FAQ / Daily life

Business Hours
Shops: Open daily from 9 am to 8 pm (some to 9pm).
Banks: Currency can be exchanged at banking counters, in hotels and stores. There are no standard hours of business for the exchange counters in hotels.

Convertible Currencies
In China the following currencies from 17 countries and regions can be converted into Chinese RMB. Australian dollar (A$), Austrian schilling (SCH), Belgium franc (BF), Canadian dollar (Can$), Danish krone (DKR), German mark (DM), French franc (Ff), Japanese yen (Y), Malaysian Ringgit (M$), Dutch guilder (F1), Norwegian krone (NKR), Singapore dollar (S$), Swedish krona (SKR), Swiss franc (SF), British sterling pound, US dollar US$),and Hong Kong dollar (HK$).

Drinking water
Tap water in China is disinfected and specially treated, but because pipelines are old and water is too hard in some localities, foreigners are not advised to drink tap water. Some five-star hotels, however, may have advanced water-purification facilities and their tap water is marked "potable". But in most other hotels, don't drink from the tap. Most hotels supply boiled water in a thermos and flask or a glass of tumbler with cold water, and mineral water in plastic bottles is available in most cities.

Main voltage
Main voltage is 220 volts, 50 cycles AC. Most hotels have built-in convectors in bathrooms for shaving, hair dryers, etc. Otherwise, come equipped, as there are a variety of plug types in use.

Money and Credit Cards
Tourists can exchange their money in China for Renminbi (RMB). Visitors would be wise to take traveler's checks as they command a slightly higher exchange rate than cash. The Bank of China operates exchange checks at all hotels, airports and Friendship Stores. At present, most major credit cards such as American Express, Visa, Million Card, Master Card, Diners Club, Federal Card, Pacific Card and JCB Card can be used in China.

Services of Chinese Hotels
Chinese hotels offer international standard services. In some big cities, the hotel can match any tourist hotels in New York, London, Paris or Sydney in services and facilities.

Take a typical three-star hotel, for example. Services offered by such a hotel will Include:
1) All employees wear uniforms which tell the job and position of the employee
2) All rooms offer room service meals around-the-clock
3) All rooms are equipped with a bathroom with disinfected towels, soap, bath cream, shampoo, toilet paper, tooth brushes and razors
4) All rooms are air-conditioned, complete with a color TV, telephone, refrigerator and a double curtain
5) The bedroom consists of two single beds, a wardrobe, and a dressing table, with ceiling lamps, bedside lamps and a button for room service
6) The restaurant can hold banquets and includes entertainment facilities such as a bar, ballroom and a karaoke nightclub
7) Post, shops, sauna, commercial center and beauty parlor are also available
8) Bellboys are available
9) There are attendants for each floor and ushers and waitresses in the restaurant.

Visa
All visitors to China must have a visa. Generally three types: a group visa, an individual tourist visa and an individual business visa. Tourist visas may be obtained either through a travel agent or directly from the Chinese Embassy or consulate. Visitors intending to go to China for business purposes should be in possession of an invitation from a host organization and should apply for visas directly to the Chinese Embassy. Passports must be valid for at least six months before your travel to china.