GENERAL INFORMATION ON
CHINA
Language
The
national language is Putonghua (the common speech) or Mandarin, which is
one of the five working languages at the United Nations. Most of the 55
minority nationalities have their own languages. Cantonese is one of the local
dialects of southern China. As a written language, Chinese has been used for 6,000
years.
Currency
China’s
currency is the Renminbi (RMB¥), usually called the Yuan. The official exchange
rate between U.S. Dollar and RMB Yuan currently is about 1: 8.3
(1.00 Dollar = 8.30 Yuan).
1 Yuan (known
as Kuai, in some parts of China) = 10 Jiao
1 Jiao
(known as Mao in some parts if China) = 10 Fen
Chinese
currency is issued in the following denominations:
Yuan: 1, 2,
5, 10, 50, 100
Jiao: 1, 2,
5
Fen: 1, 2,
5
The Bank of
China has exchange desks for foreign currency and travelers checks with
convenient hours at all hotels, airports and other shopping areas. Many hotels and state-owned
stops now accept major credit cards such as Master Card, Visa Card, American
Express, JCB and Diners Card. Travelers should be
prepared to pay in Yuan when shopping in smaller shops, restaurants, and in
smaller hotels.
Visa
Requirement
According to the Law of the People's Republic of China concerning
the Administration of Foreigners Entering and Leaving the Country, all foreign
tourists are required to apply visas to enter China, which can be done
directly at the China Embassy. For Singapore passport holders, visa is not required if
your stay is less than 15 days as a tourist. However, visa is necessary for all
travelers to Tibet and it can only be acquired with the consent of the Tourism
Administration of the Tibet Autonomous Region or any one of its foreign
representative offices. Passport is required for visa application and it must
have at least 6 months validity from the day of
departure.
Time Difference
There is no
time difference between Singapore and China
Electricity
In China, the electricity used is 220 volts. It is advisable to bring along an
adapter plug as different hotels require different plug prongs.
Telephone services
There is GSM
network coverage in China, therefore mobile phones can work when roaming with a
dual band or tri band handset. IDD service is also available at all hotels and
post offices. China country code is 86 and outgoing international code is 00.
Climate
China has a continental and seasonal climate.
Most
parts of China: Temperate zone
Southern
part: Tropical or
subtropical zone (No winter all year round e.g. Hainan Island)
Northern
part: Frigid Zone (No
summer all year round e.g. Harbin)
Season
and Clothing
Spring (Mar-May: 10-22°C) Jackets, sports coats, woolen jackets, long
sleeve shirts, travel shoes
Summer (Jun-Aug: >22°C) Light,
causal short sleeve shirts, sandals, caps, umbrella, rain wear
Autumn (Sep-Nov: 10-22°C)
Jackets, sports coats, light woolen
sweaters, rain wear, travel shoes
Winter (Dec-Feb: <22°C) Overcoat, cotton clothes, lined coats, cap, gloves, cotton-padded
shoes
Average Temperatures
(Degree Celsius)
|
CITY |
JAN |
FEB |
MAR |
APR |
MAY |
JUN |
JUL |
AUG |
SEP |
OVT |
NOV |
DEC |
|
Beijing |
-4 |
-2 |
-5 |
14 |
20 |
25 |
28 |
27 |
20 |
13 |
4 |
-2 |
|
Chengde |
-9 |
-6 |
2 |
12 |
18 |
22 |
24 |
23 |
17 |
10 |
0 |
-7 |
|
Chengdu |
6 |
7 |
12 |
17 |
21 |
24 |
25 |
25 |
21 |
17 |
11 |
7 |
|
Chongqing |
8 |
9 |
14 |
18 |
22 |
25 |
28 |
28 |
23 |
18 |
14 |
9 |
|
Dali |
10 |
11 |
14 |
16 |
19 |
21 |
21 |
20 |
19 |
16 |
13 |
10 |
|
Guangzhou |
13 |
14 |
18 |
22 |
26 |
27 |
29 |
29 |
27 |
24 |
19 |
15 |
|
Guilin |
8 |
9 |
13 |
19 |
23 |
26 |
28 |
28 |
26 |
21 |
15 |
10 |
|
Hangzhou |
4 |
5 |
9 |
15 |
20 |
24 |
29 |
28 |
23 |
18 |
12 |
6 |
|
Harbin |
-19 |
-16 |
-7 |
7 |
14 |
20 |
23 |
22 |
15 |
6 |
-6 |
-16 |
|
Hong
Kong |
16 |
17 |
19 |
22 |
26 |
28 |
29 |
28 |
26 |
25 |
21 |
18 |
|
Huangshan |
-3 |
-2 |
2 |
8 |
12 |
15 |
18 |
17 |
14 |
9 |
4 |
-1 |
|
Kunming |
8 |
10 |
13 |
17 |
19 |
20 |
20 |
19 |
17 |
15 |
11 |
8 |
|
Lijiang
|
10 |
13 |
16 |
19 |
22 |
22 |
23 |
23 |
20 |
18 |
14 |
11 |
|
Lhasa |
-2 |
1 |
5 |
8 |
12 |
16 |
15 |
14 |
13 |
8 |
2 |
-2 |
|
Nanjing |
2 |
4 |
9 |
15 |
20 |
25 |
28 |
27 |
22 |
17 |
10 |
4 |
|
Shanghai |
5 |
8 |
13 |
19 |
23 |
27 |
28 |
24 |
19 |
13 |
7 |
4 |
|
Suzhou |
3 |
4 |
9 |
15 |
20 |
24 |
28 |
28 |
23 |
18 |
12 |
6 |
|
Urumqi |
-14 |
-12 |
-2 |
10 |
17 |
22 |
24 |
23 |
17 |
8 |
-3 |
-11 |
|
Wuhan |
3 |
5 |
10 |
16 |
22 |
26 |
29 |
28 |
23 |
17 |
11 |
5 |
|
Wuxi |
3 |