Travel Tips

Currency
Renminbi (RMB/￥) is the only legal currency in China. The basic currency unit is Yuan.Jiao,Fen.1 Yuan equals 10 Jiao or 100 Fens. There are 10 paper notes in broad circulation: 100 Yuan, 50 Yuan, 20 Yuan, 10 Yuan, 5 Yuan, 2 Yuan, 1 Yuan and 5 Jiao,1 Jiao ,2 Jiao and 1 Fen . The largest RMB coin in circulation is 1Yuan. Coins of 5 Jiao and 1 Jiao are still in broad circulation. Rarely seen today are the coins of 1 fen and 5 fens.

Money Exchange
Currency can be exchanged at Bank of China branches, the Beijing International Airport and hotels. The exchange rate between RMB(￥) and other major currencies are posted by the banks and the money exchange counters .It is illegal to change money with any stranger.

Credit card, Travelers’ Cheque & ATM
Most of airlines, hotel and department stores take international credit cards, such as Master Card, Visa, American Express, Diner’s Club and JCB.You are still recommended to bring a certain amount of cash for credit card is not as popular in China as in most American and European countries. Traveler’s cheques issued by major overseas banks may be exchanged at Bank of China ,as well as other authorized currency exchange counters.
ATM is all around the city, but for Foreign currencies are only accessible in major Bank of China branches and designated foreign-currency ATM in major hotels and banking outlets.

Bargaining
Bargaining does not work in department stores and shopping malls .But is acceptable in the open-air markets, gift shops in hotels, antique markets and other privately-owned shops.

Postal Service
Postal service is available in hotels and post offices. Please use standard envelope, write the Zip, and be sure to use enough stamps. EMS is also available in most post offices and express mail agencies.

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

Helpful Tel Number
0086-IDD code of China
110-Police
119-Fire
120-Emergency
999-Emergency
114-Directory inquiries and information
117-Time
121-Weather Report