Time zone

GMT +8 hours

Chinese Currency & Money Exchange

The legal tender of China is the Renminbi:
  ? Short official name: CNY (China Yuan)
  ? Abbreviation: RMB
  ? Chinese: Ren Min Bi (人民币)
  ? Symbol: ￥
  ? Monetary unit: Yuan (元)
  ? Fractional units: Jiao (角) and Fen (分)

It is quite easy to exchange money in China and the rates will be more favorable, but it is advisable to exchange a small amount in your country before leaving. And you can find banks & ATMs for currency exchange in both Pudong Airport and Hongqiao Airport.

Credit cards

Currently there are seven main foreign credit cards available in China, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, JCB, Federal and Million. Credit cards can be used for withdrawing money, shopping and other transactions in most major cities of the country, but generally not accepted in rural areas.

Electricity

The electricity in China is generally 220V, 50HZ, AC (Hong Kong is 220V; Taiwan is 110V).

Such a socket is common in China:
socket socket socket

As the shape of a socket varies between countries, a portable plug adaptor may also be necessary. It can be purchased from stores (such as Franzus) or electronics stores (i.e. RadioShack, Best Buy) in your local countries. Also you can buy it in China.

Language(s) spoken

Nearly everyone in Shanghai speaks Mandarin, the national language of China, but many also speak a local dialect whose pronunciation can vary greatly. You can usually find someone who speaks English in Shanghai and other major cities in China. Outside the cities, it can be difficult to get around without speaking the local language.