Banks and exchange The two major branches of the Bank of China are in the south of the city on Changdi Lu and on Shamian Dadao, Shamian Island (both open for currency exchange Mon-Fri 9-11.30am & 1.30-5pm). Counters at the Liuhua, China, Landmark and Garden hotels will change currency for non-residents; the White Swan will not.

Bookshops The Foreign Language Bookstore, Beijing Lu, has an unexciting range of English literature, magazines and translated Chinese classics. Hotels are better: the White Swan has a good but expensive selection of everything, from potboilers to coffee-table works and contemporary Chinese fiction paperbacks; or try the random assortment at the far cheaper Dongfang, and the China or Garden for international papers and news magazines.

Cinemas The Nanguan and Yonghan on Beijing Lu show a range of imported and domestic celluloid each week. The latest Hong Kong blockbusters are shown at the screen next to the Yan Yan restaurant on Xihao Er Lu. Seats cost A?10-20.

Consulates and embassies Australia, Rm 1509, GITIC Plaza (tel 83350909); Canada, Rm 801, China Hotel (tel 86660569); France, Rm 803, GITIC Plaza (tel 83303405); Germany, 103 Shamian Bei Jie, Shamian Island (tel 81922566); Japan, Garden Hotel, Huanshi Dong Lu (Mon-Fri 9am-12.30pm & 2-5.30pm; tel 83343090); Malaysia, Floor 3, Ramada Pearl Hotel (tel 87395660); Netherlands, Unit 705, Main Tower, GITIC Plaza (tel 83302067); Philippines, Floor 1, White Swan Hotel, Shamian Island (visa section Mon-Fri 9-11am; tel 81886968); Thailand, White Swan Hotel, Shamian Island (tel 81886968); UK, Floor 2, GITIC Plaza (tel 83351354); US, Shamian Nan Lu, Shamian Island (tel 81888911).

Internet Upmarket hotels offer Internet access at around A?150 an hour; far cheaper at A?30 is Meet Internet Coffee Bar, at the Dongfeng Dong Lu-Nonglin Xia Lu crossroads (open after 2pm).

Interpreters Guangzhou Major Translation Service, just west of the Shamian Hotel, Shamian Island (tel 81912288). The major hotels can also organize interpreters for around A?250 per day - you're also expected to cover all additional incidental costs such as meals and transport.

Hospitals and health centres Red Cross Hospital (tel 84412233); a recommended English-speaking dentist is Dr Xin Shaoqin (tel 84403983). For vaccinations, try the International Traveller Health Clinic on Shamian Dadao, central Shamian Island (Mon-Fri 8am-noon & 2-4.30pm, Sat 9am-noon).

Left luggage Offices at the train and bus stations open approximately 8am-6pm.

Pharmacies Jian Min, Beijing Lu, at the crossroads just north of the Foreign Language Bookstore, is full of prescription drugs and traditional medicines in modern, comfortably ordinary surroundings. Similar and equally helpful is Youbing Yi Yao, opposite and just north of the Cultural Park entrance on Renmin Lu. The smaller Cai Zhi Lin, near the Yan Yan restaurant on Xihao Er Lu, stays open daily until 9pm.

PSB "Section of Aliens' Administration of Guangzhou Municipal PSB", Jiefang Bei Lu (Mon-Fri 8-11.30am & 2.30-5pm, Sat 8-11.30am; tel 83331060). This is the place to go for all police dealings, from visa extensions to reporting theft.

Post and telecommunications Guangzhou's GPO (daily 7am-7pm), with IDD telephones, parcel post and post restante is on the western side of the square outside the North train station. For stamps, letters and more phones, there's a depot on Zhongshan Lu, about 200m east of Renmin Lu (daily 8am-5pm); and for more of the same, plus facilities for mailing large overseas parcels, there's a major office on Liuersan Lu (daily 8.30am-8pm), across from the Cultural Park entrance. Shamian Island's post office counter is open 8am-5pm for stamps, envelopes and deliveries. All hotels have postal services and international call facilities.

Travel agents Generally, hotel travel desks (particularly at the Garden and China hotels) are the best places for individuals to get information, arrange organized tours and make transport reservations. The computerized office outside the White Swan is good solely for confirming plane tickets and booking transport to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Both CITS, beside the Guangdong Tourist Hotel, immediately east of the North train station square on Huanshi Dong Lu (tel 86666271, fax 86678048), and CTS, at the Landmark Hotel, can help with general transport bookings, though they prefer tour groups heading to main tour destinations. For mostly overseas destinations and your packages within China, Xpat Travel (tel 83507967) have a good reputation amongst Guangzhou's foreign residents.