118 CultureShock! China
or on a side lane. Ask the security guards if you are unsure
where to park.STAYING CONNECTED
Within the last ten years, China has become one of the
easiest places to stay connected to the world. The mobile
phone network is phenomenal. You can get phone service
almost anywhere—the entire length of the Three Gorges
Dam river cruise, along the first stretch of the Karakorum
Highway, the highway on the rooftop of the world, on the
beaches of Sanya, and at monasteries in Shangri-la. This,
coupled with the cheap service that IP provides, allows you
to have a daily chat with your mother the same way you did
when you lived five blocks away back home. Services like
Skype and IP phone cards make staying connected to your
friends and family easy.
Telecommunication options in China’s cities now match
what is found in other parts of the world. Each home comes
equipped with a traditional landline. There are two mobile
phone systems in China, GSM (European standard) and
CDMA (American standard). Newer buildings come pre-wiredIf you know how to cycle, getting around on a bicycle is a great way to
experience the sights and sounds of China.