The most efficient and cost effective way to get in touch with family and friends while you are in China is by email. Most hotels (if not all) offer Internet access in their business centers at a very reasonable rate ($1-3 an hour). If you wish to speak to family members or friends by telephone, then it's best to email them your room number upon check-in at each hotel and have them call you because calling back to the U.S. from China can cost about $1 USD per minute plus connection fees. A list of all the hotel phone numbers and how to dial to China from the U.S. will be sent with your final package. Be sure to have your family and friends purchase a phone card ahead of time because they offer much better rates than most long distance carriers or using a home/mobile phone.
