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Salaam Alaikum
My name is Kazim Akbar and I, my wife, daughter and grand daughter went to China in the group of Dr. Khalid Rehman. It was a wonderful trip and an extraordinary vacation. It turned out to be more like a vocational trip with immense learning experience. I must congratulate you for planning the trip to its finest details. And full credit should also go to Mr. Yusuf and Mr. Johan of islamichina.com for executing the plan effectively- like clockwork. As a retired Army Officer, who served through two wars, I am well aware, how much it takes ...

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Beijing Muslim Tour 5 Days

Beijing Muslim Tour 5 DaysBeijing Muslim Tour 5 Days
Beijing Muslim Tour 5 Days
Tour Code: BCP06
Starting from: USD488pp
Duration: 5-days
Departures: Upon request at any date
Features: Private guide & vehicle at your service
  • Day 1: Arrival in Beijing
    Meals Included: Dinner at local Halal restaurant.

    Our professional Muslim expert tour guide will pick you up at Beijing capital international airport and transfer you to the hotel. Relax during the remainder of the afternoon and evening to recover from the jet lag.
    Day 2: Beijing, City Tours
    Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch & Dinner at local Halal restaurants

     
    Tiananmen Square
    Located in the center of Beijing, Tiananmen Square is the largest city square in the world with a capacity of holding one million people. Named after the Tiananmen gate (Gate of Heavenly Peace) located to its north, separating it from the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square has great cultural significance as it was the site of many important events in Chinese history such Chairman Mao's declaration of the establishment of the People's Republic of China on Oct, 01, 1949. As a result of a major expansion of Tiananmen Square in 1958, in its southern edge, the Monument to the People's Heroes has been erected, the Great Hall of the People and the National Museum of China were erected on the western and eastern sides of the square. After Chairman Mao's death in 1976, a Mausoleum was built to the south of Monument to the People's Heroes, on the main north-south axis of the square.
     
     
     
    Forbidden City
    As the royal residences of the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties from the 15th to 20th century, the Forbidden City was the centre of state power in late feudal China. It was constructed between 1406 and 1420 by the Ming emperor Zhudi and witnessed the enthronement of 14 Ming and 10 Qing emperors over the following 505 years. The Forbidden City is the supreme model in the development of ancient Chinese palaces, providing insight into the social development of late dynastic China, especially the ritual and court culture. The layout and spatial arrangement inherits and embodies the traditional characteristic of urban planning and palace construction in ancient China, featuring a central axis, symmetrical design and layout of outer court at the front and inner court at the rear and the inclusion of additional landscaped courtyards. Meanwhile, more than a million precious royal collections, articles used by the royal family and a large number of archival materials on ancient engineering techniques, including written records, drawings and models, are evidence of the court culture and law and regulations of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
     
     
     
    Temple of Heaven
    The Temple of Heaven was completed in 1420. The area that it occupies is almost square, the two southern corners being right-angled and those on the north rounded. This symbolizes the ancient Chinese belief that heaven is round and the earth square. The central building is a large rectangular sacrificial hall, where sacrifices were offered to heaven, with the Fasting Palace to the south-west. Pines were planted in the precinct of the Temple to emphasize the relationship between humankind and nature. The siting, planning, and architectural design of the Temple Heaven, and also the sacrificial ceremony and the associate music and dance, are based on the yin-yan and five-element theory of the ancient Book of Changes. This explains the understanding of the ancient Chinese people of heaven and of the relationship between human beings and heaven, as well as their wish to go to heaven.
     
