ACCOMODATION A list of recommended hotels in Shanghai is available on our homepage at
Hotel and travel arragements.
CHINESE EMBASSIES At the website of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China at
http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/ (Missions Overseas => Chinese Embassies) you can find the contact data of the Chinese Embassy in your country.
CLIMATE
China
stretches over four climatic zones, from cool-temperate to tropical.
North of the Yangtse river the winters are very cold and the summers
are hot and dry. South of the Yangtse river the winters are less harsh,
but the summers obtain high temperatures and high humidity. Best time
to visit China is April to June and September to November. A brief
weather report on all major cities in China is available at
http://weather.yahoo.com/regional/CHXX.html.
CURRENCY / CREDIT CARDS The
official currency in China is the
Renminbi (RMB), also called Yuan (¥) or Kuai (1 Yuan
= 10 Jiao = 100 Fen). There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency that
can be brought into China,
but it must be declared to the customs. Dollar and Euros can be exchanged in
every international hotel; however, exchange offices and banks offer better
rates. The return exchange of RMB in foreign currency is only possible with the
exchange receipt. One person is allowed to take along no more than RMB 6,000 at
arrival and departure. Most
Chinese ATMs will allow for withdrawals from foreign bank accounts for a small,
flat, out of network fee. Before traveling, find out if your home bank charges
a currency conversion fee on such transactions. Be
sure to check for the Plus or Cirrus symbols, as there are many ATMs which are
not linked to international networks and may retain your card. Some machines
that show the Maestro or Visa or Cirrus signs will not necessarily deliver cash
for a foreign card. However an adjacent, apparently identical machine in the
same bank lobby may work.
The current exchange
rate is available at
http://de.finance.yahoo.com/m5?a=1&s=EUR&t=CNY&c=0.
We
recommend to bring a sufficient amount of cash (US$, EUR).
Credit cards (e.g. Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club) are accepted in most international hotels and in tourist stores.
ELECTRICITY
Electricity
in China is 220V, 50 cycles. Two-pin sockets and some three-pin sockets
are in use. Most of the hotels have a socket in the bathroom for both
110V and 220V. However, outside of the bathroom, only 220V sockets are
provided. Although an adapter may be borrowed from the hotel, it is
recommended to bring your own adapter plug.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Visas are required by most foreigners entering mainland China. For a visa application the following documents are needed:
- passport (with a validity of more than 6 months)
- completed visa application form
- 1 passport photograph
At the homepage of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China at
http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/
(Missions Overseas => Chinese Embassies), you can find a link of
your country’s embassy for downloading and printing the visa
application form or further information on the application procedure.
For Germans: At the homepage of the
Chinese Embassy (
www.china-botschaft.de), you can find a link for downloading and printing the visa application form for China at
http://www.china-botschaft.de/det/qz/.
Please check the homepage of the China embassy
in your country for all further details on the application of a visa as well as
the fees for processing the visa. We would recommend a visa application via a
travel agency.
If
you have to sign contracts in China
you need a business visa (one-time entry). An official invitation letter is
required to apply for a business visa. This invitation letter will be provided
from our official travel agency in Shanghai:
Orient Explorer Shanghai
#1212, No. 165 Caoxi Rd.
Xuhui District
Shanghai 200235, PR China
|
Contact
Person: Ms. Maggie Ma / Ms Zoe Zhou
Phone: (+ 86 21) 5109 9795
Fax: (+ 86 21) 6464 4008
Email: info@orient-explorer.com.cn |
FOREIGN EMBASSIES IN CHINA At
http://embassiesinchina.com you find the addresses of your own Embassy and Consulate in Shanghai.
HEALTH / VACCINATIONS There
are no particular immunizations required for entry into China, unless
the traveller is coming from a yellow fever infected area. As for
direct entry from Europe no vaccinations are required. We recommend to
renew vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Polio and Diphtheria.
In
case of an emergency the embassies can give you the contact of English
or German speaking physicians in China. Most hotels offer their own
first-aid service or organize medical assistance. In large cities
medical care has reached a high standard. You can even find medical
divisions only for foreigners. Be cautious with unpeeled fruit, ice,
ice-cream and water from the tap.
It is highly recommended to
get an accident and medical insurance coverage for any medical expenses
that may arise. Please also take a look at
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/ (Asia => China => Essential Info => Health & Safety).
