Health & Safety

• What do I do if I lose my passport when traveling in China?

  If the passport is lost in China, report to the local public security organization as soon as possible. Besides, contact the embassy or consulate of your own country applying for an exit document with a certificate issued by the local public security organization.

• How to avoid being a victim of pickpockets?

  Although China is one of the safest countries for foreigners to travel in, there can still be the nuisance of pickpockets on the streets of some places in China. They often work in groups, and children are among the most effective. Pickpockets tend to seek out people who had left themselves vulnerable. So always be mindful of your property, especially in crowded places. We here provide some suggestions on how to avoid being pick pocketing.

  Be aware of your surroundings. Don't permit a stranger to move into your personal space. If you are in a crowd, be particularly aware of your valuables. Hold your bags tightly.

  Be alert of some unusual bumps or jostles. Some pickpockets will slash bags with small razors and remove their contents. So be especially attentive when someone is standing unusual close to you.

  If you are on a relatively long trip on train or bus, keep watch for your baggage. Never leave your belongings unattended or have them taken care of by strangers. Keep your valuables and important documents with you all the time.

  Be aware of some tricks commonly used by the pickpockets. Do not pick up rolls of bills "found" on the streets. Also, avoid showing your wallet in public places.

• What shall I do to avoid getting lost?

  1. Simply be alert to your surroundings, especially as you travel. Most of us use a variety of clues to help you know where we are. Most of these clues are visual although sounds and even smells can help. (The rotting animal carcass can provide a very memorable smell to be recognized on the way back). The person who pays attention to trees, rocks, hills, streams, etc. will have a great advantage over the guy who simply looks at the trail in front of him. Try to look at features from several different angles as you move. Try to put together in your mind how different features relate to each other and to your route. (Of course being alert to surroundings also enhances your enjoyment of the outdoors, the reason most of us are there in the first place.)

  2. Try to keep track of your directions and associate them with the territory around you. For example, notice not only the odd shaped hill, but also notice that it is northeast of you and runs approximately east and west. Try to be aware of the direction the trail is going. Notice that the hill is ahead of you on the trail, then off to the right a bit as the trail turns. A compass is handy to keep track of the direction the trail runs. Again you are trying to form a mental picture of the territory and how it is oriented. Some of us are better at this than others but I think we can all improve with practice.

  3. Occasionally look behind you to see how the territory will look on the return trip. Be especially diligent at all junctions or anywhere else the trail is not glaringly obvious. All those odd tree branches and readily recognizable rocks will look very different from the other direction.

  4. Learn to use a compass reasonably well. You may not need to take a bearing to within 2 degrees but you should be able to figure out which way is north. This means understanding declination (unless you will only be in areas where declination is less than about 5 degrees). Learn to go back the direction you came from using your compass (see appendix).

• What should be done if there is any loss, theft or damage of the luggage?

  If you cannot find your luggage, first of all make sure that the missing item was not misplaced. In case your luggage is really lost or stolen, ask your guide for help, if serious, report immediately to the police. Yangtze Cruises, Inc is not responsible for any loss, theft or damage to your baggage, so better to take care of the luggage when taking the cruise. Insurance is strongly recommended. Airlines have baggage restrictions and you should check with the air carrier prior to your flight.

• What I shall do to ensure the safety of my personal belongings like passport, credit card, jewelry, money and other important documents?

  Please watch your personal belongings such as handbags and cameras when you are out and in your resort. We would recommend you to only take the cash you will need for that day, and leave valuables in a safety deposit box. Remember to lock your door at night and when you go out during the day, as you would at home.

• What should I be careful about while traveling in China?

  China is a remarkably healthy country despite its relative poverty and climatic variations. Large cities like Beijing and Shanghai have decent medical facilities and excellent doctors, but problems can be encountered in isolated areas such as Inner Mongolia, Tibet or Xinjiang. If you travel to these areas, you must be aware of potential hazards and act cautiously. Following are some tips for you during your trip in China.

  Although many locals do drink the tap water, we recommend that you drink only bottled water or boiled water. Tap water in China is not safe. You may use the tap water to brush your teeth and rinse your mouth. All water consumed must be boiled or filtered unless it is bottled mineral water. Boiled water is available in all Chinese hotels and restaurants.

  The restaurants we will take you for lunch and dinner are all designated tourist restaurants with very good sanitary conditions. But although food is prepared fresh and cooked or cleaned thoroughly, as you are not accustomed to the Chinese food, stomach upsets are possible so it is advisable to take some medicine with you. Don't eat food purchased from street vendors and never eat uncooked meat, raw eggs, or unpasteurized dairy products.

  Ailments such as sore throats and chest colds are also possible and can occur at any time of year considering China's climatic extremes. The summer months are brutally hot so it is imperative to combat the harmful summer heat with a sufficient supply of liquids to prevent dehydration.

