Coming to China
Going on a mission trip is an exciting experience, but there are preparations to be made before you hop on that plane.
To help you make a great start on your trip to China, we've compiled this collection of information which we have found invaluable when preparing for our own trips.
On this page:
Visas
To visit mainland China, you will need a visa, however most westerners do not need a visa to visit Hong Kong or Macau. Chinese visas are usually best obtained before you leave your home country, however they can be obtained in Hong Kong if you arrive there first.
A few entry points into China also have visa offices, however this is not a reliable way to get your visa as not all airports or border points have such offices, and their business hours vary. So, by far the best way to get a visa for China is to get one before you leave home. For more information see our Passports & Visas page.
Vaccinations
As China is a developing country, there are vaccinations that your doctor will recommend you have. Some vaccinations can take considerable time before they begin to provide immunity, so see your doctor as early as you can, preferably at least 6-8 weeks before you travel.
The only vaccination required by regulation for your entry into China is yellow fever, and this is only required if you have recently been to a yellow fever infected area. In this case, you will need proof of vaccination.
Food
It is no secret that some of the best dishes in the world can be found in China. Chinese cuisine is rich not only in taste, but also in history.
With so many different people groups in China, each with their own culinary culture, hungry travelers can be rewarded with dining experiences which alone may make their journeys worthwhile.
However, as China is a developing country, the standards of hygiene can vary from excellent to almost non-existent, depending on the region you are visiting. While you're unlikely to fall ill while traveling, it is important to be conscious of your health. To ensure that your risk of stomach upset or illness is minimal, we recommend the following:
- Drink only bottled or boiled water. Do not drink tap water! Bottled water is cheap & readily available. Boiled water is available in all restaurants and hotels.
- Eat food that you know has been cooked well. Street food is generally safe, if you know that the food has been cooked at high temperatures.
- Look for where the locals are eating. A crowded restaurant usually means the food is ok, while an unpopular restaurant is probably worth avoiding.
- Take a small bottle of hand sanitizer, to wash your hands before eating.
- Eat fruits that you can peel. Avoid juicy fruits such as watermelon, as the water content in the juice may cause problems for travelers.
- Pray for your meal before you eat!
Just in case you do fall ill while in China, we recommend that you pack some diarrhea tablets and some antibiotics, as prescribed by your doctor. See our packing list for more details.
Money
Unless you are staying in and around the major cities, we don't recommend that you rely solely on travelers cheques, credit cards or ATM cards while in China.
Travelers cheques can be hard to cash outside of major cities, and are almost unheard of in some areas. ATM machines are available in most large cities, however some machines are not connected to international networks and won't accept your card. Credit cards are still uncommon, and are not accepted at a lot of hotels, restaurants or supermarkets, although this has started to change in recent years.
For these reasons, we suggest you rely primarily on cash while in China, or at least carry enough cash to last you between major cities. To ensure the safety of your cash, we suggest the following:
- Always wear a money belt underneath your clothing. Pickpockets are present in some places, and a money belt will spoil their day.
- Only carry enough cash for one day in your wallet. Carry the rest in your money belt. If your wallet is stolen, it may spoil your day, but not your whole trip!
- Never handle large amounts of cash in public. If you need to get some more cash from your money belt, go to a bathroom (a private one!) where nobody will see your money.
- Split your money up, and keep a little for an emergency locked away in your luggage. You'll probably never need to use it, but its there if you do.
Cash is usually best converted into Chinese Renminbi before you arrive in China. Once you are in China, you can change money at international airports, large hotels, and many branches of the Bank of China. Be aware that changing money in China can be a time consuming process.
For an idea of how much money you are likely to need in China, see our travel costs page.
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