Chinese Embassy & Tourist Board Information in the UK:
| 12 Old Jewry London EC2R 8DUTel: 020 7776 7888 9:00am to 4:00pm (Monday to Friday) |
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| 71 Mosley St Manchester M2 3HRTel: 0161 236 1070 9:00am to 4:00pm (Monday to Friday) |
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| 19 Canning St Edinburgh EH3 8EG Tel: 0131 229 2519 9:00am to 3:00pm (Monday to Friday) |
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| 1 Stranmillis Embankment Belfast BT7 1GB Tel: 0131 229 2519 9:00am to 3:00pm (Monday to Friday) |
Key Information:
China is the world’s fourth largest country but the top most populated with over 1.4 billion people.
Full Long-form Name: People’s Republic of China (PRC)
Short-form Name: China (CN)
Capital City of China: Beijing
Main Cities in China: Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Wuhan, Chongqing
International dialling code for China: 00 86
Electricity: 220 volts. An adaptor is required.
Health requirements when visiting China: Yellow fever immunisation is essential if you are arriving from an infected area. Precautions against hepatitis A, typhoid, polio and malaria advised (depending on area visited).
Emergency Phone Numbers in China:
Chinese Currency:
The currency used in China is the Renminbi Yuan ¥ (RMB)
The Renminbi Yuan (RMB) is China’s main currency but US dollars and credit cards are also widely accepted.
China Climate:
Southern China is hot and humid with cool winters, while the north and centre have high rainfall, hot summers and cold winters and the north-east has hot, dry summers and severe winters. Beijing has a continental climate.
Time Zone in China:
CST (China Standard Time)
UTC +8:00
8hrs ahead of the UK
Common Languages Used In China:
The official language of China is Mandarin but some areas still use simplified or traditional Chinese. English is also spoken in China amongst other languages.
Useful Chinese phrases:
| English | Pinyin | Phonetic |
| Hello | Ni hao | Nee how |
| How are you? | Ni hao ma? | Nee how ma? |
| Goodbye | Zaijian | Z-eye-gee-yen |
| Thank you | Xiexie | See-air see-air |
| You’re welcome | Bukeqi | Boo cur chee |
| Sorry | Duibuqi | Dway boo chee |
| No problem (it’s okay) | Mei guanxi | May gwan see |
| I would like to go to… | Wo qu… | Wor choo |
| Hotel | Fandian | Fan d-yen |
| How much is… | Duo shao qian | Door show* chee-yen |
| Too expensive | Tai guile | Tie gway-la |
| Toilet | Cesuo | Sir swor |
| Ladies/Gents | Nu/Nan | Noo/Nan |
Arriving in China:
Major gateways: Beijing (PEK), Shanghai (SHA), Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN), Hong Kong (CLK), Macau (MFM)
Typical flight time from UK airports: Nine to twelve hours (9 – 12 hrs)
Transfers: Beijing (16 miles/26km) airport bus 50min; taxi 35min
Shanghai (8 miles/13km) airport bus 30min; taxi 25min
Ports: Guangzhou, Xiamen, Tianjin, Shanghai, Hong Kong
Driving: On the right. Cars and motorcycles can be hired in Beijing, Sanya, Shanghai and Hong Kong. International licence required.
Accommodation: There are more than 6,500 hotels throughout China with between three and five stars.
Chinese Culture:
Religion: Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism
Main cuisines: Cantonese, Sichuan, Huaiyang and Imperial. National dishes – Wontons, Peking duck, dumplings, chow mein.
Drinks: Tea, rice wine, Moutai
National sport: Basketball
Chinese Economy:
Highly regarded for its manufacturing capability, China is the great economic success story of the past 30 years. It is now the largest trading nation in the world and plays the most important role in international trade, and has increasingly engaged in trade organisations and treaties in recent years.