Last Update Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it convenient to travel by train with heavy luggage?
- I need to wire transfer money to your Guilin China International Travel Service Co. Ltd. account--my bank needs the beneficiary's address in order to do the wire transfer. What is the address?
- Why is the money you charged to my card more than that you claimed to me?
- How about the money stuff?
- Hello, Is there a direct train from hong kong to guilin? If there is one, how many hours will it take and how much? thank you, Luvien
- I am a member of a frequent flyer program in my home country. Can I accumulate points when booking flight tickets on Chinese airlines?
- Are there any changes in China visa policy Because of the Olympic Games?
- Are there any changes in China visa policy during the Olympic Games?
- Are there any changes in China visa policy during the Olympic Games?
- What are the Methods of obtaining a China Visa?
1.Is it convenient to travel by train with heavy luggage? - Top
It is not very convenient.
First, at most of China's railway stations, there are many steps between platforms and entrances. Passengers who take heavy luggage need to make great efforts to carry it during the section. This can be more difficult for the senior citizens. Porters at the station may be helpful at extra expense but they are not always available when you need a helping hand.
Second, some trains only stop for 3 or 4 minutes at a station. You have to get on or get off the train in haste. You may lose your luggage if there are lots of others who are doing the same thing with you.
China Highlights suggest you take a plane instead of train when travelling in China because it is much safer and more convenient, especially for the senior citizens and the passengers who travel with their children. Book a China Flight
2.I need to wire transfer money to your Guilin China International Travel Service Co. Ltd. account--my bank needs the beneficiary's address in order to do the wire transfer. What is the address? - Top
3.Why is the money you charged to my card more than that you claimed to me? - Top
China Highlights converts Chinese RMB to US Dollars at a rate of RMB 6.8 = US$1 for our quotations but must charge your credit card in Chinese currency (RMB). Banks and Credit Card companies may use rate that are less favorable to you than our rate. Here is an example: CH quotes RMB680 for travel and this equates to US$100 exchange rate RMB6.8 = US$1 in our quotation. Banks and credit card companies will usually use a rate that enables them to make a profit on the exchange transaction. An example of this would be that they use an exchange of RMB6.8 = US$1. This will mean that RMB680 equates to US$100 and they will charge $100.8 to your credit card. The difference of $0.8 is the profit that has been made by the bank or credit card. China Highlights has no way to alter this situation and we get no benefit from the difference appearing on your credit card. China Highlights Travel will never charge more that our quotation that has been accepted by you, our client. For an illustration, please click here http://www.chinahighlights.com/aboutus/disclaimer.htm
4.How about the money stuff? - Top
China's legal tender is Renminbi (RMB). Foreign currencies can not be used directly in China, though some shops illegally accept foreign currencies.
The basic unit of RMB is yuan. 1 yuan (or kuai) =10 jiao (or mao). RMB is available in both paper notes and coins. The denominations of paper notes are 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 yuan; 5, 2 and 1 jiao. The denominations of coins are 1 yuan; 5 and 1 jiao. Hong Kong uses HK dollars.
Foreign currencies may be converted into RMB at all banks, bank branches or hotels at the exchange rate quoted on the foreign exchange marker on the day.
Black market in foreign currency is forbidden in China. People may approach you in front of hotels, at tourist spots or at banks for a black market exchange. You should be extremely careful. The exchange rate may be attractive--higher than the bank rate--but it is illegal and you risk being cheated. Sometimes these peopldon't give you the right amount, since you don't have time to count the money or, even worse, they may give you fake notes or a bundle of plain paper with a few notes on the top.
When you exchange money at the banks, you should ask for a certificate, with which you can change RMB back to foreign currency when you leave the country.
The Bank of China is the bank which specializes in handing credit cards issued in foreign countries. They include Visa, MasterCard, Diner's Card, American Express, JCB, Million Card and Federal Card.
