Changsha is the capital city of Hunan province, located in south central China with a population of 7.22 million and an area of 1,909 km². It is a beautiful city, known as a “mountain-water-shoal city”. The beautiful Xiang River runs through the city from south to north, Yuelu mountain (national AAAAA class tourist attraction) is located on the west bank of the river, and Yuelu Academy (the most ancient academy in China, referred to as the “thousand-year academy”) is situated at the foot of Yuelu Mountain. Changsha is a “China Sustainable City” evaluated by the United Nations Development Programme and one of the Best Conference Cities in China. The cuisine in Changsha, known as Xiang Cuisine, is very delicious and world renowned. In addition, the fireworks produced in Hunan are famous throughout the world and have been used in numerous international events, such as the Olympic Games.

Banking

Cashpoints operate 24 hours a day and can be found everywhere, such as near banks, rail stations, airports, supermarkets, main streets and other places popular among visitors. In China, the use of credit and debit cards is widely accepted, particularly in major towns and tourist attractions. In addition, payment can be made on mobile phones almost everywhere in China. Please consult your bank or card issuer about the charges incurred when using your card abroad.

Currency

The currency of China is RMB (¥), the Euro exchange rate is 7.5-8.0, and the US dollar exchange rate is 6.8-7.5. All major foreign currencies can be exchanged for RMB at the following banks: Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), China Construction Bank (CCB), Bank of China (BOC), Agricultural Bank of China (ABC), and Bank of Communications (BCM). These banks are widely scattered in the streets and alleys. Banks are usually open from 9 am to 5 pm, for public business Monday to Friday and for private business every day. 24-hour services are usually available in larger major tourist centers such as train stations, border crossings and airports.

Electricity

Electricity outlets in China are one of the two Chinese standard electrical socket types: the “Category D”, the “Category J” and usually supply electricity at between 220 and 240 volts AC. If your appliance’s plug does not match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in.