Seeking your own Olympian challenge? Want to be a part of history? Intending to book a return flight to Beijing to watch the biggest event of the year?

Attending the Beijing Games this August might be tempting, but Australians planning to watch the Games live in China should prepare as early as possible.

Travel advice for China: Advice for Australians to be alert to their own security

Things to do before you go: We strongly encourage all Australians travelling to China for the Summer Olympics to:

• register your travel and contact details, so we can contact you in an emergency;
• subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued; and
• organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy.

You should also contact your mobile telephone service provider to check whether your mobile telephone will work in China.

Entry and Exit Requirements: Tickets to the Games are not a guarantee that you will get a visa. You need to go through the normal visa application process with the closest embassy or consulate of China. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the duration of your intended stay and you must also be able to provide evidence of a return or onward ticket.

You should be aware that Chinese authorities have implemented more stringent visa issuing requirements. Authorities have also tightened the enforcement of documentation requirements for tourist (L) and business (F) visa applications, while the number of multiple entry visas issued has been reduced. You are strongly encouraged to contact your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate for detailed information. This should be done well ahead of your departure date. Wherever possible, you should apply for a Chinese visa in your country of residence.

For information on Chinese visas and entry and exit requirements, contact:

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
15 Coronation Drive
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Tel: +61 2 6273 4780
Fax: +61 2 6273 4878
Email: chinaemb_au@mfa.gov.cn
Web: http://au.china-embassy.org/eng/

Dual nationals: Chinese authorities do not recognise dual nationality. Dual Australian/Chinese nationals should read the dual nationals section in the travel advisory for China and our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure.

If you are a dual Australian-Chinese national we strongly urge you to travel on your Australian passport. If you do not Chinese authorities will regard you as a Chinese national and we may not be able to provide you with consular services

Event Safety: Chinese authorities are responsible for security arrangements for the Games and you should follow their instructions. More than half a million people are expected to travel to China to attend the Games, with the largest daily visitor-inflow estimated at 300,000, so expect large crowds and possible delays.

Accommodation and local travel: Due to the expected visitor numbers, you should secure your hotel booking and confirm your travel arrangements as early as possible. You should expect large crowds when travelling to Games venues and plan your travel accordingly.

You may need permission to travel to some regions of China, such as Tibet and other remote areas. Check with the Chinese embassy (see below) before making travel plans.

Health Issues: Travellers with medical conditions should take special care in their preparation for the trip, get medical advice well before leaving Australia and pack sufficient medicine.

The climate and air quality may cause health problems for some travellers, particularly those with pre-existing conditions. You should speak to your doctor about prevention and remedies before you depart.

Comprehensive travel insurance to cover medical costs is vital. Hospitals and doctors may require up-front payments or guarantees. Medical evacuations can be very expensive. High quality health care and familiar medications may not be available, particularly outside major cities. You will need a prescription from a Chinese doctor to buy prescription drugs in China.

You should also be aware of the possibility of encountering difficulty in a Chinese hospital due to cultural, language and regulatory differences.

For more detailed health information, see the Health Issues section of the travel advisory for China.

There have been human deaths from avian influenza in China. Please refer to our travel bulletin on avian influenza.

Local Laws and Customs: The Chinese public security authorities will respond swiftly and firmly to any unauthorised public gathering or demonstration, especially prior to and during the Games.

You should be aware of the Chinese Government's attitude towards current political and religious issues, including Tibet and Falungong. Documents, exposed film, photos, music, movies, audio tapes, CDs, DVDs, memory devices, etc. that have content harming to the Chinese government, economy, culture or principles are prohibited. Public security authorities are likely to react swiftly and firmly to visitors engaged in unauthorised political or religious activities, including gatherings, demonstrations, displays of banners and possession or distribution of material. Penalties could be severe by Australian standards. You should avoid all protests and demonstrations.

Burning, damaging, smearing or stamping on the Chinese national flag and emblem in the public will incur penalties up to three years in prison. Note that local laws apply to you and that while we will provide consular assistance we cannot get any charges lifted or get you out of prison or detention. Local legal processes will need to take their course.

For more details, see the Local Laws section of the travel advisory for China.

Getting help in China: Travellers should familiarise themselves with the Getting Help Overseas section on the www.smartraveller.gov.au website to find out what the Australian Government can and cannot do to help Australians who find themselves in trouble overseas.

Consular assistance is available from:

Australian Embassy, Beijing
21 Donghimenwai Dajie
Sanlitun 100600
Telephone: (86 10) 5410 4111
Facsimile: (86 10) 5140 4292
Website: http://www.china.embassy.gov.au/

Australian Consulate-General
23/F Harbour Centre
25 Harbour Road
Wan Chai Hong Kong
Telephone (852) 2827 8111
Facsimile (852) 2585 4457

Australian Consulate-General
Level 22 Citiq Square
1168 Nanjing West Road
Shanghai 200041
Telephone (86 21) 5292 5500
Facsimile (86 21) 5292 5511

The 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre (CEC) in Canberra can be contacted for assistance from anywhere in the world on +61 2 6261 3305.

The Chinese Emergency Services (police, medical and fire) can be contacted in an emergency by calling 110.

Useful website:

Smart Traveller Safety Tips

This information was provided by smartraveller, The Australian Government's travel advisory and consular assistance service. For more information, click here