Going to Beijing next week, need advise on money tips

We used travellers checks. Got an excellent rate from the hotel cashiers. We tried an ATM once and it was an adventure! Maybe if the ATM offers English, it would be more likely to succeed. We didn't get any money from that machine, but others in our group said that they were able to use an ATM.

Just came back one week ago. We used travelers checks. Changed some at the airport when we arrived and some more at the hotel later. This was actually easier than going to the bank and offered a good exchange rate. (We tried to change some at the bank. No one spoke English. When they pointed for a corner for us to sit in and we waited a little while we decided to leave because we couldn't figure out the procedure. Note: no line at the bank at the time, so we really didn't know what was going on.) <BR> <BR>The rate of exchange is better for travelers check then for cash. We also used our ATM card one time - at the machine in the hotel lobby - without problem. Credit cards are less commonly accepted in China - so you may need more cash (TC) than you might otherwise bring. I think ATMs can be few and far between. (I'll add that we spent less money than we expected and came home with almost 1/2 of our travelers checks used. We are able to charge a fair number of our restaurant meals and our hotel stays.) <BR> <BR>I'll be posting a trip report soon - but it may not be up before you leave. We went to Beijing and Chengde. If you have some questions feel free to email me at [email protected] <BR> <BR>It was a great trip!

Can't imagine why you couldn't exchange at the bank. We had no problems at banks. If you are going on a tour your guide will exchange at the going rate (better than hotels.) money is tightly controlled in China so there is not much difference where you exchange money. However, DO NOT try the black market, you will either get taken, or arrested.

Early April this year in Beijing, I found the following(Chinese currency called <BR>Ren Min Bi&lt;bee&gt: <BR> <BR>Cash(1 USD): 8.06~8.07 RMB <BR>Tr. Checks : 8.26~8.27 RMB with 3%service charge <BR>ATM card : 8.20RMB <BR> <BR>ATM comes out with the most favorable rates. I don't know other places, but ATM at the airport definitely works. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>