|
|
| Useful
Advice for Tourists Visiting China |
This page
offers general advice for Tourists Visiting China
(September 2008) |
|
| The
aim of this section is to give those travelling to China
for the first time the general information they require
to enjoy their stay |
|
This
page offers advice about telephones and internet connections
Telephones:
There are 3 main categories of telephones in China:
Mobile Phones,Land lines, and Call Boxes.
Mobile Phones
Mobile phones are very common in most parts of China
and only very remote areas do not have coverage. Most
are 2.5G, although many newer 3G phones are now being
sold. However, not all Chinese carriers support 3G,
and when they do, they use a different technology from
both USA and Europe. The system is CDMA1800 China.
Most popular mobiles are made by Nokia and Sony Eriksson,
whilst many other manufacturers are also in the market.
Shops are very common, selling a wide variety of phones,
accessories, and sim cards. Most also sell top up cards,
which are simple to use. Press 2 for English and follow
the instructions. Normally press 1# first to top up
the phone you are using, and then enter the voucher
number at the prompt. There are usually 24 hour dispensing
machines at regular intervals, so note where they are
Chinese phones are never locked to a carrier, so it
is easy to change supplier - simply insert the appropriate
sim card and off you go!
Sim cards come in different flavours; the main ones
being:
* City District, offering very cheap calls in your local
area, and often free messaging. Beware if you live near
a City border or need greater coverage.
* Regional sim cards that offer cheaper calls within
a province or specified larger area
* National coverage all over China. Local or regional
calls are usually discounted, whilst National ones can
be expensive unless you use the associated IP number
when dialling
* International cards offer more expensive local and
national calls, but the cost is actually minimal. International
and National calls are very cheap using the IP code,
and typically Y100 will buy between 20 and 30 minutes
talk-time to UK depending upon time of call. This is
very much cheaper than global roaming charges from your
home country
* Other schemes exist, but the main point to note is
concerning call charges. Whilst some can be free to
receive calls, not all are, and although the charges
are minimal, they can cause problems if you run out
of credit
As well as 'Pay as you go' type methods, you can also
choose a contract scheme, which comes with similar benefits
as do Western contracts: Normally a new phone each year,
insurance against loss, etc. You usually pay by direct
bank transfer at the end of each month - all pretty
standard really
Old style 2.5G mobiles will work in China, but ensure
they are 'Unlocked' from your service provider before
you leave your home country, as you will need a Chinese
Sim Card for 'Pay as you go' type service at local charges.
Western companies do not operate in China, and this
is your reason for unlocking should they query your
request
China has half a dozen regionally based carriers, and
they do carry all calls and messages via reciprocal
agreements - meaning you have coverage all over China
regardless of which company is actually transmitting
your signal. This 'sort of' works as well in Hong Kong,
but doesn't in Macao.
The main carrier in Guangdong Province is China Mobile,
although this is not common on other parts of China.
China Unicom also has outlets in Guangdong, but not
as many. This is probably a larger and more National
company regards total coverage, and they do offer CDMA
services. Both companies are also present in Hong Kong,
but they are separate companies and systems, offer limited
compatibility or charging bands.
Think about buying a new mobile phone in China. They
start at around Y240 for a reasonable and basic Nokia,
whilst ones with camera are as little as Y600. You can
pay 10 times this for the very latest western phones.
All mobiles sold are multi-lingual, and support all
major world languages. When purchasing, also consider
handwriting input, extra memory, spare batteries and
chargers. Most phone translators only work on one word
at a time, so please check if this is an important feature
for you to have. Normally only expensive phones offer
sentence translations
Please Note: CDMA phones bought in China will not work
in most other parts of the world, and vise versa, as
the transmission systems are different
Land lines
Hard wired telephones are offered by China Telecom,
a National concern operating all over China. You will
need your passport and Bank details to arrange for one.
This can be a lengthy process, complicated by various
deposits and many forms filled out (By them) in triplicate.
