Banks: 09:00 to 16:00 or 17:00, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 9:00 to 20:00, daily
Post offices: 09:00 to 16:00 or 17:00, Monday to Friday
Museums: 9:00 to 17:00, daily
Business Offices: 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday

Punishment for crimes is severe throughout China so tourists don’t typically experience problems in this regard. Both pick-pocketing and purse-snatching do occur, but incidents are infrequent and limited to crowded areas and on public transportation. Walking in most areas, even at night, is considered safe although it is recommended that all valuables be concealed or stored in a hotel safe.

220V AC, 50Hz. Plugs with two narrow pins are most commonly used, but various other types are also is use.

The only immunisation required for entry into China is fortourists who have visited a country affected by yellow fever in the previous 12 months. Vaccination against hepatitis types A and B and cholera are recommended. Hygiene standards are high overall in Xiamen so the risk of infectious disease is low. HIV infection is a problem and proper preventative protection is advised. If you require medical attention during your stay, you’ll find that many tourist hotels have physicians on call.

It’s best to avoid eating raw or undercooked meats and seafood, as there is a risk of food poisoning. Drinking tap water is also not recommended, and bottled water is readily available. Having anti-diarrhoeal medication on hand can be a good idea.

Ambulance: 120
Police: 110

Standard Mandarin Chinese, orputonghua, is the country’s official language and the main language spoken in Xiamen. Additionally, countless numbers of other languages are spoken in other parts of the country by up to 30 per cent of the population. Dialects that you may hear spoken in Xiamen, in addition to the local one, include Cantonese and Shanghainese.

The yuan (also referred to as renminbi yuan) is China’s official currency. One yuan (abbreviation CNY; symbol ¥) comprises 10 jiao, or 100 fen. Banknotes are found in circulation in denominations of ¥100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1, and 5, 2 and 1 jiao. Coins are minted in denominations of ¥1; 5 and 1 jiao, and 5, 2 and 1 fen.

The Chinese yuan is tightly controlled outside of China, but it is possible to change foreign currency to yuan once inside the country at Bank of China branches. At the time of the exchange, a record is made of the amount involved. If you wish to exchange yuan back into foreign currency when you leave China, you’ll need to show this receipt in order to do so.

An individual entering China is permitted to bring in the following goods duty-free: 400 cigarettes, or the equivalent in cigars or loose tobacco, and two bottles (0.75 litres each) of alcoholic beverages. Perfume and medications for personal use are also allowed. Prohibited items include: weapons and ammunition, printed materials that might be considered offensive (including political propaganda and pornography), radio transmitters and receivers and fresh produce. There are export restrictions on antiques. It is important to declare personal items of value when entering the country.

Chinese surnames are written before the given name—the opposite of the western convention—which can cause some confusion at hotels. Visitors may find that their reservations appear under their first name, unless they have clearly indicated which name is their surname.

When speaking, it’s proper to address a Chinese person using their surname and title. Handshaking is common in China, with the duration of the handshake somewhat longer than in the west. When people are speaking, you’ll probably notice that they stand closer together than westerners do. Western visitors also note that Chinese are often more formal in interpersonal relations.

Casual wear in China is often a bit more conservative than in the west and revealing clothing is not considered acceptable dress in public. Visitors are advised to refrain from expressing political or religious opinions in conversation, as this can make some people uncomfortable.

Dining Etiquette
If you are invited to dinner by a Chinese host, you should wait to be seated and you wait to begin eating until the host has indicated that it is appropriate to do so. Chopsticks should always be placed on a chopstick holder when not in use and never positioned upright in your rice bowl, as this position symbolises death. Proposing toasts at the beginning of the meal and during the meal is common. If the dinner is at the home of your Chinese host, bringing a small gift is recommended. A small souvenir from your home country would be a good choice, as would fruits or sweets.

Tipping is more of a common practice than in the past, but tips are not usually expected and are of a smaller value than is typical in North America, for example. It is appropriate to tip tour guides and drivers, servers at tourist restaurants and staff at hotels. In some cases, you’ll find that a service charge of 10 percent has been added to the bill.

Anyone entering China is required to be in possession of a visa, with the type of visa depending on the purpose of the visit. The most common types of visas are for tourism and business, and they are issued for either single- or multiple-entries. The single-entry visa is valid for three months from the time it is issued, while multiple-entry visas allow for an unlimited number of entries for the period that’s indicated on the visa.

The government regulates the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), which has responsibility for both the development and the promotion of the country’s tourism industry. The tourist administration centres provide information on destinations and assistance in planning tours. In Xiamen city, the CNTA office can be found at the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza Harbour View, on Zhenhai road. Phone: +86 592 202 3333.