doclrb

Dear UHH,

I am traveling on business to Beijing later in the year and was wondering about the following:

1. Is it wise to bring a camera, i.e., does doing so attract unnecessary scrutiny?

2. If one does, how does one comply with Chinese govt regulations regarding bringing storage devices or disks into the country? It seems like bringing an SD card in a camera into the country would be illegal.

Would appreciate any advice. BTW, I would prob just take my D50 (relatively expendable) and a 50 mm lens.

TY

Les

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Les, China is probably the most photogenic country in the world! I was there in 08, yes that's ten years ago but I had no problems whatsoever, anywhere.
I would take the best gear I have to get the best pics I can get!!
The only scrutiny in China is from the government, not the people ripping you off, that's in the USA!!! LoL
As long as you are within the rules in sensitive areas, I wouldn't worry about it. I never saw any. Just be self sufficient photography-wise because if you don't have it with you, you won't get it there(most 3rd world countries).
I would go back to China again and again if I could, what a magnificent place to photograph!!! Good luck
SS

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

Just returned from 2 weeks in China in May - Beijing, Xian, Chengdu & Shanghai. No problems taking in two cameras, SD cards, etc. Just be aware you have to carry-on extra batteries and all chargers, so they can be inspected. And can shoot anywhere other than obvious no-no ~ military installations, vehicles, etc. The people were very friendly and often wanted their picture taken with you. EVERYONE has cell phones and always on them, texting, etc. Be aware Google is not currently in China nor easy to access Facebook.

Beijing was very safe and clean and modern.

Hydro47 Loc: NW Indiana

I travel to China on business frequently. I have always carried my laptop with one or two external hard drives, plus at least one of my smaller cameras (PanLumix SZ50) and I have never had a problem with taking pictures everywhere I go. Be aware that even inside the second circle in Beijing, the water is unsafe to drink unless it has been boiled. Luckily, I like beer, and TsingTao is available everywhere. Do not miss the Great Wall at Badaling or the summer palace in Beijing. The Chinese are very family oriented, and you will often see them out and about in multi generational groups of three or four generations. Traffic in Beijing is horrible and unless you can read Chinese, you will not be able to drive yourself around.

markjay

I live in Shanghai - and in Beijing regularly.
You should bring whatever you need and not worry about anything. At immigration coming into the country - the Chinese never inspect anything (amazing as it sounds).

One thing to consider is looking at equipment in China. You will see more Chinese here with high end Japanese equipment than almost anywhere else in the world. I am not sure about Beijing - but Shanghai has a large shopping mart for camera equipment - all original (although it would be considered grey when back in the US) - but very cheap prices. Canon and Nikon are trying to develop this market aggressively and they are selling the same products here at lower prices.

Some other items - like products from Germany - you can probably get cheaper at B&H. If you go to a large camera market - you will find the range of Chinese products extraordinary - especially accessories. For example, you will see very high end carbon fiber tripods for a third of what you would pay in the US. If you happen to come to Shanghai - the maret is on the corner of Luban Road and Xietu Road - central location in Shanghai. It is q 6 floor building the size of a department store with hundreds of camera vendors in it. I am sure there must be something similar in Beijing.

bittermelon

Les, don't know where you got your information. What kind of scrutiny are you expecting? Everyday thousands of tourists enter China with all kinds of camera and computer. 99.9% of them just walk through the "nothing to declare" customs line, without anyone blinking. Unless you are a journalist and bringing in professional video camera, no one will care a wit about your camera.

Where do you get the idea that brining in SD card is illegal?



I am traveling on business to Beijing later in the year and was wondering about the following:

1. Is it wise to bring a camera, i.e., does doing so attract unnecessary scrutiny?

2. If one does, how does one comply with Chinese govt regulations regarding bringing storage devices or disks into the country? It seems like bringing an SD card in a camera into the country would be illegal.

Would appreciate any advice. BTW, I would prob just take my D50 (relatively expendable) and a 50 mm lens.

TY

Les[/quote]

df61743 Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

You can feel safe with whatever computer or photography equipment you want to take.

However, if you expect to use a tablet or computer to access the Internet, be aware China has a firewall that will block MANY web sites you may want to visit. I have successfully gotten past their firewall using a VPN. You might want to investigate and implement one of the many VPN services, after confirming they can get by the Chinese firewall. I know VIPERVPN can because I have used it there. I think IPVANISH will do it too.

Murray Loc: New Westminster

We went to China with my D71000, canon G9 and various lenses. We travelled through the country from north to south and never had a problem, other than they wanted to check my laptop on departure (no problem). We were there for a month, got checked once.

Murray Loc: New Westminster

Oh yes, sorry....no problem with memory cards.

hookedupin2005 Loc: Northwestern New Mexico

Good responses from many here at UHH. However, if you are still unsure, contact the closest Chinese embassy/consulate, and ask what the rules are.

RodM Loc: SE Virginia

Take your best camera and plenty of storage. Lots to photograph. I don't recall seeing any other tourists without nice cameras when we were there a few years ago. No one cares what you photograph in any areas you can get to. Much safer than many other countries.

11bravo

I travel in China every year for 2 months at a time. Never had a problem with my laptop or main and backup cameras (both bridge so no extra lenses). I carry 10+ SD cards, several external HDD's, never a problem. Your bags will be x-rayed on arrival, and any bag you carry will be x-rayed at train stations, subway stations (Beijing has an extensive system) and sometimes at bus stations. Never a problem.

Always carry your passport, needed for train or bus tickets. Also can be requested when entering Tiananmen square at checkpoint on sidewalk (and certainly if going to see the sunrise flag raising ceremony - get there EARLY). Depending on your age, admission discounts can be available (some places 62 or 65 can be half price, 70+ free, but not all), but again, passport for admissions required. Chinese have ID cards that are used everywhere - the authorities want to know who is where, but it's not intrusive, just a quick scan for them, a look for you.

Forbidden City definitely worth a visit, check times for performances at clock exhibit hall (some mechanical clocks activated). National museum, Tiananmen square, worth a visit, but be prepared to queue, so earlier is better. Walk around the hutong area (though it is now very popular and main pedestrian streets crowded).

For great wall, Badaling easiest to get to, but crowded (though it is extensive, once you climb the initial part, rather than returning the same way, continue on as you can make a loop for less crowded). My favorite was Jinshanling, a bit further, but less crowded, and able to hike a number of kms on top, few people.

Use a VPN to bypass the great firewall, I use witopia. No Google or Gmail without a VPN.

Make sure to have a Beijing pancake. Street vendors on most every street corner with a bus stop. Round propane griddle. Pour thin layer of batter, an egg, something that looks like a crisp waffle, spread some type of topping, then everything folded into a square, delicious, and filling. I miss those.

Murray Loc: New Westminster

Some excellent advice here from 11bravo.

11bravo

Only problem I've ever had was with aerosol cans, deodorant and jock itch spray (8.5 oz and 4 oz respectively). Both exceeded security limits at train stations (and all other security x-ray checkpoints). Sometimes enforced, other times not. Cans confiscated. Lesson learned; now travel with a deodorant stick and powder (the problem is the aerosol). I will say, security very nice about it.

TedC

We were in China at the end of March and had no problems with cameras. My tips would be 1) we were advised against taking photos of military personnel, police etc. 2) Li batteries need to be in your carry-on luggage for domestic flights, though this is the same as in the west and 3) there is a limit to the capacity of battery packs/rechargers that you can carry onto a plane.