US NSF - Beijing Office

Missed Flight:

Let your airline know that you missed the flight.
Ask to be booked on the next available flight to your destination city/country.

Lost Luggage:

Find the claim check for missing baggage and verify the description of the bag and contents.
File a lost luggage report at the baggage service office or with the airline.
Use your hotel phone number or the number for your overseas coordinator. Include how long you will be staying at that hotel.
Write down the phone number of the baggage office and all claim form numbers for future reference.

Lost Passport:

Only the U. S. Embassy or the nearest Consulate Office can issue a new passport, and only during regular business hours.
All visas that were in the lost passport are now invalid and new ones will need to be issued. Contact the U.S embassy in Beijing or the nearest Consulate Office requiring the documents to determine the procedures. Visa information Call Center is 4008-872-333. The website is http://Beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn.

Lost Airline Tickets:

Contact the airline ticket office/ticket counter.
A replacement ticket form including the serial number of the lost ticket will need to be signed. The person who lost the ticket is responsible for any fees associated with the replacement process.
If a ticket cannot be replaced, a new one must be purchased and a lost ticket report must be filed.
The airline should reimburse you for the replacement ticket less the lost ticket fees within six months. Policies for reimbursement and the cost of a lost or replacement ticket vary by airline.

Lost Personal Belongings:

Personal belongings are always the responsibility of the individual. We suggest leaving valuables at home and labeling items you bring (such as cameras) with your name, contact information and delegation ID number.
Use good judgment to keep your belongings safe and secure. Do not flaunt cash or valuables, and consider using a money belt or pouch to keep your money and passport handy, yet out of sight.
The program office or your host in China is not responsible for lost personal belongings.

When you arrive:

When you arrive at the Immigration Desk, you will need to have your passport with visa to show them. They might ask you, "Why are you here?" or "Where are you staying?" or "How long are you staying?"
If you do not have transportation arrangement, please show the address of your hotel to the Taxi driver. Please go to the official Taxi Station and wait in line to get a taxi, and ignore any transportation solicitation in the airport lobby.

Weather:

Summer in China can be very warm and humid, dress light. Autumn weather is the best, --dress in layers to adapt easily to changes in temperature.
Please visit the World Meteorological Organization's China Webpage to check the real-time weather forecast of the major Chinese cities: http://www.worldweather.org/001/m001.htm

Currency:

Current exchange rate changes often. International circulation currency can be changed into RMB at banks, hotels, and authorized offices. Money exchange is available at the airport in Beijing or at the front desk of the Hotel your are staying. You can also use ATM machine. Traveler's checks and credit cards (American Express, Visa and MasterCard) are widely accepted at hotels, travel agencies, and large retail stores, but a service charge might be applicable. As a foreigner, you may be asked to exchange Chinese money for dollars. Don't do it; it is illegal.

Using your credit card will often result in the bank's service charges (typically 3-6%) being added to your bill.
When receiving bills from merchants that are torn or dirty, feel free to demand other bills since other merchants may not accept those torn or dirty bills.
If you cannot spend all of your Chinese currency before departure, you can reconvert it at your hotel's exchange counter. The airport also has an official currency exchange counter, but it may not be open outside normal business hours. You will need to present your official currency exchange receipt and your airline ticket.

Voltage and Converter:

China standard is 220 volts, 50HZ; you should get a Universal Adapter at US$10 either at Wal-Mart or Target.

Packing:

Hand sanitizer, tissue paper for excursions in the city (not all public restrooms provide toilet papers), and a converter for electrical devices such as laptop computers and rechargeable battery devices.

Travel Safety:

Keep in mind to always maintain firm control of your personal belongings while traveling through airports in the U.S. and China. Do not accept assistance from anyone offering to help you check-in besides people belonging to your delegation or airport officials working behind actual check-in counters.

International Phone Calls:

Call from the hotel:

Each guest room has a landline that can be used. Call "0" for instructions for general service. Be aware that there will be a 15% service fee for any calls you made within the city, to other provinces in China, and other countries.

Long distance phone card:

It could be purchased at the airport, or at stores selling phones, or at the following websites (about US $4 to $5 cents per minute):

http://www.skype.com/allfeatures/subscriptions/#mexicanSubscriptionTab
http://www.ecallchina.com/

Country and Area Code and Important Numbers:

China IDD Code – 86
City Codes: Beijing (10), Shanghai (21). Guangzhou ( 20) Chengdu (28) Shenyang ( 24)
Hong Kong IDD CODE –852
Emergency Numbers
- Medical Emergency ( Chinese) - 120 or 999
- Police (Chinese) - 110
- Fire – 119

Health:

If you are taking prescription medication, be sure you have an ample supply for your entire stay and make sure that all medication (including over the counter drugs) is clearly labeled and in its original container. You should carry a copy of the original prescription with you. If you have chronic medical conditions such as allergies, eating disorders, hypo-glycemia, asthma, motion or altitude sickness, migraines, diabetes, physical limitations such as visual or hearing impairments, etc., which require special medication or continuing medical treatment, you need to check with your doctor to ensure that your special needs can be met while in China.

Hospitals:

Medical facilities in major cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, and others are well established. Visitors can expect to receive quality medical care.

Drinking Water:

Visitors should not drink tap water in China. Bottled water and soft drinks are available in supermarkets, hotels, and shops.

Flu Season and H1N1 Tips:

With growing concern worldwide about the spread of the H1N1 virus, You should consider certain precautionary measures. You should also check with your health care provider regarding other measures you should take prior to the trip.

Tips to help avoid or minimize flu:

Get the seasonal flu shot as soon as possible.
Get plenty of rest and drink a lot of water prior to departure.
Wash your hands with soap and water often. Alcohol-based sanitizers also are effective.
Plan to take foil packets of the alcohol-based sanitary hand wipes.
Consider using dietary supplements to help boost your immune system (check with your doctor first).
Maintain healthy eating habits.
Carry fever-reducing analgesics.
Touch your eyes and nose only with clean hands.

If you develop flu-like symptoms while traveling, you should:

Avoid close contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
Be prepared to stay in your hotel room for up to seven days after your symptoms begin, or until your fever is gone for a 24-hour period, without fever reducing medication, unless you need to get medical care.
If you have to go out, wear a mask or cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue.

You also should be prepared to have your body temperatures checked as you walk through security gates at the airport in Beijing.

If you have additional question about the seasonal flu shot, the H1N1 vaccine, or related matters, please visit http://www.tamu.edu/emergency/procedures/flu.html#shs or http://www.flu.gov.