Weather
Guangzhou has a lengthy monsoon season, spanning from April through September. Monthly averages range from 13.6°C in January to 28.6°C in July, while the annual mean is 22.6°C. The relative humidity is approximately 68%. Extreme temperatures have ranged from 0°C to 39.1°C.
Language
The main spoken language is Chinese, specifically Cantonese, although Mandarin serves as the lingua franca.
Time Difference
GMT +8 hours.
Currency
The unit currency is Renminbi (RMB), which comes in denominations of one, two, five, 10, 20, 50 and 100. Credit cards are widely accepted at larger establishments.
Medical l Facilities
Guangzhou has an efficient medical and healthcare network. General and specialized hospitals can be found in all of the city’s administrative districts. Foreigners in Guangzhou may seek medical attention at the hospital by presenting their personal identity document or residence permit.
Goods and Services Tax
The standard rate of VAT in China is 17%. Some products enjoy a lower rate of 13% and this applies to books and edible oils.
Smoking
Smoking is restricted in the following public areas, where smoking rooms or areas are set up:-
- Restaurants of over 150 sqm, or with over 75 seats
- Entertainment and gaming venues
- Indoor work spaces
- Waiting rooms of public buses, taxis, coaches, metro, ferries, trains and airplanes