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3.Tour around Xiamen
Geography
Xiamen is situated at 118.04' east longitude and 24.26' north latitude on the southeast coat of Fujian Province. At the back of Xiamen lies the Zhangzhou-Quanzhou Plain, and facing Xiamen across the Taiwan Strait are Taiwan Island and Penghu Islands. Reputed to be "Garden on the Sea", Xiamen covers a land area of 1565.09 square kilometers and a sea area of over 300 square kilometers.
Climate
Xiamen has a subtropical climate. It is generally mild and temperate, with abundant rainwater from May to August. It has an average annual temperature of approximately 21 degrees Celsius. The best time to travel to Xiamen is between April and November. Summers in Xiamen are free from extreme heat while its winters are not harsh. The average temperature in July is about 28℃.
Yahoo’s 5-day Xiamen weather report: http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/CHXX0140_f.html
Currency
In Xiamen, the official currency is Renminbi (RMB). The basic unit is Yuan. Foreign currency can be exchanged into RMB at various banks. The exchange rate between Yuan and Dollars is approximately 8 to 1. For the most up-to-date currency rate, please log into http://www.bank-of-china.com/en/static/index.html.
Credit Cards
Credit cards are gaining acceptance in Xiamen. Useful cards include Visa, Master Card and American Express. They can be used in most mid-range to high-end hotels (three-star and up), as well as some department stores. It’s recommendable to check the category and limits of your cards with the hotel or store prior to usage.
Electricity
The electrical current in China is 220 volts, but sockets with adapters are available in the washrooms of many luxury hotels.
Water
In Xiamen, tap water is not directly drinkable, unless clearly marked otherwise. Most hotels and restaurants provide boiled water. Mineral water (bottled) is available at most of the stores.
Business hours
Typical business hours in government and private offices are from 8:30 to 17:30, and they are closed on Saturday and Sunday. Most shops are open from 9:30 to 21:30 or later, and open seven days a week.
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