Beijing Information

Location: Beijing special municipality, China.
Country dialing code: 86.
Population: 14,000,000 (metropolitan area).
Time zone: GMT + 8 (GMT + 7 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz; two-pin plugs are standard.
Average January temp: - 3°C (27°F).
Average July temp: 26°C (79°F).
Annual rainfall: 890mm (34.7 inches).

Cost of Living:

1 Chinese Renminbi (or Yuan) RMB1 = ￡0.07; US$0.12; C$0.14; A$0.16; €0.10
Currency conversion rates as of October 2005

Special Events:

Chinese New Year, late Jan/early Feb, throughout the city
International Women's Day, 8 Mar, throughout the city
Beijing International Kite Festival, Apr, various venues
‘Meet in Beijing' Arts Festival, Apr/May, various venues
International Labor Day, 1 May, throughout the city
Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese Communist Party, 1 Jul, throughout the city
Anniversary of Founding of People's Liberation Army, 1 Aug, throughout the city
China Open Tennis tournament, mid-Sep for two weeks, Beijing Center
Mid-Autumn Festival, late Sep, throughout the city
National Day, 1 Oct, throughout the city
Beijing International Marathon, mid-Oct, city center
Beijing Fashion Week, mid-Nov, throughout the city