Tips for travel to China: What are the rules around visas and credit card use when travelling to China?

TRAVELLING TO CHINA WITH MY GRANDDAUGHTER. WE WILL NOT GET OUR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS UNTIL SIX WEEKS BEFORE DEPARTURE AND HAVE BEEN TOLD WE CAN'T APPLY FOR A VISA UNTIL WE DO. IS THIS TRUE? I HAVE READ THAT CREDIT CARDS ARE NOT WIDELY ACCEPTED AND EFTPOS MACHINES NOT COMMON. V. MCKEOWN, SHOAL BAY

To apply for a visa for China, which all Australian passport holders require, among other documents you need Proof of Travel Arrangements, including a copy of your e-Ticket showing onward/return travel and a copy of the hotel confirmation. If you are on a tour you must provide hotel confirmations for all hotels on the tour, or proof of other accommodation. However, six weeks is plenty of time to apply for your visas. You can find out all you need to know at the website visaforchina.org. There is a distinct preference for cash in China. Hotels, larger restaurants and major stores or malls will usually take credit cards but cash is king. You'll find ATMs everywhere, with English-language prompts.

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