• Although the overall crime rate is low in China compared to most Western countries,
  reports indicate that crime rates have increased across the board in in recent years, from serious violent assault to petty theft.

• Petty theft is by far the most common type of occurrences, accounting for over 80 percent of all crimes according to regional surveys conducted outside of China.Crimes against property — which includes petty theft, burglary, robbery and vandalism — are common in large urban areas such as Shanghai and Guangzhou.
• Pickpockets target tourists at sightseeing destinations, airports, markets, and stores. Make sure you guard your wallet and passport, as most incidents tend to involve items kept in back pockets, backpacks, or bags/purses swung over a shoulder or set down in a vehicle, restaurant, or shop.
• It is advised that the traveler make photocopies of their passport and bio-data pages on the Chinese visa to keep in a secure location in the event they lose their passport and have to apply for a replacement
•  Con artists targeting visitors are also common in popular tourist sites. A common scam involves younger Chinese “English students,” often women or a couple, offering a local tour and an invitation to tea at a nearby restaurant. When the bill comes, the restaurant owners force victims to pay an exorbitant bill before they can leave the premises.
• Taxi drivers, especially at airports, sometimes target arriving travelers, refusing to use the meter or claiming they are a limousine and can charge higher fares. Always have the name of your destination written in Chinese to show the driver, and get a receipt when you arrive at your destination. It is a good practice to keep valuables such as purses, camera bags, and computer cases next to you or in your lap rather than in a less-accessible area of the taxi. Ask the driver to remove the bags from the trunk before you get out of the taxi so he cannot drive away with your luggage.
• Counterfeit currency is a significant concern in China. Cab drivers and businesses have given many people, not just tourists, counterfeit currency. Carrying small bills or using exact change, particularly in taxis, can help protect you.
• There have been cases of people receiving counterfeit bills from free-standing ATMs. Use only ATMs at financial institutions or those recommended by your hotel.
• U.S. citizens have been detained and expelled for distributing religious literature. Chinese customs authorities have enforced strict regulations concerning the importation of religious literature, including Bibles. If you bring religious literature with you, it should be a “reasonable amount” for your personal use only. If you attempt to bring larger quantities, the literature will likely be confiscated and you may be fined, detained, or deported.
• Western citizens have reported that the government monitors their private communications, including conversations with other people, email and Internet activity, telephone calls, etc. Such intrusions even occur in seemingly private settings such as hotel rooms. Authorities may use informants, such as visitor-employed taxi drivers / interpreters, hotel staff and guards, to report on the activities of foreigners.
• Visitors should refrain from discussing politics and/or religion, and criticizing the government, as these are very sensitive topics. Police officers may detain and subsequently deport anyone who does discuss these topics.
•  Swarms of beggars, including children, operate in many Chinese cities, especially in the hotel and restaurant districts, and are known to aggressively solicit money from tourists. Visitors should avoid beggars due to the risk of petty crime.
• Visitors should employ the services of a local guide, who can also act as an interpreter, for all outings. Although most guides act as government informants, they will inhibit interference from security officials.

Safety in China
What do other Racers need to know in order to be safe? Current safety protocols/precautions in place? Any relevant issues/concerns? Any precautionary suggestions?

People’s Opinions

Health

CDC Travelers Health | China

Malaria

• Areas affected: Rural parts of Anhui, Guizhou, Henan, Hubei, Hainan, and Yunnan provinces. Rare cases occur in other rural parts of the country below 1,500 m (4,921 ft) between May–December. None in urban areas. Some major river cruises may go through malaria endemic areas in Anhui and Hubei provinces.
• Estimated risk: Low
• *Chloroquine and mefloquine are NOT effective antimalarial drugs in China and should not be taken to prevent malaria in this region
• Recommended chemoprofylaxis: Along China-Burma border in the western part of Yunnan province: Atovaquone/proguanil or doxycyline;
  Hainan and other parts of Yunnan province: Atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine;
  Anhui, Guizhou, Henan, and Hubei provinces: Atovaquone/proguanil, chloroquine, doxycyline, mefloquine, or primaquine;
  All other areas with malaria including river cruises that pass through malaria-endemic provinces: Mosquito avoidance
• Symptoms
  Fever
  Chills
  Sweats
  Headache
  Body Aches
  Nausea and vomiting
  Fatigue

Dengue Fever

• Areas Affected: Almost completely absent in China
• Symptoms
Principal
• • High fever and at least two of the following
  • Severe headache
  • Severe eye pain (behind eyes)
  • Join pain
  • Muscle and/or bone pain
  • Rash
  • Mild bleeding manifestation (e.g.nose or gum bleed, or easy bruising)
  • Low white cell count
Severe warning signs (IMMEDIATELY go to an emergency room if the following appear)
Severe abdominal pain or persistant 
Red spots or patches on the skin
Bleeding from nose or gums
Vomiting blood

Health in China
Any special health concerns?

