Beijing is the striking city core of a country with one of the world's
oldest civilizations. With a history spanning over three centuries, one can
find in Beijing a wealth of renowned ancient and cultural sites.
In the past 20 years, Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of
China, has developed into a modern metropolis and is the nation's political,
economic and cultural centre.
Visas
All
international travellers require visas although Brunei, Japan, and Singapore
passport holders are able to enjoy visa-free access to China for up to 15 days.
Standard
30-day, single-entry visas can be issued in three to five working days from most
Chinese embassies, and must be used within three months of the date of issue.
Longer visas are often more difficult to obtain.
For
further details, consult with your travel agent, China International Travel
Service, China Travel Service, or any Chinese embassy or consulate.
View visa requirements from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China
Currency
The Chinese currency is known as renminbi (RMB). Credit cards are accepted in major hotels as well as shopping malls.
Here are the most recent exchange rates for some common currencies.
RMB 1.00
equals:
|
Exchange Rates
|
Currency
|
|
0.17
|
Australian Dollar
(AUD)
|
|
0.13
|
Euro
(EUR)
|
|
0.11
|
British Pound
(GBP)
|
|
1.25
|
Hong Kong Dollar
(HKD)
|
|
8.89
|
Indian Rupee
(INR)
|
|
16.62
|
Japanese Yen
(JPY)
|
|
0.20
|
New Zealand Dollar
(NZD)
|
|
0.20
|
Singapore Dollar
(SGD)
|
|
0.16
|
US Dollar
(USD)
|
Taxes
A 15% surcharge including government tax is applicable in most hotels and some private restaurants.
Tipping
Many mid-range and top-end restaurants include their own service charge
that varies between establishments.
Officially, tipping is considered inappropriate and is discouraged.
Business Hours
Bank Hours
9am - 5.30pm, Monday through Friday.
Some banks are open from 10.30am to 4pm.
Office Hours
8 / 9am - 5 / 6pm, Monday through Friday.
Shopping Hours
8/ 9am - 9pm or later throughout the week.
Department stores and shopping malls usually open at 10am and close at 9pm.
Public Health
Visitors entering China are required to complete a health declaration form. Check with your local doctor or health care professional about vaccination requirements before you plan your trip.
Dress
Dress is generally informal in Beijing except on social,
diplomatic or government occasions when a suit and tie is appropriate.
Winter requires heavy clothing, including coats, hats, and
gloves as temperatures can drop to well below freezing with strong winds. Light
clothing is appropriate for the spring and summer months.
Weather
Beijing has a climate ranging from very warm during the summer, 28°C to 38°C (82°F to 93°F), to extremely cold during the winter, – 10°C to 10°C (14°F to 50°F).
Today
Sunny
Sunshine; breezy in the afternoon
|
High:
|
29°C /
84°F
|
|
Low:
|
14°C /
57°F
|
Tomorrow
Mostly Sunny
Sunshine and patchy clouds
|
High:
|
30°C /
86°F
|
|
Low:
|
16°C /
60°F
|
|
Tuesday:
|
|
Intermittent Clouds
|
High:
35°C /
95°F
|
Low:
16°C /
60°F
|
|
Wednesday:
|
|
Mostly Cloudy
|
High:
30°C /
86°F
|
Low:
18°C /
64°F
|