Allow a couple of hours to do this. Chinese people do
not normally have private phones that can make International
calls, although they can receive them. Telecom staff
should automatically ensure your telephone is international,
simply because you are a foreigner
The engineers work long hours and 7 days a week, so
installation is usually very quick. A telephone is always
supplied, whether you want one or not - and they do
expect this to be returned at the end of the contract.
Once installed, the line is good and can be used for
both telephone and fax. Local calls are generally quite
cheap, with higher charges for national calls. International
calls are horrendously expensive, so try and avoid making
them
Once you have the phone installed you can often receive
a China Telecom mobile phone with separate number. These
can cost as little as Y1, but will only work in the
local area, where calls and messages are free (I think?)
Call Boxes
These are very common and look like a blue cowl on a
silver pole. They are starting to become outdated due
to the increase in mobile alternatives. Check local
boxes are working, as some have the phones legitimately
removed, and await the rest being removed. It
is very rare for a working call box to be vandalised
To use a call box you will need a card, and these are
available at all Post Offices, and certain other outlets.
You may need to specify an International card when purchasing
Local shops also have telephones for public use, and
you pay after use according to how much your call cost.
These are either local or regional, and do not work
Internationally
Internet
Virtually all internet connections are on the ADSL system,
although dial-up and true Broadband are sometimes available.
ADSL is a hard wired and dedicated telephone wire that
normally connects to fibre optic cables running under
the streets. Standard speed is 1Mb sec, and you can
expect to attain about half of this, depending on the
websites you surf
Again, the main supplier is China Telecom. They will
fit cables and modem where you want them in your home,
and the modem has to be returned at end of contract
or upgrade. Other modems are available, including 0.5
Mb, 2Mb and 4Mb. Be careful here, as often the higher
bandwidth is a multiple of 1Mb, divided for use by other
computers with the appropriate number of port connections.
Wireless systems are also common, but not very secure
unless you ensure your computer is well protected by
suitable encryption methods. Average cost is Y1, 000
per year for 4Mb
Internet connectivity is also available from cable suppliers.
These offer dedicated higher bandwidths, which are subject
to slowing due to number of users and what they are
downloading. Average cost is Y18 per month
Those with laptops have good free coverage, as most
Western restaurants offer Wi-Fi Hot Spots. This is also
available at certain public buildings
|
|
| This
information is as supplied by the Chinese Embassy in
UK, as dated 20th June 2008, and/or other reliable sources.
Please check this information yourself as it may alter
without notice, and whilst we try our best to ensure
it is correct, please do not hold us responsible for
any errors - this is intended as a simple guide only |
|
| Search
this Website |
|
|
| Our
Friends |
Excellent
& Free Online Chinese Language Portal
Thousands of free print-friendly Chinese reference sheets,
tests and revision aids.
Easy Learning format &
Listen to Spoken Words |
British Foreign Office
Resource and Advice for Travellers Worldwide |
Chinese Embassy in UK
Information About China
International Relations
Visa & Consular |
UK Embassy in China
Information About UK
International Relations
Visa & Consular |
|
Excel
Education |
Languages Courses
Study Abroad
Employability
Summer Camps
Information for Teachers |
|
Excellent and relaxing base to
explore this most beautiful of regions in all China! |
Down The Road.org
How We Traded Our Ordinary Lives For a Global Bicycle Touring Adventure
See
Us in China |
Empowering Disadvantaged Children
& Their Communities = Worldwide |
Based in Shangri-la,
Yunnan
Province
Dedicated to Exploring Remote Areas of China
Committed to Nature Conservation and Preserving Ethnic
Cultures & Traditions
|
Based in Xi'an,
China's Premiere Travel Agency and International Travel
Community -
Committed to providing:
Best travel deals & current information for all
International Travellers |
Pearl Dragon
Vast
Online Trading and Information Resource
Link goes to Chinese Tourism and Galleries Section |
|
