As my departure date in March draws closer I am wondering about how to access funds while in China; will I have any problems with my ATM that has a 4-digit PIN number?

Is that the best way to get cash? I am thinking that many places to eat as well as shop may not take plastic, right?

sorry, meant to say "with my ATM card." Are there plenty of ATM's in Beijing and Shanghai, my two destinations?

???

The 4-digit PIN works fine. In the past (quite a few years ago now) the ATMs in Asia could not handle 6-digit PINs when that was the standard in the US. There are plenty of ATMs in Bejing and Shanghai.

Whether the ATM is the "best" way to get cash depends a lot on your bank. It is certainly the most convenient. Some banks charge $5 each time you withdraw funds and even add on a 3% exchange fee on top of that. Talk to your bank so you know exactly what fees will be charged. I opened a new account at a bank that charges no exchange fee and no transaction fee just for my use when I travel.

My feeling is that ATMs are the best way to get cash. But you should know that in case one of them doesn't work, just go to the next one. Keep trying.

Also, take out a lot at first, to save on the per withdrawal fee as Kathie says. But I don't think I have ever had a $5 fee.

Hi

My wife and I went to Beijing in March 2003 and you can read a trip report with pictures on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com/china_beijing.htm . We didn't have any trouble getting cash while we were there. We got cash at the airport and there was also ATM's in a main shopping area, in the Carrefour next to the hotel etc. Have a great trip

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

ekscrunchy, you are a "seasoned" traveller, so you probably know about this.

Whenever I travel and try to get money from an ATM machine, I always try to (1) do it during regular hours when the banks are open, and (2) find one attached to a bank.

that way if you have problem with the machine (like eating up your card; or won't giving you money, or wrong change etc. etc.) you can go inside the bank to talk to them directly.

That's a tip I picked up from this website some years ago.

Thanks everyone. Gard I have read your report and a few of your other reports as well. Excellent!

John, thanks. I also picked up that tip a while back and always stick to it. Those stories of people's cards being eaten are scary. And I recently read one about someone getting far less cash than requested and that was printed on the receipt...probably read that one right here! Thanks again for the terrific maps!