Welcome Students: Traveling to China
Getting to China and traveling within China is not as hard as you might think. Many major airlines have daily flights into Shanghai or Beijing from all over the U.S., and once you are in China, YISA will meet you at the airport and give you a cell phone to connect you to our staff, faculty, and your fellow students. We will take care of getting you to Nanjing and give you all of the guidance you need to set out and explore on your own. Here are some quick tips to make your trip safe and rewarding. To download YISA’s complete student guide to China, click on the “Guides and Links” tab above.
Safety
According to the U.S. embassy in Beijing, China is a safe country with a low crime rate, though pickpockets and petty thieves are common. Violence against foreigners is very rare. To avoid being a target of crime, try not to wear conspicuous clothing and expensive jewelry and do not carry excessive amounts of money or unnecessary credit cards. Wear a money belt. The penalty for bringing illegal drugs into China is severe.
Environmental Problems
Environmental problems exist throughout China, including Nanjing. The air can be very smoggy, but varies considerably from day to day. The campus of NNU, and the parks and gardens in Nanjing provide many attractive places to step away from the noise and traffic congestion of the city. Consult with your doctor if you have a medical condition that could be aggravated by environmental conditions.
Drinking Water & Vaccinations
As a general rule, do not drink tap water in China. Bottled water and carbonated drinks are very inexpensive and widely available. No special vaccinations are required to travel in China, though some are recommended for people making extended trips into rural areas. Go the travelers’ assistance website of the CDC for more details. The link is provided in the “Guides & links” section above.
Automobile Traffic
Chinese drivers have very poor driving habits. The greatest threat to your safety in China will be automobile traffic accidents. Being aware of your surroundings and always wear a seatbelt when riding in cars. Cross streets in pairs or groups and don’t assume that drivers will stop for you.
Bringing Money
The BEST way to access money in China is through ATM withdrawals with your debit card and PIN number. If you have a Bank of America checking account, you can withdrawal money from the China Construction Bank ATMs without an ATM fee. Typically, credit unions also do not charge for international withdrawals. Otherwise, there will be a transaction fee of $4.00 to $8.00 per withdrawal. Most of China’s major banks accept Visa/Mastercard and American Express for cash withdrawals (you need to know your PIN number). Credit cards (such as Visa and MasterCard) can be used at large hotels and some businesses; however, most businesses still only accept the local currency. Avoid bringing traveler’s checks to China. They are not as convenient as ATM cards.
Lunches at the student cafeteria will be free of charge. However, most of our students like to eat off campus at some of the many low cost restaurants in the area. You will also need to have money for other meals. The cost for food in China is generally very low and there are many great Chinese and Western restaurants to explore. You will typically need around $200-300 a month for personal and meal expenses. Budget more if you plan to do lots of shopping/gift buying in China.
If you plan to travel in China beyond the included trips to Beijing and Shanghai, you will need to budget additional funds.