Travel Tips
Climate / Clothing
China: China is a huge country with varied climates. In general, the north is cold and dry in winter. In the south, summer is hot and humid; the rainy season is from July through September. Hong Kong: climate is sub-tropical, similar to that of Hawaii. The year-round temperature is about 73F, with low humidity.
China Average Temperatures: www.gutsywomentravel.com/weather/china-japan-travel/China-weather.htm.
India: India has three seasons. November through March is generally pleasant, with bright, sunny days. It is hot in May and June but you will find relief from the heat in the hill resorts. Monsoon season breaks around June on the west coast and a little later elsewhere. Southern India receives rainfall between mid-October and December.
India Average Temperatures: www.gutsywomentravel.com/india-travel/india-travel/weather/India-weather.htm.
Thailand: The average temperature in Bangkok ranges from 60°F in Dec to 97°F in Apr. Rainy Season is Jun to Oct.
Thailand Average Temperatures: www.gutsywomentravel.com/southeast-asia/weather/Thailand-weather.htm.
Language
China: Chinese, Mandarin and a wide variety of regional/local dialects. Hong Kong: English and Cantonese
India: Local language and dialect varies from region to region. Limited English is generally understood and spoken as well.
Thailand: Thai, Chinese, English
Passports & Visas
China (People's Republic of): Passport and visa required.
India: Passport and visa required.
Thailand: Passport required. Tourists staying no longer than 30 days do not need a visa.
Note: Visitors who do not possess visible means of support for their stay, onward or return tickets and other documents for their next destination may be refused entry into the country. For more information, please see click here.
Currency
China: the Renminbi (RMB, usually called the Yuan. Ten jiao make up one Yuan).
India: The Indian Rupee is the unit of currency of India.
Thailand: The Baht
Tipping
Tipping is considered by locals to be a part of their normal remuneration and some may approach you for additional "compensation" There is no need to be intimidated by the request, nor should you feel pressured to pay more than recommended. If you become uncomfortable by any behavior you encounter, please advise your tour escort or phone our local office. Numbers have been provided in your documents for your convenience.
For specific guidelines, please refer to www.gutsywomentravel.com/tipping.asp.
Electricity
China: Throughout China the voltage used is 220 volts / 50 cycle.
India: The voltage used is 220 volts.
Thailand: The voltage used is 220 volts
*Note: The U.S. uses 120 volts and you can purchase a converter and transformer at most hardware stores for your 120V appliances.
Shopping
China: Duty-free shops, official state-run stores and department stores offer tourists the chance to purchase Chinese handicrafts such as embroidery, carvings, lacquered objects, porcelain and calligraphy. Businesses are usually open from 8/8:30 am and close about 7:30/8 pm. Offices are closed for lunch, which is one hour, generally taken between 11:30 am and 2 pm. Supper is taken around 6 or 7 pm.
India: The bazaars and emporiums of Delhi and Jaipur offer exotic wares from all over India. Carved furniture, brass, hand-printed textiles, perfumes, incense and oils are just a few of the delights you’ll find. Be prepared to haggle for the best prices. You may wish to avoid the street vendors, some of whom can be very aggressive.
Thailand: Thai silk and cotton are well known. Thailand is famous for good buys in precious and semi-precious stones, sapphires, rubies, zircons, pearls, & leather products.
Health Precautions
India/Thailand: No actual vaccinations are presently required whereas persons suffering from leprosy, trachoma, tuberculosis, AIDS and plague are forbidden entry into Thailand.
China: No inoculations are necessary when arriving in China or Japan from the U.S. But consult with your health care provider before traveling. To prevent "Montezuma’s Revenge", avoid the tap water, including raw fruits and vegetables washed in tap water. Your stomach may still become upset due to the change in diet. Bring anti-diarrhea medicine just in case.
