Travel Insurance China
As one of the world's oldest civilisations and one of largest countries by land mass, it might seem a little overwhelming at where to begin with planning your holiday to China. With some of the most arresting natural wonders on the planet, China also bears a fascinating mix of historical and modern culture. It won't come as a shock to you that it's also the world's most populous country, so when you visit you'll be assured of a remarkable variety of different landscapes, people, food and activities. With Holiday Extras travel insurance for China you can choose a policy to fit your itinerary, which is perfect for a country of sprawling cities and beautiful scenery.
Do I need travel insurance for China?
It's an important question to ask. With an all-encompassing travel insurance policy to cover you against loss or theft of your belongings, protecting you against trip cancellation as well as repatriation, you can ensure that you won't be left to foot an expensive bill on your own. For any insurable, unforeseeable circumstances that could negatively affect your holiday, a Holiday Extras policy can give you that added peace of mind.
Although travel insurance is not a visa requirement for entry into China, it would be unwise to travel to the other side of the world without some form of protection should something unexpected happen. Knowing that you have a reliable travel insurance policy that can offer cover for emergency medical bills or a missed flight can do wonders for your peace of mind and take the worry out of any trip.
Levels of cover
Medical insurance
For most people, one of the most important factors behind booking a travel insurance policy is the medical insurance provided. According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), there are roughly 3,000 people a week who claim for some type of emergency medical treatment when on holiday abroad, levelling out at around £200 million paid out per year. We offer up to £10 million worth of medical care should you require treatment for declared medical conditions.
Before booking your policy, you will be presented with a discreet screening process to determine whether you have any pre-existing medical conditions. These will needed to be taken into account when creating the best insurance policy for you.
Get all of your vaccinations at least six to eight weeks in advance, as you'll need them to fully benefit from our medical cover. Consult your GP to determine which you will need. For the standard traveller, the recommended vaccinations for China include vaccines against Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Tetanus and Diphtheria.
Chinese tourist visa requirements
UK tourists need a visa when visiting mainland China, but for places like Hong Kong and Macau, this is not required. As a tourist, you will need to apply for the tourist L visa. In order to obtain a tourist L visa to mainland China, you will need:
- A passport that is valid for at least 6 months after your visit to China
- Have a least two blank visa pages
- Complete the visa application form
Finger-printing
The Chinese government has recently introduced fingerprint scanning at all the major entry points to the country, and requires that all visitors between 14-70 years old, have their fingerprint scanned.
Registering with the Chinese authorities
All foreign visitors need to register their address with the Chinese authorities within the first 24 hours of their stay. If you are staying at a hotel, then usually the registry is completed for you. However, if you have arranged your own accommodation with a friend, relative or through third party bnb sites, then you may need to register the address yourself.
Currency in China
The official currency used in China is the Renminbi ('The People's Currency') also known as the Yuan and is currently among the top 5 most used currencies in the world. Chinese currency comes in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 yuan.
Exchanging currency at banks in major cities like Shanghai is generally not a good idea. The process is long and complicated - it can take up to an hour to complete all the paperwork and supply a photocopy of your passport. For the sake of your sanity, it's advised to just use an atm for cash withdrawals.
Using ATMS in China
This is the advised method of accessing currency in China, though you'll need to check with your bank for any extra charges for currency exchanges, foreign transactions and handling fees.
You may also notice that some ATMs in China will require a six digit pin, which can be a little confusing for UK and other western travellers used to the four digit pin. If you're at an ATM that requires a six digit pin, just enter '00' followed by your pin, and there should be no problems using your card.
Paying for things
It's generally advised to use cash when paying for goods and services, as most chip and pin devices in shops and restaurants won't recognise your foreign card. To save yourself the hassle make sure you carry enough cash with you for the day.
Rough breakdown of costs in China:
Coffee - 22 yuan
Beer - this can vary from 72 yuan in the posh downtown areas, to just 9 yuan at the suburban street food stands
Food - this tends to be quite affordable in China, with street food costing as little as 6 yuan (68p). A 3-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant will cost around 130 yuan (£14) and of course for the more upmarket restaurants, you'll be looking at higher price.
What to do in China
- Slip into the Forbidden City and witness the best-preserved collection of imperial architecture in China.
- Wind your way along the Great Wall, and take in spectacular views on your journey.
- Explore The Bund in Shanghai, a waterfront area that exhibits an array of different architectural and artistic styles.
- The Karst Mountains in the Guangxi Province are so impressive that you can see them on the 20 Renminbi note. You can get a great view from nearby Yangshuo town.
- Visit adorable Giant Pandas in Chengdu of the Sichuan Province, where 85 percent of China's wild Giant Pandas reside.
Holiday Extras Travel Insurance is sold and administered by Holiday Extras Cover Limited who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under registration number 828848.
Holiday Extras™ is a Trading Name of Holiday Extras Cover Limited
Holiday Extras Travel Insurance is provided by Taurus Insurance Services, an insurance intermediary licenced and authorised in Gibraltar by the Financial Services Commission under Permission Number 5566 and authorised to passport general insurance intermediary services into the UK and registered with the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK under registration number 444830.
The insurance is underwritten by Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited. Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited is a company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 13436330 and whose registered office address is 10 Fenchurch Avenue, London, United Kingdom, EC3M 5BN. Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Firm Reference Number 955859. You can check this on the Financial Services Register by visiting; register.fca.org.uk or by contacting the Financial Conduct Authority on 0800 111 6768.