Visiting or living in another country is always a difficult experience. From greetings to where to put the toilet paper (or even where to get the toilet paper), food shopping to apartment hunting there’s a wealth of information that we’d like to know NOW.

Now there’s a way. Send us an email with your question and if we choose your question our resident experts will answer it for you. Drop us a line at cs@eChinacities.com. Don’t worry, help is on the way.

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Questions:

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66. Do I need any shots before coming to China?

67. Are businesses in China closed on Sundays or on weekends?

68. What is the drinking age in China?

69. I’m from the US where our electricity is 110 volts. China is 220, can I use my computer and charge my camera in China?

70. I hear a lot of horror stories about doing business in China, Is there any way I can check up on the background of a Chinese company before I sign a contract with them?

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Do I need any shots before coming to China?

Unless you’re coming from a place in the midst of some sort of outbreak, you won’t need any special shots or vaccines before coming to China. If you’re planning to stay in China to study or work you will need to do a full medical check which includes a blood text that checks for syphilis and HIV.

Are businesses in China closed on Sundays or on weekends?

Fortunately for us, a lot of stores in China do not close on the weekends. And since China is not a Christian country – or a religious country of any kind – many banks are open on Sundays. Government offices may close on Sunday or for the whole weekend and most office workers get the weekend off but shops of all kinds and small businesses like travel agencies are usually open 7 days a week.

What is the drinking age in China?

In January 2006, China instituted a drinking age for the first time. Like most of the world (except for the US) the legal age for buying alcohol is 18. This law does not seem to be very strictly enforced and underage foreigners can probably get away with even more. Foreigners of all age should be aware that clubs in China are sometimes guilty of serving ‘fake’ alcohol – much cheaper liquor mixed with methanol which can blind or kill you although most people just wake up with the worst hangover they’ve ever had. Avoid the really cheap liquor and the really expensive stuff, and try to stick to classier joints.

I’m from the US where our electricity is 110 volts. China is 220, can I use my computer and charge my camera in China?

Most high end electronics run on 220 as well as 110 – the power adaptors for your computer and camera should have a sticker on them which, if you read the fine print, will let you know if they are rated for 220, most are. If the end of your power cord has just 2 prongs you’ll be able to plug it into most outlets, if your electrical device has a 3 prong plug you’ll need to purchase a cheap adaptor.

Devices that only run on 110 will need voltage converters to run properly in China. These cost more money – 20-40 dollars – and will need to be purchased at home as they’re almost impossible to find once you’re in China.

I hear a lot of horror stories about doing business in China, Is there any way I can check up on the background of a Chinese company before I sign a contract with them?

The US Commercial Service – itself a branch of the US Department of Commerce – has a service called International Company Profile which helps American companies research their prospective business partners. They work with Sinotrust and Globis and can produce results within 20 days. For more information on the service and their fee structure click here.

 

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