Postal and Telecom Service in China

Postal Service

During the past two decades, a modernized postal network has been developed in China, providing quality domestic and international coverage. The postal services network has become one of the most important carriers of information, commodities, and financial instruments.

There are Post Offices in all cities and towns throughout the country. Domestic mail is very fast and the cost is low, normally 0.60 yuan for local delivery and 0.80 yuan for inter-city mail. Within some cities, there is often same-day delivery; between large cities, delivery is usually overnight. The international postal service is also efficient. Under normal circumstances it will only take 5-10 days for airmail letters or postcards to reach their destinations.

Points for special attention:
Envelope sizes are standardized in China, so always buy them from post offices, hotels and appointed agencies.

Stamps in China are not self-adhesive so you need to glue them onto the envelopes.

The postal code is required when mailing letter.

Post offices are very particular about how you pack a parcel. So pack the items you want to post in the post office, as you will have to get customs clearance for your parcel.
The Chinese postal services also offer Express Mail Service (EMS) to most domestic and international destinations. A number of international courier companies have offices in China, in which express mail service such as DHL, UPS, TNT and FedEx are now accessible to more than 10,000 cities in 170 countries and regions.

Post offices, with eye-catching green emblems, are usually found on main streets, at railway stations, the airport and major scenic spots. They open daily from 08:00-19:00.

Apart from post offices in cities, mailing service is also available in some hotels.

Telephone, Telegram and Fax

China is increasingly reliant on optical cables and is extending its use of ground satellite communication stations. Pagers and mobile telephones cover main cities.

China's phone system runs smoothly. Direct long-distance dials (DDD) and International calls (IDD) can be made from hotel rooms or roadside telephone kiosks. When making a domestic call, visitors should dial the domestic prefix 0 plus area code and the number. When make an international call, just dial the international prefix 00, plus country code, area code and number.

IDD calls have a six-second minimum charge, the rate is 0.80 yuan per six second. All long distance phone made between 21:00 and 07:00 the next morning only need pay half the daytime price.

In hotels, local calls are generally free or only charged a nominal fee while domestic long-distance and international calls will be charged a variable service fee ranging from 10 to 20 percent.

In some large cities, you can now buy IP phone cards which can save you money. Telegram, fax and telex facilities are available in hotels, post offices and telecommunication centers.

Internet

Just as in the rest of the world the Internet is widely available in China. You will be able find access to Internet facilities in most major cities, though at times it can be very slow to download. Business centers in 4 and 5 star hotels provide an Internet service for visitors and find cyber cafes are plentiful. Tip: one of the best places to look out for cyber cafes is near to universities.

Chinese transportation

I. Bus Transportation

Buses are still major public transportation means in all large cities of China. There are normally dozens of routes of buses in large cities. The buses are generally named with Arabic figures, e.g., Buses of Route 1, Route 15 and Route 320. Given the large numbers of passengers, crowded roads and complicated routes, it is not easy for a foreign newcomer to take a correct bus in China.

Buses in urban areas normally operate between 5:00 local time in the morning and 23:00 local time at night each day. There is normally an interval of 5 to 10 minutes between every two buses. During the rush hour, the interval is shortened to two or three minutes; namely, a bus is dispatched in every two or three minutes.

Passengers shall buy tickets from bus conductors. The prices of bus tickets vary in accordance with different numbers of stops.

Over recent years, some large Chinese cities have started to operate a number of air-conditioned coaches and unwatched buses on busy tourist routes, whose ticket prices are normally two to three times those of general buses but are significant lower than taxi fares. Therefore, such coaches and buses can well be a good choice for tourists.

II. Subway Transportation

The four largest Chinese cities - Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, and Guangzhou - all boast well-equipped subway systems, with all the stations, ticket-booking offices and transit points clearly marked with their names both in Chinese and English. In every subway train, travel information is read alternately in Chinese and English.

The subway transportation operates 18 hours per day, normally between 5:10 and 23:30 local time, with an interval of four to six minutes between every two trains. The hours between 6:30 and 8:30 and between 17:00 and 19:00 are the morning and evening rush hours respectively.

III. Mini-Bus Transportation

Mini-buses are another transportation means in Chinese cities auxiliary to buses and trolley buses, shuttling in major commercial areas, tourist areas, railway stations and major communications trunk lines. One can stop a mini-bus by merely waving the hand while passengers can ask for a stop at any nearest point. Generally, there are fewer mini-bus stations than bus stations. However, mini-buses travel faster than buses. Mini-bus ticket prices are sometimes seasonally adjustable.

IV. Taxi Transportation

With large numbers of taxis running around, it is very convenient to take taxis in all large Chinese cities. It is not very expensive to hire a taxi in China. There are taxi companies in most of the urban areas in Chinese cities. Taxis are available at any time around big hotels, guesthouses, railway stations, airports, major communications trunk lines and busy commercial areas. There is the time taxi service, which is available at any time at the request of passengers. One can also reserve a taxi by phone. However, the time taxi service is more expensive than the general service.

