Time Zone
Time Zone: CMT/UTC plus 8 hours
Useful Numbers:
Telephone country code: +86
Telephone area code: 592
Police: 110
Fire Department: 119
Ambulance: 120
Xiamen No.1 Hospital: 2137327
Xiamen Zhongshan Hospital: 2292120
Local directory assistance: 114 (service in Chinese only)
Currency and Bank Information:
The RMB (Renminbi) is the official currency, also called Chinese Yuan. Only RMB can be used when you are in China. Major credit cards including VISA, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted at some hotels, department stores and restaurants.
Exchange rate is now about（May 5th, 2008）
1 Euro = 10.776 RMB
1 USD= 6.988 RMB
The universal Currency Converter: http://www.xe.com/ucc/
The airport Office of the Bank of China is located on the Departure Level, at which currency exchange service is available. Bank of China, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Construction Bank of China, and Guangda Bank also provide ATM service in the terminal.
There are a few banks on the campus of Xiamen University and near the Lujiang Hotel and Millennium Harbourview Hotel. Banking hours and days vary from bank to bank in Xiamen. However, most Chinese banks are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 5:30 p.m., and have branches that are open on Saturdays and Sundays.
Tipping
Tipping is not a part of Chinese custom. A 10 to 15% service charge may be added to your bill at some tourist hotels thus no tipping is expected unless you are provided with extra service. It is not necessary to tip a taxi driver unless he/she assists with luggage or provides extra service.
Electricity
The standard domestic power supply in China is 220 V AC at 50 Hz. The standard sockets are two parallel lines and three lines as shown on the right photo
Insurance
No responsibility can be assured for any kind of personal accidents, sickness, theft, or property damage suffered by conference participants. Participants are advised to arrange whatever insurance they consider it necessary.
Business hours
Typical business hours in government and private offices are from 8:30 to 17:30, and they are closed on Saturday and Sunday. Most shops are open from 9:30 to 21:30 or later, and open seven days a week.
Weather
Xiamen is a subtropical coastal city. The temperature in May is between 20-30℃, with an average of 23.2℃. The averaged precipitation in May is about 162 mm. You are recommended to have summer dress and bring umbrella with you.
Yahoo’s 5-day Xiamen weather report: http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/CHXX0140_f.html