  Self-diagnosis and treatment can be risky, so wherever possible seek qualified help. The clinics in large hotels and restaurants offer medical and massage services to travelers. If you feel uncomfortable while on a tour, you may phone the outpatient department of the hotel, or ask your guide to take you to see the doctor as soon as possible.

• If I need medical assistance in China what should I do?

  If you need to see a doctor during your travels, you should ask your travel agent or hotel concierge to help you locate one. Western medical centers are separate from traditional Chinese medical centers. First-aid centers operate in most cities and counties. In Beijing there is a special 24-hour first-aid center for foreigners. The phone number is 120. In addition, there is a hospital in Beijing run by foreigners.

• Is it safe for foreigners traveling in China?

  China is a fascinating and diverse country that welcomes more than 100 million tourists a year and lays claims to being the fourth most popular destination in the world. Its economy has been booming for years and its interest to the outside world, heightened by the Summer Olympics of 2008, appears to be increasing as well. While there are precautions one should take when traveling to and around China, it is generally a safe country to visit.

• Are there any health requirements? Do I need immunizations to enter China?

  Immunization against smallpox and cholera is no longer required for entry into the People's Republic of China. While you travel to China with CITS, we always carefully select restaurants and hotels that are clean and safe in order to provide you with a safe and healthy environment. However, we do suggest you have sorts of vaccinations 4 to 6 weeks before your trip as the following, especially if you choose to go and visit those remote and /or rural areas.

  Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG)

  Hepatitis B 
  (We suggest 11 to 12-year-old children who did not receive it as infants have vaccination of Hepatitis B.)

  Rabies, if you might have possibility to be exposed to wild or domestic animals.

  Typhoid for visiting developing countries

  Travelers are advised to check with their doctors before visiting China. A Health Declaration form must completed upon arrival. No immunizations are required for short-term travelers, unless you are coming from or through a yellow fever infected area. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, USA, recommends those who have traveled from an infected area to have vaccination records available. Anyone not having the above mentioned certificate will be detained for observation for as long as six days. You should also bring any special health remedies or medications you require, as well as over-the-counter items. For traveling into the countryside, immune globulin is also recommended to combat hepatitis A, as is typhoid immunization. Travel to high-altitude areas such as Tibet is not recommended for those with pulmonary or heart problems.

  The health quarantine service has the right to prevent any foreigner suffering from AIDS, venereal disease, leprosy, mental illness, or active tuberculosis from entering China.

• What items are not allowed to be taken into China？

  Our guides will meet you upon the arrival at the airport welcome lobby just through off the Custom with a piece of welcome sign with your names printed and transfer you to the hotel accordingly.The immigration and customs are always very friendly to provide helps to foreigners when they travel to China.

  The following items are not allowed to be taken into China.
  1. Weapons, ammunition or explosives; 

  2. Forged currencies or forged valuable securities; 

  3. Printed, audio, video, computerized and other materials, which are harmful or erotic to China's political, economic, cultural and ethnic life; 
  
  4. Various poisons; 

  5. Opium, heroin, marijuana and other addictive drugs; 
  
  6. Plants, animals or other products, which may carry diseases, viruses, parasites, etc.
  
  7. Foodstuffs, medicines or other products which may cause harm to human or animals, which come from areas with epidemics or which may spread diseases or contamination.

• What should I know about health, safety and insurance in China?

  Medical services

  China health care is excellent in all the larger cities, with internationally trained staff; communication is no problem as they have English speaking doctors and nurses at hospitals. Medical care is more limited in rural areas – medical equipment and medicines are not as extensive as in the larger cities and chances are that you may not get English-speaking staff.

  China travel insurance

  Don’t leave home without it! Accidents happen – and they can happen in the strangest places at the strangest times, like on the Great Wall of China or in an alley in Beijing at 3 am. Travel insurance can cover you for all sorts of mishaps during your travel, and even before you leave.

• Can I drink tap water in China?

  In China, tap water is considered quite hard and needs to be boiled before drinking. Therefore, Tap water at all hotels in China is not drinkable. Inquire with hotel staff members when you check in. If you are unsure it is recommended you drink bottled water only or cool boiled water offered by hotels.

• Do I need to bring my medical record when traveling in China?

  Yes, all travelers are recommended to take their medical records along. In the event of an emergency, your medical records will be of great assistance. The medical record should include your blood type, immunization record, allergies, and any medications you are currently taking (both prescription and non-prescription). It should also include your doctor's name, address, phone number, emergency contact name and phone number, and your insurance company's name, address and phone number.

• What vaccine do we need for traveling to China and do you have any other medical suggestions?

  While traveling with CITS, we take every precaution to provide a safe and healthy environment for you. We choose restaurants and hotels that are clean, safe, and we always keep your needs and interests in mind. However, here are some precautions for you to take into consideration for your trip to China. In addition, all travelers are recommended to take their medical records when they travel.