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The Oriente Travel Guide

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No other Ecuadorian habitat overwhelms the senses like the tropical rainforest, with its cacophonous soundtrack of birds and insects, the rich smell of steaming foliage and teeming soil, the glimmer of fluorescent birds and butterflies in the understorey, or the startling clamour of a troop of monkeys clattering through the canopy above. This is the Oriente’s star attraction, and what most visitors are here for – though the region, which occupies a massive area covering almost half the country, contains a good deal more besides. The alto (high) Oriente starts on the eastern Andean flank, where the high, windswept páramo steadily gives way to dripping montane forests, swathed in mist and draped with mosses and epiphytes, as the elevation decreases. Waterfalls plunge into broadening valleys, and temperatures rise the further you descend. Down in the foothills, poised between the sierra and the lowlands, lies a beguiling landscape of rippling hills and verdant, subtropical forests, home to a startling diversity of birds. Continuing east, the mountain ridges eventually taper away into the bajo (low) Oriente like talons sinking into the deep velvet of a vast emerald wilderness: Ecuador’s Amazonian jungle, one of the country’s most thrilling destinations.

The issues today

Routes into the oriente, visiting the jungle.

The only practical way of getting into the rainforest – which in places stretches for more than 250km to the borders of Colombia and Peru – is to go on one of the numerous jungle tours on offer. These range from simple day-trips into pockets of forest close to a town, through staying with a rainforest community or at a jungle lodge, to rugged multi-day camping treks into the remotest tracts of primary jungle in the far eastern reserves. Nearly every tour will involve hiking through lush forests and navigating coiling rivers and lagoons in dugout canoes, often done at night to see the red eyes of caiman and hear the deafening chorus of nocturnal creatures. The most pristine areas, namely the Reserva Faunística Cuyabeno and the Parque Nacional Yasuní , are best reached from the pioneer oil towns Lago Agrio and Coca respectively, and demand at least four or five days to enjoy properly. Closer to Quito, and favoured by those with limited time on their hands, Tena , Puyo and Misahuallí are near smaller, more accessible patches of forest. Visits to or stays with indigenous communities are also likely to figure in tours from Tena and Puyo. Tourism is much less developed in the far southern Oriente, though Macas is home to a handful of operators and projects.

The climate in the low Oriente is what you’d expect from a rainforest – hot, humid and plenty of rain. The wettest months are April to July, but expect cloudbursts most days year round, usually in the early afternoon. Average daytime temperatures are around 25°C, though daily highs can be over 32°C. With such consistent conditions, the Oriente doesn’t have a high tourist season; at slow times of year, when there are few tourists in the country as a whole (Feb to mid-June & Sept–Nov), it’s worth asking for discounts.

Brief history

The jungle – la selva – has held a curious place in the national psyche since the time of the conquistadors . Rumours of the jungle being el pais de canela (“the land of cinnamon”), a place of abundant fruits and spices, and the legend of El Dorado, the “Golden Man”, drew the early explorers here, suggesting to them a land of staggering natural riches. But the first Europeans to venture here soon found this fabled earthly paradise had a nightmarish underside; their parties were plunged into an impenetrable green hell (“ el infierno verde ”), teeming with poisonous snakes and biting insects. A string of catastrophic expeditions in the early colonial period quickly discouraged the Spanish from colonizing the Oriente at all. Even until the 1960s, most people, save for a sprinkling of missionaries and pioneers, kept away, leaving the forests and its inhabitants well alone.

This all changed in the late 1960s following the discovery of large oil and gas reserves , now the country’s most important source of wealth. The Oriente was divided into 200-square-kilometre bloques (blocks) and distributed between the companies, who proceeded to drill and blast in search of black gold. Roads were laid, towns sprouted virtually overnight and large areas of rainforest were cleared. The Oriente was transformed into a “productive” region and colonists streamed in on the new roads, looking for jobs and levelling still more land for farms. The speed of the destruction was dramatic and the Ecuadorian government, under widespread international pressure, began setting aside large tracts of forest as national parks and reserves ; the largest three – Sangay (mainly in the Oriente, but most easily accessed from the highlands), Cuyabeno and Yasuní , a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve – were created in 1979; another three medium-sized parks – Antisana , Sumaco and Llanganates – were formed in the mid-1990s.

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Even though there are more than 25,000 square kilometres of protected land in the Oriente – well over half of which is pristine Amazonian rainforest – conservationists are worried the cash-strapped Ecuadorian government is unable (or unwilling) to make sure it stays that way. The task of balancing the needs of a faltering economy against the obligation to protect some of the most important forests on the planet has been among Ecuador’s central problems for the past few decades. Meanwhile, oil activity is ongoing in several crucial protected areas, including Yasuní.

While most people would concede the oil industry has been very much a mixed blessing for the country, the indigenous peoples of the region – which include the Siona, Waorani, Secoya, Achuar, Shuar, Kichwa (who have rejected the Spanish spelling of their name “Quichua”), Cofán and Záparo – have had the most to lose. Many groups, rejecting the Western way of life, have been driven into ever smaller, remoter territories where it becomes increasingly hard to support themselves by traditional means. Their rivers and soil already polluted from industrial waste, most of the communities are under mounting pressure to sell out to the oil industry, both culturally and territorially. In recent years, ecotourism has emerged as a great hope for some groups seeking to adapt to a life in which external influences are inevitable, bringing in badly needed income, strengthening the case for the conservation of the forests within an economic framework and reasserting cultural identities.

