China Medical Tourism offers everything from cardiology to traditional Chinese medicine

China (People's Republic of China) is situated in eastern Asia, bounded by the Pacific in the east. It is the third largest country in the world (next to Canada and Russia), with an area of 9.6 million square kilometers, or one-fifteenth of the world's land mass.

China has one of the oldest cultures and civilizations, and has contributed to the invention of paper, printing, powder and compass. Chinese had to suffer 80 years of internal turbulence, continuous civil war, foreign interference and Japanese invasion until a communist state, People's Republic of China, was established on October 1, 1949.

China Medical Tourism Fame

China is fast emerging as a desirable destination for individuals seeking medical care in a wide range of medical specialties, including cardiology, neurology, orthopedics and others. A number of private and government hospitals in major cities have established international departments. Many leading hospitals provide treatments integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine with Western medical technology and techniques.

China is home to leading stem cell research and treatment hospitals that offer Westerners stem cell treatments that are still considered experimental or have yet to be approved in their home country.

Language

Standard Mandarin is the official national spoken language in China. There are many ethnic groups in this country that speak several variants of Chinese and other dialects. Chinese people are finding English an important language for international relations, therefore it is a required subject for persons attending university.

Climate

China is characterized by a continental climate. The latitudes span nearly 50 degrees; its southern part is in the tropical and subtropical zones, and its northern part near the frigid zones. The northern part of Heilongjiang province has long winters but no summers; while Hainan Island has long summers but no winters. The Huaihe River valley is marked by distinctive seasonal changes, but it is spring all year round in the south of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. China's high tundra zone is situated in Qinghai-Tibet, where the temperature is low in all four seasons.

Visa / Entrance Requirements

Tourists visiting China require a Visa. You must have your valid Passport and your Visa should be applied for one month before the applicant departs from USA in order to avoid any delay or loss during the delivery. Rush service for applications by mail is not offered in China.

Airlines Servicing this Destination

The most pertinent airports to medical tourists visiting china are:

• Beijing Airport - Capital International Airport (PEK)
• Shanghai Airport - Hong Qiao International Airport (SHA)
• Shanghai Airport - Pudong International Airport (PVG)
• Hong Kong Airport - Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

The following airlines have flights to China:

• China Southern
• KLM
• Lufthansa
• Air France
• Thai Airways
• Singapore Airlines
• KLM
• British Airways
• Turkish Airlines
• Qatar Airways
• Swiss
• Austrian Airlines
• Alitalia
• United
• Emirates
• Japan Airlines
• Continental Airlines
• Air Canada
• American Airlines
• Ecuatoriana
• Korean Air
• Austrian Airlines

Hotels

Reservations can be conveniently made around the clock at all Chinese hotels open to foreigners by telephone from your home or through your travel agent. They all offer international standards of service.

The three star and above rooms are air-conditioned, have a TV, a refrigerator and private bathroom. Other hotels also include ballrooms, swimming pools, bowling courts, laundries, beauty parlors, massage rooms, saunas, steam baths, gymnasiums and medical services. Some of the hotels even have a Shopping mall, business center, bank and post office. Price ranges go from $40 for a simple and functional hotel room to $150, $250 and up for more upscale hotels.

Currency

The currency in China is the Renminbi (RMB or CNY). The basic unit is the yuan.

The exchange rate of U.S. dollars to Chinese is the Renminbi is:

1 US Dollar = 6.2 Chinese Yuan Renminbi
1 Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY) = 0.16 US Dollar (USD)

Communicating Home

The international access code for Chins is 86.

Below are important area codes:

• Beijing: 10
• Xian: 29
• Shanghai: 21
• Haikou: 898
• Lhasa: 891
• Lijiang: 888

In order to call China from the U.S. or Canada you must dial 011 (exit code), then 86 (country code for China), then the area code (two to four digits), and then the phone number (six to eight digits)

To call a cell phone in China from the U.S. or Canada you must dial for calls to a cell phone dial: 011 + 86 + 13 and the number you want to reach.

In order to call the U.S. or Canada from China you must dial 001 + 1 + area code + phone number.

Cyber-cafes are widely available all over China. Many hotels and private hospitals throughout the country offer Broadband Internet connection.

Emergency Telephone Numbers

U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China: (86-10) 8531-3000. Emergency Contact Number: 8531-4000

U.S. Embassy in Shanghai, China: (86-21) 3217-4650 ext. 2102, 2103. After Hours Emergencies: (86-21) 6433-3936

Sightseeing

Towering mountains and dramatic landscapes make up China's wealth - background scenery to the fall of dynasties, the rise of emperors and the turning of the revolutionary wheel. Unless you have a couple of years to tour, it's best to follow a loose itinerary while visiting. Some suggestions would be; Beijing to Tibet via Xi'an's terra cotta warriors, following the Silk Road route, sailing down the Yangzi River, or exploring the Dr Seuss landscape of Guangxi Province.

China's imperial jewel in the crown is of course Beijing. It has been the capital of
China for around 500 years and is home to sights such as the Forbidden City, the
off-limits palace of Ming and Qing emperors, their eunuch servants, princesses and harems. The Summer Palace in Beijing was established in the late Qing period, but is also a major attraction. Beijing is the starting point for China's most famous imperial legacy – the Great Wall. The wall can easily be viewed from many places, but most visitors approach it from Beijing.

China's most famous collection of European architecture is lined up facing the sea on the Bund in Shanghai. Xiamen (Fujian Province) has one of China's most charming collections of colonial architecture, on Gulangyu Island. The fact that there are no motorized vehicles on the small island makes this one of the only places in the country where it is possible to take peaceful walks and appreciate the buildings at leisure.

China isn't a country - it's its own world. From shop-till-you-drop metropolises to
the epic grasslands of Inner Mongolia - with deserts, sacred peaks, astounding caves, and imperial ruins - it's a land of cultural and geographic schisms.

Shopping

There are many exotic and unusual things to buy in China which make wonderful souvenirs and gifts for relatives and friends back home. From the roadside stall to the large-scale modern shopping malls, from the common store to a popular supermarket, China has numerous perfect places to shop that can satisfy all shoppers' desires.

Shopping in China is easy and convenient, as various department stores are commonly found. Various items for daily use, which are much cheaper, are often offered in the smaller and more ordinary roadside shops or boutiques. Whenever you need something like everyday necessities, snacks or even clothes, you can immediately go there for your favorite things. Don't forget to try bargaining: you may get a special price.

In the busy streets of the downtown area, usually in the shopping center of a city, there are large-scale and high-class emporiums, in which not only the domestic brands but also many well-known international brands are all sold. Everyday items, cosmetics, household appliances, bedding, clothes, and everything up-market that you wish for can be found easily to satisfy your every need. Bargaining is seldom acceptable, but there are often special promotions or end-of-season sales with an attractive price.

Most large and distinctive Chinese cities, like Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, feature special business streets, where local products are on sale. Merchandise of the same kind is usually sold in the same street, which makes shopping easy and saves you time. Some of the business streets are pedestrian malls, where tourists can relax and shop at their leisure.