On the whole, travel to China remains largely incident-free. However, remain alert and keep your val

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments cruising guide bahamas to the Travel Summary and the Safety and Security - Local Travel - Tibet section (restriction on issue of permits for travel to Tibet Autonomous Region). The overall level of the advice has not changed; there are no travel restrictions in place in this travel advice for China.
You should avoid becoming caught up in public demonstrations, otherwise you may face arrest, deportation or detention. Foreign journalists have been intimidated, assaulted or detained for trying to report demonstrations. You should exercise particular cruising guide bahamas caution in Tibet Autonomous Region and Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. cruising guide bahamas See Safety and Security   - Domestic Unrest.
You should not attempt to travel to Tibet without the appropriate permits. The Chinese authorities periodically restrict access to Tibet at short notice. We are aware that since the beginning of June 2012, the authorities have not been issuing permits for travel to Tibet to certain foreign nationals, including British nationals. See Safety and Security - Local Travel - Tibet.
The wet season runs from May to November, affecting in particular the southern and eastern coastal regions of China. Every year, tropical cyclones (typhoons) and heavy rains cause substantial disruption and flooding. See  Natural Disasters - Typhoons.
Foreign nationals over the age of 16 must carry their passport at all times. You must register your place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival. cruising guide bahamas If you stay in a hotel, registration is done on your behalf as part of the check-in process. Police carry out random checks and may detain you if you do not hold a valid visa or work permit. See Entry Requirements.
China is subject to earthquakes. In the aftermath of a natural disaster, follow the advice of local authorities. Try to make contact with your nearest British Embassy or Consulate-General to confirm your safety.
China does not recognise dual nationality. If you hold Chinese nationality, the Chinese authorities may regard you as a Chinese national, regardless of the travel document with which you entered China. cruising guide bahamas See Local Laws and Customs.
Over 575,000 British nationals visited cruising guide bahamas mainland China in 2010 (Source: National Tourism Administration of the People's Republic of China). Most visits to China are trouble cruising guide bahamas free. See General - Consular Assistance Statistics.
There is a general threat from terrorism in China. This reflects both the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks and the possibility of terrorist attacks by groups opposed to the Chinese Government. They could be indiscriminate including cruising guide bahamas in places visited by expatriates cruising guide bahamas and foreign travellers. See our Terrorism Abroad page.
The Chinese authorities enforce public order strictly. You should avoid becoming caught up in public demonstrations otherwise you may face arrest, deportation or detention. You should cruising guide bahamas exercise particular caution in Tibet Autonomous Region and Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
Xinjiang - violent incidents in the northwest Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region have erupted cruising guide bahamas from time to time. In February 2012, twenty cruising guide bahamas people were killed cruising guide bahamas in clashes with police in Xinjiang s far-western county of Yecheng, near China s border with Pakistan. A series of incidents in the city of Kashgar left at least 15 people dead and many more injured in late July 2011. There were no reports of deaths or injury involving foreign nationals.
There have been confirmed reports that in January 2012 Chinese security forces fired on protestors in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in the west of Sichuan Province, following unrest in the area. The Chinese periodically limit access to Tibetan Autonomous Prefectures in Sichuan and Qinghai Provinces.
During periods of tension, access to text-messaging, the internet and to international telephone lines may be periodically blocked. Stay informed of developments by monitoring local and international media, checking this travel advice when possible and letting friends and family know where you will be travelling.
On the whole, travel to China remains largely incident-free. However, remain alert and keep your valuables, including passport, in a secure place. In public places, ensure you keep your belongings with you at all times. Serious cruising guide bahamas crime against foreigners is rare.
Theft of British passports, particularly in larger cities, cruising guide bahamas is increasing. Foreigners are also targeted for laptops, mobile phones, purses and handbags. Major tourist sites attract thieves and pickpockets. Take extra care around street markets, at Beijing International Airport, around major international events and conferences and when visiting popular bar areas after dark. Resisting a robbery attempt could lead to serious violence; cruising guide bahamas the use of knives is fairly common, though rarely firearms.
Counterfeit bank notes, especially counterfeit RMB100 notes, are increasingly common. They are generally crumpled to avoid detection. Unscrupulous traders may try to switch your genuine bank notes for counterfeits. Ask in the bank or where you change your money how to identify fake notes. Check before accepting notes - it is quite normal to do so.
