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 June and September to November. A brief
weather report on all major cities in China is available at http://weather.yahoo.com/regional/CHXX.html.
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/m5?a=1&s=EUR&t=CNY&c=0.
1
EUR = 10,31 RMB (as of May 29, 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 and in tourist stores.
DEPARTURE TAX
The departure tax on international flights is about RMB 90 per person.
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.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Visas are required by most foreigners entering mainland China. For a visa application the following documents are needed:
- passport (with a validity of more than 6 months)
- completed visa application form
- 1 passport photograph
At the homepage 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 a link of
your country’s embassy for downloading and printing the visa
application form or further information on the application procedure.
For Germans: At the homepage of the Chinese Embassy (www.china-botschaft.de), you can find a link for downloading and printing the visa application form for China at http://www.china-botschaft.de/det/qz/t92286.htm.
A
tourist visa (one-time entry) costs about EUR 50 (Germans: about 20
EUR). Additional EUR 30 will be charged for preferred processing of the
application. The visa will be issued within four working days. All
documents have to be handed in and picked up in person or by proxy. An
application by mail is not possible. We would recommend a visa
application via a travel agency.
If you have to sign contracts
in China you need a business visa (one-time entry), which costs about
EUR 50 (Germans: about 20 EUR). An official invitation letter by the
trade fair organizers is required to apply for a business visa. This
invitation letter will be provided from our office in Shanghai:
Munich Trade Fairs (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
#503, Double Dove Tower,
438 Pudian Road, Pudong New Area
Shanghai 200122, PR China |
Mr. Frank Lee
Phone: (+ 86 21) 5058 0707 ext.868
Fax: (+ 86 21) 5058 3337
li.feng@mmi-shanghai.com |
FOREIGN EMBASSIES IN CHINA
At http://mypage.bluewin.ch/caccia/china-vr.html#english you find the addresses of your own Embassy and Consulate in Shanghai.
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 => Länder- 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 => Länder- 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.
USEFUL ADDRESSES IN GERMANY
Botschaft der Volksrepublik China
S. E. Herr Canrong Ma (Botschafter)
Märkisches 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. für Außenwirtschaft und Handel
Selma-Lagerlöf-Str. 11, 13189 Berlin
Tel.: +49 (0)30-47901910 /13 /14
Fax: +49 (0)30-4710230 |
|
USEFUL ADDRESSES FOR GERMANS IN CHINA
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.
USEFUL INTERNET LINKS
The following websites provide useful information about China:
In English:
In German:
China fact sheet for travellers (pdf, 44 KB)
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.
Subject to change! As of June 2007.
