Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I stay in the hotel room by myself, or must I share a room?

Each attendee has a choice to either share a room with another attendee or stay in a single. The single room is an increased price. The price will be listed on your upcoming registration form.

2. How do I apply for my visa?

In the coming week we will be sending another packet to you which will contain your registration form and a Visa Application form, fill these out and mail the registration form back to Honso USA, Inc., and your visa application along with your passport to our travel agency, China Travel Service, Attn: Vivian Bao. There will be a fee for your visa, which will be listed on your application. FYI: Shanghai University asks that each attendee have 2 passport photos readily available to be used for your I.D.’s once you arrive.

3. Is there a way that we can communicate with other attendees before the tour begins?

This year we will be sending out a list of each person who is registered for the tour, along with their email address, so people can begin getting to know each other prior to the trip. We are also looking into setting up an online message board through Honso USA, so that everyone can freely keep in touch. More information on this will be given in the coming weeks.

4. When we arrive in Shanghai, how will we get to the hotel?

Each attendee will receive a package appx. 1 month prior to departure. This package will have a nametag enclosed, indicating that you are with the Honso group. There will also be someone waiting outside of baggage claim with a sign indicating “Honso USA, Shanghai TCM Tour”. This is ONLY offered to those attendees who travel with the group, and book travel through Honso, otherwise we cannot guarantee your pickup and you will need to make the appropriate travel arrangements to get to the hotel on April 4 to meet the group. Any changes/modifications to travel or hotel arrangements must be cleared through Honso and we cannot make any guarantees.

5. What kinds of clothes are most appropriate in Shanghai during the month of this tour? Also, what kind of clothing is appropriate at the hospital & school?

During the beginner’s tour (April), the weather will be most comfortable, averaging 65˚F (weather can change, so please check this site as your tour gets closer; http://www.chinatour.com/weather/weather.htm). At the hospital & University dress code is casual; labcoats are necessary. Try and dress as comfortable as you can during the sight-seeing also, as you may spend quite a bit of time on the bus getting to your destination. There will also be opportunities to purchase clothing in Shanghai.

6. Will there be high-speed Internet at the hotel?

They will have high-speed Internet at the hotel. You will have to pay for usage, and sometimes it can take awhile to hook up. But, it is most definitely offered for hotel guests. Here are your Internet options once you arrive: (18 Yuan/hour) or a day package (50 Yuan/hour), prices may vary.

7. Should we bring any type of “special” chargers or hookups for outlets (hairdryers, cellphones, etc.)?

It is not necessary to bring any special chargers, your hairdryer, cellphone charger, etc. should fit into their outlets no problem. In the event that chargers are needed, you can purchase them in Shanghai at a very reasonable rate.

8. When making calls from Shanghai, what is the country code? What is the country code for the U.S.?

You must always dial 001+area code + number when calling to the U.S. from China and you must dial the country code (86) and the city code (26) when calling into China from the U.S. FYI: IP Cards (calling cards) are available at Shanghai supermarkets, face value is RMB50 or RMB100.

9. Are there translators with us all of the time? Does the hotel staff speak English?

For all of your lectures and clinic shifts you will have a translator. For all other meals and free time when you are on your own, there will NOT be a designated translator. The hotel staff does speak English, but some may speak better, more clearly than others.

10. How much money is appropriate to bring for meals, etc.? What meals will Honso cover?

This all depends on what you will be doing in your free time, i.e. the style and types of restaurants that you will be frequenting will determine how much money to bring. The current exchange rate is 1.00US Dollar = 6.85 Chinese Yuan Renminbi (rates can change, so please check this site as your tour gets closer; http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/asia/china/currency.htm). There are ATM machines everywhere, as well as at your hotel, where you can get the correct currency. Honso will cover all meals during the sightseeing travel (2 weekends).

11. What is the name of the hotel, and what kind of neighborhood is it in (restaurants, shops, mass transit, etc.)?

The name of the hotel is the Radisson SAS Lansheng Hotel Shanghai. It is in very close proximity to the Hospital (walking distance). Shops & restaurants are not far from the hotel, and the rail station for the Shanghai Metro is 6 kilometers from the hotel. Many buses are available to go to further destinations as well.

Copyright © Honso USA, Inc.