Banks: 09:00 to 16:00 or 17:00, Monday to Friday
Post offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Government departments: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Shops: 08:00 to 20:00, daily
Punishment for crimes in China is very harsh. It is therefore a safe destination to visit with low levels of violent crime, particularly against tourists. Pickpockets are still in evidence, however, while touts and traffic levels are also problems.As with anywhere, keep an eye out in built up areas for pickpockets and bag snatchers, especially around shops, markets and bus and railway stations. Don’t carry around too much cash or wear flashy jewellery, and if you must wear a bum bag, keep it well concealed. Be particularly alert for pickpockets and touts leading up to Chinese New Year.
Police: 110
Electricity: 220volts, 50Hz
While the main threat to health when visiting China is generally ill-prepared food, which can cause a stomach upset, Dongguan has good food hygiene standards and its profusion of eateries in the many malls are up to Western standards. When eating in the markets, however, stick to places that have a high throughout of diners and ensure the meat is well cooked. Tap water is not potable.
Dongguan thankfully doesn’t suffer from the extreme traffic pollution of the likes of Beijing although the traffic fumes are in evidence here and it’s worth bringing along a supply of throat lozenges with you or a mask if you plan on cycling.
Those on medication should make sure they bring along an extra supply and not rely on finding the brand they take in the pharmacies here. If you do find the medication you’re looking for here, there is a chance that it is fake. Researching the generic name of the drug just in case is advised.
Hospitals and clinics in Dongguan have some English speaking doctors and nurses and facilities and healthcare at the People's Hospital of Dongguan City are good.People's Hospital of Dongguan City: No.88, Shachitang, Guancheng district, Dongguan City
Emergency: 120
Mandarin Chinese is the standard tongue in China although Cantonese is more widely spoken in the south. The regional dialect known as Hakka, which is very similar in design to Cantonese, is spoken in Dongguan. This slight difference will mean very little to the majority of travellers on a short break in Dongguan, who will unlikely be able to discern the difference, but is worth noting for those on extended breaks around the country. Not many people in mainland China can speak English, even in shops and restaurants, although Dongguan is an international city and you will find English speaking staff in many of the larger department stores and hotels.
In line with the rest of China, the official currency is the renminbi (RMB). It is also known as the yuan (CNY, ¥).Notes are issued in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 yuan; 5, 2 and 1 jiao and 5, 2 and 1 fen. Coins are issued in denominations of 1 yuan; 5, 2 and 1 jiao and 5, 2 and 1 fen.
The money situation can be a headache when visiting China as the tightly controlled yuan cannot be exchanged outside the country. Credit cards are not widely accepted and neither are international debit cards in many ATMs. In addition, those with traveller’s cheques will need to keep receipts of exchange in order to ‘sell’ back unused cheques at the end of their trip.
For changing money to yuan, banks are the most reliable places and generally offer the best rates, with hotels offering the worst rates and the airports being somewhere in between. Shoppers may find that some places will accept foreign currency—typically US dollars.
It is possible to withdraw from your bank account via some ATMs in Dongguan, with Citibank and Hongkong and Shanghai Bank (HSBC) machines accepting foreign cards. Those with Cirrus, PLUS and Aeon activated cards stand the best chance of withdrawing yuan this way. You may also find that some machines limit the amount of yuan you can withdraw at any one time, such as ¥2,500.
Your best chance of using your credit card for purchases is at the main shopping malls and in flashy restaurants and hotels. Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted credit cards although you will often find out that only the Chinese versions of the cards are accepted. Cash advances on credit cards in Dongguan’s banks are also possible, but expect hefty commissions and poor exchange rates.
Using traveller’s cheques is possible, but expect to pay commission on buying and selling them. You can generally exchange traveller’s cheques at banks, hotel foreign exchange desks and department stores, but make sure your signature is an exact clone of the original as the Chinese are sticklers for fraud.
Duty-free limits into China are somewhat more relaxed than most nations, with each person being able to import up to 400 cigarettes along with two bottles of spirits and a reasonable amount of perfume. It is worth noting that import and export restrictions apply to antiques, pornographic material and publications that may be deemed sensitive to the communist party. If you are in any doubt, declare any items you are unsure about.
When signing into your hotel, write your surname first, as the Chinese do, and address a local by using Mr or Miss followed by their surname. Don’t be alarmed if a handshake lasts longer than you think it should, as this is normal, as is standing close together when conversing.
The days of establishments forbidding tipping is numbered and nowadays many places expect one, especially in the big cities. You will be encouraged to tip when on a tour, but there really is no need if you are out and about independently in the city.
Dining Etiquette
Eating is usually casual and informal in China, bar in the upmarket hotels and restaurants where a jacket and tie may be required. It’s perfectly fine to wander into a noodle shop with shorts and sandals as the locals do.
If you are lucky enough to be invited for dinner by a local, common sense will dictate the dos and don’ts. Sit only when your seat has been pointed out to you, eat after the host gives the all clear and don’t let your chopsticks poke out of the top of the bowl when finished as this seemingly harmless gesture signifies death.
All visitors need a visa when entering China and depending on how many times you wish to re-enter the country will determine whether you need a single-entry or a multi-entry visa. Single-entry visas are valid for up to three months from the date of issue and only allow for one entry, while multiple-entry visas allow for unlimited entries for the duration of the visa. Ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond the date of your stay and that at least two full pages are available.
The China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) is run by the Chinese government and they provide useful tourist informationon Dongguan to help with trip planning and the like. Website: liveable.dg.gov.cn
Perfect location for where i needed to go. I felt safe and the level of English speaking by the staff was good. Every one was very helpful and i would return to stay....