People’s Opinions

Visa Info

U.S. State Dept Visa Info | China

Visa Info in China
Do you need one? Where did you get it? Cost? Resources/sources:

People’s Opinions

Currency Info

Lek

Currency Info in Albania
Name of currency? Where can you exchange money?

People’s Opinions

Communication

Communication in China
Did you have cell reception / Internet service? Where? Carrier / Provider, where did you get phones / SIM cards, cost? Country code?

People’s Opinions

Transportation

China Travel Service – http://www.ctshk.com/english/index.htm

• Useful for it’s transportation information

Travel China Guide – http://www.travelchinaguide.com/china-trains/

• Information on cities, trains and buses. Information on public transit can be found under the cities section.

Transportation in China
What transportation did you use to enter the country? Where were you coming from? What transportation was used to move throughout the country? Be sure to include the cost per person in USD and contact info if applicable.

People’s Opinions

Culture

1. Appearance: Dress conservatively and neatly if at all possible. The “punk” and/or “grunge” look is not that popular over here and won’t usually help you make friends. Look clean and as well-dressed as possible, and you’ll likely fit in a little better.
2. Meals: Never leave your chopsticks sticking straight up out of a bowl of rice, don’t blow your nose at the table (go outside), its ok to place bones (chicken, mutton) on the table or toss them on the floor, always fight to the pay the bill even though if your invited out to eat by new friends you WILL NOT when the battle.
3.  Staring: You will be stared at A LOT… just get used to it. Stare back if you want. Smile. Take pictures. Play the part of the goofy tourist because that’s how you’ll be seen most of the time. After a while you’ll just be able to ignore it and go about whatever you are doing.
   
4. Scams: You will be lied to and/or cheated out of money. Double check your change, bargain hard when you shop (go for at least 50% off the original price). Don’t go with people or give money to “bus drivers” hanging around in front of or outside the bus stations UNLESS your contact tells you about it previously.
   
5. Drinking Water: Chinese people do not drink water straight from the tap, and you should not either, even in cities. All hotels (and even boats!) provide either a thermos flask of boiled water in your room (refillable by your floor attendant) or a kettle you can use to do it yourself. Generally, tap water is safe to drink after boiling. Purified drinking water in bottls is available everywhere, and is generally quite cheap. ¥1 is normal for a small bottle, but it will be more in some places. Check that the seal on the cap is not broken.
   
6. Tipping: is not necessary or advised. No tip is needed for taxi drivers and most restaurants. Leaving a few coins in most restaurants, you will likely be chased by staff to give you back the money you ‘forgot’ to take. In some cases, a fee regarded as tipping in America is actually a fixed fee, such as a RMb1 fee for doorman allowing you into a building at a late hour.
   
7.  Religion: Symbols that look like backwards Swastikas have been widely used in Buddhist temples since 5th century to represent Dharma, universal harmony, and the balance of opposites. Like India, it does not represent Nazism!
   
8.  Religion: Symbols that look like backwards Swastikas have been widely used in Buddhist temples since 5th century to represent Dharma, universal harmony, and the balance of opposites. Like India, it does not represent Nazism!
   
9. Lines: In China, the instinct of large numbers of people with a common goal (a bus seat, a train ticket, purchasing a SIM card, ordering a Big Mac, etc) is to form a surging mass; however, queuing has been heavily promoted over recent years and forming a line is far more common these days.
   
10. Pollution: Pollution is a serious problem in China, and can make travel unpleasant for everyone, especially if you have allergies, skin conditions, or chest, eye, nose and throat problems. According to the World Bank, China has 20 of the world’s 30 most-polluted cities and, by some measures, Beijing is the world’s most polluted city.
    
11. Litter: Casual disposal of litter is also an issue. Throughout China it is common to see fields and trees festooned with plastic bags, and trash is thrown carelessly on the street.
    
12. Noise: The Chinese are also generally much more tolerant of high decibels than most foreigners. The Chinese government long ago launched an anti–noise-pollution campaign and, as a result, numerous cities have banned the use of car horns within the city. Yet screeching hawkers, yelling mobile phone users, roof-lifting karaoke parlors and highdecibel background noise can all make China a deafening experience.
    
13.  Media: The Chinese government is known to have strong hands on any media. Books, magazines and CDs can be confiscated if the content is considered inappropriate, although custom usually doesn’t bother to take your English books away, if there aren’t any explicit photos depicting politics of China.
    