In China, taxi services are normally chargeable according to the mileage completed and the time used. When a passenger embarks on a taxi, the taximeter will begin to indicate a basic rate chargeable. After running four to six kilometers, the fare payable will increase progressively in line with the mileage completed, with the fare chargeable for each kilometer varying according to the size and grade of the vehicle. When the taxi runs at a speed slower than a certain standard, an extra charge will be added to the basic rate chargeable on a minute-counting basis. Besides, a percentage of night driving fee is chargeable for services between 23:00 of each day and 5:00 of the following day.

When taking a taxi, the passenger should first of all ask the driver to switch on the taximeter. When arriving at the place of destination, the passenger should ask the driver to write a receipt to prevent possible unfair charge. Secondly, if anything unhappy involving the service occurs, the passenger can write down the plate number of the taxi and lodge a complaint to competent authorities.

V. Railway Transportation

In the past, it was not very comfortable to take a train in China. Today, things have changed after the Chinese government invested heavily in building and rebuilding railways, increasing the running speed of trains and expanding the transportation capacity of railway systems. Consequently, the operation of railway transportation has been relatively greatly improved. Many slow lines have been changed to "leaving in the morning and arriving at evening," thus improving the travel service, raising efficiency and increasing the competitive edge of the trains.

In China, passenger trains are divided into three classes - the hard-seat class, the hard-couchette class and the soft-couchette class. An adult passenger is allowed to carry 20 kilograms of luggage free of charge each time taking a train, a child 10 kilograms and a diplomat 35 kilograms. The weight in excess of these standards will be chargeable for the luggage consignment fee. Over recent years, in an effort to further protect the safety of passengers, railway stations in some large Chinese cities have newly installed X-ray detecting equipment at the entrance of stations to scan the luggage. Passengers entering the station shall have their luggage checked by the equipment under the guidance of security officers at the station.

Train tickets, particularly tickets for the couchette classes, should normally be booked in advance. Following the coming of the Internet period, train tickets can be booked through Internet in large cities in China, and this no doubt is convenient for passengers. Foreign travelers wishing to take trains can book tickets through travel agencies or hotels.

When travelling in China, there is a great difference in fares in taking different means of transportation. The following table is on fares to various cities for a trip started from Beijing:

VI. Domestic Flights

So far, there have been dozens of airline companies in China, including China International Aviation Company, Northwest Aviation Company, South Aviation Company, Southwest Aviation Company, Oriental Aviation Company, North Aviation Company, Xiamen Aviation Company, Xinjiang Aviation Company, Yunnan Aviation Company, Sichuan Aviation Company, Shanghai Aviation Company, Great Wall Aviation Company, Wuhan Aviation Company, Zhongyuan Avaition Company, Hainan Province Aviation Company, Xinhua Aviation Company and Shenzhen Aviation Company., All of them serve the domestic airlines of China.

1. Reservation of seats: Only after their seats are reserved can foreign travelers embark on planes with their tickets indicating the reservation of seats. Foreign travelers can contact ticket offices of airline companies or airline ticket sales agencies to have their seats reserved. For passengers whose seats have been reserved, they shall have to book their tickets within the prescribed period of time. Otherwise, the reservation of seats shall be canceled.

2. Ticket-booking: For foreigners, overseas Chinese and Chinese compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, they can book tickets with their valid passports, the "Return-Home Card" for Hong Kong and Macao compatriots, Taiwan Compatriots Card," "Residence Permit," travel papers or other valid identity papers issued by Chinese public security authorities. In booking tickets, they shall be required to fill in the "Passenger Reservation Record."

3. Reconfirmation of reservation: For passengers holding through tickets or round-trip tickets with seats reserved, where they are staying for 72 hours or longer at a stopover on the through trip or round trip, they shall have to reconfirm their reservation by 12:00 two days before the departure of the flight from the stopover airport. Otherwise, the original reservation shall be automatically canceled.

4. Term of validity of tickets: Passenger tickets of normal prices shall be valid for one year counted from the date of starting the journey. The term of validity of tickets of special prices shall be defined separately.

5. Children fare: A child between 2 and 12 years of age is charged at 50% of the adult fare. A separate seat will be provided for each child enjoying such fare.

6. Infant fare: An infant under 2 years of age not occupying a separate seat is charged at 10% of the adult fare. One adult passenger is entitled to accompany one infant enjoying such fare. Infants of less than 14 days old shall not be allowed to take planes.

7. Check-in procedure: Passengers shall generally be required to arrive at the airport for departure 90 minutes before the time of departure, and go through the check-in formalities with their passenger tickets and valid identity papers. The check-in counter shall be closed 30 minutes before the time of departure.

8. Modification: After the booking of tickets, where passengers ask for changing an flight or date of departure more than 72 hours before the time of departure, the airline company concerned shall handle the modification free of charge under the circumstance that there are seats available. Where passengers ask for a change within 72 hours before the time of departure, the airline company concerned shall handle the modification free of charge only once in line with relevant regulations. Where passengers ask for changes for a second time, they shall be liable to pay a handling charge for the modification which is equal to 5% of the ticket price.

