Airlines The CAAC office (tel 0352/2044039) is on 1 Nanguan Nan Jie (daily 8.30am-5pm), with another office in the Yungang Binguan.

Banks and exchange The only place to cash travellers' cheques is at the main Bank of China (weekdays 8am-noon & 2.30-5pm) on Yingbin Xi Lu opposite the Datong Binguan. If you're staying at either Datong Binguan or the Yungang Binguan, you can exchange money or cash travellers' cheques until 8pm - non-guests can only exchange paper money.

Buses Buses for local towns, including Yingxian and Hunyuan, leave from the bus station on Xinjian Bei Lu about 1km from the train station. Xinkaili bus station, in the west of town, is the place to catch buses to the Yungang Caves. Technically, foreigners are not allowed to travel on local buses; however, this rule is not rigorously enforced except on buses to Wutai Shan, which must be accredited by CITS before they are allowed to carry you. Enquire at CITS at the station for further information.

Hospital People's Hospital No. 3 is in the south of the city on Yingbin Xi Lu, just west of the crossroads with Xinjian Nan Lu.

Left luggage There's a left-luggage office outside the train station on the western side of the concourse.

Post and telecommunications The large Russian-looking stately building on Xinjian Nan Lu, just south of Da Xi Jie, houses both the post office (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm), and a 24-hour telecom office.

PSB The police station (Mon-Sat 8.30-noon & 2.30-6pm) is on Xinjian Bei Lu, 200m north of the post office; take along a Mandarin speaker since they're not particularly heedful to traveller needs. If you have anything stolen insist on getting a loss report.

Shopping There's a small Friendship Store at 17 Nanguan Nan Jie.

Trains A comfortable waiting room, featuring armchairs and TV, at the back of the station, opposite the front door, is guarded by a stern lady who tells you when your train arrives - the privilege costs ¥5 for two hours. CITS buys most foreigners' tickets for them, but there's no reason why you can't leap into the fray at the booking office and try it for yourself.

Travel agents The main CITS office (daily 6.30am-6pm; tel 0352/5024176), on the eastern side of the concourse of the Yungang Binguan, deals with tour groups and provides guides. The more useful train station CITS office (daily 6.30am-6.30pm; tel 0352/5101326), inside the station itself, is particularly helpful and worth a visit for information on the city and the area. Their tours of the major sights are also worth considering, and they'll book same-day train tickets for a ¥40 charge.