China Business Tour Preparation Tips

USA Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from after the date of travel to China. You can obtain passport information from: http://www.travel.state.gov/.

China Visa: Travel to China from the USA requires a valid Chinese visa, which must be obtained from the Chinese embassy or consulate prior to travel to China. This visa process can take 2-3 weeks depending on the season and channel used to obtain the visa. It is possible to have expedited visa processing, but it is best to plan ahead to avoid possible delays of your China business trip.

China visitors must hold all documents for their next destination and sufficient funds to cover stay in China. Non-compliance with entry regulations will result in deportation of passenger by same or returning aircraft.

U.S. Entry/Exit Requirements For Non-U.S. Citizens:
After September 30th, 2004, all travelers to the U.S. not in possession of a U.S. passport or U.S. permanent resident card (Green Card) are required to participate in the US-VISIT program. Most Canadian visitors are exempt from this requirement. The US-VISIT program collects biometric identifiers (an inkless fingerprint scan and a digital photograph) from the visitor upon arrival and departure from the U.S. The U.S.-VISIT procedures are expected to add only a short time to the Entry and Exit process. Together with standard passport and itinerary information gathered from passengers, the new program will verify the visitor's identity and compliance with U.S. visa and immigration policies. Further information is available on the USA Homeland Security site: http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/content_multi_image/content_multi_image_0006.xml

Health Information for China travel: Check with your doctor about any special requirements that you may have for long-haul international flights and travel to China. Yellow fever vaccination is not generally required for China. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended if you plan to stay in remote rural areas in the provinces. It is not necessary for travel in urban areas.

Traveling comfortably on a long International Flight:

Chewing gum, yawning or sucking on hard candies can help to relieve the pressure that builds up in your ears as the airplane ascends and descends.
If you have a cold, talk to your doctor about using a decongestant or nasal spray before boarding to help relieve the pressure.
Drink plenty of water while onboard the aircraft to avoid becoming dehydrated during the flight.
Do light stretching exercises in your seat and walk through the cabin frequently (when safe to do so).
Consult your physician if you suffer from airsickness; he or she may be able to prescribe medication for this.
The relatively low humidity in the cabin can make allergy or asthma symptoms worse; take preventative measures as necessary.

Combating Jet Lag:

Try a few of these techniques for a natural way to reset your internal clock:

Reset your watch to the destination's time as soon as you get on the plane. If it's daytime at your destination, try to stay awake during the flight. Walking around the cabin may help keep you alert. If it's nighttime, try to sleep. You may find it helpful to use earplugs and a sleeping mask to block out distractions on the plane.
Eat before you get on the plane so that hunger does not prevent you from sleeping during the flight. Inform the flight attendant that you will not be eating so that you are not awakened for a meal.
If you're using a blanket, buckle your seat belt over the blanket so that you are not awakened by a flight attendant checking seat belts.
If it's daytime when you arrive but nighttime at home, don't sleep. Instead, try doing some light exercise like walking to help revive your body and stop it from producing sleep-inducing hormones.

What you need to know about blood clots while flying:

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)- blood clots has been blamed for several deaths among long-haul airline passengers. DVT is not specifically linked to air travel however, is found to be linked to situations where people are immobile. The clots are dangerous when they block vessels in the leg or lungs.
Some people are more susceptible to developing DVT than others. Here are some factors that would indicate a higher risk of developing DVT:

If you have had DVT before or if DVT runs in your family.
When you have recently undergone surgery or have been wounded, especially in the abdomen and/or the legs.
If you have varicose veins or heart failure or are obese.
If you are dehydrated.
If you smoke.
If you are pregnant. If you are undergoing estrogen therapy (this includes the use of estrogen pills).
If you have been sitting in the same position for more than 24 hours.
If you have deviations in your hemogram that could result in a higher risk of blood clotting.
If you are older than 40.

If one of these factors applies to you, you would be wise to consult your physician before a long international flight.

Health & Exercise Advice:

Drink plenty of water before and during the flight
Limit alcohol intact which can result in increased dehydration.
Keep your circulation going by walking up and down the aisles when you can, wiggle your toes and flex your ankles.