Airline CAAC, Minzu Jie (Mon-Sat 8am-noon & 2.30-6pm; tel 0951/6022063).

Banks and exchange The main Bank of China building is in the western part of Laocheng, on Jiefang Jie (Mon-Sat 9am-noon & 2.30-6.30pm). There is also a branch in Xincheng, on Xincheng Lu a few hundred metres east of Tiedong Lu.

Bookshops There are a couple of stores where you can pick up English-language novels as well as local maps: the Foreign Language Bookstore is at the corner of Jiefang Jie and Jining Jie; the Xinhua Bookstore is more conveniently central, between the Drum Tower and Yuhuang Pavilion on Jiefang Jie.

Internet You can access the Net from the business centre of the Rainbow Bridge Hotel for a pricey ¥60 an hour; alternatively, you can use the demonstration computers on the fifth floor of the shopping centre opposite the Xinhua Shopping Centre for free, provided you ask nicely.

Post and telecommunications The main post office is at the junction of Jiefang and Minzu Jie. Long-distance calls can be made from the 24-hour office on Jiefang Jie.

Trains Buying outward-bound tickets can be done directly from the station, but you are unlikely to get more than a hard seat. If you want a sleeper, your hotel will almost certainly be able to arrange it for you, with around ¥30 commission, as long as you give at least 24 hours' notice. Otherwise try a travel agent.

Travel agents The China Travel Service of Ningxia (tel 0951/5044485) is located at 150 Jiefang Jie, at Ximen in the western end of Laocheng. Ningxia CITS (tel 0951/5043720) shares the same address. Enquire at these for tours of areas outside the city.