Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Customs allowances
You're allowed to import into China up to
400 cigarettes, two litres of alcohol, twenty
fluid ounces (59ml) of perfume and up to 50g
of gold or silver. You can't take in more than
¥6000, and foreign currency in excess of
US$5000 or the equivalent must be
declared. It's illegal to import printed or
filmed matter critical of the country, but don't
worry too much about this, as confiscation is
rare in practice.
Note that export restrictions apply on any
items over 100 years old that you might buy
in China - though as you'd be hard pressed
to buy anything that old in Shanghai, you
needn't be unduly concerned about the
process - the “antiques” you commonly see
for sale are all fakes.
admit to being a journalist or writer as you
might be called in for an interview. At times
of political sensitivity you may be asked for a
copy o
f any air tickets and hotel bookings in
your name.
A business visa (F) is valid for six months
and can be for either multiple or single entry;
you'll need an official invitation from a
government-recognized Chinese organiza-
tion to apply for one (except in Hong Kong,
where you can simply buy one). Tw elve-
month work visas (Z) again require an
invitation, plus a health certificate from your
doctor.
Students can get an F visa if they have an
invitation or letter of acceptance from a
college in Shanghai, though this is only valid
for six months. If you're intending to study
for longer than six months, you need to fill
out an additional form, available from
Chinese embassies and online, and will also
need a health certificate; then you'll be
issued with an X visa which allows you to
sta
y and study for up to a year.
Electricity
The electricity supply runs on 220 volts, with
the most common type of plug dual flat
prong. Adaptors are widely available from
neighbourhood hardware stores, or any of
the tech malls (see p.
144).
Chinese embassies and consulates
Entry requirements
Australia
15 Coronation Drive, Yarralumla,
Canberra, ACT 2600
au.china
-embassy.org. Also consulates at 77 Irving Rd,
Toorak, Victoria (visa & passport enquiries
T
T
02/6273 4780,
W
Visa applications
To enter China, all foreign nationals require a
visa, available worldwide from Chinese
embassies and consulates and through
specialist tour operators and visa agents,
and online.
Single-entry tourist visas (L) must be
used within three months of issue, and cost
US$30-50 or the local equivalent. The
standard L visa is valid for a month, but the
authorities will usually grant a request for a
two- or three-month visa if asked (which
costs the same), though they might refuse at
times of heavy tourist traffic. To apply for an
L visa you have to submit an application
form, either one or two passport-size photo-
graphs, your passport (which must be valid
for at least another six months from your
planned date of entry into China, and have
at least one blank page for visas) and the
fee. If you apply in person, processing should
take between three and five working days.
Postal applications are not accepted. You'll
be asked your occupation - it's not wise to
03/9804 3683), 539 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills
02/9698 7929), 39 Dunblane St, Camperdown,
New South Wales (
T
(
T
02/8595 8000) and 45 Brown
St, East Perth (
02/9222 0321).
Canada
515 St Patrick St, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 5
T
T
www.chinaembassy
canada.org. Visas can also be obtained from the
consulates in Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver.
New Zealand
2-6 Glenmore St, Wellington
T
1-613/234 2682,
W
04/474 9631, plus a consulate in Auckland
T
09/525 1589;
W
www.chinaconsulate.org.nz.
Republic of Ireland
40 Ailesbury Rd, Dublin 4
T
01/269 1707.
South Africa
220 Hill St, Arcadia, Pretoria
T
027/1234 24194,
W
www.chinese-embassy
.org.za.
UK
31 Portland Place, London W1B 1QD
020/7631
1430; consulate at Denison House, Denison Rd,
Victoria Park, Manchester M14 5RX
T
T
0161/224
7480;
www.chinese-embassy.org.uk.
USA
2300 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington DC
20008
W
www.china-embassy
.org. Also consulates in Chicago, Houston, Los
Angeles, New York and San Francisco.
T
1-202-328-2517,
W
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