DOT Beijing Office
Opening time:
8:30-12:30a.m
1:30-5:30p.m
Tel: 8610- 65128809
Email: pdot@dotbeijing.com
The Philippines is easily accessible from the travel capitals of the world. Air travel time to Manila from Beijing is (4 hours), Shanghai (3 ½ hours), Xiamen (2 hours, 15 minutes), Guangzhou (2 ½ hours), Hong Kong (2 hours) and Macau (2 hours).
An archipelago of 7,107 islands, the Philippines stretches from the south of China to the northern tip of Borneo. The existence of over a hundred ethnic groups and the multi-cultural mixture of Indo-Malay, Chinese, Spanish and American influences have molded a rich and unique Filipino culture and heritage.
Land Area: 299,764 sq. km.
Capital City: Manila
Time Zone: GMT + 8 hours
Climate: Dry (November-May).
Rainy (June-October).
Ave. temperatures: 78°F – 90°F
(25°C – 32°C); humidity is 77%.
Population: 84.61 million
Official Languages: Filipino and English
Religions: 82% Roman Catholic, 9% Protestant, 5% Muslim, 3% Buddhist
Unit of Measure: Metric System
Electricity: 220V, 60Hz.
Currency: Philippine Peso (PhP)
The Philippine Embassy in Beijing and all Philippine Consulates-
General in China, introduced in February 2002, simplified visa guidelines for Chinese nationals visiting the Philippines for a period not exceeding 59 days.
Individual visas are normally processed within three (3) working days. Group tour visas filed by accredited travel agencies may be released within 48 hours. Visa fee is RMB 250.
Applicants should be guided by the documentary and procedural requirements concerning applications for entry visas to the Philippines of PRC passport holders.
For more visa information, please log on to www.philembassy-china.org or call the Philippine Embassy or nearest Philippine Consulate-General in China.
HKSAR or BNO and Macau SAR passport holders may enter the country without visas for a stay not exceeding 7 days.
EMBASSY OF THE PHILIPPINES (BEIJING)
Address: No. 23 Xiu Shui Bei Jie,
Jian Gou Men Wai, Beijing 100600
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Tel: (86-10) 6532-2518;
6532-2451; 6532-1872 &
6532-4678
Fax: (86-10) 6532-3761;
6532-1921
E-MAIL: beijingpe@cinet.com.cn
philemb_beijing@yahoo.com
PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL (SHANGHAI)
Address: Suite 368, Shanghai Centre,
1376 Nan Jing West Road,
Shanghai 200040
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Tel: (86-21) 6279-8337
Fax: (86-21) 6279-8332
E-MAIL: pcg@philcongenshanghai.org
PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL (XIAMEN)
Address: No. 2 Ling Xiang Li, Lian Hua District,
Xiamen City, Fujian 361009
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Tel: (86-592) 513-0355; 513-0366
Fax: (86-592) 553-0803
E-MAIL: xiamenpc@winmail.cn
PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL (GUANGZHOU)
Address: Rm. 709-711, 7th Flr.,
Guangdong International Hotel
No. 339 Huanshi Dong Lu, Guangzhou,
Guangdong 510098
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Tel: (86-20) 8331-1461, 8331-0996
Fax: (86-20) 8333-0573
E-MAIL: gzphcggz@public1.guangzhou.gd.cn
PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL (HKSAR)
Address: 14/F, United Centre Bldg.,
95 Queensway, Admiralty,
HONG KONG, SAR,
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Tel: (852) 2823-8500, 2823-8501, 9332-7451
Fax: (852) 2866-9885, 2866-8559
To facilitate Customs examination, visitors are advised to fill in the Baggage Declaration Form before disembarking. Visitors carrying more than US$ 3,000 are required to declare the amount at the Central Bank of the Philippines counter situated at the Customs area. Foreign currency taken out upon departure must not exceed the amount brought in. Departing passengers are not allowed to bring out more than PhP 1,000 in local currency.
A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is required for travelers coming from infected areas. Children less than one year old are exempted but may be subject to isolation when necessary.
The international airports have adequate traveler facilities: tourist information & assistance counters, hotel & travel agency representatives, banks & ATMs, postal service, telephone booths, and medical clinics, among others. Baggage carts and porter services are available free of charge.
PHP750 for international departure and PHP200 for local departure (paid in Philippine pesos only). Departing passengers for international destinations are advised to check with airport or tourist information counters (Tel. Nos. (632) 524-1703; 832-2964) the departure fees which may change without notice.
Hospitals in the country are equipped with modern facilities to meet any medical need. In some remote towns and cities, clinics and health centers provide emergency medical attention. Most hotels and resorts provide medical assistance.
Private and government offices are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Most commercial establishments are open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. Banks are open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays, with automated teller machines (ATM) operating 24 hours.
International credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club, and American Express Card are accepted in major establishments.
• Metered and fixed rate taxis.
• Jeepneys and tricycles
• Buses
• Railway system – MRT and LRT
• Inter-island sea vessels and airlines
Filipino food is exotic, tasteful blend of Oriental, European, and American culinary influences. There is a wide variety of fresh seafood and delectable fruits. First class restaurants offer gourmet specialties as well as Filipino cuisine.
Metro Manila is the center of entertainment and cultural activities. The premier venue for the performing arts is the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The hubs of nightlife activities are the Remedios Circle in Malate, Ayala Center and The Fort at Bonifacio City in Makati, Timog and Tomas Morato Avenues in Quezon City, and Eastwood in Libis, Quezon City.
For visitors who want to try their fortunes at the gaming tables, there are casinos in Metro Manila and in the cities of Angeles, Olongapo, Tagaytay, Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, and Laoag. See www.newpagcor.com for listing of gaming facilities.
• Light clothes
• Warmer garments for mountain regions.
Optional on bills that include 10% service charge.
International and national direct dial phone and facsimile service, mobile phone sites, internet and e-mail facilities, and worldwide courier delivery service is widely available. Postal system is efficient.
Most national dailies are in English. Foreign publications are sold at major hotels, malls, and bookstores in Metro Manila and key cities. There are 7 national television stations which broadcast mainly in Filipino. Cable TV is availably in most hotels in Manila and in many parts of the country.
220 volts, A.C. 60 cycles. Most hotels have 110-volt outlets. The most commonly used plugs are two-headed and flat-pronged.
Tour packages, from day trips to five-day programs, are special ways of discovering the Philippines and its wealth of culture. Special interest activities include golfing, game-fishing, diving, white-water rafting and other aqua-sports, trekking, spelunking, and safari trips.
Information on tour itineraries may be obtained from the Philippine Tour Operators Association, tel. (632) 893-0284, or from the Tourist Information Center located at the ground floor of the DOT Bldg. on T.M. Kalaw Street, Manila, tel. (632) 524-2384 / 524-1703.
New Year's Day 1 January
EDSA Revolution Day 25 February
Maundy Thursday and
Good Friday Movable (March / April)
Araw ng Kagitingan 9 April
Labour Day 1 May
Independence Day 12 June
Benigno Aquino Day 21 August
National Heroes Day Last Sunday of August
All Saints Day 1 November
Andres Bonifacio Day 30 November
Christmas Day 25 December
Jose Rizal Day 30 December
