Renting a car in Shenyang

More often than not, renting a car means standing in long lines, discovering that the car you reserved is not available and learning that the price quoted over the phone doesn't include Addressitional charges such as Shenyang Insurance, coverage for more than one driver and refueling fees. Although we can't guarantee a pleasurable experience every time you rent a car in Shenyang, the following information can reduce the number of times you encounter problems at the rental counter by learning about your rights and several tips.

Driving License

Before you rent a car, it is important to know that:

• Foreigners cannot drive without a Chinese driving license.
• International driving license is not recognized in China
• For the foreigners who have the driver's license of their own country: they should convert a Chinese driver's license.
• Your personal automobile insurance policy may have restrictions or limitations on driving in Shenyang. Check your coverage, including the terms of your credit card policy, before you rent in Shenyang.

The procedures of driver's license converting

Go to the Foreign Affairs' Section of the Vehicle's Administrative office of the Administrative Bureau of Public Securityand Traffic. Bring your

• Passport or other form of identification
• Chinese driver's license
• A friend who is willing to keep his/her Shenyang Residency Certificate with the agency.
• Cash for deposit. Amount depends on car model

Your Rights When You Reserve a Rental Car in Shenyang

If you have reserved a car and the company does not have the car you reserved available for you, the company must do everything it can to find you a different car from its fleet. If the only available car is more expensive, you don??t have to pay the higher rate. If no car is available, you can rent from another company or take a taxi and then seek reimbursement from the original car rental company. Making a reservation is a two-way street. Nearly all rental car companies charge penalties for four-wheel drives, minivans, convertibles and other specialty rentals if you fail to cancel a reservation in advance or are a no-show. Some companies are testing similar policies on their standard rental cars.

People without credit or debit cards

Most rental car companies require a major credit card or debit card as a way to secure a deposit from you at the time of rental. If you don't have a credit or debit card, you can get a prepaid voucher through your travel agent by paying for the rental car first at the travel agency and bringing the voucher to the rental counter. But, even if you use a voucher, many rental car companies still require a credit or debit card as a deposit when you rent the car.

Rental Rates and Fees

Rental car companies charge rental fees as well as many other special fees and charges. Here's the low-down:

Rental Rates

Rental car companies usually charge rental rates per day of the week. The rate may include unlimited mileage. Or, you may be charged per mile for each mile over a certain limit. Many companies offer lower rates for weekend or week-long rentals. Also, members of organizations, such as the American Automobile Association, often can get discounted rates.

Other Fees and Charges

The prices shown below are for example ONLY.

Most car rental companies tack on a number of Addressitional fees and charges. They must notify you of these fees before you sign the rental agreement. Here are the ones you're most likely to encounter:

Fees for renting at airport: Airports and local governments often Address surcharges and taxes to rental car rates.

Addressitional driver fees: Most Shenyang rental car companies charge extra for anyone who drives the car other than the person who signs the rental agreement.

Child safety seat fees: All states require children under a certain age to be placed in child car seats. If you don't bring your own seat, you will be required to rent one, usually at a cost of $3-$5 per day or $25 per week.

Vehicle drop-off fees: Many rental car companies charge higher rates for dropping off a car at a location other than where you rented. Charges for picking up the car in one city and dropping it off in another can be as high as $1,000.

Refueling charges: Most companies require you to return the rental car with a full tank of gas. If you don't, you'll be forced to pay the company's inflated gas prices, as much as $3 per gallon.

Rental Car Insurance and Loss Damage Waiver

Rental car companies in Shenyang will ask if you want to pay extra for car insurance. You don't have to buy this insurance, and usually you shouldn't. To determine if you need to buy extra rental insurance, check all of the following. To see if they provide insurance coverage for a rental car:

• Your own car insurance and homeowner's insurance
• Your employer's insurance, if you are traveling on business
• Your credit cards: many provide insurance for the rental car if you charge the fee on your card
• Your automobile club memberships.

Shenyang Huaxin Car Rental
No.240 Kunshan Xi Road, Huanggu District.
Tel: 8605-2500
Fax: 8601-2750

No.245 Wanshou Street, Shenhe District.
Tel: 2295-5858, 2294-0950, 22946326
Fax: 2294-0943

ZhongshanPark north gate, Heping District.
Tel: 2321-8329

No.22 jia Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District.
Tel: 2593-3200, 2593-3255

Tianqing Car Rental
No.124-8 Sanhao Street, Heping District.
Tel: 23974658
Fax: 23974659

Guangli He Car Rental
No.107 Changqing Street, Dongling District
Tel: 024-24822417 24822258

Public Transportation in Shenyang

Shenyang's bus network covers the entire urban area comprehensively and is very cheap. Buses can be very crowded and often move only slowly due to traffic congestion. Frequencies on main routes average once every five or ten minutes. Few routes have all-night services. There is a complex fare system based on the number of stops you pass; just ask the attendant what your fare is. Take some small change with you, and watch out for pickpockets. There are also minibuses which follow the standard bus routes and will pick up and let down passengers anywhere. The price is just 1yuan for the single drive to go anywhere in Shenyang.

Taxi Services

Taxi drivers generally do not speak any English, so unless your Mandarin is excellent, be sure to have the Addressress written in Chinese. Collect business cards from any place you think you might want to frequent. The information desks at all the large hotels are helpful. Tell them where you want to go and they will write it on a card for you in Chinese. Write the name in English on the same card and keep it for future use. Taxis are available at all the hotels and are also easy to flag down on the street. The rate is posted on the window of each taxi. The fare rate now for the most popular Santana, which takes up more than half of the city's taxi market, is only RMB1.2 yuan per kilometer, the fare rate for the better condition ones and new models is RMB1.6 per kilometer. Overcharging is almost unheard of. If you are stopping for only a minute at a store, take your belongings with you and ask the driver to wait - they generally will if it is ok to park.