Tips and Warnings For 
China and Tibet

              For further info visit British Embassy Website  http://www.uk.cn

China 

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary and Natural disasters section (Tropical cyclone Wipha).  The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Summary 

    * Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in China have resulted in a small number of human fatalities.  See the Health section of this advice and also read the FCO’s Avian and Pandemic Influenza Factsheet for more details. 

    * British nationals require visas to enter China.  Visas cannot be obtained on arrival except at Hainan Island.  Carefully check your visa validity as fines can be levied for overstaying.  See the Entry Requirements section of this travel advice for more details.

     * There is a low threat from terrorism in China.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers. 

    * The tropical cyclone season in China normally runs from May to November, affecting the south eastern coastal regions of China.  See the Natural Disasters (Typhoons) section of this advice and the Hurricanes page of the FCO website for more details. 

    * Most visits to China are trouble free. The main type of incident for which British nationals require consular assistance in China in 2006 was for replacing lost or stolen passports (132 cases).  Please note that only the British Embassy in Beijing has the facility to issue replacement passports, although applications can be submitted at the Consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing. 

    * We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before traveling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  Please see the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.

Safety and Security 

Terrorism 

There is a low threat from terrorism in China.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers.  Please read "Security and General Tips" and "Risk of Terrorism when Traveling Overseas" pages for further information and advice.

Crime 

Serious crime against foreigners is rare.  However, crime does occur in both Chinese cities and in the countryside.  You should be aware that the theft of British passports, particularly in the larger cities, is on the increase.  Major tourist sites attract thieves and pickpockets.  Take extra care around street markets, at Beijing International Airport and when visiting popular expatriate bar areas after dark.  Make sure you visit bar areas in company.  If you resist a robbery attempt, it could lead to serious violence; use of knives is fairly common.
 
You should be wary of using pedicabs in Beijing.  Since late 2005, there has been an increase in the number of muggings and demands for money with menaces by pedicab drivers.  Foreign females, traveling alone, have been particularly targeted.  If you do use a pedicab, be sure to negotiate the price (in RMB) in advance.

We strongly advise you not to trek alone in isolated or sparsely populated areas, including those that follow parts of the Great Wall.  If you do so, you should leave your itinerary and expected time of return at your hotel/hostel or with a third party. 

Areas bordering on Siberia, Pakistan, Vietnam, Laos and Burma are poorly policed.  In Yunnan, drug smuggling and related crimes are on the increase.  There is also a risk of attack from armed bandits in the more remote areas of China. 

On the whole, travel in China remains safe and incident-free.  However, visitors should remain alert and keep their valuables, including passport, in a safe place.  In public places, ensure you keep your belongings firmly with you at all times. 

Political Situation 

China Country Profile

China is in practice a one party state.  The National People's Congress (NPC) is indirectly elected.  Direct elections for village leaders have also been conducted since 1988.  They take place every three years, although it is unclear how genuine and effective they are.  The legislature remains subject to Party leadership.  The Party leadership of President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao has placed greater emphasis on effective administration and encouraged greater accountability in the Party.  The leadership continues to follow established policy priorities of economic growth, internal stability and steadily opening up China to the world. 

You should be aware of strictly enforced regulations against any public demonstrations which do not have prior approval from the authorities.  Violators have been deported, and could face imprisonment.

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Local Travel

Severe weather conditions are possible in eastern and southern coastal provinces during the typhoon season (May-November).  You should check before traveling to these provinces during these months.

You may face temperature monitoring measures imposed by local and provincial authorities when you travel within China.
 
Road Travel 

The poor quality of roads and generally low driving standards leads to many, sometimes serious, accidents. 

Sea Travel

There have been several incidents of overcrowded ferries sinking, leading to loss of life.  There have also been attacks of piracy in the South China Sea.  We advise mariners to be vigilant and take appropriate precautions. 

Air Travel

There have been air accidents on the routes to the north and east of Beijing within Mainland China.

Rail Travel 

Trans-Siberian express trains are noted for smuggling.  Search your compartment and secure the cabin door before departure.  Petty theft from overnight trains and buses is common.

Local Laws and Customs 

There are severe penalties in China for drug offences, including in some cases the death penalty. 

There are restrictions on undertaking certain religious activities, including preaching and distributing religious materials.  The Falun Gong movement is banned in China. 

Homosexuality is not illegal although there are no laws specifically protecting the rights of homosexuals.
 

Entry Requirements

Visas 

British nationals require visas to enter Mainland China, but not Hong Kong.  Visas cannot be obtained on arrival except at Hainan Island. 

Carefully check your visa validity as fines can be levied for overstaying. 

Passport validity 

You should have a passport with a minimum of six months validity remaining. 

Stays of more than six months 

If you are entering China for employment, study or private purposes for a stay of over 6 months, you must produce a health certificate, which includes a blood test for HIV, and which has been legalised by the Chinese Embassy. 

Traveling to Hong Kong

If you visit Hong Kong from Mainland China you should ensure you have a double or multiple entry visa to gain re-entry to the mainland. 

Transiting China 

British nationals who are transiting China en route to a third country do not require a transit visa if staying within the confines of the airport for less than 24 hours.  If your stopover requires you to leave the airport, you will need a transit visa for both the outward and return journeys. 

Traveling with children 

Single parents or other adults traveling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave.  For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Chinese Embassy:  Chinese representation in the UK.

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Health

The WHO does not currently consider Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) to be a significant threat to public health.  For further information on SARS, you should access the World Health Organisation website http://www.who.int/csr/sars/en/. 

China has around 1,000 human Rabies cases every year.  Since January 2007, there has been an outbreak of Rabies in Hunan province, due to infected dogs.  A small number of human deaths have occurred.