The oil infrastructure has made the Ecuadorian Amazon one of the most easily accessed rainforest areas in the continent, with its centres of jungle tourism all within a day’s bus journey of Quito. There are two main routes to the Oriente . The first leaves the capital and descends into the Amazon basin from the Papallacta pass, splitting at Baeza, north to Lago Agrio (and then Coca), and south to Tena and the faster way to Coca. The second drops from Ambato through Baños to Puyo, where it meets the road between Tena and Macas. A new gravel road runs from Guamote (south of Riobamba) directly to Macas, slicing through Parque Nacional Sangay, and other poorer roads descend from Tulcán to Lumbaqui (on the Baeza–Lago Agrio road) and from Cuenca and Loja into the southern Oriente.

The region is militarily sensitive and you’ll be required to produce your passport at regular checkpoints. More so than at other places in the country, it’s important you have original documents rather than copies. As far as security is concerned, the areas adjacent to the Colombian border are currently unsafe due to infiltration of guerrilla and paramilitary units and should be avoided.

There are three ways to visit the jungle: on a guided tour ; by staying at a jungle lodge ; or by staying with an indigenous community . Getting into the wilderness and being immersed in the sights and sounds of the rainforest is the whole point of a tour, and modern luxuries, such as 24-hour electricity, (hot) running water and completely insect-free buildings are absent in all but the most comfortable jungle lodges. Ecuadorian authorities, conservation groups and indigenous communities frown upon unguided travel in the lower Oriente, which is not recommended for your own safety anyway. Off the main rivers, trails are few and difficult to follow, and it’s all too easy to get lost in a potentially dangerous environment. Furthermore, stumbling on indigenous groups, such as the Tagaeri, a branch of the Waorani who don’t take kindly to intruding strangers, could get you into serious trouble, as could an encounter with Colombian guerrilla groups around the Colombian border in northern Sucumbíos province.

Jungle lodges

Staying in a jungle lodge offers the most comfortable (and expensive) way to experience the rainforest. Stays usually last from three to five days and all logistical problems are taken care of for you, including river transport, food and any necessary permits and guides. Most lodges consist of cabañas and a communal dining and relaxing area, constructed in wood and thatch, close to primary forest and often a lengthy ride by motor canoe from the nearest town. The cabañas themselves range from a bed and four plank walls to handsomely adorned rooms with ceiling fans, private bath, hot water and electricity – though the nature of their location means even the most well-appointed lodge falls short of luxury. Days are clearly structured, with guided hikes or canoe trips, and guides are generally of a high standard; in the most expensive places, they’ll be English-speaking naturalists and ornithologists working with a local guide who’ll know the forest intimately.

Most lodges have contact offices in Quito, and visits must be booked prior to arrival, though generally only the higher-end lodges, such as Sacha , Kapawi and La Selva , recommend reservations be made weeks or even months in advance. Meals, guided forest walks and activities, and river transport to the lodge (where appropriate) are generally included in the price of a stay, but travel to the nearest Oriente town is usually separate; most lodges can help you arrange this if necessary.

Indigenous-community stays

A growing number of indigenous communities in the Oriente have started ecotourism projects, giving visitors a glimpse of village life in the rainforest by staying with a family or in simple cabañas just next to a community. The income raised from guests is intended to provide a sustainable alternative to more destructive means of subsistence, such as logging or farming the poor rainforest soil. The economic success of a project also demonstrates the value of conserving the surrounding forests – the other big attraction of a stay – to government agencies under strong pressure from commercial interests to make forest areas more financially productive, as opposed to “unproductive” community territory.

A few projects run slick operations, often in tandem with an outside partner, but the majority are starting out and remain pretty unsophisticated, so you may have to bring your own equipment (rubber boots, mosquito nets and so on). Most use simple wooden cabañas with beds and mattresses, clean sheets and sometimes mosquito netting, while bathrooms range from basic latrines to flushing toilets, with most having facilities shared between guests. Forest walks are a particular highlight, as your hosts often make excellent guides, and the majority are qualified “native” guides, though you’ll need to speak some Spanish to get the most from their extensive knowledge. A common emphasis is on intercultural understanding , and you’re likely to be treated to singing, dancing and folkloric presentations – you may even be asked to perform something yourself in return.

The main centres for organizing visits to an indigenous community are Tena , Puyo , Lago Agrio and Macas . Allow several days to organize a stay, as the communities need time to make arrangements, and it can be difficult to establish contact in the first place. A good book, combining a discussion of the virtues of indigenous ecotourism with a guide to some of the projects on offer, is Defending our Rainforest: A Guide to Community-Based Ecotourism in the Ecuadorian Amazon by Rolf Wesche and Andy Drumm. You should be able to find it in Quito’s better bookshops or at the SAE. Another good source of information is the Quito-based Federación Plurinacional de Turismo Comunitario, 9 de Octubre N27-27 and Orellana ( w www.turismocomunitario.ec).

Guided tours

Taking a guided tour is the cheapest way to visit the jungle, usually costing from $35–60 per person per day. The more people there are, the cheaper the tour will be, but the optimum number is between four and six so that everyone has a chance of hearing the guide and of having the wildlife pointed out to them individually before it disappears. Discounts are best negotiated in the low season, from February to mid-June and September to November. The best places to meet people looking to share a jungle tour, in roughly descending order, are Quito, Baños, Tena, Misahuallí, Puyo and Macas. Lago Agrio and Coca are home to a growing number of guides and agencies, but groups heading into the jungle from these towns are often formed in Quito, making it hard for independent travellers to find people to form their own group; still, you may be able to supplant yourself onto a trip.

