Frequently Asked Questions
● Visa, Passport and Insurance
Q: What documents do I need to enter China?
A: You need a valid passport and a Tourist Visa. The passport will also be required upon check-in at your hotel. Single-entry China visas are usually valid for 3 months after the issuing date (not your arrival date), and will permit you to stay in China for a maximum of 30 days. This visa will allow you to travel as a tourist or conduct general business activities. Most people need only to apply for a single entry visa.
Q: My China trip starts in 6 months. Could you tell me when I should apply for my Visa?
A: Our suggestion is not to apply for your tourist visa too early. The earliest time you should consider is 3 months before your trip starts, as 3 months is the duration of a typical tourist visa. If you apply too early, your visa will be invalid before you enter China.
Q: What will happen if I stay in China longer than my visa is valid?
A: This cannot be recommended. The Chinese Immigration Authorities are very strict. If you stay longer than the visa is valid, you are illegal in China, and you will be punished with a fine of RMB 500 per day.
Q: Can I depart from China without passport and visa, in case I lose my passport.
A: No. You need to get a Emergency Passport from the Danish Embassy, and a new visa from the Chinese Immigration Authorities. The Danish Embassy can issue a emergency passport on the spot if you bring ID with photo, but it takes 3-5 days for the Chinese Immigration Authorities to issue a new visa. In this case and other cases where you will need assistance from the Danish Embassy, please check the Embassy’s homepage: www.ambbeijing.um.dk. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Copenhagen also have a homepage with travel advises (www.um.dk) The Embassy cannot help you with the visa to China, but only give you the address of the Chinese Immigration Office.
Q: Does my normal insurance (Sygesikringsbevis) cover if I get ill in China.
A: No, you must have a special travel insurance. This is very important, otherwise you are not covered if you get ill during your visit to China and the treatment can be very expensive.
Q: I have a disease, can I travel to China?
A: First of all, it is very important that you have a well covering insurance and that your doctor has approved in written form, that you can travel. Secondly it is very important that you have informed your insurance company about your disease, otherwise they cannot cover your expenses. In case you get ill in China, it will be much easier for the doctors, if you bring a note from your doctor about the details of your disease and what kind of medication you usual take.
Q: Do I need vaccinations before I go to China?
A: The need of vaccination can change from time to time. In good time before departure you must check with your doctor or Statens Seruminstitut.
● Tickets for Olympic Games
Q: How much are the tickets?
A: According to the ticketing policy, the prices for sports sessions will range between RMB 30 and RMB 1000. Tickets for the opening ceremony will cost 200 to 5,000 yuan (US$25.5-638), and for the closing ceremony, 150 to 3000 yuan (US$19-382)
Q: Are there any tickets that have been sold out?
A: The tickets for the Opening and Closing Ceremony have all been sold out.
Q: Will there be any free tickets, staff tickets or discounted tickets?
A: According to BOCOG, there won’t be any free tickets, staff tickets or discounted tickets.
Q: How many tickets will be available for sale?
A: There will be over 7 million tickets available for sale.
Q: Should I wait until the opening of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games before buying my tickets?
A: It is better to buy your tickets sooner than later. The best seats of the more popular events sell out quickly.
A: Once your Olympic ticket application form is submitted, it cannot be edited or cancelled. After you pay for the tickets, any confirmed tickets cannot be refunded. Therefore, please carefully plan your application giving consideration to event schedules, venue locations, and ticket prices, etc. Please double-check all other information entered in your application form before submitting it.
Q: Which kind of sport is the most popular game for Chinese sport fans?
A: Table-tennis, badminton, diving, gymnastics, football, basketball and volleyball are very popular among Chinese citizens, thus tickets for those sport events are relatively high.
Q: What is the maximum number of Olympic tickets I may purchase?
A: To achieve a maximum viewing audience, and eliminate a black market in ticket sales, BOCOG has placed a limit on the maximum number of tickets a customer can request for a particular session when filling out an application form. The ticket ordering limit for a session will automatically be displayed when you search for tickets online, or can be found in the ticket application booklets available at any participating Bank of China Olympic ticket outlets.
Q: How are price levels determined?
A: Price levels and their corresponding seating areas are determined by miscellaneous factors such as the architectural design and geographic location of an event-hosting venue as well as the characteristics of the event itself. Different price levels are distinguished by the letter labels A, B, C, etc. The seating areas represented by each price level may vary from venue to venue and from session to session. Please take it into consideration when filling out your application form.
