of it). If you want to avoid the effects of altitude illness, bring along acetazolamide (Diamox®) to prevent it. However, it is medication and could have side effects and may not be appropriate for everyone. In some cases you may want to use it; however you should only use it as a back-up and never forget to follow the preventative measures outlined above. |
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