All tours should provide accommodation – anything from modest cabañas to campamentos (open-sided camping platforms) to carpas (standard tents) – and adequate food and equipment , including water, rubber boots and mosquito nets if necessary. Always check what you’re getting before you hand over money. It’s also crucial to get a guide who has the knowledge and enthusiasm to illustrate the jungle as a vivid living world; meeting them yourself in advance is the best way to find out if they’re any good and check the standard of their English (where necessary). All guides should be able to produce a licence from the Ministry of Tourism, though this is no guarantee of quality. You can report guides to the ministry or SAE if they behave inappropriately, by hunting for food, leaving litter, or visiting indigenous communities without making a contribution or seeking permission. While some agencies use an accredited guide alongside a “native guide” for the same group – combining biological and scientific information with indigenous myths and local plantlore – the term “native” may not be synonymous with “indigenous”, often referring to anyone that lives in the Oriente.

If your tour includes a visit to an indigenous community, it’s crucial your guide or operator has their permission – ask to see the written convenio (agreement) between the community and the operator when booking, which helps emphasize this is a priority with tourists, and encourages the operator to follow good practices.

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updated 26.04.2021

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　　A deposit of $300 per person is required at the time of booking. The account balance is due 45 days prior to the departure date. If Oriental Tours does not receive your final payment 45 days before departure, we reserve the right to cancel your reservation and charge cancellation fees accordingly .If the booking is made less than 45 days before departure, full amount should be paid when booking.                   Available methods of payment are credit card, check, cash, direct deposit or money transfer. A 3% surcharge applies for certain tours if pay by credit card. Balance due date and methods of payment will be advised at the time of booking.

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　　TOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES

　　Air Ticket:

　　•    A round trip economy class cabin is included with the tour for passengers who choose the all-inclusive packages. Please call our representative for flight schedule and/or upgrade your air ticket at time of reservation.  If you can’t depart or return with the tour group, then a US$50 service fee will be charged per person besides possible surcharge on airfare.

　　•    Air routing is at the discretion of Oriental Tours for all of our tour packages. Oriental Tours reserves the right to change international airline outlined per availabilities at the time of booking.

　　•    All taxes, government fees, and fuel surcharges associated with airline tickets are included and are subject to change at the time of booking. Clients are responsible for any extra charges incurred due to airport taxes and full surcharges increased.

　　•    Economy Class China Domestic Airfares are included for both All-inclusive Tour Packages and Land Only

　　Note:  As per airline rules, most of special discounted fares (such as group ticket) are not allowed change name or refundable once ticket issued, therefore, please submit your official travel documents (such as passport copy) 60 days prior to travel date, we will issue air ticket as per travel documents you provided.  For any reason of name changed before ticket issuance, an amendment notice by mail or fax must be received 60days by Oriental Tours before your departure date.

　　Hotel Accommodation:

　　Tour fare is based on two adults sharing one room. King-bed rooms are per request but can’t always be guaranteed. Single supplement applies for travelers requiring single-occupancy room. Please notify the travel agent your needs when booking your trip. Oriental Tours will use hotels listed in brochure. We reserve the right to substitute hotels in similar or higher standard if the hotels listed in the brochure are not available.

　　Meals daily will be provided as mentioned in itinerary. Buffet breakfast or American breakfast is provided in hotel, lunch and dinner in Chinese style are provided in local restaurants licensed by Chinese National Tourist Administration.

　　Sightseeing:

　　Sightseeing program is executed according to itinerary. However, Oriental Tours, its offices in China and local handling agencies reserve the right to make alterations or adjustment in the itinerary including but not limited to the order of sightseeing, hotels, meals and culture programs should they think such decisions are necessary to make your trip run more pleasantly, or for the reason of weather, fire, strikes, war, flight schedule adjustments or cancellation, safety issue, political reason, custom regulations, natural disasters and others situations which are out of our controls

　　Admission/Entrance Fee:

　　All necessary main entrance fee for the programs or places mentioned in the itinerary will be included.

　　NOT INCLUDED IN TOUR PACKAGE:

　　Airfare add-on from hometown to gateway cities, meals not specified in the tour program, costs of passports, visas, vaccinations and inoculations, optional sightseeing tours, excess baggage, health, accident and baggage insurance, telephone, laundry, tips to bell hops, guides, drivers, items of a personal nature, Fee for extended stay, Any other charges caused by the acts of God, natural disasters ,fire ,weather ,government and local  authority’s orders, strikes, war, riots, damages or injury caused by the accident beyond the responsibilities of travel agents and caused  due to the tourist action violating the law. fees incurred due to delay, changes or cancellations beyond the control of Oriental Tours and any items not specifically listed as included.

　　Tipping is an expected element on our tours. For the sake of simplicity and consistency, the recommended amounts are all in US dollars. If you choose to tip in CNY or CAD the amount should equal the US dollar amount. At the start of the trip, a lump sum is collected from each traveler based on $10 USD per day per person. This is the money that will be used to tip the local guides, drivers, porters, and the crew of the ship if the itinerary includes a Yangtze cruise. This lump sum covers everyone but the tour leader and hotel bell service. The recommended amount for the tour leader is $7 to $10 USD per day per person.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

　　It is the client’s responsibility to obtain passport and travel visa. We require a photocopy of each client’s passport at the time of tour booking. The visa must be secured before the trip and a copy of it must be submitted to us prior to departure unless the visa is obtained through Oriental Tours. Clients wishing to obtain their visa through Oriental Tours should make the request on the tour reservation form and forward the application to us within our required time frame. It is the client’s responsibility to ensure that they meet the visa application requirements set by the Chinese government and that they verify the visa for accuracy upon its receipt. Note: our visa service is available only to residents in United States.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

　　Travel medical and evacuation insurance is strongly recommended. Lack of proper coverage may cause difficulty at the time of visa application. We also recommend trip cancellation & interruption coverage for the protection of your investment. We offer competitively priced insurance plans from multiple providers. We hold no responsibility for any insurance claims. We need proof of medical and evacuation insurance if the coverage is obtained elsewhere.

BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE

　　Each client is restricted to one piece of checked luggage during the tour. We do not accept exceptions even if the client is willing to pay extra. According to the local airlines, the checked piece must weigh no more than 20kg (44 lbs). One carry-on weighing no more than 5kg is allowed. The client must be able to lift and comfortably transport their own luggage short distances as porter service may not be available at all hotels, airports, train stations, cruise and ferry terminals. Baggage allowance and rules for international flights can be found on the carrier’s website. The following dimensions for checked luggage apply to economy class passengers on all local flights:

　　Maximum dimensions should not exceed 100 x 60 x 40 in centimeters (39.5 x 23.5 x 15.75 in inches). Baggage exceeding the weight and/or size limitations should be transported as freight.

YOUR PRIVACY

　　We operate in full compliance with federal privacy legislations. We reserve the right to photograph and film group activities and use the resulting materials for promotional purposes. However, we will not identify the participants. If you prefer not to have your image used for such purposes, please mention this on your reservation form and also remind the tour leader and local guides on arrival.

OUR RESPONSIBILITY

　　Oriental Tours act only as agent for our suppliers and contractors who provide transportation, accommodations and other related travel services. Oriental Tours assume no responsibility or liability for any injury, death, damage, loss, accident with any services resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, strikes, government regulations, thefts, cancellations, errors, omissions, failure of any means, discrepancies or changes over which we have no control. Oriental Tours apply all reasonable checks and measures in utmost good faith to ensure that details in the itinerary are carried out exactly as specified. However, changes, including, but not limited to, substitution of hotels or vessels of equal or similar quality and air carriers, may be made out of necessity.

　　Clients must be aware that there may be different living standards and practices outside of their home country including but not limited to provision of utilities such as water, electricity, accommodation, food preparations and services of all kinds. Under no circumstances shall we be responsible for any inconvenience, loss, damage or injury resulting from these conditions.

　　The passenger contract issued together with the air ticket by the air carrier shall constitute the sole contract between the airline and the passenger; Oriental Tours shall not be responsible for any delays, substitutions of equipment or any act of omission whatsoever by the carrier, its agent, employees and contractors.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

　　You are responsible for providing us with correct, complete and accurate information regarding personal details. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in irrecoverable loss.

　　If you have made independent travel arrangements, you accept responsibility for joining our tour on time. Oriental Tours are not able to refund monies paid to us, or any third party acting on our or your behalf, or make compensation where, for whatever reason, you miss any part of our tour or fail to use any other travel arrangements made by us.

　　When you book arrangements with Oriental Tours, you accept responsibility for the proper conduct of yourself and your party. If your actions or omissions cause damage to any property in the provision of the contracted arrangements, or cause delay or diversion to any flight or other means of transportation, you agree to pay any charges incurred. You agree to abide by the authority of the tour leader, local guides and our local agents. Conduct or behavior causing danger, distress or annoyance to others may lead to the client’s removal from our tour with all expenses to be borne by the client.

　　Oriental Tours reserve the right to decline, accept or retain any person as a tour member at any time. Oriental Tours reserve the right to alter the itinerary, including substitution of accommodations and modes of transportation.

Passport & Visa

Can you give us the introduction of chinese visa.

According to the Law of the People’s Republic of China Concerning the Administration of Foreigners Entering and Leaving the Country, foreign tourists must apply for visas at China’s foreign affairs offices, consulates or other organizations authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A group of five tourists or more can apply for a group tourist visa. This is usually handled by a travel agency organizing groups. People coming to China from countries which have visa agreements with China (such as agreements which exempt tourist groups from visas) are treated in accordance with these agreements.

Foreigners requesting to visit Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Xiamen Special Economic Zones may apply directly to visa authorities in these zones for tourist visas to special economic zones. Foreign tourist groups from Hong Kong for a 72-hour visit to the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone are exempt from entry visas. If you want to go to Tibet for a visit you can apply for a visa only with the consent of the Tourism Administration of the Tibet Autonomous Region or any one of its foreign representative offices.

A foreigner holding the tourist visa should go to an appointed port of entry or one which is opened to foreigners, receive the examination by a frontier inspection station, submit a valid passport and visa for inspection, and fill in an entry card, entry into China is granted only after the frontier inspection has approved all the documents and stamped them with an entry seal.

A foreign tourist may travel in China within the approved period of time. If he wishes to continue the traveling in China after the approved time of his stay expires, he should apply to the local public security organ for the extension of his stay. After he has finished his travel in China, he should fill in an exit document before his visa expires and submit his documents to the frontier inspection station in a port opened to foreigners; he is allowed to leave the country only after his document is stamped with an approval seal. Visa Extensions are dealt with by the local Public Security Bureau. The period of extension varies, but if travelers hold a 30-day visa, they can expect to obtain an extension of 15 days to one month. Second extensions are rarely granted. The penalty of overstaying your visa in China is at least RMB300 per day.

A foreigner who has lost his passport in China should promptly report to the local public security organ, explain what has happened, apply to the Embassy or Consulate of his own country for an exit document with a certificate issued by the local public security organ, and go through related formalities at an entry and exit inspection department. Only then is he allowed to leave China.

