The Best Way to Book Air Tickets for Your China Trip

Based on feedback from our British guests and our own travel experiences, we've found the following online search engines to be very helpful for investigating and ticketing airfare to and from each of our trips.
• http://www.flightstochina.org.uk/index.html
• http://www.airchina.co.uk/en/index.html
•http://www.britishairways.com/travel/home/public/en_gb
• http://www.lastminute.com/site/find/World/Asia/China/China--Flight.html
• http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/

What about drinks?
A: Local tea is commonly served with meals and there is a variety of soft drinks, local and imported beers and wines available for purchase. You should not drink the tap water, bottled water is inexpensive and readily available. If you like a 'cuppa', you may like to bring along a small supply of tea bags, coffee and milk powder. Most rooms have electric jugs or thermos flasks of boiling water to make hot.

What are the toilet facilities like on tour?
A: All of our hotels have western style bathrooms and toilets. Obviously in the more remote areas, they may be a little more basic, but clean and simple is common. Whilst sightseeing, toilet facilities at restaurants and local tourist sites can vary and we would recommend that you carry tissues, wet wipes or disinfectant gel with you, “just in case”.

What should I pack?
A: Casual clothing is appropriate at all times although clothes that are too revealing are still frowned upon in all over China. Try to pack lightly as your trip may involve an amount of personal baggage handling as porters are often not available except in larger hotels. For security reasons it is essential that your baggage can be locked whilst during air transportation between cities. At times, you may not be able to check into your hotel room immediately or be able to access your main bags. To ensure your comfort, a change of clothes in your hand luggage to coincide with local weather conditions is always handy. All personal toiletries should be taken with you and small packets of tissues or wet wipes are recommended. A small medical kit containing medication to alleviate common ailments is suggested.

Clothing suggestion:

What credit cards can I use?
A: At present the Bank of China accepts Master, American Express, Dynasty, Visa, JCB, and Diners Club cards. Travelers may use these cards to draw cash over the exchange counters in China's banks, make purchases or pay bills at large department stores, restaurants and hotels in more than 100 major cities in China. A surcharge of 2% is always charged for card transactions.

Where can I find more travel advice for China?
A: Visit the website of Foreign & Commonwealth UK, you can see their travel advisory and consular information service at
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/asia-oceania/china

Hong Kong Travel Advice
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/asia-oceania/hong-kong-special-administrative

Macao Travel Advice
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/asia-oceania/macao-sar-china

Where can I get consular assistance?
A: In China, the British tourists can obtain consular assistance from the:

◎The Consular Section of the British Embassy Beijing

Address: 21st Floor North Tower, Kerry Centre, No.1 Guanghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing  100020
Telephone: (+86) (0) 10 8529 6083
Fax: (+86) (0) 10 8529 6081
Out of Hours: (+86) (0) 10 5192 4000
Email: consular.beijing@fco.gov.uk
Website: http://ukinchina.fco.gov.uk/en/ 

Counter services:
Monday-Thursday: 9.00-12.00 / 13.00-15.00
Friday: 9.00-12.00
Telephone enquiries:
Monday - Friday: 8.30-12.00 / 13.00-16.00

◎The Consular Section of the British Consulate-General Shanghai

Address: Suite 319, Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nan Jing Xi Lu, Shanghai
Postcode: 200040
Telephone: (+86) (0) 21 3279 2000
Fax: (+86) (0) 21 6279 7658/6279 7651
Out of Hours: (+86) (0) 21 3279 2000
Website: http://ukinchina.fco.gov.uk/en/ 
Email: consular.shanghai@fco.gov.uk

Counter services:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 9.00-12.00 / 14.00-16.00
Tuesday, Friday: 9.00-12.00
Telephone enquiries:
Monday-Friday: 9.00-16.00

◎The Consular Section of the British Consulate-General Guangzhou

Address: 2/F Guangdong International Hotel, 339 Huanshi Dong Lu, Guangzhou 510098
Phone: (+86) (0) 20 8314 3000
Fax: (+86) (0) 20 8331 2799
Out of Hours: (+86) (0) 20 8314 3000
Website: http://ukinchina.fco.gov.uk/en/ 
Email: consular.guangzhou@fco.gov.uk

Counter services: Monday to Friday: 9.00-13.00
Telephone inquires: Monday to Friday: 9.00-13.00 / 14.00-16.30

◎The Consular Section of the British Consulate General Chongqing

Address: Suite 2801, Metropolitan Tower, 68 Zourong Road, Yu Zhong District, Chongqing 400010
Telephone：(+86) (0) 23 6369 1500
Fax：(+86) () 233 6369 1525
Out of Hours: (+86) (0) 23 6369 1500
Website: http://ukinchina.fco.gov.uk/en/ 
Email: consular.chongqing@fco.gov.uk

Counter services: Monday to Friday: 9.00am to 12.00 and 13.30 to 15.30.
Telephone Inquiries: Monday to Friday: 9.00am to 12.00 and 13.00 to 17.00

◎British Consulate-General in HK

Consular: (+852) 2901 3222
Visa Information Services: (+86) 21 2893 9105 
Passport Information Helpline: (+44) 208 082 4744

Address: 1 Supreme Court Road, Hong Kong

P.S.
To note the consular sections operate on a 'by appointment only' system, please call the office in advance prior to showing up, or book an on-line appointment.