Preparations
for the trip
Health needs
Before travelling
to China, it is necessary to check with a doctor about what immunisation
is required or advised. Protection against diseases such as cholera,
malaria, hepatitis, typhoid, polio and smallpox may be necessary
if they occur in 
the parts
of the country being visited.
The doctor will also advise the traveller about how to avoid illness in the country being visited. This may be advice about the water supply and the need to use bottled water for drinking and for teeth brushing. The doctor may also suggest medicines a traveller should carry in case of illness or accident, such as ointments, insect repellant, band aids and painkillers.
Passports and visas
What is a passport?
A passport
is an official document given by a government to its citizens.
A passport gives permission to the owner of the passport to visit
foreign countries. The passport contains information about the
person's name, date and place of birth, nationality and gender.
It is signed by the citizen and includes their photograph.
How do I get a
passport?
A passport must be paid for. To get a passport, a person fills
in a form, has photos taken and makes an appointment at a Post
Office to hand in the application and show documents such as birth
or citizenship certificate.
Who checks a traveller's
passport?
When a traveller leaves his or her country a government official
stamps the passport. This is also done when the traveller returns
home.
The passport is shown to government officials of the country being visited on the traveller's arrival. The government officials stamp a page in the passport when a traveller arrives in the country and again when he or she leaves.
What is a visa?
A visa is permission to enter a foreign country. It is a stamp
made in a traveller's passport by a representative of the foreign
country before the traveller leaves on the trip. A visa allows
a visit for a set number of days or months. The traveller must
leave the country at the end of the set time. Not all countries
require travellers to have a visa. The embassy or consulate of
the country to be visited will inform travellers about the need
for a visa.
Travellers from most countries need a visa to enter China.
Acknowledge this
source in your bibliography like this:
China
(2001).
[Online], Available: www.kidcyber.com.au
updated May 2001