China

China: New Road Signs in Shanghai Help Visitors Find Their Way

Date: July 19th, 2007 |

Officials have made traveling around Shanghai and other provinces in the Yangtze Delta region a little easier for visitors by posting graphical signs for tourist attractions such as temples, museums, historic towns and golf courses. Traffic signs have also been updated, with those for scenic spots and parking lots combined to aid traffic flow. The [read more]

Tibet: China Restricts Foreign Tourists

Date: May 16th, 2007 |

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Visiting Tibet is more complicated now that Chinese authorities have imposed new restrictions on foreigners following a protest by five Americans who unfurled a banner at the Mt. Everest base camp. Tourists can no longer travel independently outside Lhasa, and all permits for travel to Tibet now must be approved by the Tibetan Travel Bureau’s [read more]

Hong Kong: Airport to Screen for Liquids

Date: March 7th, 2007 |

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On March 21, Hong Kong airport will begin screening carry-on bags for liquids, bringing its policies into line with International Civil Aviation Organization guidelines. Passengers will be able to bring containers of liquids no larger than 3.5 ounces that must fit in a clear plastic re-sealable bag no larger than 1 liter. Exceptions will be [read more]

China: Assault Becomes Murder in Beijing’s Chaoyang Park

Date: August 1st, 2006 |

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What appears to have been a murder during an attempted robbery took place near the south gate of Chaoyang Park in Beijing, an area frequented by foreigners. The crime occurred at about 2 a.m. and the victim appeared to have been walking alone. Police patrols have been increased, but it is still prudent to avoid [read more]

China: Terrorist Threats in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou

Date: June 14th, 2006 |

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The U.S. Embassy in Beijing announced June 9 that U.S. interests may face a terrorist threat in China, especially in the cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. The information remains unconfirmed and the threat may extend to places Americans are known to visit, “including clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools or outdoor recreation [read more]

China: Pirated Drinking Water in Beijing

Date: July 11th, 2007 |

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Officials are investigating a report in the Beijing Times that claimed that more than half of the water coolers in Beijing contain counterfeit water. The report said the jugs are filled with tap water or purified water from small suppliers who place bogus seals on them and pass the water off as name brands. The [read more]

China: Olympics Preparation Creates Behavior Code for Taxi Drivers

Date: April 25th, 2007 |

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Beijing’s planning for the 2008 Olympics ranges from the macro to the micro, with a more than $20 billion budget for new subways and a code of conduct for taxi drivers and residents. Cabbies are being told to brush their teeth after eating garlic, be polite, don’t smoke while driving, and clean up their vehicles. [read more]

Pacific Rim: Taiwan Earthquake Damages Undersea Cables

Date: January 3rd, 2007 |

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A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Taiwan Dec. 26 and damaged undersea telecommunications cables, affecting internet, banking and telephone services around the Pacific Rim. Much of the service has been restored but repairs to the cables are expected to take as long as a month. Internet access may be slow or unavailable in so [read more]

China: Travel Warning Withdrawn

Date: June 20th, 2006 |

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The U.S. Embassy in Beijing retracted its warning of June 9 regarding the threat of possible terrorist actions against American interests in China. The June 16 statement cited “further investigation and coordination with Chinese authorities” in concluding that a heightened level of concern was no longer [read more]

China: Three Gorges Dam Draws Tourists

Date: May 23rd, 2006 |

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The Three Gorges Dam, reviled by environmentalists the world over but accepted in China as a necessary step in progress, has become a top tourist attraction. River cruises to the dam site are especially popular with residents of Shanghai who want to see structure under construction. A viewing platform at the top can accommodate a [read more]