Q: How do I locate my seats?
A: Many competition venues are currently under construction, thus it is impossible to indicate the exact position of your seats. However, applicants may request tickets to sessions by price levels, which will secure your seating position within the venue in a broader range. When delivered, your Olympic tickets will display the exact seating numbers. Prior to that, BOCOG will not make a special notification to each applicant on this, nor will the Customer Service department of BOCOG have this information available.
Q: When are my tickets available for pick-up?
A: Your tickets will be available for pick-up at least 30 days prior to the opening of the Olympic Games. For security reasons, you tickets will not be sent to your mailing address. They will be sent to the participating Bank of China Olympic ticketing outlet you chose on your application form. Please pick up your tickets in person.
Q: Can I submit an accommodation booking along with my ticket application?
A: Sorry, BOCOG does not provide ticket-plus-accommodation travel packages. You will have to arrange for your own transport and accommodation prior to attending any Olympic sessions.
● Travel Tips
Q: How about communications in Beijing? Can I use my mobile phone in Beijing, and what about the internet?
A: You will need to get a special SIM card to use your mobile phones in Beijing. These services can be obtained at many locations in the city. In China, GSM network only have two frequencies, 900HZ and 1800HZ so if your mobile phone must be tri-band to use it in China. CDMA is not very popular in China, so it is best to ask the sale agent for details before coming to China. Internet cafes can be found everywhere in Beijing with most of them using broadband connections. Most hotels will have Internet wireless access in the rooms or an international business centre where you can access the internet.
Q: Can Chinese people speak English or are there English-speaking guides/volunteers available during the Olympic Games?
A: There will be a lot of foreigners in Beijing for the Olympics, it is advisable to get a guide book that has handy phrases and good maps and directions to give to the taxi drivers. Most of the students have learnt English since junior high school. They will be more than willing to help you if you have any problems. What's more, Beijing citizens are learning English. English speaking guides and volunteers are also available to provide better service to our international visitors.
Q: How about the transportation in China? What is the best way to get around such a big city? Can I drive in Beijing on an international driver license?
A: The transportation system has been greatly improved in recent years. People can use subway, bus, taxi and light rail to arrive at Olympic Green and other venues during the Olympics. Taxis are plentiful, safe and also the subway or underground railway is very quick, convenient and relatively inexpensive. However, you cannot drive in China unless you have a Chinese driving license.
Q: What will the weather be like in Beijing in August?
A: Though August is not the hottest month of the year, you should pay attention to the strong ultraviolet radiation. The average daily maximum temperature in August is 29 Celcius (84 F) so it is advisable to bring sunglasses, sun block, and light clothes to remain comfortable in the hot summer weather. Check the detailed information about Beijing weather.
Q. I'm a wheelchair user. Are Olympic venues built to be wheelchair-friendly?
A: Yes. All the Olympic venues are wheelchair accessible. If you need seats for wheelchair, please make sure to add "Wheelchair seats" instead of "Regular Seats" to your reservation order. The number of disabled seats will vary from venue to venue.
Q: Is the tap water in Chinese hotels drinkable?
A: It is advisable to not risk your health by drinking tap water, although some luxury hotels say that their tap water is purified and safe to drink. Usually all rooms in the hotels are equipped with bottled water and/or water heaters or thermos bottles. Some hotels provide bottled water daily free of charge. Bottled water is also widely available in stores, restaurants, and by street vendors.
Q: Should I bring an electric converter?
A: Yes. The AC power standard in China is 220V/50Hz. Hotels have 120VAC/60Hz/3 prong plugs available in bathrooms, but they are not widely available. We recommend you bring a converter with you.
Q: There must be many visitors to Beijing in 2008. Where can we stay during the Olympic Games?A: There are many good hotels and hostels in Beijing. You can stay in good hotels such as Beijing Hotel, Hilton Hotel, and Beijing New Century Hotel and so on to enjoy a luxury holiday in ancient Beijing city. If you are on a budget, you can choose Youth Hostels, which are also clean and tidy. Since there may be many visitors to Beijing at that time, it is best to book a hotel well in advance.
Q: Is there western food available in Beijing as Chinese cuisine is not to my taste?A: As a modernized capital city, there are many kinds of restaurants in Beijing. Most of the hotels offer both Chinese and Western food. Restaurants offering food of American, Brazilian, French, German, Indian, Japanese, Italian, etc. can be found everywhere in Beijing. You can check details about dining in Beijing.
