Bank hotline (in Chinese and English)

Exchanging Money ：Sixteen currencies can be converted into RMB at the exchange rate quoted on the foreign exchange market for that day. They are Pound Sterling, US Dollar, Swiss Franc, Euro, Singapore Dollar, Swedish Krona, Danish Krone, Norwegian Korne, Japanese Yen, Korean Won, Canadian Dollar, Australian Dollar, Philippine Peso, Tai Baht, Hong Kong Dollar, and Macao Pataca.
Only the Bank of China, several outlets of which can be found at the Capital International Airport, can convert all of them. The highest amount one can cash out per day is USD 5,000. But it's better to do so in small amounts, so as to avoid having to convert any RMB back to your original currency. When converting foreign currency into RMB at an authorized location, they will give you an exchange slip, which you should keep safe as you'll have to show it should you change your RMB back to foreign currency. Many large hotels are also approved for currency exchange, but the service is often reserved for guests. Passport identification is compulsory for all currency conversions, so be sure to bring it with you.

Credit Cards ：Credit card is not as universally accepted in China as in the West. Major foreign credit card likely to be accepted here are MasterCard, Visa, American Express, JCB and Diners. They can be used at most star hotels and some department stores. Paying by foreign credit card may entail a 4% service fee. Making cash withdrawal from a credit card is usually done in the form of a “cash advance”, which can be particularly expensive, depending on your bank's policy and how long you take to repay the “advance”. American Express card members can cash personal check for USD 2,000- USD 3,000 over a 21-day period at DITIC Bank (Room 2313-14, Tower 1, China World Trade Center, No. 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, 86-10-65052838). Visa members can withdraw money up to a daily limit of RMB 3,000 at Bank of China and HSBC branches.

ATMs ：Beijing is quite an ATM-friendly city. Almost all banks have ATMs and many accept main foreign credit card and bankcards connected to Cirrus, Plus, Amex, Visa and MasterCard. Check the logos posted at the ATM to see if it will accept your card. The top daily limit on withdraws is RMB 2,500. Transaction fees will be deducted by your bank according to its exchange rate and policy prevailing at the time of transaction. If an ATM says that your transaction has been declined and asks you to contact your bank, this often just means that the international network is unavailable. You should try an ATM from another bank, or return the next day. Note that no matter which country / currency is associated with your ATM or credit card, the amount requested an withdrawn will be in RMB.

Communication

International call: international calls can be made directly from the local land but the cost is expensive which about 0.72 yuan per 6 seconds is. There has an inexpensive way to make long distance calls are by using an IP (Internet phone) card. IP card can obtained at convenient store, news-stands and are available in both English and Chinese.

Internet and E-mail: internet cafes can be easily found in Central Beijing and cost 3 yuan-15 yuan for a relatively high-speed connection. They are generally open all night. Many of them offer free Wi-Fi services and inform visitors on the boards in front their gates. For a list of Wi-Fi locations, besides Starbucks, see: www.chinapulse.com/wifi.internet access and other high-tech service are increasingly available in most hotel business center, with price as much as about 20 yuan for ten minutes.
Business travelers 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.

Cell phones: If you are going to be staying in Beijing for even a short time, it may prove economical to purchase a pre-paid Chinese SIM for you cell phone provide your cell is open to all networks. There are two mobile operators in China, China Mobile and China Unicom. Both offer a range of pre-paid packages starting at around 50 yuan for the SIM, depending on the distinctiveness of the phone number. A list will be presented to you of available numbers. It costs to receive calls so you will be required to purchase a minimum 50-yuan top-up card initially. Calls to Beijing landlines or cells are charged at fixed rate of between 0.25 yuan and .6 yuan. To receive calls costs between 0.1 yuan and 0.4 yuan and text messages are fixed at 0.1 yuan. The process can be difficult if no Chinese is spoken. PIN codes are required and automated messages will require particular inputs. China Mobile offers an English-language operator assistance line by calling 10086 and China Unicoms similar service is at 10010. to avoid high costs on long-distance calling, add 17931 before the desired number. (English- language operator assistance line of China Unicom) Both operators offer GSM, while China Unicom also offers CDMA.

China Mobile: a new SIM on China Mobile (Donggan Didai) is available from any shop where you see the China Mobile sign. You¡¯ll be shown a list of available telephone numbers. Unlike some Western countries, the SIM will vary based on the distinctiveness of the number. The price of a Shen Zhou Xing SIM starts at 50 yuan for an average number, and rises to as much thousands of yuan for particularly attractive numbers.
The Shen Zhou Xing SIM does not have any call credit when you first purchase it. You should use a recharge card (chongzhi ka) to add value, thus allowing you to make and receive calls. Recharge cards are generally available in 50 or 100 yuan denominations. To get on the air, simple slip the SIM into your phone -? there is no PIN or pass code your handset should indicate CHINA MOBILE. It usually costs 0.25 yuan per minute for local calls. China Mobile also offers an English-language operator assistance line: call 10086.

Electric current:

China uses a 220-volt power supply for standard domestic and business purposes. There generally provide wall outlets in the Accommodation places which both straight two-pin plugs and triangular 3-pin plugs.

Tap water:

Tap water in China is considered hard and needs to be boiled before drinking. All accommodation places will provide boiled water or electric kettle.