Area: 394,000 sq.km.
Capital: Kunming
Population: Approximately 41 Million
Language: Mandarin. A local dialect is also spoken, not
understood by outsiders. Outside large hotels, very little
English is spoken.
Religion: Buddhism, Taoism, Islam and Christianity.
Climate:
Varies widely according to latitude and elevation, from
subtropical in the south, to high tundra in northern areas.
Local Time:
GMT +8
Currency:
Chinese Renminbi (RMB) is the medium of exchange. The
basic unit of RMB is yuan, in denominations of 100, 50,
10, 5, 2 and 1. The yuan is divided into 10 jiao, which
is further divided into 10 fen.
Credit cards:
Accepted in large hotels, but generally not in wide use.
Travellers cheques:
Travellers cheques and currencies may be exchanged into
Yuan in major banks and hotels.
Business hours:
Government Offices: 8:00-12:00, 14:30-18:30;
Businesses: 8:30-12:00, 14:30-18:00;
Banks: 8:30-12:00, 14:30-18:00.
Post Offices: 08:00-19:00 hrs
Electricity supply:
220V, 50 Hz
Tipping:
Small tips are expected, in addition to hotel and restaurant
service charges.
Nightlife:
There is no recognised nightlife suitable for tourists
at present.
Photography:
Film is available but may have been poorly stored. You
are advised to bring an adequate supply, including spare
camera batteries.
January 1-2: New Year's Day
January 24: Spring Festival and Chinese New Year
March 8: International Women's Working Day
March 12: Arbor Day
May 1: International Labor Day
May 4: Chinese Youth Day
June 1: International Children's Day
July 1: Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist
Party
August 1: Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese
PLA
September 10: Teacher’s Day
October 1-2: National Day
This is the Official Website for the promotion
of tourism in the Greater Mekong Subregion. This site is produced
by ETC Asia on behalf of the Tourism Working Group of the Greater
Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation Programme.
