Tourist tips

Planning the trip: I used Illinois International Travel in Rockford, Ill.; (815) 226-9900. Trips to China tend to fill up quickly, so I made my reservations six months in advance.
Tour guide in China: Brian Tan of General Tours in Beijing; briantan@126.com.
Flight: Direct flight from Chicago to Beijing took 15 hours.
Shots: No inoculations are now required for visiting mainland China, but a hepatitis A series (two shots) may be advisable if you are an "adventurous eater." Check with your physician.
Money: In China, money may most conveniently be exchanged at the currency exchange counter at your hotel. The exchange rate now is approximately seven yuan to one U.S. dollar.
Flying within China: You will be allowed only one checked bag (maximum weight 42 pounds) and one modest carry-on. The weight limit is strictly enforced.
Language: People in service positions are conversant enough in English to render you excellent service. If you can, learn a little Mandarin. A friendly "Ni hao!" (Hello!) can work wonders. A smile is universal.
- Mark F. Davy