     
    Day 3: Beijing, City Tours
    Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner at local Halal restaurant

     
    Great Wall of China
    The Great Wall was continuously built from the 3rd century BC to the 17th century AD on the northern border of China as the great military defence project of successive Chinese Empires, with a total length of more than 20,000 kilometers. The Great Wall begins in the east at Shanhaiguan in Hebei province and ends at Jiayuguan in Gansu province to the west. Its main body consists of walls, horse tracks, watch towers, and shelters on the wall, and includes fortresses and passes along the Wall. The Great Wall reflects collision and exchanges between agricultural civilizations and nomadic civilizations in ancient China. It provides significant physical evidence of the far-sighted political strategic thinking and mighty military and national defence forces of central empires in ancient China, and is an outstanding example of the superb military architecture, technology and art of ancient China. The Great Wall embodies unparalleled significance as the national symbol for safeguarding the security of the country and its people.
     
     
     
    The Sacred Way of Ming Tombs
    The Sacred Way is a stone paved path which stretches as long as one kilometer to the north of the main gate of the Ming Tombs called the Great Red Gate. Construction of the Sacred Way started from 1435 and more buildings were added in 1540. The Stone Memorial Arch, Great Red Gate (with Dismounting Steles at both sides), Stele Pavilion of Divine Merits and Sacred Virtues, Stone Statues and Animals, Dragon and Phoenix Gate, Five-Arch Bridge and Seven-Arch Bridge line from the south to the north. Among them, Stele Pavilion of Divine Merits and Sacred Virtues, the Stone Statues and Animals and Dragon and Phoenix Gates are the core architectures of the Sacred Way. The stone carvings, gravely modeled, accords with the solemn atmosphere of commemoration of the tombs and achieve a very high artistic level.
     
     
    Day 4: Beijing, City Tours
    Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner at local Halal restaurant

     
    Summer Palace
    The Summer Palace integrates numerous traditional halls and pavilions into the Imperial Garden conceived by the Qing emperor Qianlong between 1750 and 1764 as the Garden of Clear Ripples. Using Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill as the basic framework, the Summer Palace combined political and administrative, residential, spiritual, and recreational functions within a landscape of lakes and mountains, in accordance with the Chinese philosophy of balancing the works of man with nature. Destroyed during the Second Opium War of the 1850s, it was reconstructed by Emperor Guangxu for use by Empress Dowager Cixi and renamed the Summer Palace. The Summer Palace in Beijing is a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design. The natural landscape of hills and open water is combined with artificial features such as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges to form a harmonious ensemble of outstanding aesthetic value.
     
     
     
    Bird Nest Stadium (China National Stadium)
    Bird Nest Stadium is considered to be one of the top 10 new architectural miracles in China. Located at the Olympic Green, the stadium cost US428 million. The design, which originated from the study of Chinese ceramics, implemented steel beams in order to hide supports for the retractable roof; giving the stadium the appearance of a bird's nest. The Bird Nest Stadium hosted the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, athletic events, and football final of the 2008 Summer Olympics from 8 to 24 August 2008.
     
     
     
    Water Cube (China National Aquatics Center)
    The Water Cube is the Beijing’s National Stadium in the Olympic Green designed for water sports during 2008 Olympics. The shape of the building is not as the name suggests, it is in cuboid shape (rectangular shape) enhancing the beauty of Beijing. It is the great structure from the outside and inside equipped with four slides, a wave pool and a meandering stream. At the night time, this place is totally different as they enlighten the Water Cube with colors lights, which gives different and wonderful look to the structure.
     
     
     
    Hutong Tour (Pedicab Ride)
    The term hutong appeared first during the Yuan Dynasty. It is a term of Mongolian origin meaning water well. In Beijing, hutongs are alleys formed by lines of Siheyuan, traditional courtyard residences. Many neighbourhoods were formed by joining one Siheyuan to another to form a hutong, and then joining one hutong to another. Hutongs represent an important cultural element of Beijing because almost every hutong has its anecdotes, and some are even associated with historic events. You will enjoy an authentic Beijing experience in a pedicab as you tour the hutongs in the city's Shichahai neighborhood. Watch culture come alive through the stone drums located in front of each gate, and see the layout of traditional Beijing courtyards. You will even have the unique opportunity to meet a local family to see how they live their daily lives; interact with this family and form a connection between your cultures.
     
