Safety: there is little crime in China as laws are strict and punishment severe. There are some cases of petty crimes including pick-pocketing and bag snatching, but these are rare and usually occur in very crowded places. In general it is safe for tourists to wonder alone even late at night. When to go: there is really no ideal time to visit China as each season has its own advantages. In general, spring and autumn are good times to visit as the weather is pleasant and there is little rain. Summers are very hot and also see the most rainfall of every season. Winters get extremely cold, especially in the north, but this is the cheapest time to travel to the country. Language: the official language is Putonghua which is standard Mandarin, but there are several main dialects used within China. More than 70 per cent of the population speak Mandarin and it is the medium of instruction. Shanghainese, Cantonese and other ethnic minority dialects are spoken however and you will no doubt come across them on your trip. Emergency: most cities in China have a very good emergency response time, but there are provinces where the services are not up to western standards. It is always advisable to call the hospital directly.
Ambulance: 120 (or call hospitals listed belo)
Police: 110 Business needs: many international companies have opened up factories and offices throughout China because of the cheap labour and international banks and telecommunication facilities are available in major cities. Typical business hours:
- Government departments: 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
- Retail: 09:00 to 20:00, Monday to Sunday
- Banking: 09:30 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday; 09:00 to17:00 Saturday
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