The following article is excerpted from beijingkids Home and Relocation Guide 2011. Download a PDF copy here or visit this page to order a free print copy for home delivery.
Let’s face it: Wherever you go, bills follow you, even to China. And for newcomers, the task of paying them is totally overwhelming.Some bills are paid to a bank teller, others to an automated machine, and others at your very own front door. We’ve compiled a list of basic, easy-to-follow instructions to help guide you through an otherwise convoluted process. If all else fails, ask your landlord or a Chinese-speaking friend to assist you.
electricity
Your landlord will give you an electricity card. While the card is replaceable,it is a lot of hassle to get a new one, so don’t lose it. There should be directions on how to buy electricity, written in Chinese on the back of the card, but here are the basics in English:
1. Electricity units are purchased in advance. Bring your electricity card to the bank (See Banks, listed below) and ask an attendant to help you "mai dian" (买电) – buy electricity.
2. The teller will hand you a number. When your number is called, go to the proper window. The bank teller will ask how much electricity you want to purchase. The rate is RMB 0.59 per unit (1 kilowatt-hour), so RMB 100 will buy you roughly 200 units. To buy per unit, say: chong [number of units you’d like]du (充 … 度). Otherwise, specify a monetary amount by saying: mai [amount in RMB]kuai de dian (买 … 块的电). The bank teller will then top up your electricity card.
3. Return home and find your electricity meter box. It should be right outside your front door. Some have a lock, in which case your landlord should give you a key. Insert the electricity card into the meter and keep it inserted for at least 30 seconds, until the meter reads it. The amount of electricity units should show up on the meter, or at least blink after it’s done reading.
banks
Go to any of the following banks to buy electricity units from a bank teller:
• Agricultural Bank of China 中国农业银行
• Rural Commercial Bank 农村商业银行
• Bank of Beijing* 北京银行
• Bank of China 中国银行
• Bank of Communications* 交通银行
• China Everbright Bank* 中国光大银行
• China Merchants Bank* 招商银行
• Hua Xia Bank 华夏银行
• Industrial Commercial Bank of China (ICBC)* 中国工商银行
• Postal Saving Bank of China 中国邮政储蓄银行
*These banks have automated machines where you can buy electricity (Chinese-only).
tips
• It’s best to top off your electricity when it starts falling below 50 units.
• Keep the electricity card away from strong electromagnetic devices.
• Any questions? Call customer service of Beijing Electric Power Corporationat 95598 (English service available).
• If you lose your card: Take the electricity certificate (your landlord will have this) or the receipt from the last time you purchased electricity, as well as your housing contract to the bank. If you don’t have the electricity certificate or an old receipt, call Beijing Electric Power Corporation at 95598 and tell them the serial number on the meter. They will give you a number, which you need to bring to the bank with your housing contract to get a new card.
water
There are two ways to pay a water bill. Either the bill will come to your door, or you can charge water in advance with a card via building management. Water costs RMB 1.7 per cubic meter. If you receive a water bill, it must be paid on the spot, but if you’re not home, it will be taped to your door. To pay, take the bill to one of the following banks:
• Agriculture Bank of China 中国农业银行
• Bank of Beijing 北京银行
• Bank of China 中国银行
• Bank of Communications 交通银行
• China Citic Bank 中信银行
• China Construction Bank 中国建设银行
• China Everbright Bank 中国光大银行
• China Guangfa Bank 广东发展银行
• China Merchants Bank 招商银行
• China Minsheng Bank 中国民生银行
• Hua Xia Bank 华夏银行
• Industrial Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) 中国工商银行
• Industrial Bank 兴业银行
• Postal Saving Bank of China 中国邮政储蓄银行
• Rural Commercial Bank 农业商业银行
• Shanghai Pudong Development Bank 上海浦东发展银行
• Shenzhen Development Bank 深圳发展银行
other types of water
Some compounds charge separately for reclaimed water (water used for flushing toilets), hot water, and drinkable water (a second faucet). The last is not widely available; most people purchase drinking water from a water store located on the ground floor of their apartment compound. Reclaimed water and hot water are typically paid for using the top-up card system: handing over cash that is then transferred in the form of credit onto your water card. After topping up your card at either the bank or with your building management, insert your water card into the water meter for five seconds, but no more than 30 seconds. When the meter reaches two units, it’s time to purchase more water. As with the electricity card, keep it away from strong electromagnetic devices. It’s important to remember that apartment compounds have different systems for purchasing water. Some compounds require you to purchase water from them exclusively (you can’t buy water from a bank) and only on certain days of the week. Contact your building management for specific details. Drinkable water is usually paid in cash directly at the water company’s office each month.