These cards can be used at major hotels and shopping centres where the Bank of China has branches. In the event that you lose your card, you should report to one of the branches of the Bank of China and apply for a replacement.
The Bank of China has an agreement with foreign financial organizations on selling, cashing in and compensating for travelers' cheques.
The official exchange rate at this time is 6.8 yuan to 1 U.S dollar. Keep the receipt of the transaction as you might need when you leave China to change your US dollars back in Bank of China at the airport.
5.Hello, Is there a direct train from hong kong to guilin? If there is one, how many hours will it take and how much? thank you, Luvien - Top
6.I am a member of a frequent flyer program in my home country. Can I accumulate points when booking flight tickets on Chinese airlines? - Top
Four major Chinese airlines, Air China, Shanghai Airlines, China Southern Airlines, and Dragonair currently belong to international frequent flyer programs and it is therefore possible to accumulate points for flights on these airlines.
Claim your points
Our travel advisor will ask if you are a member of a frequent flyer program, remember to advise your membership information and tell her your member number. Show your member card before you board the flight and your points will be confirmed within 2 months.
If you do not get you points in this way it is possible to claim point by contacting the air company to which the flight you took belongs, at a later date. You need to keep your ticket or a copy of your e-ticket and your boarding pass until the miles your points are confirmed.
Air China and Shanghai Airlines are members of Star Alliance. China Southern Airlines belongs to Sky Team.
Star Alliance Members
The Star Alliance is the largest airline alliance in the world. At present, there are 20 members: Air China, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana, Austrian, Bmi, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, Swiss International Airlines, TAP Portugal, Thai Airways Intl, United Airlines, US Airways, Shanghai Airlines, and Turkish Airlines.
See Air China Mileage awards. See Shanghai Airlines Mileage awards
Sky Team
The SkyTeam is the second largest airline alliance. There are 11 members: Aeroflot, Aero Mexico, Air France, Alitalia, China Southern Airlines, Continental Airlines, Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, KLM, Korean Air and Northwest Airlines.
See China Southern Airlines Mileage awards
One World
The One World is the third largest airline alliance. There are 10 members: American Airlines, British Airways, Dragonair, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN, Malév, Qantas and Royal Jordanian.
See
7.Are there any changes in China visa policy Because of the Olympic Games? - Top
There are quite a few changes in China Visa policies because of the Olympics. We collected some FAQs from Chinese embassy's websites and several travel forums. The followings are what we reedited:
(Last updated: June 30th, 2008)
Q: Can I still apply for my China Visa in Hong Kong and Macau?
A: After Hong Kong returned to China in 1997 and Macau returned to China in 1999, many foreigners choose to apply for China Visas in Hong Kong and Macau because it is much easier to apply for China Visas in the two places than in their home countries.
But the situation changed because too many foreigners are applying for China Visas in Hong Kong and Macau during the Olympics. Now, passport holders of 33 countries can not apply for China Visa in Hong Kong and Macau any more. The 33 countries are (listed alphabetically) Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Congo, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Libya, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey and Uzbekistan.
The people who hold passports of other countries can still apply for China Visas in Hong Kong and Macau but the situation may change at any moment. We suggest our customers enquire Chinese embassies in their home countries before they go to Hong Kong or Macau to apply for China Visas.
Q. Are there any changes in applying for L Visa (Tourists Visa) and F Visa (Business Visa)?
A: L Visa (Tourists Visa) and F Visa (Business Visa) are two most popular categories of China Visas, so many tourists are eager to know policy changes in the two categories of China Visas. China Highlights listed the changes below:
- F Visas issued in China mainland can not be renewed in China mainland
F Visa issued in China mainland can not be renewed in China mainland. But if you get your F Visa in Shenzhen or Zhuhai you can still renew it in China mainland. Other F Visa holders must go to Hong Kong, Macau or their own countries to renew F Visas. - Validity of L Visa and F Visa has been reduced from 90 to 30 days
- F Visa can not be switched to L Visa or Vice Versa
Q: Which documents do I need to prepare when applying for L Visa or T Visa?
