Communications

International calls may be made directly from hotel rooms with IDD lines. Some large post offices also provide this service. Otherwise, look for roadside kiosks with an IDD sign. 

An inexpensive way to make long distance calls is by using an IP (Internet phone) card for about 4.8 yuan per minute, less than half the rate of an IDD call. IP cards can be obtained up at hotels, Internet cafes and newsstands and are available both in English and Chinese.

For travellers interested in checking their e-mail accounts, all major hotels have Internet connections available in their business centres. Internet cafes can be found on the streets of the student area of Haidian District.

Business travellers in Beijing can switch to a Chinese pre-paid SIM, which saves a fortune. There are two mobile carriers service Beijing, China Mobile and China Unicom. China Mobile offers GSM, and China Unicom offers GSM as well as CDMA.

China Mobile

A new SIM on China Mobile (Shén Zhōu Xíng) is available from any shop where you see the China Mobile sign. Ask any salesperson for a pre-paid SIM with the phrase Wŏ yào măi Shén Zhōu Xíng SIM. You'll be shown a list of available telephone numbers. Unlike some Western countries, the SIM's will vary based on the distinctiveness of the number. The price of a Shén Zhōu Xíng SIM starts at 50 yuan (US$12) for an average number, and rises to as much as thousands of yuan for particularly attractive numbers.

The Shén Zhōu Xíng SIM does not have any call credit when you first purchase it.  You should use a "recharge card" (chōngzhí kă) to add value, thus allowing you to make and receive calls. Recharge cards are generally available in 100 yuan denominations, although lower and higher values are sometimes available. To get on the air, simply slip the SIM into your phone—there is no PIN or pass code—your handset should indicate "CHINA MOBILE." It usually costs 0.6 yuan per minute for local calls. To make DDD calls, dial 12593+city code + number; while making IDD calls, dial 17951+ 0010+city code + number. China Mobile also offer an English-language operator assistance line—call 1860.

China Unicom GSM

The Unicom GSM pre-paid product is called Rú Yì Tōng ("Happy Communication").  Getting a Unicom Rú Yì Tōng SIM is as easy as with China Mobile. The basic SIM cost (without call credit) starts at 50 yuan, and SIM pricing rises depending on the number's distinctiveness. And IP card can be used on this SIM card to save money. Call 1001 (English-language operator assistance line of China Unicom) for more information.

China Unicom CDMA

If you use a CDMA handset, you're limited to China Unicom. Basic SIM and recharge card costs are the same as Unicom and China Mobile GSM, however, call charges are cheaper, at only 0.4 yuan/minute (US$0.05/minute). The process of obtaining a local CDMA number is exactly the same as in the above examples, and the English operator assistance line is the same as for Unicom GSM: 1001.

Internet/E-ail

Internet cafes are located about the city and cost 5–15 yuan per hour.

Tips

Office Hours

In China, standard working hour are usually 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Major malls open from 9:30 a.m. or 10 a.m. and close around 8:30 p.m. during the winter, and 9 p.m., and sometimes even later, in summer. Because traffic is bad during rush hours with the mass movement of people in and around the city, tourists are advised to avoid peak-hour traffic at 7–9 a.m. and 5–7 p.m.

Electric Current

China uses a 220-volt power supply for standard domestic and business purposes. Hotels generally provide wall sockets in every room, accommodating both 'straight two-pin plugs' and 'triangular 3-pins plugs.'

Restrooms/Toilets

Travellers can easily find restrooms/toilets for free on the street, in office buildings, shopping centres, supermarkets, hotels and fast food restaurants.

Health

Tap water in China is considered hard and needs to be boiled before drinking. Tap water in all hotels in China is not drinkable. Inquire with the staff when you check into a hotel, and they will provide hot or cold bottled water.

 

Handy Phone Numbers

Area Code区号: 010

Police Dispatch匪警: 110

Phone Number Inquiries查号台: 114

Time Inquiries时间查询: 117

Fire Dispatch火警: 119

Medical Emergency急救: 120, 999

Weather Broadcast天气预报: 221

Traffic Accident交通事故处理: 122

EMS特快专递: 185

Bus Inquiries公交查询: +86 10 96166

Train Inquiries火车查询: +86 10 5101 9999

Tourist Hotline旅游咨询: +86 10 6513 0828