A foreigner staying in China with a tourist visa is not allowed to engage in activities beyond the capacity as a tourist, such as employment, religious propaganda and illegal journalist interviewing. Violators of this stipulation will be punished.

How many types of visa in china? What type of visa shall I apply for if I visit china as tourist?

There are four types of transit visas in China:

1. Tourist Visa

Tourist visas are issued to foreigners who enter China temporarily for vacation, visiting family or other personal affairs. It usually requires a letter from a Chinese tour agency confirming your trip to China or a letter from a family member inviting you to visit China.

2. Business Visa

Business visas are issued to foreigners who are visiting China temporarily for business purposes. This can include research, lectures, scientific & technological exchanges. To receive a business visa, you will need an official invitation from a Chinese business contact.

3. Work Visa

Work visas are issued to foreigners who are moving to China work. The foreigner must have a position secured in China and work with their employer to file the paperwork required to receive the visa. Visa will be extended to immidiate members accompanying them to China.

4. Student Visa

Student visas are issued to foreigners who come to China for study. If you are visiting China for a conference or lectures, you should probably apply for a business visa. You will need a letter for the hosting school to receive the visa.

How I can get the Chinese Visa?

Link to Visa Application Form

You can apply to the Chinese embassy or consulate in your nation for a tourist visa. You can either go to the embassy to get an application form in person or download the application form by visiting the website of the embassy or consulate. The costs and the length of time to process a visa vary from country to country

When applying for a visa, foreigners are required to answer certain questions and go through the following formalities:

A: Providing a valid passport or any document in place of a passport. Your passport (original, not a copy), which must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel, with at least one blank visa page (amendment pages and pages with bar codes are not acceptable for visa stamping).

B: Filling in a completed, signed Visa Application Form and handing in 2 up-to-date passport photos. The photo must be similar to the one in your passport. Only photos which are head-only, full frontal, with a white background, approximately 1-1/2″ by 2″ are acceptable. Cut-outs from personal photographs are not acceptable.

C: Submitting documents needed for visa application and documents which explain one’s reason(s) to enter China.

For group tourist visas, a confirmation letter from a provincial tourist bureau or a government-authorized Chinese travel agency; a name list of the whole group in triplicate and one copy of the information page of each passport are required.

If I visit Hong kong as a tourist, do I need visa?

For Canadian and US passport holders, visa is not required for Hong Kong if your stay is less than 90 days as a tourist. For other passport holders, please consult with your nearest PRC embassy or consulate.

If you are travelling to Hong Kong first, visas for the rest of China can be obtained fairly quickly from the Visa Section, Office of the Commissioner, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, People’s Republic of China, 5/F Lower Block, China Resources Building, 26 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong

Tel of the office: ++852-25851657 OR ++852-25851680 OR ++852-25851794

1) You need to go there Monday to Friday during business hours.

2) The visa will be processed within 24 hours

Requirements to obtain a Visa in Hong Kong

A. 1 recent passport photo.

B. Passport which needs to be valid at least more than 3 months.

C. Call the office before your visit.

A China Tourist and Business (F) Visa can be obtained easily in Hong Kong. It can be obtained with the help of a travel agent but at least 3 full working days should be allowed for this procedure

If I visit Maocau as a tourist, do I need a visa?

Residents of the following countries would be granted visa-free entry to Macau. Passport holders of other countries not specified hereunder should apply a visa for entry admission.

The following counties are visa-free to enter Macau

India, Indonesia, Japan, Lebanon, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom

Egypt, Seychelles, South Africa

Brazil, Canada, Mexico, USA, Uruguay

Australia, Kiribati, New Zealand, Samo

What kind of visa should I apply for if I need to leave and re-enter mainland China?

You need to apply for “double” or “multiple” entry Visa if you need to leave and re-entering mainland China. Please keep in mind that even when you leave for Hong Kong, Macao from mainland China, you still need to have “double” or “multiple” entry Visa.

Passport Requirement

The Chinese government requires that your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the expiry date of your visa.

　　You’ll need at least one-entire blank page in your passport for the visa. Your country’s embassy or consulate can usually add additional pages to your passport if need be.

　　Losing your passport is very bad news indeed. Getting a new one takes time and money. However, if you will be staying in China or any foreign country – for a long time, it helps tremendously to register your passport with your embassy. This will eliminate the need to send telexes back to your home country to confirm that you really exist.

　　If you lose your passport, you should certainly have some ID card with your photo many embassies require this before issuing a new passport. Some embassies will accept a driver’s license, but others will not – an expired passport will often save the day.

Foreign Embassies In China

Canada Add: Room 604, Shanghai Shang Cheng Xi Feng No.1376 Nanjing Xi Lu, Shanghai Tel: 021-6279 8400 Fax: 021-6279 8401

United States of America Add: No.1469, Huaihai Zhong Lu, Shanghai Tel: 021-6433 6880 Fax: 021-6474 6867

Canada Add: Room 801, Grand Hotel of China Liuhua Lu, Guangzhou Tel: 020-8666 0569 Fax: 020-8667 2401

United States of America Add: 1 South Shamian Jie, 510016 Tel: 020-8188 8911 Fax: 020-8186 0201

Consulate of Canada Add: Metropolitan Tower Suite 1705, Wuyi Lu, Yuzhongqu, Chongqing 40010 Email: [email protected] Tel: 6373 8007 Fax: 6373 8007

Consulate General of the United States of America Consular District: Chongqing municipality, the provinces of Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan, Tibetan Autonomous Region Office: Consulate Road No.4, 4th section Renming Nan Lu, Chengdu Tel: 028-558 3992 / 558 9642 Fax: 028-558 3520

Embassy of Canada Add: 19 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Sanlitun Tel: 6532 3536 Fax: 6532 4072

Embassy of the United States of America Add: 3 Xiushui Bei Lu, Jianguomenwai Tel: 6532 3831 Fax: 6532 3297

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El itinerario perfecto por Sicilia Oriental: Catania, Taormina o Siracusa

Sicilia es la isla más grande de Italia y del Mediterráneo. También es una de las regiones culturalmente más ricas de Europa. Preciosos pueblos y ciudades históricas salpican el horizonte verde que va de las montañas al Mar Mediterráneo.