- Passport: your passport with a validity of at least 6 months. Besides, there should be a few blank pages on your passport.
- Application Form: to apply for a China Visa, you need to complete an application form. You can download the application form on the official website of China embassy in your resident county.
- Photo: a photo the same with your passport. You need to glue it on your application form.
- Round Trip Air Tickets and Hotel Reservation: the hotel reservation should include your check-in and check-out time and the round trip air tickets should include your arrival and departure time. If you want to live in your friend’s home, you need to provide your friend’s passport number or ID number. If you want to live in your family member’s home you need to your family member’s passport number or ID number. Besides, you need to prepare a certificate of kinship.
The four documents are necessary to apply for both L Visa and F Visa. Besides, when applying for an F Visa you need a Visa notification issued by an authorized Chinese unit.
Q. Can I apply for Multiple-Entry Visa now?
A: No new Multiple-Entry Visa will be issued from now on. The existing ones are valid till they expire. Only Single-Entry Visas and Double-Entry Visas are being issued now.
Visa Application Form: Download, Complete Online, print and sign it, one form per applicant;
Read FAQs About Visa Applications
8.Are there any changes in China visa policy during the Olympic Games? - Top
Recently, we received lots of emails from his customers to enquire about changes in China Visa situation. There are quite a few changes in China Visa policies because of the Olympics. We collected some FAQs from Chinese embassy's websites and several travel forums. The followings are what we reedited:
(Last updated: June 30th, 2008)
Q: Can I still apply for my China Visa in Hong Kong and Macau?
A: After Hong Kong returned to China in 1997 and Macau returned to China in 1999, many foreigners choose to apply for China Visas in Hong Kong and Macau because it is much easier to apply for China Visas in the two places than in their home countries.
But the situation changed because too many foreigners are applying for China Visas in Hong Kong and Macau during the Olympics. Now, passport holders of 33 countries can not apply for China Visa in Hong Kong and Macau any more. The 33 countries are (listed alphabetically) Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Congo, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Libya, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey and Uzbekistan.
The people who hold passports of other countries can still apply for China Visas in Hong Kong and Macau but the situation may change at any moment. We suggest our customers enquire Chinese embassies in their home countries before they go to Hong Kong or Macau to apply for China Visas.
Q. Are there any changes in applying for L Visa (Tourists Visa) and F Visa (Business Visa)?
A: L Visa (Tourists Visa) and F Visa (Business Visa) are two most popular categories of China Visas, so many tourists are eager to know policy changes in the two categories of China Visas. China Highlights listed the changes below:
- F Visas issued in China mainland can not be renewed in China mainland F Visa issued in China mainland can not be renewed in China mainland. But if you get your F Visa in Shenzhen or Zhuhai you can still renew it in China mainland. Other F Visa holders must go to Hong Kong, Macau or their own countries to renew F Visas.
- Validity of L Visa and F Visa has been reduced from 90 to 30 days
- F Visa can not be switched to L Visa or Vice Versa
Q: Which documents do I need to prepare when applying for L Visa or T Visa?
- Passport: your passport with a validity of at least 6 months. Besides, there should be a few blank pages on your passport.
- Application Form: to apply for a China Visa, you need to complete an application form. You can download the application form on the official website of China embassy in your resident county.
- Photo: a photo the same with your passport. You need to glue it on your application form.
- Round Trip Air Tickets and Hotel Reservation: the hotel reservation should include your check-in and check-out time and the round trip air tickets should include your arrival and departure time. If you want to live in your friend's home, you need to provide your friend’s passport number or ID number. If you want to live in your family member’s home you need to your family member’s passport number or ID number. Besides, you need to prepare a certificate of kinship.
The four documents are necessary to apply for both L Visa and F Visa. Besides, when applying for an F Visa you need a Visa notification issued by an authorized Chinese unit.