    Day 5: Departure from Beijing
    Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel
    Activities: Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
    Reservation
    For reservation, simply send an email to info@islamiChina.com. Please inform us: the tour code; the series you choose (Deluxe, Standard or Budget); the number of travelers; the date of arrival in China; your international flight number. For details of payment, please read our Terms & Conditions.
  • Deluxe Prices (5-star hotel accommodation)

    Valid Time

    Room Type

    2-3 Pax

    4-5 Pax

    6-9 Pax

    10 Pax & Above

    Mar to Nov

    Double/Triple Occupancy

    USD1148

    USD998

    USD838

    USD728

    Single Room Supplement

    USD300

    USD300

    USD300

    USD270

    Dec to Feb

    Double/Triple Occupancy

    USD1038

    USD898

    USD768

    USD668

    Single Room Supplement

    USD280

    USD280

    USD280

    USD250


    Standard Prices (4-star hotel accommodation)

    Valid Time

    Room Type

    2-3 Pax

    4-5 Pax

    6-9 Pax

    10 Pax & Above

    Mar to Nov

    Double/Triple Occupancy

    USD1028

    USD878

    USD718

    USD598

    Single Room Supplement

    USD230

    USD230

    USD230

    USD200

    Dec to Feb

    Double/Triple Occupancy

    USD928

    USD788

    USD648

    USD548

    Single Room Supplement

    USD200

    USD200

    USD200

    USD170


    Budget Prices (3-star hotel accommodation)

    Valid Time

    Room Type

    2-3 Pax

    4-5 Pax

    6-9 Pax

    10 Pax & Above

    Mar to Nov

    Double/Triple Occupancy

    USD948

    USD798

    USD638

    USD528

    Single Room Supplement

    USD160

    USD160

    USD160

    USD140

    Dec to Feb

    Double/Triple Occupancy

    USD848

    USD718

    USD578

    USD488

    Single Room Supplement

    USD130

    USD130

    USD130

    USD110


    Pricing Policy
    Prices are based on per adult person (over 12 years of age) with double/triple occupancy
    If staying at a single room, Single Room Supplement will be charged
    Infants (under 2 years of age) traveling with parents: free
    Child (2-12 years of age) with extra bed: 100% of the adult price
    Child (2-12 years of age) without extra bed: 80% of the adult price
     
    Booking Notice
    Departure dates upon request at your time of convenience
    Minimum of two persons are required at the time of booking
    This is an exclusive private tour (with private guide and private vehicle)
    If you prefer to book your own hotels, we are glad to deduct the room rates for you
    Complimentary multilingual GoGlobalis audio guide of sightseeing places if available
    This itinerary can be tailored to your individual interests
    What’s Included
    Hotel accommodations with daily Buffet Breakfast at hotel
    Halal Meals as specified (B for breakfast, L for lunch and D for dinner at local Halal restaurants)
    Private air-conditioned car/van/coach for land transportation
    Experienced English language speaking tour guide
    All admission tickets to sightseeing places
    All government taxes
    What’s Not Included
    Optional tour & Insurance
    International flight to Beijing and departing from Beijing
    Gratuities to service staffs (please refer to Travel Information)
    Expenditure of a personal nature, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, etc
    Reservation
    For reservation, simply send an email to info@islamiChina.com. Please inform us: the tour code; the series you choose (Deluxe, Standard or Budget); the number of travelers; the date of arrival in China; your international flight number. For details of payment, please read our Terms & Conditions.

     

  • Performing Salat at Beijing Niujie Mosque
    Beijing Niujie mosque was originally built by Nasruddin, the son of an Arabic priest who came to China to preach the Islamic faith in 996 (Northern Song Dynasty). Major renovation projects were carried out in 1442, during the time of Emperor Kangxi (1662-1722) of the Qing Dynasty. Niujie Mosque is the largest and oldest mosque in Beijing. The buildings inside the mosque are symmetrically arranged. The main buildings include a Minaret which is in traditional Chinese style, the Prayer Hall, the Stele Pavilion, and so on. Many important cultural relics, such as steles from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and cupreous hollowware from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), are preserved in the mosque. Now Niujie area outside the mosque is the residential place for more than 13,000 Muslims in Beijing.
     
