Time Difference
China is eight hours ahead of Greenwich (GMT + 8). France is in the Central European Time Zone. Central European Standard Time (CET) is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+1).
Like most states in Europe, Summer (Daylight-Saving) Time is observed in France, where the time is shifted forward by 1 hour; 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2).
After the summer months the time in France is shifted back by 1 hour to Central European Time (CET) or (GMT+1).When NOT to travel in China
Weather aside, avoid traveling during any of the China's national holidays if at all possible. In the 1990's the Chinese government introduced the "Golden Weeks" to develop domestic tourism industry. The three Chinese national "Golden Weeks" to avoid are:
1.Chinese New Year (Spring Festival): This is the worst time to travel. The exact dates each year varies since it’s based on the Lunar Calendar, but it’s usually around late January to mid-Feb.Technically about 2 weeks but many Chinese will just get the first week off. Chinese New Year is the most important of the traditional holidays, kind of the equivalent of Christmas in the West. A huge chunk of the population — from white collar to migrant worker — takes off work to travel back to their hometowns to spend time with their families. Most businesses shut down completely, so your options for eating and shopping also become severely limited in smaller towns. Of course, if you don't mind the crowds, it can be lots of fun (festivals, street activity, etc).
2. National Day (starts Oct 1): A week-long holiday that celebrates founding of the People’s Republic of China. In particular, avoid some hot sites, such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Yellow Mountain, Jiuzhaigou Valley, etc.
3. Labor Day (May 1): Until 2007, this was a week-long holiday but has since been scaled back to a long 3-day weekend. So not as crazy as before but still definitely want to avoid being in transit during this time.
Business HoursMost of China's business world slows down considerably during the spring festival in late January and early February. Business visitors would be wise to avoid this two to three week holiday period.
In most cities in China, businesses and government offices are usually open Monday through Friday and every other Saturday from 8 am to noon and from 1:00 to 2:00 pm to 5:00 or 6:00 pm. China has a five and a half day workweek consisting of 44 hours. Banks are open Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Shops are open every day.
Money Matters
The renminbi (RMB, sign: ¥; code: CNY; also CN¥, 元 and CN元) is the official currency of China (People's Republic of China). Renminbi is legal tender in mainland China, but not in Hong Kong, Taiwan, or Macau. It is issued by the People's Bank of China, the monetary authority of China. It literally means "people's currency".
The primary unit of renminbi is the yuan (元). One yuan is subdivided into 10 jiao (角), which in turn is subdivided into 10 fen (分). Renminbi banknotes are available in denominations from 1 jiao to 100 yuan (¥0.1–100) and coins have denominations from 1 fen to 1 yuan (¥0.01–1). Thus, some denominations exist in coins and banknotes. Coins under ¥0.1 are used infrequently.
For RMB (CNY) and GBP exchange rate, please visit The Currency Converter.
Credit Cards
Currently there are seven main foreign credit cards available in China, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, JCB, Federal and Million. Credit cards can be used for withdrawing money, shopping and other transactions in most major cities of the country, but generally not accepted in rural areas.
ATM
In China, most of the local ATMs machines accept Visa and Master. CITIBANK card and HSBC are also very popular in China because Citibank and HSBC have agreement with UnionPay. For other cards, you may check the ATMs you are going to use and see if they have the logos and signs for your credit cards.
ElectricityBasically there are two main standards for voltage and frequency in the world. One is the standard of 120 volts at a frequency of 60 Hz, and the other is the standard of 220–240 volts at 50 Hz. China uses generally 220V, 50HZ, AC (Hong Kong is 200V; Taiwan is 110V).
Electricity in United Kingdom is 230 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. If you travel to China, you will need a voltage converter and a plug adapter.
Communications
1.Internet: Most hotel rooms will offer an internet connection for your laptop. Airports, Starbucks, and a number of coffee restaurants provide free Wi-Fi. If you don't have a laptop, inexpensive internet bars are scattered around the city.
2. Post Offices: Airmail letters to United Kingdom usually take between four days and a week to reach their destinations. Stamps are sold at the post office counters.
3. Telephone
♦ Call a fixed phone
If you are going to call a fixed phone in a particular city in China, please dial the exit number of your home country 0011 + 86 (China's country code) + 10 (i.e. Beijing's city code) + phone number.
♦ Call a cell phone
If you are going to call a mobile phone in a particular city in China, please dial the exit number of your home country 0011 + 86 (China's country code) + Cell phone number.
Conversion
Although a traditional measurement system exists, China now uses the metric system.
1 kilometers = 0.62 mile
1 meter = 1.09 yards
1 centimeter = 0.39 inch
1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds
1 gram = 0.035 ounce
1 liter = 0.76 pint
0℃ = 32 ℉
Meeting Etiquette
·Greetings are formal and the oldest person is always greeted first.
·Handshakes are the most common form of greeting with foreigners.
·Many Chinese will look towards the ground when greeting someone.
·Address the person by an honorific title and their surname. If they want to move to a first-name basis, they will advise you which name to use.
·The Chinese have a terrific sense of humor. They can laugh at themselves most readily if they have a comfortable relationship with the other person. Be ready to laugh at yourself given the proper circumstances.
Dining Etiquette
·The Chinese prefer to entertain in public places rather than in their homes, especially when entertaining foreigners.
·If you are invited to their house, consider it a great honor. If you must turn down such an honor, it is considered polite to explain the conflict in your schedule so that your actions are not taken as a slight.
