Some Basics for Travelling in China
Beijing and the main cities within China have become much more modern over the last decade and offer many great shopping and tourist attractions for visitors. It is possible to find English speaking locals that will be able to help if you get in a pinch or have questions. Below are a couple of the basics for travelling in China.
Water -
Try to avoid drinking tap water as it is not safe. Only in luxury hotels would I even consider touching it, but even there I would avoid it. Bottled water is now widely availble.
Chinese Currency -
The standard unit is the yuan, with jiao and fen as subsidiary units. One yuan equals ten jiao, and one jiao equals ten fen. Yuan, jiao and fen are issued both in bills of exchange and coins. You can exchange your foreign currencies at most major banks.
Credit Cards -
The major credit cards are acceptable in China. Mastercard, Visa and American Express are widely accepted as are JCB and Diners. Cardholders may also draw cash at the Bank of China or conversion centers designated by the Bank of China.
Transportation -
The traffic is a disaster in Beijing, but there are taxis and a vast subway system available. Just remember to plan extra travel time and to be patient.
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