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Going To China

The information below does not pertain to Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a great destination as well, but you do not need a visa to enter, English is spoken throughout, and it is an easy part of China to explore. Perhaps I will eventually set up a section for Hong Kong, but at this time I don't feel it is necessary to tell you any more about Hong Kong than this: Don't you dare go there without riding the ridiculously inexpensive Star Ferry at night with a camera in hand. The view will blow your mind. While the sun is still down take a trip to the top of Victoria Peak by riding the very steep Peak Tram to look out over lighted Hong Kong in all its glory. Hong Kong is an easy destination and an easy sell.

Now on to the tougher excursion:

The first thing you need to remember before going to China is that you'll need a Chinese visa stamp in your passport. (See "U.S. Passport Info" below if you need a passport too) The visa is very important because unless you are going as part of a tour group, no one will check your paperwork for you before you leave. Everyone will assume you're an adult and know what you are doing. So after that long flight to China, you'll land and either you have a valid visa and stay to visit China, or you won't have the visa and they will escort you back on the plane and say, "Bye-bye."

If you are going as part of a tour group, all of the paperwork will likely be handled as part of the tour price. Always make sure to check out the tour group's credentials and make sure they specialize in China. If they can't convince you - back out and keep shopping.

To get a visa on your own you'll have to hand over (or send) your passport to the Chinese embassy. Once in their hands it takes about a week for them to process the visa, then it will be returned to you. If you are in a hurry (Ooops, I forgot to get my visa and the plane leaves in five days!) cash is king, pay a premium and get a two or three day turnaround.

During the processing, the Chinese Government will run a background check on you, and unless a bunch of red flags come up beside your name, you'll be just fine.

Now that the easy part is done, you can concentrate on getting ready to travel to China! Again, if you are going as part of a guided tour you can relax somewhat. The meals will be tilted toward your culinary tastes, and you'll be herded together with familiar faces throughout the trip. I'm not knocking the tour group route in the least. China is one country where a tour group is probably the best and no doubt easiest way to go. But you'll pay more on a tour package and you'll have to go at the slowest person's rate of speed. There is also little or no room to vary from the scheduled plan so it's tough to "do your own thing."

If you go it alone, you will still need to take tours offered by your hotel. My hat is off to any foreigner who ventures into China completely on his own without taking local tours.

U.S. Passport Info
So you've never been out of the country and your first adventure is going to be China? You've got guts. You'll be just fine, but you've got guts just the same. The world needs more people with your pioneering spirit.

The first thing you'll need is a passport. It's more time consuming than it used to be. In 2007 the U.S. added passport requirements to visit our neighboring countries of Canada, Mexico, Bermuda etc. With the sudden onslaught of millions of new passport requests, the government agency was immediately buried with applications.

Funny how one could argue that with or without paperwork in hand, the Canadian and Mexican borders are the easiest in the world to cross unnoticed. Obviously, requiring passports is simply another added U.S. tax on the rich and middle class.

At this time, figure on waiting 10 weeks if you pay the basic $67 and allow four weeks if you pay $127 for Expedited Service.  There are "3 Day Service" companies out there. Up to you, but buyer beware.

Start the Passport process by visiting any One Hour Photo store to get two passport photos taken.  Pick up a passport form at your local post office and then make an appointment or take a number if one day appointments are possible. Be sure to bring your birth certificate, your two stunning looking passport photos, and your social security card.