Xian, once the capital of China, is today the capital of Shaanxi
province. The cultural and historical significance of the area, as well as an
abundance of relics and sites, have earned Xian the title of "Natural
History Museum".
Since the 1990s, as
part of the economic revival of interior China, Xian has become an important
cultural, industrial and educational 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)
|
|
0.12
|
Euro
(EUR)
|
|
0.11
|
British Pound
(GBP)
|
|
1.25
|
Hong Kong Dollar
(HKD)
|
|
9.00
|
Indian Rupee
(INR)
|
|
16.42
|
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
9am - 3pm, Weekend and
Public Holidays
Office
Hours
9am - 5.30pm, Monday through Friday
Shop
Hours
9 / 9:30am - 9pm or
later throughout the week
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 Xian
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 freezing
mark. Light clothing is appropriate for the spring and summer months.
Weather
Mild with clear four
seasons, Xian has a climate ranging from hot during the summer - 28°C to 38°C
(82°F to 93°F) - to moderate cold during the winter around the freezing mark.
The city has a fair amount of rainfall in
summer and autumn.