Tel: (011) 86-10-6498 1166

Shanghai Central Hotel

Address: No 555 Jiujiang Road, Shanghai

Tel: (011) 86-21-5396 5000

In addition to the hotel phone numbers, below are two numbers that your family can use to

contact you in the case of an emergency. Shirley and Jeffrey are both staff members of Princeton

Travelers:

· In Shanghai, Shirley Shen: (011) 86-13585973133

· In Beijing, Jeffrey Hu: (011) 86-13501288839

3 Xiu Shui Bei Jie

Chaoyang District

Beijing, PRC 100600

Tel: (011) 86-10-6532-3431

1469 Huai Hai Zhong Lu,

Shanghai, P.R.C. 200031

Tel. (011) 86-21-6433-6880

For international flights the group should be at the airport two hours prior to the flight.

For Chinese domestic flights the group should be at the airport one hour prior to the flight.

On the international flight between United States and China, passengers are allowed 2 pieces of

checked baggage with a maximum weight of 70 pounds per piece. The height + width + length

should not exceed 62 inches. On the domestic China flight between Beijing and Shanghai,

passengers are allowed a maximum weight of 44 pounds, which includes both checked and

carry-on luggage. On both international and domestic China flights, one carry-on is permitted.

All visitors must fill out customs declaration forms to present on arrival. These forms will be

handed out on the flight to China. One copy should be kept, and handed in upon departure from

China. Reasonable amounts of currency (including RMB) can be brought in, along with alcohol

and cigarettes for personal use, cameras, radios, computers and tape-recorders. Certain valuable

items, such as video cameras, office machines, computers and gold declared on the form must be

brought out of China or else import duty will be charged on them. However, it is recommended

that all valuables such as expensive jewelry be left at home.

Foreign tourists are required to fill in a cursory Health Declaration Form (distributed on the

plane before arrival in China). It is advisable to have vaccination records if you have been

traveling in affected areas prior to visiting China.

All Chinese people speak Putonghua (Mandarin), the national language based on the Beijing

dialect. Many students and young people study English, however few have a chance to practice.

This means that visitors may be approached for impromptu lessons or might find it difficult to

make themselves understood by people on the street. However tourist hotels employ staff fluent

in English, who can write down addresses or instructions in Chinese for taxi drivers or others.

All of China observes Beijing Time. At this time of year, when it is 9pm in Beijing, it is 9am in

New York City (12 hour time difference) or 8am in Nashville (13 hour time difference).

China’s climate ranges from year-round tropical heat in Hainan to Siberian conditions in the far

north and classic desert weather in the far west. In winter it is a good idea to wear layers of

garments (thermal or silk underwear with a sweater and padded jacket). In the warm weather

clothing should be casual and designed for comfort, without being too revealing. The Chinese are

generally conservative in their dress, favoring dark colors.

Shops open seven days a week, form 8 or 8:30 AM to 7:30 or 8 PM. Restaurant in hotels have

similar hours to those in Western countries, however most eating places outside the hotels close

much earlier, with people eating breakfast before going to work, and having lunch some time

between 11:30 AM and 2 PM. Dinner is traditionally taken around 6 or 7 in the evening,

although a few restaurants are adopting a more relaxed approach.

The Chinese currency is the Renminbi (RMB) or Yuan (Y), which is divided into fen. There are

Y 100, Y 50, Y 10, Y 5, Y 2, Y 1,50 fen, 20 fen and 10 fen banknotes. The smaller

denominations are being replaced with coins, valued at 10 fen, 20 fen, 50 fen, and Y 1.

Traveler’s checks and money can be exchanged in all major hotels and banks.

At present, the following credit cards are accepted in China: Master Card, Visa, American

Express, and Diners Card. ATMs that accept foreign cards are found in top class hotels and in

all major banks. In Beijing and Shanghai finding an ATM is not a problem but in the countryside

they are few and far between.

Any trip which involves a change of climate and diet can lead to difficulty in physical

adjustment. One should take along some usual medicines, such as those for colds, diarrhea and

constipation, though they are available at Chinese drugstores. Those who take special medicine

on a regular basis should be sure to carry an adequate supply with them. It is advisable to avoid

unboiled water and raw or under-cooked meat. Always drink filtered or bottled water.

