INDEX OF THE MUST KNOW TOPICS OF THE ACUPUNCTURE TRAININGS IN CHINA (Q&A)
Below TCM China Travel answers all major questions that our customers would like to know before travel to China. We also cover questions related to the clinical practice at Chinese Medicine Hospitals, health matters and so on. In case you have further questions or any doubt please remember that you can always reach us through the contact form.
ABOUT CHINA ENTRY VISA
The China visa is a travel authorization document required by China government for entering its borders, which is issued by a Chinese embassy or consulate (usually based and your own country), and it will be affixed in your passport.
What are the requirements to apply for the China Visa?
The following requirements are based on the tourist “L” China Visa.
The permitted duration of stay of Chinese tourist visas are generally up to 30 days.
— Original Passport valid for at least 6 months, and with at least two blank visa pages.
— Signed Visa Application Form.
— Payment of the corresponding visa fee.
— Two passport photos (approximately 35mm x 45mm)
— Other documents that the China embassy or consulate may require.
When you have the required items ready, submit the application at the appropriate visa office of China embassy or consulate in your own country. Some countries have a specific Visa Application Center to handle all the paperwork (see more details at http://visaforchina.org).
When should I apply for my visa?
Please apply for your visa within 3 months of entry into China, according to your TCM group itinerary and scheduled dates. We recommend to do it this way because the Chinese visa is generally valid to enter China for 3 months from the issue date. Typically tourist visas are processed in four working days, but don’t apply too late in order to prevent any extra costs for express delivery, or in case the embassy require any extra document.
PASSPORT “BACKUPs”:
TCM China Travel recommend to also carry some photocopies of your original passport in case you lose your passport accidentally while traveling in China. Your backup copy could easy up the process of obtain the new passport at your own country Embassy in China.
¿Where and When to change money to Chinese RMB?
At mainland China the official Chinese currency is the Renminbi (RMB or CNY), also called Yuan .
In China most hotels, shops and restaurants only accept Yuan. Just a a very few accept US dollars or Euro.
The Bank of China is the only bank providing currency exchange in China, and is the best place to do your money exchange because the rates are officially set for the whole country. They have branches at the airports or main streets in every city. Some hotels also exchange currency, but the rate is a little worse than the BOC. Note that many ATMs also support foreign debit or credit cards.
¿When should we change money?
Usually you don´t need to bring RMB upon arrival to China because you can easily change your USD or Euro to RMB at Banks or Hotels. Your western tour leader or local guide will always help the group to do the money exchange in the most convenient Bank of China branch on the first day of your TCM tour.
HEALTH MATTERS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
¿Do I need vaccines to visit China?
There are currently no compulsory vaccines necessary for China but as with most Asian countries, there are some advised. Check out with your local doctor, which vaccines are recommended. You can find further information clicking here.
Apart from the normal tourist vaccinations, you could consider Hepatitis B, as you will be working in a Hospital, but as mentioned before, vaccines are not mandatory.
What precautions should I take during my TCM trip and Acupuncture tours?
TCM China Travel takes all possible measures to ensure safe services in restaurants, hotels, and during the whole TCM tours and trainings.
In the event of a serious condition which requires hospitalization, your tour guide will do everything possible to ensure that you receive the best treatment possible. Please call your TCM China Travel Tour Leader so that we can help in any way possible.
Here you can find some recommendations that any traveler can do to prevent some situations while traveling in China.
– Drink only boiled water or drinks from factory-sealed bottles or cans. Avoid ice cubes or tap water.
– Protect yourself from mosquitos or insects with sprays, etc.
– Bring some medicines for diarrhea as precaution.
– You can also bring basic medicines such us painkiller, or pills for dizziness, headaches, or fever.
– Bring pads for women’s period.
– Try to do not eat street food.
We also recommend to every travel to bring their medical information such us blood type, vaccination record, allergies, or information regarding any other medicine they must take during the trip.
In case you have serious illness:
You should notify it to TCM China Travel at before your reservation and bring your medicine, prescription and necessary information about the medicine
during the whole trip.
ABOUT LODGING IN CHINA
We usually arrange centrally-located and Western-standard hotels.
