Welcome to China

Cultural treasures, modern cities, breathtaking landscapes and delectable cuisine, China continually tops travelers’ bucket lists.

Within the country’s vast borders, you’ll find a one-stop-shop for an epic trip, from the iconic Great Wall to the mysterious Terracotta Warriors, from the mighty Yangtze River to the picturesque Three Gorges. Attend a renowned Beijing opera performance. Ride a camel through the Gobi Desert. Soar to the top of Victoria Peak in Hong Kong. Cycle through the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces of Yuanyang County. Learn about the origin of the monks’ martial art practice, Shaolin Kung Fu.

Savor the flavors and admire the architecture of the unique Guangdong Cantonese region. Take a quiet moment while reflecting on West Lake’s traditional gardens in Hangzhou or floating on a bamboo raft down the Li River in Guilin. China is a feast for the senses, no small feat for the world’s oldest continuous civilization.

Unique Facts

• Sleep in! The sunrise in China can be as late as 10 AM. The country joined its five time zones into a single one, resulting in this strange phenomenon.
• It’s huge – China is the fourth-largest country in the world, after the United States, Canada and Russia, yet it has the highest population in the world.
• The national sport is table tennis (ping pong). China has won every gold medal in table tennis in the last three Olympic Games.
• There is a chopstick museum in Shanghai, home to 2,000 pairs of chopsticks that date back to the Tang Dynasty.
• Enjoy a cup of tea – it was discovered in China. First used as medicine in the 10^th century, BC, the tea ritual has evolved over the centuries, resulting in countless ways to grow, brew, serve and drink tea.

Language

China’s official language is Mandarin.

When To Go

The best time to go to China is spring and autumn, March to May and September to November.

Airports

Beijing Capital International Airport

Passport Validity

Passport must be valid at time of entry for six months beyond arrival date.

Visa Required By US Citizen?

Yes

Vaccinations

The CDC recommends the following vaccines for most travelers when visiting China: Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Depending on where you are traveling, you may also need Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, Polio, Malaria, Rabies and Yellow Fever vaccines.

Electrical Outlets

Power plugs and sockets: types A, C and I. Standard voltage: 220V. Frequency: 50Hz.

Currency

Official local currency: Renminbi (Yuan)

Getting Around

Overall, traffic safety is generally poor and driving can be dangerous throughout China.

Safe public transportation is available, including subways, trains, and buses.

Driver’s License

Foreign visitors are not allowed to drive in China.

US Embassy Info

U.S. Embassy Beijing
No. 55 An Jia Lou Road
Chaoyang District, Beijing 100600
China
Telephone: +(86)(10) 8531-4000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(86)(10) 8531-4000
Fax: +(86)(10) 8531-3300
BeijingACS@state.gov

Local Visitor Info

China National Tourist Office
350 Fifth Ave., Ste. 6413
New York, NY 10118
Tel: 212-760-8218
Fax: 212-760-8809
ny@cnta.gov.cn

Local Emergency Phone Numbers

Police: 110
Ambulance: 120
Fire: 119

Safety and Security

China is a generally a safe country for travelers. The most common concern is petty street crime.