Time: the whole of China has the same time zone: GMT+8 hours.

Language: the official language is Mandarin Chinese, however numerous regional dialects are also spoken throughout the mainland such as Cantonese, Fukienese, Xiamenhua and Hakka.

Clothing: casual clothes are acceptable everywhere, but revealing clothes should be avoided.  Normal Western business attire is considered appropriate for doing business in Beijing as well as elsewhere in China.

Currency: Renminbi (RMB), also known as Yuan (Y) or Kwai.
                 Notes issued: 500 RMB, 100 RMB, 50 RMB, 10 RMB, 5 RMB, 2 RMB, 
                                     1.5 RMB, 2 jiao, 1 jiao.
                 Coins issued: 1 RMB, 1.5 jiao, 5 fen, 3 fen, 1 fen.

Banking Hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00am-5.00pm .

Tipping: tipping isn't required in China, although it is becoming more frequent within international tourist hotels and restaurants.  The decent tipping for porters and hotel staff is 5-10 RMB.

Telephone: the international dialling code for China is 86.  Beijing 's local telephone code is 010.  When making international calls from China, first dial 00 + country code + area code + telephone number.  

Internet: online access, e-mail services and PC rentals are provided at most major hotels and internet cafes can be found around the city.

Electricity: 220/240 V AC, 50Hz.  Either flat or square, two-pin and three pin-plugs are used.  It is recommended to bring a universal adapter as they are difficult to find in China .

When to go:

Tourist Season - May through November.
Coldest Months - January and February with temperature as low as - 20C.
Hottest Months - July and August, with temperature as high as 38C.
Annual Precipitation - 683 millimeters (mainly in May through September).

Public Holiday :

January 1          New Year's Day.
February 5-8     Spring Festival, Chinese New Year.
May 1               Labor Day.
October 1-2       National Days  

This article is authored and copyrighted
by Royal Exclusive Travel