Language
Indonesian is the national and official language of Indonesia, used throughout the country. It is the official language of communication, taught in schools, and used for electronic and digital media broadcasts. Most Indonesians also have their own ethnic languages and dialects, with Javanese and Sundanese being the most widely used.
Overseas communication
Buying a local SIM card for making calls is convenient and inexpensive. In some areas, you can also directly access the 3G network. There are various types of local SIM cards, such as IM3, SimPatiMentari, and ProXL. SimPati is the largest telecommunications company in the area with the best signal. There are many shops along the roadside specializing in selling various SIM cards, with prices generally similar. For example, a SimPati card only costs 15,000 rupiahs and includes 10,000 rupiahs of talk time. Making calls to local mobile phones is approximately 1,200 rupiahs per minute, while calling landlines is more expensive. Receiving calls is free, and when your balance is low, you can simply go to a store to top up.
Jet lag
China is 1 hour ahead of Indonesia. For example, the local time in the capital of Indonesia, Jakarta, is 18:20:09 on September 19, 2018, while the local time in the capital of China, Beijing, is 19:20:09 on September 19, 2018.
Currency exchange
The local currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (RP). When shopping, you can simply remove three zeros from the price to compare it with prices in your home country. The use of US dollars is also very common. Generally, accommodations, car rentals, and travel agency tours are quoted in US dollars, while shopping, dining, and tipping are mostly done in Indonesian Rupiah. It is not easy to exchange Indonesian Rupiah for Chinese RMB directly, and the exchange rate is poor. It is best to exchange US dollars in advance in your home country and then exchange them for Indonesian Rupiah upon arrival. Exchange services are available at airports, hotels, and banks, and there are also many exchange points in towns and on the streets. You can make an appointment at the Beijing branch of the Bank of China or at the foreign exchange counter 1-2 days in advance.
Shopping guide
Indonesian specialties include Batik, Balinese traditional clothing, unique jewelry, incense, essential oils, natural soaps, Balinese wood carvings, and more.
voltage
The standard voltage in Indonesia is 230V, and the standard frequency is 50Hz. The standard voltage in China is 220V, and the standard frequency is 50Hz. Both countries' voltages fall within the high voltage range of 220V-250V, and both countries' electrical appliances are suitable for this high voltage range.
Climate and clothing
1. Indonesian cuisine tends to favor sour, spicy, sweet, and bitter flavors, especially sour and spicy flavors. 2. Most Indonesian main meals consist of rice, accompanied by various curries, fish, soups, and salads (vegetables), and can be eaten in any order according to individual preferences. After meals, snacks usually consist of seasonal fruits or various desserts made from flour, eggs, coconut milk, and palm sugar. 3. Indonesians do not drink hot tea or boiled water; they prefer to add ice. When drinking fruit juice, they usually add a small amount of salt.
IndonesiaEmergency Number
Medical: 1669/1691/1554 Fire: 199 Police: 191 Tourist complaints: 1155 (with Chinese service) Chinese Embassy in Indonesia: +66-2-245-7010 Global Consular Protection Emergency Call Center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China: +86-10-12308/59913991
meals
1. Indonesian cuisine tends to favor sour, spicy, sweet, and bitter flavors, especially sour and spicy flavors. 2. Most Indonesian main meals consist of rice, accompanied by various curries, fish, soups, and salads (vegetables), and can be eaten in any order according to individual preferences. After meals, snacks usually consist of seasonal fruits or various desserts made from flour, eggs, coconut milk, and palm sugar. 3. Indonesians do not drink hot tea or boiled water; they prefer to add ice. When drinking fruit juice, they usually add a small amount of salt.
Tipping culture
Most hotels and restaurants will add an additional 11% government tax and 10% service charge to the bill, so there is no need to tip separately. For porters, the standard tip is around 5,000 rupiahs per piece of luggage. The tip for room service staff is approximately USD 1 per room per night. Please avoid using coins as tips. Other tips, such as for taxis or airport porters, are approximately 3,000-5,000 rupiahs, depending on the workload. The tip for tour guides is generally around RMB 50 per person per day.
Consumer shopping attention
1. Tourists should carefully discern their purchases. If you have no intention of buying, please do not bargain to avoid disputes. 2. When purchasing small items, avoid using large amounts of cash. When receiving change, please check the authenticity of the banknotes in person. 3. When purchasing large items and requiring them to be mailed back to your home country, you will be responsible for the customs clearance fees, import taxes, and insurance fees incurred at the customs office. Please consider this carefully. 4. After making a purchase, be sure to ask for relevant receipts.