Hotels categories in China are as follows:
5* Stars Hotels: Luxury services with huge lobbies and very comfortable rooms, their standards not match the best of London or New York, but very close.
4* Stars Hotels: Good services and quality standards. comfortable rooms and usually with buffet breakfast.
3* Stars Hotels: Clean Hotels that could meet the needs of most Westerners, but breakfasts have less choice.
Courtyard hotels or Chinese-style: Basic accommodations with local features and architecture.
TCM China Travel always choose the Hotels not just because their category but for their location, customer´s feedback and services. Small cities and rural areas are a bit different so we always try to use the best available hotel in each place.
¿Are Hotels close to our training Hospitals and facilities?
Yes they are. We choose Hotels with great locations close to our Hospitals so we won´t lose time on transportation. They are also well connected in order to let us move around the city in a convenient way.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We highly recommend that all travelers purchase comprehensive travel insurance in their home country before departure.
About the security in China
China is a relatively safe country, specially in big cities. But as with all major cities, there are some parts that should be avoided such as the train stations where pick pocketing is common. We recommend the common precautions such us stay in groups rather than travel around alone, avoid wearing expensive jewellery, or carrying large amounts of cash.
ABOUT THE ACUPUNCTURE TRAINING IN CHINA
What should I wear during the Acupuncture training at the Hospital?
During the clinical training you should wear comfortable clothes, avoiding sandals, sportive or inappropriate clothing.
How is the clinical practice scheduled?
At Chinese Hospitals and Universities we will do it on 2 turns, Morning and afternoon. The training will be organized in reduced groups (max. 5 persons per group) with their own translator. Every group will visit the multiple departments of the Hospital such us Neurology, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Ginecology, pain units among others.
Hospital rules:
During the clinical practice we are not allowed to record any video or shot pictures unless the TCM Doctors and Chinese patients approved it.
We also should not interfere in the relation between Doctor and Patient. We should cooperate when possible during the clinical training in order to maintain the normal practice of the Doctors and their treatments.
CERTIFICATES AND DIPLOMAS OF THE ACUPUNCTURE TRAININGS IN CHINA
Every group will have different itineraries and their practice will be hosted in different Universities and Hospitals. That´s why every certificate will be issued by their respective TCM Universities and Chinese training centers.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS IF I AM STILL AN ACUPUNCTURE STUDENT?
The Acupuncture trainings and TCM tours are specifically designed for western Acupuncture professionals that already finished their basic learning in TCM. Anyway, if a student is on his last years of academic learning, he could join the training in China with no problem. Students just need to communicate us in advance their current learning situation.
COMPANION AND FAMILY MEMBERS AT THE GROUP
¿Can my husband, wife or children come with me to China while I´ll be doing the TCM training?
Yes, companion is allowed at every group. They will join all tourist activities of the group. And they will have the chance to enjoy optional activities or free time while you will be at the Hospital doing the Acupuncture training.
¿The price for my family members will be the same?
No, companion members will have reduced price because they will not join the clinical practice and training. Because every group will travel in different dates and with different itineraries we will specify the companion price at each respective group information.
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ABOUT RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENT METHODS
¿HOW CAN I CONFIRM MY RESERVATION?
The common process is as follows:
- 1. Fill and send the registration form to info@tcmchinatravel.com
Places are strictly reserved according to the date where we receive your registration form. When all group available places will be full, further registrations will be hold on our waiting list just in case of a possible member cancellation.
2. TCM tours and Acupuncture training reservation fee (usually around 30% of the Trip).
The reservation fee will be paid few months in advance in order to guarantee hotel prices, hospital reservations and so on. We always specify the reservation deadline for every Scheduled TCM group.
3. Final payment for the rest of the trip.
All details and deadlines will be specified in advance for each scheduled group.
¿ACCEPTED PAYMENT METHODS
All reservations should be done by international wire transfer because it will be the most secure and convenient payment method.
In case you require to do the payment through Paypal or credit card please consult conditions contacting us.
WHAT CURRENCIES DO YOU ACCEPT?
Our head office is based at Hong Kong, China. So we are able to accept payments on USD (US Dollar), Euro , RMB (Chinese Yuan), AUD (Australian Dollar) and CAD (Canadian Dollar).
