Currency: The currency in China is Ren Min Bi(人民币). The unit of Ren Min Bi is Yuan(元). The symbol is ￥.
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Electricity: 220 volts, 50 Hz. DO NOT plug your 110V devices in!
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Cell Phones: GSM and CDMA.
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Time Zone: GMT + 8.
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Language: The official language in China is Mandarin. Local people speak Mandarin or the dialect Shanghaihua(Shanghainese), however most facilities have staff who are fluent in foreign languages. Telephone Area Code: +86 (China) 21 (Shanghai).
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Driving: On the right.
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Emergency Numbers:
Police 110
Fire 119
Ambulance 120
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Customs: Visitors to China must fill out a customs form upon arrival. When you enter the country you are asked to declare electrical goods and luxury items such as cameras, computer equipment etc. Keep this form until you exit to avoid paying duty on goods you brought into the country. There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency you can bring into the country. However, one must declare any cash exceeding US$5,000 or the equivalent.
It is also required that visitors fill in a health declaration form at the Customs.
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Shopping Hours: Shops are usually open from 10.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. everyday.
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Banks and Business Hours: 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays only. Some banks are also open on weekends.
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ATM: There are numerous ATMs across the whole so it is very easy to find one. However, sometimes some cards might not work at ATMs of certain banks.
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Credit Cards: MasterCard and Visa are most popular in China, but other major credit cards, including American Express, Diner's Club, Federal Card, JCB, are also accepted at most hotels, restaurants and shops.
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Taxes: Taxes are usually already included in the price.
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Tipping: No need.
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Religion: China is officially atheist, but traditionally pragmatic and eclectic. Some 2% to 3% of the population practice Daoism (Taoism), Buddhism and Islam. An estimated 1% are Christianians.
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Holidays
Jan, 1, New Year's Day
Spring Festival (Chinese New Year)(春节), Somewhere 3 days long in January or February Depending on Chinese Lunar Calendar.
March, 8, International Women's Day.
Qing Ming Festival (清明节), April 5.
May, 1, International Labor Day.
Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), one day in late May or early June.
June, 1, Children's Day
Moon Festival (中秋节), one day in middle or late September.
Oct, 1-3, National Day.
There are two 3-day-long holidays. Government would exchange the weekends with working days so that there is a 7-day-long holiday. May, 1-7 and Oct, 1-7 are usually called "Golden Week". Try to avoid these two weeks as there will be incredible crowds in Shanghai everywhere.
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