*For the latest overseas travel health information, call the Center for Disease Control's traveler's hotline at 404-332-4559. Or visit their web site at www.cdc.gov
Conservation / Code of Conduct
China: Cultural differences may create misunderstandings between local people and visitors. The Chinese do not usually volunteer information and the visitor is advised to ask questions. Hotels, train dining cars and restaurants often ask for criticisms and suggestions, which are considered seriously. Do not be offended by being followed by crowds, this is merely an open interest in visitors who are rare in the more remote provinces. The Chinese are generally reserved in manner, courtesy rather than familiarity being preferred. The full title of the country is ‘The People’s Republic of China’, and this should be used in all formal communications. ‘China’ can be used informally, but there should never be any implication that another China exists. Although handshaking may be sufficient, a visitor will frequently be greeted by applause as a sign of welcome. The customary response is to applaud back. Anger, if felt, is expected to be concealed and arguments in public may attract hostile attention. In China the family name is always mentioned first. It is customary to arrive a little early if invited out socially. Toasting at a meal is very common, as is the custom of bringing a small gift when visiting someone’s home, such as fruit, confectionery or a souvenir from a home country. If it is the home of friends or relatives, money may be left for the children. If visiting a school or a factory, a gift from the visitor’s home country, particularly something which would be unavailable in China, would be much appreciated. Stamps are also very popular as gifts, as stamp-collecting is a popular hobby in China. A good gift for an official guide is a Western reference book on China. Conservative casual wear is generally acceptable everywhere and revealing clothes should be avoided since they may cause offense. Visitors should avoid expressing political or religious opinions. Photography is not allowed in airports. Places of historic and scenic interest may be photographed, but permission should be sought before photographing military installations, government buildings or other possibly sensitive subjects.
India: The bazaars and emporiums of Delhi and Jaipur offer exotic wares from all over India. Carved furniture, brass, hand-printed textiles, perfumes, incense and oils are just a few of the delights you’ll find. Be prepared to haggle for the best prices. You may wish to avoid the street vendors, some of whom can be very aggressive.
Thailand: Present-day Thai society is the result of centuries of cultural interchange, particularly with China and India, but more recently with the West. Western visitors will generally receive a handshake on meeting someone. A Thai will be greeted with the traditional closed hands and a slight bow of the head, the wai. Buddhist monks are always greeted in this way. The Thai Royal Family is regarded with an almost religious reverence. Visitors should respect this. It is very bad manners to make public displays of anger, as Thais regard such behavior as boorish and a loss of 'face'. Public displays of affection between men and women are also frowned upon, and it is considered rude to touch anyone on the head or to point one's feet at someone. Shoes should be removed before entering someone's home or a temple. Informal dress is widely acceptable and men are seldom, if ever, expected to wear suits. A traditional Thai shirt is the most suitable attire for men at any official function. Beachwear should be confined to the beach and topless sunbathing is frowned upon. Smoking is widely acceptable.
Luggage
*Gate 1 tour packages allow one piece of luggage per person, plus carry-on bag. Additional baggage will be subject to handling charges of up to $100 per piece.
As Gate 1 will not be responsible for loss or damage to luggage and personal belongings, you MUST report any loss or damage immediately at the time of the incident and obtain a written report from the local authority for submission to your insurance provider. If you luggage is lost or damaged by the airlines, a baggage claim form MUST be filed with the carrier before leaving the airport. See www.gutsywomentravel.com/destinations/luggage.htm for Important Baggage Information for U.S. Travelers.
Departure Tax
Thailand:: 500 Thai Baht per person (approximately $14)
Please see www.gutsywomentravel.com/departure-taxes.asp for more information.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance as additional security in the case of cancellation or interruption of travel plans, lost or damaged luggage, travel delays, illness, or accident. Keep all boarding passes, ticket copies and receipts for expenses paid during your trip if it later becomes necessary to file a claim.
Local Emergency Phone #
China:
- ambulance/medical: 999 or 120
- fire: 119
- police: 110
India:
- ambulance/medical: 102
- fire: 101
- police: 100
Thailand:
- ambulance/medical: 191
- fire: 199
- police: 191
Holidays
China:
| January 1 | New Year's Day |
| Feb 9-11 | Spring Festival, Chinese New Year |
| May 1-2 | Labor Day |
| Oct 1-2 | National Day |
*Note: In addition to the above, other holidays may be observed locally and certain groups have official public holidays on the following dates: Mar 8 International Women’s Day; May 4 National Youth Day; May 23 Tibet Liberation Day; Jun 1 International Children’s Day; Aug 1 Army Day.
