Banks, Foreign Exchange & ATMs -- The main branch of Bank of China (Mon-Fri 9am-noon and 2-5:30pm), north of Liberation Monument on the north side of Minzu Lu, has full foreign-exchange services and an ATM. The branch cater-cornered from Harbour Plaza Hotel, Zourong Lu at Bayi Lu, has a 24-hour ATM and offers foreign-exchange service, although limited to cash and U.S. dollar traveler's checks.
Consulates -- Both the Canadian and United Kingdom consulates are in the Metropolitan Plaza building (Daduhui Shangshaa) on Wuyi Lu, and are open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5:30pm. The Canadian Consulate is in Suite 1705 (tel. 023/6373-8007; chonq@dfait-acci.gc.ca), and the United Kingdom Consulate is in Suite 2802 (tel. 023/6381-0321). Take bus no. 306, 402, 413, or 601 to the Jiefang Bei stop. From there, walk southeast on Zourong Lu to Wuyi Lu. Metropolitan Plaza is next to the Harbour Plaza Hotel.
Internet Access -- The area around Liberation Monument has lots of Internet bars, including Reader's Club (Duzhe Julebu), open 24 hours and located on the third floor of the Xinhua Bookstore at Minsheng Lu 181 (opposite Nuren Guangchang; tel. 023/6371-6364). Rates are ¥4 per hour; less with membership card. Coffee and tea are served. Enter from Xinhua Shudian or from the side door of the adjacent bank. Dial-up is tel. 163.
Post Office -- The main post office is near Jiefang Bei (Liberation Monument), at Minquan Lu 3.
Visa Extensions -- The Administrative Division of Exit-Entry (Churujing Guanli Chu) processes visa extensions in 5 working days. Located at Wusi Lu 48, Fu 1 (tel. 028/8640-7067; Mon-Fri 9-11:30am and 2-5pm), it's next to the Municipal PSB; enter on Shuncheng Dajie. Take bus no. 16 or 64 to the Renmin Zhong Lu and Wenwu Lu junction.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