Most top hotels have their own clinics or have access to an on call doctor. They can also help

guests purchase medicine or if necessary find a hospital. Visitors who need medical evacuation

can call International SOS First Aid Center, Tel.65003419, or Asian International First Aid

Center, Tel. 64629199, both in Beijing.

Electricity in China is 220V, 50 cycles, AC. Two-pin sockets and some three-pin sockets are in

use. Most of the hotels have a socket in the bathroom for both 110V and 220V. However, outside

of the bathroom, only 220V sockets are provided. Although an adapter may be borrowed from

the hotel, it is recommended you bring your own adapter plug.

Compared with many other countries, China is considered one of the safest countries in the

world for personal security. With this said, petty crime has increased in recent years, especially

in and around the major cities, however, serious crime against foreigners is relatively rare. Petty

crimes such as pick pocketing and purse snatching occur somewhat frequently, particularly in

crowded areas such as stations, markets, shopping areas and sightseeing destinations. It is wise to

be cautious with your personal possession in public places. Following are some precautions to

avoid potential problems:

· Do not show off your money in public

· Keep enough money for your immediate needs in your pocket, and hide the rest on you

· Always keep valuables in a safety deposit box at your hotel instead of leaving them in your room

· Remove any jewelry that may draw a thief's attention before you go out sight seeing

· Never wear a bag or purse on your street-side shoulder in order to avoid becoming a target of the "snatchand-run"

· Never carry your passport/visa, credit cards, traveller's checks or other travel documents in your shoulder bag

 · Be particularly cautious about your possessions in crowded areas such as local festivals, markets and tourist attractions

· Always let your hotel or guides know where you are on your free days during your tour

· Respect the local customs

· Do not voice publicly any opinions contrary to China's laws, code of ethics and morals or politics

Today attitudes towards tipping is changing, tips are now frequently offered to and accepted by

travel guides, tour bus drivers, porters and waiters in top-class hotels and restaurants. Consumer

taxes are included in price tags on goods but big hotels and fine restaurants may include a service

charge of 10% or more.

The idea of shame, usually expressed as 'face' could be loosely defined as the 'status' or 'selfrespect'.

It is the worst thing for a Chinese to lose face. Never insult, embarrass, shame, yell at or

otherwise demean a person. Since all these actions would risk putting a Chinese in a situation

that he might lose face. Neither try to prove someone wrong nor shout at him in public. In order

to get a successful effect without letting a Chinese lose face, any criticism should be delivered

privately, discreetly and tactfully.

Throughout much of Chinese history, the fundamental glue that has held society together is the

concept of guanxi, relationships between people. It is very important for the Chinese to have

good relationships. They often regard good social relations as a symbol of personal ability and

influence.

Keqi not only means considerate, polite, and well mannered, but also represents humbleness and

modesty. It is impolite to be arrogant and brag about oneself or one's inner circle. Chinese

seldom express what they think directly and they prefer a roundabout way. They don’t like to

show their emotions and feelings in public. They rarely greet people with a handshake, and they

would feel highly uncomfortable if embraced or kissed when greeting or saying good-bye.

Although China is rapidly becoming an economic power, it is still in many ways a

developing country. Thus, service and infrastructure will not always be of the

same standard that you are accustomed to in the United States. We will do our

very best to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible, all we ask is that

each of you come with patience, a spirit of adventure and a sense of humor.

Hello! How are you? Ni hao?

Thank you Xie-xie

Goodbye Zaijian

I’m sorry/excuse me Dui bu qi

No problem Mei you wen ti

Wait a moment Deng yi xia

It doesn’t matter Mei you guan xi

No, don’t have Mei you

Do not know Bu zhi dao

I want Wo yao

How much? Duoshao?

Good Hao

Not good Bu hao

Not bad (okay) Bu huai

Not possible Bu xing

Hotel Binguan

Restaurant Fandian

Taxi Chuzu Qiche

Telephone Dian hua

Toilet Cesuo

Train Huoche

Airplane Fei ji