·Arrive on time.
·Remove your shoes before entering the house.
·Bring a small gift to the hostess.
·Eat well to demonstrate that you are enjoying the food!
Table Manners
·Learn to use chopsticks.
·Wait to be told where to sit. The guest of honour will be given a seat facing the door.
·The host begins eating first.
·You should try everything that is offered to you.
·Never eat the last piece from the serving tray.
·Be observant to other peoples' needs.
·Chopsticks should be returned to the chopstick rest after every few bites and when you drink or stop to speak.
·The host offers the first toast.
·Do not put bones in your bowl. Place them on the table or in a special bowl for that purpose.
·Hold the rice bowl close to your mouth while eating.
·Do not be offended if a Chinese person makes slurping or belching sounds; it merely indicates that they are enjoying their food.
·There are no strict rules about finishing all the food in your bowl.
Tipping in China
Tipping is not widely expected or required in Mainland China. However, at superior hotels and restaurants catering to western tourists, porters, room service and wait staff may have become used to receiving small tips. You can tip in cash, some small gifts brought from your country would also be appreciated, such as music CDs, books, perfumes, candies, etc. While in Hong Kong and Macau, tipping is very common and important, just like many parts of the world.
What To Do in an Emergency in China
Hopefully, you won't have to deal with an emergency while you're in China. However, if you do find yourself in a bad situation, it is important to know what to do.
In China the organization that is responsible for public safety is the Public Security Bureau (PSB). There are usually several PSB locations within a city district. If you feel you are in danger or need to call for help, you can reach the PSB by dialing 110 on any phone in China.
If you lose your passport, you should report the lost passport as soon as possible to your nearest Public Security Bureau and to your embassy or consulate in China. In order to get a new Chinese visa, a Police report about the loss/theft will be required.
Below are some emergency phone numbers that you should make note of:
110 for the police
119 in case of fire or
120 for an ambulance
If you lose your credit cards or travelers checks, call the issuers immediately. There is usually an international number on the backside of your credit card that you can dial collect 24 hours a day from anywhere outside your home country.
♦ The PSB Office in Zhangjiajie
Tel: 0744-8225175
No. 32, Nanzhuang Lu, Yongding District
♦ The PSB Office in Beijing
Tel: 010-84020101
Add: No.02, Andingmen Dong Dajie
Subway: next to the subway station of Yonghegong (Lama Temple)
♦ The PSB Office in Shanghai
Tel: 021-62310110
Add: No. 128, South Wuning Lu (Wu Ning Nan Lu)
♦ The PSB Office in Guangzhou
Tel: 020-83116688
Add: No.200, Qiyi Lu
♦ The PSB Office in Xi'an
Tel: 029-87234500
Add: No.63, West Street (Xi Da Jie)
♦ The PSB Office in Guilin
Tel: 0773-2823334
Add: No.1, Sanduo LuConsular Assistance
The French tourists can get consular assistance from the
♦ Embassy of the Republic of France in Beijing
Address: No.3, Dong San Jie, San Li Tun, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Postal Code: 100600
Tel: (+86)10 8532 8080
Fax: (+86)10 8652 4841
E-mail: scac@ambafrance-cn.org
Office Hours: 08:30-11:45, Mon.-Fri. (Office of French Affaires)
Website: http://www.ambafrance-cn.org/
♦ Consulate General of the Republic of France in Shanghai
Address: 2/F, Haitong Securities Building, No. 689 Guangdong Road, Shanghai
Postal Code: 200001
Tel: (+86)21 6103 2200, 6103 2261, 6103 2263
Fax: (+86)21 6135 2040
E-mail: info@consulfrance-shanghai.org
Office Hours: 09:00-18:00, Monday-Friday (except holidays)
About French Affaires: 09:00-12:00, Monday-Friday (Need Appointment)
About Visa Application:
For Family Reunion & Work: 09:00-12:00, Thursday (Need Appointment)
For Other Purposes: 09:00-12:00, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday
♦ Consulate General of the Republic of France in Chengdu
Address: 30th Floor, Tianfu Time Square, No.2, Zong Fu Lu, Chengdu
Postal Code: 610016
Tel: +86-28-66666060, 66666103
E-mail: chancellerie@consulfrance_chengdu.org
♦ Consulate General of the Republic of France in Shenyang
Address: No.34 Shisanwei Road, South of Heping District, Shenyang
Postal Code: 110003
Tel: (+86)24 2319 0000
Fax: (+86)24 2319 0001
Consular Districts: Heilongjiang Province, Jilin Province, Liaoning Province
♦ Consulate General of the Republic of France in Wuhan
Address: Room 1701-1708, Wuhan International Trade Center, No. 568 Jianshe Dadao
Postal Code: 430022
Tel: +86-27-65797900
Fax: +86-27-85778426
Office Hours: 09:00-18:00, Monday-Friday
09:00-12:00 and 13:30-16:00, Monday-Friday (for visa)
E-mail: chancellerie@consulfrance-wuhan.org
♦ Consulate General of the Republic of France in Guangzhou
Address: Room 810, Main Tower, Guangdong International Hotel, 339 Huangshi Dong Road
Postal Code: 510098
Tel: (+86)20 2829 2000
Fax: (+86)20 2829 2001
Office Hours: 09:00-12:00 and 14:30-17:00 (Mon. - Fri.)