| 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 July and September to November. A brief weather report on all major cities in China is available at http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/ |
| 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. At a few banks you can withdraw cash using your EC card. The current exchange rate is available at
http://de.finance/yahoo.com/md5?a=1&s=EUR&t=CNY&c=0
1 EUR = 10.3835RMB (as of Nov 11, 2007). It is not possible to exchange bank notes from Scotland or Northern Ireland. 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, restaurant and 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. |
| 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).
For Germans: Information in German is also provided by the Federal Foreign Office at http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de (Reiseinformationen => Lnder- und Reiseinformationen => please enter China => Medizinische Hinweise). |
| LANGUAGE / 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 Fr 9am – 12am and 2pm – 5pm
Sa 8am – 11.30 am |
Offices: |
Mo to Fr 8am – 12am and 1pm – 5pm |
Stores: |
Mo to Su 8am – 8pm (in winter from 10am – 9pm)
There is no official closing hour. |
Post Offices: |
Mo to Fr 8am – 7pm
Sa 8am – 2pm |
Restaurants: |
Mo to Su 10am – 12pm |
Sights: |
usually 9am – 4pm |
|
| 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 (Reiseinformationen => Lander- und Reiseinformationen => please enter China => Sicherheitshinweise). |
| 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.
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 (about RMB 10), 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. |
| USFUL ADDRESSES IN GERMANYE |
Botschaft der Volksrepublik China
S. E. Herr Canrong Ma (Botschafter)
Markisches 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 Huiqun Yang (Generalkonsul)
Romanstr. 107, 80639 München
Tel.: +49 (0)89-17301611
Fax: +49 (0)89-17301619 /23
Der Konsularbezirk umfasst das Land Bayern. |
Botschaft der Volksrepublik China
Abt. fur Aubenwirtschaft und Handel
Selma-Lagerlof-Str. 11, 13189 Berlin
Tel.: +49 (0)30-47901910 /13 /14
Fax: +49 (0)30-4710230 |
USEFUL ADDRESSES FOR GERMANS IN CHINA |
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
Dr. Volker Stanzel (Botschafter)
17, Dongzhimenwai Dajie
Chaoyang District
Beijing 100600, PR China
Tel.: + 86 (0)10-8532 9000
eMail: embassy@peki.diplo.de
Internet: http://www.deutschebotschaft-china.org/
|
Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany
Dr. Wolfgang Rohr (Generalkonsul)
181, Yongfu Lu
Shanghai 200031, PR China
Tel.: +86 (0)21-3401 0106
eMail: info@gk-shanghai.org.cn
Internet: http://www.shanghai.diplo.de/
|
Büro Konsular- und Visaangelegenheiten
14/F New CenturyPlaza
188 Wu Jiang Road
Shanghai 200041, PR China
电话: +86 (0)21-6217 1520
电子邮件: passvisa@gk-shanghai.org.cn
|
Büro Konsular- und Visaangelegenheiten
14/F New Century Plaza
188 Wu Jiang Road
Shanghai 200041, PR China
Tel.: +86 (0)21-6217 1520
eMail: passvisa@gk-shanghai.org.cn |
German Industry and Commerce (GIC) Shanghai
29/F Pos Plaza
1600 Century Avenue, Pudong
Shanghai 200010, PR China
Tel.: +86 (0)21-50812266 (AHK)
Tel.: +86 (0)21-68758536 (GIC)
eMail: office@sh.china.ahk.de
Internet: http://www.ahk-china.org/ |
| TRANSLATIONS / BUSINESS CARDS / TRAININGS |
| The following service provider offer broad, China specific services (e.g. translations, business cards, intercultural trainings) for your trade fair presentation in China. |
Dr. Boesken & Partner Ostasienservice GmbH
Herr Dr. Gerd Boesken
Beimoorstr. 29, 22081 Hamburg
Tel.: 040 - 20 94 84-0
Fax: 040 - 20 94 84-74
eMail: hamburg@ostasienservice.de
Internet: http://www.ostasienservice.de
(Ostasienservice is also located in Stuttgart |
ChinaKnowHow
Mrs. Li-Hong Koblin
Kart userstr. 118b
79104 Freiburg
Tel./Fax: 0761 - 28 56 232
eMail: info@chinaknowhow.de
Internet: www.chinaknowhow.de |
USEFUL INTERNET LINKS
The following websites provide useful information about China: |
| In English::
|
| In German:
|
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. |
