Beijing is the striking city core of a country with one of the world's oldest civilizations. With a history spanning over three centuries, one can find in Beijing a wealth of renowned ancient and cultural sites.

In the past 20 years, Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China, has developed into a modern metropolis and is the nation's political, economic and cultural centre.

Currency

The Chinese currency is known as renminbi (RMB). Credit cards are accepted in major hotels as well as shopping malls.

Here are the most recent exchange rates for some common currencies.

RMB 1.00 equals:

Exchange Rates	Currency
0.2	Australian Dollar (AUD)
0.13	Euro (EUR)
0.12	British Pound (GBP)
1.15	Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
9.49	Indian Rupee (INR)
16.24	Japanese Yen (JPY)
0.2	New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
0.2	Singapore Dollar (SGD)
0.15	US Dollar (USD)

Taxes

All hotel services (such as accommodation, food and beverage, spa etc.) and their related service charge will be subject to tax at the prevailing rates

Tipping

Many mid-range and top-end restaurants include their own service charge that varies between establishments.

Officially, tipping is considered inappropriate and is discouraged.

Business Hours

Bank Hours
9am - 5.30pm, Monday through Friday.
Some banks are open from 10.30am to 4pm.
Office Hours
8 / 9am - 5 / 6pm, Monday through Friday.
Shopping Hours
8/ 9am - 9pm or later throughout the week.
Department stores and shopping malls usually open at 10am and close at 9pm.

Public Health

Visitors entering China are required to complete a health declaration form. Check with your local doctor or health care professional about vaccination requirements before you plan your trip

Dress

Dress is generally informal in Beijing except on social, diplomatic or government occasions when a suit and tie is appropriate.

Winter requires heavy clothing, including coats, hats, and gloves as temperatures can drop to well below freezing with strong winds. Light clothing is appropriate for the spring and summer months

Weather

Beijing has a climate ranging from very warm during the summer, 28°C to 38°C (82°F to 93°F), to extremely cold during the winter, – 10°C to 10°C (14°F to 50°F).