📱 SIM Card
You can bring your passport or Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card to the service offices of telecom operators such as China Telecom, China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Broadnet, to apply for a SIM card and activate mobile communication services in China.
💳 Mobile Payment
In China, mobile phone payments are popular. Use WeChat or Alipay.
- Download and install WeChat or Alipay apps and follow the instructions to input foreign or Chinese mobile phone numbers for account registration.
- Bind the app to international bank cards such as Master Card, Visa, JCB, Diners Club, and Discover, or Chinese bank cards with the UnionPay logo.
- You can scan the QR code or use the payment QR code when making payments.
Notes for binding international bank cards:
- When binding an international bank card to Alipay or WeChat, it is necessary to obtain authorization from the foreign issuing bank. However, some issuing banks may reject the binding request due to their system's inability to recognize the connection information. In such cases, it is advisable to contact the issuing bank's customer service center or consider using a Chinese bank card instead.
- When using Alipay or WeChat for QR code payments through the bound international bank card, users are not required to pay an additional service fee if the transaction amount does not exceed 200 yuan; if the amount exceeds 200 yuan, a service fee of 3% of the transaction amount applies.
- Alipay and WeChat have set transaction limits for bound international bank cards, with an annual limit of 50,000 US dollars and a single transaction limit of 5,000 US dollars. Users who have bound international bank cards are advised to consider their specific use cases before using mobile payment.
- Users of AlipayHK, WeChat Pay HK (HKSAR), mPay (Macao SAR), Kakao Pay (Republic of Korea), Touch'n Go eWallet (Malaysia), HiPay (Mongolia), Changi Pay (Singapore), OCBC (Singapore), Naver Pay (Republic of Korea), Toss Pay (Republic of Korea), and TrueMoney (Thailand) can make QR code payments through these e-wallets in the Chinese mainland.
💰 Exchange of Foreign Currencies
- Overseas visitors can exchange foreign currencies for RMB cash in advance in relevant countries or regions before bringing it into China (each visitor is allowed to take up to 20,000 yuan in cash in or out of the country).
- Overseas visitors can exchange foreign currencies for RMB cash at commercial bank branches, money changers, and self-service currency exchange machines at international airports, land ports, and other entry ports, or withdraw RMB cash using international bank cards at ATMs.
🕐 Time Difference & Business Hours
- Beijing time is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+8). No daylight saving time.
- Banks are generally open 09:00–17:00 on weekdays only, and closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. ATMs are widely available.
- Major department stores are open 10:00–22:00, including Sundays, while smaller shops and restaurants tend to open earlier and close later every day.
🔌 Power Plug & Electricity
China uses a 220V power supply. To avoid device damage: check the device label, use a surge protector for laptops, and ensure firm plug insertion. Be cautious with multi-standard outlets to prevent electricity-related issues.
🚨 Emergency Numbers
- 110 Police
- 119 Fire Department
- 120 First Aid
- 122 Traffic Police
- 12345 Government Service Hotline for Public Convenience
☀️ Weather
Summer (June to August) — climatic features:
- Summer in Beijing is hot and humid, with high temperatures due to monsoon influences.
- Average daytime temperatures reach around 29°C, while nights average around 18°C.
- Precipitation increases slightly but it remains a relatively dry season overall.