Visitor Tips

Living in the United States

• Time: California is in the Pacific Time Zone.  GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) – 8Hrs during Standard Time; 7Hrs during Daylight Saving Time.  China time is 16 hours faster than the US Pacific time
• Tax: California State sales tax is 9.75%.
• Currency: the currency of the United States is the U.S. dollar, printed bills in denominations of $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100.
• Credit card: In US, credit card can be accepted almost everywhere.  However, when you do any commerce transaction by credit card, most stores will ask you to present another identification which can show your name on it.
• Tip percentage:  In general, travelers should pay 10~15% of tips for lunch and 15~20% of tips for dinner.  If there are more than five people in a group, you have to pay 18% of tips for party over five.
• Health issue:  In US, because seeing a doctor is very expensive, the Embassy of China cannot offer medical expenses.  Therefore, travelers should have travel insurances which cover medical insurance.
• Drinking: Alcohol is sold throughout California. Legal drinking age is 21. 
• Getting around: Considering the fact that some of California's finest attractions are inaccessible by public transportation, most visitors find driving the best way to see the state.