Basics
Capital City: Haikou
Area: 33,920 km2
Coastline: 1528km
Population: 8,190,000 (2006-12-31)
Electricity: 220V, 50Hz
Telephone Code: +86-898
Time Zone
Geographically, China covers five time zones, however, all provinces and cities throughout the country use the same zone, which was a policy that was adopted after the revolution. As a result everywhere in China uses the same time zone as Beijing, which is 8hrs ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
Tipping
Tipping is not a must, but is more suppose to reflect the level of service that you have received. Since tipping is a personal matter, please do not feel uneasy about it. What or when you choose to tip depends entirely on how you rate the service. We do strongly suggest tipping those who have been especially kind or offered particularly good service.Tipping frequently occurs when you are in a tour group, superior hotel, western restaurants, or anywhere that you are satisfied with the service. Remember that it is not necessary to tip in roadside eateries, market stalls or even quality Chinese restaurants. Sometimes the bill in quality Chinese restaurants may have already included about 5% - 15% service charge. Also tipping taxi drivers is unnecessary.
Western hotels or restaurants are places where tipping is often expected for the bellboys or a waiter, 5-30 RMB (1 - 5 US dollars) is usually considered to be an appropriated tip. If you are uncertain about how much to give, just base the tip on your bill. Generally, 10% - 15% of the bill is about the appropriate amount. For the tour guide or a driver, 10-70 RMB (2 - 10 US dollars) a day per person is usually adequate.
Telephone & Postal
There are many public telephones in the streets, airports, hotels and scenic spots. You can buy an IC telephone card in most hotels or post offices.
It is very easy to find a post office in the city, while every four star and five star hotel will also offer a global postal service.
Medical Care
As a new and developing tourist destination, the level of medical services in Sanya has dramatically improved in the past few years. This has resulted in the emergence of a fully operational medical system of some of the highest quality anywhere in China.
Tips
You should always bring a few items on a holiday to any tropical destination such as;
-Highly efficient sunscreen and moisturiser
-Medicine for scratches and wounds
-Mosquito repellent
Medical institutions
Most of the star hotels are complete with medical clinics, which are equipped to handle small or minor complaints. If you have a big problem, you must go to the hospital as soon as possible, we do not recommend the street private clinics.
Hainan Provincial People's Hospital
Tel: 86-898-66225933 (Office)
86-898-66226666 (Emergency)
Add: No.19 Xiuhua Road, Xiuying District, Haikou
Haikou People's Hospital
Tel: 86-898-66189688 66189689 (Office)
Add: No.68 Renmin Avenue, Haidian Island, Haikou
The People's Hospital of Sanya
Add: No.32 Jiefangsan Road, Sanya
Tel: 86-898-8254858 (Office)
86-898-88259997 88273522 (Emergency)
Hainan Nongken Hospital of Sanya
Add: Jiefang Road, Sanya
Tel: 86-898-88292888 88298958 (Office)
86-898-88298538 88291120 (Emergency)
Safety
China is one of the safest tourist destinations in the world. Generally, you don't have to worry too much about security when travelling in Hainan. Local residents are generally friendly to foreign visitors. But there are a few things to keep in mind for your own good:
- Always keep an eye on your personal valuables;
- Safety is always key when undertaking things such as the rainforest adventure, diving, rafting, water sports or any extreme sport, as such they should always be done, under the guidance and supervision of a trained professional.
- Respect the local ethnic culture and treat the locals with respect.
- Seafood in Hainan is recommended, but ensure it is fresh and properly cooked to prevent food poisoning.
Emergency Calls
110 Police
119 Fire
120 Ambulance
122 Traffic Accident
12395 Marine Rescue
88272063 Sea Affairs Emergency
Useful Numbers
If you run to any troubles in Hainan, these are some handy local contacts:Hainan International Tourism Alliance
Multi-lingual Hot Line
800888686 (Toll Free)
Tourists Comment Service
12315
Price Comment Service
12358
Travelling Quality Comment Service
86-898-88268454 88392211
Food Hygiene Comment Service
86-898-88281474 88271547
Travelling transportation Comment Service
86-898-88276703
Quarantine
Any passengers carrying any biological or animal products must declare them to customs for quarantine before they are allowed into the country. Passengers from areas that have been affected by Yellow Fever must display to the quarantine department a certificate showing that they have been inoculated. Those who do not have a valid certificate may be detained for observation for six days beginning from the day they left the area in question, or may be inoculated and detained until the certificate comes into effect.
China Customs
Visitors entering Hainan must declare goods to Customs and produce verification for each individual item declared. All items listed in a declaration must have correct details such as quantity, weight, value and purpose. For more information on China Customs requirements, please telephone +0898-851-6888.
Public holidays in 2011
| Public Holiday Calendar | ||
| Festival | Legal Holidays | Holidays of 2011 |
| New Year's Day | 1 day | Jan. 1to 3, 2011 |
| Spring Festival | 3 days (the last day of the last lunar month and the first and second days of the first lunar month) | Feb. 2 to 8,2011 |
| Women's Day | half day for women | half day of Mar. 8 |
| Qingming Festival | 1 day | Apr. 3 to 5 ,2011 |
| May Day | 1 day | May 1 - 3, 2011 |
| Youth Day | half day for youth above 14 years old | half day of May 4 |
| Children's Day | 1 day for children under 13 years old | Jun. 1, 2011 |
| Dragon Boat Festival | 1 day | Jun. 4 to 6,2011 |
| Mid-Autumn Day | 1 day | Sep. 10 to 12,2011 |
| National Day | 3 days (Oct. 1- 3) | Oct. 1 - 7, 2011 |