Know the Restrictions in China

World Travel Watch is a monthly report designed to help you make informed judgments about travel throughout the world. Because conditions can change overnight, always make your own inquiries before you leave home. In the United States, contact the nearest passport agency office; abroad, check in with the nearest American Embassy.

Asia

--China: Most major scenic and historic sites are open to foreigners, but travel without special permission in some areas is strictly prohibited. For information about traveling in closed areas, contact the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate; in China, check with the U.S. Embassy or nearest consulate.

Nightclubs in Beijing’s first-class hotels are no longer restricted to foreigners. A recent change in policy permits Chinese to drink and dance in the hotels.

--India: The Indian government has lifted all restrictions on travel by foreigners in the Punjab as one of a series of moves to reduce ethnic tensions in that troubled state.

--Sri Lanka: The recent convening of the first elected parliament in more than 11 years raised the hope that an end was in sight to the ethnic violence that has taken the lives of 8,500 people in the last five years.

Recent violence by the radical Janatha Vimukhti Peramuna, a Sinhalese rightist group attempting to overthrow the government, reconfirms that there will be no easy solution. Exercise caution, and register with the U.S. Embassy.

--Tibet: Martial law was declared in Lhasa, and almost all foreigners were expelled in early March in response to violent demonstrations marking the 30th anniversary of the unrest and Chinese repression that sent the Dalai Lama into exile. The border with Nepal was closed recently, and Tibet remains off limits to foreigners until further notice.

Africa

--Kenya: Tourism has become the top source of foreign exchange, recently passing coffee and tea, but it isn’t all good news. Some of the best-known parks and reserves are overcrowded with visitors, while those that are lesser known see few visitors annually. The government is pushing for more diversification in the industry, and stepping up its battle against poachers. Kenya still has the best tourism infrastructure in East Africa.

--Uganda: Travel around much of the country is safe, but parts of the north should continue to be avoided. Mbale, the route from the Kenyan border through Jinja to Kampala, and western Uganda including Queen Elizabeth National Park are generally safe for travel.

Due to occasional bandit and rebel activity, avoid travel to northern areas, including the towns of Kumi, Soroti, Lira and Gulu, and north to the borders with Kenya and Sudan. Travel by road to Arua in the West Nile region is not advised, and Kabelaga National Park should be avoided. Roads throughout the country are poor. Avoid night travel, and always carry your passport with valid visa to avoid delays at police roadblocks.

Mediterranean/Middle East

--Cyprus: Larnaca and Paphos international airports and the seaports of Limassol, Larnaca and Paphos remain the only legal points of entry. All are in the southern, Greek Cypriot-controlled region. Travelers who arrive at ports in the Turkish Cypriot-controlled region will not be allowed to cross into the southern area, even for transit purposes. Travelers who arrive at the designated ports in the south may be allowed to travel to the Turkish Cypriot area, but permission is not automatically granted. Contact the U.S. Embassy for current information.

--Kuwait: Although hostilities have ceased between Iran and Iraq, no formal peace treaty has been signed, and the potential for terrorist activity in Kuwait still exists. Travelers intending to remain in the country for an extended period should register with the U.S. Embassy.

Europe

--Britain: To the dismay of latter-day druids, Stonehenge will be closed for the summer solstice June 21 because of the costs and difficulties of controlling the annual swarm of celebrants.

--France: Reservations at Paris’s best hotels will be hard to get in mid-July, when bicentennial celebrations will be at their peak and the city will be host to an economic conference. Book as soon as possible.

--Italy: Severe drought has exacerbated Italy’s environmental problems, and Milan is now considered the world’s most polluted city.

South America

--Chile: The beaches at Vina del Mar, Chile’s fanciest resort, are polluted by untreated sewage that drains into the sea at several points along the shoreline. Authorities are hushing up the problem to avoid turning away tourists.

--Peru: Much of the central Andes region has been declared an emergency zone because of terrorist activity and should be avoided. The main tourist sites are not within this zone, but because of a faltering economy street crime has increased.

It is advisable to travel in large groups when hiking the Inca trail. Stay near well-traveled roads in Cuzco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Take the special tourist train when traveling to Machu Picchu, and exercise caution--thousands of visitors travel safely along this route every year, but there have been incidents of robbery and sabotage in the last four years, and there is no security along the route. Travel by public bus is not recommended because of poor maintenance, bad roads and the high incidence of robbery.

--Venezuela: For a few days in late February and early March, endemic poverty erupted in violence in Caracas and sent shock waves through the world financial community. Venezuela, a paragon of stability in Latin America, was the last place anyone expected to see such disturbances, but the culprit was clear: austerity measures brought on by crushing foreign debt.

During the emergency a curfew was put into effect, the rights of assembly and free speech were suspended, and detention without trial was permitted. These measures were lifted within a few days, and life has returned to normal while the government and international lending agencies work out plans to spur development.

For travelers, the country remains friendly and accessible. Street crime is less severe than in other Latin American capitals, but it’s still wise not to wear jewelry and to use common-sense precautions. Stay alert when walking because motorcyclists often drive on the sidewalk.

Central America

--El Salvador: The recent violent election and victory of the far-right Arena party indicates that peace may be a long way off for this troubled country. Exercise caution if you must travel there.

South Pacific

--Fiji: In a move to breathe life into its depressed tourism industry, the government recently reduced import duties on food, cars and construction materials. The move is expected to reduce the cost of meals, car rentals and hotel rooms.