Q. Can I apply for Multiple-Entry Visa now?
A: No new Multiple-Entry Visa will be issued from now on. The existing ones are valid till they expire. Only Single-Entry Visas and Double-Entry Visas are being issued now.
Visa Application Form: Download, Complete Online, print and sign it, one form per applicant;
Read FAQs About Visa Applications
9.Are there any changes in China visa policy during the Olympic Games? - Top
Recently, we received lots of emails from his customers to enquire about changes in China Visa situation. There are quite a few changes in China Visa policies because of the Olympics. We collected some FAQs from Chinese embassy's websites and several travel forums. The followings are what we reedited:
(Last updated: June 30th, 2008)
Q: Can I still apply for my China Visa in Hong Kong and Macau?
A: After Hong Kong returned to China in 1997 and Macau returned to China in 1999, many foreigners choose to apply for China Visas in Hong Kong and Macau because it is much easier to apply for China Visas in the two places than in their home countries.
But the situation changed because too many foreigners are applying for China Visas in Hong Kong and Macau during the Olympics. Now, passport holders of 33 countries can not apply for China Visa in Hong Kong and Macau any more. The 33 countries are (listed alphabetically) Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Congo, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Libya, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey and Uzbekistan.
The people who hold passports of other countries can still apply for China Visas in Hong Kong and Macau but the situation may change at any moment. We suggest our customers enquire Chinese embassies in their home countries before they go to Hong Kong or Macau to apply for China Visas.
Q. Are there any changes in applying for L Visa (Tourists Visa) and F Visa (Business Visa)?
A: L Visa (Tourists Visa) and F Visa (Business Visa) are two most popular categories of China Visas, so many tourists are eager to know policy changes in the two categories of China Visas. China Highlights listed the changes below:
- F Visas issued in China mainland can not be renewed in China mainland F Visa issued in China mainland can not be renewed in China mainland. But if you get your F Visa in Shenzhen or Zhuhai you can still renew it in China mainland. Other F Visa holders must go to Hong Kong, Macau or their own countries to renew F Visas.
- Validity of L Visa and F Visa has been reduced from 90 to 30 days
- F Visa can not be switched to L Visa or Vice Versa
Q: Which documents do I need to prepare when applying for L Visa or T Visa?
- Passport: your passport with a validity of at least 6 months. Besides, there should be a few blank pages on your passport.
- Application Form: to apply for a China Visa, you need to complete an application form. You can download the application form on the official website of China embassy in your resident county.
- Photo: a photo the same with your passport. You need to glue it on your application form.
- Round Trip Air Tickets and Hotel Reservation: the hotel reservation should include your check-in and check-out time and the round trip air tickets should include your arrival and departure time. If you want to live in your friend's home, you need to provide your friend’s passport number or ID number. If you want to live in your family member’s home you need to your family member’s passport number or ID number. Besides, you need to prepare a certificate of kinship.
The four documents are necessary to apply for both L Visa and F Visa. Besides, when applying for an F Visa you need a Visa notification issued by an authorized Chinese unit.
Q. Can I apply for Multiple-Entry Visa now?
A: No new Multiple-Entry Visa will be issued from now on. The existing ones are valid till they expire. Only Single-Entry Visas and Double-Entry Visas are being issued now.
Visa Application Form: Download, Complete Online, print and sign it, one form per applicant;
Read FAQs About Visa Applications
10.What are the Methods of obtaining a China Visa? - Top
China Highlights recommends that you obtain your visa before leaving the country where you live.
The costs and the length of time to process a visa vary from country to country. Please check the website for the Chinese Embassy in your country to find the information applicable to you. Application forms can usually be downloaded from the web site. China Highlights Travel Service can also supply a current visa application form.
please visit the following web and click on the name of the country where you live to obtain this information,http://www.guilinchina.net/customer/get_a_visa.htm
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