Asia and Oceania

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  See Travel Insurance. 

 

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then see how we can help.

Before submitting an application for a replacement lost/stolen passport, the loss should be reported to the nearest police station and to the Municipal Public Security Bureau, who will issue a confirmation of loss report.  Flight arrangements may also have to be re-scheduled, as an exit visa is required for those departing China on a new passport.

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.  More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

If you are travelling independently, or planning an extended visit, you are particularly encouraged to register with the nearest British mission either the British Embassy in Beijing or the British Consulate-General in Shanghai, Guangzhou or Chongqing.  Further information is available on the China Embassy website.

Fire protection standards in Chinese accommodation are not always the same as in the UK.  You are advised to check fire precautions such as access to fire exits.

It is not possible to change Scottish or Northern Irish bank notes.  Outside major cities, credit cards are not always readily acceptable and the availability of cash point machines (ATMs) is limited.

An increasing number of British nationals are becoming attracted to opportunities to teach English in China.  Most of those who do so have an extremely positive and enjoyable experience.  However, some have experienced difficulties.  The most common problems encountered arise from being faced with living or working conditions that do not meet expectations and complications over obtaining the correct visas and residence permits.  There have also been complaints of breach of contract, confiscation of passports and of payment being withheld.

If you wish to take up a teaching appointment in China you are advised to contact the nearest Chinese Embassy for information on obtaining the appropriate documentation.  It is illegal to work on a tourist or business visa. Thorough research on the educational establishment and the area in which you intend to work will pay dividends.  Further information can be found in the consular area of the website of the British Embassy Beijing.

Heightened security measures surround the 2009 National Day celebrations and, in late September, local media reports indicated that Chinese authorities had suspended travel to Tibet.  Travel agents and other sources advise that the ban will cover the period from 25 September until 10 October 2009.  Updates will be added as soon as these are available and travellers should continue to monitor the international media and this travel advice for current information.

Travellers should be aware that ongoing political and ethnic tensions can lead to the spontaneous eruption of unrest and violent protest in Tibet.  While foreigners are not normally targeted during such unrest, travellers should remain alert to the possibility of being caught up in unexpected outbreaks of violence.

Travel to Tibet or the ethnic Tibetan provinces requires the permission of the Chinese authorities. The Chinese authorities state that foreigners entering Tibet can only do so on a group visa. Entry permits for such travel have been suspended for various security and other reasons throughout 2008 and 2009.  They are currently suspended again, in connection with preparations for National Day.  Travel agents advise the suspension will cover the period 25 September to 10 October 2009.

If you are planning a trip to Tibet or the ethnic Tibetan provinces you should continue to monitor this travel advice and the media for developments and consult your tour operator.

You should avoid becoming involved in any demonstrations or calls for Tibetan independence. The authorities would regard videotaping or photographing any such activities as provocative.

The local authorities will react if you are found to be carrying letters or packages from Tibetan nationals to be posted in other countries.

The extreme altitude in Tibet may cause altitude sickness.  If you are elderly or have a heart condition, pulmonary or bronchial problems you should seek medical advice before travelling to this region.

Photography in Buddhist monasteries requires permission; a fee, normally negotiated in advance, is payable.

The country code for China is 00 86. If calling from outside China, omit the first zero of the area code in the numbers listed below, e.g. to call the Embassy dial 00 86 10 5192 4000.

British Embassy Address:
11 Guang Hua Lu
Jian Guo Men Wai
Beijing 100600

Consular Section Address:
21st Floor North Tower, Kerry Centre
Guang Hua Lu

Public opening hours:  08.30 to 13.30 (for personal callers); 08.30 to 16.30 (for telephone enquiries), excluding holidays.

Telephone:
(+86) (010) 5192 4000 - Embassy
(+86) (10) 8529 6083 – Consular Public Enquiries
(+86) (010) 8529 6600 – Consular and Visa sections

Fax:
(+86) (010) 6532 1938 /9 – Embassy
(+86) (010) 8529 6081 – Consular Section
(+86) (010) 8529 6080 – Visa Section

Website: http://ukinchina.fco.gov.uk

Consular district: Beijing, Tianjin, Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Ningxia, Gansu, Qinghai, Xinjiang, Tibet.

British Consulate General

Visa Section
Suite 751, Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nan Jing Xi Lu

Tel:  (00 86) (021) 6279 7650

Fax:  (00 86) (021) 6279 8254

Office Hours (GMT):  0030-0900 (Mon-Thurs) 0030-0730 (Fri)

E-mail: CONS-shanghai@fco.gov.uk

Consular district:  Shanghai, Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang.

British Consulate-General
Consular Section

2nd Floor, Guangdong International Hotel, 339 Huanshi Dong Lu

Tel:  (00 86) (020) 8314 3000

Fax:  (00 86) (020) 8331 2799

Office Hours (GMT):  0100-0430 & 0530-0900

E-mail: CONS-guangzhou@fco.gov.uk

Consular district:  Guangdong, Fujian, Guangxi, Hainan, Hunan and Jiangxi.