Greece
| Jan 21 | Idu’z Zuha/Bakrid (Feast of the Sacrifice) | Aug 15 | Independence Day | |
| Jan 26 | Republic Day | Oct 2 | Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday | |
| Feb 10 | Muharram (Islamic New Year) | Oct 12 | Vijaya Dasami/Dussera | |
| Mar 20 | Sri Rama Navami (Birthday of Sri Rama) | Nov 2 | Diwali | |
| Mar 24 | Mahavir Jayanthi | Nov 3-5 | Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) | |
| Mar 25 | Holi; Good Friday | Nov 26 | Guru Nanak’s Birthday | |
| Apr 24 | Buddha Purnima | Dec 25 | Christmas Day | |
| May 23 | Milad-Un-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet) |
Thailand:
| Jan 1 | New Year’s Day | Jun 23 | *Khao Phansa Day (Buddhist Lent) | |
| Feb 17 | Magha Bucha Day | Jul 1 | Mid Year Bank Holiday | |
| Apr 6 | Chakri Day | Aug 12 | HM The Queen's Birthday | |
| Apr 13-15 | Songkran (Thai New Year) | Oct 23 | Chulalongkorn Day | |
| May 1 | Labor Day | Dec 5 | HM The King's Birthday | |
| May 5 | Coronation Day | Dec 10 | Constitution Day | |
| May 23 | *Visakha Bucha | Dec 31 | New Year's Eve |
*Note: The religious festivals are determined by the Buddhist lunar calendar and therefore are difficult to predict. The dates provided here are estimates.
Driving
China: It is possible to reach 80 per cent of settlements by road. Roads are not always of the highest quality. Distances should not be underestimated and vehicles should be in prime mechanical condition as China is still very much an agricultural nation without the mechanical expertise or services found in the West. From Beijing to Shanghai is 1461km (908 miles), and from Beijing to Nanjing (Nanking) is 1139km (718 miles). Traffic drives on the right.
India: Traffic drives on the left. An extensive network of bus services connects all parts of the country, and is particularly useful for the mountainous regions where there are no rail services. However, public transport is often crowded and can be uncomfortable. Details of routes may be obtained from the local tourist office.
Thailand: There is a reasonable road network comprising many highways and 52,000km (32,300 miles) of national and provincial roads. All major roads are paved. Traffic drives on the left.
China: Most long-distance internal travel is by air. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) operates along routes linking Beijing to over 80 other cities by 14 regional airlines, covering all major cities and some sites. CAAC controls several other private carriers including China Eastern, China Northern, China Southern, Great Wall and Yunnan Airlines.
Intra-Country Flights
Tickets will normally be purchased by guides and the price will be included in any tour costs. Independent travelers can also book through the local Chinese International Travel Service (CITS), which charges a small commission, or alternatively buy tickets in booking offices. It is advisable to purchase internal air tickets well in advance if traveling during May, September or October. The tourist price for a ticket is 70 per cent on a train ticket and 100 per cent on an air ticket. There are many connections to Hong Kong from Beijing/Guangzhou (Peking/Canton) as well as other cities. Safety records are variable.
*Note: Where possible, travelers are advised to fly in UK or North American aircraft which are used by larger airlines.
India: We strongly recommend that you check in for your international flight 3 to 4 hours prior to departure. The Air India ticket counter often becomes very crowded, with lines extending outside the terminal doors. Intra-Indian airline tickets and rail tickets will be in the care of your local escort in India.
Arrival Procedures
Beijing Airport: Beijing Airport is usually very crowded at the arrival area. Therefore, it is very important to follow these instructions:
- Wear your name badge for easy identification
- Look for the GATE 1 Travel sign.