China
ChinaEveryday basics
The small logistics that decide whether a day out goes smoothly.
Can you drink the tap water in China?
No. Boil it or drink bottled — the kettle in every hotel room is there for exactly this reason.
What number do I call in an emergency?
110 police, 119 fire, 120 ambulance, 122 traffic accidents. Calls are free, and 110 answers in eight languages.
Do I need a plug adapter here?
Often not. Sockets here accept flat two-pin, round two-pin and angled three-pin plugs, so most travellers' plugs fit as they are.
Are public toilets free, and easy to find?
Free and common — on the street, in malls, offices, supermarkets and fast food places. Carry your own paper.
Where can I smoke, and where can't I?
Indoors is banned outright in the big cities, e-cigarettes included, and the rules are written city by city rather than nationally.