Information in German can be found at:
http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/diplo/de/LaenderReiseinformationen.jspLANGUAGE / COMMUNICATION The
official language of China is Mandarin (chin.: pu tong hua). However,
the regional dialects vary quite heavily. In tourist centres (e.g.
international hotels) and business circles English is mostly spoken. If
you take a taxi it is recommended to take a business card of your hotel
with you or to ask for written directions in Chinese at the reception
desk.
MAIL / TELEPHONE / INTERNET
Mail: Stamps are available at post offices or at the hotel reception, where postcards and letters will also be mailed for you.
Telephone:
The international country code of China is +86. International calls
from the hotel are very expensive. Local calls are usually free of
charge. Most major cities operate telephone booths, which can be used
for international calls with telephone cards. In most cases your mobile
phone will work in large cities. You can also use your mobile phone
with a Chinese prepaid card, which can be bought in stores.
Internet cafes can be found mainly in large cities and tourist centers.
OPENING HOURS
| Banks: |
Mo to Sa 9am – 12am and 1pm – 4:30pm |
| Offices: |
Mo to Fr 8am – 12am and 1pm – 5pm |
| Stores: |
Mo to Su 10am – 10pm
There is no official closing hour. |
| Post Offices: |
Mo to Fr 7am – 7pm
Sa to Su 7am – 5pm |
| Restaurants: |
Mo to Su 10am – 10pm |
| Sights: |
usually 8am – 4:30pm |
SAFETY
China is a very safe country. However,
when visiting major tourist locations beware of pickpockets. Therefore,
we recommend to deposit all valuables in your hotel safe.
For Germans: Additional information in German is available at the homepage of the
Federal Foreign Office at
http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de (Länder, Reisen und Sicherheit => please enter China).
TIME ZONE Despite
the enormous size China has only one time zone (Beijing standard time).
There is no daylight saving time, i.e. only standardized Central
European Time (CET) plus 7 hours, during the European daylight saving
time plus 6 hours.
TIPPING Although the
practice is not officially recognized, tipping is now common in
top-class international hotels and restaurants. However, tipping is
still not expected in rural areas. There is no general rule about
tipping; it is up to your own sensitiveness, usually about 10% are
common. Normally consumer tax is included in the price on goods, but
high-class hotels and restaurants may add a service charge of 10-15%.
TRANSFER FROM PUDONG AIRPORT The airport is linked to Shanghai's metro with the new magnetic
levitation train – the
Maglev. The
journey takes only 8 minutes and costs about RMB 50. Favorable
Single trip ticket, prices RMB40 / passenger / trip by presenting air-ticket of
the same day (with the exception of electronic ticket and other vouchers).
Taxis
are available and usually the most convenient way to the city. Journeys
take about an hour to most downtown areas and cost about RMB 160.
TRANSPORTATION Taxis
are numerous and convenient. A sticker on the car door gives
information about the rate. Ask the driver to use the taxi meter. There
is a basic charge (day
time RMB 12, after 23:00, RMB 16), which increases after 11 pm, and an
additional charge depending on the distance. As taxi drivers rarely
understand and speak English, ask the hotel receptionist to write your
destination in Chinese characters and to give you a name card of your
hotel for the trip back. Taxis drivers usually do not accept credit
cards.
Public transport: Shanghai has a well
connected underground network with sign postings in English. However,
during peak hours public transport can be unpleasantly crowded.
USEFUL ADDRESSES IN GERMANY
Botschaft der Volksrepublik China
Herr WU Hongbo (Botschafter)
Märkisches Ufer 54, 10179 Berlin
Tel.: +49 (0)30-27 58 80
Fax: +49 (0)30-27 58 82 21
http://www.china-botschaft.de/ |
Generalkonsulat der Volksrepublik China
Herr Ma Jinsheng (Generalkonsul)
Romanstr. 107, 80639 München
Tel.: +49 (0)89-17301625
Fax: +49 (0)89-17094506
Der Konsularbezirk umfasst das Land Bayern. |
Botschaft der Volksrepublik China
Abt. für Außenwirtschaft und Handel
Majakowskiring 66, 13156 Berlin
Tel.: +49 (0)30-88 66 82 82
Fax: +49 (0)30-88 66 82 88 |
|
USEFUL ADDRESSES FOR GERMANS IN CHINA
USEFUL INTERNET LINKS The following websites provide useful information about China:
In English:
In German:
China fact sheet for travellers (pdf, 44 KB)
The following applies:
No responsibility is taken
for the correctness of this information. The author also expressly
distances himself from the material of all third party internet web
sites, even if this document links to these external sites. The
declaration is valid for all links given in this document.
Subject to change! As of April 2009.