     
     
    Performing Salat at Beijing Madian Mosque
    Beijing Madian Mosque is one of the famous mosques in Beijing with a long history. The area of Madian became a place where Chinese speaking Hui Muslims inhabitated in the Ming Dynasty. It is recorded that the number of Hui Muslims in Madian area was more or less the same like in Niujie area (the place with Niujie Mosque, the largest Hui Muslim commnunity in Beijing). Due to the large Hui Muslim population in Madian area, the mosque was built here during Qing Dynasty Emperor Kangxi's reign (1661-1772). During the Culture Revolution (1966-1976), Madian Mosque was closed for religious service and it was turned into a factory and the prayer room became the workshop. In 1982, the factory was moved away and Madian Mosque was returned to the local Muslim community. However, the prayer room was no longer suitalbe for salat. Local Muslims raised money to rebuid the prayer room and lecture rooms. Covering an area of 3,800 square meters, the newly renovated Madian Mosque is in traditional Chinese courtyard.
     
     
     
    Performing Salat at Beijing Nandouya Mosque
    Beijing Nandouya Mosque was first built in the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1644) with a main entrance, prayer hall and other facilities. The original entrance of Nandouya Mosque had an Islamic lintel with crescent moon on the top. The traditional Chinese style screen wall of Nandouya Mosque was 395 meters wide, facing the main entrance of the mosque. In 2003, Nandouya Mosque was relocated to its current place which is about 100 meters southwest of its original site due to the improvement of Beijing’s infrastructure. With a total investment of eight million Chinese Yuan from Beijing city government and local Muslims’ donation, Nandouya Mosque was newly built in traditional Chinese courtyard house style covering a floor space of 1600 square meters. Nandouya Mosque is now the best example of how new mosque are built using modern material and technique while traditional Chinese and Islamic styles are still well maintained.
     
     
    Fine Dining at Local Halal Restaurants
    Breakfast will be both Western and Chinese buffet breakfast at hotel. Lunch & dinner will be at local Chinese Halal restaurants near sightseeing places. Please be assured that all lunch and dinner arranged by ICT will be at Halal restaurants. We don't arrange pork free meals. In Beijing you might taste Halal Peking Roast Duck, Halal Mongolian Hop Pot; In Xian, you might try the most famous local Muslim food of Crumbled Flatbread in Mutton Stew (locals call it Yangrou Paomo); In Shanghai, you may try Beef or Lamb Kebab and Lanzho Beef Noodles. If you have special request for Indian, Pakistani, Indonesian, Turkish, Arabian or other cuisines, please advise us in advance and we will arrange accordingly. Please note that Indian, Pakistani, Indonesian, Turkish, Arabian restaurants are always more expensive than Chinese Halal meals. Halal restaurants arranged by ICT must have Halal certificate issued by related government offices. 
     
     
     
    Transportations
    ICT will provide private air-conditioned vehicle during tours with service of experienced drivers. For 2 travelers, we will arrange a private FAW Besturn B70 car; for 3-5 travelers we will arrange a private Refine MPV; for 6-9 travelers we will arrange Joylong 15 seater mini bus; for 10-15 travelers we will arrange Kinglong 21 seater bus or Toyota Coaster Bus; for 16-25 travelers we will arrange Kinglong 33 seater bus; for 26-35 travelers we will arrange Kinglong 45 seater bus.
     