gas
There are two types of meters for gas (tianranqi 天然气) in Beijing. One is paid through monthly bills, while the other is paid via a top-up card. The rate is RMB 2.05 per unit (cubic meter).
bills
This monthly bill will be presented to you by someone from the gas company, knocking on your door. After paying on the spot, you will be provided with a receipt. If you are not home, the gas bill is usually taped to the front of your door. Take the bill to one of the following banks to purchase gas:
• Agriculture Bank of China 中国农业银行
• Bank of Beijing 北京银行
• Bank of China 中国银行
• China Citic Bank 中信银行
• China Everbright Bank 中国光大银行
• China Guangfa Bank 广东发展银行
• China Merchants Bank 招商银行
•Hua Xia Bank 华夏银行
• Industrial Bank 兴业银行
• Postal Saving Bank of China 中国邮政储蓄银行
• Shanghai Pudong Development Bank 上海浦东发展银行
• Shenzhen Development Bank 深圳发展银行
top-up card
The top-up card system differs in each apartment compound, so it’s best to ask building management or your landlord about where to put money on your gas card (tianranqi ka 天然气卡). After putting money on the card, find your gas meter (normally found in the kitchen) and insert the card for at least 30 seconds. The meter will read the card. One unit of gas (cubic meter) costs around RMB 2.
internet
There are various types of Internet service in Beijing. The three major providers are China Unicom, China Telecom, or via your apartment compound. Wireless routers must be purchased separately; they can be found at Wal-Mart, Carrefour, and electronics chains, such as Bainaohui (aka Buy Now), Suning and Gome. To pay for Internet at the bank, bring your bill and inquire about fufei kuandai (付费宽带). If using China Unicom or China Telecom, you can also go straight to any of their offices to pay.
china unicom 中国联通
The most common type of Internet in Beijing is ADSL broadband Internet from China Unicom. It requires setting up a telephone line and a modem (which is provided free of charge from China Unicom). First, call 10010 (English service). After providing your address, you will be directed to the closest service office, where you can apply for broadband service. Bring your passport and a copy of your address written clearly in Chinese. In the next seven working days, the broadband will be installed. Depending on the package, fees can be paid at the end of each month, or a full year in advance. Yearly payment can only be done at the China Unicom Service Office. Monthly payment options vary from purchasing a phone card and charging your home phone number to paying at an automated machine (via Chinese debit card) or by cash to a bank teller at any bank or the post office and select ATMs. Broadband fees can almost always be paid at the service office as well.
china telecom 中国电信
To install China Telecom, call 10000 (English service) to see if they offer broadband Internet service in your community. The next step is applying for installation via phone or at their service office. Installation is typically done within seven working days of applying. If you apply for one year, they will give you a contract number, which you can bring to a bank teller to pay in advance. If you apply for a monthly service, the installation fee and first month of payment can be paid to any bank teller by the end of the first month.
community internet 小区宽带
Compared to ADSL, this community broadband is not as fast, but it is usually an inexpensive option that provides good customer service. The building management in your apartment compound can provide the appropriate phone number for installing this type of Internet. Payment is usually per month or in advance from half a year to one year. When it’s time to pay up again, a company employee will pay you a visit, where you can pay on the spot. Prices for each community vary, but below are some prices for your reference:
RESOURCES
Beijing Electric Power Corporation 北京电力公司
(95598, English-language service available)
China Unicom 中国联通
(10010, English-language service available)
China Telecom 中国电信
(10000, English-language service available)
Wal-Mart 沃尔玛
Daily 7.30am-10.30pm. B1/F, Block B, Wanda Plaza, 93 JianguoRoad, Chaoyang District (5960 3566) 朝阳区建国路93号万达广场B座 B1层
Carrefour (Shuangjing) 家乐福
Daily 8.30am-10.30pm. 31 Guangqu Lu, Chaoyang District (5190 9508) 朝阳区广渠路31
See directory under Supermarkets for more listings.
Suning (Ciyunsi) 苏宁电器
Daily 9am-9pm. 5 Balizhuang Dongli, Chaoyang District (6557 9996) 朝阳区八里庄东里5号
Gome (Shuangjing) 国美
Daily 9am-9pm. Shungjing Qiao West, Chaoyang District (5862 3091) 朝阳区东三环双井桥西