Tanto fenicios, como griegos, romanos, bizantinos, árabes y varios imperios europeos controlaron Sicilia. ¡Todo el mundo quería poseer este pedazo hermoso de nuestro planeta! Como hay naturaleza y patrimonio histórico por toda la isla, lo difícil es elegir a dónde ir.

Si es tu primera vez en la región, te recomendamos el siguiente itinerario por Sicilia oriental. Si tienes poco tiempo tendrás que elegir entre Catania, Taormina o Siracusa. Pero no te preocupes; ¡las tres son unas ciudades increíbles!

¿Estás organizando tu viaje a Catania/Taormina/Siracusa?

Catania: los mejores hoteles, habitat (hotel moderno en el casco antiguo), duomo suites & spa (hotel de lujo en el casco antiguo), los mejores tours en catania, monte etna: teleférico, jeep y excursión a pie (desde 114 eur), tour a pie por catania (desde 22 eur), taormina: los mejores hoteles, villa sirami (cerca de la porta messina), excelsior palace hotel (al lado de la porta catania), los mejores tours en taormina, etna, vino y cañones del alcantara  (desde 103 eur), tour a pie por taormina (desde 19 eur), siracusa: los mejores hoteles, maison ortigia (en ortigia, cerca de la catedral), b&b nostos (en el centro de la ciudad), los mejores tours en siracusa, tour de día completo por siracusa y noto (desde 90 eur), tour a pie por siracusa (desde 90 eur), ¿necesitas traslado desde el aeropuerto de catania , puedes reservar tu traslado con nuestro socio welcome pickups, ¿necesitas seguro para italia, comprueba los precios de seguro de viaje para italia con nuestro socio safetywing, catania, taormina o siracusa – ¿cómo elegir.

El itinerario perfecto por Sicilia oriental dependerá del número de días con los que cuentes para visitar una, dos o las tres ciudades. Toma nota que una introducción rápida por la zona requiere de por lo menos un día en cada ciudad. Por supuesto que en un viaje tan corto por Sicilia no vas a poder conocerlas bien, pero un día es suficiente para ver los principales atractivos de cada ciudad.

En ese sentido, si solo vas a pasar un fin de semana en Sicilia no trates de ver las tres ciudades. Si tal es el caso, lo mejor es que conozcas solo Catania, y una de las otras dos joyas de Sicilia, Siracusa o Taormina. Con total honestidad , la arquitectura y el paisaje de Taormina y de Siracusa son más espectaculares . Sin embargo, el ambiente en Catania es único y la ciudad está bien conectada con toda la isla.

Te recomendamos visitar las tres ciudades si tienes por lo menos cuatro días. Evidentemente, si tienes más tiempo, tienes que visitar el Monte Etna y los pueblos barrocos de Val di Noto como Ragusa o Modica .

Cómo viajar entre Catania, Taormina and Siracusa

Como te contábamos, Catania es la ciudad mejor conectada de Sicilia oriental, y un importante centro de turismo. El Aeropuerto Internacional Fontanarossa de Catania, donde operan vuelos de muchísimos destinos europeos, queda a 4 kilómetros al sur oeste de la ciudad. Catania queda entre Taormina y Siracusa, por lo que es el principal centro de transporte de Sicilia oriental.

Varios trenes al día conectan Catania con ambas ciudades. El viaje en tren por la costa de Sicilia desde Catania a Taormina demora entre 30 a 60 minutos. Desde Catania a Siracusa demora poco más de una hora. También hay algunos trenes directos desde Taormina a Siracusa .

Toma nota que la estación de trenes de Taormina Giardini queda a 2 kilómetros abajo del centro, por lo que tienes que tomar un bus o un taxi para llegar a la ciudad. En Siracusa, puedes caminar tanto al casco histórico como a los restos arqueológicos desde la estación de trenes. La estación de trenes de Catania queda en el centro de la ciudad.

Ubicada bajo el imponente Etna, distintas erupciones y terremotos catastróficos destruyeron Catania varias veces a lo largo de su historia. ¡Por lo menos unas 7 veces la ciudad fue cubierta por cenizas!

Sin embargo, Catania sobrevivió siempre, y hoy en día es uno de los mejores ejemplos de arquitectura barroca del mundo. Por ello, en el 2002 la UNESCO incluyó al centro barroco de Catania en su Lista de Patrimonio de la Humanidad.

Pero Catania es mucho más que eso. Hay ruinas antiguas por toda la ciudad, un castillo medieval, un parque meticulosamente cuidado, un mercado auténtico, y hasta un centro de exhibiciones post industrial muy cool. Si te gusta la noche tampoco la vas a pasar mal. En la ciudad está el distrito alternativo de San Berillo.

Principales lugares de interés

La mayor parte del casco antiguo de Catania es de comienzos del siglo 18. El terremoto de 1693 destruyó la ciudad por completo, matando aproximadamente a dos tercios de su población. La ciudad entera fue reconstruida tras el terremoto y también se construyeron iglesias y palacios nuevos.

