Shooting in China; Anyone lately?

I thought I'd try posting here to get some feed back.

Has anyone been to China for a a shoot within the last six months?



I will be heading there in a month with a research team to go to the Wolong Panda Reserve. The Betacam will be staying home as we will be doing some extensive hiking. I'll be taking a Sony VX-2000 and assorted gear ( enough to fill a backpack) and a laptop to send back some clips for a web site while we are there.



My main concern ( and I have heard both sides) is getting through customs. I will be getting a Carte for all the gear, and possibly additional insurance as well. But since we are part of a research team, hopefully they don't think we are journalists. I have heard from some who have done the same thing and passed themselves off as tourists, and then I've heard that we need to inform the Top dogs we will be in country and moving about.



Another person was to have handled all our travel plans but they did'nt think this was "thatimportant" as they were told from the researchers ( but then again they are not the one with $10,000 of electronics gear on thier back) SO we are trying to get a letter form the Reserve stating the need for our services.



But does anybody else have any war stories with China?

( and I do mean connected to the post, I don't want to hear about your uncle in Korea :)

Well actually I would, but I don't have the time.



Thanks in advance.