Airport
Beijing Capital International Airport is one of China 's major gateways. It is 26 km . (about 40 minutes' ride) from the city center.
Visas
L-visas for single or multiple entry for tourists are valid for 30 to 60 days.
F-visas for business travel can be valid up to 6 months but may require the visitor to leave every 30 days. They are good for single, double or multiple entry. Those seeking business visas must obtain official invitation from a government office or a company authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Currency
The RMB (Renminbi) is the official currency. The basic unit of RMB is the yuan, also known as kuai, divided into 10 jiao, which is again divided into 10 fen. Yuan notes come in 1, 2, 5, 10, 50 and 100.
Credit Cards
In Beijing , most major credit cards -- including American Express, Diner's Club, Federal Card, JCB, MasterCard and Visa -- are accepted at major hotels, restaurants and shops.
Tipping
Tipping is generally not expected in mainland China.For more information on business and social etiquette in Beijing .
Useful Numbers
Police: 110
Fire Department: 119
Ambulance: 120
Tourist Hotline: 6513-0828
Local directory assistance: 114 (Chinese); 2689-0114 (English)
International directory assistance: 100
Visa Card Hotline: 10-800-110-2911
MasterCard Hotline: 10-800-110-7309 (only in certain provinces)
Electricity
The voltage is 220 volts, 50 cycles. Most luxury hotels have built-in converters in bathrooms for shavers, hair dryers, etc. Otherwise, come equipped, because a wide variety of plug types are in use.
Health Risks
Potable water is available only at top hotels, so visitors should always ask to make sure. Prior to your trip, consult your doctor on immunizations you might need (e.g. tetanus, typhoid, cholera and hepatitis A and B) and about malaria suppressants if you're planning to go to rural areas. Bring all prescription and over-the-counter medicine you might require.
Time Zone
GMT + 8 hours, same as Singapore . The whole of China is set to Beijing Time.
Business Hours
Offices in Beijing generally open from 8: 30 a .m. to 6 p.m., with a lunch break of about an hour. Government-stipulated work days are from Monday to Friday. Banking hours and days vary from bank to bank in Beijing . However, most Chinese banks are open from 9 a .m. to 4 p.m. or 5 p.m., and have branches that are open on Saturdays and Sundays. Shops generally open at 9 a .m. and close between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., and are open on Sundays.
Holidays
Jan 1-2 2005 New Year
Feb 9-11 Spring Festival, Chinese New Year
May 1 Labour Day
Oct 1 National Day
Jan 1-2 2006 New Year
Jan 29-31 Spring Festival, Chinese New Year
May 1 Labour Day
Oct 1 National Day
Climate
Extremely diverse, from tropical in the south to sub-arctic in the north. Beijing has a continental monsoon climate with clear-cut seasons. Spring is dry and windy. Summer is hot and humid. Autumn offers the best weather, with generous sunshine. In winter, the city is severely affected by freezing winds from Siberia .
Clothing
Normal Western business attire is considered appropriate for doing business in China .
GDP Growth Rate
9.1%
Inflation rate
-2.8%
Major Exports
Electrical machinery and equipment, machinery and mechanical appliances, textiles, garments, footwear, toys and sporting goods, household electrical appliances, telecommunication equipment, pharmaceuticals, steel products, general metalwares, coal, feeding stuffs
Major Trading Partners
United States, Japan, Germany, South Korea, Netherlands, UK, Singapore, Taiwan, Russia
Major Industries
Iron and steel production; machine-building; production of coal, armaments, textiles and apparel, petroleum, cement, chemical fertilizers, footwear, toys, autos, consumer electonics and telecommunication equipment; food processing
Government
Communist state. President and vice-president elected by the National People's Congress for five-year terms. Administrative divisions: 23 provinces, 5 autonomous regions and 5 municipalities
Teledensity
14.4 persons per telephone
Geography
Beijing lies in the north-west of the North China plain, not far from the Western slopes of the mountains of Yanshan, and about 150km /93 miles from the Bohai Sea . A dense network of roads, railways and airways connects Beijing with China 's other major cities.
China is located in Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam .
Population
China : 1.30 billion
Beijing : 12.6 million
Ethnic Groups
Han Chinese (93%), plus 55 ethnic minorities
Language
The official language is Mandarin (or Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect). Local dialects include Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghaiese), Minbei ( Fuzhou ), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, and other minority languages. Most tourist hotels have staff who are fluent in foreign languages.
Literacy Rate
90.6%
Religion
Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism (no stats available); Muslim (14 million), Christian (7 million) |
