Going to en Chine: Formalities and administrative steps
Organize your stay en Chine
Money en Chine
The national currency of the People's Republic of China is the yuan or renminbi designated, by international standards, by the code CNY. 1 yuan = 0.14 €.
Budget & Tips en Chine
The cost of living is low in China. However, since the emergence of a wealthy class, you can also find high-end services at high prices. With 20 € per day you can get by very well, but you can also find hotels at 100 € per room! Theoretically, tipping does not exist in China. However it is practiced in the tourism sector without any obligation.
Passport and visas en Chine
Your passport must be valid for 6 months after your return date and have at least 3 blank pages, 2 of which must be facing each other. You must obtain a tourist visa from the Chinese Embassy in France. Upon entry into China, foreigners must declare to customs any foreign currency in their possession that is equivalent to or greater than $5,000.
Driver's license en Chine
To drive in China, you need a Chinese driving license. So you will not be able to rent a car to move around freely.
Health en Chine
Hygiene is not always up to scratch, even in restaurants, except in high-end hotels for Westerners or wealthy locals. So you are not safe from sanitary inconveniences. It is necessary to protect yourself against mosquito bites which can be vectors of malaria and dengue fever, especially in the provinces of Yunnan and Hainan. Remember that it is better to be covered by a health and repatriation insurance.
Mandatory vaccination en Chine
There are no mandatory vaccinations to visit China, but if you are staying for a long period of time, it is a good idea to get vaccinated against hepatitis A and typhoid fever, which can be spread through contaminated food.
Security en Chine
China is a safe country. Despite a feeling of overcrowding in the city and on public transport, you will rarely feel that you are in danger.
Time difference en Chine
Seven time zones separate France and China. In winter, count 7 hours more and 6 hours in summer. Although the country is divided into 4 different time zones, the time is the same throughout the country.
Spoken languages en Chine
Don't expect to hear French, unless you meet a fellow countryman or hire a French-speaking guide. In China, the official language is Mandarin or "official Chinese" (Putonghua), but the country has 129 other spoken languages, divided into two main categories. On the one hand, there are the Mandarin dialects and on the other hand all the so-called "Chinese" languages.
Communication en Chine
China launched the world's largest 5G network in 2019. The 4G network covers most parts of the country. The 4G signal is generally strong and stable, except in very remote areas. You can find accessible wifi in hotels, bars, airports, train stations. Tourists do not have access to Internet cafes. Beware of censorship and Internet spying by the authorities. Self-censor your searches and messages.
Electricity and measurements en Chine
An adapter is needed to charge your electrical devices such as digital cameras, phones and laptops, as the current is 220V/50Hz.
Depending on where you are, you may be confronted with 3 different types of plugs. So I advise you to get an adapter with a 2 flat plug (American type plug), a 3 flat plug and another British type plug with 3 flat plugs and a fuse. This way, you will always be able to charge your devices without worrying.
Luggage en Chine
If you are a guest in a family, it will be very appreciated to receive a gift of western food, an accessory or a cosmetic with a brand name. Take an adapter to charge your electronic devices. A mosquito net in good condition can also be useful.
Daily life en Chine
Hello? en Chine
The country code for China is +86. You can use your cell phone by activating your international option. You can also ask your operator for the roaming formulas proposed.
Accessibility en Chine
China, especially in rural areas, is not nearly as accessible to people with reduced mobility as European countries.
Health en Chine
Hygiene and sanitary resources are quite precarious in China, so it is recommended to be vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, whooping cough and hepatitis A. For a stay during the monsoon season in the southwest of the country, it is also recommended to be vaccinated against rabies and Japanese encephalitis.
Emergency numbers en Chine
The emergency number, as in many other Asian countries, is 119. It puts you in contact with the fire department. For an ambulance, it is 120.
Securty en Chine
China is a safe country. However, you may be confronted with small-scale delinquency in the most populated areas of the big cities. To call the police, dial 110.
LGBTQ en Chine
In China, homosexuality is still sometimes considered a mental disorder. However, the Chinese Psychiatric Association decriminalized homosexuality in 1997 and declassified it as a mental disorder in 2001.
The militant actions of the Beijing LGBL center and other associations across the country are changing things, even if many families still remain in denial and prefer to disown one of their members rather than accept their homosexuality. However, in 2018, a giant coming out on Weibo (Chinese social network), under the tagline #jesuisgay, to protest against a discriminatory censorship of Chinese Twitter. Weibo has folded, but there is still a long way to go. However, tourists are not penalized for their sexual orientation. The first gay pride in China took place in Shanghai in 2009
Embassies and consulates en Chine
Embassy of France in China:
60, Tianze Lu Tel: +86 10 85 31 20 00 Consular assistance (24 hours a day, in case of extreme emergency only): +86 137 01 07 87 33 E-mail: [email protected] Website: https: //cn.ambafrance.org/
Consulate General Beijing:
Consulate of France Guangzhou:
Consulate of France in Chengdu:
International Finance Square, Office Tower 1 - 26th floor - No. 1, Section 3 Hong Xing Road 610021 Chengdu
Tel. tel: +86 28 66 66 60 60 Fax: +86 28 66 66 61 03 E-mail: [email protected] Website: https://cn.ambafrance.org/-Chengdu-ConsulatConsulat de France à Hong Kong:
of France in Shanghai
: Soho Zhongshan Plaza - Building A - 18th floor1055 Zhongshan Xi Lu 200051 Shanghai Tel: +86 21 60 10 63 00 Email: [email protected] Website: https://cn.ambafrance.org/-Consulat-Shanghai-Consulat de France à Shenyang:
of France in Wuhan
: New World International Trade Center - (Xinshijie Guomao) 17011708 568, Jianshe dadao, Jianghan District, Hankou 430022 Wuhan Tel: +86 27 65 79 79 00 Permanence (weekends and holidays) :+86 139 86 21 50 40 E-mail: [email protected] Website: https: //cn.ambafrance.org/-Consulat-Wuhan-
Mail en Chine
The Chinese post office is reliable: you can send letters or parcels to France. For a postcard or a letter, no need to worry. Stamps are available in post offices - quite numerous especially in big cities - and almost always at the reception of hotels. Count on 6 to 10 days for the delivery of a letter to France. Stamps do not always adhere properly, so be sure to use glue. Some mail gets lost, so to ensure your mail is sent from two different locations, it is better to send it from big cities rather than from remote villages.
Local media en Chine
In addition to the People's Daily, the official organ of the Chinese government, you can consult the China Daily, a daily newspaper in English, and the Global Times, a newspaper with a strong conservative bias in Chinese and English. A lot of information on Chinese news can be found on the online magazine China Magazine (www.chine-magazine.com/)
