| Country Info |
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| Climate |
Being such a large country, China's climate varies dramatically from north to south.
| City Temperatures °C |
| Month |
Beijing |
Guilin |
Shanghai |
Xian |
| Jan |
-4 |
8 |
3 |
-3 |
| Feb |
-2 |
9 |
4 |
2 |
| Mar |
4 |
13 |
8 |
8 |
| Apr |
13 |
18 |
14 |
14 |
| May |
20 |
23 |
20 |
20 |
| Jun |
24 |
26 |
26 |
26 |
| Jul |
26 |
28 |
27 |
27 |
| Aug |
24 |
27 |
27 |
26 |
| Sep |
19 |
25 |
23 |
20 |
| Oct |
12 |
20 |
17 |
13 |
| Nov |
4 |
15 |
12 |
7 |
| Dec |
-2 |
10 |
6 |
1 |
|
| Currency |
| Renminbi (RMB) is the national currency used in China. The Yuan is the basic unit, subdivided into Jiao and fen. |
- One Yuan = 10 Jiao
- One Jiao = 10 Fen.
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| The Fen being one hundredth of one Yuan. RMB denominations in notes are: |
- Yuan notes: 1, 2, 5, 10, 50, 100
- Jiao notes: 1, 2, 5
- Fen coins: 1, 2, 5
|
Foreign exchange bank branches are located in all the larger hotels, stores and at all International Airports. Cash and travellers cheques of more than 30 nations including Australia, are readily convertible into Chinese currency.
NOTE: When exchanging foreign currency into Chinese currency RMB the banks will issue an exchange receipt. These receipts should be retained as some may have to be produced when converting RMB back to a foreign currency. |
| Language |
| Mandarin Chinese is the official language, though other dialects are also spoken. Many people can speak some English, but most taxi drivers do not speak English. |
| Electricity |
| 220 volts and 50 cycles AC. Plugs are normally 2 pins, either flat or round pins which can vary from city to city. A set of adaptor plug is always useful. |
| Timezone |
| China's time is GMT + 8 hours, normally 2 hours behind Sydney, this applies throughout the country. |
|
| Tourist Info |
| Airport |
|
Beijing/Peking airport (Capital International Central) is 26kms (16 miles) northeast of the city (travel time - 90 minutes by bus, 40 minutes by taxi).
Guangzhou/Canton airport (Baiyun) is 7kms (4 miles) from the city (travel time - 20 minutes).
Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) airport is 13km (8.1 miles) southwest of the city (travel time – 25-40 minutes).
Shanghai Pudong (PVG) airport, in the new eastern financial district is 30km (19 miles) from the city centre (travel time – 50 minutes by bus or taxi)
|
| Airport Tax |
International Flights: CNY 90 - children under 12 years are exempt.
Domestic Flights: CNY 50 - children under 2 years are exempt. |
| Customs |
| Prohibited goods include obscene printed material, child pornography, hate propaganda, narcotics, counterfeit money, automatic firearms, and offensive weapons prohibited by an Order in Council. A customs form must be completed for all travellers. |
| Duty Free |
|
Duty free articles for foreign visitors include:
|
- Reasonable quantities of clothing and perfume for personal use
- 2 bottles of liquor not exceeding 750ml per bottle
- 400 cigarettes
- 1 video camera
- 1 video recorder and
- 1 word processer
|
|
| Passport |
| A valid passport is required by all visitors entering and leaving the country. A valid visa is required for entry into China and is valid for 3 months from the date of issue. Visas may be issued in Hong Kong but at least 2 working days must be allowed for processing. |
|
| Getting Around |
| Business Hours |
|
8am - 5pm with a midday break of 1-2 hours |
Monday to Friday |
|
9am - 1pm |
Saturday |
|
| Clothing |
During all seasons see that you have comfortable walking shoes.
| Mar - May: |
Medium weight clothing plus light woollens |
| Jun - Aug: |
Light weight plus umbrella or rain coat |
| Sep - Nov: |
Medium weight plus light woollens |
| Dec - Feb: |
Heavy weight clothing plus woollens, cap, scarf, gloves or mittens |
Women will find slacks, jeans and casual dresses adequate. Minishorts and revealing clothing is frowned upon. Bermuda shorts are acceptable. Men will find slacks or jeans, shorts and short-sleeved shirts are acceptable. |
| Communication |
The majority of hotels have a post office which is open a few hours each day. It is possible to send airmail letters and small parcels back to Australia.
IDD is available from most major hotels.
Outgoing international code: 00
China international country IDD code: 86
Australian international country IDD code: 61 |
| Credit Cards |
|
Credit cards accepted in China:
|
- Mastercard
- Visa
- Diners Club
- American Express
- JCB
|
| These are accepted only at designated hotels, restaurants, cultural relics stores and friendship stores in most major cities. |
|
| Health |
|
Malaria risk exists throughout the country below 1500m except in Heilongjiang, Jilin, Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Beijing, Shanxi, Ningxia, Qinghai, Xinjiang (except in the Yili River Valley) and Tibet (Xizang, except in the Zangbo River Valley in the extreme southeast). North of 33°N, the risk lasts from July to November, between 33°N and 25°N from May to December, and south of 25°N throughout the year.
Should you become ill in China, you can be assured that medical help is never far away. The major cities have excellent hospitals and all hotels are able to arrange for a visit of a doctor at short notice. Invariably these doctors are trained in Western medicine to standards approximating a general practitioner in Western countries.
However, if you take any prescribed medicines for pre-existing conditions, make certain you have an ample supply with you. Bandaids, headache and digestive remedies, nasal inhalants and decongestants are handy for any traveller.
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| Tipping |
| Tips can be given where good service has been provided. Naturally, at the end of most tours, passengers like to give a gift to the guides, this is quite in order. |
| Australian Government Departments |
Australian Embassy
21 Dongzhimenwai Dajie Sanlitun
Beijing 100600
Telephone 6532-2331
Facsimile 6532-4605 |
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