Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
T
TELEPHONES
The country code for China is 86 and the city code for Shanghai is 21, or 021 when dialling
from inside the country. To make an international direct dial call from Shanghai, dial the inter-
national access code: 00, followed by the country code, the area code and the local tele-
phone number.
Local directory assistance: 114
International operator: 116
Most public telephones in China take prepaid phone cards, which can be used for local,
long-distance and international (IDD) calls. Prepaid phone cards are available in amounts of
RMB 20, 30, 50 and 100.
Most mobile phone users with a roaming facility will be able to hook up with the GSM 900
local 3G or 4G networks, with the exception of those from Japan. To avoid roaming charges,
get a prepaid SIM card with a local number and fixed number of minutes. Many phone pro-
viders, hotels, convenience stores and self-serve kiosks at airports sell them in denomina-
tions of RMB 100.
TIME ZONE
The entire country operates on Beijing time, which is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean
Time (GMT). There is no daylight saving, so the time relative to Europe and North America is
one hour less advanced in the summer months. Having a single time zone in such a large
country means that on the east coast the sun rises very early.
TOILETS
Public toilets are plentiful in Shanghai, but toilet paper often seems to be in short supply (al-
ways carry a pack of tissues with you). Payment - usually a few jiao - is sometimes required.
If you're squeamish, head for a smart hotel or shopping mall, where the public facilities are
almost always user-friendly.
TOURIST INFORMATION
A tourist hotline (tel: 962 020) operates daily from 10am to 9pm. Information can be patchy
depending on who you get on the line. Be sure to ask for an operator who speaks English.
The Shanghai Tourist Information and Service Centre (
http://lyw.sh.gov.cn/en
) operates
branches in each of Shanghai's districts, including one on the ground level of the arrival hall
