China flights and travel guide

Language

The official language is Mandarin Chinese, but there are hundreds of local dialects.

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Communications

The international access code for China is +86. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). The city code for Beijing is (0)10. Telephone communication within China is good and improving all the time. International Direct Dialling is available in most cities. Phone cards are widely available and calls can be made from post offices and hotels; phone booths on the streets are usually for local calls only. In hotels, local calls are generally free or will be charged only a nominal fee. Mobile phone networks are very advanced. Operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with mostnon-North American international operators. Internet cafes are available in most main towns.

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Tipping

Tipping is not officially recognised, although the practice is becoming more common among travel guides, top-end restaurants, tour bus drivers and hotel staff. Tipping is not expected in most restaurants and hotels. Large hotels and restaurants often include a service charge in their bills, usually of about 10 per cent.

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Safety

China is generally safe and there has been no evidence of a threat from global terrorism. Occasional protest-related bombings have occurred but these are not directed at foreigners and tend to be isolated incidents. Serious crime against foreigners is rare but does occur, particularly in isolated or sparsely populated areas. There has been an increase in the number of muggings and robberies at Beijing International Airport and the Jianguomenwai area of Beijing, as well as in Shenzen, bordering Hong Kong. If trekking alone, including following parts of the Great Wall, it is advisable to leave an itinerary and expected time of return with a third party. Travellers should take extra care in street markets and at tourist sites, which attract thieves and pickpockets, and around the popular expat bar areas at night where lone foreigners have recently been attacked. Travellers should be cautious about using pedicabs in Beijing, as tourists have been mugged and demands for money made by pedicab drivers; women in particular have been targeted. Seasonal heavy rains and typhoons cause hundreds of deaths in China each year, such as tropical storm Bilis in July 2006, which caused extensive flooding and landslides, killing more than 178 people.

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Health

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from infected areas. There is a risk of malaria throughout the low-lying areas of the country, and it is recommended that travellers to China seek medical advice before departure. A total of 18 human cases of avian influenza ("bird flu") have been reported from China since November 2005. Twelve of the cases were fatal. Travellers are unlikely to be affected by bird flu, but live animal markets and places where contact with live poultry is possible should be avoided. All poultry and egg dishes should also be thoroughly cooked. Outbreaks of SARS (SevereAcute Respiratory Syndrome) are officially over, but travellers are warned to remain vigilant for this viral disease. The last case occurred in April 2004. Japanese encephalitis has been responsible for the deaths of a number of people in the Shaanxi and Shanxi provinces in northern China, and rabies infects people every year, occasionally causing death. Altitude sickness can occur in themountainous regions of Tibet, Qinghai, parts of Xinjiang, and western Sichuan. Outside city centres, visitors should only drink bottled water. Western-style medical centres with international staff are available in the major cities and usually accept credit cards. Health insurance is recommended.

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Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Plug types vary but the two- narrow-pin types are most common. Adapters are generally required.

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