Banks: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday; most close for lunch
Post Offices:08:00 to 19:00, Monday to Sunday
Government Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday; most close for lunch
Business Centres: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday
Shops: 08:00 to 20:00, Monday to Saturday; some open on Sunday

Pickpockets can be a nuisance in crowded, touristy areas, particularly at bus and train stations. While it is not uncommon for locals to carry relatively large amounts of cash, it remains in tourists’ best interests to carry their valuables concealed in a money belt underneath their clothing. Deposit belongings in a hotel safe and whenever possible, try to leave unnecessary valuables at home.

Scams are problem in large cities like Shanghai, and these can easily spread to neighbouring cities like Suzhou. Be wary of overly friendly strangers. More often than not, scams involve young, beautiful women (working in alliance with local tea shops or restaurants), unsuspecting male travellers and an unreasonably high bill that takes the traveller by surprise. Shoe polishing scams are also common.

Driving conditions in Suzhou and throughout China are considerably more perilous than in Western nations. Motorists seldom yield to pedestrians and most locals cross streets either at elevated pedestrian bridges or in large groups that command motorists’ attention.

Due to hazardous driving conditions throughout China, most visitors opt to leave the driving to locals. Those hiring cars are advised to hire a competent driver who understands local driving customs.

Electricity:220V AC, 50Hz; round two-pin European plugs are the norm.

Healthcare and medical facilities are widely available in Suzhou. Hospitals are adequately staffed and waiting times typically short. Visitors should not rely on hospital staff speaking English though most medical professionals can speak enough English to assist with medical issues.

Unlike other Eastern nations, private healthcare remains largely unregulated in China. If you become mildly ill while travelling in China, you may wish to seek medical advice and medication from a local pharmacy rather than at a hospital. Pharmacists are permitted to issue a wide variety of medications without a prescription.

Chinese officials have acknowledged the reality of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in China. The United Nations states that the virus has spread rapidly here in the past decade and reported cases of infection have increased at an annual rate of 30 per cent since 1998. Insist on previously unused needles when receiving injections, as some hospitals employ reused (though sterilised) needles and use protection if engaging in sexual activities.

The official language of China is Mandarin, though regional dialects pervade every corner of this massive country. Learning a few phrases in Mandarin is sufficient for travel in Suzhou. While younger Chinese and those involved with the tourist industry may understand varying degrees of English, it is still advised that visitors carry the name of their hotel and other important destinations written in Chinese characters.

China’s national currency is the renminbi yuan (¥). There are 10 jiao or 100 fen in a renminbi yuan. Banknotes come in denominations of ¥100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1, as well as 5 and 1 jiao. Coins come in denominations of ¥1, 5 and 1 jiao, as well as 5, 2 and 1 fen. Visitors should be aware that China has a big problem with counterfeit ¥50 and ¥100 notes.

Cash is important in Suzhou, with credit cards only accepted at large hotels, supermarkets and upscale restaurants. Generally, Discover is preferred over Visa, MasterCard or American Express. ATMs are widely located throughout the city, and these provide the preferred means of currency exchange, as rates are reasonable.

Traveller’s cheques are accepted by large bank branches and hotels and these are typically exchanged at more favourable rates than hard cash. In some cases, ATMs in rural areas are not equipped to handle foreign cards. Should this problem present itself, most large Bank of China branches can issue cash advances against international credit cards.

The import or possession of the following items is banned in China: firearms and ammunition, exposed (undeveloped) film, printed materials which may be perceived as slandering China, printed materials which recognise Taiwan as an independent nation (such as a Taiwan Lonely Planet guidebook), anything that defaces Mao Zedong or the communist party and certain religious materials, especially those which belong to minority religious sects. Enforcement of these bans varies.

Per person duty free allowances are as follows: 400 cigarettes (for less than six months’ stay) or 600 cigarettes (for more than six months’ stay); two to four bottles of wine (depending on duration of stay) and perfume for personal use.

As China continues to plunge forward into the 21^st century, rules of etiquette and conduct conform increasingly to international standards. Generally, younger Chinese in and around modern metropolises like Shanghai are more likely to understand and sympathise with Western customs. However, outlying rural areas are still very Chinese and locals here are likely to be less familiar with Western culture.

While the Western-style handshake may not always be exchanged between Chinese, this is usually the preferred method of greeting foreigners. Address those you have just met by their honorific title and refrain from moving to first names until you are specifically invited to do so.

When entering temples, religious sites or people’s houses, visitors are expected to remove their shoes. There will usually be a collection of shoes outside the threshold of these buildings serving as a useful reminder for those who aren’t accustomed to this practice.

‘Saving face’ is an important concept in Chinese culture. It is essential to maintain a respectable and polite exterior and to help others to do the same. Face is transmitted through the showing of respect and by complimenting someone in the presence of another. Wise action is highly valued in China. Above all, it is important not to cause another to ‘lose face’.

Eye contact projects a sense of aggression rather than confidence here. For this reason, Chinese may avoid prolonged or direct eye contact during introductions or when out and about in public. In some ways, the avoidance of eye contact creates a sense of privacy for citizens of crowded, metropolitan centres like Shanghai.

Dining Etiquette
Suzhou cuisine is unique in China. It consists of lightly sweetened seasonal vegetables and fresh water fish, molluscs and other shellfish served over rice noodles or white rice. These dishes are usually accompanied by a clear, lightly seasoned soup. Diners usually use chopsticks both for the main course and to eat noodle soups. Chopsticks are placed on a resting block between bites or when speaking. Soup spoons are usually provided.

Slurping and belching is not considered rude. While Westerners do well not to overstep their boundaries in this arena, it should be of no surprise if local Chinese slurp their soups and occasionally belch at the dining table.

Most Chinese prefer to entertain guests in restaurants rather than in their own homes. If you are fortunate enough to be invited into a local family’s home, bring a token gift for the host or hostess. If you are unable to attend after receiving such an invitation, you can help the host ‘save face’ by explaining why you’re forced to decline.

Tipping practices vary depending on the restaurant and the age of the server. Generally, the older generation finds a tip slightly insulting, while the younger generation (especially those who deal heavily with foreigners) have grown accustomed to the practice.

Due to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, China’s visa requirements have been subject to constant revision. For this reason, it is wise to check with your nearest Chinese embassy before finalising travel arrangements.

Tourist visas for a period of 30 days are available for citizens of most countries. All visas must be arranged in advance through the traveller’s local Chinese consulate or embassy. Visas must be used within 90 days of being issued by the embassy. Visitors must have at least six months validity remaining on their passport after their date of entry. Bear in mind that Macau and Hong Kong issue visas on arrival to nationals of many countries; however, onward travel to mainland China will require a separate visa.

The Suzhou tourist information office is located at 251 Ganjiang Xi Lu. Phone: +86 512 6515 1369.

There is another tourist information office next to the Wangshi Yuan Garden at the corner of Fenguang Jie and Shiquan Jie.