Location
Beijing is located on the western coast of China on the Pacific Ocean. Beijing stands at the northern tip of the North China Plain. Beijing lies at approximately the same latitude as Philadelphia in the U.S. and Madrid in Spain. The city is 39% flat land and the other 61% is quite mountainous area. Beijing is surrounded by the Yanshan Mountains on the west, north and east while the small alluvial plain of the Yongding River lies to its southeast. Beijing faces the Bohai Sea, and the area is also called the Beijing Bay.

Climate
September is a golden season in Beijing, with an average temperature of 12℃ to 20℃ (54℉ to 68℉).

Time
Time used in Beijing and all over China is called Beijing Standard Time. It is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT + 8).

Electricity
The electric voltage in China is 220V/50Hz and the standard wall socket has three-connectors (L, N and E).

Tipping
Tipping is not expected by service attendants in China, except for tour guides, hotel porters and housemaids.

Area
Greater Beijing has an area of 16,808 sq km.