Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
›
Local calls can be made from public phones (usually yellow or orange), at newspaper
stands and hole-in-the-wall shops. You pay the owner when you finish.
›
The country code to use to access China is
86.
›
To call a number in Beijing from abroad, dial the international access code (
00 in the
UK,
011 in the USA and so on), dial the country code (
86) and then the area code
for Beijing (
010), dropping the first zero, and then dial the local number.
›
For telephone calls within the same city, drop the area code.
›
Mobile Phones
Your cell phone from home should work in Beijing (check it's been un-
locked for overseas use before leaving).
›
Credit-charging cards (
充值卡
;
chongzhi ka
) for local SIM cards are sold at most con-
venience stores and newspaper stands in ¥50 or ¥100 denominations. Calls are less than
¥1 a minute.
›
Phone cards, or IP cards (internet phone; IP
卡
;
IP ka),
are best for making international
calls and come in various denominations.
›
Most cards either have English-language instructions on them, or an English-language
option once you dial the card number.
›
IC (integrated circuit) cards (IC
卡
;
IC ka),
for domestic calls, can be used at most public
phones.
›
IP and IC cards are sold at newspaper stands, small shops, China Telecom offices and
some hotels.
Toilets
›
Public toilets are everywhere in Beijing, but most are squat versions and are often pun-
gent and primitive. Carry your own toilet paper or tissues (available in every small shop).
›
If you see a waste basket next to the toilet, that's where you should throw the toilet pa-
per.
›
Make a beeline for fast-food outlets, top-end hotels and department stores for more hy-
gienic alternatives.
