Visitor Information

National Tourist Offices

The mainland travel industry is, in general, a quagmire of deception that provides no truly reliable information either within China or via its overseas operations. The branches of the China National Tourism Administration in foreign countries are called China National Tourist Offices. Nominally nonprofit, they used to be little more than agents for the state-owned China International Travel Service (CITS), but they now offer links to a variety of operators. Don't expect them to be accurate about even the most basic visa or Customs regulations, and don't expect them to update their websites, which sometimes give conflicting information and can't even get the names of tour operators right.

Tourist offices are in the following locations:

In the United States: 350 Fifth Ave., Suite 6413, Empire State Building, New York, NY 10118 (tel. 212/760-8218/8807/4002; fax 212/760-8809; ny@cnta.gov.cn); 600 W. Broadway, Suite 320, Glendale, CA 91204 (tel. 818/545-7505; fax 828/545-7506; la@cnta.gov.cn).

In Canada: 480 University Ave., Suite 806, Toronto, ONT M5G 1V2 (tel. 416/599-6636; fax 416/599-6382; www.tourismchina-ca.com).

In the U.K.: 71 Warwick Rd., London SW5 9HB (tel. 020-7373-0888; fax 020-7370-9989; london@cnta.gov.cn).

In Australia: Level 19, 44 Market St., Sydney, NSW 2000 (tel. 02/9299-4057; fax 02/9290-1958; sydney@cnta.gov.cn).

Beijing Online

Be cautious of official sources of information and unofficial Chinese-run sources alike, especially if they also offer travel services. Canadian-owned but Beijing-based Xianzai (www.xianzai.com) offers a weekly e-mail newsletter with hotel, restaurant, and airfare advertising (often including special offers only publicized locally), and a diary of events. The site also offers an assortment of other newsletters with information on travel in China.

Amateurish expat magazines, such as that's Beijing (www.thatsbj.com) and Time Out, have a certain amount of Beijing news, information about what's on, and new restaurant reviews online, along with modest features on Beijing life.

For an ad- and spam-free general discussion of any Beijing (or other China) travel issues not covered in this book, subscribe to the e-mail discussion list The Oriental-List. To subscribe, send a blank e-mail to subscribe-oriental-list@datasinica.com.