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Language: The official language is Mandarin Chinese, but there are hundreds of local dialects.
Currency: The currency used in China is the Renminbi Yuan (CNY). The Yuan is divided into 10 chiao/jiao or 100 fen. Make sure you exchange your leftover Yuan before returning home because this currency can be exchanged only within China's borders. Travelers cheques, preferably in US Dollars, and foreign cash can be exchanged in cities at the Bank of China. Banks are closed weekends. The larger hotels and the special 'Friendship Stores' designed for foreigners will accept most western
currencies for purchases. Major credit cards are accepted in the main cities at various establishments, but outside the major cities acceptance is limited. ATMs are scarce outside the main cities.
Time: Local time is GMT +8.
Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Plug types vary but the two-pin flat blade and oblique three-pin flat blade plugs are common. Adapters are generally required.
Communications: The international access code for China is +86. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). The city code for Beijing is (0)10. Telephone communication within China is good and improving all the time. International Direct Dialling is available in most cities. Phone cards are widely available and calls can be made from post offices and hotels; phone booths on the streets are usually for local calls only. In hotels, local calls are generally free or will be charged only a nominal fee. Mobile phone networks are very advanced. Operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most non-North American international operators. Internet cafes are available in most main towns.
Duty Free: Travelers to China do not need to pay customs duty on 400 cigarettes (600 cigarettes if stay exceeds six months), two bottles of alcoholic beverages (not more than 0,75 liters per bottle), or four bottles if staying longer than six months. Perfume for personal use is allowed. Prohibited goods include arms and ammunition or printed material that conflicts with the public order or moral standards of the country. Also prohibited are radio transmitters and receivers, exposed but undeveloped film and fresh produce. Strict regulations apply to the import or export of antiquities, banned publications, and religious literature. All valuables must be declared on the forms provided.
Tourist OfficeChina National Tourism Administration (CNTA), Beijing: +86 (0)10 6520 1114 or www.cnta.gov.cn/lyen/index.asp
EmergencyEmergencies: 110 (police); 120 (ambulance - Beijing)
Embassies
Chinese Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 328 2500.
Chinese Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7299 4049.
Chinese Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 789 3434.
Chinese Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6273 4780.
Chinese Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 341 6500.
Chinese Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 260 1119.
Chinese Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 472 1382.
United States Embassy, Beijing: +86 (0)10 6532 3831.
British Embassy, Beijing: +86 (0)10 5192 4000.
Canadian Embassy, Beijing: +86 (0)10 6532 3536.
Australian Embassy, Beijing: +86 (0)10 5140 4111.
South African Embassy, Beijing: +86 (0)10 6532 0171.
Irish Embassy, Beijing: +86 (0)10 6532 2691.
New Zealand Embassy, Beijing: +86 (0)10 6532 2731.
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