Si bien la Catedral de Catania original es del siglo 11, la apariencia actual es mayormente de 1711. Es más, la cúpula fue agregada un siglo más tarde.

El epicentro de la plaza de la catedral, Piazza del Duomo, es la original Fuente del Elefante . La misteriosa fuente es del siglo 18, pero el elefante de basalto probablemente sea de épocas romanas. Toda la zona de la catedral está poblada de palacios barrocos, tales como el Ayuntamiento y la Universidad .

Otros lugares que visitar en Catania

En Catania hay una gran cantidad de lugares interesantes para visitar. Por ello se necesitan al menos dos días para ver sus principales atractivos. El famoso mercado del pescado, La Pescheria , está al lado de la plaza principal. ¡No te lo vayas a perder!

De entre las muchas ruinas antiguas, el Teatro Romano es la más interesante. El Castillo Ursino del siglo 13 fue la residencia real del Reino de Sicilia. Camina a lo largo de la Via dei Crociferi para admirar los edificios históricos más bonitos de la ciudad.

No dejes de visitar el Monastero dei Benedettini y la adyacente iglesia San Nicoló l’Arena . Sube hasta arriba para disfrutar de vistas increíbles sobre la ciudad y el monte Etna. El parque más viejo y bonito de Catania es el elegante Jardín Bellini . Para una dosis de arte, camina hasta el centro de exhibiciones Le Ciminiere .

Dónde alojarse en Catania

En Catania nos quedamos en el encantador Palazzo Perrotta en el centro de la ciudad. Ubicado a pocos minutos del Teatro Massimo Bellini, entre la catedral y la estación de trenes, es uno de los mejores lugares ara alojarse en Catania .

Nuestra habitación era muy cómoda, con un balcón con vistas. En el desayuno comíamos pasteles caseros en la terraza con vistas directas al Monte Etna. Si prefieres quedarte en un hotel moderno, Habitat es una excelente opción en esa zona.

Para el que quiera darse un lujo está el elegante Duomo Suites & Spa . Ubicado sobre la plaza principal, tiene una terraza con vistas y un spa.

Los mejores tours de Catania

Si no te apetece viajar solo, te recomendamos tomar este tour por Catania. Un local experto te lleva por la ciudad. Puedes adaptar el recorrido a tus propios intereses y tu guía estará encantado de llevarte.

Ahora, si tienes poco tiempo, contrata este tour a pie por la ciudad. Un guía experto te lleva a los lugares más destacados de la ciudad. Es una excelente manera de conocer gente local y explorar la ciudad en un par de horas.

Catania es una excelente base para ir al Monte Etna. Este tour te lleva hasta los cráteres en un automóvil privado con un guía experto. Puedes ir por la mañana o por la tarde. El tour incluye delicias sicilianas y vino.

Rodeada de bosques verdes, Taormina es pura naturaleza. El casco antiguo está en la cima del Monte Tauro, arriba del Mar Iónico. El paisaje lo completan villas encantadoras, iglesias elegantes, y ruinas milenarias. Era inevitable que las potencias pelearan por conquistarla.

La historia de Taormina empieza en el siglo 8 AC cuando la tribu itálica Sículos se estableció en la zona. Desde ahí, ha cambiado de gobernantes constantemente.

En el siglo 19 se convirtió en un centro turístico de fama internacional. Fue el destino vacacional de reyes, reinas, artistas, escritores, y actores. Sin duda alguna, todo itinerario por Sicilia oriental tiene que incluir Taormina, quizás su principal centro de turismo.

Te recomendamos nuestro post sobre los mejores hoteles de lujo en Taormina .

El centro histórico de Taormina sigue la calle principal Corso Umberto . Esta calle peatonal pintoresca empieza en la Porta Catania y termina en la Porta Messina . Hoteles, tiendas y restaurantes pueblan la calle.

Aquí encontrarás la Catedral de Taormina que parece una fortaleza. Esta iglesia del siglo 15 tiene una apariencia Siciliana, Románica y Gótica. Aproximadamente a la mitad de ambas entradas, encontrarás la plaza Piazza 9 Aprile . Nunca te vas a olvidar de las vistas desde la plaza principal de Taormina.

El Antiguo Teatro de Taormina es el atractivo más famoso de la ciudad. Si bien su forma y tamaño son evidentemente griegos, los materiales utilizados (ladrillo) sugieren que es de épocas romanas. ¡El lugar es una maravilla arquitectónica y natural!

Otros lugares que visitar en Taormina

Lo mejor que puedes hacer en Taormina es caminar a lo largo del acantilado para admirar las vistas de la costa Iónica de Sicilia. Tan pronto como salgas de la Porta Messina, dobla a la derecha en Via Luigi Pirandello y da la vuelta al teatro antiguo.

A los pocos minutos llegarás al Belvedere di Via Pirandello desde donde se puede ver la preciosa Isola Bella . A unos pasos la calle cambia de nombre a Via Bagnoli Croci. Es aquí donde vas a encontrar los jardines públicos, Giardini della Villa Comunale . Este fabuloso parque de fines del siglo 19 sigue el modelo de parque inglés.

Cuando estés de regreso en el centro de la ciudad, busca el Naumachie . En este pequeño jardín los romanos jugaban simulando batallas. De entre las varias Iglesias, la más interesante es la Chiesa di San Pancrazio .

Dónde alojarse en Taormina

Puedes quedarte en Catania e ir en excursión a pasar el día a Taormina y Siracusa, o pasar una noche en cada sitio. Sin embargo, ¡toma nota que los hoteles en Taormina no son baratos!