9. Refund: Where passengers ask for a refund 24 hours before the time of departure as indicated on the tickets, they shall be liable to pay a cancellation fee equal to 5% of the original fare. The rate will increase progressively to 10% for refund between 24 hours and 2 two hours before the time of departure, and to 20% for refund within 2 hours before the time of departure. Where passengers ask for a refund after the time of departure as indicated on the tickets, they shall be viewed as having missed the flight and shall be liable to pay a no-show fee equal to 50% of the original fare. Tickets for children booked at a rate of 10% of the adult fare may not be refunded.

10. Carry-on luggage: Passengers holding first class tickets may carry 2 pieces of articles, and passengers holding business or economy class tickets may carry one piece of article only. The volume of either one or two pieces should not be more than 20 x 40 x 55 centimeters and with a total weight not exceeding 5 kilograms. Carry-on luggage in excess of the above limit of number, volume and weight should be checked in for consignment according to relevant regulations.

11. Free luggage allowance: Passengers holding adult-fare or half-fare tickets are entitled to free luggage allowance of 40 kilograms for the first class, and 30 kilograms for the business class, and 20 kilograms for economy class. No free luggage allowance is granted to infants. Each piece of luggage for consignment may not exceed 50 kilograms in the maximum weight, and 40 x 60 x 100 centimeters in size.

12. Overweight luggage: Where the luggage of a passenger is in excess of the free luggage allowance in terms of the weight or volume, the passenger shall be liable to pay an overweight fee, which is chargeable at a rate of 1.5% of the normal economy class fare for every one kilogram.

Besides, children under 12 years of age shall be accompanied by adults, or can take a flight alone with consent from the carrier. A seriously-ill patient shall hold a hospital certificate indicating that he is suitable for travel by air, and can book a ticket and take a flight with consent from the carrier. Passengers may not carry arms, edge tools, weapons or lethal articles with them in taking flights.

To provide convenience for passengers, many aviation companies have set up flight information desk or hot phone lines to book tickets, and their phone numbers can be secured through "114" information desk at various cities.

VII. International Airports

In the past few years, China's air transport network has been continuously expanded, and there are now 1,122 regular lines, including 131 international ones and 143 airports. Its international airlines connect with 57 cities in 31 countries and regions.

So far, more than 40 overseas airline companies have been allowed to operate regular passenger and cargo transportation services in China, in addition to the dozens of Chinese airline companies, which also operate international air transportation services. The overseas air companies operate nearly 900 flights to China each week, with stopovers in a dozen and more international airports in China, namely the international airports of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Shenyang, Dalian, Harbin, Qingdao, Hangzhou, Xiamen, Shenzhen, Kunming, Huhhot and Urumqi. All these airports are equipped with various forms of complete service facilities, including service counters for changing currencies at any time, airport information counters and taxi service counters. There are public telephone booths in many parts of the airports. Users can dial to their receivers after paying a small fee by following the steps indicated on the telephone set. There are IDD telephone call service counters at large international airports.

There are generally smooth communications from the airport to the city proper, with many types of transportation means available at the passengers' choice, which mainly include: 1. taxis provided by airport taxi service counters; 2. time shuttle buses to the city proper provided by airline companies; and 3. mini-buses shuttling between the airport and the city proper.

Along with rapid development in the construction of communications facilities in China over recent years, many cities have built expressways from the airport to the city proper, greatly saving the traveling time for passengers.

BEIJING

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Fahrenheit

28

32

40

60

75

78

80

76

68

55

40

36

Celsius

-2

0

4

15

24

25

26

24

20

13

4

2

SHANGHAI

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Fahrenheit

40

42

50

65

72

80

82

80

75

62

50

42

Celsius

4

5

10

18

22

26

27

26

24

16

10

5

GUANGZHOU

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Fahrenheit

58

60

69

71

80

83

83

81

78

70

60

57

Celsius

14

15

20

21

26

28

28

27

25

21

15

14

XIAN

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Fahrenheit

32

38

50

56

72

80

78

76

60

52

40

30

Celsius

0

3

10

13

22

26

25

24

15

11

4

-1

KUNMING

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Fahrenheit

50

52

58

65

68

68

70

67

65

62

55

50

Celsius

10

11

14

18

20

20

21

19

18

16

13

10

LHASA

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Fahrenheit

29

34

41

46

54

60

61

60

57

48

39

32

Celsius

1

1

5

8

12

15

16

15

14

9

4

0

URUMQI

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Fahrenheit

5

10

32

50

66

74

78

74

64

47

28

10

Celsius

-15

-12

0

10

19

23

25

23

17

8

-2

-12

GUILIN

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Fahrenheit

47

48

56

65

74

79

83

82

78

69

59

50

Celsius

8

9

13

18

23

26

28

27

25

20

15

10