Need to Know
Currency
Language
Visas
Money
Mobile Phones
Time
When to Go
High Season (May–Aug)
APrepare for summer downpours and crowds at traveller hot spots.
AAccommodation prices peak during the first week of the May holiday period.
Shoulder (Feb–Apr, Sep & Oct)
AExpect warmer days in spring, cooler days in autumn.
AIn the north this is the optimal season, with fresh weather and clear skies.
AAccommodation prices peak during holidays in early October.
Low Season (Nov–Feb)
ADomestic tourism is at a low ebb, but things are busy and expensive for Chinese New Year.
AWeather is bitterly cold in the north and at altitude, and only warm in the far south.
Useful Websites
Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com/china) Destination information, hotel bookings, traveller forum and more.
Ctrip (www.english.ctrip.com) Hotel booking, air and train ticketing.
Chinasmack (www.chinasmack.com) Human-interest stories and videos.
Popupchinese (www.popupchinese.com) Excellent podcasts (great for learning Chinese).
Far West China (www.farwestchina.com) Indispensable resource for Silk Roaders.
Important Numbers
| Ambulance | 120 |
| Fire | 119 |
| Police | 110 |
| Country code (China/Hong Kong/Macau) | 86/852/853 |
| International access code | 00 |
| Directory assistance | 114 |
Exchange Rates
| Australia | A$1 | ¥4.90 |
| Canada | C$1 | ¥5.10 |
| Euro zone | €1 | ¥7.40 |
| Hong Kong | HK$1 | ¥0.80 |
| Japan | ¥100 | ¥6.30 |
| New Zealand | NZ$1 | ¥4.70 |
| UK | UK£1 | ¥9.70 |
| US | US$1 | ¥6.60 |
For current exchange rates, see www.xe.com.
Daily Costs
Budget: Less than ¥200
ADorm bed: ¥40–60
AFood markets, street food: ¥40
ABike hire or other transport: ¥20
AFree museums
Midrange: ¥200–1000
ADouble room in a midrange hotel: ¥200–600
ALunch and dinner in local restaurants: ¥80–100
ADrinks in a bar: ¥60
ATaxis: ¥60
Top end: More than ¥1000
ADouble room in a top-end hotel: ¥600 and up
ALunch and dinner in excellent local or hotel restaurants: ¥300
AShopping at top-end shops: ¥300
ATwo tickets to Chinese opera: ¥300
Opening Hours
China officially has a five-day working week; Saturday and Sunday are public holidays.
Banks Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (or 6pm); may close for two hours in the afternoon. Many also open Saturday and maybe Sunday. Same for offices and government departments.
Post offices Generally open daily.
Restaurants Open from around 10.30am to 11pm; some shut at around 2pm and reopen at 5pm or 6pm.
Bars Open in the late afternoon, shutting around midnight or later.
Shops Open daily 10am to 10pm. Same for department stores and shopping malls.
Arriving in China
Běijīng Capital Airport (北京首都国际机场; Běijīng Shǒudū Guójì Jīchǎng, PEK 
%010 6454 1100; www.en.bcia.com.cn) Airport Express train services run every 10 minutes. The airport bus runs to central Běijīng every 10 to 20 minutes. A taxi will cost ¥90 to ¥120.
Shànghǎi Pǔdōng International Airport Maglev trains run every 20 minutes. Metro Line 2 links the airport with Hóngqiáo Airport. Airport buses run every 15 to 30 minutes. A taxi to central Shànghǎi will cost ¥160.
Hong Kong International Airport Airport Express trains run every 10 minutes. A taxi to Central will cost about HK$300.
Getting Around
Despite being a land of vast distances, it’s quite straightforward to navigate your way terrestrially around China by rail and bus if you have time. Transport in China needs considerable pre-planning due to the distances involved and periodic shortages of tickets.
Air Affordable and excellent for long distances, but delays are common.
Train Very reasonably priced – apart from high-speed rail, which is more expensive – and very efficient.
Bus Cheaper and slower than trains but crucial for remote destinations.
Car China is too large and there are too many restrictions to make this a viable option.