     
     

     

  • Deluxe Hotels for Beijing MuslimnTour 5 Days

    Beijing

    Great Wall Hotel Beijing or similar


    Standard Hotels for Beijing Muslim Tour 5 Days

    Beijing

    5L Hotel Beijing or similar


    Budget Hotels for Beijing Muslim Tour 5 Days

    Beijing

    City Inn Happy Valley Beijing or similar

    Deluxe Hotel: 5-star Great Wall Hotel Beijing
    Add: No.10 East 3rd ring North Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing
    Tel: +86-10-65905566
     
    Centrally located in the Chaoyang Commercial District, The Great Wall Hotel Beijing offers accommodations just 300 m from Agricultural Exhibition Center Metro Station. It features 4 dining options and an indoor pool. Yonghe Temple and Guozijian are both a 20-minute drive from The Great Wall Hotel Beijing. Beijing Train Station is a 25-minute drive away. Beijing West Station is a 1-hour car journey away. It takes 30 minutes to reach Beijing Capital International Airport by car from the property. Stylish rooms feature modern interiors and floor-to-ceiling windows. Tastefully decorated, all rooms are fitted with a flat-screen TV, mini-bar and cozy seating area. A bathtub and shower facilities are in the private bathroom. Silk Road Trattoria restaurant serves a variety of Italian dishes, while French specialties are offered at the French Bistro. At The 21st Floor Chinese Restaurant, guests can enjoy panoramic views of the city while sampling Cantonese and Sichuan food. Recreational choices include relaxing in the sauna, having a body massage, or exercising at the gym. Staff at the 24-hour front desk can assist with currency exchange and car rental services.
     
     
     
    Standard Hotel: 4-star Beijing 5L Hotel 
    Add: No. 1 Jianguomenwai Street (Jianguomenwai Dajie) Chaoyang District Beijing
    Tel: +86-10-65052277 
     
    Offering free WiFi, Beijing 5L Hotel offers rooms in Beijing, 6 km from Wangfujing Street and 6.3 km from Guijie Street. Well located in the Chaoyang district, this hotel is located 6.6 km from Tiananmen Square. Yonghegong Temple is 8 km away and Forbidden City is 8 km from the hotel. All guest rooms in the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at Beijing 5L Hotel. At the accommodation you'll find a restaurant serving Chinese cuisine. Staff at the reception can help around the clock with guidance on the area. Qianmen Street is 8 km from Beijing 5L Hotel, while Nan Luo Gu Xiang is 8 km from the property. The nearest airport is Beijing Nanyuan Airport, 20.9 km from the hotel.  This is our guests' favorite part of Beijing, according to independent reviews. This property also has one of the top-rated locations in Beijing! Guests are happier about it compared to other properties in the area.
     
     
     
    Budget Series Hotel: 3-star City Inn Happy Valley Hotel 
    Add: Vecchio Shopping Street, North Xiaowuji Road, East 4th Ring, Chaoyang District, Beijing
    Tel: +86-010-67376688
     
    City Inn Happy Valley Beijing is a chain of fine business hotel brand developed by the OCT IHMC, located in the center of Beijing City that gives traveler the great location for business and financial purposes. The hotel is also easily reachable the city’s major shopping area and famous attractions nearby such as Beijing National Stadium, the Summer Palace. The hotel boasts excellent accommodation among Beijing hotels, good service and well appointed facility. In the hotel there are 224 rooms that have contemporary interiors and diverse room types. It offers the ideal setting for conferences, meetings, special events, business trips, and the Internet access helps guests keeping in touch with their friends and family when traveling in Beijing. Free broad video and self-help laundry house are available for guests. Restaurants, Bars, Sauna, Foot Massage, Beauty Salon, Supermarket, Banks, and Hospital are all around the hotel. An attentive and professional staff is always pleased to provide you all the necessary information for your successful Beijing travel.
     
     
         

     

  • 1: Do I need a visa to travel to China?
     
    Yes, you do need a China Visa. Foreign visitors can obtain individual or group visas from Chinese embassies and consulates, usually within a day or two. For individual travelers, single-entry visas are valid for entry within three months. For business people and other regular visitors there are multiple-entry visas good for six months at a time. Each visa is valid for a stay of 30 or 60 days, and can be extended while in China. Visitors should be sure to carry their passports while in China as they are needed to check into hotels, make plane or train reservations, exchange money or establish the holder's identity. 
     