Si no te importa caminar un poco, la genial Villa Sirami está a 5 minutos de la Porta Messina. Tienen todo lo que necesitas: habitaciones cómodas y vistas fantásticas. Otro gran hotel cerca de los jardines públicos es el Taormina Park Hotel . Tienen habitaciones con balcones, y un spa.

Si lo tuyo son los hoteles históricos, tienes que quedarte en el soberbio Excelsior Palace Hotel . Este palacio de estilo oriental viene recibiendo huéspedes desde 1904. Su ubicación es privilegiada, sobre el acantilado de Porta Catania, tiene un parque privado, y probablemente mejores vistas que cualquier otro hotel.

Los mejores tours de Taormina

Si prefieres recorrer la ciudad en compañía, te sugerimos este tour privado de medio día. Nos gusta porque tú decides cuánto tiempo quieres caminar. Un guía local experto te lleva a descubrir los principales lugares de interés de la ciudad.

Para un recorrido más corto, contrata este tour a pie al atardecer. Tu guía local te lleva por la ciudad en 2,5 horas. Una vez hayas terminado con los lugares de interés, puedes disfrutar de una puesta de sol espectacular y un aperitivo en una de las mejores terrazas con vistas de la ciudad.

También puedes combinar el Monte Etna y Taormina. Es un tour de un día completo . Ves los cráteres con una furgoneta privada y un guía experto. En el camino de vuelta, pararás en un pueblo encantador. Luego explorarás Taormina.

Ubicada en la esquina sur de Sicilia oriental, la historia de Siracusa es gloriosa. Los griegos antiguos la fundaron en el Siglo 8 antes de Cristo y pronto se convirtió en una ciudad poderosa. Tan así, que en el pico de su poder, solo rivalizaba con Atenas .

Fue la capital de la gobernación de Sicilia durante tiempos romanos. En los siglos sucesivos fue la capital del Imperio Bizantino por poco tiempo y luego, del Emirato de Sicilia.

En tiempos medievales, Siracusa continuó floreciendo, pero el devastador terremoto de 1693 lo destruyó todo. Por eso, la apariencia actual de Siracusa es barroca (como Catania). La UNESCO incluyó a toda la ciudad de Siracusa y sus capas históricas en su lista de Patrimonio de la Humanidad.

A diferencia de Catania y Taormina, donde la mayoría de sitios quedan cerca uno del otro, en Siracusa hay dos zonas principales: el Parque Arqueológico Neapolis y la Isola di Ortigia. El principal atractivo del Parque Arqueológico es el bien conservado Teatro Griego .

Construido en el 470 AC es uno de los más grandes de su tipo. En su escenario se han presentado obras importantes a través de los siglos, incluyendo trabajos de Sofocles y Aischylos. Además, el parque arqueológico tiene un anfiteatro romano y una cantera Atomia dei Paraiso , con la famosísima Cueva la Oreja de Dionisio .

Hay muchas cosas que ver y hacer en la Isla de Ortigia . Lo mejor es la Piazza del Duomo , presidida por la espectacular Catedral de Santa Maria delle Colonne de Sicilia. Este suntuoso templo barroco contiene los restos de un templo antiguo del siglo 5 AC.

Otros lugares que visitar en Siracusa

Tienes que pasar un par de horas explorando el parque arqueológico. El lugar vale la pena. Camino a la isla vas a ver una torre cónica rara. Pertenece al Santuario della Madonna delle Lacrime , un altar conmemorando un milagro de 1953.

Una vez que estés en la isla, no te pierdas los restos del Templo de Apolo , el templo Dórico más antiguo de Sicilia. Continua en esa dirección hasta que llegues a la Piazza di Archimede , con su fuente de Artemisa.

Si caminas a lo largo de la costa oeste, vas a llegar al Fonte Aretusa , un lugar lleno de leyendas y el hogar de las únicas plantas de papiro de Europa. Camina hasta la punta de la isla y veras el Castillo Maniace , una impresionante fortaleza medieval. No te olvides de pasar por el colorido Mercado de Ortigia .

Dónde alojarse en Siracusa

Hay muchos buenos hoteles en Siracusa . Como la mayoría de atractivos están en la Isla de Ortigia, y el ambiente es único, quédate ahí. Uno de nuestros hoteles favoritos es la Maison Ortigia . Ubicada a tan solo 200 metros de la catedral, sus habitaciones con balcones tienen vistas buenísimas.

Otro excelente lugar en la isla es el reconocido Grand Hotel Ortigia . Se trata de un hotel histórico con instalaciones de primera, incluyendo una terraza con quizás las mejores vistas de todo Siracusa. ¡En verano puedes disfrutar de su playa privada! En invierno también, pero sin meterte en el mar.

Si prefieres quedarte en el centro de la ciudad, entre la isla y el parque arqueológico, el B&B Nostos es para ti. Una vez más, buenas habitaciones y todavía mejores vistas.

Los mejores tours de Siracusa

Puede visitar Siracusa, Ortigia y Noto con este tour de un día completo. Es la mejor manera de conocer a otros viajeros. Un guía local te lleva por Siracusa y Ortigia y luego subes a una furgoneta privada para ir a Noto.

Si prefieres solo visitar Siracusa, haz este tour a pie . En aproximadamente dos horas recorres Ortigia con un guía experto. Es un grupo pequeño y en inglés. Puedes hacerlo por la mañana o por la tarde.

La mejor manera de ver Ortigia es desde un barco. Este tour te lleva por la isla. Pasas por debajo de puentes y visitas cuevas increíbles. ¡Puedes bañarte en el Mediterráneo! Para un paseo en barco con aperitivo al atardecer contrata este tour .

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