Q : Is it convenient to make phone calls in China? What kind of phone card is available to foreign travelers?
A : IDD service is available at all hotels and post offices. It is very convenient to make phone calls in China now. Telephone booths can be seen everywhere, in hotels, restaurants and airports as well as on the street. Various phone cards are sold in China, available in post offices, inside hotels or at most street newsstands. IP cards are recommended for convenience and low price.
Q : When is the best time to visit China?
A : China is a vast country with wide-ranging climatic conditions, so a decision about the best time to visit should be based on the regions you plan to tour and the kind of weather you enjoy.
Normally, the most comfortable season of the year is early autumn (September to early October). During that period, temperatures are reasonable throughout China (about 50 -72F) with a limited amount of rain. September for example is the only month in the year when the ancient and valuable paintings of the Beijing Palace Museum are displayed due to proper climate conditions (low humidity and proper temperature).
Spring can also be delightful with the average temperatures roughly the same as in autumn (about 50 -72F). The best way to deal with weather unpredictability is to wear layered clothing that will make you comfortable with both chilly and warmer weather.
Summer (from June to the end of August) can be extremely hot with temperatures well above 72F, especially in the famous 'four furnaces' of China: Wuhan, Tianjing, Chongqing and Nanchang. Summer is also the rainy season, so travelers should not forget umbrellas, light raincoats and rubber/plastic shoes. Winter can be incredibly cold especially in the north. Off season travel can also offer its rewards. For example the Harbin Winter Ice Lantern Festival is quite charming. Before deciding when to take a tour, it is worth checking carefully the weather conditions of each city on the itinerary. Needless to say that the most attractive seasons to visit are also the most crowded. Regardless the time of the year, a visitor will always be rewarded with charming scenery throughout China.
Q : How to make local call, domestic long-distance call and international call in China?
A : When you make a local call, just dial the number you want directly.
When you make a domestic long-distance call, remember to dial the area code before dialing the number you want.
When making an international call, you should dial 00, the country code and the area zip code before dialing the number of the person you want to talk to (if the area code of a given country begins with 0, delete it when you make the call).
To call a number in China from abroad, dial the international access code (00), the country code for China (86), then the local area code (if the area code begins with 0, delete it when you make the call) and the number you're calling.