    If you need Visa Invitation Letter from us, please inform us at least one month ahead of your arrival date in China. Usually, it will take us about one week to process the Visa Invitation Letter. If you need hotel confirmation to get China Visa, please also advise us in advance. 
    2: How strenuous is this trip?
     
    This trip is moderate. The trip includes full days of activities, which start early in the morning and end in the evening. You may discuss the starting time with GCT tour guide who will be happy to listen to your advice. The longest walking is from Tian'anmen Square to Forbidden City and then to the parking place which will last for less than three hours covering about 2km.  
     
    As for the Great Wall of China, we are visiting Juyongguan or Badaling part. They are renovated and fairly easy to climb. However, some of the climb along the wall does get fairly steep. You may stop anytime and anywhere depending on your physical condition. Bring plenty of water; wear good hiking shoes or boots and appropriate clothing for the weather. Also wear a hat and/or sunscreen to protect you from the sun.
    3. What about meals? Are they Halal?
     
    Meals will be served as the itinerary specified. Breakfast will be both Western and Chinese buffet breakfast at hotel. Lunch & dinner will be at local Chinese Halal restaurants near sightseeing places. Please be assured that all lunch and dinner arranged by ICT will be at Halal restaurants. We don't arrange pork free meals. If you have special request for Indian, Pakistani, Indonesian, Turkish, Arabian or other cuisines, please advise us in advance and we will arrange accordingly. Please note that Indian, Pakistani, Indonesian, Turkish, Arabian restaurants are always more expensive than Chinese Halal meals. Halal restaurants arranged by ICT must have Halal certificate issued by related government offices. If you are eating at star rated hotels, food will be cooked with regular oils such as soil bean oil, peanut oil or canola oil. However, a lot of Chinese cooking at local restaurant is done in lard, so you have to be careful even when eating vegetarian meals if it is not in a Halal restaurant or a star rated hotel. Halal in Chinese language is Qing Zhen; Halal Restaurant is Qing Zhen Can Ting in Chinese; Halal Food in Chinese is Qing Zhen Shi Pin.
     
    For guests with allergies, please bring all necessary medicines with you. Guests are highly encouraged to inform ICT ahead of time of specific allergies, such as to peanuts, fish, etc., so that our guides can ensure these items, including peanut oil, are not used in restaurant meals.
    4. Where do we perform Salat? Is it at Masjid?
     
    There are a total of over 40,000 mosques in China, ICT will arrange your solat at local mosques where you can pray together with Chinese Muslim brothers and sisters. ICT is very proud that China offers many of the historical mosques in the world with unique Chinese characteristics, such as the Niujie Mosque in Beijing which was built in 996, the Great Mosque in Xian which was built in 842, the Huaisheng Mosque built by Waqqas, Prophet Mohammed's uncle, around 650's. 
    5. What types of vehicles are used? What are the roads like during our trips?
     
    Throughout the whole trip, GCT provides a private vehicle that is safe, comfortable and spacious and driven by experienced local drivers. In Beijing, Xian and Shanghai, all roads are well-paved and of good quality.
     
    For 2 passengers, we use a private sedan car; for 3 to 6 passengers, we use a private MPV such as Hyundai Refine; for 7 to 10 passengers, we use a private Toyota Hiace; for 11 to 17 passengers, we use 21 seated King Long Bus; for more than 18 passengers, we use buses with 33 seats, 45 seats and 51 seats respectively based on the group size.
    6. I heard that a deposit is needed when check in at hotels in China, is this true?
     
    Yes, it is true. When you check in hotels in China, you are required to pay a deposit at the front desk though GCT has paid hotel for your accommodations. Deposit can be cash or you may pay the deposit with your credit card. This deposit is for your personal expenses at the hotel, such as mini bar, international phone calls, laundry and etc. Of course, the deposit will be refunded when you check out. 
    7. What is the tipping practice in China?
     
