how much in china?

Old May 25th, 2002, 08:22 PM
  #1  
lee may
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
how much in china?

dear friends.
i am gonna to spend 3 weeks in china. but somehow, how much do i actually need? maybe i am gonna to travel alone.
pls let me know,
regards,
lee may.

 
Old May 27th, 2002, 08:24 PM
  #2  
steve
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
there are atm's is all the major cities
 
Old May 29th, 2002, 05:25 AM
  #3  
Peter N-H
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
All major cities do indeed have ATMs, but some major cities, including some provincial capitals, do not have ATMs which accept foreign cards.

Even in those cities with foreigner-friendly machines, these represent only a handful of the total available.

Once you know your itinerary it's best to look at the Web site of your card issuer to find out where the ATMs you can use are. Both the Visa and Mastercard sites have this information, for instance.

However, the system is far more likely to break down than you would probably find at home, and it's unwise to let your funds run very low before trying to find a functioning machine.

And on the original question, it's possible to travel in China for as little as US$10 a day (some do it for less, but a little illegality and a great deal of discomfort is involved). It's also possible to spend as much as you would in London or New York. Someone will be able to answer the original query when they know whether you prefer buses or taxis, five star rooms or dormitories, planes or trains, and so on.

Peter N-H
http://members.axion.net/~pnh/China.html
 
Old May 31st, 2002, 05:45 PM
  #4  
Barry T
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Peter: If not ATM's, then what's the best way to take money with you?

BarryT
 
Old Jun 4th, 2002, 11:11 AM
  #5  
Patty
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I noticed that the exchange rate at several hotels was higher for traveler's checks than for cash (USD). You get about 0.2 to 0.3 yuan more per dollar when exchanging traveler's checks.
 
Old Jun 4th, 2002, 04:30 PM
  #6  
Peter N-H
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
The exchange rate is fixed by the Bank of China and faxed daily to all exchange outlets in hotels, so in all cases the rate is slightly better for cheques than for cash. Whether this is a benefit or not depends on how much you pay for your cheques in the first place. The commission on exchange in China is 0.75%, by the way.

When the are no functioning ATMs you can always walk into the biggest branch of the Bank of China and draw cash over the counter on Diner's, Amex, JCB, Mastercard, or Visa. Minimum withdrawal Y1200, commission 4%, plus whatever your card charges you--best saved for emergencies.

For a two or three week trip, and especially if you start in Beijing, the answer is probably to bring a little cash in foreign currencies (obviously be careful with it, but most other Asian countries are more of a problem for pickpockets than China, and robbery with violence from foreigners is almost unknown). Any hard currency from the Finnmark to the Malaysian ringgit will do.

At Beijing airport visit one of the ATMs (there are four taking foreign cards, including, highly unusually two non-Bank of China ones) and draw a lump sum of RMB to last the trip. Around China some machines have a maximum of Y2500 (should last weeks), and some do not. If the machines are down for any reason, there are four exchange counters, too. Change a little, and try the ATMs later on in the centre of Beijing, or visit Citibank or HSBC (both also in Shanghai), also in the centre of town, close to the Beijing International Hotel.

Keep the hard currency for emergencies or for if you just need a little more local currency at the end of the trip. Don't forget the Y90 international departure tax when you fly out, for instance.

Peter N-H
 
Old Jun 5th, 2002, 05:18 PM
  #7  
steve
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
i wouldnt worry about it i was able to get money while in Tibet so
 
Old Jun 6th, 2002, 05:18 PM
  #8  
lee may
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
million thanks to steve,pete,barry,pat.
with god by your side, you never felt alone.
regards,
lee may
 
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BYoung4u2
Asia
10
May 24th, 2011 12:17 PM
spring1121
Asia
2
Apr 13th, 2008 07:30 AM
Lauradublin
Asia
14
May 13th, 2005 07:23 PM
gail
Asia
6
Nov 18th, 2002 07:18 PM
Abby
Asia
5
May 1st, 2002 08:25 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -