Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
pending on what time you go online. Smoking is often tolerated in internet cafes. Many
internet cafes do not allow the use of a USB stick. The neighbourhood maps in this guide-
book have handily located internet cafes marked on them with the @ icon.
Internet Cafes: procedure
Internet cafes are required to see your passport before allow-
ing you to go online, and a record of your visit may be made. You will be filmed or digit-
ally photographed at reception by a rectangular metal box that sits on the counter of each
licensed internet cafe in town. Usually you will then be given a card with a number (
zhèngjiànhào
) and password
(mìmǎ
or
kǒulìng)
to enter into the on-screen box before you
can start.
Wi-fi Cafes
It is increasingly common for Western-style bars and cafes to offer free wi-fi.
Be prepared for occasionally slow connections and the sudden disappearance of sites for
periods of time.
Censorship
Some politically sensitive websites and some of the more popular social me-
dia websites, such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube are blocked in China. To access
such websites whilst here you will need to run your laptop or smartphone through a VPN
(virtual private network).
Legal Matters
Drugs
China's laws against the use of illegal drugs are harsh, and foreign nationals have
been executed for drug offences (trafficking in more than 50g of heroin can result in the
death penalty).
Judicial System
The Chinese criminal justice system does not ensure a fair trial, and de-
fendants are not presumed innocent until proven guilty. China conducts more judicial exe-
cutions than the rest of the world combined; up to 10,000 per year (27 per day), according
to some estimates. If arrested, most foreign citizens have the right to contact their em-
bassy.
Medical Services
As the national capital, Běijīng naturally sports some of China's best medical facilities
and services.