In February 2007, there was a nation-wide outbreak of measles and rubella. It is advisable to ensure that your inoculations are up to date before traveling to the region.

In September 2006, an outbreak of Dengue fever, for which there is no vaccination or immunicsation, was reported in Southern China.  The majority of cases, almost 500, have occurred in Guangdong Province.  Some Southern Chinese provinces (Chongqing Municipality, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangdong, Fujian, Hainan, Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan) have ordered stricter medical inspections at ports of people, vehicles, cargoes and containers arriving from Southeast Asian regions. 

You should seek medical advice before traveling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  NHS Direct (0845 46 47) can provide you with advice on vaccination requirements for China.

For further information on endemic diseases, health outbreaks and vaccination requirements for China you should check the websites of NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel. 

For more general health information see:  Travel Health 

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) 

On 14 September 2007, local press reported that nearly 10,000 ducks had died in Si Xian village, Pan Yu district, Guangzhou the previous day.  The Guangdong Agricultural Department confirmed that the cause was Avian influenza.  As a result all poultry in Si Xian and nearby villages was culled.

There have been outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in poultry in China.  Since November 2005, this has led to a small number of human fatalities in rural areas of Liaoning, Guangxi, Anhui, Sichuan, Hunan, Guangdong, Fujian provinces, and the Tibet and Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Regions, believed to have arisen through close contact with infected poultry.  In January 2007, the WHO confirmed that a human was infected with, but did not die from, Avian Influenza in Anhui province.  Since the end of 2003, a number of human deaths have also occurred in Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Laos, Nigeria, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam.

The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be low.  However, as a precaution, you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

The WHO has warned of the possibility that the Avian Influenza outbreaks could lead at some point to a human flu pandemic, if the virus mutates to a form which is easily transmissible between people. 

British nationals living longer term in an Avian Influenza affected region should take personal responsibility for their own safety in the event of a future pandemic, including considering their access to adequate healthcare and ensuring travel documents are up to date. 

You should read this advice in conjunction with the:  Avian and Pandemic Influenza Factsheet

Natural Disasters

Earthquakes 

China is located in an active seismic zone and is periodically subject to earthquakes.  The most recent earthquakes occurred in Yunnan Province in south west China in June 2007, measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale.  Earthquakes of similar magnitude have occurred in the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, the Xinjiang Autonomous Region, and Yunnan Province in 2003. 

Flooding

Parts of central, southern and western China, particularly those bordering the Yangtze River, are susceptible to flooding.  You should check your route and the weather forecast locally before setting off on your journey.  Chongqing experienced serious flooding in April/May 2007. 

Typhoons

The tropical cyclone season usually runs from May to November, affecting the south eastern coastal regions of China.  You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation.  For more detailed information see Hurricanes.

The last typhoon to affect China was Tropical Cyclone Wipha in September 2007, which destroyed a number of homes and killed one person.

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General

Insurance 

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before traveling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.   

Lost/stolen passports 

Before submitting an application for a replacement loss/stolen passport, the loss should be reported to the nearest police station and a loss of confirmation report obtained.  Flight arrangements may also have to be re scheduled and if departing China, an exit visa is necessary.

Registration

If you are traveling independently, or planning an extended visit, we advise you to register with the nearest British representation, the British Embassy in Beijing or the British Consulate-General in Shanghai, Guangzhou or Chongqing.  You can find information about this on the website:  http://www.uk.cn.

Fire protection standards in Chinese accommodation are not always the same as in the UK.  You are advised to check fire precautions such as access to fire exits. 

Money 

It is not possible to change Scottish or Northern Irish bank notes.  Outside major cities, credit cards are not always readily acceptable and the availability of cash point machines (ATMs) is limited. 

Teaching Appointments

An increasing number of British nationals are becoming attracted to opportunities to teach English in China.  Most of those who do so have an extremely positive and enjoyable experience.  However, some have experienced difficulties.  The most common problems encountered arise from being faced with living or working conditions that do not meet expectations and complications over obtaining the correct visas and residence permits.  There have also been complaints of breach of contract, confiscation of passports and of payment being withheld.
 
If you wish to take up teaching appointments in China it is illegal to work on a tourist or business visa, and we advise you to contact the nearest Chinese Diplomatic Mission for information on obtaining the appropriate documentation.  In addition, you should research the educational establishment and the area in which you intend to work as thoroughly as possible.  Further information can be found in the consular area of the web-site of the British Embassy Beijing at website:  http://www.uk.cn.

Tibet 

You should obtain prior permission from the Chinese authorities for travel to Tibet.  The Chinese authorities state that foreigners entering Tibet can only do so on a group visa.  It is not possible to change or extend a group visa on re-entering China from Tibet. 

At some border crossings local officials have demanded additional travel permit fees from foreigners and have sometimes resorted to violence to secure payment. 

You should avoid becoming involved in any demonstrations or calls for Tibetan independence.  The authorities would regard videotaping or photographing any such activities as provocative. 

The local authorities will react strongly if you are found to be carrying letters or packages from Tibetan nationals to be posted in other countries. 

The extreme altitude in Tibet may cause altitude sickness.  If you are elderly or have a heart condition, pulmonary or bronchial problems you should seek medical advice before traveling to this region. 

You should normally seek permission to take photographs in Buddhist monasteries.  Negotiate fees beforehand.

The country code for China is 00 86.  You should omit the first zero of the numbers listed below if calling from outside China.

CONTACT DETAILS           

Address:           

British Embassy

11 Guang Hua Lu

Jian Guo Men Wai

Beijing 100600

Telephone: