Climate
Originally known as Amoy, Xiamen is an island renowned for her rich cultural relics, pleasant climate, beautiful natural scenery, and long history of international commerce. It is located on the southeast coast of China and has a monsoonal humid subtropical climate characterised by mild and dry winters with an average November temperature from 18℃ to 25℃ (64°F to 77°F).
Electricity
The electric current used in China is 220V 50Hz. Hotels provide 220V and 110V (shavers only) power outlets. Please note that plug adapters and converters might be required.
Currency, Exchange, and Payment Methods In China
- Chinese Currency
- Renminbi (人民币) or RMB is the official currency of China, and it means “people’s currency” in Chinese. The basic unit of RMB is yuan (元), and the sign of yuan is ¥. CNY is the abbreviation of Chinese yuan, which is also been used widely to refer to Chinese currency.
- Currency Exchange
- After arriving in China, you can find many places to exchange Chinese currency, such as the exchange vendors in the major international airports, hotels, offices of local banks, and ATMs across the region. Exchanging major international cash, such as U.S. Dollars, Euros, Pounds, etc. into Chinese Yuan is not difficult in China. The exchange rates are regulated; however, the commission fees are varied from different banks, hotels, and airports.
- Payment Methods in China
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Credit and debit cards may not cover all your expenses in China. With the widespread popularity of digital
payments, many businesses no longer offer point-of-sale (POS) systems for credit and debit card users.
However, you can still use your bank cards via POS systems at selected hotels, shopping malls, and larger
restaurants. Cash is still widely accepted. It is also very reliable. You’d better always bring some cash
with you including some small changes.
Digital payment is the norm in China, with Alipay and WeChat Pay leading the way. Since July 2023, they've started accepting international cards through their apps, though success may vary depending on the user's country and bank.
Pay Like a Local in China
(If the video cannot be played commonly, please try another browser.)
Guide to Payment Services in China (23.9MB) Guide des paiements en Chine (24.3MB)(Information Source: The Bank of China)
ATM and Cards
You can withdraw RMB cash from ATMs that accept international bank cards upon arrival at your port of entry, where currency exchange services and self-service exchange machines are also available. In downtown areas, RMB cash can likewise be withdrawn or exchanged through these methods.
The Bank of China offers the most reliable option for international users. Its ATMs support both Chinese and English interfaces (depending on your card type) and accept most internationally issued bank cards bearing logos (as shown in below) such as UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard, and other major payment networks. If you hold a UnionPay card, it will be accepted at all merchant POS terminals throughout mainland China.
Insurance
The forum organizers assume no responsibility for any personal accidents, injuries, or loss or damage to private property that may occur during travel to Xiamen or while attending the forum. Participants are strongly advised to obtain comprehensive travel and health insurance before departing from their home countries.
Time
China covers five time zones. Beijing time (UTC + 08:00) is the only official time throughout the country; China Standard Time is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT + 8). China does not operate Daylight-saving Time.
