By Coley Dale
Special to Material Handling Network

China, which is expected to soon surpass Japan as the world’s second-largest national economy after the U.S., is an increasingly important manufacturing and trading hub for American companies. Yet, travelling to China on business can seem daunting since it presents unfamiliar challenges and opportunities when compared to work-related visits to more familiar Western countries. After seven years of working in China, here are my recommendations for ensuring an effective, economical and enjoyable business trip to China:

1. Money and Credit Cards
Arrive with cash on hand so that you can exchange it for local currency, which you will need for incidentals like cabs and other transportation. Money is easily exchanged at the airport and most hotels. American ATM cards connected to major networks work in most large Chinese cities. Hotels, restaurants, tour companies, and shops in the larger cities will accept most major credit cards, but it is wise to carry two different types such as a Visa and MasterCard to be safe. Also, be aware that many businesses impose a surcharge for the use of foreign credit cards so paying cash can provide a cost savings.

If you try to use credit cards while traveling yet haven’t told the issuers when you will be in China, you might have your card suspended for suspicion of fraud. To avoid this hassle, call your credit card companies before you depart so they know that you’ll be in China. Still, even with such precaution, some ATMs might not permit you to make withdrawals with credit cards and you’ll have to shop around to find one that does. Also, it pays to check with your credit card and ATM issuers to see what rates they charge for usage in China since fees and percentages vary considerably.

2. Communications
Even if it is possible to use your existing cell phone and carrier while in China, such usage can be expensive due to high roaming charges. Check your carrier’s rates from China before traveling. If you have a China-compatible SIM card phone (call your carrier to check), you can easily buy a prepaid SIM card to replace your current SIM card. A more expensive option is to buy prepaid phone cards which are sold throughout China and can be used from most phones. One of the most economical communications tools is Skype which works over most Internet connections in China. You can call other Skype users throughout the world for free or pay a low rate for most calls to landlines or mobile phones in other countries.

High-speed Internet access is available at most hotels with business customers. Fast WiFi is increasingly common throughout China and can be used for free in many coffee shops and restaurants. And while some U.S. websites like Facebook and Twitter are blocked, accessing and using the Internet in China will seem quite familiar for the most part. However, if you try to use Google and don’t understand Chinese, you will likely be frustrated since searches are routed through Google in Hong Kong and the buttons appear in Chinese characters.

3. Hotels
Ninety-percent of the hotels in China are not brand names that most Westerners recognize. Yet the country offers a wide range of accommodations that compare quite favorably with options found in Western countries. Ctrip, China’s largest online travel provider, features the country’s most comprehensive online hotel database and an English-language reservations system. Due to Ctrip’s negotiating clout with hotels, it offers the best hotel rates which it backs up with a best price guarantee. Ctrip’s well-staffed English helpline will provide assistance in communicating with your hotel before, during, or after your trip which can be extremely useful due to language barriers.

In addition, consider hotels with workout facilities (an excellent cure for jet lag) and free high-speed Internet. When you check-in, ask for a business card with the hotel's address on it in both English and Chinese so you can give it to taxi drivers for hassle-free cab rides back to the hotel.

4. Flights
The best airfares to China from U.S. cities can often be found with Chinese airlines, which are growing dramatically and offer some of the world’s newest planes and experienced flight crews. Within China itself, increased competition amongst airlines means that there are many discounts offered for domestic flight tickets. Ctrip sells more tickets for travel in China than any other website and is quick to post special domestic and international airfare deals to help travelers save money.

5. Language
It’s not necessary to speak Mandarin to travel comfortably in China – especially in the big cities where there are many English speakers. However, learning basic conversational terms can go a long way to demonstrating your genuine interest in Chinese culture which will make a positive impression on those you meet. Two excellent Mandarin learning tools are ChinesePod (online language lessons) and Rosetta Stone (interactive CDs). Or, consider downloading free or low-cost Mandarin languages apps for your smart phone such as those from Odyssey Translator and WorldNomads which translate basic words and phrases from English into Mandarin.

For additional tips on planning a successful business trip to China, please visit http://bit.ly/chinatips.