1. Time Difference: The time difference with China is 7 hours. During daylight saving time from April to October, the time difference is 6 hours (12:00 PM Beijing time is equivalent to 6:00 AM Spanish time).
2. Currency: Since January 2002, the Euro (euro) has been the single currency. Euro banknotes come in seven denominations: 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, and 5; coins come in eight denominations: 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, and 1 euro.
Currency exchange (as of December 2, 2013, exchange rates fluctuate):
1 Chinese Yuan = 0.1206 Euros
1 Euro = 8.2917 Chinese Yuan
3. Climate: Spain has a dry climate with little rainfall, and any rain that does occur is concentrated between January and April each year. The average temperature across the country ranges from 13°C to 17°C throughout the year. In winter, temperatures in some cities can drop below zero. Madrid rarely experiences snow, with summer temperatures reaching up to 40°C, while winter temperatures drop to around 5°C. Due to the dry climate, there is a constant gentle breeze, and the sun is warm, making most of the time neither too cold nor too hot. The truly hot days in summer are only in July and August, and air conditioning is rarely used because the dry climate and low humidity do not create a feeling of stuffiness.
4. Water and Electricity
Water:
The water quality is excellent and can be consumed directly;
Power Specifications:
Generally, the power specifications are 220 volts, 50 hertz, alternating current. However, some older buildings may use 100-125 volts, alternating current, 50 hertz, with plugs being two round prongs, and the metric system is used for measurements.
5. Banking Services: Spain has major banks nationwide that can exchange foreign currency, with business hours typically from 9 AM to 2 PM, Monday to Friday.
6. Tipping: Generally, service charges are included in the bill, but moderate tipping is still appreciated. Tips are usually given at the discretion of the individual, and it is common for people to tip. The standard is about 10% of the total bill. Typically, a 10% tip is given to taxi drivers, and for airport luggage handlers, a tip of less than one euro per piece of luggage is customary. Although hotels and restaurants include service charges in the bill, it is customary to leave a tip as well.
