| iExplore China Silver - Information (Trip #36962) |
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Trip Information
Climate and Clothing
China lies mainly in the temperate and subtropical zones. Generally, its southern part (East China, South China and Southwest china) is warm, humid, and rainy; its northern part (North China, Northeast China, and northwest China) is dry and windy.
In spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) you will need a lined jacket or woolen sweater over light clothes. In summer (June to August) cool cotton garments are recommended. In winter (December to February) a light cotton-padded coat will keep you warm enough in the south; but in the north a heavy woolen coat or down parka is a must.
Late spring and late summer are often rainy especially in the southern part of China, so you would be wise to bring rainwear with you. And of course good walking shoes are essential at any time of year
Currency
Renminbi, the Chinese currency, is issued by the state bank, the People's Bank of China.
The standard unit of the Renminbi is yuan, with jiao and fen as the subsidiary units. Thus one yuan equals ten jiao and one jiao equals ten fen. Yuan, jiao and fen are issued both in bills of exchange and coins. Renminbi features the following denominations: one, two, five, ten, fifty and a hundred yuan; one, two, and five jiao; and one, two and five fen. The abbreviation for Renminbi is RMB.
Conversion services are available in China for all major currencies and money can be changed at hotels or banks throughout the country.
The following foreign credit cards are accepted in China:
1) MasterCard
2) Visa
3) American Express
4) JCB
5) Diners
Electricity Supply
Electricity supply in China is 220 volts, but sockets with adaptors are available in the washrooms of many luxury and medium-grade hotels.
Public Holidays
In China there are 11 days of national public holiday out of the year:
The New Year's Day-2 days;
The Spring Festival (usually falling in late January or early and mid-February)-3 days;
The May 1st Labor Day-3 days;
The October 1st National Day-3 days.
Shopping for Souvenirs
Shopping in China is getting more convenient. For those who are staying for more than just a few days, favoured brands of daily necessities can be found in most large department stores and shopping malls. Western retail companies have established outlets in major cities in China which carry both domestic and imported goods.
For those who wish to shop for souvenirs, there are open markets such as the Xiushui Street and Panjiayuan Antique Market in Beijing, as well as large department stores and shopping malls. Unlike large department stores where the prices are fixed, in markets you can and must bargain. Your local tour guides or hosts are the best help when bargaining. They will prove essential in finding the best goods and bringing the prices down!
Taxis
China enjoys adequate taxi services. In most cities, taxis tend to be small local-made cars painted in either red or yellow. In large cities, there are luxurious sedans at a higher rate. Taxi fares vary from city to city but they are always clearly marked on the taxi window.
Most taxi drivers do not understand much English, although those in tourist cities are encouraged to learn and speak some simple English. Non-Chinese speaking visitors are advised to have their destination written down in Chinese to the cab driver.
Telephones and Postal Services
In towns and cities, IDD service is provided at all hotels and post offices. Phone cards are available in post offices inside hotels or in the street. Even more conveniently, most newsstands in major cities also carry phone cards. Telephone booths in the streets are mostly for local calls.
Tourist hotels provide postal services. If you want to send important items such as antiques and cultural relics that are under customs control, you will have to ask for the help from the local branch of the international post office, instead of the hotell post office.
Visas
The Chinese Government issues different types of visas according to the purpose of the visitors. Foreigners wishing to travel to China should apply to a local Chinese embassy or consulate for tourist visas.
Drinking Water
Not all the tap water in China is potable, but bottled mineral water is readily available for sale.
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