TELEPHONE
To dial home from China, use the international access
code 00, followed by the destination country code, area code and number you
wish to dial.
Assistance for international calls can obtained by
dialling 115.
For calls to China, the international dial code prefix
may vary depending upon the country from which the call is made, but will be
followed by China’s international number +86, followed by the Chinese area code
and local number.
The main police emergency number is 110 which is free to
call, and is suitable for use in all types of emergency. Additional free to
call numbers are 119 for fire emergencies and 120 for an ambulance.
When travelling with Haivenu, you will also always be
provided with an emergency contact number to access our help and assistance.
For mobile handsets, consult your service provider in
advance of departure to activate your handset for use in China and seek advice
concerning roaming charges, which are, however, likely to be expensive. If your
phone is unlocked, another option is to buy a SIM card locally, which will work
throughout China. You can also purchase contract free handsets locally, though
you will also need to purchase a SIM card.
INTERNET
Many major hotels in China now provide free wifi access,
though some still charge for access. Free wifi is additionally becoming
increasingly available in public spaces within the major cities such as
airports, railway stations, restaurants and shopping malls. Some tourist
attractions such as the Bund and Yuyuan gardens in Shanghai also provide free
connections.
There are also internet cafes and bars in China, which
will charge you for their services but these often attract criminals who can
access your data, and it is highly advised not to conduct online financial
transactions in such environments. Petty theft is also common in these
facilities.
Internet use is politically restricted in China, and many
of the services with which you will be familiar such as Facebook and Twitter
are blocked.
ELECTRICITY
The electricity supply in China is 220 Volts, at 50 HZ.
Although some hotels will provide international adapters,
it is best to purchase suitable adapters in advance, and consider your likely
requirements. If you will need to charge several items such as mobile phones,
tablet computers, cameras etc, it may be worth bringing a multiple, preferably
surge protected, outlet from your own country to avoid having to purchase
several Chinese adapters, or deal with a limited number of available sockets in your rooms
If your equipment runs on 110 volts, 60 HZ, you will
additionally need a portable transformer.
A useful visual reference guide to the full range of international
plug and socket varieties can be found at http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/,
which describes the type system in use on this website.
The standard power outlet in China has two sockets, one a
two pin type which accommodates both flat (type A) and round pins (type C), and the other three pin angled type I. Both outlets can be used simultaneously. However these are not necessarily compatible with typical western style adapters and a specifically Chinese adapter, or universal adapter is recommended.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Although the Chinese have a traditional system of weights
and measures, the model in everyday use is the international metric system
based on the metre and gram.
POSTAL SERVICES
The main postal services in China are operated by the
state-run China Post who offer international mail and
parcel services, including tracking. Other international operators, such as
TNT, DHL, UPS and Federal Express, also operate in China, and although their
services are faster, they are more expensive than those of China Post.
TIME ZONE
China is a vast country, and geographically spans five time
zones. However for practical purposes, the country collectively runs on Beijing
time, which is defined as GMT+8, though it should be noted for calculation purposes that China does not
use the daylight saving paradigm established in many other countries.