Xian Travel Tips

Banks: 09:00 to 12:00; 14:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday.
Post Offices: 08:30 to 18:00, Monday to Friday.
Department Stores and Shops: 08:30 to 20:00, daily
Museums: 08:00 to 17:30, Monday to Friday
Business Offices: 08:30 to 12:00; 14:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday.

China remains one of the safer destinations in the world for tourists and the Chinese government takes the safety of visitors seriously. There have been no terrorist incidents in the country to date and any protest-related bombings have been isolated and not directed at foreigners. As with visiting any foreign country, however, it is always best to take special precautions to safeguard your personal possessions when in public places. Taking extra care in street markets and at tourist sites, where petty criminals tend to operate, is recommended.

Electricity: 220 volts, 50Hz.

There are no special health precautions that are recommended when visiting China, although travel insurance is highly recommended to guard against any unexpected circumstance that might require emergency medical care or repatriation. It is also recommended that elderly travellers, or anyone having a medical condition requiring special care, have a thorough physical examination before leaving home and to bring copies of their medical records.

No immunisations are required for entry, unless you are coming from an area where yellow fever is present. If you plan on travelling in rural areas, immune globulin is recommended to prevent hepatitis A, as is immunisation against typhoid fever. It’s a good idea to drink only water that is bottled and to bring along anti-diarrhoea medication as well as a supply of any prescription medication you require on a regular basis.

Emergency telephone: 120
People’s Hospital of Shaanxi Province in Xian, tel.: +86 29 8525 1331.

Most of the natives speak a local dialect that sounds similar to Mandarin Chinese. The official government language in Xian is Mandarin and English is not widely spoken, except by staff at the better hotels.

The Chinese currency is called the renminbi (RMB), and there are bills in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 yuan. Yuan are commonly referred to as kwai.

Foreign currency may be converted into RMB at all banks and most hotels at the daily exchange rate quoted on the official foreign exchange. Branches of the Bank of China are located at 318 Dong Dajie and 233 Jiefang Lu, in Xian and there is also a branch located on Nan Dajie, next to KFC, which is open on Sundays. You can also exchange cash, but not travellers' cheques, at larger hotels. ATMs are found in numerous locations in the centre.

Travellers to China are allowed to bring in 400 cigarettes; two bottles of alcoholic beverages and a reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use. Prohibited items include arms and ammunition and also printed material in conflict with either the country’s moral standards or the public order. You are also advised that the government imposes strict regulations on the export of antiquities. All valuable items must be declared on arrival, on forms provided.

People’s names in China are in reverse order for Westerners: the family surname comes first, followed by the person’s given name. When addressing a Chinese person, the surname should come first, along with an official title. When shaking hands with a Chinese person, you’ll notice that handshakes typically last longer than in the West and in conversation, you’ll find that people tend to stand closer together than in the West. Politeness, of the type that westerners are used to, is not customary in China, and people rarely bother with pleasantries. If you have a meeting scheduled, you should be aware that the Chinese are quite strict timekeepers and being late is considered rude. Tipping is not officially recognised in China, although many travel guides, waiters in upscale restaurants and hotel staff are becoming accustomed to receiving tips from foreign visitors. Note that the better hotels and restaurants often include a service charge of around 10 per cent in their bills.

Although a Chinese dinner host will not expect a guest to know all the traditions associated with dining in China, a visitor who knows some of the rules of etiquette will gain 'face', as well as give ‘face’ to the host. If your skills with chopsticks are not up to par, you’ll be given western utensils, but the meal will be a more enriching experience for all concerned if you’re able to blend in with the Chinese style of eating. Guests may well be served portions of food by their host, as the host will assume that they are too polite to serve themselves.

All visitors to China require a visa and visa applications should be made at least one month before the planned departure date. In order to obtain a visa, the holder’s passport must be valid for at least six months for a single or double entry visa and at least nine months if multiple entries are desired. A visa is granted only for the point of entry indicated. Proof of onward travel, such as an airline ticket and proof of sufficient funds to cover the length of the intended period of stay are necessary.

Xian’s tourist information office can be found at: 159 Beiyuanmen, Xian, Shaanxi 710003 or contacted by telephone on +86 297 295 632.