My son will be traveling to Kashgar and Urumqi. Does anyone know the best way to get funds in that area? Should he plan on using ATMs or should he take travelers checks? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

He will be able to survive in both towns with an ATM card, but he would be well advised to take a modest sum in hard currency as a fall-back against ATM failure. Cash may also be withdrawn against a credit card over the counter at larger branches of the Bank of China, although at 4% plus whatever the card charges this is a little expensive and really for emergencies only.

He should also talk to his card issuer and obtain a list of working ATMs (while access is improving, most ATMs of most banks away from big cities do not accept foreign cards--but enough of them do if you plan ahead). Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Plus, Cirrus, and Maestro cards work, but those on most other electronic systems do not. Often lists of ATMs can be found on the card issuer's website.

Travellers' cheques are becoming tiresome in China, with even hotels that offer foreign exchange facilities to their guests (and only their guests) often now refusing to accept them and sending guests to the largest branch of the Bank of China.

American Express card holders can used their cards to guarantee personal cheques (or counter cheques) and withdraw cash that way at certain Bank of China branches. Consult AMEX for details.

Finally it is possible to send money via Western Union to post offices across China in case of emergencies. Consult Western Union's website for a list.

In short, with a little research before departure, there's nothing to worry about. It's getting on for ten years since I last took anything but an ATM card and a bit of hard currency to China.

Peter N-H

Thank you PeterN-H. We have successfully used ATMs in the larger Chinese cities but have no knowledge of such things in far western China. Your information has calmed some of my concerns.