MONEY

The Chinese money is called Renminbi (meaning "People's Currency"). Its basic unit is Yuan. The current official exchange rate between the U.S. Dollar and Chinese Yuan (CNY) is 1:7.74 (1.00 Dollar = 7.74 Yuan). 1 Yuan equals 10 Jiao, and 1 Jiao equals 10 Fen (cent). You may change foreign currencies into CNY at banks or hotels according to the exchange rate of the day. Credit cards such as Visa, American Express and Master Card are acceptable at large hotels, restaurants and shopping centers.

ELECTRICITY

The electricity in China is 220V/50Hz. The standard wall socket has three-connectors in the shape different from that used in the US and Europe so that you need to bring a universal socket. However, in hotel bathrooms there is usually a socket of 110V for electric razors only. If you need to use electric appliances of 110V, you need to bring with you a 220V/110V converter.

 TELEVISION PROGRAMS

English TV programs are available in many hotels via satellite relay. China Central Television Station (CCTV-9) and some local TV stations also provide news and other programs in English.

 TELEPHONES AND POSTAL SERVICES

In towns and cities, IDD and postal services are available in all hotels and post offices. Phone cards can be purchased at post offices inside hotels, on newsstands and at airports. Telephone booths in the streets are mostly for local calls. The country code for China is 86 (Beijing 86-10; Shanghai 86-21).

INTERNET ACCESS

Most hotels in big cities provide broad-band internet services 24 hours at rooms with or without charges.

HOW TO USE CHOPSTICKS

You really have to master the art of using chopsticks if you visit China. In every restaurant, you will be provided with chopsticks instead of forks and knives. Don't be frightened. They are easy to use. Use your thumb and the fourth finger to grip one stick and your forefinger and middle finger to grip and control the other stick. After practicing a while, you will be able to pick up pieces of food. If you are able to pick up a bean with chopsticks, this means that you have "graduated". If you cannot use them, you can always ask for fork and knife in a tourist restaurant. But in ordinary restaurants, you may be told that they do not have them. If you are worried about it, take your own small folk with you.

WATER

It's not recommended to drink the tap water in China. Drink bottled water only or cool boiled water offered by hotels instead. You may use an electric water kettle to boil water or hot water in thermos provided by hotels for making tea or coffee.

TIME DIFFERENCE

China uses one Time Zone (Beijing Time) which is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. When it is 12 noon in Beijing, the standard times in different cities of the world are as follows:  

If you need to see a doctor during your travels, you should ask your travel agent or hotel concierge to help you locate one. Hotels usually have access to doctors or they may have a clinic. Hospitals provide both Western and traditional Chinese medical treatment. SOS First Aid centers operate in most cities and counties. The phone number is 120.

OFFICE HOURS

In China, standard working hours are 8 hours a day, usually from 8am to 5pm, and 5 days a week. Major malls are open daily from 8:30am or 9:00am and close around 8:30pm during winter and 9:00pm or later in summer.

LUGGAGE

While traveling in China, check-in luggage limit is 20 kg and hand carrying baggage limit 5 kg per person on airplanes. Carrying luggage on trains is limited to 20 kg per person. It is wise not to overload your luggage with common daily articles and foodstuffs as they are available in many world-brand supermarkets in big cities.

CLIMATE AND CLOTHING

TAXI

It is easy to hire a taxi wherever you want to go. Non-Chinese speaking visitors are advised to have their destinations written down in Chinese and show the address to the cab driver, since most of them do not speak English. Simply pay the amount appeared on the meter or receipt. Tips are not necessary.

TIPPING

There is officially no tipping in China, but the reality is that it has become quite commonplace in the hospitality industry, especially where bellhops (four- and five-star hotels), tour guides, and tour bus drivers are concerned. Restaurant waiters and waitresses and taxi drivers usually do not expect tips, and will return any change due you. 

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS(in Shanghai)

Police: 110
Telephone Numbers: 114
Weather: 121
First Aid: 120
Ticket Service, China Eastern Air Company: 62475953(international) 62472255(domestic)
Ticket Service, Shanghai Air Company:62681551
Hongqiao lnternational Airport: 62688918
Shanghai Railway Station: 63179090
Passenger Service, Shanghai Harbour: 63261261