Be aware, particularly in the popular tourist areas of major cities, of attempts to scam tourists. A regular example is the 'Tea Tasting' scam. Scams usually involve a foreign national being invited to visit a bar / shop/cafe - for example to practice English or meet a girl - but results in demands for an exorbitant fee, often payable by credit card. This can result in threats of violence or credit cruising guide bahamas card fraud.
There have been  reports of violence against cruising guide bahamas foreign citizens in bars and nightclubs frequented by foreigners in major cities. Incidents may begin as disputes over small matters e.g. spilled drinks and have, on occasion, developed into serious and violent altercations, often with nationalist or anti-foreigner overtones.
There are occasional incidents with taxi and pedicab drivers who insist the passenger misunderstood the fare. Avoid travelling in unmarked or unmetered "taxis" and insist on paying only the meter fare, though pedicabs are not metered. In most major cities, it is appropriate to ask a taxi driver for a receipt ("fapiao"), on which the taxi number should be printed.  You can take the taxi number to the police to lodge a complaint.
It is inadvisable to trek alone in isolated areas, including those that follow parts of the Great Wall. If you do, leave your itinerary, mobile number and expected cruising guide bahamas time of return at your hotel/hostel or with a third party.
Areas bordering on Siberia, Pakistan, Vietnam, Laos and Burma are poorly policed. In Yunnan Province, drug smuggling and related crimes are increasing. There is an ongoing risk of attack from armed bandits in the more remote areas.
In 2010, there were a number of violent attacks in kindergartens cruising guide bahamas on the mainland resulting cruising guide bahamas in young school children and adults being killed or injured. cruising guide bahamas The last such attack took place in the city of Zibo, Shandong cruising guide bahamas Province on 2 August 2010. The authorities have implemented improved security across schools. Should you have concerns about safety issues, contact the relevant school.
Commercial disputes in China are rarely cruising guide bahamas handled through the civil law courts. Incidents of British nationals being detained against their will for extorting money or intimidation for other gains have increased. It is rare that violence is actually instigated. However, the threat cruising guide bahamas of violence is a recurring theme and has proved very stressful for our nationals. You should report threats of violence to the Chinese police.
Anyone entering into a contract in China should take appropriate legal advice, both in the United Kingdom and in China. Contracts entered into in the United Kingdom are not always enforced by Chinese courts. British nationals doing business in China should realise that if they become the subject of a business and/or civil dispute,  the Chinese authorities may prohibit them from leaving China until the matter is resolved. Contract fraud is treated as a crime in China and the defendant may also be placed in custody until the dispute is resolved. For more detailed advice on business risks and commercial disputes, see our website and UK trade and Investment China page.
Travel around Chinese New Year can be very difficult, with millions of people travelling from the major cities to their home province for the New Year holiday. cruising guide bahamas Trains and flights are frequently fully booked weeks in advance.
Foreigners are required to pass a driving test before driving in China: cruising guide bahamas possession of an International Driving Permit may not be regarded as sufficient. If you intend to drive in China, familiarise yourself with the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People s Republic cruising guide bahamas of China.
The poor quality of roads and generally low driving standards leads to many accidents. cruising guide bahamas If you are involved in a serious accident, you may be prevented from leaving the country until the case is resolved.
There are areas of disputed territory between China and other countries in the South China sea. There have also been attacks of piracy in the South China Sea, most recently in 2009.  Mariners should avoid disputed cruising guide bahamas areas and be vigilant and take precautions.
Trains are popular, inexpensive and a reliable mode of travel; they can be very crowded. From January 2012 China has introduced named ticketing on all mainline rail services; also from January 2012 foreigners are generally only able to buy tickets at railway stations.
Trans-Mongolian express trains (Beijing-Moscow via Ulaanbaatar) are noted for smuggling.  Search your compartment and secure the cabin door before departure. Petty theft from overnight trains and buses is also common.
The Chinese authorities limit access to, and travel within, Tibet by foreign tourists. Foreigners wishing to travel to the Tibet Autonomous Region require the permission of the Chinese authorities. Foreigners may normally only enter with a permit as part