    It is a common practice for visitors to tip the tour guide and driver in recognition of their good service. Our local guides and drivers do their utmost to make your trip smooth and pleasant. Gratuities are a way of showing your appreciation and also constitute a large part of their monthly income. We suggest $5 USD per person per day to both local guide and driver (you may tip them before you leave each city). Hotel Bellboys and luggage person will expect your tip for the delivery of your luggage, it is suggested that CNY5 for each delivery. It is not customary to leave tips at hotels or local restaurants as the bill usually includes a 10-15% service charge.
    8. Is tap water drinkable in China?
     
    Tap water at most hotels are not drinkable. Drink only bottled or boiled water. Bottled water is available everywhere and it is quite affordable. Almost all hotels provide drinking water in their rooms. Hot tea and hot water are provided with most meals. 
    9. What about electricity in China?
     
    Electricity supply is 220 volts, 50 cycles throughout China. Plugs at hotel are normally two-pin flat (5 amp). Adaptors can be obtained from hotel housekeeping for free. 
    10. Can I use credit cards in China?
     
    At present the Bank of China accepts Master, American Express, 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.
    11. What about the Chinese Currency?
     
    RMB (Renminbi) is the sole legitimate currency of the People's Republic of China. The basic unit of RMB is yuan, (pronounced in local dialect as kuai), which is divided into 10 jiao (pronounced as mao), which is again divided into 10 fen. RMB paper notes include 1, 2, 5, 10, 50 and 100 yuan, and the smaller 1, 2 and 5 mao. There are also 1, 2, 5 yuan, 1, 2, 5 mao and 1, 2, 5fen coins.
     
    You may change money at most four and five star hotels and at Bank of China. The exchange rate all over China is the same fixed by Bank of China. You should keep the form you fill in when changing money, because you will need to show it when you change RMB back into foreign currency.
    12. What about counterfeit money?
     
    Counterfeit money may be found in China and you may likely get counterfeit money as exchange from street vendors when you do shopping out on the street. Therefore, don't give big note money to street vendors. It is very common that shop and restaurant staff will carefully check your note when you pay. You may get counterfeit money outside the Summer Palace, outside the Forbidden City and in the street market outside the Great Mosque in Xian.
    13. Can you give me some examples of tourist traps or scams when traveling in China?
     
    Art Student or Students Practicing English
    Be careful when you encounter a student in China who wants to practice English with you. Sometimes they are real students who want to improve their oral English. However, in most cases, they pretend to be a student who makes a living by taking you to art galleries, bars or coffee shop where you will likely be ripped off. Here is a short scam story: "When walking down the Wangfujing area, a girl, dressed in student suit, asked me if I wanted to go for a cup of coffee so that she could practice her English. Certainly, I had no excuse to refuse, and then she brought me into a café. The menu is incredibly expensive, a small beer for 100RMB. The bill finally was 1200RMB. That's extremely terrible." You may easily encounter a student on Downtown Beijing's Wangfujing Street, the Bell & Drum Tower Square in Xian and the Bund & Nanjing Road in Shanghai. 
     
    Tea House, Coffee Shop or Nightclub Scam
    At many tourist areas, you may be approached by elegant female or gentleman who will give you a free Hutong tour or something else for free. He or she will tell you something interesting about their city, even the history and culture of the city. After a while chat, he or she will invite you to go for a rest at the nearby tea house, coffee shop or a Karaoke Bar. There is the scam, and you will be asked to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars.
     
    Picture-taking scam
    Dressing up in traditional clothes for pictures at local tourist spots can be fun and memorable. It can also be expensive if you don’t clearly negotiate the price and know the price inclusions. Often they will tell you after you and a friend have posted that the price negotiated was per person. Or they will tell you the price is for only the smallest size print.