Travel Tidbits
Page 2
THERES
A FEE FOR EVERYTHING IN CHINA:
That which would be covered by public taxes here is covered by individual fees
there, as in the toilets, parks, airport tax, etc. Carry enough Yuan and
Jiao, but remember you must convert it before you leave because you
can’t take it out of the country. Remember to keep about 90 Yuan for
each of you in your pocket whenever you exit any airport in China.
You must pay an "airport exit" fee in Yaun before they
will allow you to check in for your flight. The fee goes to the
construction and expansion of their airports.
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SOUVENIERS: Practice this phrase BOO YOW! Say it firmly. It means, “do not want” You will need to say it often at the tourist
attractions. That said, if you see something you like buy it because
you will not see it again on your trip and you won’t find it
cheaper in the US. LANGUAGE -Click here to find out your name in Chinese Folks in Guangzhou andn Hong Kong speak Cantonese rather than Mandarin. Bring a phrase book and point. Everyone can read the characters, no matter what they speak. PACKING:
see detailed packing list |
CURRENCY:
Click
here for Currency Converter
$1 American = 8 rmb
$5 American = 40 rmb
$10 American = 80 rmb
$15 American = 120 rmb
$20 American = 160 rmb
Use belly packs or wallet on a string
things instead of purse or handbag.
Use a hidden money belt. Keep your passport on you at all times - make
copies of passport front page and keep it in your suitcase and a copy at
home. They sell for a lot of
money on the black market. Keep money exchange receipts. The rate will be
20% against you in America. Take a small calculator to negotiate prices
with local merchants. Recommend you take $20. So can convert easily and
end up with not too much Yaun that is non convertible.
CREDIT
CARDS:
BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE USA, call all your
credit card companies and see if they charge a CURRENCY CONVERSION FEE.
American Express charges 1% just to convert from yuan to dollars. Others
vary. Hotels in Beijing, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong accept Visa, MasterCard
and American Express.
Also be sure to call and tell them you are traveling to China.
GIFTS:
The
Chinese have a pleasant habit of giving small presents to visitors much as
we would give a baseball cap to a friend. It is nice to return the
compliment to those who have helped you in the adoption process or other
situations. Please do not give anything that is made in China. Floor
maids--$1 American money or smaller gifts ($1 = 8 rmb) ***Do not tip bell
hops or bus boys--insulting to them, no one lower than a floor maid***
Ideas for gifts: shower gels, body lotions, perfume sticks,
perfume-cosmetics, jewelry (silver pins), photo album -postage stamps-
lifesaver candies-Marlboro cigarettes-Postcards, take, medium size gift
bags and small gift bags to put gifts in. Bring bite size chocolate candy
bars for tips and gifts to children. *Keep a bottle or two of perfume,
wrapped in diaper bag at -all times (just in case)
LUGGAGE:
Click here for Airline information
40-50 pds is the luggage weight in China. Anything over you will have to pay a luggage fee. In the US the luggage weight is 70 pds. The overweight luggage fee is more reasonable in China then it is in the United States. Take a poster tube for Art. BE SURE the weaker member of the couple can lift each individual piece of luggage by themselves. BE SURE to take all your luggage on a "test drive" at home before committing yourself. You must be able to schlep your luggage all by yourself over cracked sidewalks, while I carry the baby in the snugli. Don't buy new luggage. Use what you have and borrow from friends, who will have the thrill of looking at foreign luggage stickers all over their bags when you return them. Since most luggage looks alike find some way to distinguish yours. Use sturdy luggage tags, and be sure to put your name and BUSINESS address both INSIDE and OUTSIDE your luggage, including the phone number of a contact at home.
ORPANAGE
DONATIONS:
It is okay to bring clothes to donate to the orphanage. In fact, it is a pretty safe gift, i.e., they could always use more. The only caveat is that is should be new clothes with the tags still on them. For whatever reason (and I suspect it is more related to pride than anything else), they won't take used clothes, no matter how good the condition. More accurately, they will take them all right, but they will not use them. They will throw them away. They are always very gracious, thankful and polite when they receive any gift. It is after the families' leave or out of their hearing that the orphanage officials sometimes comment to Shasha (Guide) about the things that they are given. This is how we learned of this. So, it is okay to bring clothes for a gift as long as they are new. You might want to remember all orphanages have older children too and they are often forgotten. They need gifts or clothes too, but most people bring things suitable only for babies and some orphanages get overrun with toys and things suitable only for very young children.
CUSTOMS:
Be aware of the US regulations before you
leave. The Chinese seem to call ivory "bone", and ivory is
absolutely not allowed into the US. Keep a record of what you buy and keep
your receipts. If you have nothing to declare, you might be waved through
with no luggage inspection. Customs seems to know that if you are
returning with an infant, you had no money and no luggage space or time to
buy anything.