smartraveller.gov.au - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It's a must see destination.
It's a must see destination.
This travel bulletin provides information for Australians planning to travel to China for the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games in August and September 2008. It has been revised and reissued and contains new information about ticket scams.
You should prepare early if you intend to travel to China during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Travel advice for China: This bulletin should be read in conjunction with the travel advisory for China, which advises Australians to be alert to their own security
Things to do before you go: We strongly encourage all Australians travelling to China for the Summer Olympics to:
You should also contact your mobile telephone service provider to check whether your mobile telephone will work in China.
Entry and Exit Requirements: Holding tickets to the Games is not a guarantee that you will get a visa. You need to go through the normal visa application process with the closest embassy or consulate of China. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the duration of your intended stay and you must also be able to provide evidence of a return or onward ticket.
You should be aware that Chinese authorities have implemented more stringent visa issuing requirements and are more rigorously enforcing existing legislation. Authorities have also tightened the enforcement of documentation requirements for tourist (L) and business (F) visa applications, while the number of multiple entry visas issued has been reduced. You are strongly encouraged to contact your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate for detailed information. This should be done well ahead of your departure date. Wherever possible, you should apply for a Chinese visa in your country of residence.
For information on Chinese visas and entry and exit requirements, contact:
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
15 Coronation Drive
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Tel: +61 2 6273 4780
Fax: +61 2 6273 4878
Email: chinaemb_au@mfa.gov.cn
Web: http://au.china-embassy.org/eng/
Dual nationals: Chinese authorities do not recognise dual nationality. Dual Australian/Chinese nationals should read the dual nationals section in the travel advisory for China and our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure.
If you are a dual Australian-Chinese national we strongly urge you to travel on your Australian passport. If you entered China on a Chinese passport, or a Hong Kong or Macau identity card Chinese authorities will regard you as a Chinese national and we may not be able to provide you with consular services.
Event Safety: Chinese authorities are responsible for security arrangements for the Games and you should follow their instructions. More than half a million people are expected to travel to China to attend the Games, with the largest daily visitor-inflow estimated at 300,000, so expect large crowds and possible delays.
Chinese officials have released guidelines for spectator behaviour at Olympic venues. For more information see House Rules on the official website of the Beijing Olympic Games.
Accommodation and local travel: Due to the high numbers of expected visitors, you should secure your hotel booking and confirm your travel arrangements as early as possible. You should expect large crowds when travelling to Games venues and plan your travel accordingly. Traffic conditions in China can be hazardous. You should take care on public transport and when crossing the road.
Heightened security arrangements are being implemented at some airports and train, subway and bus stations, including extensive bag searches and tests for explosives. Travellers should take into account the additional time required for security checks when making travel plans.
You may need permission to travel to some regions of China, such as Tibet and other remote areas. Check with the Chinese embassy (see below) before making travel plans.
Health Issues: Travellers with medical conditions should take special care in their preparation for the trip, get medical advice well before leaving Australia and pack sufficient medicine.
The climate and air quality may cause health problems for some travellers, particularly those with pre-existing conditions. You should speak to your doctor about prevention and remedies before you depart.
Comprehensive travel insurance to cover medical costs is vital. Hospitals and doctors may require up-front payments or guarantees. Medical evacuations can be very expensive. High quality health care and familiar medications may not be available, particularly outside major cities. You will need a prescription from a Chinese doctor to buy prescription drugs in China.
You should also be aware of the possibility of encountering difficulty in some Chinese hospitals due to cultural, language and regulatory differences.
For more detailed health information, see the Health Issues section of the travel advisory for China.
There have been human deaths from avian influenza in China. Please refer to our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
Local Laws and Customs: The Chinese public security authorities will respond swiftly and firmly to any unauthorised public gathering or demonstration, especially prior to and during the Games.
You should be aware of the Chinese Government's attitude towards current political and religious issues, including Tibet and Falungong. Documents, exposed film, photos, music, movies, audio tapes, CDs, DVDs, memory devices, etc. that have content harmful to the Chinese government, economy, culture or principles are prohibited. Public security authorities are likely to react swiftly and firmly to visitors engaged in unauthorised political or religious activities, including gatherings, demonstrations, displays of banners and possession or distribution of material. Penalties could be severe by Australian standards. You should avoid all protests and demonstrations.
Burning, damaging, smearing or stamping on the Chinese national flag and emblem in the public will incur penalties up to three years in prison. Note that local laws apply to you and that while we will provide consular assistance we cannot get any charges lifted or get you out of prison or detention. Local legal processes will need to take their course.
For more details, see the Local Laws section of the travel advisory for China.
Getting help in China: Travellers should familiarise themselves with the Getting Help Overseas section on the www.smartraveller.gov.au website to find out what the Australian Government can and cannot do to help Australians who find themselves in trouble overseas.
Consular assistance is available from:
Australian Embassy, Beijing
21 Donghimenwai Dajie
Sanlitun 100600
Telephone: (86 10) 5410 4111
Facsimile: (86 10) 5140 4292
Website: http://www.china.embassy.gov.au/
Australian Consulate-General
23/F Harbour Centre
25 Harbour Road
Wan Chai Hong Kong
Telephone (852) 2827 8111
Facsimile (852) 2585 4457
Australian Consulate-General
Level 22 Citic Square
1168 Nanjing West Road
Shanghai 200041
Telephone (86 21) 5292 5500
Facsimile (86 21) 5292 5511
The 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre (CEC) in Canberra can be contacted for assistance from anywhere in the world on +61 2 6261 3305.
The Chinese Emergency Services (police, medical and fire) can be contacted in an emergency by calling 110.
Ticket scams: Australians who believe they may have bought tickets to the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games through a fake ticket website should contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC) Infocentre on 1300 302 502. You can also visit the ACCC's Scamwatch website.
Useful websites:
Official website of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games
International Olympic Committee
Beijing 2008 Olympics consular information card
Smartraveller: Top ten travel tips
Official site of the 2008 Australian Olympic Team
Official site of the 2008 Australian Paralympic Team
CoSport, exclusive provider for ticket and hospitality packages in Australia
Australian Quarantine Requirements
Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau
Beijing Municipal Law Enforcing Bureau
Beijing Entry/Exit Inspection and Quarantine
While every care has been taken in preparing this travel information for travellers, neither the Australian Government nor its agents or employees including any member of Australia's consular staff abroad, can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.
