Essentials to include when you pack—from the proper travel documents to the right clothing.
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Planning:
Entry Requirements: U.S. citizens need a valid passport and visa to enter China.
Time: Beijing is 12 hours ahead of U.S. eastern standard time. All of China is in the same time zone.
Money: Renminbi (RMB or yuan for short), China's currency, is pegged to a group of foreign currencies, and hovers around 8 RMB per U.S. dollar.
Phone Calls: To make international calls, dial "00" to be connected to an international (English-speaking) operator. Within China, dial 11-digit mobile numbers directly. For local calls in Beijing, just dial the 8-digit number without the city code (010). For domestic long distance calls in Beijing, dial the city code first.
When to Go: Beijing has cold winters and humid summers. The best time to visit is mid to late spring, early summer, and fall.
Getting There: Beijing Capital International Airport, about 12 miles (19 kilometers) northeast of the city center, is served by numerous international carriers and direct flights from New York, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Currently, a car or taxi is the only way to travel to the city.
Getting Around: Driving in Beijing is on the right side of the road. The top highway speed is 120 kph (about 75 mph), and highway signs generally use Pinyin, the phonetic spelling. Beijing's four-line subway is a good, if limited, way to get around the central part of the city; buses and inexpensive taxis (no tipping required) fill in the gaps. The city will be adding more lines before the 2008 Olympics. Consider hiring a car and driver.
Checklist:
Passport/Visa: You can't enter China without a passport and visa. Keep copies in a secure place.
Health Concerns: SARS and malaria are no longer concerns in Beijing, but AIDS and Hepatitis A are, so take precautions. "Get a vaccine for Hepatitis A or a booster if you've already had one," says Dr. David Goldberg, who specializes in travel medicine (www.mdtravelhealth.com). Other risks come from animals, in the form of avian influenza and rabies. "Don't visit any live poultry markets or farms, and avoid stray dogs. Get immediate attention for animal bites," says Dr. Goldberg.
Security Concerns: Watch for thieves and pickpockets.
Political Concerns: Armed guards and military personnel are ubiquitous in Beijing—particularly in official areas, such as Tiananmen Square or Sanlitun's many foreign embassies. Be vigilant about what you say and how you conduct yourself, and avoid open criticisms of the Chinese Communist Party, regardless of your audience.
Sunscreen: The Beijing government is working to improve air quality in time for the 2008 Olympics, but industrial and environmental pollution are extremely high. Use a physical sunblock with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide of SPF 15 or higher, and stay indoors.
Insect Repellent: Beijing isn't the tropics, but mosquitoes can appear in humid weather or after a rain shower. Bring mosquito repellent, or buy some there.
Appropriate Fashions: China's younger generation doesn't let mores dictate their dress code, but the rest of the country is still fairly conservative. Women who wear flashy clothing won't get heckled, but they can provoke stares or otherwise indirect comments such as "Aren't you cold?"
Sturdy Footwear: Some of Beijing's prime attractions—the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Art District—require extensive walking and even modest climbing. Put on sturdy footwear before tackling crumbling sections of the Great Wall.
Drinking Water: "Stick to bottled water. Assume fruits and vegetables are contaminated; cook or peel them first," says Dr. Goldberg.
Toiletries: Beijing is modernized, but squat toilets (the kind without seats) still abound. Bring your own toilet tissue everywhere. Soaps, shampoos, lotions, and toothpaste are widely available in drug stores. Avoid buying counterfeit toiletries, which may contain hazardous ingredients.