14. Toilets: The sit-down toilet familiar to Westerners is rare in China in public areas. Hotels will generally have them in rooms, but in places where Westerners are scarce, expect to find squat toilets more often than not. Many private homes in urban areas now have sit down toilets, and one major benefit from having a local host is that they have clean bathrooms. As a rule of thumb, a western establishment such as McDonald’s will have a western toilet. Carry your own tissue paper as it is rarely provided. You can sometimes buy it from the money-taker at a public toilet; you can also buy it in bars, restaurants and Internet cafes.  Put used paper in the bucket next to the toilet; do not flush it away as it may block the often poor plumbing systems.

Culture in China
Anything Racers need to be aware/respectful of? Suggestions/Recommendations?

People’s Opinions

Shipping / Mailing

Shipping / Mailing in China
Company used and contact info? How did you get packages to them?

Tips

People’s Opinions

Additional Info

Emergency Contact Numbers
Ambulance 999/120 (Beijing, Shanghai)
Fire 119
Police 110

Embassy and Consulate Information

United States Embassy (Beijing)
Emergency #: (+86) 10-8531-4000
Non-emergency #: (+86) 10-8562 9998
Email: AmCitBeijing@state.gov
Web: http://beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn/
The Embassy is located at No. 55 An Jia Lou

United States Consulate (Chengdu)
Non-emergency #: (+86) 28-8558-3992
Email: ACSchengdu@state.gov
Web: http://chengdu.usembassy-china.org.cn/
The Consulate is located at 4 Lingshiguan Road, Section 4, Renmin Nanl

United States Consulate (Shanghai)
Non-emergency #: (+86) 21-3217 4650 ext. 2102
Email: ShanghaiACS@state.gov
Web: http://shanghai.usembassy-china.org.cn/
The Consulate is located on the 8th floor of the Westgate Mall, 1038 West
Nanjing Road

United States Consulate (Wuhan)
Non-emergency #: (+86) 27-8555-7791
Email: chenz@state.gov
Web: http://wuhan.usembassy-china.org.cn/
The Consulate is located at the New World International Trade Tower 1, 568
Jianshe Avenue

United States Consulate (Guangzhou)
Non-emergency #: (+86) 20-8121-8000
Email: GuangzhouACS@state.gov
Web: http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/
The Consulate is located at #1 South Shamian Street Shamian Island 200S1

United States Consulate (Shenyang)
Non-emergency #: (+86) 24-2322-1198
Email: ShenyangACS@state.gov
Web: http://shenyang.usembassy-china.org.cn/
The Consulate is located at 52, 14th Wei Road, Heping District

Canadian Embassy (Beijing)
Emergency #: (+613) 996-8885 (Collect Call)
Non-emergency #:(+86) 10-5139-4000
Email: beijing-cs@international.gc.ca
Web: http://china.gc.ca
The Embassy is located at 19 Dongzhimenwai Dajie Chao Yang District

Canadian Consulate (Hong Kong)
Non-emergency #: (+86) 852-3719-4700
Email: hkong@international.gc.ca
Web: http://hongkong.gc.ca
The Consulate is located on the 12th to 14th Floor of One Exchange Square
Central Hong Kong SAR

Canadian Consulate (Chongqing)
Non-emergency #:(+86) 23-6373-8007
Email: chong@international.gc.ca
Web: http://china.gc.ca
The Consulate is located at Suite 1705, Metropolitan Tower Wu Yi Lu, Yu
Zhong District

Canadian Consulate (Shanghai)
Non-emergency #: (+86) 21-3279-2800
Email: shngi@international.gc.ca
Web: http://china.gc.ca
The Consulate is located at 604, West Tower 1376 Nanjing Road (West)

Canadian Consulate (Guangzhou)
Non-emergency (+86) 20-8611-6100
Email: ganzug@international.gc.ca
Web: http://china.gc.ca
The Consulate is located at Suite 801, China Hotel Office Tower Liu Hua Lu

British Embassy (Beijing)
Emergency #: (+86) 10-5192-4000
Non-emergency #: (+86) 10-5192-4000
Email: consular.beijing@fco.gov.uk
Web: http://ukinchina.fco.gov.uk/en
The Embassy is located at 11 Guang Hua Lu Jian Guo Men Wai

British Consulate (Chongqing)
Non-emergency #: (+86) 23-6369-1500
Web: http://ukinchina.fco.gov.uk/en
The Consulate is located at Suite 2801, Metropolitan Tower, 68 Zourong
Road, Yu Zhong District

British Consulate (Guangzhou)
Non-emergency #: (+86) 20-8314-3000
Web: http://ukinchina.fco.gov.uk/en
The Consulate is located on the 2nd Floor of the Guangdong International
Hotel 339 Huanshi Dong Lu

British Consulate (Shanghai)
Non-emergency #: (+86) 21-3279-2000
Web: http://ukinchina.fco.gov.uk/en
The Consulate is located at Suite 301, Shanghai Centre 1376 Nan Jing Xi Lu

Additional Info in China
Anything we’ve left out? Any additional suggestions to make travel easier for others?