| TRAVEL TIPS & INFORMATION |
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Flight Delays
Carry-on Items
Warnings
1) Vaccinations are not required for travel but are suggested by all Health Departments I checked with.
Click Here for more information about vaccinations suggested for China travel and related health issues
you should be aware of.
2) Don't overpack! Nanning has everything you could possibly need and alot cheaper than you can buy in
the states. There is one exception to this and that is camera film if you are not using a digital camera.
If you buy it there you will pay 2 to 3 times more than in the U.S.
3) Make photo copies of your passport and your visa. This is in case your passport is lost or stolen. Also
go to the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou website and download their contact information. Contact them for
passport or visa problems and also if you have problems with the local police for any reason.
4) Give a friend or family member here your hotel and contact information while you are in China. This is
mainly for emergencies.
5) Keep abreast of the news and note what's going on in China at the time of your trip.
Passport/Visa
You will need a passport (obviously) and if you already have one you need to make sure it hasn't expired.
You will also need a Chinese visa to enter China. Most people apply for the "L" or tourist visa, however
there are other types of visas as well as multiple entry visas available. To get a visa you need to apply at
the Chinese Embassy or at one of the Chinese Consulates (closest one to you) if possible. Since none of
the above accepts visa applications by mail anymore you will need to use a travel or visa agent to apply.
FlyChina.com is good and they are fast. You need to apply for your visa 30 to 60 days prior to your
scheduled departure.
Buying Airfare
If you want to save money buying airfare to and from China, as well as domestic flights while in China,
I have some important tips:
1) Buy airfare at least 2 to 5 months before you plan to go.
2) Plan to buy your international ticket to a main entry point in China such as Beijing, Shanghai,
Guangzhou, etc., but not onto Nanning. Make prior arrangements with someone you know in Nanning to
buy your airfare for you to Nanning from one of these entry points. They can use a local travel agent to
do this and it will save you a bunch of money.
3) Schedule flights Monday through Thursday. Never Friday, Saturday or Sunday because on these days
airfare is more expensive.
4) The travel season is broken down into three subseasons: High; Shoulder; Low.
High being the most expensive time; Shoulder is somewhere in the middle; Low is when it is the least
expensive.
High: May, September, October.
Shoulder: March, April, June, July, August, November
Low: December, January, February
Airlines
Always verify your flight itinerary with the airlines you will be using a few days before you go and also a
few days before you leave Nanning. This is important especially if you use China Southern Airlines
(which you probably will be at some point). This airline has a bad habit of canceling flights or changing
flights with no notice. China Southern Offices
Airline Weight Restrictions
Don't make the mistake of taking too much luggage because over limit bags can cost you from $25.00 US
to $50.00 US or more. On international flights you are limited to 23kg (50lbs) per checked bag and only
two (2) carry-ons. Domestic flight limit is 20kg (44lbs) per checked bag and only one (1) carry-on.
Customs Declarations
As of July 1st, 2005 you can no longer make verbal declarations at mainland (China) customs.
A declaration form is required upon arrival and departure. Travelers will have to indicate if they are
bringing a camera, laptop, gold, large amounts of money, etc., etc., into the country.
If you buy anything in China you need to keep a receipt so you can show the customs people when you
depart the country (If they ask). Here is good website that shows in depth items you can enter with and
take out of China.
Airport Cautions
Wherever you land in China via Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, etc., please take note: There
are many bad people in these airports looking to make money from you when you arrive. These people
will approach you and ask you if you need help with connecting flights or taxis. Many will be dressed in
"official" looking clothes and/or maybe have badges showing airline names. DO NOT USE THESE
PEOPLE! Do not give anybody your plane tickets or passport. Anyone who approaches you to help must
be avoided!! This includes people that approach you to exchange money. DO NOT USE THEM!
Wuxu Airport
Nanning's Wuxu airport (NNG) is an international airport as you can get flights to and from *Hanoi
(HAN) or Bangkok (BKK). Domestic and regional service includes regular flights from Guangzhou
(CAN), Hong Kong (HKG), Shanghai (SHA), Beijing (PEK), Shenyang (SHE) and Zhengzhou (CGO).
See distances and travel times below.
The airport is located 30 minutes from downtown Nanning with both taxi and bus service available to the
city. Many hotels will have a shuttle service to and from the airport which is handy. You can notify them
of your scheduled arrival beforehand or have the information desk at the airport phone them when you
arrive.
All distances and travel times are based on direct flights "to" or "from" Nanning.
CITY DISTANCE TRAVEL TIME (By Air)
Bangkok 795m/1280k 1:55 (1) hour & (55) minutes average
Beijing 1,296m/2,085k 2:54 (2) hours & (54) minutes average
Guangzhou 337m/541k 1:00 (1) hour average
Hanoi 182m/292k 0:36 (36) minutes average
Hong Kong 398m/640k 1:00 (1) hour average
Shanghai 1,020m/1,640k 2:20 (2) hours & (20) minutes average
Shenyang 1,593m/2,564k 3:30 (3) hours & (30) minutes average
Zhengzhou 891m/1433k 2:05 (2) hours & (5) minutes average
*Direct flights from Hanoi to Nanning can be booked via Air China which has 4 flights per week: Sunday,
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Once you are in Nanning Buses and Taxi's are easy to use and very inexpensive. Be prepared for
Nanning's traffic! It can be a little overwhelming at first. Also be extremely careful when crossing streets
as cars, motorbikes, and bicycles don't yield for pedestrians like they do here in the U.S.
The best ways to get around Nanning proper are via taxi, bus, bicycle, or motorbike. You can rent a car
with driver but it is more expensive and they usually charge you the "American Fee" which is always more
than normal. If you have many places to go most taxi drivers will actually wait for you or return to pick
you up. They only charge their regular fees for this, usually 7 yuan (85 cents) per kilometer, so remember
to tip them generously when you are done.
For tootling around the outskirts of Nanning or for a short road trip you can rent a small van with driver
that can seat up to 6 people. This is great because it allows you to stop when you want and sightsee or
take roadside breaks.
Also since January 2007, foreigners in China are now allowed to get a temporary drivers license if they
want to drive themselves around. So if you are brave and want to join the locals in negotiating around
Nanning's streets, you now can, but just make sure you understand the traffic laws and signage.
I have used trains in China but I'm not a big train traveler for several reasons: It takes too long (16 hours
to Guangzhou, for example) I can't stop and sightsee, they aren't very clean, I don't like sharing my
sleeping quarters with perfect strangers. I will use a train if I can't get a flight or am not in a hurry to get
to my destination. Suffice to say you won't see me on many trains.
When I want to see the countryside I rent a van or go by bus.
I do have a couple of websites on my links page that you can get train info. from.
